bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment of Acanthamoeba neurotrophic corneal ulcer with topical matrix therapy
Authors: Mateo Antonio , Abadía Beatriz , Calvo Pilar , Minguez Enrique , Pablo Luis , del Castillo José Manuel Benitez
Published: June 2015

Background

This study was done to evaluate the visual and anatomical outcomes of topical regenerating agents as a novel therapy for neutrophic corneal ulcer (NCU) secondary to acanthamoeba infection.

Findings

A 20-year-old woman with a history of contact lens wear was referred to our hospital for keratitis after responding poorly to conventional treatment. In vivo confocal microscopy images suggested acanthamoeba keratitis with double-walled cysts in the anterior corneal stroma. Acanthamoeba infection was confirmed by laboratory findings. She was started on 0.1 % propamidine and 0.02 % chlorhexidine drops every hour. The antibiotic and antifungal drops were stopped when bacterial and fungal cultures proved negative. A central neurotrophic corneal ulcers (NCU) appeared, and despite treatment with artificial tears, bandage contact lens, and autologous serum, the ulcer worsened and she was treated with topical CACICOL20 (1 drop every 2 days) for 8 weeks. The corneal defect was completely repaired in 3 weeks. The treatment was well tolerated, and no local or systemic side effects were noted. Visual acuity remained 20/400. Two months later, the defect was still closed and the patient continued with 0.1 % propamidine and 0.02 % chlorhexidine drops, bandage contact lens, artificial tears, and autologous serum.

Conclusions

Topical regenerating agents interact with components of the extracellular matrix, binding matrix proteins and protecting them from proteolysis, restoring the matrix environment, and improving tissue healing. In this case, CALCICOL20 was effective for vision stabilization, wound healing, and was well tolerated for NCU secondary to acanthamoeba infection.
Further studies on the biological activity of hazelnut allergens
Authors: Blanc F. , Bernard H. , Ah‐Leung S. , Przybylski‐Nicaise L. , Skov P. Stahl , Purohit A. , de Blay F. , Ballmer‐Weber B. , Fritsche P. , Rivas M. Fernandez , Reig I. , Sinaniotis A. , Vassilopoulou E. , Hoffmann‐Sommergruber K. , Vieths S. , Rigby N. , Mills C. , Adel‐Patient K.
Published: June 2015

Background

Sensitization to hazelnut allergens vary depending on the geographic origin and age of the patients. The objective of this study was to further investigate the allergenic activity of hazelnut allergens using sera from patients recruited in various European regions and presenting different sensitization patterns to hazelnut proteins.

Methods

Natural Cor a 11 and Cor a 9 were purified from hazelnut whereas Cor a 1 and Cor a 8 were produced as recombinant proteins (rCor a 1.04 and rCor a 8). Sera from hazelnut allergic patients were collected in France (n = 5), Switzerland (n = 2), Greece (n = 11) and Spain (n = 3), within the Europrevall project. Total and allergen‐specific IgE were quantified by enzyme allergosorbent test and IgE immunoblot were performed using pooled sera from birch‐pollen endemic region or from Greece. Histamine Release (HR) assays were performed with stripped basophils passively sensitized with individual sera and challenged by a hazelnut extract or the different hazelnut allergens.

Results

As previously described, hazelnut allergic patients from Mediterranean countries are mainly sensitized to the nsLTP Cor a 8 whereas patients from France and Switzerland are sensitized to pollen‐related allergens. Interestingly, an intermediate profile was evidenced in patients from Madrid. Hazelnut 7S globulin (Cor a 11) and 11S globulin (Cor a 9) were found to be minor allergens, recognized only by patients from Mediterranean countries. The biologic activity of the 4 tested allergens, analysed by HR assay, further confirmed the sensitization patterns, but also demonstrated the very high elicitation potency of Cor a 8.

Conclusions

This work, extending previously published researches, represents a step towards the better understanding of the complexity of hazelnut allergy and provides new data on the biological activity of hazelnut allergens and extracts.
Exploring soybean metabolic pathways based on probabilistic graphical model and knowledge-based methods
Authors: Hou Jie , Stacey Gary , Cheng Jianlin
Published: June 2015

Soybean (Glycine max) is a major source of vegetable oil and protein for both animal and human consumption. The completion of soybean genome sequence led to a number of transcriptomic studies (RNA-seq), which provide a resource for gene discovery and functional analysis. Several data-driven (e.g., based on gene expression data) and knowledge-based (e.g., predictions of molecular interactions) methods have been proposed and implemented. In order to better understand gene relationships and protein interactions, we applied probabilistic graphical methods, based on Bayesian network and knowledgebase constraints using gene expression data to reconstruct soybean metabolic pathways. The results show that this method can predict new relationships between genes, improving on traditional reference pathway maps.
Immunoglobulin G4-related diseases in the head and neck: A systematic review
Authors: Mulholland Graeme B. , Jeffery Caroline C. , Satija Paras , Côté David W. J.
Published: June 2015

Background

Immunoglobulin G4 related disease (IgG4-RD) is a poorly understood chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the middle-aged and elderly that can present to the otolaryngologist. We aim to summarize the current literature regarding the manifestations and management of IgG4-RD in the head and neck.

