bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interferon-γ Contributes to HLA-B27-associated Unfolded Protein Response in Spondyloarthropathies
Authors: FENG YUAN , DING JIN , FAN CHUN MEI , ZHU PING
Published: January 2012

Objective.

HLA-B27 positivity strongly influences the susceptibility to and phenotype of spondyloarthropathies (SpA). This study was designed to screen factors that activate the promoter of HLA-B27 in U937 cells, and to assess whether these promoter-activating factors induce the unfolded protein response (UPR) in HLA-B27-expressing cells.

Methods.

Cytometric Bead Array, flow cytometry, and real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the expression of cytokines and UPR-associated proteins in peripheral blood and synovial fluid of patients with SpA. The HLA-B27 promotor transfectant was incubated separately with cytokines and Toll-like receptor ligands. After interferon-γ (IFN-γ) stimulation, expressions of GRP78, CHOP, and XBP-1 were tested in HLA-B27-expressing U937 cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). (Clinical trial registration no. ChiCTR-OCC-11001565)

Results.

Expressions of GRP78, CHOP, and XBP-1 in monocytes/macrophages of SpA peripheral blood and synovial fluid were higher than those in healthy controls and patients with osteoarthritis (OA) (p < 0.05). Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IFN-α, IFN-ß, and IFN-γ were found to have activated the HLA-B27 promoter in the U937 cell line (p < 0.05). Following stimulation with IFN-γ, the expressions of GRP78, CHOP and XBP-1 in HLA-B27-transfected U937 cells and PBMC of HLA-B27-positive AS patients were more intense than those in A2-U937 cells, HLA-B27-negative AS patients, or healthy controls (p < 0.05).

Conclusion.

Expressions of GRP78, CHOP, and XBP-1 were higher in monocytes/macrophages of patients with SpA than those in both OA patients and healthy controls, suggesting that UPR may participate in the pathogenesis of SpA. TNF-α and IFN-α, IFN-ß, and IFN-γ significantly activated HLA-B27 promoter in the U937 cell line, and IFN-γ, the strongest activating factor, may induce the UPR in HLA-B27-expressing cells.
Serum Levels of Galectin-3: Possible Association with Fibrosis, Aberrant Angiogenesis, and Immune Activation in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: TANIGUCHI TAKASHI , ASANO YOSHIHIDE , AKAMATA KANAME , NODA SHINJI , MASUI YURI , YAMADA DAISUKE , TAKAHASHI TAKEHIRO , ICHIMURA YOHEI , TOYAMA TETSUO , TAMAKI ZENSHIRO , TADA YAYOI , SUGAYA MAKOTO , KADONO TAKAFUMI , SATO SHINICHI
Published: January 2012

Objective.

Galectin-3 is a multifunctional protein implicated in a variety of biological processes including fibrosis, angiogenesis, and immune activation, all of which are associated with the development of systemic sclerosis (SSc). We investigated the clinical significance of serum galectin-3 levels in SSc.

Methods.

Serum galectin-3 levels were determined by a specific ELISA in 58 patients with SSc and 19 healthy controls.

Results.

Serum galectin-3 levels were significantly lower in patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) than in controls (3.29 ± 3.27 ng/ml vs 4.91 ± 2.67 ng/ml, respectively; p < 0.05), while being comparable between limited cutaneous SSc (3.70 ± 2.39 ng/ml) and healthy controls. In dcSSc, serum galectin-3 levels significantly correlated with total skin score (r = 0.45, p < 0.05). Serum galectin-3 levels were significantly decreased in early dcSSc (disease duration < 1 year; 1.64 ± 1.74 ng/ml; p < 0.05), but not in mid-stage dcSSc (1 to 6 years; 3.22 ± 3.16 ng/ml) or late-stage dcSSc (> 6 years; 4.86 ± 4.10 ng/ml), compared with controls. Serum galectin-3 levels were higher in SSc patients with both digital ulcers (DU) and elevated right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) than in those without each symptom (DU: 5.44 ± 3.74 ng/ml vs 2.99 ± 2.36 ng/ml, p < 0.05; elevated RVSP: 4.44 ± 3.14 ng/ml vs 2.82 ± 2.64 ng/ml, p < 0.05).

Conclusion.

Galectin-3 may be related to the developmental process of skin sclerosis in dcSSc and of DU and pulmonary vascular involvements in total SSc.
Warfarin in Systemic Sclerosis-associated and Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. A Bayesian Approach to Evaluating Treatment for Uncommon Disease
Authors: JOHNSON SINDHU R. , GRANTON JOHN T. , TOMLINSON GEORGE A. , GROSBEIN HADDAS A. , LE THAOLAN , LEE PETER , SEARY M. ELIZABETH , HAWKER GILLIAN A. , FELDMAN BRIAN M.
Published: January 2012

Objective.

Warfarin is recommended in systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (SSc-PAH) and idiopathic PAH (IPAH) to improve survival. There is no evidence to support this in SSc-PAH and the evidence in IPAH is conflicting. We evaluated the ability of warfarin to improve survival using 2 large SSc-PAH and IPAH cohorts.

Methods.

The effect of warfarin on all-cause mortality was evaluated. Bayesian propensity scores (PS) were used to adjust for baseline differences between patients exposed and not exposed to warfarin, and to assemble a matched cohort. Bayesian Cox proportional hazards models were constructed using informative priors based on international PAH expert elicitation.

Results.

