bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Las Sociedades Científicas de I’IEC: asociacionismo e investigación científica
Authors: Roca Rosell Antoni
Published: November 2013

El Institut d'Estudis Catalans acoge actualmente 25 sociedades científicas, filiales según consta en los estatutos. La mayor parte de estas sociedades tiene un origen reciente, de menos de 25 años. Sin embargo, las primeras fueron fundadas poco después que el Institut o, como en el caso de la Institució Catalana d'Historia Natural, se incorporó al Institut siendo una entidad más antigua. A pesar de la gran diversidad, hay dos características comunes a todas las sociedades: agrupar personas con unos intereses científicos comunes y fomentar la investigación en un determinado campo.
Diez años de actividad químico-orgánica en el Instituto Alonso Barba (1939-1949)
Authors: Marco Stiefel Berta
Published: November 2013

A los pocos años de la creación del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, en 1942, una escasa estancia de la primera planta del Edificio Rockefeller, hoy Rocasolano, dio base estructural a una Sección del Instituto Alonso Barba que iba a aglutinar desde entonces, con proyección de índole nacional, las mejores aportaciones a la Química Orgánica del momento.
La historia del Instituto demuestra el desarrollo que tuvo en estos años en España la química orgánica en particular y cómo se fueron formando y constituyendo los nuevos equipos de investigadores.
Al hilo de los grandes avances en esta rama y de la continua interacción con figuras representativas de la química orgánica europea, se establece una línea de avance y crecimiento que logra ensamblar las aportaciones teóricas con las más audaces líneas de investigación en la España de la postguerra. En ello tienen mucho que ver las figuras de sus líderes y el clima en que se iba gestando la formación de los investigadores.
El sistema español de investigación académica: el CSIC como proyecto universitario de posguerra
Authors: Rodríguez de Quiroga Alfredo
Published: November 2013

La Junta para la Ampliación de Estudios (1907-1938) fue la organización más representativa del ideal reformista universitario propugnado desde finales del siglo XIX por la Institución Libre de Enseñanza. Se trataba de superar el modelo universitario español decimonónico que determinó una Universidad fuertemente centralizada y carente de actividad investigadora. A pesar del amplio despliegue institucional y de algunas prometedoras iniciativas, la Junta, gestionada por los más relevantes catedráticos universitarios del periodo de entreguerras, no consiguió la inserción plena de la investigación en la Universidad española. Tras la guerra civil, y bajo los auspicios del Ministerio de Educación Nacional, se proyectó el Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas como una fórmula para reanudar y reorganizar la investigación científico-tecnológica. En la década de los años cuarenta, la Universidad y el Consejo no fueron dos ámbitos profesionales separados. El binomio docencia-investigación permaneció desequilibrado en el modelo descentralizador y expansivo que el Consejo estableció con la creación sistemática de Secciones e Institutos de investigación asociados a cátedras universitarias. A continuación se analiza este proceso que resultó particularmente decisivo en el desarrollo de la investigación en las ciencias biomédicas.
Insectos y arañas en la Historia Naturale de Ferrante Imperato, impresa en Nápoles en 1599
Authors: Bellés Xavier
Published: November 2013

Entre otras cosas, la Historia Naturale de Ferrante Imperato, publicada en Nápoles en 1599, trata de varias especies de artrópodos que hoy podríamos identificar como la araña Lycosa tarentula (=Lycosa narbonensis), el ortóptero Gryllotalpa grillotalpa, y los coleópteros Mylabris variabilis, Oryctes nasicorsis, Cerambyx cerdo y Lucanus cervus. Es de destacar la notable fidelidad de las ilustraciones, así como el estilo directo de las descripciones, que mencionan frecuentemente el lugar de las observaciones. Ello da a la obra un valor añadido de historia natural local, un concepto que está tan de moda hoy en día.
Racionalidad y toma de decisiones hacia el siglo XXI
Authors: Ríos Sixto
Published: November 2013

Tratamos de reflejar en este artículo el estado actual, desarrollo, tensiones, actividades investigadoras y problemas abiertos al futuro prometedor de esta actividad científico-práctica ilustrando nuestra exposición con ejemplos en parte tomados de trabajos realizados sucesivamente con nuestros discípulos y colaboradores de la Escuela de Estadística de la Universidad Complutense, del Departamento de I.O. de la Universidad Complutense, del Instituto de Investigación Operativa y Estadística (CSIC), de Bedaux, SOFEMASA, METRA-6, del Grupo de Análisis de Decisiones de la Real Academia de Ciencias en nuestra etapa final de trabajo.
Está claro que si no queremos que el público pierda la confianza en el proceso asociado al control del riesgo por los científicos, los tecnólogos y administradores se han de tomar con el mayor rigor las decisiones que pueden influir en el futuro bienestar de todos; es decir, se debe aprender a tratar el riesgo y la incertidumbre en las decisiones importantes individuales o colectivas.
La conservación de las obras de arte en los museos. Funciones del Departamento de Restauración
Authors: Sedano Espín Pilar
Published: November 2013

No disponible.
Conservación de escultura contemporánea. Problemas y ejemplos de tratamientos
Authors: Sánchez Pérez Juan Antonio
Published: November 2013