Methods

Pubmed and EMBASE were searched using the term relevant search algorithm utilizing keywords such as: IgG4 related disease, head and neck, orbit, salivary glands, sialadenitis, Kuttner, angiocentric eosinophilic fibrosis, submandibular, lacrimal, thyroid, dacryoadenitis, nasal, sinus, and Mikulicz's. Reference lists were searched for identification of relevant studies. Case reports, original research and review articles published in English from 1964 to 2014 whose major topic was IgG4-RD affecting the head and neck were included. Data regarding patient demographics, presentation, histopathology, management and treatment outcomes of IgG4-RD were extracted. Level of evidence was also assessed and data were pooled where possible. Three independent reviewers screened eligible studies; extracted relevant data and discrepancies were resolved by consensus, where applicable. Descriptive and comparative statistics were performed.

Results

Fourty-three articles met our inclusion criteria. IgG4-RD most often presents as a mass lesion in the head and neck region. Common diagnostic features include: 1) elevated serum IgG4 level, 2) marked infiltration of exocrine glands by IgG4-positive plasma cells with fibrosis, and 3) marked improvement with corticosteroid therapy and additional immunosuppressive therapy in corticosteroid refractory cases. Early diagnosis and involvement of rheumatology is important in management.

Conclusions

IgG4-RD is a challenging non-surgical disease that has multiple manifestations in the head and neck. It must be distinguished from various mimics including malignancy, systemic diseases, and infectious. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck surgeons should be aware of this condition and its management.
To Be(ta Cell) or Not to Be(ta cell): New Mouse Models for Studying Gene Function in the Pancreatic β-Cell
Authors: Estall Jennifer L. , Screaton Robert A.
Published: June 2015

A challenge in the pancreatic β-cell field has been to identify a promoter fragment that is active only in the β-cell compartment and inactive in other regions, such as the hypothalamic region of the brain. The presence of Cre recombinase alone in some models may also affect glucoregulation, confounding interpretation of gene function in the β-cell. A paper presented within describes the development and characterization of 2 new transgenic mice expressing Cre recombinase under the mouse insulin1 promoter that are useful for β-cell-specific gene ablation: the first is constitutive and coexpresses DsRed (Ins1-Cre-DsRed); the second allows β-cell-specific expression of the reverse tetracycline-controlled transactivator, which can be used for drug-dependent expression of a target gene of interest for overexpression studies. These novel models show robust specificity and efficiency and will be valuable tools for functional studies of gene action in β-cells, potentially alleviating current issues associated with previously available mouse lines.
Huntington disease iPSCs show early molecular changes in intracellular signaling, the expression of oxidative stress proteins and the p53 pathway
Authors: Szlachcic Wojciech J. , Switonski Pawel M. , Krzyzosiak Wlodzimierz J. , Figlerowicz Marek , Figiel Maciej
Published: June 2015

Huntington disease (HD) is an incurable brain disorder characterized by the late onset of motor and cognitive symptoms, even though the neurons in the brain begin to suffer dysfunction and degeneration long before symptoms appear. Several molecular and developmental effects of HD have been identified using neural stem cells (NSCs) and differentiated cells, such as neurons and astrocytes. Still, little is known regarding the molecular pathogenesis of HD in pluripotent cells, such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Therefore, we examined putative signaling pathways and processes involved in HD pathogenesis in pluripotent cells. We tested naïve mouse HD YAC128 iPSCs and two types of human HD iPSCs that were generated from HD and juvenile HD patients. Surprisingly, we found that a number of changes affecting cellular processes in HD were also present in undifferentiated pluripotent HD iPSCs, including the deregulation of the MAPK and Wnt signaling pathways and the deregulation of the expression of genes related to oxidative stress, such as Sod1. Interestingly, a common protein interactor of the huntingtin protein and the proteins in the above pathways is p53, and the expression of the p53 gene was deregulated in HD YAC128 iPSCs and human HD iPSCs. In summary, our findings demonstrate that multiple molecular pathways that are characteristically deregulated in HD are already altered in undifferentiated pluripotent cells and that the pathogenesis of HD may begin during the early stages of life.
Tomoregulin-1 inhibits cardiac hypertrophy after pressure overload via TAK1-JNK pathways in mice
Authors: Bao Dan , Lu Dan , Liu Ning , Dong Wei , Lu Ying-Dong , Qin Chuan , Zhang Lian-Feng
Published: June 2015

Cardiac hypertrophy is associated with many forms of heart disease and identifying important modifier genes involved in the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies. Tomoregulin-1 is a growth factor that is primarily involved in embryonic development and adult central nervous system (CNS) function, and it is expressed abnormally in a variety of CNS pathologies.Tomoregulin-1 is also expressed in the myocardium. However, the effects of Tomoregulin-1 on the heart, particularly on cardiac hypertrophy, remains unknown. The aim of the study is to examine whether and by what mechanism Tomoregulin-1 regulates the development of cardiac hypertrophy induced by pressure overload. In this study, we found that Tomoregulin-1 was significantly up-regulated in two cardiac hypertrophy models, the cTnTR92Q transgenic mice and the thoracic aorta constriction (TAC)-induced cardiac hypertrophy mice. The transgenic overexpression of Tomoregulin-1 increased the survival rate, improved the cardiac geometry and functional parameters of echocardiography and decreased the degree of cardiac hypertrophy of the TAC mice, whereas knockdown of Tomoregulin-1 expression resulted in an opposite phenotype and exacerbated phenotypes of cardiac hypertrophy induced by TAC. A possible mechanism by which Tomoregulin-1 regulates the development of cardiac hypertrophy in TAC-induced cardiac hypertrophy is through inhibiting TGFβ non-canonical (TAK1-JNK) pathways in the myocardium. Tomoregulin-1 plays a protective role in the modulation of adverse cardiac remodeling from pressure overload in mice. Tomoregulin-1 could be a therapeutic target to control the development of cardiac hypertrophy.
Membranes as possible pacemaker of metabolism in cypriniform fish: does phylogeny matter?
Authors: Gonzalez Alex , Pagé Benoît , Weber Jean-Michel
Published: June 2015

