bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Latent introduction to the Netherlands of multiple antibiotic resistance including NDM-1 after hospitalisation in Egypt, August 2013
Authors: Bathoorn E , Friedrich A W , Zhou K , Arends J P , Borst D M , Grundmann H , Rossen J W
Published: November 2013

We describe the introduction of various multi-drug resistant bacterial strains, including an NDM-1-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, through a traveller returning from Egypt, where they had been admitted to a private hospital. All family members of the patient were colonised with one or more extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing strains. These findings emphasise the importance of adherence to isolation precautions for returning patients and suggest the need for inclusion of Enterobacteriaceae in admission screening.
Dramatic change in public attitudes towards vaccination during the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic in France
Authors: Peretti-Watel P , Verger P , Raude J , Constant A , Gautier A , Jestin C , Beck F
Published: November 2013

We investigated the potential impact of the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic on attitudes towards vaccination among people aged 18 to 75 years and living in metropolitan France. We used data from three national telephone surveys conducted on representative samples in 2000, 2005 and 2010 (n=12,256, n=23,931, n=8,573 respectively). In France, unfavourable attitudes towards vaccination in general dramatically increased from 8.5% in 2000 and 9.6% in 2005 to 38.2% in 2010. In 2010, among respondents who held unfavourable attitudes towards vaccination, 50% mentioned specifically their opposition to the influenza A(H1N1) vaccine. The sociodemographic profile associated with these attitudes also changed greatly. In particular, unfavourable attitudes towards vaccination in general became significantly more frequent among less educated people in 2010. These attitudes were also correlated with vaccination behaviours. For example, parents who were unfavourable towards vaccination in general were more likely to report that they had at least one child who did not get the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine. As this shift in attitude may have a significant impact on future vaccination coverage, health authorities should urgently address the vaccine confidence gap.
Trends in influenza vaccination behaviours – results from the CoPanFlu cohort, France, 2006 to 2011
Authors: Caille-Brillet A L , Raude J , Lapidus N , De Lamballerie X , Carrat F , Setbon M
Published: November 2013

Controversies over the effectiveness and safety of the pandemic influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine in 2009/10 may have altered the influenza vaccination coverage in France after the pandemic season. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the pandemic affected seasonal influenza vaccination behaviours in the general population by analysing vaccination behaviours from 2006/07 to 2011/12 among the 1,451 subjects of the Cohort for Pandemic Influenza (CoPanFlu) France. We found that vaccination behaviours in 2010/11 and 2011/12 significantly differed from behaviours before the pandemic, with the notable exception of the targeted risk groups for seasonal influenza-related complications. Among the population with no risk factors, the post-pandemic influenza vaccine coverage decreased, with people aged 15 to 24 years and 45 to 64 years being most likely to abandon vaccination. Therefore, this study documents a moderate negative effect of the 2009/10 pandemic episode on vaccination behaviours in the French metropolitan population that was apparent also in the following two seasons. Moreover, it does not exclude that the general trend of reduced vaccination has also affected certain targeted groups at high risk for complications.
Removal of Chromium (VI) From Leachate Using Bacterial Biomass
Authors: Pun Ramesh , Raut Prakash , Pant Boj Raj
Published: November 2013

Scientific World, Vol. 11, No. 11, July 2013, page 63-65 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/sw.v11i11.8554
Tumor Metabolism of Malignant Gliomas
Authors: Ru Peng , Williams Terence , Chakravarti Arnab , Guo Deliang
Published: November 2013

Constitutively activated oncogenic signaling via genetic mutations such as in the EGFR/PI3K/Akt and Ras/RAF/MEK pathways has been recognized as a major driver for tumorigenesis in most cancers. Recent insights into tumor metabolism have further revealed that oncogenic signaling pathways directly promote metabolic reprogramming to upregulate biosynthesis of lipids, carbohydrates, protein, DNA and RNA, leading to enhanced growth of human tumors. Therefore, targeting cell metabolism has become a novel direction for drug development in oncology. In malignant gliomas, metabolism pathways of glucose, glutamine and lipid are significantly reprogrammed. Moreover, molecular mechanisms causing these metabolic changes are just starting to be unraveled. In this review, we will summarize recent studies revealing critical gene alterations that lead to metabolic changes in malignant gliomas, and also discuss promising therapeutic strategies via targeting the key players in metabolic regulation.
Exosomes in Prostate Cancer: Putting Together the Pieces of a Puzzle
Authors: Soekmadji Carolina , Russell Pamela , Nelson Colleen
Published: November 2013

Exosomes have been shown to act as mediators for cell to cell communication and as a potential source of biomarkers for many diseases, including prostate cancer. Exosomes are nanosized vesicles secreted by cells and consist of proteins normally found in multivesicular bodies, RNA, DNA and lipids. As a potential source of biomarkers, exosomes have attracted considerable attention, as their protein content resembles that of their cells of origin, even though it is noted that the proteins, miRNAs and lipids found in the exosomes are not a reflective stoichiometric sampling of the contents from the parent cells. While the biogenesis of exosomes in dendritic cells and platelets has been extensively characterized, much less is known about the biogenesis of exosomes in cancer cells. An understanding of the processes involved in prostate cancer will help to further elucidate the role of exosomes and other extracellular vesicles in prostate cancer progression and metastasis. There are few methodologies available for general isolation of exosomes, however validation of those methodologies is necessary to study the role of exosomal-derived biomarkers in various diseases. In this review, we discuss “exosomes” as a member of the family of extracellular vesicles and their potential to provide candidate biomarkers for prostate cancer.
Fluctuations of Intensive Quantities in Statistical Thermodynamics
Authors: Ruuge Artur
Published: November 2013

