bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Twelve-Months Follow-up of Supervised Exercise after Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty for Intermittent Claudication: A Randomised Clinical Trial
Authors: Bø Elisabeth , Hisdal Jonny , Cvancarova Milada , Stranden Einar , Jørgensen Jørgen , Sandbæk Gunnar , Grøtta Ole , Bergland Astrid
Published: November 2013

The aim of this study was to explore the effects during 12 months follow-up of 12 weeks of supervised exercise therapy (SET) after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) compared to PTA alone on physical function, limb hemodynamics and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with intermittent claudication. Fifty patients were randomised to an intervention or a control group. Both groups received usual post-operative care and follow-up measurements at three, six and 12 months after PTA. The intervention group performed 12 weeks of SET after PTA. The control group did not receive any additional follow-up regarding exercise. During the 12 months’ follow-up, the members of the intervention group had significantly better walking distance than the control group. The intervention group had a significantly higher HRQoL score in the physical component score of the SF-36, and the domains of physical function, bodily pain and vitality. For limb hemodynamics, there was a non-significant trend towards better results in the intervention group compared to the control group. Conclusion: SET after PTA yielded statistically significantly better results for walking distance and HRQoL in the intervention group than the control group during the 12 months of follow-up.
Measuring Completeness of Building Footprints in OpenStreetMap over Space and Time
Authors: Hecht Robert , Kunze Carola , Hahmann Stefan
Published: November 2013

Due to financial or administrative constraints, access to official spatial base data is currently limited to a small subset of all potential users in the field of spatial planning and research. This increases the usefulness of Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI), in particular OpenStreetMap (OSM), as supplementary datasets or, in some cases, alternative sources of primary data. In contrast to the OSM street network, which has already been thoroughly investigated and found to be practically complete in many areas, the degree of completeness of OSM data on buildings is still unclear. In this paper we describe methods to analyze building completeness and apply these to various test areas in Germany. Official data from national mapping and cadastral agencies is used as a basis for comparison. The results show that unit-based completeness measurements (e.g., total number or area of buildings) are highly sensitive to disparities in modeling between official data and VGI. Therefore, we recommend object-based methods to study the completeness of OSM building footprint data. An analysis from November 2011 in Germany indicated a completeness of 25% in the federal states of North Rhine-Westphalia and 15% in Saxony. Although further analyses from 2012 confirm that data completeness in Saxony has risen to 23%, the rate of new data input was slowing in the year 2012.
AlPOs Synthetic Factor Analysis Based on Maximum Weight and Minimum Redundancy Feature Selection
Authors: Guo Yuting , Wang Jianzhong , Gao Na , Qi Miao , Zhang Ming , Kong Jun , Lv Yinghua
Published: November 2013

The relationship between synthetic factors and the resulting structures is critical for rational synthesis of zeolites and related microporous materials. In this paper, we develop a new feature selection method for synthetic factor analysis of (6,12)-ring-containing microporous aluminophosphates (AlPOs). The proposed method is based on a maximum weight and minimum redundancy criterion. With the proposed method, we can select the feature subset in which the features are most relevant to the synthetic structure while the redundancy among these selected features is minimal. Based on the database of AlPO synthesis, we use (6,12)-ring-containing AlPOs as the target class and incorporate 21 synthetic factors including gel composition, solvent and organic template to predict the formation of (6,12)-ring-containing microporous aluminophosphates (AlPOs). From these 21 features, 12 selected features are deemed as the optimized features to distinguish (6,12)-ring-containing AlPOs from other AlPOs without such rings. The prediction model achieves a classification accuracy rate of 91.12% using the optimal feature subset. Comprehensive experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, and deep analysis is given for the synthetic factors selected by the proposed method.
The Protective Effect of Bcl-xl Overexpression against Oxidative Stress-Induced Vascular Endothelial Cell Injury and the Role of the Akt/eNOS Pathway
Authors: Ni Leng , Li Tianjia , Liu Bao , Song Xitao , Yang Genhuan , Wang Linfang , Miao Shiying , Liu Changwei
Published: November 2013

Restenosis after intraluminal or open vascular reconstruction remains an important clinical problem. Vascular endothelial cell (EC) injury induced by oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of intimal hyperplasia. In this study, we sought to evaluate the protective effects of Bcl-xl overexpression in vitro on oxidative stress-induced EC injury and the role of the Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) pathway. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, 0.5 mM) were used as the experimental oxidative stress model. The Bcl-xl gene was transferred into HUVECs through recombinant adenovirus vector pAdxsi-GFP-Bcl-xl before oxidative treatment. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by Annexin V/propidium iodide and Hoechst staining, caspase-7 and PARP cleavage. Cell viability was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 assay, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunocytochemical detection and the scratching assay. Expressions of Akt, phospho-Akt and eNOS were detected by Western blotting. Our results showed that H2O2 induced apoptosis and decreased the cell viability of HUVECs. Bcl-xl overexpression significantly protected cells from H2O2-induced cell damage and apoptosis and maintained the cell function. Furthermore, the level of phospho-Akt and eNOS protein expression was significantly elevated when pretreated with Bcl-xl gene transferring. These findings suggest that Bcl-xl overexpression exerts an anti-apoptotic and protective effect on EC function. The Akt/eNOS signaling pathway is probably involved in these processes.
How Parkinsonian Toxins Dysregulate the Autophagy Machinery
Authors: Dagda Ruben , Banerjee Tania , Janda Elzbieta
Published: November 2013

