Electoral competition under the threat of political unrest

We study elections in which one party (the strong party) controls a source of political unrest; e.g., this party could instigate riots if it lost the election. We show that the strong party is more likely to win the election when there is less information about its ability to cause unrest. This is because when theweak party is better informed, it can more reliably prevent political unrest by implementing a ``centrist'' policy. When there is uncertainty over the credibility of the threat, ``posturing'' by the strong party leads to platform divergence.

Amelioration of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in mdx mice by elimination of matrix-associated fibrin-driven inflammation coupled to the αMβ2 leukocyte integrin receptor

In Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a persistently altered and reorganizing extracellular matrix (ECM) within inflamed muscle promotes damage and dysfunction. However, the molecular determinants of the ECM that mediate inflammatory changes and faulty tissue reorganization remain poorly defined. Here, we show that fibrin deposition is a conspicuous consequence of muscle-vascular damage in dystrophic muscles of DMD patients and mdx mice and that elimination of fibrin(ogen) attenuated dystrophy progression in mdx mice. These benefits appear to be tied to: (i) a decrease in leukocyte integrin α(M)β(2)-mediated proinflammatory programs, thereby attenuating counterproductive inflammation and muscle degeneration; and (ii) a release of satellite cells from persistent inhibitory signals, thereby promoting regeneration. Remarkably, Fib-gamma(390-396A) (Fibγ(390-396A)) mice expressing a mutant form of fibrinogen with normal clotting function, but lacking the α(M)β(2) binding motif, ameliorated dystrophic pathology. Delivery of a fibrinogen/α(M)β(2) blocking peptide was similarly beneficial. Conversely, intramuscular fibrinogen delivery sufficed to induce inflammation and degeneration in fibrinogen-null mice. Thus, local fibrin(ogen) deposition drives dystrophic muscle inflammation and dysfunction, and disruption of fibrin(ogen)-α(M)β(2) interactions may provide a novel strategy for DMD treatment.

El Trienio Liberal en el Virreinato peruano: los ayuntamientos constitucionales de Arequipa, Cusco y Huamanga, 1820-1824

El artículo profundiza en aspectos desconocidos de lo que fue la reimplantación del gobierno representativo en el Virreinato del Perú durante el Trienio Liberal. Para ello se seleccionan tres ciudades, el Cusco, Huamanga y Arequipa, que se mantuvieron hasta muy tarde leales a la Corona. La consulta de documentación generada por las tres corporaciones ha permitido reconstruir tres ejemplos de poder local a través de los procesos electorales, la composición de los ayuntamientos y el análisis de sus competencias. Se demuestra que el virrey La Serna gobernó según la Constitución de 1812 y se pone de manifiesto que existieron cambios y continuidades entre ayuntamientos españoles y municipalidades peruanas, porque permanecieron algunos actores y fórmulas de las instituciones hispanas

Los Profesores del Real Colegio de Cirugía de Burgos: 1799-1824

Aquest llibre és un recull de sis articles del mateix autor, alguns publicats en altres mitjans i altres inèdits, entorn a la creació i activitat del "Real Colegio de Cirugía de Burgos" durant els seus 25 anys de vida.Les fonts utilitzades han estat diverses, desde protocols notarials, llibres d'acords municipals, actes catedralícies, fons de l'arxiu diocesà, documentació del Reial Col·legi de Barcelona o l'Arxiu General de Simancas.