The membrane pacemaker theory of metabolism proposes that membranes set metabolic rate by modulating protein activity, and thus purports to explain membrane fatty acid allometry. This relationship has never been tested in ectotherms. After accounting for phylogeny, recent analyses fail to confirm the support based on correlations between muscle membrane composition and body mass across mammals. Therefore, the goal of this study was to seek phylogenetically corrected correlations between membrane composition, body mass and calcium-ATPase activity, using 12 species of closely related cypriniform fish (4 - 5,500 g) covering a much narrower genetic scale than in previous tests. Results show that fish membrane unsaturation decreases with mass, but through different mechanisms than in endotherms: 16:0 replacing 22:6 in muscle and 18:0 replacing 16:1, 18:1, and 18:2 in liver. This shows that allometric patterns differ between endo- and ectotherms as well as between tissues. After accounting for phylogeny, however, almost all these relationships lose significance except for overall unsaturation. No relationship between calcium-ATPase activity and mass or phospholipid composition was detected. This study shows that membrane unsaturation of cypriniforms decreases with mass, but that genetic cues unrelated to size account for differences in the relative abundance of individual fatty acids. The membrane pacemaker concept accurately predicts general membrane properties such as unsaturation, but fails to explain finer-scale allometric patterns. Future examinations of the membrane pacemaker hypothesis will have to consider that allometric patterns vary between endo- and ectotherms and between tissues of the same animal class.
Feeding rainbow trout with a lipid-enriched diet: effects on fatty acid sensing, regulation of food intake, and cellular signaling pathways
Authors: Librán-Pérez Marta , Geurden Inge , Dias Karine , Corraze Genevieve , Panserat Stephane , Soengas José L.
Published: June 2015

Using rainbow trout fed with low fat (LF) or high-fat (HF) diets we aimed to determine if the response of food intake, mRNA abundance of hypothalamic neuropeptides involved in the metabolic regulation of food intake, and fatty acid (FA) sensing systems in hypothalamus and liver is similar to that previously observed when levels of specific FA were raised by injection. Moreover, we also aimed to determine if the phosphorylation state of intracellular energy sensor 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and proteins involved in cellular signalling such as protein kinase B (Akt) and target of rapamycin (mTOR) display changes that could be related to FA-sensing and the control of food intake. The increased levels of FA in hypothalamus and liver of rainbow trout fed the HF diet only partially activated FA-sensing systems and did not elicit changes in food intake suggesting that FA-sensing response in fish to increased levels of FA is more dependent on the presence of specific FA such as oleate or octanoate rather than to the global increase in FA. We also obtained, for the first time in fish, evidence for the presence and function of energy sensors like AMPK and proteins involved in cellular signaling like mTOR and Akt in hypothalamus. These proteins in hypothalamus and liver were generally activated in fish fed the HF vs LF diet suggesting the activation of the cellular signaling pathways in response to the increased availability of FA.
Effect of Water Added into Acetonitrile Solvent on Oxidation of Benzene with Hydrogen Peroxide over Iron Complexes Encapsulated in Zeolite
Authors: Yamaguchi Syuhei , Ohnishi Tetsuya , Miyake Yuki , Yahiro Hidenori
Published: June 2015

Catalytic activity of iron complex-encapsulated zeolite catalyst ([Fe(bpy)3]2+@Y) for oxidation of benzene increased with increasing the amount of water added to acetonitrile. Maximum value of catalytic activity was obtained when the volume ratio of the solvents was equal (CH3CN:H2O = 1:1). After reaction at 24 h, the turnover number of [Fe(bpy)3]2+@Y was higher than that of [Fe(bpy)3](ClO4)2 as a homogeneous catalyst.
Synthesis and Characterization of Bismuth Sulfide Nanorods by Solvothermal Route
Authors: Zhou Xiaoping , Ma Lin , Feng Zongcai
Published: June 2015

Bismuth sulfide nanorods were successfully synthesized via a facile solvothermal route. The product was characterized by XRD, FESEM, HRTEM, UV–vis, and PL techniques. XRD results indicated that the obtained bismuth sulfide comprised high-purity orthorhombic phases. FESEM images showed that the products had a rod-like structure with a diameter of about 40 nm and a length of about 600 nm. The optical measurements showed an Eg of 1.65 eV, which might lead to more extensive applications of the as-prepared bismuth sulfide nanorods.
Photoinduced Intermolecular Cross-Linking of Gas Phase Triacylglycerol Lipid Ions
Authors: Nie Shuai , Pham Huong T. , Blanksby Stephen J. , Reid Gavin E.
Published: June 2015