In phenomenological thermodynamics, the canonical coordinates of a physical system split in pairs, with each pair consisting of an extensive quantity and an intensive one. In the present paper, the quasithermodynamic fluctuation theory of a model system of a large number of oscillators is extended to statistical thermodynamics based on the idea of perceiving the fluctuations of intensive variables as the fluctuations of specific extensive ones in a “thermodynamically dual” system. The extension is motivated by the symmetry of the problem in the context of an analogy with quantum mechanics, which is stated in terms of a generalized Pauli problem for the thermodynamic fluctuations. The doubled Boltzmann constant divided by the number of particles plays a similar role as the Planck constant.
Microalgae for Biofuels and Animal Feeds
Authors: Benemann John
Published: November 2013

The potential of microalgae biomass production for low-cost commodities—biofuels and animal feeds—using sunlight and CO2 is reviewed. Microalgae are currently cultivated in relatively small-scale systems, mainly for high value human nutritional products. For commodities, production costs must be decreased by an order of magnitude, and high productivity algal strains must be developed that can be stably cultivated in large open ponds and harvested by low-cost processes. For animal feeds, the algal biomass must be high in digestible protein and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids that can substitute for fish meal and fish oils. Biofuels will require a high content of vegetable oils (preferably triglycerides), hydrocarbons or fermentable carbohydrates. Many different cultivation systems, algal species, harvesting methods, and biomass processing technologies are being developed worldwide. However, only raceway-type open pond systems are suitable for the production of low-cost commodities.
Iridescence in Meat Caused by Surface Gratings
Authors: Martinez-Hurtado Juan , Akram Muhammad , Yetisen Ali
Published: November 2013

The photonic structure of cut muscle tissues reveals that the well-ordered gratings diffract light, producing iridescent colours. Cut fibrils protruding from the muscle surface create a two-dimensional periodic array, which diffract light at specific wavelengths upon illumination. However, this photonic effect misleads consumers in a negative way to relate the optical phenomenon with the quality of the product. Here we discuss the fundamentals of this optical phenomenon and demonstrate a methodology for quantitatively measuring iridescence caused by diffraction gratings of muscle tissue surface of pork (Sus scrofa domesticus) using reflection spectrophotometry. Iridescence was discussed theoretically as a light phenomenon and spectral measurements were taken from the gratings and monitored in real time during controlled drying. The findings show that the intensity of diffraction diminishes as the surface grating was dried with an air flow at 50 °C for 2 min while the diffracted light wavelength was at 585 ± 9 nm. Our findings indicate that the diffraction may be caused by a blazed surface grating. The implications of the study include providing guidelines to minimise the iridescence by altering the surface microstructure, and in consequence, removing the optical effect.
Organizational Mission and Revenue Diversification among Non-profit Sports Clubs
Authors: Wicker Pamela , Feiler Svenja , Breuer Christoph
Published: November 2013

The beneficial effects of diversified income portfolios are well documented in previous research on non-profit organizations. This study examines how different types of organizational missions affect the level of revenue diversification of organizations in one industry, a question that was neglected in previous research. Based on contingency theory, it is assumed that different missions are associated with different funding sources. Since missions can be complementary or conflicting, specific attention needs to be paid to the combination of missions. The sport sector is chosen as an empirical setting because non-profit sports clubs can have various missions while their overall purpose is promoting sport. Panel data from a nationwide survey of non-profit sports clubs in Germany are used for the analysis. The regression results show that revenue diversification is significantly determined by organizational mission. Historically, typical mission statements like promoting elite sport, tradition, conviviality, non-sport programs, and youth sport have a positive effect on revenue diversification, while clubs with a commercial orientation and a focus on leisure and health sport have more concentrated revenues. The findings have implications for club management in the sense that some missions are associated with higher financial risk and that the combination of missions should be chosen carefully.
The Ribonucleoprotein Csr Network
Authors: Seyll Ethel , Van Melderen Laurence
Published: November 2013

Ribonucleoprotein complexes are essential regulatory components in bacteria. In this review, we focus on the carbon storage regulator (Csr) network, which is well conserved in the bacterial world. This regulatory network is composed of the CsrA master regulator, its targets and regulators. CsrA binds to mRNA targets and regulates translation either negatively or positively. Binding to small non-coding RNAs controls activity of this protein. Expression of these regulators is tightly regulated at the level of transcription and stability by various global regulators (RNAses, two-component systems, alarmone). We discuss the implications of these complex regulations in bacterial adaptation.
Gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) Scaling on Polybenzimidazole and Cellulose Acetate Hollow Fiber Membranes under Forward Osmosis
Authors: Chen Si , Su Jincai , Fu Feng-Jiang , Mi Baoxia , Chung Tai-Shung
Published: November 2013

