bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Testosterone therapy in men with Crohn’s disease improves the clinical course of the disease: data from long-term observational registry study
Authors: Nasser Mahmoud , Haider Ahmad , Saad Farid , Kurtz Winfried , Doros Gheorghe , Fijak Monika , Vignozzi Linda , Gooren Louis
Published: June 2015

Background: Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory chronic bowel disease characterized by an imbalanced production of pro-inflammatory mediators (tumor necrosis factor-α) and an increased recruitment of leukocytes to the site of inflammation. Low serum testosterone is associated with an increase in inflammatory factors, while testosterone administration reduces them. There is evidence for an immunomodulatory effect of testosterone on differentiation of regulatory T cells.

Materials and methods: The research was carried out in clinics in Germany and Syria. The study was a cumulative, prospective, registry study with an increasing number of men over time receiving testosterone. While men diagnosed with Crohn’s disease received appropriate treatment for Crohn’s disease, they were tested for testosterone deficiency (cut-off point ≤12.1 nmol/L). In total, 92 men received parenteral testosterone undecanoate 1000 mg/12 weeks for up to 7 years. Fourteen men opted not to receive testosterone and served as a comparison group.

Results: In men receiving testosterone, the Crohn’s Disease Activity Index declined from 239.36±36.96 to 71.67±3.26 at 84 months (p<0.0001 vs. baseline). C-reactive protein levels decreased from 12.89±8.64 to 1.78±1.37 mg/L at 84 months (p<0.0001 vs. baseline). Leukocyte count decreased from 11.93±2.85 to 6.21±1.01×109/L (p<0.0001 at 84 months vs. baseline). No changes were observed in the comparison group. There were no significant side effects of testosterone.

Conclusions: Normalizing serum testosterone in hypogonadal men with Crohn’s disease had a positive effect on the clinical course, also evidenced by biochemical parameters. Testosterone administration appeared safe.
Acute ischaemic stroke secondary to a mobile thrombus in the common carotid artery - case report
Authors: Bajkó Zoltán , Maier Smaranda , Rusu Silvia , Moțățăianu Anca
Published: June 2015

A mobile thrombus in the carotid arteries is a very rare ultrasonographic finding and is usually diagnosed after a neurological emergency, such as a transient ischemic attack or cerebral infarction. We present the case of a 54-year-old man with vascular risk factors (a heavy smoker, untreated hypertension) who was admitted to the emergency unit with right sided hemiparesis and aphasia. A cerebral CT scan showed a left middle cerebral artery territory infarction. The duplex ultrasound examination revealed mild atherosclerotic changes in the right common and internal carotid arteries, right-sided complete subclavian steal phenomenon and a complicated hypoechoic atherosclerotic plaque in the left common carotid artery with a large mobile thrombus. Due to the high embolization risk, the patient was hospitalised and prescribed Aspirin together with low molecular weight Heparin. We recorded an improvement in the patient’s neurological status and the control duplex scan revealed disappearance of the thrombus. The presence of floating thrombus in a patient with clinical and imagistic evidence of stroke is a major therapheutic challenge for the neurologist. The treatment strategies are not standardized and must be individualized, however in our case parenteral anticoagulation proved to be successful.
Significance of current velocity gradients for distribution patterns of charophytes versus mosses and vascular plant communities in a lowland stream
Authors: Jakubas Emilia , Gąbka Maciej
Published: June 2015

The study focused on the relationships between charophytes and the surrounding species composition and environmental factors in a lowland stream (Flinta stream, Western Poland). A total of 32 vegetation plots (4 m × 4 m) and 13 environmental variables were tested. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) were used to describe the relationships between the species composition and the selected variables. Dominance curves of aquatic plants, response curves (GAMs model) of charophytes and other macrophytes to the velocity gradient (the most important environmental factor, the Monte Carlo test) were prepared. In this study, 2 species of charophytes were recorded: Chara vulgaris and Chara globularis and 5 other co-occurring macroscopic algae, 2 mosses and 10 vascular plants. In the studied stream, charophytes occupied the separate niche. Chara vulgaris stands with moss vegetation were found in stream sections with the highest velocity of the water current (0.29 m s-1 mean), and the Chara globularis (with dominant Potamogeton species), preferred sections with the smallest water current velocity (0.19 m s-1 mean).

Charophytes seem to respond to ecological gradients differently from mosses and vascular plants. These differences are related to current velocity, pH, conductivity and organic matter in bottom sediments, and to the niche differentiation associated with them.
The effect of irradiance on the xanthophyll composition of Skeletonema marinoi (Bacillariophycae), Teleaulax sp., Rhodomonas sp. (Cryptophyceae), and Heterocapsa triquetra (Dinophyceae)
Authors: Łotocka Maria
Published: June 2015

The aim of the research was to determine the effect of irradiance on the content of carotenoids in the natural algae community occurring in the Baltic Sea: diatom Skeletonema marinoi, cryptophytes Teleaulax sp., Rhodomonas sp., and dinoflagellate Heterocapsa triquetra.

In the natural population of Skeletonema marinoi, the highest fucoxanthin content was observed in the morning and afternoon, unlike with diatoxanthin+diadinoxanthin, where a mean of 0.008 pg cell-1 was found at dawn and at dusk, whereas maximum values were observed at noon (mean 0.017 pg cell-1). Similar tendencies related to diurnal variations in the content of xanthophylls involved in the xanthophyll cycle occurred also in dinoflagellate Heterocapsa triquetra.