Since their discovery, Parkinsonian toxins (6-hydroxydopamine, MPP+, paraquat, and rotenone) have been widely employed as in vivo and in vitro chemical models of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Alterations in mitochondrial homeostasis, protein quality control pathways, and more recently, autophagy/mitophagy have been implicated in neurotoxin models of PD. Here, we highlight the molecular mechanisms by which different PD toxins dysregulate autophagy/mitophagy and how alterations of these pathways play beneficial or detrimental roles in dopamine neurons. The convergent and divergent effects of PD toxins on mitochondrial function and autophagy/mitophagy are also discussed in this review. Furthermore, we propose new diagnostic tools and discuss how pharmacological modulators of autophagy/mitophagy can be developed as disease-modifying treatments for PD. Finally, we discuss the critical need to identify endogenous and synthetic forms of PD toxins and develop efficient health preventive programs to mitigate the risk of developing PD.
MicroRNAs and Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: D'Ippolito Elvira , Iorio Marilena
Published: November 2013

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is a very aggressive tumor subtype, which still lacks specific markers for an effective targeted therapy. Despite the common feature of negativity for the three most relevant receptors (ER, PgR and HER2), TNBC is a very heterogeneous disease where different subgroups can be recognized, and both gene and microRNA profiling studies have recently been carried out to dissect the different molecular entities. Moreover, several microRNAs playing a crucial role in triple negative breast cancer biology have been identified, providing the experimental basis for a possible therapeutic application. Indeed, the causal involvement of microRNAs in breast cancer and the possible use of these small noncoding RNA molecules as biomarkers has been extensively studied with promising results. Their application as therapeutic tools might represent an innovative approach, especially for a tumor subgroup still lacking an efficient and specific therapy such as TNBC. In this review, we summarize our knowledge on the most important microRNAs described in TNBC.
Enhancing Metagenomics Investigations of Microbial Interactions with Biofilm Technology
Authors: McLean Robert , Kakirde Kavita
Published: November 2013

Investigations of microbial ecology and diversity have been greatly enhanced by the application of culture-independent techniques. One such approach, metagenomics, involves sample collections from soil, water, and other environments. Extracted nucleic acids from bulk environmental samples are sequenced and analyzed, which allows microbial interactions to be inferred on the basis of bioinformatics calculations. In most environments, microbial interactions occur predominately in surface-adherent, biofilm communities. In this review, we address metagenomics sampling and biofilm biology, and propose an experimental strategy whereby the resolving power of metagenomics can be enhanced by incorporating a biofilm-enrichment step during sample acquisition.
Cardiovascular Developmental Biology Research— Elucidating Mechanisms Underlying Congenital and Acquired Heart Diseases
Authors: Wessels Andy
Published: November 2013

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the number one cause of death worldwide. According to a recent report from the World Health Organization, an estimated 17.3 million people died from CVDs in 2008, representing 30% of all global deaths. Despite significant advances in surgical approaches and increased survival rate, congenital heart disease (CHD) is still the primary cause of birth defect-related deaths in the western world. More than half of all babies born with a cardiac abnormality will require at least one invasive surgery in their lifetime. As a result of improvement in surgical procedures, many babies who once would have died of CHD now survive into adulthood. In fact, the number of adults with CHD in the USA is now greater than the number of babies born with CHD. However, many adults with congenital heart disease are suffering from functional abnormalities, including arrhythmias and heart failure [1,2] and require lifelong care. The cardiovascular problems can be either intrinsic to the perturbation of developmental events that led to the structural malformations in the first place, or can result from acquired conditions related to scar tissues resulting from the surgical procedures. The primary goals of cardiovascular developmental research are to elucidate the mechanisms that govern normal cardiac development and to determine the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the etiology of CHD. In addition, as it becomes increasingly clear that many so-called acquired heart diseases may also have developmental origins, an additional goal of cardiovascular developmental biologists is to identify the early events that may play a role in the pathogenesis of acquired diseases, such as mitral valve prolapse. [...]
Investigation on the Residual Stress State of Drawn Tubes by Numerical Simulation and Neutron Diffraction Analysis
Authors: Palkowski Heinz , Brück Sebastian , Pirling Thilo , Carradò Adele
Published: November 2013

Cold drawing is widely applied in the industrial production of seamless tubes, employed for various mechanical applications. During pre-processing, deviations in tools and their adjustment lead to inhomogeneities in the geometry of the tubes and cause a gradient in residuals. In this paper a three dimensional finite element (3D-FE)-model is presented which was developed to calculate the change in wall thickness, eccentricity, ovality and residual macro-stress state of the tubes, produced by cold drawing. The model simulates the drawing process of tubes, drawn with and without a plug. For finite element modelling, the commercial software package Abaqus was used. To validate the model, neutron strain imaging measurements were performed on the strain imaging instrument SALSA at the Institute Laue Langevin (ILL, Grenoble, France) on a series of SF-copper tubes, drawn under controlled laboratory conditions, varying the drawing angle and the plug geometry. It can be stated that there is sufficient agreement between the finite element method (FEM)-calculation and the neutron stress determination.
The Change from Past to Future for Adsorbent Materials in Treatment of Dyeing Wastewaters
Authors: Kyzas George , Fu Jie , Matis Kostas
Published: November 2013