We have examined the gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) scaling phenomena on membranes with different physicochemical properties in forward osmosis (FO) processes. Three hollow fiber membranes made of (1) cellulose acetate (CA), (2) polybenzimidazole (PBI)/polyethersulfone (PES) and (3) PBI-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)/polyacrylonitrile (PAN) were studied. For the first time in FO processes, we have found that surface ionic interactions dominate gypsum scaling on the membrane surface. A 70% flux reduction was observed on negatively charged CA and PBI membrane surfaces, due to strong attractive forces. The PBI membrane surface also showed a slightly positive charge at a low pH value of 3 and exhibited a 30% flux reduction. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) force measurements confirmed a strong repulsive force between gypsum and PBI at a pH value of 3. The newly developed PBI-POSS/PAN membrane had ridge morphology and a contact angle of 51.42° ± 14.85° after the addition of hydrophilic POSS nanoparticles and 3 min thermal treatment at 95 °C. Minimal scaling and an only 1.3% flux reduction were observed at a pH value of 3. Such a ridge structure may reduce scaling by not providing a locally flat surface to the crystallite at a pH value of 3; thus, gypsum would be easily washed away from the surface.
3D-QSAR and Cell Wall Permeability of Antitubercular Nitroimidazoles against Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Lee Sang-Ho , Choi Minsung , Kim Pilho , Myung Pyung
Published: November 2013

Inhibitory activities of monocyclic nitroimidazoles against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) deazaflavin-dependent nitroreductase (DDN) were modeled by using docking, pharmacophore alignment and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA) methods. A statistically significant model obtained from CoMSIA was established based on a training set using pharmacophore-based molecular alignment. The leave-one out cross-validation correlation coefficients q2 (CoMSIA) were 0.681. The CoMSIA model had a good correlation (/CoMSIA = 0.611) between the predicted and experimental activities against excluded test sets. The generated model suggests that electrostatic, hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding interactions all play important roles for interaction between ligands and receptors. The predicted cell wall permeability (logPapp) for substrates with high inhibitory activity against Mtb were investigated. The distribution coefficient (logD) range was 2.41 < logD < 2.89 for the Mtb cell wall membrane permeability. The larger the polar surface area is, the better the permeability is. A larger radius of gyration (rgry) and a small fraction of rotatable bonds (frtob) of these molecules leads to higher cell wall penetration ability. The information obtained from the in silico tools might be useful in the design of more potent compounds that are active against Mtb.
Exclusive Breastfeeding and Developmental and Behavioral Status in Early Childhood
Authors: Jonsdottir Olof , Thorsdottir Inga , Gunnlaugsson Geir , Fewtrell Mary , Hibberd Patricia , Kleinman Ronald
Published: November 2013

Breastfeeding during infancy may have beneficial effects on various developmental outcomes in childhood. In this study, exclusively breastfed infants were randomly assigned to receive complementary foods from the age of 4 months in addition to breast milk (CF, n = 60), or to exclusively breastfeed to 6 months (EBF, n = 59). At 18 months and again at 30–35 months of age, the children were evaluated with the Parent’s Evaluation of Developmental Status questionnaire (PEDS) and the Brigance Screens-II. The parents completed the PEDS questionnaire at both time intervals and the children underwent the Brigance Screens-II at 30–35 months. At 30–35 months, no significant differences were seen in developmental scores from the Brigance screening test (p = 0.82). However, at 30–35 months a smaller percentage of parents in group CF (2%) had concerns about their children’s gross motor development compared to those in group EBF (19%; p = 0.01), which remained significant when adjusted for differences in pre-randomization characteristics (p = 0.03). No sustained effect of a longer duration of exclusive breastfeeding was seen on selected measures of developmental and behavioral status at 18 months, although at 30–35 months, a smaller percentage of parents of children introduced to complementary foods at four months of age expressed concerns about their gross motor development.
Hedgehog Pathway Blockade Inhibits Melanoma Cell Growth in Vitro and in Vivo
Authors: O'Reilly Kathryn , De Miera Eleazar , Segura Miguel , Friedman Erica , Poliseno Laura , Han Sung , Zhong Judy , Zavadil Jiri , Pavlick Anna , Hernando Eva , Osman Iman
Published: November 2013

Previous reports have demonstrated a role for hedgehog signaling in melanoma progression, prompting us to explore the therapeutic benefit of targeting this pathway in melanoma. We profiled a panel of human melanoma cell lines and control melanocytes for altered expression of hedgehog pathway members and determined the consequences of both genetic and pharmacological inhibition of the hedgehog pathway activator Smoothened (SMO) in melanoma, both in vitro and in vivo. We also examined the relationship between altered expression of hedgehog pathway mediators and survival in a well-characterized cohort of metastatic melanoma patients with prospectively collected follow up information. Studies revealed that over 40% of the melanoma cell lines examined harbored significantly elevated levels of the hedgehog pathway mediators SMO, GLI2, and PTCH1 compared to melanocytes (p < 0.05). SMO inhibition using siRNA and the small molecule inhibitor, NVP-LDE-225, suppressed melanoma growth in vitro, particularly in those cell lines with moderate SMO and GLI2 expression. NVP-LDE-225 also induced apoptosis in vitro and inhibited melanoma growth in a xenograft model. Gene expression data also revealed evidence of compensatory up-regulation of two other developmental pathways, Notch and WNT, in response to hedgehog pathway inhibition. Pharmacological and genetic SMO inhibition also downregulated genes involved in human embryonic stem cell pluripotency. Finally, increased SMO expression and decreased expression of the hedgehog pathway repressor GLI3 correlated with shorter post recurrence survival in metastatic melanoma patients. Our data demonstrate that hedgehog pathway inhibition might be a promising targeted therapy in appropriately selected metastatic melanoma patients.
Responses of African Grasses in the Genus Sporobolus to Defoliation and Sodium Stress: Tradeoffs, Cross-Tolerance, or Independent Responses?
Authors: Griffith Daniel , Anderson T.
Published: November 2013