In cryptophytes Teleaulax sp. and Rhodomonas sp., no carotenoids of the xanthophyll cycle were detected. The content of alloxanthin showed diurnal variation from 0.048 pg cell-1 to 0.085 pg cell-1 and was not clearly correlated with the irradiance.
Diversity, spatiotemporal distribution, abundance, species composition and habitat preferences of Ostracoda in Akbük and Akdeniz coastal mesosaline lagoons (Muğla, the South Aegean Region, Turkey)
Authors: Altınsaçlı Selçuk , Perçin-Paçal Ferda , Altınsaçlı Songül
Published: June 2015

Akdeniz and Akbuk lagoons are part of a shallow coastal ecosystem of great aesthetic and ecological importance, located in Muğla Province in the southern Aegean region of Turkey. In the present study, four expeditions to collect ostracods from these lagoons were conducted in May, July, October, and November of 2008. Benthic samples were obtained monthly and several environmental factors were recorded simultaneously in situ. The ecological preferences of the ostracods were monitored, and qualitative and quantitative samples were collected from three sites in Akdeniz lagoon and two sites in Akbuk lagoon. Three ostracod taxa (Cyprideis torosa, Loxoconcha elliptica and Cytherois fischeri) were identified from the Akdeniz lagoon sampling sites and one species (Cyprideis torosa) from the Akbuk lagoon sampling sites. We present and analyze the dominance and distribution of ostracod assemblages and their relationships to environmental factors: temperature, dissolved oxygen, percentage oxygen saturation, pH, redox potential, salinity, and electrical conductivity) using classification and ordination techniques. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) is used to characterize the relationship between ostracods and the environmental variables. Approximately 82% of the correlation between the community composition and environmental variables was explained by the first axis of the CCA ordination for the Akdeniz lagoon. The study revealed that the distribution and population density of ostracod species depends on the physicochemical properties of the environment. The reason for this is that Cyprideis torosa and Loxoconcha elliptica are euryhaline species.
Development of toxin-producing cyanobacteria during the water level manipulation in a shallow heavily modified lake
Authors: Solis Michał , Pawlik-Skowrońska Barbara , Kalinowska Renata
Published: June 2015

The development of cyanobacteria and microcystin variation was studied during two years in response to periodical water-level regulation in modified Lake Tomaszne. Before the water entrance from a canal, the biomass of toxigenic cyanobacteria was 0.001-0.33 mg dm-3, the microcystin concentration was below 1 μg dm-3, and three variants of microcystins were detected. After the water entrance from the canal, the biomass of cyanobacteria increased to 1.3-7.1 mg dm-3 with the dominants Aphanizomenon gracile and Dolichospermum planctonicum. After the water discharge from the lake, Planktothrix agardhii reached the highest biomass (2.3-6.6 mg dm-3). During the mass development of toxigenic cyanobacteria, the total microcystin concentrations were mostly higher than 5 μg dm-3 and the number of MC variants increased. Both Pl. agardhii and D. planktonicum accounted for microcystin production. The higher NH4-N concentrations supplied with water from the canal supported the biomass increase of Nostocales, whereas Pl. agardhii mass development was due to the low light intensity and high TP concentrations. Our study revealed that the use of nutrient-rich waters for the water management in the hydromorphologically modified lake supported the persistent development of cyanobacteria species leading to increased amounts of MC and a higher number of their structural variants.
The influence of the ecohydrological rehabilitation in the cascade of Arturówek reservoirs in Łódź (Central Poland) on the cyanobacterial and algae blooming
Authors: Szulc Bogusław , Jurczak Tomasz , Szulc Katarzyna , Kaczkowski Zbigniew
Published: June 2015

The objective of the studies included a complex of three reservoirs (upper, middle and lower Arturówek) which play an important recreational role for the residents of the Łódź city and the surrounding areas. The reservoirs were constructed on the Bzura River and are located in the area of the Łódź Hills Landscape Park. The river, the ecological status of which was defined as moderate, has a great influence on the quality of water in the Arturówek reservoirs. A total of 36 planktonic samples were collected in 2011-2013 during spring, summer and autumn seasons. During the studies, the selected physical and chemical parameters were measured. In addition to taxonomic analysis of Cyanobacteria and algae, the analyses of abundance and biomass of phytoplankton and the concentration of microcystins in water were conducted. In 2013, ecohydrological rehabilitation of the Arturówek reservoirs was carried out. Investment works included: removal of the bottom sediments to reduce internal loads, construction of buffer vegetation zones (ecotones) and sedimentation-biofiltration systems to reduce the amounts of pollutants flowing into reservoirs with rainwater. Significant changes in the structure of phytoplankton were observed in 2013. Every year, the disappearance of Cyanobacterial blooms was observed in favor of an increasing contribution of algae.
15 YEARS OF PARAGANGLIOMA: Imaging and imaging-based treatment of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma
Authors: Castinetti Frédéric , Kroiss Alexander , Kumar Rakesh , Pacak Karel , Taieb David
Published: June 2015