Adsorption is one of the most promising decolorization techniques in dyeing wastewater treatment. Adsorption techniques for wastewater treatment have become more popular in recent years owing to their efficiency in the removal of pollutants too stable for biological methods. Dye adsorption is a result of two mechanisms (adsorption and ion exchange) and is influenced by many factors as dye/adsorbent interaction, adsorbent’s surface area, particle size, temperature, pH, and contact time. The main advantage of adsorption recently became the use of low-cost materials, which reduces the procedure cost. The present review firstly introduced the technology process, research history and research hotspot of adsorption. Then, the application of adsorption in treatment of dyeing wastewaters in the past decades was summarized, revealing the impressive changes in modes, trends, and conditions. From this review article, the different philosophy of synthesis of adsorbent materials became evident.
Derivatives of Salarin A, Salarin C and Tulearin A—Fascaplysinopsis sp. Metabolites
Authors: Zur Lee , Bishara Ashgan , Aknin Maurice , Neumann Drorit , Ben-Califa Nathalie , Kashman Yoel
Published: November 2013

Derivatives of salarin A, salarin C and tulearin A, three new cytotoxic sponge derived nitrogenous macrolides, were prepared and bio-evaluated as inhibitors of K562 leukemia cells. Interesting preliminary SAR (structure activity relationship) information was obtained from the products. The most sensitive functionalities were the 16,17-vinyl epoxide in both salarins, the triacylamino group in salarin A and the oxazole in salarin C (less sensitive). Regioselectivity of reactions was also found for tulearin A.
Corncobs as a Potential Source of Functional Chemicals
Authors: Ashour Ahmed , Amer Mohamed , Marzouk Amani , Shimizu Kuniyoshi , Kondo Ryuichiro , El-Sharkawy Saleh
Published: November 2013

Phytochemical examination of corncob extracts led to the isolation of a new lignan identified as 7,7'-dihydroxy-3'-O-demethyl-4-methoxymatairesinol, together with seven known compounds, identified as β-sitosterol, β-sitosteryl-β-D-glucoside, 6β-hydroxy-campest-4-en-3-one, 5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3β-ol, tricin, kaempferol and p-coumaric acid. The isolated compounds were identified by one and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopies and mass spectrometry.
A Bicyclic Diterpenoid with a New 15,16-Dinorlabdane Carbon Skeleton from Leonurus japonicus and Its Coagulant Bioactivity
Authors: Peng Fu , Xiong Liang , Zhao Xiao-Mei
Published: November 2013

A new 15,16-dinorlabdane diterpenoid 1 and a known labdane diterpenoid 2, together with three known ergosterols 3–5, were isolated from the EtOAc-soluble portion of the EtOH extract of Leonurus japonicus. Their structures were elucidated by physical and spectroscopic analysis. Compound 1 showed in vitro coagulant activity in the APTT, PT, TT, and FIB assays.
Release of Potassium Ion and Calcium Ion from Phosphorylcholine Group Bearing Hydrogels
Authors: Aucoin Hanna , Wilson A. , Wilson Ann , Ishihara Kazuhiko , Guiseppi-Elie Anthony
Published: November 2013

In an attempt to recreate the microenvironment necessary for directed hematopoietic stem cell differentiation, control over the amount of ions available to the cells is necessary. The release of potassium ion and calcium ion via the control of cross-linking density of a poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA)-based hydrogel containing 1 mol % 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) and 5 mol % oligo(ethylene glycol) (400) monomethacrylate [OEG(400)MA] was investigated. Tetra(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (TEGDA), the cross-linker, was varied over the range of 1–12 mol %. Hydrogel discs (ϕ = 4.5 mm and h = 2.0 mm) were formed by UV polymerization within silicone isolators to contain 1.0 M CaCl2 and 0.1 M KCl, respectively. Isothermal release profiles, were measured at 37 °C in 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid sodium salt (HEPES) buffer using either calcium ion or potassium ion selective electrodes (ISE). The resulting release profiles were found to be independent of cross-linking density. Average (n = 3) release profiles were fit to five different release models with the Korsmeyer-Peppas equation, a porous media transport model, exhibiting the greatest correlation (R2 > 0.95). The diffusion exponent, n was calculated to be 0.24 ± 0.02 and 0.36 ± 0.04 for calcium ion and potassium ion respectively indicating non-Fickian diffusion. The resulting diffusion coefficients were calculated to be 2.6 × 10−6 and 11.2 × 10−6 cm2/s, which compare well to literature values of 2.25 × 10−6 and 19.2 × 10−6 cm2/s for calcium ion and potassium ion, respectively.
A Risk Model with an Observer in a Markov Environment
Authors: Albrecher Hansjörg , Ivanovs Jevgenijs
Published: November 2013

We consider a spectrally-negative Markov additive process as a model of a risk process in a random environment. Following recent interest in alternative ruin concepts, we assume that ruin occurs when an independent Poissonian observer sees the process as negative, where the observation rate may depend on the state of the environment. Using an approximation argument and spectral theory, we establish an explicit formula for the resulting survival probabilities in this general setting. We also discuss an efficient evaluation of the involved quantities and provide a numerical illustration.
Assimilation of MODIS Snow Cover Area Data in a Distributed Hydrological Model Using the Particle Filter
Authors: Thirel Guillaume , Salamon Peter , Burek Peter , Kalas Milan
Published: November 2013