Complex mixtures of plant-derived triglycerol (TG) lipids are commonly used as feedstock components for the production of industrial polymers. However, there remains a need for the development of analytical strategies to investigate the intrinsic intermolecular cross-linking reactivity of individual TG molecules within these mixtures as a function of their structures and physicochemical properties, and for the characterization of the resultant products. Here, to address this need, we describe a novel multistage tandem mass spectrometry based method for intermolecular cross-linking and subsequent structural characterization of TG lipid ions in the gas phase. Cross-linking reactions were initiated using 266 nm ultraviolet photodissociation tandem mass spectrometry (UVPD-MS/MS) of saturated or unsaturated TG dimers introduced via electrospray ionization into a linear ion trap mass spectrometer as noncovalent complexes with protonated 3,4-, 2,4- or 3,5-diiodoaniline (diIA). UVPD resulted in the initial formation of an anilinyl biradical via the sequential loss of two iodine radicals, which underwent further reaction to yield multiple cross-linked TG products along with competing noncross-linking processes. These chemistries are proposed to occur via sequential combinations of hydrogen abstraction (H-abstraction), radical addition, and radical recombination. Multistage collision-induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry (CID-MS n) was used to obtain evidence for the structures and mechanisms of formation for these products, as a function of both the TG lipid and diIA ion structures. The efficiency of the UVPD reaction was shown to be dependent on the number of unsaturation sites present within the TG lipids. However, when unsaturation sites were present, the formation of the cross-linked and noncross-linked product ions via H-abstraction and radical addition mechanisms was found to be competitive. Finally, the identity of the anilinyl biradical (e.g., 3,4- versus 2,4-substituted) was found to significantly affect the distribution of these two types of product ions. Importantly, owing to the observed propensity for cross-linking to occur via H-abstraction-initiated processes, this novel gas-phase cross-linking reaction provides a convenient method to link two molecules covalently without the requirement of any specific functional group, and therefore could be applied to examine the gas-phase intermolecular interactions and cross-linking of a wide range of biomolecular classes.
Analysis of Triacetone Triperoxide Complexes with Alkali Metal Ions by Electrospray and Extractive Electrospray Ionisation Combined with Ion Mobility Spectrometry and Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Hill Alex R. , Edgar Mark , Chatzigeorgiou Maria , Reynolds James C. , Kelly Paul F. , Creaser Colin S.
Published: June 2015

The complexation of triacetone triperoxide (TATP) with a range of alkali metals has been studied by electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry to yield [M + Cat]+ ions for all of the alkali metals. The formation of [2TATP + Li + LiX]+ (X = Br, Cl) sandwich complexes was also observed. Collision cross-sections for the lithium-containing complexes of TATP were measured by travelling wave ion mobility spectrometry mass spectrometry and compared well with computationally determined structures. Extractive electrospray ionisation (EESI) using a lithium-doped electrospray is demonstrated for the detection of TATP vapours desorbed from a metal surface. The limit of detection for EESI was shown to be 20 ng using the [TATP + Li]+ ion.
Simple Mass Spectrometric Method for the Estimation of Boron and Aluminum in Water at the Parts per Billion Level
Authors: Krishnan Nagasathiya , Raman Pachaiappan , Mariappanadar Vairamani
Published: June 2015

The coordinating nature of the hydroxy carboxylic acids, such as tartaric and citric acids, has been utilized for the in-situ formation of anions representing the trivalent elements boron and aluminum and two dianions of the hydroxy acid selected under negative electrospray ionization mass spectral conditions. The abundance of these ions could be used for the quantification of boron and aluminum in water at concentrations ranging from 4.0 ppb to 535.0 ppb. For a period of six months, the validity of this method was tested with citric acid as the coordinating agent. Thus, the developed method offers a simple means for the quantification of boron and aluminum in water by negative electrospray ionization mass spectrometry with a single quadrupole mass spectrometer.
Value Added Contributions of Science Parks—the Case of the Barcelona Scientific Park
Authors: Triadó-Ivern Xavier M. , Aparicio-Chueca Pilar , Jaría-Chacón Natalia
Published: June 2015

Science parks are institutions that support the creation and development of high technology-based companies. They are designed to provide value-added services together with high-quality space and facilities and to promote interaction amongst universities, R&D institutions, companies, and markets. Although Spain is among the countries that have been investing heavily in these institutions, there is lack of feedback from the tenant companies’ perspective with respect to the value added that they receive from science parks. The objective of this study is to evaluate the services that the Barcelona Science Park offers to its tenants by gathering information from the companies currently located in the park and those that have graduated. By comparing the results obtained from the two groups of companies, incubated and graduated, we examine whether the opinions differ about their appreciation of the services that they benefited from during their stay in the Park than those currently remaining.
Increasing upper-limb joint range of motion in post-stroke hemiplegic patients by daily hair-brushing
Authors: Minagawa Takako , Tamura Ayako , Ichihara Takako , Hisaka Yukari , Nagahiro Shinji
Published: June 2015

Background:

Post-stroke hemiplegic patients of chronic phase often have troubles with their activities of daily life, because of the decrease in upper-limb joint range of motion and the pain of shoulder.

Aim:

To use a hair-brushing movement intervention with the assistance of a nurse as therapy for increasing the upper-limb joint range of motion in the acute phase in patients with hemiplegia following their first stroke.

Method:

This study analysed a control group and an intervention group of 26 patients each. The first measurements were made 1–2 days after stroke onset and again on the sixth day from the first measurements. The intervention comprised hair-brushing movements made by patients with the assistance of a nurse. Six joint movement angles were measured on the affected and unaffected sides.

Results:

Compared with the control group, the intervention group showed a significantly increased (p=0.002) passive joint range of motion in shoulder abduction and external rotation movements on the affected side.