Although anatomic imaging to assess the precise localization of pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas (PHEOs/PGLs) is unavoidable before any surgical intervention on these tumors, functional imaging is becoming an inseparable portion of the imaging algorithm for these tumors. This review article presents applications of the most up-to-date functional imaging modalities and image-based treatment to PHEOs/PGLs patients. Functional imaging techniques provide whole-body localization (number of tumors present along with metastatic deposits) together with genetic-specific imaging approaches to PHEOs/PGLs, thus enabling highly specific and sensitive PHEO/PGL detection and delineation that now greatly impact the management of patients. Radionuclide imaging techniques also play a crucial role in the prediction of possible radioactive treatment options for PHEO/PGL. In contrast to previous imaging algorithms used for either assessement of these patients or their follow-up, endocrinologists, surgeons, oncologists, pediatricians, and other specialists require functional imaging before any therapeutic plan is outlined to the patient, and follow-up, especially in patients with metastatic disease, is based on the periodic use of functional imaging, often reducing or substituting for anatomical imaging. In similar specific indications, this will be further powered by using PET/MR in the assessment of these tumors. In the near future, it is expected that PHEO/PGL patients will benefit even more from an assessement of the functional characteristics of these tumors and new imaging-based treatment options. Finally, due to the use of new targeting moieties, gene-targeted radiotherapeutics and nanobodies-based theranostic approaches are expected to become a reality in the near future.
Protective effect of porcine placenta in a menopausal ovariectomized mouse
Authors: Han Na-Ra , Park Chan-Lee , Kim Na-Rae , Kim Hee-Yun , Yoou Myoung-Schook , Nam Sun-Young , Moon Phil-Dong , Jeong Hyun-Ja , Kim Hyung-Min
Published: June 2015

Menopause is a significant physiological phase that occurs as women's ovaries stop producing ovum and the production of estrogen declines. Human placenta and some amino acids are known to improve menopausal symptoms. In this study, we investigated that porcine placenta extract (PPE) and arginine (Arg), a main amino acid of PPE, would have estrogenic activities in ovariectomized (OVX) mice as a menopause mouse model, human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) cells, and human osteoblast cell line (MG-63) cells. PPE or Arg significantly inhibited the body weight and increased the vagina weight compared to the OVX mice. PPE or Arg ameliorated the vaginal atrophy in the OVX mice. The levels of 17β-estradiol and the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly increased by PPE or Arg in the serum of OVX mice. Trabecular bone parameters such as bone mineral density and porosity were also improved by PPE or Arg in the OVX mice. In the MCF-7 and MG-63 cells, PPE or Arg significantly increased the cell proliferation, estrogen receptor β mRNA expression, and estrogen-response elements luciferase activity. Finally, PPE or Arg increased the activations of ALP and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 in the MG-63 cells. These results indicate that PPE or Arg would have estrogenic and osteoblastic activity. Therefore, PPE or Arg may be useful as new pharmacological tools for treating menopausal symptoms including osteoporosis.

Free Korean abstract: A Korean translation of this abstract is freely available at http://www.reproduction-online.org/content/150/3/173/suppl/DC1.
Differential activation of kiss receptors by Kiss1 and Kiss2 peptides in the sea bass
Authors: Felip Alicia , Espigares Felipe , Zanuy Silvia , Gómez Ana
Published: June 2015

Two forms ofkissgene (kiss1andkiss2) have been described in the teleost sea bass. This study assesses the cloning and characterization of two Kiss receptor genes, namelykissr2andkissr3(known asgpr54-1bandgpr54-2b, respectively), and their signal transduction pathways in response to Kiss1 and Kiss2 peptides. Phylogenetic and synteny analyses indicate that these paralogs originated by duplication of an ancestral gene before teleost specific duplication. Thekissr2andkissr3mRNAs encode proteins of 368 and 378 amino acids, respectively, and share 53.1% similarity in amino acid sequences.In silicoanalysis of the putative promoter regions of the sea bass Kiss receptor genes revealed conserved flanking regulatory sequences among teleosts. Bothkissr2andkissr3are predominantly expressed in brain and gonads of sea bass, medaka and zebrafish. In the testis, the expression levels of sea bass kisspeptins and Kiss receptors point to a significant variation during the reproductive cycle.In vitrofunctional analyses revealed that sea bass Kiss receptor signals are transduced both via the protein kinase C and protein kinase A pathway. Synthetic sea bass Kiss1–15 and Kiss2–12 peptides activated Kiss receptors with different potencies, indicating a differential ligand selectivity. Our data suggest that Kissr2 and Kissr3 have a preference for Kiss1 and Kiss2 peptides, respectively, thus providing the basis for future studies aimed at establishing their physiologic roles in sea bass.
Application of the chaotic power law to the study of cardiac dynamics in patients with arrhythmias
Authors: Rodríguez Javier , Prieto Signed , Dominguez Dario , Correa Catalina , Melo Martha , Pardo Juan , Mendoza Fernàn , Rodríguez Ligia Victoria , Cardona Diana Margarita , Méndez Laura
Published: June 2015

Background. An exponential law for chaotic cardiac dynamics,
found previously, allows the quantification of the differences
between normal cardiac dynamics and those with acute
diseases, as well as the cardiac dynamics of the evolution
between these states.

Objective. To confirm the clinical applicability of the developed
methodology through the mathematical law for cardiac
dynamics in dynamics with arrhythmias.

Materials and methods. 60 Holter electrocardiograms were
analyzed, 10 corresponded to normal subjects, and 50 to subjects with different arrhythmias. For each Holter, an attractor was performed, and its fractal dimension and spatial occupancy were measured. A mathematical evaluation was applied in order to differentiate normal dynamics from pathological ones. Sensitivity, specificity and the Kappa coefficient were calculated.