In the Serengeti ecosystem of East Africa, grazing ungulates prefer areas with elevated grass Na, suggesting that some grasses tolerate both high soil Na and defoliation. We performed a factorial Na-by-defoliation greenhouse study with five abundant Sporobolus congeners to explore whether Serengeti grasses possess traits which: (i) confer tolerance to both Na and defoliation (cross-tolerance); (ii) display a tradeoff; or (iii) act independently in their tolerances. Our expectation was that related grasses would exhibit cross-tolerance when simultaneously subjected to Na and defoliation. Instead, we found that physiological tolerances and growth responses to Na and defoliation did not correlate but instead acted independently: species characterized by intense grazing in the field showed no growth or photosynthetic compensation for combined Na and defoliation. Additionally, in all but the highest Na dosage, mortality was higher when species were exposed to both Na and defoliation together. Across species, mortality rates were greater in short-statured species which occur on sodic soils in heavily grazed areas. Mortality among species was positively correlated with specific leaf area, specific root length, and relative growth rate, suggesting that rapidly growing species which invest in low cost tissues have higher rates of mortality when exposed to multiple stressors. We speculate that the prevalence of these species in areas of high Na and disturbance is explained by alternative strategies, such as high fecundity, a wide range of germination conditions, or further dispersal, to compensate for the lack of additional tolerance mechanisms.
The Contribution of Forests and Trees to Sustainable Diets
Authors: Vinceti Barbara , Termote Céline , Ickowitz Amy , Powell Bronwen , Kehlenbeck Katja , Hunter Danny
Published: November 2013

With the growing demands from a population expected to reach 9 billion people by 2050, it is unclear how our current global food system will meet future food needs. Ensuring that all people have access to adequate and nutritious food produced in an environmentally and socio-culturally sustainable manner is one of the greatest challenges of our time. “Sustainable diets” have been proposed as a multidimensional framework to address the need for nutritious and adequate food in the context of the many challenges facing the world today: reducing poverty and hunger, improving environmental health, enhancing human well-being and health, and strengthening local food networks, sustainable livelihoods and cultural heritage. This paper examines the contribution of forests and trees to sustainable diets, covering among others, nutritional, cultural, environmental and provisioning aspects. The literature reviewed highlight major opportunities to strengthen the contribution of forest and tree foods to sustainable diets. However, several constraints need to be removed. They relate to: cultural aspects, sustainable use of non-wood forest products, organization of forest food provisioning, limited knowledge of forest food composition, challenges in adapting management of forests and trees to account for forest foods, and in integrating forest biodiversity into complex landscapes managed for multiple benefits. Finally, the paper identifies research gaps and makes recommendations to enhance the contribution of forest foods to sustainable diets through increased awareness and better integration of information and knowledge on nutritious forest foods into national nutrition strategies and programs.
Atomic force microscopy recognition of protein A onStaphylococcus aureuscell surfaces by labelling with IgG–Au conjugates
Authors: Tatlybaeva Elena B , Nikiyan Hike N , Vasilchenko Alexey S , Deryabin Dmitri G
Published: November 2013

The labelling of functional molecules on the surface of bacterial cells is one way to recognize the bacteria. In this work, we have developed a method for the selective labelling of protein A on the cell surfaces ofStaphylococcus aureusby using nanosized immunogold conjugates as cell-surface markers for atomic force microscopy (AFM). The use of 30-nm size Au nanoparticles conjugated with immunoglobulin G (IgG) allowed the visualization, localization and distribution of protein A–IgG complexes on the surface ofS. aureus. The selectivity of the labelling method was confirmed in mixtures ofS. aureuswithBacillus licheniformiscells, which differed by size and shape and had no IgG receptors on the surface. A preferential binding of the IgG–Au conjugates toS. aureuswas obtained. Thus, this novel approach allows the identification of protein A and other IgG receptor-bearing bacteria, which is useful for AFM indication of pathogenic microorganisms in poly-component associations.
La naturalización de la mente
Authors: Martínez Velasco Jesús
Published: November 2013

El artículo plantea la posibilidad de ofrecer acerca de los fenómenos y eventos mentales una concepción naturalista de análogo tenor a la que se ofrece de cualquier otro fenómeno físico o biológico. Aunque esto no supone pasar necesariamente por el reduccionismo, sí que constituye éste una de las posibilidades. En cualquier caso, la filosofía de la mente no puede ser prisionera de una tradición que exige un lugar separado y autónomo para la psicología del sentido común, y debe abrirse y reconstruirse como filosofía de la ciencia, en cuyo ámbito los eventos mentales no pueden situarse en un nivel diferente del natural, porque ello supondría viciar de raíz el origen biológico de cualquier actividad humana, incluida la actividad mental. Dicho lo cual, es necesario aceptar que no se conoce todavía lo suficiente acerca del funcionamiento de las estructuras físico-cerebrales implicadas en la actividad cognitiva, pero éste parece ser, a pesar de todo, el camino más correcto.
Los nuevos paraísos. Historia y evolución de los parques temáticos
Authors: Ten Antonio E.
Published: November 2013