Snow is an important component of the water cycle, and its estimation in hydrological models is of great significance concerning the simulation and forecasting of flood events due to snow-melt. The assimilation of Snow Cover Area (SCA) in physical distributed hydrological models is a possible source of improvement of snowmelt-related floods. In this study, the assimilation in the LISFLOOD model of the MODIS sensor SCA has been evaluated, in order to improve the streamflow simulations of the model. This work is realized with the final scope of improving the European Flood Awareness System (EFAS) pan-European flood forecasts in the future. For this purpose daily 500 m resolution MODIS satellite SCA data have been used. Tests were performed in the Morava basin, a tributary of the Danube, for three years. The particle filter method has been chosen for assimilating the MODIS SCA data with different frequencies. Synthetic experiments were first performed to validate the assimilation schemes, before assimilating MODIS SCA data. Results of the synthetic experiments could improve modelled SCA and discharges in all cases. The assimilation of MODIS SCA data with the particle filter shows a net improvement of SCA. The Nash of resulting discharge is consequently increased in many cases.
GIS-Based Detection of Gullies in Terrestrial LiDAR Data of the Cerro Llamoca Peatland (Peru)
Authors: Höfle Bernhard , Griesbaum Luisa , Forbriger Markus
Published: November 2013

Cushion peatlands are typical features of the high altitude Andes in South America. Due to the adaptation to difficult environmental conditions, they are very fragile ecosystems and therefore vulnerable to environmental and climate changes. Peatland erosion has severe effects on their ecological functions, such as water storage capacity. Thus, erosion monitoring is highly advisable. Erosion quantification and monitoring can be supported by high-resolution terrestrial Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR). In this study, a novel Geographic Information System (GIS)-based method for the automatic delineation and geomorphometric description of gullies in cushion peatlands is presented. The approach is a multi-step workflow based on a gully edge extraction and a sink filling algorithm applied to a conditioned digital terrain model. Our method enables the creation of GIS-ready polygons of the gullies and the derivation of geomorphometric parameters along the entire channel course. Automatically derived boundaries and gully area values correspond to a high degree (93%) with manually digitized reference polygons. The set of methods developed in this study offers a suitable tool for the monitoring and scientific analysis of fluvial morphology in cushion peatlands.
Violin Bridge Mobility Analysis under In-Plane Excitation
Authors: Zhang Cheng-Zhong , Zhang Guang-Ming , Ye Bang-Yan , Liang Li-Dong
Published: November 2013

The vibration of a violin bridge is a dynamic contact vibration with two interfaces: strings-bridge, and bridge feet-top plate. In this paper, the mobility of an isolated bridge under in-plane excitation is explored using finite element modeling based on the contact vibration model. Numerical results show that the dynamic contact stiffness in the two contact interfaces has a great impact on the bridge mobility. A main resonance peak is observed in the frequency range of 2–3 kHz in the frequency response of the isolated bridge when the contact stiffness is smaller than a critical threshold. The main resonance peak frequency is affected by the contact stiffness as well. In order to verify the numerical findings, a novel experimental system is then designed on the basis of a piezoelectric dynamometer for bridge mobility analysis. Experimental results confirm the impact of the dynamic contact stiffness on the bridge mobility.
Label-Enhanced Surface Plasmon Resonance: A New Concept for Improved Performance in Optical Biosensor Analysis
Authors: Granqvist Niko , Hanning Anders , Eng Lars , Tuppurainen Jussi , Viitala Tapani
Published: November 2013

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a well-established optical biosensor technology with many proven applications in the study of molecular interactions as well as in surface and material science. SPR is usually applied in the label-free mode which may be advantageous in cases where the presence of a label may potentially interfere with the studied interactions per se. However, the fundamental challenges of label-free SPR in terms of limited sensitivity and specificity are well known. Here we present a new concept called label-enhanced SPR, which is based on utilizing strongly absorbing dye molecules in combination with the evaluation of the full shape of the SPR curve, whereby the sensitivity as well as the specificity of SPR is significantly improved. The performance of the new label-enhanced SPR method was demonstrated by two simple model assays: a small molecule assay and a DNA hybridization assay. The small molecule assay was used to demonstrate the sensitivity enhancement of the method, and how competitive assays can be used for relative affinity determination. The DNA assay was used to demonstrate the selectivity of the assay, and the capabilities in eliminating noise from bulk liquid composition variations.
Throughput and Energy Efficiency of a Cooperative Hybrid ARQ Protocol for Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks
Authors: Ghosh Arindam , Lee Jae-Won , Cho Ho-Shin
Published: November 2013

Due to its efficiency, reliability and better channel and resource utilization, cooperative transmission technologies have been attractive options in underwater as well as terrestrial sensor networks. Their performance can be further improved if merged with forward error correction (FEC) techniques. In this paper, we propose and analyze a retransmission protocol named Cooperative-Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (C-HARQ) for underwater acoustic sensor networks, which exploits both the reliability of cooperative ARQ (CARQ) and the efficiency of incremental redundancy-hybrid ARQ (IR-HARQ) using rate-compatible punctured convolution (RCPC) codes. Extensive Monte Carlo simulations are performed to investigate the performance of the protocol, in terms of both throughput and energy efficiency. The results clearly reveal the enhancement in performance achieved by the C-HARQ protocol, which outperforms both CARQ and conventional stop and wait ARQ (S&W ARQ). Further, using computer simulations, optimum values of various network parameters are estimated so as to extract the best performance out of the C-HARQ protocol.
Research on the Design of an Optical Information Storage Sensing System Using a Diffractive Optical Element
Authors: Cheng Xuemin , Hao Qun , Hou Jianbo , Li Xiangping , Ma Jianshe , Gu Min
Published: November 2013