Results. The mathematical evaluation differentiated occupation spaces, normal dynamics, acute illness dynamics, and evolution between these states. The sensitivity and specificity values were 100%, and the Kappa coefficient was 1.

Conclusions. The clinical applicability of the methodology
for cases with arrhythmia was shown. It is also applicable for
the detection of changes in dynamics that are not classified
clinically as pathological.
Cross-cultural adaptation of the English version of the Senior Fitness Test to Spanish
Authors: Ochoa González Marlene Edith
Published: June 2015

Background. The physical condition of the elderly is related
to health and functional independence. One specific and
scientifically valid instrument measuring this parameter is the
Senior Fitness Test, of which the original version is in English.

Objective. To identify the face validity of the test for use
in Spanish language based on the cultural adaptation of the
English version.

Materials and methods. Descriptive study, for which crosscultural adaptation to Spanish was performed. This involved translation, evaluation of conceptual equivalence by three bilingual experts, synthesis of observations, calculation of values for the index of agreement and applicability.

Results. The overall agreement rate is 0.9485. No disagreements arose between the judges for any of the items, and intelligibility is of 85.2%, according to subjects of different ages and levels of schooling.

Conclusions. A version of the Senior Fitness Test adapted to
Spanish was obtained. The test is backed up by face validity
and comprehensibility, and conserves semantic, idiomatic, and
conceptual equivalence to the original version.

 
Building the Universidad Nacional de Colombia Hospital: Reconciling social and academic aspects
Authors: García-Ubaque Juan Carlos
Published: June 2015

In the process of building the National University Hospital, an
analysis of the changing epidemiological profile of the population of Bogotá was undertaken, which examined the health care needs of the city, the academic needs of the university and institutional possibilities. It was made an analysis of the demographic and epidemiological profile of the population of Bogotá.

It was concluded that there were factors associated with the
epidemiological transition of aging, such as a low availability
of health services for the elderly and diseases related to that
care. Just as in the university, the hospital needs to develop
all aspects of patient care to be able to adequately respond
to the needs of this demographic from an interdisciplinary
perspective, ensuring quality care based on the criteria of
timeliness, accessibility, relevance, sufficiency, and continuity.

A proposal is outlined concluding that the first phase of the
portfolio of services that the University Hospital offers must
be geared towards geriatric care and chronic illnesses, due to
the aging of the general population as a result of a decline in
fertility and mortality. This care would cater towards so-called
permanent conditions that result in disability, or not easily
reversible physiopathological conditions that require longterm
care, as well as special training in secondary prevention
and rehabilitation for the patient and the family.
The Passthrough of Labor Costs to Price Inflation
Authors: Peneva Ekaterina V. , Rudd Jeremy B.
Published: June 2015

We use a time-varying parameter/stochastic volatility VAR framework to assess how the pass through of labor costs to price inflation has evolved over time in U.S. data. We find little evidence that changes in labor costs have had a material effect on price inflation in recent years, even for compensation measures where some degree of pass through to prices still appears to be present. Our results cast doubt on explanations of recent inflation behavior that appeal to such mechanisms as downward nominal wage rigidity or a differential contribution of long-term and short-term unemployed workers to wage and price pressures.
How Effective are Macroprudential Policies? An Empirical Investigation
Authors: Akinci Ozge , Olmstead-Rumsey Jane
Published: June 2015

In recent years, policymakers have generally relied on macroprudential policies to address financial stability concerns. However, our understanding of these policies and their efficacy is limited. In this paper, we construct a novel index of domestic macroprudential policies in 57 advanced and emerging economies covering the period from 2000:Q1to 2013:Q4, with tightenings and easings recorded separately. The effectiveness of these policies in curbing bank credit growth and house price inflation is then assessed using a dynamic panel data model. The main findings of the paper are: (1) Macroprudential policies have been used far more actively after the global financial crisis in both advanced and emerging market economies. (2) These policies have primarily targeted the housing sector, especially in the advanced economies. (3) Macroprudential policies are usually changed in tandem with bank reserve requirements, capital flow management measures, and monetary policy. (4) Empirical analysis suggests that macroprudential tightening is associated with lower bank credit growth, housing credit growth, and house price inflation. (5) Targeted policies for example, those specifically intended to limit the growth of housing credit seem to be more effective. (6) In emerging economies, capital inflow restrictions targeting the banking sector are also associated with lower credit growth, although portfolio flow restrictions are not.
Presentación de la revista
Authors: Valdés Fernández Manuel
Published: June 2015

Presentación de la revista
La fortuna de los grabados de Sadeler en el ámbito leonés. Algunos ejemplos de su seguimiento en escultura y pintura entre los siglos XVI y XVII
Authors: Arias Martínez Manuel
Published: June 2015

Desde fines del siglo XVI el grabador flamenco Johan Sadeler creó, inspirándose en la obra de diversos pintores de su entorno, un amplio número de estampas que se difundieron rápidamente por toda Europa siendo utilizadas como fuente de inspiración por multitud de artistas. En territorio leonés, sobre todo en el ámbito del obispado de Astorga, diversos pintores y escultores utilizaron en sus composiciones estampas de dicho grabador, con especial fortuna para aquellas que Sadeler grabó basándose en obras del pintor Maarten de Vos. La importancia de estas estampas como fuente de inspiración para diversas obras de pintura y escultura desarrolladas durante los siglos XVI y XVII en León no hace sino reafirmar el éxito de dichas composiciones en el panorama artístico español del momento.
Análisis de la instrucción de 1566 dictada por Felipe II para la conservación y restauración de las obras depositadas en el Monasterio “de Prestado” de El Escorial
Authors: Díez-Ordás Berciano María Belén
Published: June 2015