Europa está descubriendo en los últimos años una moda cuyas raíces arraigaron primero en su territorio pero cuyo florecimiento se produjo en los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica. La actual proliferación de parques temáticos y su indudable impacto cultural y económico los convierte en un fenómeno social digno de estudio. Pese a ello, la bibliografía a ellos dedicada es todavía muy escasa.
El presente artículo describe los orígenes de este fenómeno de nuestro tiempo, desde los primeros jardines y exposiciones universales, que pueden considerarse como sus antecesores, hasta los grandes parques de atracciones de principios de este siglo; resalta el carácter educativo no formal que distingue la filosofía de los parques temáticos y destaca el papel de la industria del entretenimiento americana en su popularización.
Por fin, como una de las vías de evolución actual del concepto, se presenta la noción de «parque temático abierto» y se estudian sus posibilidades en los ámbitos del ocio y de la educación del siglo XXI.
San Millán, Patrimonio de la Humanidad
Authors: Martín Municio Ángel
Published: November 2013

El Monasterio de San Millán de la Cogolla acaba de recibir de la UNESCO el título de Patrimonio de la Humanidad. Efectivamente, pocos patrimonios de la humanidad como la lengua, y pocos patrimonios orales y escritos como los nacidos al calor monástico de San Millán hace un milenio largo. La lengua y la literatura castellana, de España y América, son la brillante justificación de este patrimonio.
La ruptura de una tradición americanista en el CSIC: la evanescencia de la revista Tierra Firme
Authors: López-Ocón Cabrera Leoncio
Published: November 2013

Se intenta ofrecer una visión panorámica y un análisis del territorio historiográfico del americanismo cultivado en Madrid en el seno de la JAE y del CSIC durante el siglo XX. Para abordar esa tarea se realiza un estudio comparado de las revistas Tierra Firme y Revista de Indias. Estas dos empresas culturales son contempladas como dos expresiones discontinuas de un laboratorio o lugar de cultivo de las ciencias humanas, en el que se produjo una diferente mezcla de ideología nacionalista, cultivo de la memoria y práctica historiográfica.
El Madrid cultural en la España de Felipe II
Authors: Cepeda Adán José , Cepeda Gómez Ana María
Published: November 2013

No disponible.
Averroes a los ochocientos años de su muerte
Authors: Cruz Hernández Miguel
Published: November 2013

A los ocho siglos de su muerte (1198), Averroes es visto históricamente desde cuatro puntos de vista. Para el Islam fue un sabio musulmán andalusí «liberal» y moderado. Para el mundo medieval latino fue médico galénico, filósofo riguroso y el mejor comentador de Aristóteles. Para el pensamiento árabe contemporáneo, abrió la polémica y puede ser paradigma de la racionalidad árabe-islámica. Para el filósofo-historiador, sus ideas chocaron con el integrismo almohade, como el averroísmo latino con el concordismo teológico-filosófico de los teólogos. Fue, en resumen, un adelantado para su tiempo y en parte lo sigue siendo para el Islam.
Arqueología en Egipto y Sudán. El proyecto de investigación de Ehnasya el Medina (Heracleópolis Magna), Egipto
Authors: Pérez Die María del Carmen
Published: November 2013

La presencia española en excavaciones en Egipto y Sudán es relativamente reciente. Se inició en la década de los años sesenta mediante la participación en la campaña de salvamento de Nubia y ha continuado hasta la actualidad, gracias a una serie de proyectos de investigación arqueológica como el que se desarrolla en el yacimiento de Ehnasya el Medina (Heracleópolis Magna), que está proporcionando conclusiones fundamentales para la historia de Egipto. Existen, también, otros proyectos que muestran el interés por la egiptología, así como el alto desarrollo que esta ciencia ha alcanzado en nuestro país.
El Patronato «Juan de la Cierva» (1939-1960). III Parte: La investigación científica y tecnológica
Authors: López García Santiago
Published: November 2013

El presente artículo es el último de una trilogía cuyas partes precedentes han sido publicadas en los números anteriores de Arbor. Ya hemos tratado los orígenes, la organización y la financiación del Patronato. Ahora, nos fijaremos en la investigación científica y tecnológica que se llevó a cabo en el periodo de la «autarquía económica» (epígrafe 5). Al final, exponemos las conclusiones y los apéndices y bibliografía comunes a los tres escritos.
Sobre la teoría y práctica de la ciencia
Authors: De la Rosa Miguel Ángel
Published: November 2013

La investigación y el desarrollo —normalmente conocidos por su abreviatura I+D—, así como la innovación tecnológica se consideran, sin lugar a dudas, los pilares básicos del progreso. Lo que no parece estar tan claro son las fuentes de financiación del conjunto del sistema ciencia-tecnología, estando abierto hoy un amplio debate en muchos países, acerca de su carácter público o privado y, por consiguiente, acerca de su mayor o menor rentabilidad en términos económicos. En este artículo se intenta añadir un nuevo ingrediente al debate, al reclamar, con argumentos «humanistas», la formación integral de la persona. Para ello, se realiza una mirada retrospectiva a los orígenes de la ciencia y del pensamiento, mas con visión y afán de futuro.
Cómo introducir vectores éticos eficaces en el sistema tecnológico
Authors: Queraltó Ramón
Published: November 2013