No disponible.
La conservación del Patrimonio Histórico en el Derecho español
Authors: Roca Roca Eduardo
Published: November 2013

No disponible.
Agua, población y desarrollo
Authors: Del Campo Urbano Salustiano
Published: November 2013

A escala mundial, el problema del agua no consiste tanto en su volumen de existencias como en su reparto desigual. En este artículo, tras hacer algunas consideraciones acerca de la importancia del agua para la civilización y de su accesibilidad en general, se describen diversas limitaciones causadas por el hombre y cómo se utiliza ante las demandas provocadas por la presión demográfica. El trabajo concluye con una sección dedicada al Mediterráneo en la que se apuntan vías de solución para su escasez, sobre todo en la zona Sur.
La economía del agua en España. Entre lo público y lo privado, la difícil búsqueda del interés general
Authors: Garrido Colmenero Alberto
Published: November 2013

Toda política económica debe ser enjuiciada con arreglo a su eficacia en la defensa y promoción del interés general. Para enjuiciar la economía política del agua en España, se propone una definición de interés general que integra la provisión de bienes públicos, la promoción de actividades económicas sin efectos externos negativos sobre otros usuarios o sobre el medio ambiente y la reducción de los riesgos asociados con los recursos hídricos. Este trabajo analiza siete postulados de fuerte arraigo en la literatura española en el campo de la política y la economía del agua y enjuicia su compatibilidad con la defensa del interés general. La conclusión central a la que se llega es que tales postulados se muestran relativamente incompatibles con el objetivo de promover el interés general.
Aspectos jurídicos de la política del agua
Authors: Martín-Retortillo Baquer Sebastián
Published: November 2013

La que un tanto pedantemente se califica hoy como nueva «cultura» del agua, tiene unas raíces arraigadas que no cabe desconocer. La ordenación jurídica del agua ha sido desde siempre temática de la mayor trascendencia social y económica, cuyo planteamiento debe conectarse con la de las obras hidráulicas, que son las que precisamente permiten su utilización. Se hace especial hincapié en los condicionamientos que a esa ordenación imponen las características geográficas y físicas de cada país. El problema central que hay que afrontar no es otro que el de la ordenación de unos recursos de los que no se dispone ilimitadamente. Ello conduce a revisar los criterios que han venido siendo habituales en política hidráulica, sobre todo los relacionados con la fijación de la demanda y la oferta de los recursos: que, si en relación con la primera, hay que actuar de modo en extremo selectivo e imponer de verdad una política de ahorro del agua, por lo que a la oferta se refiere es obligado formularla siempre de modo conjunto, no sólo de aguas corrientes, haciendo entrar en juego también de modo efectivo las aguas subterráneas al mismo tiempo que se incorporan aquellos otros recursos que la técnica permite, como puede ser de caudales de agua de mar, de aguas residuales; también, de las obras de regulación que puedan resultar necesarias. En cualquier caso, las exigencias medioambientales deben regir, y además con efectos condicionantes, todas las acciones que requiere la política hidráulica.
The Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza, Florence: past and present
Authors: Contardi Simone , Miniati Mara
Published: November 2013

No disponible.
La colección de instrumentos antiguos del Real Instituto y Observatorio de la Armada
Authors: González González Francisco José
Published: November 2013

El Real Instituto y Observatorio de la Armada de San Fernando, fundado en Cádiz en 1753, es una institución científica que, a lo largo de más de dos siglos, ha reunido un importante patrimonio cultural e histórico, del que forma parte la colección de instrumentos científicos a la que se refiere este articulo.
Tras un capítulo introductorio sobre el origen y las misiones de la institución, se estudia la evolución histórica de la adquisición de los principales instrumentos del Observatorio durante los siglos XVIII, XIX y XX. Por último, se describen las características y organización de la exposición de instrumentos instalada en el edificio principal del Real Observatorio de la Armada, y se incluye un apéndice con la relación de instrumentos expuestos ordenados alfabéticamente.
The National Museum of Science & Industry
Authors: Cosson Neil
Published: November 2013

No disponible.
The Deutsches Museum: past, present and future
Authors: Fhelhammer Wolf Peter , Rathjen Walter
Published: November 2013

No disponible.
Las colecciones del Museo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología de Madrid
Authors: Jiménez Albarrán María Josefa
Published: November 2013

El Museo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología acoge en sus almacenes más de 10.000 objetos históricos relacionados con la ciencia y la tecnología, de los que solamente se encuentran expuestos en sus salas de exposiciones 230.
Este artículo pretende dar a conocer los contenidos más significativos de estas colecciones y ofrecer una primera valoración de este importante patrimonio.
Glutathione S Transferase Polymorphisms Influence on Iron Overload in β-Thalassemia Patients
Authors: Sclafani Serena , Calvaruso Giuseppina , Agrigento Veronica , Maggio Aurelio , Lo Nigro Valeria , D’Alcamo Elena
Published: November 2013