Review of 1138 charts identified 275 patients with SSc-PAH (n = 78; 28% treated with warfarin) and 155 patients with IPAH (n = 91; 59% treated with warfarin). Baseline differences in PAH severity and medications were resolved using PS matching. In the matched cohort of 98 patients with SSc-PAH (49 treated with warfarin), the posterior median hazard ratio (HR) was 1.06 [95% credible interval (CrI) 0.70, 1.63]. In the matched cohort of 66 patients with IPAH (33 treated with warfarin), the posterior median HR was 1.07 (95% CrI 0.57, 1.98). The probability that warfarin improves median survival by 6 months or more is 23.5% in SSc-PAH and 27.7% in IPAH. Conversely, there is a > 70% probability that warfarin provides no significant benefit or is harmful.

Conclusion.

There is a low probability that warfarin improves survival in SSc-PAH and IPAH. Given the availability of other PAH therapies with demonstrable benefits, there is little reason to use warfarin to improve survival for these patients.
Assessment of Preclinical Atherosclerosis in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: HAMDI WAFA , CHELLI BOUAZIZ MOUNA , ZOUCH IMEN , GHANNOUCHI MOHAMED MEHDI , HAOUEL MANEL , LADEB MOHAMED FETHI , KCHIR MOHAMED MONTACER
Published: January 2012

Objective.

Epidemiological studies recently confirmed the increased risk of vascular morbidity and mortality during ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Increase of intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery is a useful and noninvasive marker of preclinical atherosclerosis. The aim of our study was to compare IMT in patients with AS with matched controls and to determine risk factors of atherosclerosis related to AS.

Methods.

We performed a prospective study of 60 consecutive patients meeting modified New York criteria for AS, compared to 60 controls matched for age and sex. Disease-specific measures were determined. Measurement of IMT was performed by the same radiologist using the same machine and probe in right and left common carotid arteries, and the average of the 2 measurements was considered.

Results.

In total 48 male and 12 female patients were recruited, and 60 corresponding controls; mean age was 36 ± 11 years. We found significantly increased IMT in the AS group (0.51 ± 0.12 mm) compared with controls (0.39 ± 0.09 mm; p = 0.001). After adjustment for confounding factors, increased IMT was still present (p = 0.003). Age at onset of AS (p = 0.001), Bath AS Disease Activity Index (p = 0.002), AS Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; p = 0.047), ASDAS C-reactive protein (CRP; p = 0.012), Bath AS Functional Index (p = 0.008), global spine visual analog scale for pain (p = 0.000), Schober index (p = 0.039), Bath AS Metrology Index (p = 0.028), modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (p = 0.035), and high ESR (p = 0.001) and CRP (p = 0.000) were correlated with high IMT in patients with AS. Otherwise, status of arthritis (p = 0.442), enthesitis (p = 0.482), and HLA-B27 (p = 0.528) seemed to have no effect on IMT.

Conclusion.

AS is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis independent of traditional risk factors. Disease activity, functional and mobility limitations, structural damage, and inflammation are the most incriminated risk factors.
Optimization of Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Systemic Sclerosis — A Single-center Longterm Experience in 26 Patients with Severe Organ Manifestations
Authors: HENES JOERG C. , SCHMALZING MARC , VOGEL WICHARD , RIEMEKASTEN GABRIELA , FEND FALKO , KANZ LOTHAR , KOETTER INA
Published: January 2012

Objective.

Autologous stem cell transplantation (aSCT) for systemic sclerosis (SSc) has been shown to be effective in recent reports. This aggressive approach and the disease itself are associated with a high mortality. We report our experiences in 26 consecutive patients.

Methods.

Between 1997 and 2009, 26 patients were scheduled for aSCT. Our standard transplant regimen consists of cyclophosphamide (CYC) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) for mobilization and CYC plus antithymocyte globulin for conditioning before the retransfusion of CD34 selected stem cells. The major outcome variable was the response to treatment [reduction of modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) by 25%] at Month 6. Secondary endpoints were the transplant-related mortality and the progression-free survival.

Results.

Significant skin and lung function improvement of the mRSS was achieved in 78.3% of patients at Month 6. The overall response rate was 91%, as some patients improved even after Month 6. Three patients died between mobilization and conditioning treatment, 2 due to severe disease progression and 1 whose death was considered treatment-related (i.e., GCSF or CYC toxicity). Depending on definitions, transplant-related mortality was 4% and treatment-related mortality 11%. Seven patients experienced a relapse during the 4.4 years of followup. The progression-free survival was 74%. Four patients died during followup and the most frequent causes of death were pulmonary and cardiac complications of SSc.

Conclusion.

aSCT led to significant improvement in most patients with SSc. The procedure requires further optimization; hence we are modifying our screening and treatment strategy. To minimize infectious complications, CYC for mobilization and GCSF were reduced. We intensified our screening for cardiac involvement and modified our conditioning regimen in case of cardiac involvement.
Prevalence of Monoclonal Gammopathy Among Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: EDER LIHI , THAVANESWARAN ARANE , PEREIRA DANIEL , SUSSMAN GORDON , GLADMAN DAFNA D.
Published: January 2012

Objective.

The occurrence of monoclonal gammopathy is common in chronic inflammatory disorders such as chronic infections and autoimmune disorders. There is limited information about the prevalence of monoclonal gammopathy in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). We investigated the prevalence, type, and associated features of monoclonal gammopathy in patients with PsA.

Methods.

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of patients followed from 2008 to 2011 at the University of Toronto PsA clinic. The presence of monoclonal gammopathy was defined as the occurrence of a discrete band in the gammaglobulin region on at least 2 separate serum protein electrophoresis tests performed 6 months apart. Comparisons between patients with and those without monoclonal gammopathy were performed using t tests for continuous variables and chi-square tests for categorical variables.

Results.