Un problema clave de la actual sociedad tecnológica es el del cambio en los valores éticos. Normalmente, su tratamiento consiste en oponer al sistema tecnológico, desde su exterior, una serie de valores éticos que se consideran deseables e imprescindibles y a los cuales aquél ha de adaptarse. Esta estrategia ha mostrado continuamente su inoperancia real, a causa de la autonomía y de la fuerza propia del sistema tecnológico. Por ello, se propone una nueva metodología ética, que evite dicha inoperancia; para lo cual se describen, en primer lugar, los rasgos más relevantes de la sociedad tecnológica y el tipo de racionalidad interna que posee (la racionalidad tecnológica), basada primariamente en la eficacia operativa, para, en segundo lugar, estudiar como criterio de presentación social de los valores éticos dicha eficacia práctica, respecto de los fines del sistema tecnológico. Se trata así de emplear el principio técnico de eficacia y operatividad como principio de dimensión ética, y hallar semejanzas estructurales entre ambos que justifiquen que el sistema socio-técnico pueda adoptar vectores éticos basados en esta estrategia diferente. Finalmente, se deducen, siguiendo esta metodología, cuáles podrían ser los valores éticos primordiales que actuaran como vectores éticos eficaces en la sociedad tecnológica.
La experiencia emocional de la sexualidad: una perspectiva psicofisiológica
Authors: Mas Manuel
Published: November 2013

Este ensayo presenta unas reflexiones sobre la experiencia emocional y las bases psicofisiológicas del comportamiento sexual. Se discuten las dificultades conceptuales y metodológicas que ofrece el estudio científico de la sexualidad y el modo en que las afrontan sus investigadores. Se describen los principales correlatos neurobiológicos y endocrinos del comportamiento sexual obtenidos en animales de experimentación y en humanos, con énfasis en las peculiaridades que presenta el orden de los primates, especialmente los antropoides, con respecto a las demás especies en lo que respecta a su fisiología sexual. Se comentan los riesgos de basar reglas morales en observaciones conductuales erróneas.
Eusko Ikaskuntza/Sociedad de Estudios Vascos: ochenta años haciendo ciencia
Authors: Goiriena de Gandarias y Gandarias Juan José
Published: November 2013

No disponible.
La ciencia en el 98
Authors: Martín Municio Ángel
Published: November 2013

Es un tanto inútil reseñar una etapa histórica, limitada en la geografía y lógicamente en el tiempo, quizá mucho menos aún en la historia de la ciencia, desde el análisis de valores absolutos. Quizá, el análisis deba realizarse, teniendo en cuenta, al menos, tres importantes aspectos comparados: de un lado, bajo la doble dimensión de la profundidad que en la misma época nos venía ofreciendo la ciencia mundial; de otro, desde la perspectiva longitudinal de la evolución, anterior y posterior, de la ciencia española; y, sin olvidar, en tercer lugar, que al lado de la consideración de los hechos aislados de la ciencia, es obligado el análisis de la presencia de una ciencia organizada.
Será bajo esta triple perspectiva desde la que se podrá alcanzar alguna conclusión. Y aunque los considerandos serán en seguida el objeto de esta exposición, el resultando principal, a mi juicio, es que la ciencia de nuestro final de siglo, en relación con el nivel de la ciencia mundial, formó parte de un continuo, muy a ras de suelo, aunque con una ligera pendiente en ascenso que, desde mediado el siglo XIX, se fue elevando durante las primeras décadas del presente siglo.
Por tanto, para poder llevar a cabo esta evaluación, echemos una ligerísima ojeada al escenario que la ciencia mundial nos mostraba en las décadas que acogieron el cambio de siglo.
Técnicas de análisis físico: radiografía y reflectografía de infrarrojo, aplicadas al estudio de los bienes muebles
Authors: Gabaldón García Araceli
Published: November 2013

No disponible.
La conservación preventiva de las obras de arte
Authors: Herráez Ferreiro Juan A. , Rodríguez Lorite Miguel A.
Published: November 2013

No disponible.
Hydrologic science and social problems
Authors: Dooge James C. I.
Published: November 2013

No disponible.
Mitos y realidades sobre la crisis del agua en España
Authors: Llamas  Madurga M. Ramón
Published: November 2013

Los problemas del agua están con tanta frecuencia en los periódicos que se ha hecho usual hablar de la existencia de una crisis del agua. Esos problemas se caracterizan por su complejidad y por su variabilidad, debida ésta tanto a la irregularidad climática, como a los rápidos cambios en la percepción social de estos problemas.
Se analizan los principales paradigmas que rigen la política del agua en España. Se clasifican en tres grupos: éticos, estéticos y tecnológicos. Se da prioridad al análisis del primer grupo ya que los paradigmas éticos son los que más influyen en la gestión del agua.
El agua y el arte
Authors: Chueca Goitia Fernando
Published: November 2013