In patients with β-thalassemia iron overload that leads to damage to vital organs is observed. Glutathione S transferase (GST) enzymes have an antioxidant role in detoxification processes of toxic substances. This role is determined genetically. In this study, we correlated GSTT1 and GSTM1 genotypes with iron overload measured with direct and indirect non-invasive methods; in particular, we used serum ferritin and signal intensity of the magnetic resonance image (MRI) in 42 patients with β-thalassemia, which were regularly subjected to chelation and transfusion therapy. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the genotype. The loss of both alleles leads to a decreased value of liver and heart MRI-signal intensity with a consequent iron accumulation in these organs; the loss of only one allele doesn’t lead to relevant overload. Serum ferritin doesn’t appear to be correlated to iron overload instead.
AUTOIMMUNE CYTOPENIAS IN CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA, FACTS AND MYTHS
Authors: Tandra Pavankumar , Krishnamurthy Jairam , Bhatt Vijaya , Newman Kam , Armitage James O , Akhtari Mojtaba
Published: November 2013

CLL has been defined as presence of more than 5000 small mature appearing monoclonal B lymphocytes with a specific immunophenotype in peripheral blood. It is a well-known fact that CLL is associated with autoimmune cytopenias. CLL cells are CD5+ B lymphocytes, and usually are not the “guilty” cells which produce autoantibodies. T cell defect is another characteristic of CLL and the total number of T cells is increased, and there is inversion of the CD4/CD8 ratio. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is the most common autoimmune complication of CLL and has been reported in 10-25% of CLL patients. However, the stage-adjusted estimated rate of AIHA in CLL is about 5%. Conversely, CLL is three times more common in patients who present with AIHA. Direct agglutinin test (DAT) is positive in 7-14% of CLL patients but AIHA may also occur in DAT negative patients. Autoimmune thrombocytopenia (AIT) is the second most common complication of CLL and has been reported in 2-3% of patients. DAT is positive in AIT but presence of antiplatelet antibodies is neither diagnostic nor reliable. Autoimmune neutropenia (AIN) and pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) are very rare complications of CLL and like other autoimmune complications of CLL may occur at any clinical stage. It is believed that most case reports of AIN and PRCA in CLL actually belong to large granular lymphocytic leukemia (LGL). Non-hematologic autoimmune complications of CLL including cold agglutinin disease (CAD), paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP), acquired angioedema, and anti-myelin associated globulin are rare. Before starting any treatment, clinicians should distinguish between autoimmune cytopenias and massive bone marrow infiltration since autoimmune complications of CLL are not necessarily equal to advanced disease with poor prognosis. According to IWCLL guideline, steroids are the mainstay of treatment of simple autoimmunity. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), cyclosporine, and rituximab are used in complex, steroid refractory cases. Monotherapy with purine analogues and alkylating agents should be avoided as they may increase CLL associated autoimmune complications
Sense of coherence, career adaptability and burnout of early-career Black staff in the call centre environment
Authors: Harry Nisha , Coetzee Melinde
Published: November 2013

Orientation: The call centre is recognised as being a stressful work environment that affects the general wellbeing of call centre agents.Research purpose: This study explored whether call centre agents’ sense of coherence significantly influences their career adaptability and whether their burnout levels significantly moderate the sense of coherence–career adaptability relationship. The research also investigated whether age, gender and years of service (as control variables), along with sense of coherence, predicted career adaptability.Motivation for the study: The positive psychological construct of career adaptability and its association with call centre agents’ sense of coherence, burnout, age, gender and years of service have not yet been investigated in the call centre environment.Research design, approach and method: A cross-sectional quantitative survey design was used. The Orientation to Life, Career Adapt-Abilities Scale and Maslach Burnout Inventory General Scale were administered to a non-probability purposive sample of 409 early-career Black staff employed in three of the largest outsourced financial call centres in Africa.Main findings: Multiple regression analyses revealed that age, gender and meaningfulness significantly predicted call centre agents’ career adaptability, but that their burnout levels do not significantly moderate the sense of coherence–career adaptability relationship.Practical/managerial implications: Enhancing call centre agents’ sense of meaningfulness will increase their levels of career adaptability and career wellbeing.Contribution/value-add: This research is the first to investigate the construct of career adaptability in the call centre environment and adds new knowledge and insights to the existing wellness and positive psychology literature.
Heights and totally real numbers
Authors: Pottmeyer Lukas
Published: November 2013

In 1973 Schinzel proved in [20] that the standard logarithmic height

h

on the maximal totally real field extension of the rationals is either zero or bounded from below by a positive constant. In this paper we study this property for canonical heights associated to rational functions and the corresponding dynamical system on the affine line.
Unlikely, likely and impossible intersections without algebraic groups
Authors: Chatzidakis Zoé , Ghioca Dragos , Masser David , Maurin Guillaume
Published: November 2013