Este trabajo se centra en la identificación del espacio arquitectónico que aparece descrito como telón de fondo de las instrucciones dictadas por Felipe II, en las que se especifican las normas para la conservación y restau-ración de las pinturas de caballete que había depositado en El Escorial. La orden, fechada el 4 de julio de 1566, menciona piezas de la importancia del Descendimiento de Roger Van der Weyden, La Gloria y el Noli me tangere de Tiziano, y las tablas de Patinir, Paisaje con San Cristobal y Las tentaciones de San Antonio Abad. El objetivo es demostrar que el lugar exacto donde fueron ubicadas estas obras fue la iglesia del Monasterio ‚de Prestado‛ de la Villa de El Escorial, y no la Iglesia Vieja, como se ha interpretado hasta ahora.
Las fábricas medievales de San Pedro de la Rúa en Estella (Navarra): la complejidad de un largo proceso constructivo
Authors: Múñoz Párraga María Del Carmen , López de Guereño María Teresa
Published: June 2015
Fortificaciones medievales en el espacio portugués: propuesta de una síntesis global para su evolución
Authors: Rodrigues dos Santos Joaquim Manuel
Published: June 2015

Se pretende efectuar un bosquejo conciso de la evolución de las fortificaciones medievales en el espacio portugués con base en bibliografía castellológica de referencia, proponiéndose una estructura que permite conjugar sintéticamente la evolución de las fortificaciones a partir de varios puntos de vistas dispersos por diversas investigaciones, encontrando una línea conductora global a nivel historiográfico que permite contextualizar de modo más coherente esa evolución.
La escultura de San Isidoro de León y su relación con otros talleres del Camino
Authors: Herráez Ortega María Victoria , Cosmen Alonso María Concepción , Valdés Fernández Manuel
Published: June 2015

En este artículo se analizan algunos aspectos formales de la escultura de San Isidoro de León, que ayudan a situar la cantería en relación con otros centros del Camino de Santiago y pueden contribuir a la reflexión sobre el desarrollo de los trabajos de construcción del conjunto isidoriano. La escultura del Panteón conduce hacia el suroeste de Francia, en concreto hacia Toulouse y hacia una serie de focos que, a su vez, reflejan la influencia del gran taller de Saint-Sernin. En el caso de la iglesia, los trabajos escultóricos apuntan que la construcción siguió un ritmo más o menos continuado desde sus inicios, bajo los auspicios de la infanta Urraca, hasta el cerramiento del transepto, que no debe situarse en un marco cronológico posterior al de Santiago de Compostela.
La Cripta de los Mariscales de Navarra en San Pedro de la Rúa (Estella). El pleito por la posesión de un espacio privilegiado y la renovación del templo en época moderna
Authors: Múñoz Párraga María Del Carmen , López de Guereño Sanz María Teresa
Published: June 2015

A mediados del siglo XV la parroquia de San Pedro de la Rúa en Estella (Navarra), importante alto en el camino para los peregrinos que realizaban su viaje a Santiago, experimentará un cambio determinante en su historia. En 1449, Felipe de Navarra, cuarto Mariscal del Reino, y su esposa, Juana de Peralta, eligen el templo de San Pedro como panteón familiar. El presente trabajo se articula en torno a tres perspectivas surgidas de esta circunstancia. La primera se refiere a los cambios arquitectónicos de la cabecera, derivados de la elección como lugar de enterramiento de una de las familias más poderosas en la monarquía navarra. Así, en 1450, se reutilizará uno de los arcos del presbiterio como arcosolio y, en 1552, se construirá en el centro del mismo la cripta, ahora descubierta. La segunda aborda el largo pleito por la posesión de la capilla mayor, originado a partir de 1579 hasta 1678, entre los parroquianos de San Pedro, conscientes de su pérdida de poder, y la familia de los Mariscales, ya Marqueses de Cortes. Finalmente, la tercera tratará de la reforma de la iglesia con el desmonte, en 1609, de la altísima bóveda gótica de la nave central por amenazar ruina, el reforzamiento de los pilares y la colocación de tirantes y, por último, la construcción, en 1731, de la actual bóveda de lunetos, y lo que supuso un considerable decrecimiento de la altura del templo.
Palace of the mind. The cloister of Silos and Spanish sculpture of the twelfth century
Authors: Herráez Ortega María Victoria
Published: June 2015
Nuevos espacios para la liturgia. El arte medieval en la arquitectura religiosa de Gaudí
Authors: Cendón Fernández Marta
Published: June 2015

HFrente al neoclasicismo se alza un revival que supone relanzar el neogótico o el neorrománico. En España coincide con un romanticismo tardío, con una connotación religiosa, sobre todo desde el Concilio Vaticano I. En muchos casos se lleva a cabo una restauración del patrimonio medieval, cuya recuperación deja su impronta en los arquitectos de finales del XIX. En ese ambiente se educa Gaudí, quien estudió a fondo monumentos arquitectónicos y participó en excursiones a los mismos. Desde sus años de estudiante propuso proyectos neomedievalistas como la puerta de un Cementerio. Más tarde se ocupó de la realización de altares y, dentro de la recuperación de lo medieval, destaca la Sagrada Familia, en la que se mezcla el neogoticismo con innovaciones que lo convierten en uno de los templos más significativos del siglo XX.
Las Lecturas de las Cantigas de Santa María
Authors: Gregorio Sirem Daniel
Published: June 2015