En el artículo «El agua y el arte» se analiza la importancia que tiene el agua en el mundo del arte, a través de los jardines y sus muchas variedades.
El autor se refiere luego a los diversos aspectos que tienen el jardín francés, el jardín inglés, y el jardín español, de acuerdo con su geografía, pluviometría y cultura propias.
El jardín español de abolengo musulmán es el jardín de los países secos que atesoran el agua como bien precioso, porque no lo regala la naturaleza y es necesario transportarlo y encerrarlo en el cofre de una arquitectura sugerente.
Por eso el jardín español es un jardín recoleto y misterioso, enclaustrado y secreto, sin lejanías ni perspectivas. Se extiende luego el autor en los jardines de la Alhambra granadina, sin olvidar otros, principalmente andaluces. Jardines de los claustros monacales, de El Escorial y de los Sitios reales, también interesan, en suma, al articulista.
TUBERCULOSIS IN CHILDREN
Authors: Esposito Susanna
Published: November 2013

Tuberculosis (TB) in children is a neglected aspect of the TB epidemic despite it constituting 20% or more of all TB cases in many countries with high TB incidence. Childhood TB is a direct consequence of adult TB but remains overshadowed by adult TB because it is usually smear-negative. Infants and young children are more likely to develop life-threatening forms of TB than older children and adults due to their immature immune systems. Therefore, prompt diagnoses are extremely important although difficult since clinical and radiological signs of TB can be non-specific and variable in children. Despite undeniable advances in identifying definite, probable, or possible TB markers, pediatricians still face many problems when diagnosing TB diagnosis. Moreover, curing TB can be difficult when treatment is delayed and when multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens are the cause of the disease. In these cases, the prognosis in children is particularly poor because MDR-TB treatment and treatment duration remain unclear. New studies of diagnostic tests and optimal treatment in children are urgently needed with the final goal of developing an effective anti-TB vaccine.
Mathematical model for calcium carbonate acid mine drainage reaction: a multiple time scale approach
Authors: Fusi Lorenzo , Monti Alessandro , Farina Angiolo , Primicerio Mario
Published: November 2013

In this paper we present a mathematical model for the flow of an acid solution through a reacting porous medium. The solid matrix is supposed to be formed by families of spheres with di¤erent radii and the fluid is supposed to saturate the pores. The system is described by the evolution of the overall ion concentration and the radii of the spheres. The structure of the mathematical problem is multi-scale in time and for each time-scale di¤erent simplified problems can be obtained. We give some analytical results and display some numerical simulations to show the behavior of the solutions. The main practical application of this model is the flow of acid solution through neutralizing cartridges in which solid particles of CaCO3 are used to neutralize a given flow of an acid mine drainage.
Multi-factor controls on terrestrial carbon dynamics in urbanised areas
Authors: Zhang C. , Tian H. , Pan S. , Lockaby G. , Chappelka A.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. As urban land cover and populations continue rapidly increasing across the globe, much concern has been raised that urbanization may significantly alter terrestrial carbon dynamics that affects atmospheric CO2 concentration and climate. Urbanization involves complex changes in land structure and multiple environmental factors. Relative contribution of these and their interactive effects need be quantified to better understand urbanization effects on regional C dynamics as well as assess the effectiveness of C sequestration policies focusing on urban green space development. In this study, we analyzed the factors that may control the urbanization effect on ecosystem C dynamics, and proposed a numeric experimental scheme, i.e. scenarios design, to conduct factorial analysis on the effects of different factors. Then as a case study, a dynamic land ecosystem model (DLEM) was applied to quantify the urbanization effect on the C dynamics of the Southern US (SUS) from 1945–2007, and to analyze the relative contributions from each environmental factor and their interactive effects. We found the effect of urban land conversion dominated the C dynamics in the SUS, resulting in about 0.37 Pg C lost from 1945–2007. However, urban ecosystem management and urban-induced environmental changes enhanced C sequestration by 0.12 Pg and 0.03 Pg, respectively. Their C sequestration effects, which amounted to 40% of the magnitude of land conversion effect, partially compensated for the C loss during urbanization. Numeric experiments and factorial analyses indicated complex interactive effects among different factors and between various land covers and environmental controls, findings need to be further confirmed by field studies. The proposed numeric experimental scheme provides a quantitative approach for understanding the complex mechanisms controlling C dynamics, and defining best development practices in urbanised areas.
Study of antioxidant activity of natural food supplements
Authors: Lozova Tetyana
Published: November 2013

This article describes the results of a study of antioxidant activity of natural food supplements suggested for use in flour confectionery production. Oxidation rate of the model substance - cumene - was measured using a volumetric unit. Diagram of absorbed oxygen amount as a function of time (∆HO2 over t) was built by measuring time in minutes and absorbed oxygen volume in cm3. This diagram was subsequently used to graphically determine the oxidation rate as the slope ratio of the line in specified coordinates. Afterwards, the oxidation rate was measured at a different initiation rate (different azobisisobutyronitrile solution volume), while all other parameters of the experiment remained unaltered. On the basis of the resulting data, diagrams of oxidation rate as a function of initiation rate were built for all investigated substances (both extracts and powders). The study revealed that apian products, including pollen and propolis, as well as kidney bean powder and phytosupplements (leaves of leather bergenia, lime blossom, heartsease, wild chamomile, pepper mint, bog rosemary, and elderflowers), possessed high antioxidant activity. According to the research data, the highest activity was detected in propolis  0.482·20 pollen 0.802 and powdered forms of pepper mint 1.066 leather bergenia leaves 0.937 heartsease 0.385 lime blossom 0.331 and kidney beans 0.323. Relatively lower antioxidant activity was found in powdered bog rosemary 0.242 elderflowers 0.238 and wild chamomile 0.212. (Introduction of the investigated supplements will allow inhibiting oxidation processes in the lipide fraction of foodstuffs, including flour confectionery, to ensure stability of their qualitative characteristics over a longer period).
The effects of cigarette smoking on prostate-specific antigen in two different age groups
Authors: Koc Gokhan , Akgul Korhan , Yilmaz Yuksel , Dirik Alper
Published: November 2013