Of the 361 patients with PsA, 35 (9.7%) had evidence of monoclonal gammopathy in at least 2 separate blood tests. Seven (24%) of the 29 patients who were tested for Bence Jones protein were found to be positive. One patient was diagnosed as having multiple myeloma. Patients with monoclonal gammopathy were older (p = 0.001), had a longer duration of psoriasis (p = 0.02) and PsA (p = 0.006), were less likely to use disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (p = 0.05), and had higher sedimentation rate (p = 0.01) and lower hemoglobin levels (p = 0.02). Patients with monoclonal gammopathy also trended toward having more active disease, with a higher active joint count (p = 0.07).

Conclusion.

Monoclonal gammopathy occurs in patients with PsA more commonly than in the general population. Its prevalence is associated with measures of disease activity and duration.
Incidences biographiques du militantisme en Mai 68
Authors: Pagis Julie
Published: January 2012

À partir d’une enquête menée auprès de cent-soixante-dix familles dans lesquelles l’un des parents – au moins – a participé aux événements de mai-juin 68, cet article pose la question des incidences biographiques du militantisme en Mai 68. Les travaux sur la formation de générations politiques attribuent aux événements fondateurs une dynamique de déstabilisation (Mannheim). Mais à quel point les différents participants aux événements de mai-juin 68 ont-ils été déstabilisés, et comment rendre compte de l’infléchissement éventuel de leurs trajectoires ? Dans un va-et-vient entre effort d’objectivation (par l’analyse statistique de questionnaires) et effort de compréhension (par le recours aux récits de vie), cet article tente de dresser un espace social des incidences politiques et professionnelles du militantisme en Mai 68. Les résultats obtenus permettent de montrer que les formes de déstabilisation engendrées par le militantisme en Mai 68 sont socialement et politiquement situées, et de déconstruire ainsi la catégorie de « génération de 68 ».
Primera cita de cocodrilos zifodontos en el Cenozoico de Asturias: Royo Gómez y los supuestos dientes de dinosaurio del Eoceno de Llamaquique
Authors: Pereda Suberbiola X. , Ruiz-Omeñaca J. I. , Pérez-García A. , Sánchez-Chillón B. , Ortega F.
Published: January 2012

En 1928, José Royo Gómez informó del hallazgo de “dos dientes idénticos a los de los Dinosaurios terópodos del Secundario” en el Eoceno de Llamaquique (Cuenca de Oviedo, Asturias). Royo Gómez era consciente del interés de este descubrimiento, “pues serían los restos más modernos que se conocerían de estos gigantescos reptiles”. Según la documentación conservada en el Archivo del Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales en Madrid, hasta ahora inédita, Royo Gómez fotografió en abril de 1932 cinco dientes de Llamaquique que él consideraba pertenecientes a terópodos. Este material se encuentra actualmente en paradero desconocido. No obstante, la revisión de la colección paleontológica de Llamaquique en el mencionado museo ha permitido recuperar un diente comprimido lateralmente y provisto de carenas denticuladas (condición zifodonta). Se descarta que el diente pertenezca a un terópodo, asignándose a un Mesoeucrocodylia indeterminado. Se trata de la primera mención del hallazgo de cocodrilos zifodontos en el Paleógeno de Asturias.
Análisis morfológico y molecular de los blenios de agua dulce: una nueva especie del género Salaria Forsskål, 1775 (Actinopterygii, Blennidae) en Marruecos.
Authors: Doadrio I. , Perea S. , Yahyaoui A.
Published: January 2012

La fauna de peces de agua dulce del norte de África es escasa comparada con otras regiones del mundo debido fundamentalmente a factores históricos y climáticos. El oeste del norte de África es más diverso que las regiones del centro y del este. En la cuenca del río Sebou habitan actualmente poblaciones de blenios de agua dulce que han sido tradicionalmente adscritas a la especie Salaria fluviatilis. En este estudio demostramos morfológica y molecularmente que estas poblaciones marroquíes constituyen una nueva especie, para la cual proveemos una descripción formal. Los siguientes caracteres diagnósticos distinguen a la nueva especie descrita del resto de especies de blenios de agua dulce: cabeza sin una fila diagonal de puntos oscuros o manchas en las mejillas; tentáculo supraocular grueso y simple (no ramificado); 13-15 dientes en la mandíbula superior y 14-16 en la inferior; 16-17 radios blandos en la aleta anal; distancia preorbital corta (índice cefálico: 2.9-3.8); altura de la region anterior de la aleta dorsal corta (índice dorsal: 0.8-1.3) y 34 vértebras. Las distancias genéticas mitocondriales y nuclear entre la nueva especie de Salaria y las otras dos especies son altas, especialmente en la región control (18%), mientras que estas distancias genéticas variaron entre 2-3% para el gen nuclear S7. Estos caracteres morfológicos y moleculares diferencian a la nueva especie del resto de blenios de agua dulce del género (Salaria fluviatilis y S. economidisi). La nueva especie está confinada a la cuenca del río Sebou en Marruecos y debería ser considerada como En Peligro (EN) de acuerdo a las categorías de la lista roja.
Descripción de una nueva especie del género Prionychus Solier, 1835 de Marruecos y redescripción de Prionychus anthracinus (Mulsant, 1856) y Prionychus lugens (Küster, 1850) (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae, Alleculinae)
Authors: Blanco Villero J. M. , Sáez Bolaño J. A.
Published: January 2012

