Short communication. SNP analyses of the 5HT1R and STAT genes in Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

La industria de la producci��n de camar��n es una de las industrias acu��colas que se encuentra en m��s crecimiento en la actualidad. Los estudios para encontrar marcadores gen��ticos son muy efectivos para la mejora de sus propiedades y de gran inter��s para los productores de camar��n. En este trabajo se utilizaron seis individuos de una poblaci��n de Litopenaeus vannamei, donde se encontraron cuatro polimorfismos de nucle��tido ��nico (SNPs) en el gen 5HT1R (5-hidroxitriptamina receptor1) y un SNP en el gen STAT (transductor de se��al y activador de la transcripci��n). Sin embargo, el polimorfismo en el gen STAT result�� ser homocigoto en una poblaci��n diferente utilizada para an��lisis de asociaci��n. Los presentes an��lisis revelaron que el alelo C, en dos polimorfismos SNP (C109T y C395G) del gen 5HT1R, tiende a estar asociado con el aumento del peso corporal. Consideramos que hay necesidad de hacer nuevos estudios utilizando una muestra m��s amplia y diversa de la poblaci��n en cuesti��n.

Short communication. Mutual pheromone antagonism in two sympatric corn borers, Sesamia nonagrioides and Ostrinia nubilalis, under field conditions

In previous studies, we demonstrated cross-antagonism in pheromone perception between pheromone componentsof the two corn (Zea mays L.) borers Sesamia nonagrioides Lef��bvre (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Ostrinia nubilalis (H��bner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in the laboratory and in the field. The two pheromone components identified as responsible for this cross-antagonism were Z 11-16:Ald, a minor component of S. nonagrioides pheromone, and Z 11-14:Ac, the main component of the pheromone of the Z-strain of O. nubilalis, which inhibited the response of O. nubilalis and S. nonagrioides, respectively. Here, we study this antagonism phenomenon in the field by air permeation of maize plots with each of the two components separately and measurement of mating in caged couples of the two corn borers on treated and untreated plots during three years. A significant reduction in mating rates was observed on the permeated plots: 7% for S. nonagrioides and 12% for O. nubilalis. When dispenser charges (200 ng) were increased by 50% and 75% in the third year, no decrease in mating rates was recorded at either of the increased concentrations. On the other hand, the use of large cages resulted in an increase of 8% to 12% in the percentage of unmated females in each of the two corn borers suggesting that at more realistic field corn borer densities, 0,1 couples/plant instead of the 2 couples/plant used in this experiment, cross-antagonism in the two corn borers could be higher than that recorded in small cages.

Short communication. Potential to mitigate anthropogenic CO2 emissions by tillage reduction in dryland soils of Spain

Spain is one of the countries with the highest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the EU-27. Consequently, mitigation strategies need to be reported and quantified to accomplish the goals and requirements of the Kyoto Protocol. In this study, a first estimation of the carbon (C) mitigation potential of tillage reduction in Mediterranean rainfed Spain is presented. Results from eight studies carried out in Spain under rainfed agriculture to investigate the effects of no-tillage (NT) and reduced tillage (RT) compared with conventional tillage (CT) on soil organic carbon (SOC) were used. For current land surface under conservation tillage, NT and RT are sequestering 0.14 and 0.08 Tg C yr-1, respectively. Those rates represent 1.1% and 0.6% of the total CO2 emissions generated from agricultural activities in Spain during 2006. Alternatively, in a hypothetical scenario where all the arable dryland was under either NT or RT management, SOC sequestration would be 2.18 and 0.72 Tg C yr-1 representing 17.4% and 5.8% of the total 2006 CO2 equivalent emissions generated from the agricultural sector in Spain. This is a significant estimate that would help to achieve GHG emissions targets for the current commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol.