Conclusion:

Hair-brushing intervention with assistance from nurses increased the joint range of motion of shoulder abduction and external rotation movements.
The impact of gliomas on quality of life
Authors: Wilkinson Hannah , McLeod Anne
Published: June 2015

Gliomas can have an adverse effect upon quality of life (QoL) for patients and their families. This literature review of recent primary research aims to assess how the QoL of patients with a glioma is impacted upon and to identify areas of care that need to be addressed. Studies specifically examining QoL with regards to different treatment strategies (such as chemotherapy or surgery) were excluded, so that an overall understanding about QoL was obtained, rather than one which is treatment-specific. A literature search was undertaken using EBSCOhost (an online research database), which found 20 primary research studies to review after applying relevant inclusion and exclusion criteria. A critical appraisal skills tool (CASP) was used to help determine the reliability and validity of each study. QoL was found to be significantly impacted upon, particularly for high-grade glioma patients. Cognitive deterioration and psychological distress were key factors in QoL reduction. Patients with gliomas face several challenges that impact upon their physical, psychological and social wellbeing and QoL. Healthcare professionals have an important role in providing supportive care and involving patients in care planning.
To spay or not to spay: the nurse's role in owner education
Authors: Smith Nicola Jane
Published: June 2015

Veterinary nurses are directly involved with providing advice and gaining informed consent for ovariohysterectomy in bitches. In order to allow them to provide accurate information regarding this common procedure it is vital they fully understand the potential advantages and disadvantages regarding the procedure. It is very easy for clients to gain information, often inaccurate, from internet sources so in order to be able to provide correct evidence-based information, and therefore gain the confidence of the client, it is vital nurses fully understand the implications of any surgery for which they are gaining consent. Veterinary nurses are accountable for their actions and in order to comply with the code of conduct they must ensure that clients have a full understanding of procedures for which they are consenting.
History taking and diagnosis in cases of feline house soiling
Authors: Halls Vicky , Heath Sarah
Published: June 2015

House soiling problems (defined simply as the deposition of urine and/or faeces in unacceptable places from a human perspective) are one of the most common reasons for owners to sense a breakdown in their relationship with their pet and seek professional advice. The behaviour is distressing from a human perspective but is also a sign that all is not well for the cat. There are a number of potential causes of house soiling behaviour and the most important part of investigating these cases is to establish the underlying motivation. The four important differential diagnoses are: medical aetiology (other than feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC)); FIC; marking (using urine and/or faeces as a communication tool) — most commonly urine spraying; elimination (physiological deposition of urine and/or faeces) — related to primary social and environmental factors.
Tackling antibiotic resistance in veterinary practice: a team approach
Authors: Thomas Ginny
Published: June 2015

Antibiotic resistance is a major problem in veterinary and human medicine and is still on the increase. It's essential that veterinary practitioners understand the problem and its causes in order to counter it most effectively. Any such response will be most effectual if all members of the veterinary, and medical, team share responsibility and work constructively within their designated roles to combat areas where there is the potential for antibiotic resistance to develop. In particular, veterinary nurses and technicians need to focus on educating their clients, updating and implementing clinic protocols, and adhering to high standards of clinic hygiene. Time is also of the essence in tackling antibiotic resistance: the longer the delay in taking action to prevent it, the harder it will be to combat in the long run, with major health risks becoming associated with relatively minor illnesses or procedures and the inability to treat serious infections with current antibiotics.
La reducción al absurdo como argumento jurídico
Authors: Rodríguez-Toubes Muñiz Joaquín
Published: June 2015

Mediante la reducción al absurdo, reductio ad absurdum o argumento apagógico se defiende una tesis mostrando que rechazarla tiene implicaciones absurdas porque lleva a una contradicción. El argumento tiene distintas variantes, y es más o menos concluyente, dependiendo de su lógica interna y de la justificación de la premisa que se considera absurdo negar. Este trabajo discute la tipología y algunos problemas específicos que presenta este argumento en el razonamiento jurídico, en particular su naturaleza lógica, su relación con el ideal de coherencia del ordenamiento jurídico, su proximidad con los argumentos consecuencialistas y su carácter emotivo y potencialmente falaz. Además se muestran y clasifican varios ejemplos de uso del argumento en la motivación de decisiones jurídicas.
La dosis de prueba: entre el common law y el civil law
Authors: Abel Lluch Xavier
Published: June 2015

La decisión judicial se basa en un nivel de suficiencia probatoria (dosis de prueba). En los países anglosajones, se utilizan dos estándares de prueba. Por una parte, el beyond any reasonable doubt, basado en el principio de que es preferible la absolución de muchos culpables a la condena de un solo inocente, utilizado bajo la formulación del beyond any reasonable doubt o satisfied so that you feel sure, destacándose en la práctica de los tribunales que no es tan importante la concreta fórmula utilizada cuanto el grado de convicción del jurado sobre la culpabilidad del acusado. Por otra parte, el preponderance of evidence, también conocido como balance of probabilities o preponderance of evidence, propio del proceso civil, y que puede enunciarse afirmando que ante varias hipótesis sobre la existencia de un hecho deberá escogerse aquella que tenga el grado más elevado de confirmación lógica (regla más probable que no). En los países del civil law no existe un equivalente a los estándares de prueba, y se utilizan reglas de valoración de la prueba, destacando entre ellas las reglas de la sana crítica, entendido como sistema de libre valoración motivado. También se han efectuado construcciones jurisprudenciales, como en el ámbito penal, la mínima actividad probatoria y como el coeficiente de elasticidad de la prueba. Los estándares de prueba y las reglas de valoración de la prueba deben concebirse como mecanismos que permiten objetivar y racionalizar el proceso autónomo y subjetivo de formación de la convicción judicial.
Interpretación constitucional. Algunas alternativas teóricas y una propuesta
Authors: Aguiló Regla Josep
Published: June 2015