We formulate function field analogues for the Zilber-Pink Conjecture and for the Bounded Height Conjecture. The ‘‘special’’ varieties in our formulation are varieties defined over the constant field. We prove our function field Zilber-Pink Conjecture for all subvarieties, and we prove our function field Bounded Height Conjecture for a certain class of curves. We explain that for our problems the algebraic groups are no longer ‘‘special’’; instead the relevant notion is the transcendence degree over the constant field of the field of definition for our varieties.
Immersion freezing of birch pollen washing water
Authors: Augustin S. , Wex H. , Niedermeier D. , Pummer B. , Grothe H. , Hartmann S. , Tomsche L. , Clauss T. , Voigtländer J. , Ignatius K. , Stratmann F.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Birch pollen grains are known to be ice nucleating active biological particles. The ice nucleating activity has previously been tracked down to biological macromolecules that can be easily extracted from the pollen grains in water. In the present study, we investigated the immersion freezing behavior of these ice nucleating active (INA) macromolecules. Therefore we measured the frozen fractions of particles generated from birch pollen washing water as a function of temperature at the Leipzig Aerosol Cloud Interaction Simulator (LACIS). Two different birch pollen samples were considered, with one originating from Sweden and one from the Czech Republic. For the Czech and Swedish birch pollen samples, freezing was observed to start at −19 and −17 °C, respectively. The fraction of frozen droplets increased for both samples down to −24 °C. Further cooling did not increase the frozen fractions any more. Instead, a plateau formed at frozen fractions below 1. This fact could be used to determine the amount of INA macromolecules in the droplets examined here, which in turn allowed for the determination of nucleation rates for single INA macromolecules. The main differences between the Swedish birch pollen and the Czech birch pollen were obvious in the temperature range between −17 and −24 °C. In this range, a second plateau region could be seen for Swedish birch pollen. As we assume INA macromolecules to be the reason for the ice nucleation, we concluded that birch pollen is able to produce at least two different types of INA macromolecules. We were able to derive parameterizations for the heterogeneous nucleation rates for both INA macromolecule types, using two different methods: a simple exponential fit and the Soccer ball model. With these parameterization methods we were able to describe the ice nucleation behavior of single INA macromolecules from both the Czech and the Swedish birch pollen.
Atmospheric black carbon can exhibit enhanced light absorption at high relative humidity
Authors: Wei Y. , Zhang Q. , Thompson J. E.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Some estimates suggest atmospheric soot (a.k.a. black carbon, BC) warms Earth's climate by roughly 50% the magnitude of increased carbon dioxide. However, one uncertainty in the climate-forcing estimate for BC is the degree to which sunlight absorption is influenced by particle mixing state. Here we show that hygroscopic growth of atmospheric aerosol particles sampled at Houston, TX leads to an enhancement in both light scattering and absorption. Measurements suggest light absorption increases roughly three-four fold at high ambient humidity for coated soot particles. However, when the fraction of coated BC particles was reduced, the absorption enhancement was also reduced, suggesting coatings are crucial for the effect to occur. In addition, the extent to which MAC was increased at high humidity varied considerably over time, even for BC that consistently presented as being coated. This suggests the chemical composition of the coating and/or source of BC may also be an important parameter to constrain MAC enhancement at high humidity. Nonetheless, the results are largely consistent with previous laboratory and model results predicting absorption enhancement. We conclude that the enhanced absorption increases the warming effect of soot aerosol aloft, and global climate models should include parameterizations for RH effects to accurately describe absorptive heating by BC.
Variability of the Asian summer monsoon during the penultimate glacial/interglacial period inferred from stalagmite oxygen isotope records from Yangkou cave, Chongqing, Southwestern China
Authors: Li T.-Y. , Shen C.-C. , Huang L.-J. , Jiang X.-Y. , Yang X.-L. , Mii H.-S. , Lee S.-Y. , Lo L.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. The orbital-timescale dynamics of the Quaternary Asian summer monsoons (ASM) are frequently attributed to precession-dominated Northern Hemisphere summer insolation. However, this ASM variability is inferred primarily from oxygen isotope records of stalagmites, mainly from Sanbao cave in mainland China, and may not provide a comprehensive picture of ASM evolution. A new spliced stalagmite oxygen isotope record from Yangkou cave tracks summer monsoon precipitation variation from 124–206 thousand years ago in Chongqing, southwest China. When superimposed on the Sanbao record, the Yangkou-inferred precipitation time series is shown to support the strong ASM periods at marine isotope stages (MIS) 6.3, 6.5, and 7.1 and weak ASM intervals at MIS 6.2, 6.4, and 7.0. This consistency confirms that ASM events affected most of mainland China. We show that change in glacial/interglacial (G/IG) ASM intensity was also governed by the Walker Circulation by combining our results with published paleo-Pacific thermal and salinity records. One of the strongest ASM events over the past fiver G/IG cycles, at MIS 6.5, was enhanced by such zonal forcing associated with prevailing trade winds in the Pacific.
Reconstruction of the March–August PDSI since 1703 AD based on tree rings of Chinese pine (Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.) in the Lingkong Mountain, southeast Chinese loess Plateau
Authors: Cai Q. , Liu Y. , Lei Y. , Bao G. , Sun B.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. We utilized tree-ring cores, collected from three sites at Lingkong Mountain located in the southeast part of the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP), to develop a regional ring-width chronology. Significant positive correlations between the tree-ring index and the monthly Palmer drought severity index (PDSI) were identified, indicating that the radial growth of trees in this region was moisture-limited. The March–August mean PDSI was quantitatively reconstructed from 1703 to 2008 with an explained variance of 46.4%. Seven dry periods during 1719–1726, 1742–1748, 1771–1778, 1807–1818, 1832–1848, 1867–1932 and 1993–2008 and six wet periods during 1727–1741, 1751–1757, 1779–1787, 1797–1805, 1853–1864 and 1934–1957 were revealed in our reconstruction. Among them, 1867–1932 and 1934–1957 were identified as the longest dry and wet periods, respectively. On the centennial scale, the 19th century was recognized as the driest century. The drying tendency since 1960s was evident, however, recent drought was still within the frame of natural climate variability based on the 306 yr PDSI reconstruction. The warm and dry phases of Lingkong Mountain were in accordance with changes in the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) strength, they also showed strong similarity to other tree-ring based moisture indexes in large areas in and around the CLP, indicating the moisture variability in the CLP was almost synchronous and closely related with EASM variation. Spatial correlation analysis suggested that this PDSI reconstruction could represent the moisture variations for most parts of the CLP, even larger area of northern China and east Mongolia. Multi-taper spectral analysis revealed significant cycles at the inter-annual (2.0–7.8 yr), inter-decadal (37.9 yr) and centennial (102 yr) scales, suggesting the influence of ENSO and solar activity on moisture conditions in the CLP. Results of this study are very helpful for us to improve the knowledge of past climate change in the CLP and enable us to prevent and manage future natural disasters.
Experimental deformation and recrystallization of olivine – processes and timescales of damage healing during postseismic relaxation at mantle depths
Authors: Trepmann C. A. , Renner J. , Druiventak A.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Experiments comprising sequences of deformation (at 300 or 600 °C) and annealing at varying temperature (700 to 1100 °C), time (up to 144 h) and stress (up to 1.5 GPa) were carried out in a Griggs-type apparatus on natural olivine-rich peridotite samples to simulate deformation and recrystallization processes in deep shear zones that reach mantle depth as continuations of seismically active faults. The resulting olivine microfabrics were analysed by polarization and electron microscopy (SEM/EBSD, TEM). Core-and-mantle-like microstructures are the predominant result of our experiments simulating rapid stress relaxation (without or with minor creep) after a high-stress deformation event: porphyroclasts (> 100 μm) are surrounded by new grains comprising fragments and recrystallized grains with a wide range in size (2 to 40 μm). Areas with small grains (≤ 10 μm) trace former high-strain zones generated during initial high-stress deformation even after annealing at a temperature of 1100 °C for 70 h. A weak crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) of new olivine grains is related to the orientation of the original host crystals but appears unrelated to the strain field. Based on these findings, we propose that olivine microstructures in natural shear-zone peridotites with a large range in grain size, localized fine-grained zones, and a weak CPO not related to the strain field are diagnostic for a sequence of high-stress deformation followed by recrystallization at low stresses, as to be expected in areas of seismic activity. We extended the classic Avrami-kinetics equation by accounting for time-dependent growth kinetics and constrained the involved parameters relying on our results and previous studies devoted to the kinetics of defect processes in olivine. Extrapolation to natural conditions suggests that the observed characteristic microstructure may develop within as little as tens of years and less than ten thousands of years. These recrystallization microstructures have a great diagnostic potential for past seismic activity because they are expected to be stable over geological timescales, since driving forces for further modification are not sufficient to erase the characteristic heterogeneities.
An upper-bound estimate for the accuracy of glacier volume–area scaling
Authors: Farinotti D. , Huss M.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Volume–area scaling is the most popular method for estimating the ice volume of large glacier samples. Here, a series of resampling experiments based on different sets of synthetic data is presented in order to derive an upper-bound estimate (i.e. a level achieved only within ideal conditions) for its accuracy. For real-world applications, a lower accuracy has to be expected. We also quantify the maximum accuracy expected when scaling is used for determining the glacier volume change, and area change of a given glacier population. A comprehensive set of measured glacier areas, volumes, area and volume changes is evaluated to investigate the impact of real-world data quality on the so-assessed accuracies. For populations larger than a few thousand glaciers, the total ice volume can be recovered within 30% if all data currently available worldwide are used for estimating the scaling parameters. Assuming no systematic bias in ice volume measurements, their uncertainty is of secondary importance. Knowing the individual areas of a glacier sample for two points in time allows recovering the corresponding ice volume change within 40% for populations larger than a few hundred glaciers, both for steady-state and transient geometries. If ice volume changes can be estimated without bias, glacier area changes derived from volume–area scaling show similar uncertainties to those of the volume changes. This paper does not aim at making a final judgement on the suitability of volume–area scaling as such, but provides the means for assessing the accuracy expected from its application.
Potential subglacial lake locations and meltwater drainage pathways beneath the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets
Authors: Livingstone S. J. , Clark C. D. , Woodward J. , Kingslake J.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. We use the Shreve hydraulic potential equation as a simplified approach to investigate potential subglacial lake locations and meltwater drainage pathways beneath the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets. We validate the method by demonstrating its ability to recall the locations of >60% of the known subglacial lakes beneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet. This is despite uncertainty in the ice-sheet bed elevation and our simplified modelling approach. However, we predict many more lakes than are observed. Hence we suggest that thousands of subglacial lakes remain to be found. Applying our technique to the Greenland Ice Sheet, where very few subglacial lakes have so far been observed, recalls 1607 potential lake locations, covering 1.2% of the bed. Our results will therefore provide suitable targets for geophysical surveys aimed at identifying lakes beneath Greenland. We also apply the technique to modelled past ice-sheet configurations and find that during deglaciation both ice sheets likely had more subglacial lakes at their beds. These lakes, inherited from past ice-sheet configurations, would not form under current surface conditions, but are able to persist, suggesting a retreating ice-sheet will have many more subglacial lakes than advancing ones. We also investigate subglacial drainage pathways of the present-day and former Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets. Key sectors of the ice sheets, such as the Siple Coast (Antarctica) and NE Greenland Ice Stream system, are suggested to have been susceptible to subglacial drainage switching. We discuss how our results impact our understanding of meltwater drainage, basal lubrication and ice-stream formation.
The impact of metformin use on recurrence and cancer-specific survival in clinically localized high-risk renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Hakimi A. Ari , Chen Ling , Kim Philip H. , Sjoberg Daniel D. , Glickman Leonard , Walker Marc R. , Russo Paul
Published: November 2013