The Impact of a Character Posture Model on the Communication of Affect in an Immersive Virtual Environment

This paper presents the quantitative and qualitative findings from an experiment designed to evaluate a developing model of affective postures for full-body virtual characters in immersive virtual environments (IVEs). Forty-nine participants were each requested to explore a virtual environment by asking two virtual characters for instructions. The participants used a CAVE-like system to explore the environment. Participant responses and their impression of the virtual characters were evaluated through a wide variety of both quantitative and qualitative methods. Combining a controlled experimental approach with various data-collection methods provided a number of advantages such as providing a reason to the quantitative results. The quantitative results indicate that posture plays an important role in the communication of affect by virtual characters. The qualitative findings indicated that participants attribute a variety of psychological states to the behavioral cues displayed by virtual characters. In addition, participants tended to interpret the social context portrayed by the virtual characters in a holistic manner. This suggests that one aspect of the virtual scene colors the perception of the whole social context portrayed by the virtual characters. We conclude by discussing the importance of designing holistically congruent virtual characters especially in immersive settings.

Research networks and scientific production in Economics: the recent Spanish experience

This paper studies Spanish scientific production in Economics from 1994 to 2004. It focuses on aspects that have received little attention in other bibliometric studies, such as the impact of research and the role of scientific collaborations in the publications produced by Spanish universities. Our results show that national research networks have played a fundamental role in the increase in Spanish scientific production in this discipline.

Scientific evidence on the usefulness of intraarticular hyaluronic acid injection in the management of temporomandibular dysfunction

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is found in high concentrations in cartilage and synovial fluid, and is an important component of the extracellular matrixes- exerting joint lubrication and buffering actions thanks to its viscoelastic properties. The present study examines the scientific evidence found in the current literature on the usefulness of the intraarticular injection of HA in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction. A literature search was made up until May 2008 in the following databases: PubMed / MEDLINE. Of the articles found in the literature, the present review included 18 relevant studies on the application of HA in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The quality, level of evidence and strength of recommendation of the articles was evaluated based on the"Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy" criteria. It is concluded that type A level of recommendation exists in favor of the intraarticular injection of HA in dysfunction of the TMJ. However, further studies are needed to establish the true therapeutic effects and to identify the best dosing regimen.

Behind and beyond of the cyborgs and robots ideas and realities: some techno-scientific and philosophical hints

We are progressively immersed in technology to such extend that in our everyday life we are and we do what technology allows us to be and to do. In this process, cyborgs and robots constitute elements that we analyze from a number of techno scientific and philosophical approaches. Additionally, we propose that a new concept: GEH (Genetic Engineered Human) as a new potential social imaginary element, which would be the human being improved by the broad-sense genetics engineer (that is, changing many genes by genetics engineer, modifications in the genome, cloning, and so on). If our aspirations as humans pass through technology and in particular for cyborgs, robots and GEH, the bidirectional links between these theoretical or real entities and our personal identities will be the more and more substantial in our society.

Approaches to the study of individual���landscape interaction as an evocation of intrapersonal communication Aproximaciones al estudio de la interacci��n individuo-paisaje a modo de evocaci��n comunicativa intrapersonal

Analysis of the interaction between landscape and the individual opens up many research avenues linked to the generation and interpretation of symbolisms and imaginaries. The capacity of landscape for significant and/or communicative evocation finds in intrapersonal communication a relevant argument for the construction of a theoretical framework to study the process of appropriation and experience of the landscape in terms of communicative expression. The principal aim of this paper is to set up the theoretical framework that enables us to interpret the language of landscape and to decode its intangible discourse.

Abbatouy, Mohammed; Renn H��rgen and Weinig, Paul (Eds.). Intercultural Transmission of Scientific Knowledge in the Middle Ages: Graeco-Arabic-Latin. Science in Context

As the editors explain in the introduction, a workshop dedicated to 'Experience and Knowledge Structures in Arabic and Latin sciences' was held at the Max Plank Institue for the HIstory of Science...