La ponencia trata de alcanzar algunas conclusiones relativas a la interpretación constitucional a través de analizar y/o responder un conjunto de preguntas: 1. ¿Qué significa tal artículo de la constitución? 2. ¿Cómo se justifica una interpretación, una asignación de significado a un texto de la constitución? 3. ¿Cómo se hace hablar a la constitución con una sola voz? 4. ¿Cómo concebimos (o definimos) la constitución del Estado constitucional?.
Republicanismo y justicia relacional
Authors: Casanovas Pompeu
Published: June 2015

Este artículo plantea la conceptualización de la justicia relacional, el tipo de justicia que se fundamenta en la emergencia de patrones o pautas sociales que en principio ocurren al margen de los modelos jurídicos estatales. A partir de dos órdenes de modelos distintos —los modelos jurídicos del estado de derecho y los del republicanismo político— el artículo sugiere la posibilidad de fundamentar en el diálogo y en los modelos dialógicos las formas políticas y los comportamientos en red surgidos de la evolución de la Web 2.0 y 3.0. Se retorna así a algunas formas humanísticas de dialéctica y razonamiento que los estados-nación eliminaron de las instituciones y del pensamiento político desde el siglo xvi. Se analizan algunos casos concretos de agregación participativa de conocimiento o de resolución distribuida de problemas en la red (crowdsourcing) a partir de la actividad de Ushahidi, la plataforma para la confección de mapas de desastres naturales y de conflictos armados, activa en los recientes acontecimientos de Egipto, Libia y Somalia.
Incumplir la Constitución por razones morales en la lucha contra el terrorismo. Un análisis pragmático de las suposiciones implícitas y de las soluciones propuestas en los discursos europeo y estadounidense en el debate «Estado de derecho vs. terrorismo»
Authors: Jakab András
Published: June 2015

Este artículo trata de analizar el dilema sobre cómo encontrar el equilibrio entre los principios de seguridad y libertad en la lucha contra el terrorismo. El trabajo muestra las diferentes presuposiciones implícitas relacionadas con el concepto de seguridad, la intensidad del daño percibido y el valor principal objeto de protección (Estado vs. Constitución) que predeterminan el debate. Asimismo se intenta proporcionar el mapa de los discursos estadounidense y alemán en relación con la denominada tortura de rescate (Rettungsfolter), para concluir que en orden a calificar posturas, los diferentes argumentos posibles (de constitutione lata, de lege lata, de lege ferenda e incluso morales) han ser separados.
El «discurso del odio» y su prohibición
Authors: Cueva Fernández Ricardo
Published: June 2015

En nuestras sociedades de carácter multicultural contemporáneas existen distintos patrones culturales, así como identidades de carácter dispar y grupos que mantienen sistemas de adscripción diferenciados. Pero este pluralismo no debería hacernos olvidar que ciertas personas, y precisamente por el hecho de pertenecer a determinados colectivos, pueden sufrir de una vulnerabilidad relevante que les impida actuar libremente en su vida habitual o en el foro democrático. En este sentido, el discurso del odio articula una agresión contra ellas, de modo que resultarían justificadas ciertas limitaciones a la libertad de expresión para frenarlo.
De la ética al derecho en la obra de Alasdair MacIntyre
Authors: Ramis Barceló Rafael
Published: June 2015

En este artículo se compendian las ideas principales de A. MacIntyre sobre el derecho natural. El trabajo empieza con una visión general de las ideas políticas y éticas de MacIntyre. Luego se define su posición en el debate con los filósofos del derecho actuales, para pasar luego a su postura en el debate sobre el derecho natural, subrayando algunas dificultades en su concepción. El artículo concluye considerando cómo las ideas de MacIntyre pueden arrojar luz para solucionar los problemas actuales.
Toda la verdad y nada más que la verdad
Authors: Haack Susan
Published: June 2015

«Muchas verdades son pronunciadas, para que más puedan ser ocultadas», escribió el magistrado Darling en 1879. Empezando con una articulación de la distinción entre verdad (el fenómeno o concepto) y las verdades (proposiciones verdaderas particulares), este trabajo está en gran parte dedicado a: 1) desarrollar una explicación del doble significado de «parcialmente verdadero» —«verdad-en-parte» vs. «parte de la verdad»—, y 2) entender las razones, y los peligros, de la tendencia muy común a decir sólo parte de la verdad relevante.
El concepto de acción y el lenguaje de la imputación
Authors: Mañalich R. Juan Pablo
Published: June 2015

El artículo pretende esclarecer el estatus privilegiado que el concepto de acción tiende a exhibir en el uso adscriptivo del lenguaje. El primer paso está constituido por una reconstrucción crítica de la tesis asociada al así llamado «adscriptivismo», que representa una instancia específica de la falacia del acto de habla. El siguiente paso está constituido por la identificación de las peculiaridades que exhibe el uso adscriptivo del lenguaje, esto es, el así llamado «lenguaje de la imputación». Para esto se sugiere una distinción entre dos aproximaciones posibles, una pragmatista y una ontológica, cuyas implicaciones son examinadas a través de un análisis de la definición kantiana del concepto de imputación. Ello sirve de contexto para la refutación de una interpretación causalista de la noción de agencia. La defensa de una aproximación pragmatista al concepto de imputación lleva a una propuesta de clarificación del estatus lingüístico de las adscripciones de acciones. La tesis consiste en que la fuerza pragmática de un acto de habla adscriptivo se deja analizar como una conjunción de dos fuerzas ilocutivas más básicas, a saber: una asertiva y una declarativa.
Derechos y deberes de indemnidad
Authors: Papayannis Diego M.
Published: June 2015