Background: Recent data suggest that metformin may have antineoplastic properties. We sought to determine what effect metformin had on recurrence and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates of patients with clinically localized pT2 and pT3 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) following radical or partial nephrectomy.Methods: We obtained data on 784 patients who underwent partial or radical nephrectomy for pT2 or pT3 tumours at our centre between 1996 and 2011. Patients with benign masses, nodal positivity, or metastasis at the time of surgery were excluded. Using a competing-risks regression model, we compared differences in probability of recurrence between patients who used metformin versus those who did not.Results: The patients on metformin at the time of surgery had worse disease recurrence than patients not on metformin. However, this was not statistically significant on multivariate analysis when controlling for age, race, body mass index, glomerular filtration rate, and tumour stage and grade (hazard ratio [HR], 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66-2.27 [p = 0.5]). Metformin use was associated with a lower risk of cancer-specific mortality, but this was not statistically significant when adjusted for clinical and tumour characteristics (HR, 0.76; 95% CI 0.21-2.7 [p = 0.7]). Limitations include the retrospective nature of the study and the lack on information on duration of metformin use.Conclusions: Metformin use at the time of surgery for high-risk clinically localized RCC is not protective in terms of recurrence or CSS. Further studies should be done to confirm these findings and determine what effect concurrent metformin use might have on improved response to targeted therapies in the metastatic setting.
Exercise effects on adipokines and the IGF axis in men with prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation: A randomized study
Authors: Santa Mina Daniel , Connor Michael K. , Alibhai Shabbir M.H. , Toren Paul , Guglietti Crissa , Matthew Andrew G. , Trachtenberg John , Ritvo Paul
Published: November 2013

Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has significant deleterious effects on body composition that may be accompanied by unfavourable changes in adipokine levels. While exercise has been shown to improve a number of side effects associated with ADT for prostate cancer, no studies have assessed the effect of exercise on adiponectin and leptin levels, which have been shown to alter the mitogenic environment.Methods: Twenty-six men with prostate cancer treated with ADT were randomized to home-based aerobic exercise training or resistance exercise training for 24 weeks. Adiponectin, leptin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) were analyzed by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), in addition to physical activity volume, peak aerobic capacity, and anthropometric measurements, at baseline, 3 months and 6 months.Results: Resistance exercise significantly reduced IGF-1 after 3 months (p = 0.019); however, this change was not maintained at 6 months. At 6 months, IGFBP-3 was significantly increased compared to baseline for the resistance training group (p = 0.044). In an exploratory analysis of all exercisers, favourable changes in body composition and aerobic fitness were correlated with favourable levels of leptin, and favourable leptin:adiponectin and IGF-1:IGFBP-3 ratios at 3 and 6 months.Conclusions: Home-based exercise is correlated with positive changes in adipokine levels and the IGF-axis that may be related to healthy changes in physical fitness and body composition. While the improvements of adipokine markers appear to be more apparent with resistance training compared to aerobic exercise, these findings must be considered cautiously and require replication from larger randomized controlled trials to clarify the role of exercise on adipokines and IGF-axis proteins for men with prostate cancer.
Clinical character of cystitis glandularis accompanied with upper urinary tract obstruction
Authors: Li Aihua , Liu Sikuan , Lu Honghai , Zhang Feng , Lu Jun , Wang Hui , Fang Wei , Zhng Binghui
Published: November 2013

Objective: We explore the clinical character of cystitis glandularis accompanied with upper urinary tract obstruction.Methods: We compared 70 cases of cystitis glandularis accompanied with upper urinary tract obstruction with 60 cases of cystitis glandularis without upper urinary tract obstruction. The difference of clinical manifestation and surgical efficacy was observed between the 2 groups.Results: The incidence of cystitis glandularis in women was higher than in men and the age of patients with cystitis glandularis and upper urinary tract obstruction was younger than the age of patients without upper urinary tract obstruction. The main symptom of cystitis glandularis accompanied with upper urinary tract obstruction were renal colic and abdominal pain; a few patients with a shorter course of the disease also had nausea, vomiting, frequency, urgency, dysuria, hematuria and fever. The distribution and morphological characteristics of lesions on the bladder and in the urine culture were not different between the 2 groups. There was no second operation on patients with upper urinary tract obstruction, but at least a second operation was performed on 9.3% patients without upper urinary tract obstruction.Conclusions: In patients with upper urinary tract obstruction, we found that it was the main clinical symptom of their cystitis glandularis. Identifying and removing the causes of upper urinary tract obstruction is the most important management method. For the cystitis glandularis, active treatment or close follow-up should be made.
Emphysematous cystitis: The role of CT imaging and appropriate treatment
Authors: Eken Alper , Alma Ergun
Published: November 2013

