Un extranjero en la selva

Una de las razones más fuertes que tuve para elegir aColombia para mi año de estudio afuera fue la cantidad de oportunidades para viajar, inclusive viajar a la selva. No es que no haya naturaleza en los Estados Unidos. Hay bosque a la lata. Pero lo que no tenemos es jungla con micos, anacondas. Indrgenas y todo lo que lleva la selva. Siempre habra visto los programas educacionales mostrando cómo viven los animales y cómo sobreviven los Indios en ella

La selva confusa y Cómo se comunican dos estrellas contrarias: comedias gemelas

Cómo se comunican ha sido atribuida recientemente, por primera vez en más de tres siglos, a don Pedro Calderón de la Barca. La comparación entre esta comedia y La selva confusa, del mismo autor, avala esta atribución, ya que los paralelismos en la estructuración dramática de ambas comedias son numerosos y llamativos. Se aducen motivos para suponer que Cómo se comunican es anterior a La selva confusa, lo cual significaría una fecha tempranísima de composición dentro de la producción dramática de Calderón.

EVALUACIÓN DE HÁBITAT POTENCIAL PARA LA DANTA CENTROAMERICANA (TAPIRUS BAIRDII) EN EL CORREDOR BIOLÓGICO SAN JUAN-LA SELVA, COSTA RICA

La danta centroamericana (Tapirus bairdii) es el mamífero terrestre de mayor tamaño en el Neotrópico. Es un importante dispersor de semillas que contribuye al enriquecimiento de especies en los bosques donde habita. Varios estudios ecológicos han permitido conocer esta especie discreta; sin embargo, su distribución y el tamaño de sus poblaciones permanece sensiblemente desconocido fuera de las áreas silvestres protegidas. El propósito de esta investigación consistió en proponer una metodología de análisis geo-espacial sencilla que permitiera realizar una evaluación rápida del hábitat potencial para la danta centroamericana. Se seleccionaron siete variables de la ecología de la danta centroamericana, las cuales fueron evaluadas en el Corredor Biológico San Juan-La Selva, mediante un sistema de información geográfica (SIG). Estimamos la población de dantas con un rango de 69 a 208 individuos. Esto es una manera barata de determinar la viabilidad del hábitat de la danta cuando existe información confiable sobre los procesos dinámicos de los ecosistemas presentes en el área del estudio.Palabras clave: Tapiridae, danta centroamericana, Tapirus bairdii, evaluación de hábitat, analisis geo-espacial, Corredor Biológico San Juan-La Selva, Costa RicaAbstract: Baird’s Tapir (Tapirus bairdii) is the largest terrestrial mammal in the Neotropics. It is an important seed disperser that contributes to the enrichment of species in the forests where it lives. Several ecological studies on this species have generated knowledge about this discreet species; nevertheless, its distribution and the size of its populations outside protected wildlife areas sensibly remain unknown. The purpose of this investigation consisted in proposing a simple methodology of geo-space analysis that allowed realizing a fast evaluation of the potential habitat for Baird’s Tapir. Seven variables of the ecology of Baird’s Tapir were selected, which were evaluated in the San Juan-La Selva Biological Corridor, using a geographical information system (GIS) program. We estimated the tapir population to range from 69 to 208 individuals. This is an inexpensive way to assess Tapir’s habitat viability when there is a strong knowledge about the dynamic processes from the ecosystems present in the study area.Key Words: Tapiridae, Baird’s Tapir, Tapirus bairdii, habitat viability assessment, geo-spatial analysis, San Juan-La Selva Biological Corridor, Costa Rica

DINÁMICAS Y CONFLICTOS TERRITORIALES EN EL MANEJO CERTIFICADO DE LA SELVA TROPICAL NATIVA EN AMAZONIA BRASILEÑA

El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar los procesos de uso da floresta por una empresa que recibió certificación de manejo de la selva para producir madera compensada para el mercado nacional e internacional, en Democracia, localidad situada en Manicoré, Amazonas, a orillas del Río Madeira, en la selva amazónica brasileña.Para reconstruir los procesos y entender los conflictos territoriales y socioambientales fueron utilizadas metodologías de observación directa; geohistoria (líneas de tiempo); mapeamientos sociales; e interpretación de imágenes de satélite de los últimos veinticinco años.El estudio revela que en ese período Democracia fue objeto de distintas políticas socioeconómicas y ambientales como implantación de una ruta federal, emprendimientos privados, programas y leyes de protección ambiental y de apoyo a comunidades tradicionales. Todas esas iniciativas, especialmente la extracción de madera, provocaron diferentes conflictos en el uso de la tierra y en la formación o delimitación de diversas territorialidades. El manejo certificado de selvas tropicales causa menos impactos ambientales y representa un diferencial para el mercado productor y consumidor de madera, pero aún requiere mejores actitudes con relación a las poblaciones extrativistas que viven en los territorios de recolección de madera.