En este trabajo se describe una nueva especie de Prionychus del norte de Marruecos; en concreto de la región de Nador, en las cercanías de Melilla. Prionychus alfonsoblancoi sp. nov. pertenece al grupo de especies que presentan el prosterno, por delante de las procoxas, en declive plano o algo convexo, élitros casi sin estrías, borde anterior del pronoto no rebordeado y coloración castaña. Estos caracteres hacen que en el ámbito iberomagrebí, P. alfonsoblancoi se aproxime únicamente a Prionychus lugens, especie de la que puede separarse claramente por la longitud de las antenas, el punteado del pronoto y la estructura del edeago. P. alfonsoblancoi representa la cuarta especie presente en Marruecos y, por extensión, en el norte de África. Dados los índices biométricos que actualmente se utilizan para describir las especies de esta subfamilia, se ha optado por redescribir Prionychus anthracinus y Prionychus lugens según los criterios actuales. Además se ha elaborado una clave dicotómica de las especies del género que habitan la península ibérica y el norte de África.
Poliquetos escamosos (Annelida, Polychaeta) colectados en las campañas “Fauna II, III, IV” (Proyecto “Fauna Ibérica”) y catálogo de las especies conocidas para el ámbito íbero-balear
Authors: Núñez J. , Barnich R. , Santos L. , Maggio Y.
Published: January 2012

El presente trabajo incluye el catálogo de las 42 especies de anélidos poliquetos escamosos (familias Aphroditidae, Acoetidae, Polynoidae, Pholoidae y Sigalionidae) recolectados durante las campañas oceanográficas “Fauna Ibérica II, III y IV”, así como un apéndice con los detalles de las estaciones en las que se han recolectado. Tres especies se citan por primera vez para el litoral de la península Ibérica: Acanthicolepis zibrowii Barnich & Fiege, 2010; Harmothoe aequespina (Langerhans, 1884) y Neolagisca jeffreysi (McIntosh, 1876). Finalmente, se incluye una lista actualizada de los poliquetos escamosos del ámbito íbero-balear, compuesta por 65 especies.
Los Laparocerus Schoenherr, 1834 de las Canarias orientales, islas Salvajes y Marruecos (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Entiminae)
Authors: Machado A.
Published: January 2012

Esta contribución al conocimiento del género Laparocerus Schoenherr, 1834 está dedicada a las Canarias orientales, islas Salvajes y Marruecos. Se redescribe Laparocerus rasus Wollaston, 1864 y se le asignan dos nuevas subespecies localizadas en Fuerteventura: L. rasus betancor n. spp. y L. rasus jandiensis n. ssp. De esta misma isla se describen varias especies nuevas: L. maxorata n. sp., L. colonnellii n. sp., L. calvus, n. sp., L. xericola n. sp., L. fraterculus n. sp. y L. longipennis n. sp.; de la isla de Lanzarote L. curvipes famara n. ssp., y de las islas Salvajes L. garretai albosquamosus n. spp. Se redescribe la única especie confirmada de Marruecos, Laparocerus susicus (Escalera, 1914), a la que se adscriben L. susicus montanus n. spp., del interior, y L. susicus inexpectatus nom. nov.), de la región costera de Tiznit. Para la especie marroquí se plantea la hipótesis de una retrocolonización a partir de las islas Canarias, a la vez que se comentan algunas citas dudosas y ejemplares cuya atribución específica queda pendiente de resolver. Se aportan claves en español e inglés para separar los Laparocerus conocidos de este ámbito geográfico
Nueva estrategia para el diseño y fabricación de cabezales de fresadora de altas prestaciones
Authors: Bustillo A. , Plaza L. M. , Rodríguez M.
Published: January 2012

Los cabezales de transmisión mecánica de altas prestaciones son una de las partes más complejas, costosas y problemáticas de una maquina fresadora. Esto es debido a la gran cantidad de canalizaciones para la transmisión de fluidos que deben de contener y a las altas prestaciones mecánicas que se les exigen. En este trabajo se presenta una estrategia para optimizar el diseño y la fabricación de los cuerpos de estos cabezales basada en la incorporación de aleaciones de aluminio y la inclusión de insertos tubulares de acero en la propia fundición que conforma el cabezal. Los insertos tubulares sustituyen a los canales de refrigeración realizados actualmente por taladros de mecanizado y quedan integrados en la masa de aluminio. La nueva metodología ha permitido realizar un diseño que mantiene las prestaciones mecánicas, aumenta la fiabilidad y reduce la masa de estos elementos móviles de fresadoras como ha demostrado la validación experimental de un primer prototipo.
Efecto de la velocidad de deformación en la recristalización dinámica de un cobre ETP durante su compresión en caliente con temperatura descendente
Authors: Torrente G. , Torres M. , Sanoja L.
Published: January 2012

En el presente trabajo se estudia el efecto de la velocidad de deformación en la recristalización dinámica de un cobre electrolítico puro durante su deformación en caliente con temperatura descendente. Para ello, se realizaron ensayos de compresión en caliente hasta deformaciones verdaderas cercanas a uno, con cuatro velocidades de deformación, mientras descendía la temperatura. Los ensayos realizados a las dos velocidades de deformación más bajas mostraron recristalización dinámica de picos múltiples con un ascenso de la tensión en lugar del estado de saturación, debido probablemente al continuo descenso de la temperatura. Con el aumento de la velocidad, los ensayos restantes mostraron recristalización de pico simple y solo restauración, respectivamente. Los resultados experimentales se compararon con los de una simulación basada en el modelo cosenoidal amortiguado de Avrami. La simulación arrojó resultados próximos a los medidos durante la recristalización dinámica de picos múltiples, sugiriendo la aplicación del modelo a procesos de recristalización dinámica de picos múltiples con temperatura variable.
Corrosión por picaduras en depósitos de agua de acero inoxidable austenítico en trenes hotel
Authors: Moreno D. A. , García A. M. , Ranninger C. , Molina B.
Published: January 2012