La producción escrita de Alfonso X el sabio plantea el problema de la difusión del saber, estrechamente ligada a la práctica de la lectura y a la concepción del libro como objeto comercial y como símbolo de un poder tanto político como espiritual. Las Cantigas presentan justamente tres versiones (en verso, imagen y prosa) que permiten determinar los diferentes tipos de público que podían acceder a los textos escritos y los medios que se podían emplear para transmitir un mensaje, según el tipo de lector al que se destinaba. Las prosificaciones de las Cantigas cobran aquí una importancia frecuentemente desestimada por las investigaciones llevadas a cabo hasta ahora, pues al compararlas con las versiones rimadas o las miniaturas, se descubren los canales por los que podía divulgarse el conocimiento, al par que se matiza la oposición un tanto estereotipada entre cultura oral y cultura escrita.
Una reliquia de San Juan de la Cruz custodiada en el Convento carmelitano de San José (Medina del Campo). Milagro transformado en arte
Authors: Valero Collantes Ana Cristina
Published: June 2015

En este artículo nos acercamos a la figura de San Juan de la Cruz, presencia relevante en la mística española así como reformador del Carmelo, a través del milagro acontecido en el convento carmelita de San José de Medina del Campo con una de sus reliquias. Hecho que derivó en una importante variación iconográfica, poco conocida, y que sin embargo, dio lugar a numerosas y destacadas representaciones artísticas (pinturas, grabados…) no sólo en el ámbito local, sino también nacional e incluso internacional.
De la construcción reciente para el eterno descanso. La arquitectura mortuoria en la actualidad
Authors: Muñoz Pérez Laura
Published: June 2015

El hecho físico, tangible e inevitable de la muerte acompaña y condena al hombre desde su nacimiento. Como parte complementaria de su llegada a la tierra la muerte se convierte en la otra única constante, exigiendo –al igual que la vida- el desarrollo de escenarios arquitectónicos exclusivos en los que sea presencia y protagonista. Éstos han ido variando su morfología en función de la imagen que sobre la vida y la ausencia de ella se ha ido conformando a lo largo de los siglos, apareciendo hoy como espacios depurados de símbolos ostentosos, más bien prácticos, asépticos y neutros, dejando que los sentimientos los aporten los usuarios y que cementerios, tanatorios o crematorios acusen su modestia frente a las sensaciones de paz, armonía y calma que buscan transmitir.
Cervantes y los mapas: la cartografía como metáfora
Authors: Alonso Álvaro
Published: June 2015

Este número no incluye resúmenes.
Julio Neira, Historia poética de Nueva York en la España Contemporánea,Madrid, Cátedra, 2012, 368 págs. y Julio Neira, ed. e introd., Geometría y angustia. Poetas españoles en Nueva York, Sevilla, Vandalia, 2012, 336 págs.
Authors: Abril Juan Carlos
Published: June 2015

Reseña
La circulación del conocimiento en la creación del discurso geográfico de Sierra Nevada en el s. XIX
Authors: Cornejo Nieto C.
Published: June 2015

El primer conocimiento geográfico riguroso de Sierra Nevada se produjo en la primera mitad del siglo XIX. Mientras que se ha estudiado la historia de tal conocimiento, así como la genealogía de las figuras que la hicieron posible, aún no se ha investigado la aproximación científica al macizo nevadense dentro del marco global del discurso geográfico europeo de la época. El presente artículo ofrece una primera contextualización en el pensamiento geográfico de su tiempo en términos conceptuales, metodológicos y retóricos a través de varios modelos de representación, empleando, para ello, una metodología de carácter hermenéutico a partir del análisis de documentación textual e iconográfica. El trabajo propone, como hipótesis principal, que los procedimientos metodológicos, las prácticas científicas y los modelos gráficos de representación de la alta montaña, configurados por la normativización de las ciencias de la Tierra hacia 1800, fueron transmitidos desde casos foráneos de estudio, como los Alpes y Pirineos, hasta Sierra Nevada. Allí, fueron aplicados a la montaña nevadense, contribuyendo así a la definición de los primeros estudios sobre la naturaleza del macizo. Sin embargo, los contenidos de aquellos modelos fueron, al mismo tiempo, readaptados a la realidad geográfica de la Sierra. Por ello, el artículo explora asimismo las transformaciones del paradigma foráneo de la montaña sufridas en su aplicación al macizo bético atendiendo a sus particularismos geográficos, pertenecientes a la tipología de alta montaña mediterránea. Para ilustrar esta transmisión del discurso geográfico del siglo XIX, se utiliza el marco teórico de la circulación y reinterpretación del conocimiento, de escasa recepción en la Geografía española.
Landscape evolution and climate in Madagascar: lavakization in the light of archive precipitation data
Authors: Szabó A.I. , Raveloson A. , Székely B.
Published: June 2015