Emphysematous cystitis is a relatively rare disease characterized by the presence of gas in the bladder wall and/or lumen. The primary risk factor is diabetes mellitus. Emphysematous cystitis should be considered in cases of urinary tract infections in diabetic patients with unusual presentations. Imaging studies are necessary to detect emphysematous cystitis. Accurate diagnosis of the disease and appropriate treatment typically results in a favourable prognosis and can improve the outcome. We present a case of emphysematous cystitis diagnosed by a computed tomography scan in a diabetic woman with poor glycemic control.
Endoscopic treatment of ureterovesical junction obstructive pathology: A description of the oblique meatotomy technique and results
Authors: Arrabal-Martin Miguel , Zuluaga-Gomez Armando , Merino-Salas Sergio , Nogueras-Ocaña Mercedes , Arrabal-Polo Miguel Angel
Published: November 2013

Background: Benign obstructive pathology of the ureterovesical junction includes congenital and acquired illnesses. The objective of this study was to describe the endoscopic oblique meatotomy technique using scissors and cold cutting to treat benign obstructive pathology of the ureterovesical junction.Methods: From 2007 to 2012, we treated 18 patients with obstructive pathology of the ureterovesical junction (5 megaureters [3 with lithiasis], 4 iatrogenic stenoses, and 9 ureteroceles with lithiasis). In all cases, oblique meatotomy was performed using endoscopic scissors through an 8.5 Ch ureteroscope. The mean follow-up for all patients was 3 years. Pain, grade of hydronephrosis, and occurrence of vesicoureteral reflux were evaluated before and after treatment.Results: The mean endoscopic treatment time was 13.4 minutes. The procedure was performed on an outpatient basis with 6 hours of hospital admission, and a double J stent was inserted for 6 weeks. We achieved treatment success in 94.5% of patients after 3 years of follow-up. Only 1 patient presented with vesicoureteral reflux at 12 months after treatment; however, this condition did not require further treatment. Overall, 100% of patients remained free from lithiasis. There are 2 main limitations: the small number of patients and the lack of another group to compare the results of this technique; however, the aim of this work was to communicate a new technique to treat ureterovesical junction stricture.Interpretation: Oblique ureteral meatotomy is a safe and effective treatment for benign obstructive pathology of the ureterovesical junction and has a low index of complications.
Primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the prostate
Authors: Kwon Whi-An , Oh Tae Hoon , Ahn Sung Hoon , Lee Jea Whan , Park Seung Chol
Published: November 2013

A 61-year-old Korean man was referred to our institution because of high prostate-specific antigen (PSA) (8.1ng/mL) and frequency, nocturia that had lasted for the previous 4 months. The first transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy result was benign prostatic hyperplasia. About 3 years later, the patients revisited our institute for elevated PSA (14.7 ng/mL) and back pain. The patient underwent a second TRUS-guided prostate biopsy. Histological examination and immunohistochemical staining showed a signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC). Also there were multiple bony metastasis. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) was started. Nine months later, the patient was diagnosed with hormone refractory prostate cancer and the ADT was changed into docetaxel chemotherapy. The patient died after 2 cycles of chemotherapy. We report this case of a SRCC of the prostate and review the literature.
Air Pollution Damages from Offshore Energy Production
Authors: Muller Nicholas Z.
Published: November 2013

This analysis uses an integrated assessment model to link emissions from offshore oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico to impacts in the continental U.S. The analysis employs emission and production data for rigs located in the Gulf of Mexico to estimate the air pollution damages for the years 2000, 2005, and 2008. For platforms in the western Gulf of Mexico, extraction yields damage due to air pollution that average between $0.31 and $0.75 per unit of oil extracted. For platforms in the central Gulf of Mexico, damage due to air pollution averages between $0.26 and $0.57 per unit of oil extracted. The distribution of marginal social costs is right-skewed; the paper finds that in 2008 115 platforms produce damages in excess of $12.80 per barrel of oil. Optimal management of the air pollution emissions from platforms in the Gulf must recognize this spatial heterogeneity in damages.
Pathological Complete Response Induced by the Combination Therapy of Gemcitabine and 24-h Infusion of Cisplatin in Two Cases Initially Diagnosed as Node-Positive Advanced Urothelial Carcinomas
Authors: Kenji   Ina  , Ryuichi   Furuta  , Tomoko   Nishio  , Satoshi   Kayukawa  , Takae   Kataoka  , Haruhito Totani  , Takashi Kanamori  , Takaki Kikuchi  , Shun Umeda  , Tamio Fujita
Published: November 2013