This paper introduces a compact optical information storage sensing system. Applications of this system include longitudinal surface plasmon resonance detection of gold nanorods with a single femtosecond laser in three-dimensional space as well as data storage. A diffractive optical element (DOE) is applied in the system to separate the recording-reading beam from the servo beam. This allows us to apply a single laser and one objective lens in a single optical path for the servo beam and the recording-reading beam. The optical system has a linear region of 8 λ, which is compatible with current DVD servo modules. The wavefront error of the optical system is below 0.03 λrms. The minimum grating period of the DOE is 13.4 µm, and the depth of the DOE is 1.2 µm, which makes fabrication of it possible. The DOE is also designed to conveniently control the layer-selection process, as there is a linear correlation between the displacement of the DOE and the layer-selection distance. The displacement of DOE is in the range of 0–6.045 mm when the thickness of the layer-selection is 0.3 mm. Experiments were performed and the results have been verified.
Process Mining for Individualized Behavior Modeling Using Wireless Tracking in Nursing Homes
Authors: Fernández-Llatas Carlos , Benedi José-Miguel , García-Gómez Juan , Traver Vicente
Published: November 2013

The analysis of human behavior patterns is increasingly used for several research fields. The individualized modeling of behavior using classical techniques requires too much time and resources to be effective. A possible solution would be the use of pattern recognition techniques to automatically infer models to allow experts to understand individual behavior. However, traditional pattern recognition algorithms infer models that are not readily understood by human experts. This limits the capacity to benefit from the inferred models. Process mining technologies can infer models as workflows, specifically designed to be understood by experts, enabling them to detect specific behavior patterns in users. In this paper, the eMotiva process mining algorithms are presented. These algorithms filter, infer and visualize workflows. The workflows are inferred from the samples produced by an indoor location system that stores the location of a resident in a nursing home. The visualization tool is able to compare and highlight behavior patterns in order to facilitate expert understanding of human behavior. This tool was tested with nine real users that were monitored for a 25-week period. The results achieved suggest that the behavior of users is continuously evolving and changing and that this change can be measured, allowing for behavioral change detection.
Environmental Worldviews: A Point of Common Contact, or Barrier?
Authors: Noblet Caroline , Lindenfeld Laura , Anderson Mark
Published: November 2013

Increasingly, scientists are reaching out to individuals and entities once considered “users” of scientific knowledge to engage them in the research process due to the increased need for contextualized knowledge. However, these increased interactions make apparent the boundaries that exist between the parties interested in sustainability science. Divergent values and attitudes amongst researchers and between researchers and stakeholders may preclude effective communication and collaboration when individuals screen information due to their perceptions of those who generated the information. The current work contributes to the complexity of environmental communication in the decision making sphere, by considering whether expressions of personal value, such as environmental worldviews, may influence the processing of knowledge and information sharing across interdisciplinary research and researcher–stakeholder boundaries. This work includes a unique opportunity to consider not only empirical data, but interactions and implications within a research community and with the public.
Interplay between Point-Group Symmetries and the Choice of the Bloch Basis in Multiband Models
Authors: Maier Stefan , Honerkamp Carsten , Wang Qiang-Hua
Published: November 2013

We analyze the point-group symmetries of generic multiband tight-binding models with respect to the transformation properties of the effective interactions. While the vertex functions in the orbital language may transform non-trivially under point-group operations, their point-group behavior in the band language can be simplified by choosing a suitable Bloch basis. We first give two analytically accessible examples. Then, we show that, for a large class of models, a natural Bloch basis exists, in which the vertex functions in the band language transform trivially under all point-group operations. As a consequence, the point-group symmetries can be used to reduce the computational effort in perturbative many-particle approaches, such as the functional renormalization group.
Oral Toxicity of Okadaic Acid in Mice: Study of Lethality, Organ Damage, Distribution and Effects on Detoxifying Gene Expression
Authors: Vieira Andres , Rubiolo Juan , López-Alonso Henar , Cifuentes José , Alfonso Amparo , Bermúdez Roberto , Otero Paz , Vieytes Mercedes , Vega Félix , Botana Luis
Published: November 2013

In vivo, after administration by gavage to mice and rats, okadaic acid has been reported to produce lesions in liver, small intestine and forestomach. Because several reports differ in the damage detected in different organs, and on okadaic acid distribution after consumption, we determined the toxicity of this compound after oral administration to mice. After 24 hours, histopathological examination showed necrotic foci and lipid vacuoles in the livers of intoxicated animals. By immunohistochemical analysis, we detected this toxin in the liver and kidneys of intoxicated animals. Okadaic acid induces oxidative stress and can be activated in vitro into reactive compounds by the post-mitochondrial S9 fraction, so we studied the okadaic effect on the gene expression of antioxidant and phase II detoxifying enzymes in liver. We observed a downregulation in the expression of these enzymes and a reduction of protein expression of catalase and superoxide dismutase 1 in intoxicated animals.
«Una reflexión serena y objetiva». Galileo y el intento de autorrehabilitación de la Iglesia Católica
Authors: Beltrán Antonio
Published: November 2013