Se han detectado problemas de corrosión por picaduras en los depósitos de agua de trenes hotel. Para identificar las causas se llevó a cabo un detallado estudio metalográfico así como de la composición química de los aceros inoxidables austeníticos utilizados en su construcción. También se realizaron estudios fisicoquímicos y microbiológicos de los productos de corrosión. Se ha encontrado que los problemas de corrosión están relacionados con la incompatibilidad entre el contenido en cloruros del agua y los metales base y de aporte de la soldadura de los tanques. En base a estos hallazgos se proponen una serie de recomendaciones encaminadas a la prevención y control de la corrosión de dichos depósitos.
Revisión y estado del arte de la corrosividad del etanol y sus mezclas con gasolina
Authors: Berlanga C. , Biezma M. V. , Fernández J.
Published: January 2012

Actualmente, el etanol se presenta como una fuente importante de combustible renovable para el sector de la automoción. Se sabe que los carburantes tradicionales, como la gasolina, no han causado problemas de corrosión, debido principalmente a su baja miscibilidad en el agua. En cambio, los biocarburantes en base alcohol pueden contener una considerable cantidad de agua y, además, se puede producir la oxidación parcial de sus componentes por su exposición a la atmósfera. Estas reacciones pueden ocasionar corrosión y posterior fallo, de cualquier componente metálico en contacto con las mezclas etanol-gasolina. En consecuencia, todos los sectores relacionados con la industria que emplean este combustible, empresas productoras, logística, dispensadores y fabricantes de vehículos, pueden estar afectados por esta problemática. Esto hace que este tema sea muy interesante, tanto desde un punto de vista científico como industrial. En este trabajo se revisa sistemáticamente todos los aspectos relacionados con la corrosión que produce el etanol y sus mezclas con gasolina, con el objetivo de conocer en profundidad el estado actual de las investigaciones, así como para orientar trabajos futuros que estén afectados, tanto de forma directa o indirecta con esta temática.
On the topology of fillings of contact manifolds and applications
Authors: Oancea Alexandru , Viterbo Claude
Published: January 2012

The aim of this paper is to address the following question: given a contact manifold

(\Sigma, \xi)

, what can be said about the symplectically aspherical manifolds

(W, \omega)

bounded by

(\Sigma, \xi)

? We first extend a theorem of Eliashberg, Floer and McDuff to prove that, under suitable assumptions, the map from

H_{*}(\Sigma)

to

H_{*}(W)

induced by inclusion is surjective. We apply this method in the case of contact manifolds admitting a contact embedding in

\mathbb{R}^{2n}

or in a subcritical Stein manifold. We prove in many cases that the homology of the fillings is uniquely determined. Finally, we use more recent methods of symplectic topology to prove that, if a contact hypersurface has a subcritical Stein filling, then all its SAWC fillings have the same homology.

A number of applications are given, from obstructions to the existence of Lagrangian or contact embeddings, to the exotic nature of some contact structures. We refer to the table in Section 7 for a summary of our results.
Pure states, nonnegative polynomials and sums of squares
Authors: Burgdorf Sabine , Scheiderer Claus , Schweighofer Markus
Published: January 2012

In recent years, much work has been devoted to a systematic study of polynomial identities certifying strict or non-strict positivity of a polynomial

f

on a basic closed set

K\subset\mathbb{R}^n

. The interest in such identities originates not least from their importance in polynomial optimization. The majority of the important results requires the archimedean condition, which implies that

K

has to be compact. This paper introduces the technique of pure states into commutative algebra. We show that this technique allows an approach to most of the recent archimedean Stellensätze that is considerably easier and more conceptual than the previous proofs. In particular, we reprove and strengthen some of the most important results from the last years. In addition, we establish several such results which are entirely new. They are the first that allow

f

to have arbitrary, not necessarily discrete, zeros in

K

.
On the uniform perfectness of the groups of diffeomorphisms of even-dimensional manifolds
Authors: Tsuboi Takashi
Published: January 2012

We show that the identity component Diff

^r(M^{2m})_0

of the group of

C^r

diffeomorphisms of a compact

(2m)

-dimensional manifold

M^{2m}

(

1\leq r\leq \infty

,

r\neq 2m+1

) is uniformly perfect for

2m\geq 6

, i.e., any element of Diff

^r(M^{2m})_0

can be written as a product of a bounded number of commutators. It is also shown that for a compact connected manifold

M^{2m}

(

2m\geq 6

), the identity component Diff

^r(M^{2m})_0

of the group of

C^r

diffeomorphisms of

M^{2m}

(

1\leq r\leq \infty

,

r\neq 2m+1

) is uniformly simple, i.e., for elements

f

and

g

of Diff

^r(M^{2m})_0\setminus \{

id

\}

,

f

can be written as a product of a bounded number of conjugates of

g

or

g^{-1}

.
Combining Bayesian methods and aircraft observations to constrain the HO. + NO2 reaction rate
Authors: Henderson B. H. , Pinder R. W. , Crooks J. , Cohen R. C. , Carlton A. G. , Pye H. O. T. , Vizuete W.
Published: January 2012