Background: We investigate the effects of cigarette smoking on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) using 2 different age groups.Methods: The study was carried out between January 2007 and October 2011 with men; the 2 sets of age groups were: 25 to 35 years and 50 to 70 years old. The participants were divided into 4 groups. Of the 25 to 35 age range, smokers were Group 1, and non-smokers were Group 2; of the 50 to 70 age range, smokers were Group 3 and non-smokers Group 4. In addition, for the 50 to 70 age group, the International Prostate Symptom Score was completed, digital rectal examination was performed, and transabdominal prostate volume was measured. We wanted to see whether prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels showed a difference between the 2 age groups.Results: There were 114 patients in Group 1, 82 in Group 2,90 in Group 3, and 102 in Group 4. The mean PSA level was 0.7 ± 0.28 ng/mL for Group 1, and 0.6 ± 0.27 ng/mL for Group 2 (p = 0.27), and there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups. The mean PSA was 2.5 ± 1.8 ng/mL for Group 3, and 2.1 ± 2.0 ng/mL (p = 0.59) for Group 4, and there was no statistically significant difference between the these 2 age groups.Interpretation: Cigarette smoking effects various hormone levels. Different from previous studies, the PSA level was higher in smokers compared to nonsmokers, although it was not statistically significant. Our study is limited by the small numbers in our study groups and the lack of PSA velocity data.
Variations in prostate biopsy practice: A quantitative questionnaire-based study
Authors: Lipinski Matthew O. , Siemens D. Robert , Groome Patti A.
Published: November 2013

Background: The ambivalent results of recent large randomized prostate cancer studies have added a significant layer of uncertainty for clinicians and patients contemplating investigation of early disease. This uncertainty and lack of prescriptive recommendations from professional organizations has led to significant variation in practice in North America. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of variation in biopsy recommendations by urologists and to discern factors predictive for these recommendations.Methods: An anonymous, cross-sectional, self-report questionnaire was sent to all active members of the Canadian Urological Association practicing in Ontario. The survey consisted of demographic data and 10 closed-ended questions designed to capture biopsy preferences in ambiguous clinical situations. Respondent preferences for recommending a prostate biopsy were compared to a guideline-informed study standard. Descriptive and correlative statistics were used to analyze the responses.Results: The response rate to the survey was 74%. The responses showed considerable variability in recommendations for or against biopsy. While most of the urologists concurred with the research team’s study standard recommendations, only 4 scenarios had over 80% concurrence and 1 scenario, which centered on the utility of free PSA, had only had 42% concurrence. None of the respondent’s descriptors were associated with trends to recommend biopsy other than the number of biopsies performed per year (p = 0.04).Interpretation: This self-report survey investigating prostate biopsy thresholds identifies considerable variation in practicing urologists in Ontario. The drivers of biopsy recommendations in these relatively ambiguous clinical situations appeared to be age, suspicious rectal examinations, and total PSA.
Prolapsed cecoureterocele presented as prenatal genital mass: a urological challenge
Authors: Méndez-Gallart Roberto , Estevez-Martinez Elina , Rodriguez-Barca Pablo , García-Palacios Maria , Bautista-Casasnovas Adolfo
Published: November 2013

Prolapse of a cecoureterocele through the urethra presenting as a prenatal vulval mass is an extremely uncommon entity. We present a case of a newborn girl with a cecoureterocele extending through the urethra (diagnosed at 29 weeks’ gestation) and we present its postnatal findings and outcomes.
Is There Really Granger Causality between Energy Use and Output?
Authors: Bruns Stephan B. , Gross Christian , Stern David I.
Published: November 2013

We carry out a meta-analysis of the very large literature on testing for Granger causality between energy use and economic output to determine if there is a genuine effect in this literature or whether the large number of apparently significant results is due to publication or misspecification bias. Our model extends the standard meta-regression model for detecting genuine effects in the presence of publication biases using the statistical power trace by controlling for the tendency to over-fit vector autoregression models in small samples. Granger causality tests in these over-fitted models have inflated type I errors. We cannot find a genuine causal effect in the literature as a whole. However, there is a robust genuine effect from output to energy use when energy prices are controlled for.
Notes on two lichenicolous Epigloea species from Central Europe
Authors: Czarnota Paweł , Hernik Emil
Published: November 2013

Taxonomic remarks, known distribution, ecological notes and new records in Central Europe for two species of Epigloea are provided. Many specimens recognized here under E. soleiformis characterize slightly wider and more ellipsoid ascospores than those described in the protologue but they are regarded as some kind of a phenetic variability of this species. E. soleiformis seems to be not only algicolous fungus but also facultatively lichenicolous on Placynthiella spp. and terricolous Peltigera spp. while E. urosperma is found to be exclusively lichenicolous on Placynthiella dasaea. E. soleiformis is new for the Western Carpathians and the Harz Mts, and E. urosperma is new for whole Carpathians.