En 1979, el papa Juan Pablo II ordenaba una «reflexión serena y objetiva» sobre el caso Galileo. Posteriormente el pontífice ha reiterado el impulso y el respeto de la Iglesia a la libertad de la investigación y a la legítima autonomía de la ciencia. Aquí se examinan dos ejemplos de estas directrices y actitudes de la Iglesia. El primero es la interpretación de las condenas de Copérnico y Galileo que empezó a gestarse, tras la muerte de este último, en el seno de la Iglesia católica, y que hoy tiene su última versión en W. Brandmüller, uno de los miembros de la comisión papal para el estudio del caso Galileo, interpretación que diluye la gravedad de las condenas de 1616 y 1633 y atribuye a la Iglesia un escrúpulo científico que Galileo no habría tenido. El segundo ejemplo examinado es el «caso Paschini»: la censura y manipulación de su texto sobre Galileo por parte de las autoridades del Vaticano que se lo habían encargado.
Una reina contra el sistema. Isabel la Católica y la esclavitud de los indios
Authors: Olaechea Labayen Juan B.
Published: November 2013

La esclavitud en la época en cuestión estaba inmersa en la cultura de muchos países europeos y, no menos, en la española, de forma que los contingentes de los negros, bereberes y de otras procedencias eran absorbidos con facilidad en los puertos peninsulares. El envío de indios esclavos, como prisioneros de guerra, a partir del segundo viaje de Colón, planteó un serio dilema a la reina Isabel. La guerra constituía el capítulo más importante de la esclavitud, arraigado como un atavismo por siglos de lucha en la Reconquista, en la que habían participado buena parte de los primeros conquistadores. El mismo Colón, familiarizado con el fenómeno desde su infancia genovesa y su estancia en Portugal, incluyendo sus periplos africanos, llegó a proponer el envío de mercancía humana, a falta de otras ensoñaciones frustradas como la abundancia de oro, con el fin de compensar los ingentes gastos que producía su empresa. Es justo reconocer que Isabel la Católica tuvo alguna vacilación inicial, pero asumió pronto la conciencia de la necesidad de defender la libertad de los que consideraba súbditos suyos, cuyo objetivo centró buena parte de sus energías, a pesar de cegar una prometedora fuente de recursos económicos y abrir otra de gastos en repatriaciones y compensaciones de diverso género.
La Generación del 98 en la pintura
Authors: Rocamora Carmen
Published: November 2013

Recogemos en este artículo la visión de unos hombres que comenzaron a destacar casi a la vez a lo largo del dramático año de 1898, con la pérdida de Filipinas y Cuba. Vieron la catástrofe sin poder hacer nada por evitarla, y, por orgullo y despecho, espolearon su genio, volviendo la vista atrás, hacia la vieja España, identificándose con los poetas arcaicos, la picaresca y la «interioridad mística», lanzándose por todos los caminos para describir cosas nuevas de su pueblo, de sus gentes y de su tierra dolorida.
Nota histórica: una conferencia de José María Albareda ante las autoridades académicas alemanas
Authors: Presas i Puig Albert
Published: November 2013

Al término de la guerra civil y después de la restructuración político estratégica que siguió a la II Guerra Mundial, el régimen franquista realizó un esfuerzo de integración paulatina al exterior, esfuerzo del que también participó el CSIC. Esta conferencia de Albareda es una muestra de la voluntad de las autoridades científicas españolas para recuperar unas relaciones con la nueva Alemania interrumpidas por los conflictos bélicos, viéndose cuál era la estrategia y la imagen que se intentaba dar al exterior de la tradición científica española, en algunos aspectos muy distante del discurso oficial en el interior del país.
Líneas de investigación del Proyecto Oxkintok
Authors: Rivera Dorado Miguel
Published: November 2013

España recuperó en el año 1968 una vieja tradición. Equipos españoles viajaron a América para realizar investigaciones de campo sobre las culturas indígenas del Nuevo Mundo. Se enlazaba así con los cronistas que en la época de la colonia indagaron por doquier toda clase de pormenores sobre la realidad nativa contemporánea y sobre sus antecedentes precolombinos. En el verano de 1986, un grupo de arqueólogos de distintas instituciones emprendió la más ambiciosa de todas esas investigaciones modernas: el Proyecto Oxkintok. Tanto desde el punto de vista de los objetivos científicos, de los métodos empleados y de los medios disponibles, como por lo que respecta a la originalidad de muchos de los hallazgos, ese proyecto representa un hito en la disciplina americanista española. Los mayas de la península de Yucatán son ahora, después de seis años de excavaciones y otros diez años de trabajo de gabinete, mejor conocidos, y su realidad prehispánica se nos presenta con una nueva luz.
Responder a los desafíos del presente. Interrogando a las lenguas del pasado
Authors: Cunchillos Ilarri Jesús-Luis
Published: November 2013