In Madagascar, soil erosion is significant even when it is compared to world averages. A resulting special geomorphic feature is a form of gully erosion known as lavaka that appears in the highlands of the country. Lavakization (the generation and development of these features) is due to rather unique multifactorial environmental conditions. Among many factors (geology, soil composition, human activities, etc.), the spatial and temporal distribution of precipitation is a key factor influencing the behaviour of lithology and the vegetation cover of the island. The inter-annual variability in precipitation seems to be responsible for the enhanced generation of small cracks that might eventually lead to the development of a gully. However, the way of the development of such gullies is unknown. To what extent the actual precipitation pattern contributes to the aforementioned phenomenon has not yet been studied in great detail.This paper aims to analyze lavaka distribution with GIS methods and to study the relation between lavaka density and climatic conditions. Study areas have been designated throughout the country and lavakas have been identified using satellite imagery. Archive climate data of the study areas have been used to understand the influence of the weather on gully density. Data show that the spatial distribution of precipitation is connected to the appearance of lavakas to a given extent and its effect is further strengthened by the tropical cyclones. However, neither the amount of the precipitation, nor its variability alone can explain the high variation found in the spatial distribution of lavakas. Further multidisciplinary studies are necessary to draw conclusions about lavaka formation and to describe the process of lavaka development.
Eficiência na remoção de coliformes em águas cinza através da fitorremediação
Authors: Baracuhy Verena S. , Pereira Jórgerson P. G. , Ferreira Aline C. , Silva Viviane F. , Nicola S
Published: June 2015

O semiárido é caracterizado pelas irregularidades pluviais e o tratamento de águas cinza para reuso na agricultura com tecnologia ecológica é uma forma de conviver com a seca nessas regiões. Nesse contexto, a pesquisa foi realizada no distrito de Ribeira no município de Cabaceiras/PB objetivando-se avaliar a eficiência da remoção dos coliformes totais e fecais do efluente tratado nas unidades de produção agrícola através da fitorremediação. Foram realizados dois tratamentos com e sem fitorremediação, a cultura utilizada foi o capim roxo. As águas cinza eram provenientes de uma lavanderia pública. Foram coletadas amostras mensais e analisadas os coliformes total e fecal (Escherichia coli). No tratamento sem fitorremediação, os coliformes totais variaram de 1,583 x 103 a 2,0224 x 103 (UFC/100 mL) e quando o tratamento tinha o auxílio do capim roxo, ou seja, com fitorremediação os coliformes totais oscilaram de 1,354 x 103 a 2,0224 x 103 (UFC/100 mL). Ocorreu uma redução significativa de Escherichia coli no tratamento com fitorremediação. A utilização da fitorremediação no tratamento de águas cinza reduziu a presença de coliformes totais e fecal, sendo assim uma alternativa viável de tratamento, proporcionando um aumento da qualidade hídrica.
Photocatalytic Phenol Degradation by Immobilized Nano ZnO:
Authors: Malayeri H. Zamankhan , Ayati B. , Ganjidoust H.
Published: June 2015

Phenol is a toxic and refractory water pollutant that cannot be completely degraded through common wastewater treatment methods. In this study, the aqueous oxidation of phenol over ZnO was investigated as a potential method for abatement of this pollutant. Concrete was used as the immobilized surface, and activation energy was provided with 8W UV‐A lamps. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) test results also confirmed an appropriate cover of ZnO on the concrete surface. The effects of operating parameters such as initial phenol concentration, light intensity, dosage of ZnO particles, and pH were studied. The photocatalytic system afforded the highest degradation efficiency at C0= 50 mg L−1, ZnO=80 gr m−2, pH=11, light intensity= 32 W, and more than 90% of the initial phenol was degraded after five hours. The type of secondary products was also determined by GC‐Mass test. The results showed that this method is successful in reducing the toxicity.
Biopolymers Production by Mixed Culture and Their Applications in Water and Wastewater Treatment
Authors: More Tanaji T. , Yan Song , Tyagi Rajeshwar Dayal , Surampalli Rao Y.
Published: June 2015

Thirteen extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) producing bacterial strains were cultivated (as pure/mixed culture) in sterilized sludge (suspended solids: 25 g/L). The mixed culture produced higher concentrations of EPS (4.9 g/L) as compared to that of the pure culture (2.7–3.7 g/L). The harvested EPS were examined for their flocculation performance (turbidity removal and dewatering) in jar tests using kaolin suspensions with Ca2+. Broth (B‐EPS) revealed high kaolin flocculating activity (91.2%) at very low concentrations (0.8 mg B‐EPS/g kaolin) and it was comparable to the chemical polymer, Magnafloc‐155 (90.4% at 0.2 mg/g kaolin). B‐EPS also exhibited very good flocculation performance (turbidity removal %) in river water (93.5%), municipal wastewater (91.7%) and brewery wastewater (81.8%). The study revealed that the mixed culture consortium could be used for the production of highly efficient flocculants.
Ascent sequences and Fibonacci numbers
Authors: Mansour Toufik , Shattuck Mark
Published: June 2015

An ascent sequence is one consisting of non-negative integers in which the
size of each letter is restricted by the number of ascents preceding it in
the sequence. Ascent sequences have recently been shown to be related to
(2+2)-free posets and a variety of other combinatorial structures. Let Fn
denote the Fibonacci sequence given by the recurrence Fn = Fn-1 + Fn-2 if n ?
2, with F0 = 0 and F1 = 1. In this paper, we draw connections between ascent
sequences and the Fibonacci numbers by showing that several pattern-avoidance
classes of ascent sequences are enumerated by either Fn+1 or F2n-1. We make
use of both algebraic and combinatorial methods to establish our results. In
one of the apparently more difficult cases, we make use of the kernel method
to solve a functional equation and thus determine the distribution of some
statistics on the avoidance class in question. In two other cases, we adapt
the scanning-elements algorithm, a technique which has been used in the
enumeration of certain classes of pattern-avoiding permutations, to the
comparable problem concerning pattern-avoiding ascent sequences.
Module amenability of restricted semigroup algebras under module actions
Authors: Sahleh Abbas , Tanha Somaye
Published: June 2015