Author Rights vs Self-Archiving in Spanish Scientific Journals

The paper analyzes publishers" copyright policies and self-archiving conditions of Spanish scientific journals. Data are extracted from the directory DULCINEA that contains information of 1318 Spanish journals, of which 775 (61%) allow some form of self-archiving to be about 60% of the post-print version and allowing them 87% of the deposit of the version of record. In 72% of journals the deposit can be performed immediately after publication and in 16% after article acceptance. 72% of the journals are freely available without charge to the user this figure raises up to 86% if free access after an embargo is considered. Only 18% of the journals use Creative Commons licenses. The adoption of different open access journals model in Spain is favorable, however there is still a high percentage of journals (39%) that do not provide any information about authors and publishers rights and that difficult or inhibits reuse of published articles.

The Dialogic Turn in Educational Psychology

The increasing presence of and claim for dialogue in today"s society has already had an impact on the theory and practice of learning. Whereas in the past individual and cognitive elements were seen as crucial to learning, since about two decades ago, scientific literature indicates that culture, interaction and dialogue are the key factors. In addition, the research project of highest scientific rank and with most resources dedicated to the study of school education in the Framework Program of the European Union: INCLUD-ED shows that the practices of successful schools around Europe are in line with the dialogic approach to learning. This article presents the dialogic turn in educational psychology, consisting of moving from symbolic conceptions of mind and internalist perspectives that focus on mental schemata of previous knowledge, to theories that see intersubjectivity and communication as the primary factors in learning. The paper deepens on the second approach.

Claves para la elaboraci��n de un art��culo cient��fico

La meta final de la profesi��n de enfermer��a es mejorar la actitud pr��ctica de sus miembros de modo que los servicios prestados a la comunidad tengan la m��xima calidad, por lo que para garantizar su status profesional debe apostar por el desarrollo constante de un conjunto de conocimientos cient��ficos que son fundamentales para su pr��ctica, y esto s��lo puede conseguirse mediante la investigaci��n. La publicaci��n de un art��culo cient��fico...

Com explicar un sistema CLIL: un model din��mic newtoni��

En la implementaci�� del CLIL a l���educaci�� superior, apart d���estudis sobre el nivell de l���estudiantat i la disponibilitat del professorat, i de l���elaboraci�� de material educatiu interdisciplinari, el repte actual ��s aconseguir que s���involucrin activament en CLIL els professors de contingut d���un ventall ampli de disciplines. En aquesta comunicaci�� es presenten les bases d���un model per un sistema CLIL, utilitzant la din��mica newtoniana. Pot ser un model interessant i plausible en un context universitari cient��fic i tecnol��gic, on fins ara el CLIL s���ha implementat nom��s lleugerament.

Recerca avaluativa sobre el programa ���L��MITS���

Des de la comunitat cient��fica s���ha posat de manifest la necessitat d���avaluar els programes d���intervenci�� per a la millora de la parentalitat, especialment en el context de la inf��ncia i adolesc��ncia en risc. En aquesta recerca es presenten els resultats de l���avaluaci�� del programa L��mits aportant evid��ncies d���efic��cia i efectivitat, que permeten identificar i descriure les seves fortaleses, aix�� com tamb�� aquells elements que poden ser objecte de millora. El programa L��mits ��s una proposta estructurada d���intervenci�� preventiva de caire selectiu amb grups de fam��lies de joves d���entre 14 i 18 anys que passen pel circuit de la just��cia juvenil. El programa ha estat funcionant des del 2007, en diverses edicions, a tot el territori catal�� aplegant una experi��ncia i traject��ria remarcable que ha incidit en 351 persones i 245 fam��lies. El programa consta de vuit sessions en grup d���entre dotze i quinze participants, dinamitzat per dos monitors, en les que es treballen diferents estrat��gies a partir de l���abordatge de continguts relacionats amb les relacions i els lligams, la comunicaci��, els conflictes, l���establiment de normes i la disciplina. Per dur a terme l���avaluaci�� del programa L��mits s���ha partit d���un disseny quasi-experimental, pretest���postest aplicat a un grup programa (GP) i a grup col��laborador (GC) i de manera diferida (dos mesos despr��s de la seva finalitzaci��) nom��s al GP per constatar si s���han assolit els resultats previstos. Quan s���analitza l���evoluci�� del GP s���observen millores en les habilitats d���autocontrol de les emocions, el refor�� positiu i les relacions familiars. Tanmateix, des del punt de vista de les fam��lies no s���han observat canvis significatius en la millora de la percepci�� d���auto efic��cia del rol parental respecte el GC abans i despr��s del programa. La percepci�� majorit��ria ��s que els objectius que planteja el programa s��n excessivament ambiciosos i en conseq����ncia, dif��cilment assolibles. Els responsables consideren que, en alguns casos, el perfil de fam��lies derivades al programa no ��s el m��s adequat perqu�� presenten problem��tiques molt m��s agudes a les desitjables per aquest tipus d���intervenci��. Com a punts forts, es destaca que el programa ��s ��til als ulls dels responsables i t��cnics perqu�� genera una presa de consci��ncia del problema i de la necessitat de canvi per part de les fam��lies. Els participants diuen transferir a la vida real algunes habilitats apreses especialment la comunicaci�� i millora de les relacions familiars. Els t��cnics aplicadors coincideixen amb la percepci�� de les fam��lies tot i declarar percentatges lleugerament inferiors. Tamb�� ��s vist com un complement professional a la seva tasca que ajuda a fer un millor seguiment dels casos, i permet seguir treballant amb posterioritat amb les fam��lies.