El artículo responde a la pregunta ¿podemos sacar algún beneficio de la informatización de las lenguas caídas en desuso? Se dan las razones en favor de la creación de Bancos de Datos especializados, dotados de un buen sistema de gestión con aplicaciones propias a cada especialidad. Si, además, se recorre el proceso de interpretación de los textos, y en la medida que se recorra y automatice ese proceso, se consiguen conocimientos sobre el funcionamiento de lenguas dispares, lo que permite aplicar los conocimientos adquiridos a las lenguas modernas.
Historia del vuelo aviano
Authors: Sanz José Luis , Pérez-Moreno Bernardino P.
Published: November 2013

El análisis del registro fósil proporciona información sobre la historia evolutiva del aparato volador aviano y el origen y desarrollo del vuelo moderno. Existen dos hipótesis alternativas para explicar las complejas presiones de selección que configuraron la aparición del vuelo. La propuesta del corredor («desde el suelo hacia arriba») es la que mejor se ajusta a la evidencia disponible. El ave primitiva Archaeopteryx produciría, probablemente, algún tipo de vuelo batido, aunque su capacidad de maniobra, despegue y aterrizaje sería limitada. El vuelo activo moderno comenzó, durante el Cretácico inferior, con las aves ornitotoraces basales, como Iberomesornis. No obstante, esta ave primitiva, cuya capacidad de vuelo estaba claramente incrementada con respecto a la condición ancestral presente en Archaeopteryx, tampoco parece tener las perfectas habilidades voladoras de las aves modernas.
Del Éufrates y el Tigris a las montañas de Omán. Algunas observaciones sobre viajes, aventuras e investigaciones españolas en Oriente Próximo
Authors: Córdoba Joaquín María
Published: November 2013

Durante el pasado siglo y como consecuencia de la proyección europea en Oriente, las potencias de la época apoyaron las investigaciones que llevarían al redescubrimiento de las capitales asirias y la verdadera historia del Oriente antiguo. Ajena al área por razones evidentes, España tenía, sin embargo, buenos motivos para haber participado en aquellos descubrimientos. Una tradición viajera importante, antiguos vínculos culturales e intereses económicos así lo sugerían, pero nuestro país hubo de contentarse con la empresa africana. Con todo, ciertos espíritus curiosos y especialmente dotados llenarían con su esfuerzo páginas y hechos de la mayor altura. Ellos representan las raíces primeras del desarrollo que los estudios sobre Oriente Próximo han tenido en las dos últimas décadas. Entre las de otros equipos, varias excavaciones abiertas por la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid tienen el mérito de haber sido las pioneras de la investigación española en Siria, Iraq y la Península de Omán.
Racionalidad y valores éticos en las ciencias y la tecnología
Authors: Olivé León
Published: November 2013

En este artículo se critica la concepción según la cual la tecnología está libre de valores y que en sí misma no plantea problemas éticos. Frente a ella, se defiende la concepción de acuerdo con la cual las personas y los fines que ellas persiguen intencionalmente forman parte de los sistemas técnicos mismos, al igual que los conocimientos y creencias que se ponen en juego al operar esos sistemas; y, por tanto, la tecnología ya no puede concebirse como indiferente al bien y al mal.
Se analiza, además, el problema que afrontaron los científicos Mario Molina y Sherwood Rowland —Premios Nobel de Química 1995— en sus estudios sobre el agujero de la capa de ozono en la atmósfera terrestre, para ilustrar, por un lado, que es factible actuar de manera responsable en una situación en la que un sistema técnico está produciendo daños, aun cuando no exista evidencia contundente para aceptar una relación causal entre la operación del sistema y los daños en cuestión; y, por otro lado, que hay situaciones en las que los científicos y los tecnólogos tienen responsabilidades morales qua científicos y tecnólogos.
El artículo concluye con una revisión de los deberes para los científicos y tecnólogos, para el Estado y las instituciones de educación e investigación, así como para los ciudadanos en general, con respecto a ciertos problemas éticos que plantea la tecnología.
Difusión internacional de la investigación científica española en ciencia y tecnología en el período 1991-1996
Authors: Fernández María Teresa , Bordons María , Sancho Rosa , Gómez Isabel
Published: November 2013

Se analiza la producción científica española que alcanza difusión internacional durante el período 1991-1996. Se ofrecen datos generales sobre la visibilidad de la investigación española en ciencia y tecnología a través de bases de datos bibliográficas internacionales especializadas en diversas áreas de la ciencia. Física (INSPEC), Química (Chemical Abstracts), Biología (BIOSIS), Ingeniería (COMPENDEX) y Agricultura (CAB), y se analiza con más detalle la producción española recogida en la base de datos norteamericana multidisciplinar Science Citation Index (SCI). La producción científica se distribuye por áreas temáticas, sectores institucionales implicados, zonas geográficas y regiones. Se estudia asimismo la presencia de la cooperación nacional e internacional en las publicaciones científicas.
Drogas, cerebro y emoción
Authors: Navarro Miguel , Rodríguez Fonseca Fernando
Published: November 2013