Abstract. Tropospheric ozone is the third strongest greenhouse gas, and has the highest uncertainty in radiative forcing of the top five greenhouse gases. Throughout the troposphere, ozone is produced by radical oxidation of nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2). In the upper troposphere (8–10 km), current chemical transport models under-estimate nitrogen dioxide (NO2) observations. Improvements to simulated NOx production from lightning have increased NO2 predictions, but the predictions in the upper troposphere remain biased low. The upper troposphere has low temperatures (T < 250 K) that increase the uncertainty of many important chemical reaction rates. This study constrains uncertain reaction rates by combining model predictions with measurements from the Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment-North America observational campaign. The results show that the nitric acid formation rate, which is the dominant sink of NO2 and radicals, is currently over-estimated by 22% in the upper troposphere. The results from this study suggest that the temperature sensitivity of nitric acid formation is lower than currently recommended. Since the formation of nitric acid removes nitrogen dioxide and radicals that drive the production of ozone, the revised reaction rate will affect ozone concentrations in upper troposphere impacting climate and air quality in the lower troposphere.
Correlation among cirrus ice content, water vapor and temperature in the TTL as observed by CALIPSO and Aura/MLS
Authors: Flury T. , Wu D. L. , Read W. G.
Published: January 2012

Abstract. Water vapor in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL) has a local radiative cooling effect. As a source for ice in cirrus clouds, however, it can also indirectly produce infrared heating. Using NASA A-Train satellite measurements of CALIPSO and Aura/MLS we calculated the correlation of water vapor, ice water content and temperature in the TTL. We find that temperature strongly controls water vapor (correlation r=0.94) and cirrus clouds at 100 hPa (r=−0.9). Moreover we observe that the cirrus seasonal cycle is highly (r=−0.9) anticorrelated with the water vapor variation in the TTL, showing higher cloud occurrence during December-January-February. We further investigate the anticorrelation on a regional scale and find that the strong anticorrelation occurs generally in the ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone). The seasonal cycle of the cirrus ice water content is also highly anticorrelated to water vapor (r=−0.91) and our results support the hypothesis that the total water at 100 hPa is roughly constant. Temperature acts as a main regulator for balancing the partition between water vapor and cirrus clouds. Thus, to a large extent, the depleting water vapor in the TTL during DJF is a manifestation of cirrus formation.
Validation of MODIS cloud microphysical properties with in situ measurements over the Southeast Pacific
Authors: Min Q. , Joseph E. , Lin Y. , Min L. , Yin B. , Daum P. H. , Kleinman L. I. , Wang J. , Lee Y.-N.
Published: January 2012

Abstract. Utilizing the unique characteristics of the cloud over the Southeast Pacific (SEP) off the coast of Chile during the VOCALS field campaign, we validated satellite remote sensing of cloud microphysical properties against in situ data from multi-aircraft observations, and studied the extent to which these retrieved properties are sufficiently constrained and consistent to reliably quantify the influence of aerosol loading on cloud droplet sizes. After constraining the spatial-temporal coincidence between satellite retrievals and in situ measurements, we selected 17 non-drizzle comparison pairs. For these cases the mean aircraft profiling times were within one hour of Terra overpass at both projected and un-projected (actual) aircraft positions for two different averaging domains of 5 km and 25 km. Retrieved quantities that were averaged over a larger domain of 25 km compared better statistically with in situ observations than averages over a smaller domain of 5 km. Validation at projected aircraft positions was slightly better than un-projected aircraft positions for some parameters. Overall, both MODIS-retrieved effective radius and LWP were larger but highly correlated with the in situ measured effective radius and LWP. The observed effective radius difference between the two decreased with increasing cloud drop number concentration, and increased with increasing cloud geometrical thickness. Also, MODIS retrievals for adiabatic clouds agreed better with the in situ measurements than for sub-adiabatic clouds. Our validation and sensitivity analysis of simulated retrievals demonstrate that both cloud geometrical thickness and cloud adiabaticity are important factors in satellite retrievals of effective radius and cloud drop number concentration. The large variabilities in cloud geometric thickness and adiabaticity, the dependencies of cloud microphysical properties on both quantities (as demonstrated in our sensitivity study of simulated retrievals), and the inability to accurately account for either of them in retrievals lead to substantial uncertainties and biases in satellite retrieved cloud effective radius, cloud liquid water path, and cloud drop number concentration. However, strong correlations between satellite retrievals and in situ measurements suggest that satellite retrievals of cloud effective radius, cloud liquid water path, and cloud drop number concentration can be used to investigate aerosol indirect effects qualitatively.
Photo-lability of deep ocean dissolved black carbon
Authors: Stubbins A. , Niggemann J. , Dittmar T.
Published: January 2012

Abstract. Dissolved black carbon (DBC), defined here as condensed aromatics isolated from seawater via PPL solid phase extraction and quantified as benzene polycarboxylic acid oxidation products, is a significant component of the oceanic dissolved organic carbon (DOC) pool. These condensed aromatics are widely distributed in the open ocean and appear to be tens of thousands of years old. As such DBC is regarded as highly refractory. In the current study, the photo-lability of DBC, DOC and coloured dissolved organic matter (CDOM; ultraviolet-visible absorbance) were determined over the course of a 28 d irradiation of North Atlantic Deep Water under a solar simulator. During the irradiation DBC fell from 1044 ± 164 nM C to 55 ± 15 nM C, a 20-fold decrease in concentration. Dissolved black carbon photo-degradation was more rapid and more extensive than for bulk CDOM and DOC. Further, the photo-lability of components of the DBC pool increased with their degree of aromatic condensation. These trends indicate that a continuum of compounds of varying photo-lability exists within the marine DOC pool. In this continuum, photo-lability scales with aromatic character, specifically the degree of condensation. Scaling the rapid photo-degradation of DBC to rates of DOC photo-mineralisation for the global ocean leads to an estimated photo-chemical half-life for oceanic DBC of less than 800 yr. This is more than an order of magnitude shorter than the apparent age of DBC in the ocean. Photo-degradation is therefore posited as the primary sink for oceanic DBC and the survival of DBC molecules in the oceans for millennia appears to be facilitated not by their inherent inertness but by the rate at which they are cycled through the surface ocean's photic zone.
Seasonal and latitudinal patterns of pelagic community metabolism in surface waters of the Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Agusti S.
Published: January 2012