Investigaci��n evaluativa sobre el programa "L��MITES"

Desde la comunidad cient��fica se ha puesto de manifiesto la necesidad de evaluar los programas de intervenci��n para la mejora de la parentalidad, especialmente en el contexto de la infancia y la adolescencia en riesgo. En esta investigaci��n se presentan los resultados de la evaluaci��n del programa L��mites aportando evidencias de eficacia y efectividad, que permiten identificar y describir sus fortalezas, as�� como tambi��n aquellos elementos que pueden ser objeto de mejora. El programa L��mites es una propuesta estructurada de intervenci��n preventiva de car��cter selectivo, con grupos de familias de j��venes de entre 14 y 18 a��os que pasan por el circuito de la justicia juvenil. El programa ha estado funcionando desde 2007 en todo el territorio catal��n, y ha incidido en un total de 351 personas y 245 familias. El programa consta de ocho sesiones en grupo en las que se trabajan contenidos relacionados con las relaciones y los v��nculos, la comunicaci��n, los conflictos, el establecimiento de normas y la disciplina. Para llevar a cabo la evaluaci��n del programa L��mites se ha partido de un dise��o cuasi-experimental, pretest-postest aplicado a un grupo programa (GP) y grupo colaborador (GC) y de manera diferida (dos meses despu��s de su finalizaci��n) s��lo en el GP, para constatar si se han alcanzado los resultados previstos. Cuando se analiza la evoluci��n del GP se observan mejoras en las habilidades de autocontrol de las emociones, el refuerzo positivo y las relaciones familiares. Sin embargo, desde el punto de vista de las familias no se han observado cambios significativos en la mejora de la percepci��n de auto eficacia del rol parental respecto al GC antes y despu��s del programa. La percepci��n mayoritaria es que los objetivos que plantea el programa son excesivamente ambiciosos y en consecuencia, dif��cilmente alcanzables. Los responsables consideran que, en algunos casos, el perfil de familias derivadas al programa no es el m��s adecuado puesto que presenten problem��ticas mucho m��s agudas a las deseables para este tipo de intervenci��n. Como puntos fuertes, se destaca que el programa es ��til a los ojos de los responsables y t��cnicos porque genera una toma de conciencia del problema y de la necesidad de cambio por parte de las familias. Los participantes dicen transferir a la vida real algunas habilidades aprendidas, especialmente la comunicaci��n y mejora de las relaciones familiares. Los t��cnicos aplicadores coinciden con la percepci��n de las familias, a pesar de declarar porcentajes ligeramente inferiores. Tambi��n es visto como un complemento profesional a su tarea que ayuda a hacer un mejor seguimiento de los casos, y permite seguir trabajando con posterioridad con las familias.