In this article, weshow that module amenability with the canonical action of
restricted semigroup algebra l1r (S) and semigroup algebra l1(Sr) are
equivalent, where Sr is the restricted semigroup of associated to the inverse
semigroup S. We use this to give a characterization of module amenability of
restricted semigroup algebra l1r (S) with the canonical action, where S is a
Clifford semigroup.
A Hosszú-Gluskin algebra and a central operation of (sm,m)-groups
Authors: Katic Anita , Zizovic Malisa
Published: June 2015

In this paper we prove a generalization of the Hossz?-Gluskin theorem for
(sm,m)-groups in terms of a {1,(s-1)m+1}-neutral operation and we define the
algebra (Qm,{?,?,cm1}) associated to the (sm,m)-group (Q,A). The central
operation of an (n,m)-group is defined in [7]. Research results of central
operation properties using a bijection ??: Qm ? Qm are presented by means of
a series of theorems. Then, a central operation of an (sm,m)-group is
investigated using the previously mentioned algebra.
Crystals Best Paper Award 2015
Authors: Cölfen Helmut
Published: June 2015

An annual award has been instituted to recognize the outstanding papers published in Crystals. We are pleased to announce the first “Crystals Best Paper Award” for 2015. [...]
Conceptual and Ethical Problems in the Mental Capacity Act 2005: An Interrogation of the Assessment Process
Authors: Gibson David
Published: June 2015

Central to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) is the claim that a conferral of incapacity may not be based on the wisdom of a decision alone. This paper problematizes this position. Values-based medicine is drawn on to explore the process of capacity assessment, highlighting the presence of preconceptions throughout assessment. Two cases before the Court of Protection are examined to bring into focus the complexity of conducting assessment without reference to wisdom. The paper proposes that every stage in the assessment of capacity is undertaken with reference to preconceptions and that an acknowledgement of these, along with transparency about when they are to be employed, would allow for greater clarity about what the MCA demands of practitioners.
Sinc-Approximations of Fractional Operators: A Computing Approach
Authors: Baumann Gerd , Stenger Frank
Published: June 2015

We discuss a new approach to represent fractional operators by Sinc approximation using convolution integrals. A spin off of the convolution representation is an effective inverse Laplace transform. Several examples demonstrate the application of the method to different practical problems.
Monocular-Vision-Based Autonomous Hovering for a Miniature Flying Ball
Authors: Lin Junqin , Han Baoling , Luo Qingsheng
Published: June 2015

This paper presents a method for detecting and controlling the autonomous hovering of a miniature flying ball (MFB) based on monocular vision. A camera is employed to estimate the three-dimensional position of the vehicle relative to the ground without auxiliary sensors, such as inertial measurement units (IMUs). An image of the ground captured by the camera mounted directly under the miniature flying ball is set as a reference. The position variations between the subsequent frames and the reference image are calculated by comparing their correspondence points. The Kalman filter is used to predict the position of the miniature flying ball to handle situations, such as a lost or wrong frame. Finally, a PID controller is designed, and the performance of the entire system is tested experimentally. The results show that the proposed method can keep the aircraft in a stable hover.
Passive Acoustic Source Localization at a Low Sampling Rate Based on a Five-Element Cross Microphone Array
Authors: Kan Yue , Wang Pengfei , Zha Fusheng , Li Mantian , Gao Wa , Song Baoyu
Published: June 2015

Accurate acoustic source localization at a low sampling rate (less than 10 kHz) is still a challenging problem for small portable systems, especially for a multitasking micro-embedded system. A modification of the generalized cross-correlation (GCC) method with the up-sampling (US) theory is proposed and defined as the US-GCC method, which can improve the accuracy of the time delay of arrival (TDOA) and source location at a low sampling rate. In this work, through the US operation, an input signal with a certain sampling rate can be converted into another signal with a higher frequency. Furthermore, the optimal interpolation factor for the US operation is derived according to localization computation time and the standard deviation (SD) of target location estimations. On the one hand, simulation results show that absolute errors of the source locations based on the US-GCC method with an interpolation factor of 15 are approximately from 1/15- to 1/12-times those based on the GCC method, when the initial same sampling rates of both methods are 8 kHz. On the other hand, a simple and small portable passive acoustic source localization platform composed of a five-element cross microphone array has been designed and set up in this paper. The experiments on the established platform, which accurately locates a three-dimensional (3D) near-field target at a low sampling rate demonstrate that the proposed method is workable.
Supersymmetric Displaced Number States
Authors: Zypman Fredy
Published: June 2015

We introduce, generate and study a family of supersymmetric displaced number states (SDNS) that can be considered generalized coherent states of the supersymmetric harmonic oscillator. The family is created from the seminal supersymmetric boson-fermion entangling annihilation operator introduced by Aragone and Zypman and later expanded by Kornbluth and Zypman. Using the momentum representation, the states are obtained analytically in compact form as displaced supersymmetric number states. We study their position-momentum uncertainties, and their bunchiness by classifying them according to their Mandel Q-parameter in phase space. We were also able to find closed form analytical representations in the space and number basis.