El Sistema Límbico es el responsable del procesamiento y expresión de las emociones producidas por el consumo de drogas de abuso. La vía mesolímbicacortical participa en las propiedades reforzadoras de los efectos agudos de las drogas, a través de múltiples señales en las que la activación dopaminérgica marca la señalización del estímulo y cambios en su relevancia.
El estado adictivo se inicia por profundos cambios emocionales, en el que persiste un estado aversivo creciente y la pérdida del control en la toma de la droga, consecuencia del consumo crónico y la participación de algunas estructuras cerebrales integradas en la amígdala extendida. En este circuito interactúan varios sistemas neuroquímicos, responsables de los cambios neuroadaptativos y que operan como factores de vulnerabilidad.
Se propone la existencia de mecanismos convergentes entre distintos sistemas de neurotransmisión como elementos adicionales en los cambios neuroadaptativos como estados transitorios en la adicción; y a su vez, como alternativa terapéutica futura.
Cerebro disminuido: el valor de la emoción y la motivación
Authors: Flórez Jesús
Published: November 2013

Empezamos a conocer las bases moleculares de los mecanismos por los que determinadas influencias cerebrales pueden suplir las carencias de otras, y de cómo la ejercitación o el aprovechamiento de sistemas neurales funcionantes puede incidir sobre el funcionamiento de otros sistemas limitados del cerebro, y extraer de ellos funciones que se creían perdidas o ausentes. Ante un cerebro disminuido debemos preguntarnos, por encima de cualquier otra consideración, cuáles son sus «capacidades para» y no sus «limitaciones en». En términos evolutivos, los estados emocionales humanos adquieren tareas de gran calado ya que llegan a suscitar actividades cognitivas y actitudes mentales que, de otro modo, quedarían ignotas. Esto cobra particular trascendencia en situaciones en que la capacidad cognitiva se encuentra alterada, ya que las aferencias emocionales y motivacionales llegan a suplir las carencias de estímulos de otro carácter.
Real Academia de la Lengua Vasca/Euskaltzaindia: 80 años de trabajo por la normalización del vasco
Authors: Goenaga Patxi
Published: November 2013

En este artículo se ofrece una visión sucinta de los ochenta años (1918- 1998) de historia de la Real Academia de la Lengua Vasca, presididos siempre por el objetivo de la normalización de la lengua.
En la primera parte del trabajo se presenta la historia de la Institución: fundación, los tiempos oscuros de la guerra y de la posguerra. En 1968 la normalización de la lengua recibirá un nuevo y definitivo impulso.
En la segunda parte se hace un repaso de la labor realizada hasta el presente en el campo de la Lexicografía, la Gramática, la Onomástica, la Dialectología y la Literatura.
Finalmente, se explica el funcionamiento interno de la institución.
Fisiología e instrumentación en el cambio de siglo: José Gómez Ocaña
Authors: Romero de Pablos Ana
Published: November 2013

Los aparatos registradores del movimiento humano y animal revolucionaron la Fisiología en el cambio de siglo. José Gómez Ocaña, catedrático de Fisiología de la Universidad de Madrid, fue el introductor en España de esas nuevas técnicas. Sus viajes a reuniones científicas internacionales en representación de España, y sus contactos con el Instituto Marey, culminaron en la realización de instrumental de invención propia, por parte de él y de su equipo, en el Laboratorio de Automática de Leonardo Torres Quevedo.
Los museos de historia natural en el siglo XIX: templos, laboratorios y teatros de la naturaleza
Authors: López-Ocón Cabrera Leoncio
Published: November 2013

Se explica en este texto cómo y por qué los museos de historia natural se transformaron en «catedrales de la ciencia» durante el siglo XIX. Se plantea que esos lugares de la ciencia interesaron y fascinaron a expertos y profanos porque durante ese tiempo histórico lograron conciliar una triple función cognoscitiva y comunicativa: la de ser templos, laboratorios y teatros de la naturaleza.
1) Como depósito de las colecciones del mundo natural se convirtieron en un lugar de acumulación de tesoros y de adhesión a valores políticos y científicos.
2) Como ámbito de trabajo de los naturalistas que revelaban las claves del orden natural se transformaron en centros de investigaciones para ordenar y descifrar la naturaleza.
3) Como escenarios en los que se mostraban las maravillas de la naturaleza se autoconcibieron como una especie de gran teatro en el que se representaban lecciones de cosas del mundo natural a modo de un libro abierto.
Métodos de análisis aplicados al estudio de la obra de arte
Authors: Muro García Carmen
Published: November 2013

La contribución de disciplinas científicas como la química, física, biología, entre otras, al estudio de las obras de arte ha abierto en los últimos tiempos un fecundo campo de investigación, de intercambio y de colaboración interdisciplinar con el objetivo de mejorar el conocimiento y la conservación de nuestro patrimonio.
En este artículo se expone con carácter general el papel que crecientemente desempeñan los métodos de análisis aplicados a las obras de arte, sus principales objetivos y funciones y una breve visión de algunas de las diferentes técnicas empleadas.
El doble concepto de conocimiento y conservación como objetivo final de la investigación aplicada a este campo nos abre paso a una gran diversidad de funciones concretas que estas técnicas procuran: el estudio de la obra de arte en su etapa original, de sus transformaciones, de su estado de conservación, su cronología, la constatación de su autoría; así como también otros objetivos relacionados con la optimización de las técnicas de intervención y las condiciones de conservación preventiva.
Se exponen los objetivos y funciones de algunas de las principales técnicas usadas. Todas ellas ponen a disposición del análisis de la obra de arte un conjunto de informaciones que complementan el tradicional acercamiento a este ámbito de nuestra cultura.