We report on two patients, successfully treated by the combination therapy of gemcitabine and 24-h intravenous infusion of cisplatin, who were initially diagnosed with node-positive advanced urothelial cancer. Each patient had a very good clinical response and underwent curative radical surgery after gemcitabine/cisplatin chemotherapy. A microscopically detailed examination of surgically obtained specimens showed the complete disappearance of malignant cells in the two cases. As a pilot study, we have used the regimen of gemcitabine plus 24-h continuous infusion of cisplatin, instead of bolus injection, for the treatment of 20 patients with node-positive or metastatic urothelial cancer. The clinical response rate in this regimen was 75% (complete response 7/20; 35%, partial response 8/20; 40%). The median overall survival was 665 days. As for the adverse effects, the incidences of severe neutropenia and thrombocytopenia (grade 3-4) were 20% and 15%, which might be less toxic than conventional gemcitabine plus cisplatin therapy. The 24-h infusion of cisplatin combined with gemcitabine can be highly recommended as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced urothelial cancer.
Role of Primary Tumour Resection and Addition of Bevacizumab to Chemotherapy in the Management of Advanced Colorectal Cancer with Inoperable Metastasis: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Javier Garde Noguera  , Elena Evgenyeva  , Mireia Gil Raga  , Asunción Juárez Marroquí  , Juan  Manuel  Gasent  Blesa  , Juan  Laforga  , Laia  Bernet  , Mónica  Clemente  Císcar  , Carlos Camps Herrero  , Antonio Llombart Cussac
Published: November 2013

Purpose:To analyze the impact of primary tumour resection on treatment outcomes in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) and inoperable metastases at diagnosis in combination with optimal systemic therapy. Methods:A retrospective study was carried out in four hospitals in Valencia (Spain) including all consecutive patients diagnosed between 1/2009 and 12/2010 of advanced CRC with inoperable metastasis and treated with a fluoropyrimidine and oxaliplatin combination chemotherapy regimens with or without bevacizumab (B). Treatment outcomes were compared between patients undergoing or not primary tumour resection. Results:A total of 112 patients met inclusion criteria: 62 patients underwent resection of the primary tumour (Group 1) and 50 were treated with exclusive chemotherapy (Group 2). Globally, patients in group 2 presented more disfavorable characteristics. Forty-five (72%) and 31 (62%) patients received chemotherapy with bevacizumab respectively. Overallresponse rate(ORR) were 67% in Group 1 and 56% in Group 2. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in progression free survival (PFS) (12 vs. 10 months; p =0.11) and overall survival (OS) (27 vs. 22 months; p 0.1). B regimens increased ORR (73% vs. 42%; p = 0.003) and PFS (12 vs. 11 months; p = 0.019) but not OS. Complications were higher in the group of patients without primary tumour resection, particularly when associated to B regimens. Conclusions:Primary tumour resection offers no survival gain for patients with advanced CRC and inoperable metastases. Benefits of adding Bevacizumab to standard chemotherapy were similar in both groups, but it increases the risk of complications in non-resected patients.
A noção de felicidade em Freud e Comte-Sponville: Possíveis aproximações e distanciamentos
Authors: Firmino Carlos Eduardo , Frank Silva Kaitel Alexandre
Published: November 2013

Valendo-se de pesquisa bibliográfica, buscou-se no presente trabalho compreender a noção de felicidade discutida por Sigmund Freud e pelo filósofo André Comte-Sponville. Para atingir tal objetivo, as obras O mal-estar na civilização (Freud) e A felicidade, desesperadamente (Comte- Sponville) foram escolhidas como referências principais. No que diz respeito à concepção freudiana, pode-se afirmar que a felicidade é entendida como um ideal inatingível. Temos acesso a uma falsa felicidade. Na leitura de Comte-Sponville, por outro lado, a felicidade se manifesta em ato, quando não estamos dependentes da esperança. A felicidade é verdadeira e possível. Ambos os autores entendem que a felicidade não é um estado definitivo. Ao final, conclui-se que o ponto principal que diferencia o entendimento de cada autor em relação ao tema é a concepção de desejo que os orienta. Para Comte-Sponville o desejo é visto como potência; para Freud, é visto como falta. Se em Comte-Sponville a felicidade é produção, na concepção freudiana ela é um ideal, já que nosso objeto de desejo está perdido para sempre.
A profissão docente sob diferentes concepções psicológicas: O enfoque construtivista e o socioconstrutivista
Authors: Canhetti Mondin Elza Maria , Dias Carmem Lúcia
Published: November 2013

O presente trabalho constitui um estudo bibliográfico que propõe uma análise compreensiva dos enfoques construtivista e socioconstrutivista na educação brasileira e suas implicações na profissão docente. Com esse propósito, detemo-nos na análise e discussão desses dois grandes núcleos como geradores de questionamentos sobre a complexidade real do contexto educacional. O primeiro, o construtivismo, surge como consequência das discussões negativas a respeito do papel reprodutivista da escola; o segundo, o socioconstrutivismo, vem como uma nova perspectiva teórica, como uma tentativa de solucionar os problemas educacionais não resolvidos pelo construtivismo. Infelizmente, os docentes nem sempre conseguem tirar suficiente proveito dos resultados dessas concepções psicológicas e a realidade de nossas escolas continua dominada pela cultura pedagógica tradicional.