El niño de la selva

El niño de la selva

Hacia un teatro decolonial o de la liberación: la propuesta teatral de Rafael Murillo Selva-Rendón

Rafael Murillo Selva-Rendón es un teatrista hondureño que viene realizando su trabajo desde hace 40 años casi en silencio y fuera del canon latinoamericano. Su propuesta parte de las comunidades y se realiza con actores “no profesionales” de esas mismas comunidades. En otras palabras varía los términos de la dramaturgia con la inversión de todo el discurso teatral tanto occidental como emancipador.

Distribución espacial de Tinámidos (tinamiformes) en la Estación Biológica La Selva, Costa Rica (ING)

In the period from September to November 2003 I registered tinamids, using routes with variable radius through paths and transects of 200 m in four different habitats of La Selva Biological Station (10°25ʼ52.51"N, 84°00ʼ12.96"W). The objective of this study was to identify the sites that are frequent the most by the three different species of Tinamiformes of the area. I registered highest number of tinamous using transects of 200 m. Tinamus major was mainly found in primary forest, where it was very hard to observe, and in an abandoned agroforestry system, where it was very tolerant to the presence of humans. It was observed solitary or in group of up to five adult individuals. Crypturellus soui would concentrate more in areas that had an initial secondary growth, and was the specie most difficult to observe, it was registered as pairs and groups. Crypturellus boucardi is a uncommon specie, it was found solitary in different types of habitats.

A NARRATIVA DA SELVA, OU, A SELVA NO CONTEXTO DO REGIONALISMO AMAZÔNICO

Este texto procura abordar a narrativa de A Selva, romance histórico do escritor luso-brasileiro José Maria Ferreira de Castro, publicado em Portugal, no ano de 1930. Trata--se de um dos mais representativos relatos do seringal amazonense bem como sobre sua vinculação ao tema do regionalismo crítico, que justificam e fazem merecer o olhar contemporâneo, ainda mais pelo fato de evocar confluências entre história, literatura e memória enquanto lugares de resistência, deixando entrever vários contextos fronteiriços, na medida em que visa a relatar um dos mais vivos arquivos da historiografia brasileira e da região amazônica, em particular. Ainda, como várias outras narrativas similares do regionalismo brasileiro, A Selva guarda restrito interesse no âmbito dos estudos literários contemporâneos, o que tornam narrativas deste porte um dos mais produtivos e representativos objetos de análise no contexto das literaturas regionais e de fronteiras. Nosso trabalho visa a pôr em discussão o lugar que obras como A Selva acabaram assumindo, mais como um descaso do destino do que por uma meticulosa apreciação, que, felizmente, já vem alterando o quadro da historiografia contemporânea. Principalmente quando pensamos em aspectos teórico-críticos próprios às literaturas das margens, contextos de fronteiras, sucesso e fortuna crítica, cânone e anticânone, dentre outros aspectos que remodelam o referido quadro.

Taking a 'reality' check : expanding pre-service teachers' views on pedagogy and diversity

The outcomes of a two-pronged 'real-world' learning project, which aimed to expand the views of pre-service teachers about learning, pedagogy and diversity, will be discussed in this paper. Seventy-two fourth-year and 22 first-year students, enrolled in a Bachelor of Education degree in Queensland, Australia, were engaged in community sites outside of university lectures, and separate from their practicum. Using Butin's conceptual framework for service learning, we show evidence that this approach can enable pre-service teachers to see new realities about the dilemmas and ambiguities of performing as learners and as teachers. We contend that when such 'real-world' experiences have different foci at different times in their four-year degree, pre-service teachers have more opportunities to develop sophisticated understandings of pedagogy in diverse contexts for diverse learners.

Critical social theory and transformative learning : evidence in pre-service teachers' service-learning reflection logs

This paper reports on the opportunities for transformational learning experienced by a group of pre-service teachers who were engaged in service-learning as a pedagogical process with a focus on reflection. Critical social theory informed the design of the reflection process as it enabled a move away from knowledge transmission toward knowledge transformation. The structured reflection log was designed to illustrate the critical social theory expectations of quality learning that teach students to think critically: ideology critique and utopian critique. Butin's lenses and a reflection framework informed by the work of Bain, Ballantyne, Mills and Lester were used in the design of the service-learning reflection log. Reported data provide evidence of transformational learning and highlight how the students critique their world and imagine how they could contribute to a better world in their work as a beginning teacher.

Long term survival following the detection of circulating tumour cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Background Techniques for detecting circulating tumor cells in the peripheral blood of patients with head and neck cancers may identify individuals likely to benefit from early systemic treatment. Methods Reconstruction experiments were used to optimise immunomagnetic enrichment and RT-PCR detection of circulating tumor cells using four markers (ELF3, CK19, EGFR and EphB4). This method was then tested in a pilot study using samples from 16 patients with advanced head and neck carcinomas. Results Seven patients were positive for circulating tumour cells both prior to and after surgery, 4 patients were positive prior to but not after surgery, 3 patients were positive after but not prior to surgery and 2 patients were negative. Two patients tested positive for circulating cells but there was no other evidence of tumor spread. Given this patient cohort had mostly advanced disease, as expected the detection of circulating tumour cells was not associated with significant differences in overall or disease free survival. Conclusion For the first time, we show that almost all patients with advanced head and neck cancers have circulating cells at the time of surgery. The clinical application of techniques for detection of spreading disease, such as the immunomagnetic enrichment RT-PCR analysis used in this study, should be explored further.