Este trabajo intenta mostrar que las concepciones filosóficas del derecho de daños más influyentes, que entienden que es una práctica de justicia correctiva, adolecen de tres defectos básicos. En primer lugar, son incapaces de explicar perfectamente la correlatividad entre los derechos y deberes de las partes. En segundo lugar, dejan sin explicar la contribución del derecho de daños en la propia conformación de los derechos y deberes primarios, a diferencia de los derechos y deberes de compensación que son secundarios porque surgen cuando los primeros resultan vulnerados. Finalmente, tienen dificultades para reconstruir la responsabilidad objetiva como algo distinto de la culpa. Argumento, en cambio, que el derecho de daños es una práctica compleja que satisface funciones correctivas y distributivas. En su aspecto distributivo, el derecho de daños establece los términos equitativos de interacción entre particulares mediante el reconocimiento de derechos y deberes de indemnidad, es decir, derechos a no sufrir cierto tipo de daños y deberes de no causarlos. Estos derechos y deberes son parte de lo que Rawls denominó bienes primarios, útiles para cualquier plan de vida. Una vez expuestos los elementos centrales de esta teoría, muestro cómo ella puede superar los problemas mencionados más arriba.
Filosofía del derecho en Latinoamérica
Authors: Vázquez Rodolfo
Published: June 2015

Este artículo intenta organizar y sintetizar el pensamiento iusfilosófico latinoamericano contemporáneo en algunos países representativos del continente (Colombia, Chile, Costa Rica, México, Perú, Uruguay y Venezuela), de manera que dé cuenta de la variedad y complejidad de autores y escuelas, con las peculiaridades propias de la región. La agenda temática abarca desde la teoría del derecho y la argumentación jurídica, hasta problemas relacionados con la teoría de la justicia: derechos sociales, multiculturalidad, pobreza, desigualdad, transparencia y rendición de cuentas, entre otros.
La actual concentración de la propiedad rústica y su riqueza catastral en los municipios de España
Authors: Pillet Capdepón Félix
Published: June 2015

Estudio geográfico sobre la concentración de la propiedad rústica y la riqueza catastral de la tierra, basado en las estadísticas de todos los municipios de España, y con concreción en aquéllos con mayores niveles en ambos indicadores. Se han utilizado dos fuentes de datos: en primer lugar, el Catastro de Rústica de la Dirección General del Catastro para aquellas comunidades autónomas con un sistema fiscal normalizado; y en segundo lugar, información aportada por las diputaciones forales de los gobiernos navarro y vasco, ambos con regímenes fiscales especiales.
Evaluación de la aptitud climático-turística para el turismo de sol y playa en Alicante (1974-2003)
Authors: Martínez Ibarra Emilio
Published: June 2015

En la presente investigación se ha aplicado un método de tipos de tiempo inédito y exhaustivo para la práctica turística ligada al disfrute del sol y la playa en Alicante. Se ha analizado el potencial de manera pormenorizada, sobre la base de datos diarios. Los resultados se han mostrado con una resolución temporal adaptada tanto a las condiciones climáticas como a la duración de los períodos vacacionales.
Extranjería y diferenciación residencial en Canarias: la perspectiva del microanálisis espacial
Authors: Parreño Castellano Juan Manuel , Domínguez Mujica Josefina
Published: June 2015

En la tradición geográfica, una de las formas de abordar la diferenciación social del espacio ha sido la de estudiar el comportamiento territorial de los grupos de población que se pueden establecer a partir de determinados atributos. En la actualidad el tratamiento de la información estadística a microescala y la utilización de los Sistemas de Información Geográfica están permitiendo ahondar en sus planteamientos y avanzar en la comprensión de la distribución territorial de los grupos sociales. En el archipiélago canario, uno de los fenómenos que ha alcanzado una mayor importancia en la evolución demográfica reciente ha sido el incremento de la población de nacionalidad extranjera. En este artículo analizamos las pautas de localización de dicha población e intentamos medir si se están generando procesos de segregación geográfica. Nuestra finalidad es contrastar si este ámbito espacial, situado en la ultraperiferia de la Unión Europea, de clara vocación turística, y que ha recibido en los últimos años cuantiosos flujos de inmigración, se ve afectado por procesos territoriales semejantes al de otras zonas migratorias «maduras» de Europa.
Comportamiento de la vegetación de un humedal (mallín) entre períodos húmedos y secos mediante análisis hidrológico y espectral
Authors: Peña Óscar , Ostertag Griselda , Gandullo Ricardo , Campo Alicia
Published: June 2015