Abstract. Temporal and spatial patterns in the variability of the pelagic metabolism at the surface of the Atlantic Ocean were analyzed in a series of four oceanographic cruises (LATITUDE 1, 2, 3 and 4). The cruises crossed the oligotrophic waters of North and South subtropical gyres and this explained the low values of both gross primary production (GPP) and community respiration (R) found. Net community production (NCP), the balance between production and consumption, was strongly related to the variability in R rates (R2=0.72, P<0.0001). NCP was net heterotrophic in 83 % of the data, but showed strong temporal and spatial patterns. At the inter-tropical zone, around 10°–12° N and 10°–12° S, a large variability was observed with values of NCP oscillating from net heterotrophic to net autotrophic seasonally. This variability implied NCP to be net autotrophic in boreal fall and austral spring, and net heterotrophic in boreal spring and austral fall, in the areas around the boundaries of the inter-tropical zone. The variability observed concur with the seasonal climatic and oceanographic regimes of the inter-tropical area, whith documented seasonal changes of the North and South Atlantic equatorial currents system, the Guinea Dome, and the Benguela current. When considering the season of the data obtained, significant differences between spring and fall were found for the surface Atlantic, with water temperature and respiration increasing in autumn, showing a net heterotrophic metabolism, and with temperature and respiration decreasing in spring, where NCP were closer to the metabolic balance. In contrast, no seasonal differences were found for GPP and chlorophyll-a concentration. The results showed new spatial and temporal patterns in the pelagic metabolic balance of the surface Atlantic Ocean with consequences for the carbon flux.
The analysis of large-scale turbulence characteristics in the Indonesian seas derived from a regional model based on the Princeton Ocean Model
Authors: O'Driscoll K. , Kamenkovich V.
Published: January 2012

Abstract. The analysis is presented of the distribution of deep ocean turbulence characteristics on the horizontal scale of order 100 km in the vicinity of the Lifamatola Sill, from the Southern Maluku Sea (north of the sill) to the Seram Sea (south of the sill). The turbulence characteristics were calculated with a regional model of the Indonesian seas circulation based on the Princeton Ocean Model (POM), incorporating the Mellor-Yamada turbulence closure scheme. The analysis has been carried out for the entire Indonesian seas region, including areas around important topographic features, such as the Lifamatola Sill, the North Sangihe Ridge, the Dewakang Sill and the North and South Halmahera Sea Sills. To illustrate results of application of the Mellor-Yamada closure scheme we have focused on the description of features of turbulence characteristics across the Lifamatola Sill because dynamically this region is very important and some estimates of mixing coefficients in this area are available. As is well known, the POM model output provides both dynamical (depth-integrated and 3-D velocities, temperature, salinity, and sea-surface-height) and turbulence characteristics (kinetic energy and master scale of turbulence, mixing coefficients of momentum, temperature and salinity, etc.). As a rule, the analysis of POM modeling results has been restricted to the study of corresponding dynamical characteristics, however the study of turbulence characteristics is essential to understanding the dynamics of the ocean circulation as well. Due to the absence of direct measurements of turbulence characteristics in the analyzed area, we argued the validity of the simulated characteristics in the light of their compatibility with some general principles. Thus, along these lines, vertical profiles of across-the-sill velocities, twice the kinetic energy of turbulence, turbulence length scale, the separate terms in the equation of kinetic energy of turbulence, the Richardson number, and finally coefficients of mixing of momentum and temperature and salinity are discussed. Average values of the vertical mixing coefficient compare well with indirect estimates previously made from diagnostic calculations based on Munk's model.
Aplicación e indicadores de inclusión social y sistema métrico de evaluación entre usuarios incluidos digitalmente que pertenecen a comunidades en estado de vulnerabilidad en Brasil
Authors: Medeiros Neto Benedito , Miranda Antonio
Published: January 2012

Impacto de los talleres, formación y mediación de los multiplicadores (formadores de formadores) y las sesiones con participantes en los programas de inclusión digital en Brasil: una evaluación desde un análisis multivariable. Este artículo tiene por objeto evaluar los resultados del proceso de inclusión digital de los usuarios supuestamente incluidos en los puntos de la inclusión digital, promovida por los programas y proyectos del Gobierno brasileño y sus socios, después de haber pasado por procesos de capacitación, talleres y otras formas de mediación. La evaluación toma como base la identificación de las variables que mejor explican el proceso de inclusión y un análisis multivariado de estas variables. Los resultados obtenidos deben ser vistos a la luz del universo de investigación, de las personas de una clase desfavorecida, que viven en lugares con poca infraestructura de telecomunicaciones, donde el satélite es el medio más viable para ofrecer Internet de banda ancha.
La difusión y uso del ebook en España desde una perspectiva socioeconómica
Authors: Ramos Fandiño Guadalupe Patricia , Larrañaga Rugio Julio
Published: January 2012

En este trabajo se realiza un análisis de las principales características desde un punto de vista socioeconómico del mercado del libro digital en España. Se incide en los principales problemas de la industria editorial y del papel que puede desempeñar el ebook para paliarlos. También se expone el problema que se presenta con la piratería de contenidos digitales y las previsiones del mercado del ebook en los próximos años.
Bibliotecas, información y golpe de estado: teoría en el contexto relacionado con la crisis política en Honduras
Authors: Meneses Tello Felipe
Published: January 2012