Promoting self-determination for better health and wellbeing for adolescents who have an intellectual disability

The focus of this paper is on an Australian research project that evaluated the effectiveness of a resource called the Ask Health Diary, which is used in the school curriculum to promote self-determination for better health and wellbeing for adolescents who have an intellectual disability. Education and health researchers used questionnaires and interviews to gather data from adolescents attending special schools and special education units located in secondary schools in south-east Queensland, their teachers and their parents/carers. This paper reports on two research questions: First, ‘How did the teachers use the Ask Health Diary to promote self-determination in health?’, and second, ‘How did teachers, parents/carers and students perceive the benefits and value of the Ask Health Diary?’ The findings indicate that the Ask Health Diary provides a sound curriculum framework for teachers, adolescents and parents/carers to work together to promote self-determination and better health outcomes for young people who have an intellectual disability.

The impact of transformative learning in a critical service-learning program on teacher development: Building a foundation for inclusive teaching

With international and national policies requiring teachers to adopt inclusive practices worldwide, this paper examines the impact of transformational learning in a critical service-learning program on final-year pre-service teachers’ approaches to inclusive teaching. Data from emailed questionnaires and focus group interviews are analysed through a social, critical framework. The results indicate that the critical service-learning program provided the students with an opportunity to consider diversity and inclusion in selecting teaching strategies, and to enact values suitable to inclusive practices and appreciation of diversity in schools. In this paper we argue that transformative learning experiences about inclusivity and diversity are needed if pre-service teachers are to be challenged to adopt inclusive values and practice in schools. A critical service-learning program for pre-service teachers provides a solid foundation on which to develop or build on the ability to think and teach inclusively.

Two monoclonal antibodies to precisely the same epitope of type ii collagen select non-crossreactive phage clones by phage display: Implications for autoimmunity and molecular mimicry

Two monoclonal antibodies (mAb) CB268 and CII-C1 to type II collagen (CII) react with precisely the same conformational epitope constituted by the residues ARGLT on the three chains of the CII triple helix. The antibodies share structural similarity, with most differences in the complementarity determining region 3 of the heavy chain (HCDR3). The fine reactivity of these mAbs was investigated by screening two nonameric phage-displayed random peptide libraries. For each mAb, there were phage clones (phagotopes) that reacted strongly by ELISA only with the selecting mAb, and inhibited binding to CII only for that mAb, not the alternate mAb. Nonetheless, a synthetic peptide RRLPFGSQM corresponding to an insert from a highly reactive CII-C1-selected phagotope, which was unreactive (and non-inhibitory) with CB268, inhibited the reactivity of CB268 with CII. Most phage-displayed peptides contained a motif in the first part of the molecule that consisted of two basic residues adjacent to at least one hydrophobic residue (e.g. RRL or LRR), but the second portion of the peptides differed for the two mAbs. We predict that conserved CDR sequences interact with the basic-basic-hydrophobic motif, whereas non-conserved amino acids in the binding sites (especially HCDR3) interact with unique peptide sequences and limit cross-reactivity. The observation that two mAbs can react identically with a single epitope on one antigen (CII), but show no cross-reactivity when tested against a second (phagotope) indicates that microorganisms could exhibit mimics capable of initiating autoimmunity without this being evident from conventional assays.

Local structural disorder and its influence on the average global structure and polar properties in Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3

Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 (NBT) and its derivatives have prompted a great surge in interest owing to their potential as lead-free piezoelectrics. In spite of five decades since its discovery, there is still a lack of clarity on crucial issues such as the origin of significant dielectric relaxation at room temperature, structural factors influencing its depoling, and the status of the recently proposed monoclinic (Cc) structure vis-a-vis the nanosized structural heterogeneities. In this work, these issues are resolved by comparative analysis of local and global structures on poled and unpoled NBT specimens using electron, x-ray, and neutron diffraction in conjunction with first-principles calculation, dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric measurements. The reported global monoclinic (Cc) distortion is shown not to correspond to the thermodynamic equilibrium state at room temperature. The global monocliniclike appearance rather owes its origin to the presence of local structural and strain heterogeneities. Poling removes the structural inhomogeneities and establishes a long-range rhombohedral distortion. In the process the system gets irreversibly transformed from a nonergodic relaxor to a normal ferroelectric state. The thermal depoling is shown to be associated with the onset of incompatible in-phase tilted octahedral regions in the field-stabilized long range rhombohedral distortion.