En este estudio se analiza el comportamiento hidrológico y espectral de un humedal (mallín) localizado en la cuenca media del río Catan Lil, en la provincia de Neuquén (Argentina), en una serie de nueve años que abarcan períodos hidrológicos secos-medios y húmedos. Los mallines son importantes ecosistemas naturales que históricamente se han utilizado como recurso forrajero para la ganadería extensiva en la Patagonia argentina. Para evaluar el comportamiento hidrológico, se caracterizaron los años teniendo en cuenta la lluvia y la nieve caída, considerando valores totales mensuales, desde 1996 hasta 2005. El análisis espectral se realizó a través de imágenes satelitales de la serie Landsat tm (path 232 row 087) de las series de años mencionadas. Del análisis resulta que existe una relación directa entre años secos o con adelantamiento de la fusión nival y la disminución de la actividad fotosintética de la vegetación respecto a períodos medios o húmedos. Esto queda reflejado en los índices obtenidos mediante el proceso digital de las imágenes.
Sistemas ambientales de la cuenca superior del arroyo Langueyú (partido de Tandil, Argentina)
Authors: Zulaica Laura
Published: June 2015

Estudios previos de zonificación ecológica de la cuenca superior del arroyo Langueyú (partido de Tandil) permitieron diferenciar y caracterizar seis sistemas ecológicos y definir unidades ecosistémicas de menor jerarquía escalar (componentes) en tres de ellos. El uso actual de las tierras del área está generalmente determinado por las potencialidades y restricciones ecológicas de los sistemas identificados. Estos usos diferenciales determinan a su vez distintos impactos en cada uno de los sistemas. El análisis integrado de variables ecológicas y sociales permitió definir en la cuenca nueve sistemas ambientales que expresan las relaciones sociedad-naturaleza y los problemas derivados de la interacción. El mapa resultante constituye un instrumento básico para la elaboración de programas y proyectos de desarrollo sustentable tendientes a una gestión integral del área.
Trascendencia socio-económica del trasvase Tajo Segura tras 30 años de su funcionamiento en la provincia de Alicante
Authors: Hernández Hernández María , Morales Gil Alfredo
Published: June 2015

La espectacular transformación del regadío, ocurrida desde mediados de la década de los setenta en el sur de la provincia de Alicante, ha producido una mudanza radical, que ha afectado no sólo a la distribución de cultivos, sino también a las estructuras de la propiedad de la tierra y a las características de las explotaciones. El objetivo de este artículo es poner de manifiesto las repercusiones sociales y económicas derivadas de la ampliación de los recursos hídricos disponibles en el sur de la provincia de Alicante.
El tráfico y la trata de mujeres rumanas en la Comunidad de Madrid
Authors: Marcu Silvia
Published: June 2015

Tras la caída de los regímenes comunistas y el desplome soviético en el Este de Europa, ocurrieron transformaciones trascendentales. Con el telón de fondo de las transiciones económicas, políticas y sociales, aumentó de la emigración procedente de estos países, hacia los países desarrollados de la UE. Entre los múltiples tipos de emigraciones que se realizaron a partir de los años noventa, apareció en el escenario, la cara más oscura de la inmigración irregular: el tráfico de mujeres. El artículo analiza desde una perspectiva social el fenómeno del tráfico de mujeres procedentes en Rumanía, con destino España, Comunidad de Madrid. Se analiza el contexto, la situación en el origen, la organización del tráfico y la dramática situación de las víctimas en el destino. La autora considera que a pesar de las dificultades a la hora de medir y cuantificar el tráfico de mujeres, es importante realizar la aproximación a la víctima para conocer la realidad sobre esta cara negra y oculta de la inmigración internacional.
Las redes de conocimiento locales en el desarrollo territorial de la campiña segoviana
Authors: Gandarillas Solinís Miguel Ángel , Yagüe Muñoz Raquel
Published: June 2015

La situación actual de una comarca rural y sus necesidades y recursos es aquí estudiada desde un enfoque integral del territorio, incluyendo ámbitos demográficos, económicos, y psicosociales. Se realizaron análisis de datos estadísticos, de entrevistas etnológicas, y de visitas de campo en lugares representativos, integrando la información cuantitativa y cualitativa. Los resultados apoyan la hipótesis general de que el eje principal que explica la situación es el nivel de integración o fracturación social con el territorio, tanto en el ámbito socioeconómica como en el plano psicosocial, y en particular en relación a los conocimientos locales y la vinculación afectiva con el medio rural. Se propone una serie de estrategias de desarrollo comarcal, centradas en la gestión de las redes de conocimiento local en cadenas de valor desde la creatividad colectiva, la innovación, interemprendedora y el papel de la empresa como motor de generación y desarrollo de conocimiento local y capital social. Buscamos así generar relación activa, dinámica, interadaptada, flexible, diferenciada y personalizada, entre territorio origen del producto y demanda final con el apoyo de las nuevas tecnologías de la comunicación. Para poder comprender las dinámicas demográficas territoriales se incluye en el estudio un nuevo índice de concentración poblacional.
El avance de la frontera agrícola en el área adyacente al sistema Sierras de la Ventana (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Authors: Marini Mario Fabián
Published: June 2015

Se determinó el incremento de la superficie agrícola en el área adyacente al Sistema Sierras de la Ventana (Buenos Aires, Argentina). Para ello se emplearon imágenes satelitales Landsat 5 TM de diversas fechas, realizándose una comparación entre la campaña agrícola 1998/ 1999 con respecto a la 2006/ 2007. El análisis llevado a cabo demuestra que existe un incremento en la superficie dedicada a la actividad agrícola que asciende a 55572 has, lo que representa en un aumento del 27,97 %. El mismo es originado principalmente por la propagación de los cultivos de verano, principalmente de la soja, de significativa expansión en la República Argentina en las últimas dos décadas.