El presente análisis se circunscribe en el marco de la relación que existe entre «bibliotecas, información y golpe de Estado», por ende se ajusta como una vertiente de análisis y estudio en el campo de lo que es apropiado denominar como Bibliotecología política. La teoría está constituida por cuatro epígrafes: 1] Gabriel Naudé, bibliotecario político que acuñó el término golpe de Estado, 2] El concepto del golpe de Estado en relación con el mundo documental e informativo, 3] Bibliotecas y golpe de Estado, 4] Información y golpe de Estado; el contexto está conformado por los dos siguientes apartados: 5] El golpe de Estado en Honduras, un peligro para sus bibliotecas y bibliotecarios, y 6] El gobierno usurpador en Honduras ataca la libertad de acceso a la información. Así, el autor percibe que los golpes de Estado evidencian una gran variedad de hechos respecto a los momentos de represión y destrucción que han sufrido los acervos bibliográficos, las bibliotecas y los bibliotecarios, entre otros protagonistas de la cultura bibliográfica.
Instrumentos de desarrollo de competencias para un programa de alfabetización en información en bibliotecas escolares
Authors: Marzal Miguel Ángel , Sellers de los Ríos Nieves
Published: January 2012

Las competencias en información deben ser objeto esencial de los programas de alfabetización en información, como elemento en el desarrollo del modelo socio-económico de la Sociedad del conocimiento. El artículo procede a una reflexión sobre los fundamentos necesarios para la eficacia de estos programas, definiendo, para su mejor aplicación, la evolución de las competencias en su uso dentro de unidades de información, el modelo de bibliotecas digitales educativas y las propiedades de los materiales educativos en web. Se procede a presentar una propuesta metodológica para que, en entornos escolares y en el ambiente de una biblioteca escolar (como CREA, Centro de Recursos para la Enseñanza y el Aprendizaje), se incorporen instrumentos suficientes que ayuden en el ejercicio competencial de los programas de alfabetización en información, analizando como estudio de caso modelos de bibliotecas digitales y plataformas digitales educativas.
Tonography assessment using quantitative and qualitative analysis of the aqueous humor outflow mechanism
Authors: Kozobolis Vassilios P. , Paschalis Eleftherios I. , Labiris Georgios , Foudoulakis Nikitas C. , Konstantinidis Aristeidis , Koukoula Stavrenia C.
Published: January 2012

Purpose

To perform qualitative evaluation of the aqueous humor (AH) outflow mechanism in glaucoma and nonglaucoma patients by means of tonography assessment and mathematical analysis.

Methods

Sixty-two primary open angle and 58 pseudoexfoliation glaucoma patients were recruited in a non-interventional, observational study between 2004 and 2007. Qualitative and quantitative outflow assessment was acquired by means of a digital tonographer and mathematical analysis. Qualitative results were represented using slope analysis of the change of the AH outflow rate over the tonography study. The results were compared to the control group (CG; n=100) as well as to a pseudoexfoliation group (PEX; n=46).

Results

Regarding quantitative analysis, glaucoma groups exhibited significantly lower outflow facility compared to nonglaucoma ones (p<0.001). Outflow facility value was significantly correlated to cup to disc ratio (Pearson correlation r=–0.3, p<0.001). Regarding qualitative analysis, the primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) group presented a significant profile variation at the beginning of the tonography, expressed as an increased resistance of the AH outflow. Both glaucoma groups exhibited profile stabilization at the end of the measurement, suggesting that the outflow rate remained constant, while nonglaucoma groups followed a continuous reduction of the AH outflow rate throughout the study.

Conclusions

The POAG, PXG, PEX, and CG groups demonstrated both qualitative and quantitative tonographic profile differences. The observed differences in the glaucoma groups suggest a distinct pathomechanism between POAG and PXG. It is suggested that POAG patients have a temporary disruption of the AH flow pathway, while PXG patients have a generalized increased flow resistance.
Entre modelos
Authors: Palao Errando José Antonio
Published: January 2012

Introducción a la sección de Otras investigaciones.
Nuevas tendencias e hibridaciones de los discursos audiovisuales en la cultura digital contemporánea
Authors: Marzal Felici Javier , Martín Núñez Marta
Published: January 2012

Introducción a la sección informe.
Análisis fílmico y cultura digital
Authors: Palao Errando José Antonio
Published: January 2012

Artículo de la sección Tribuna: investigación y profesión
Comunicación audiovisual y cultura digital: un diagnóstico (con/diferencial) —precoz
Authors: Rubio Alcover Agustín
Published: January 2012

Artículo de la sección Tribuna: investigación y profesión
La desaparición del referente en el arte digital y sus implicaciones
Authors: Séguin Jean Claude
Published: January 2012

El arte digital plantea de nuevo la cuestión del referente. Desde los orígenes de la filosofía y de la teoría, el referente y la representación han constituido los dos extremos de la tensión entre los cuales se debatían los temas de la naturaleza de la imitación. Platón y Aristóteles por una parte, la Iglesia, Peirce, Benjamin y tantos otros han debatido sobre la capacidad de la imagen para imitar la realidad. Con el surgimiento de la imagen tecnológica, la representación ha ido compitiendo cada vez más con el referente, haciendo que poco a poco vaya sustituyéndose a él. La indicialidad –más que la iconicidad– hace que las fronteras se vayan borrando cada vez más. A partir de mediados de los años 80, los juegos entre imágenes indiciales e imágenes puramente iconográficas han empezado a convertir el referente en un sustituto posible. En los últimos años del siglo XX, la imagen digital ha venido a jugar entre realidad y realidad virtual, hasta tal punto que varios países como Estados Unidos han hecho de esta cuestión, en el terreno de la pedopornografía, un debate jurídico, aceptando la idea de que los delitos virtuales equivalían a delitos reales. Estos debates hacen que cada día más la realidad virtual llegue a sustituir a la propia realidad.