Caracterizació arqueomètrica de les ceràmiques tardanes de la plaça del Rei de Barcelona

Un total de 40 ceràmiques tardanes, en la majoria de casos grolleres, que procedeixen de contextos de la segona meitat del segle VI-segle VII de les excavacions de la plaça del Rei de Barcelona, han estat caracteritzades arqueomètricament mitjançant fluorescència de raigs X (FRX), difracció de raigs X (DRX) i microscòpia òptica de làmina prima (MO). A la mostra estudiada, els resultats han permès establir l"existència de fins a 10 grups diferents, alguns dels quals clarament heterogenis, la qual cosa permet pensar que l"anàlisi d"un nombre més elevat de mostres hauria revelat un nombre encara més gran de produccions en el jaciment. Entre les produccions caracteritzades se n"ha identificat una de ceràmica comuna fina de producció local o regional, així com nou de ceràmiques grolleres tant importades com locals i/o regionals.

Multiple processes regulate long-term population dynamics of sea urchins on Mediterranean rocky reefs

We annually monitored the abundance and size structure of herbivorous sea urchin populations (Paracentrotus lividus and Arbacia lixula) inside and outside a marine reserve in the Northwestern Mediterranean on two distinct habitats (boulders and vertical walls) over a period of 20 years, with the aim of analyzing changes at different temporal scales in relation to biotic and abiotic drivers. P. lividus exhibited significant variability in density over time on boulder bottoms but not on vertical walls, and temporal trends were not significantly different between the protection levels. Differences in densities were caused primarily by variance in recruitment, which was less pronounced inside the MPA and was correlated with adult density, indicating density-dependent recruitment under high predation pressure, as well as some positive feedback mechanisms that may facilitate higher urchin abundances despite higher predator abundance. Populations within the reserve were less variable in abundance and did not exhibit the hyper-abundances observed outside the reserve, suggesting that predation effects maybe more subtle than simply lowering the numbers of urchins in reserves. A. lixula densities were an order of magnitude lower than P. lividus densities and varied within sites and over time on boulder bottoms but did not differ between protection levels. In December 2008, an exceptionally violent storm reduced sea urchin densities drastically (by 50% to 80%) on boulder substrates, resulting in the lowest values observed over the entire study period, which remained at that level for at least two years (up to the present). Our results also showed great variability in the biological and physical processes acting at different temporal scales. This study highlights the need for appropriate temporal scales for studies to fully understand ecosystem functioning, the concepts of which are fundamental to successful conservation and management.

The Mediterranean benthic herbivores show diverse responses to extreme storm disturbances

Catastrophic storms have been observed to be one of the major elements in shaping the standing structure of marine benthic ecosystems. Yet, little is known about the effect of catastrophic storms on ecosystem processes. Specifically, herbivory is the main control mechanism of macrophyte communities in the Mediterranean, with two main key herbivores: the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus and the fish Sarpa salpa. Consequently, the effects of extreme storm events on these two herbivores (at the population level and on their behaviour) may be critical for the functioning of the ecosystem. With the aim of filling this gap, we took advantage of two parallel studies that were conducted before, during and after an unexpected catastrophic storm event. Specifically, fish and sea urchin abundance were assessed before and after the storm in monitored fixed areas (one site for sea urchin assessment and 3 sites for fish visual transects). Additionally, we investigated the behavioural response to the disturbance of S. salpa fishes that had been tagged with acoustic transmitters. Given their low mobility, sea urchins were severely affected by the storm (ca. 50% losses) with higher losses in those patches with a higher density of sea urchins. This may be due to a limited availability of refuges within each patch. In contrast, fish abundance was not affected, as fish were able to move to protected areas (i.e. deeper) as a result of the high mobility of this species. Our results highlight that catastrophic storms differentially affect the two dominant macroherbivores of rocky macroalgal and seagrass systems due to differences in mobility and escaping strategies. This study emphasises that under catastrophic disturbances, the presence of different responses among the key herbivores of the system may be critical for the maintenance of the herbivory function.

Pilas de combustible soportadas sobre el anodo de una sola camara basadas en electrolitos de ceria dopada con Gd

La utilización de electrolitos soportados en el ánodo es una estrategia muy útil para mejorar las propiedades eléctricas de las pilas de combustible de óxido sólido, debido a que permiten disminuir considerablemente el espesor de los electrolitos. Para este trabajo, se han preparado exitosamente pilas de combustible de óxido sólido con electrolitos de ceria dopada con Gd, Ce1-xGdxO2-y (CGO) soportados sobre un ánodo formado por un cermet de Ni/CGO. Dichas pilas se han instalado y caracterizado en un reactor de una sola cámara donde se ha hecho circular una mezcla de propano y aire. Para ello, se han preparado mezclas de polvos de NiO y de ceria dopada con gadolinia, con diferentes composiciones y tamaño de partículas, para obtener los ánodos con porosidades apropiadas y así utilizarlos como soporte del electrolito en las pilas. Los polvos de los electrolitos de CGO se han preparado por la técnica sol-gel y se han depositado por"dip coating" con diferentes espesores (15-30 ¿m) utilizando una tinta preparada a partir de partículas nanométricas dispersadas en una resina comercial. Los cátodos de La1-xSrxCoO3-S (LSCO) se han preparado también por la técnica sol-gel y se han depositado sobre la capa fina del electrolito. Finalmente, las propiedades eléctricas se han determinado en un reactor de una sola cámara dónde el propano se ha mezclado con aire sintético por encima del límite superior de inflamabilidad. En estas condiciones experimentales se han obtenido altas densidades de potencia estables, controlando las velocidades de flujo total de gas transportador y la presión parcial de propano.

Activation of p53 by nutlin-3a induces apoptosis and cellular senescence in human glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults. Despite concerted efforts to improve current therapies and develop novel clinical approaches, patient survival remains poor. As such, increasing attention has focused on developing new therapeutic strategies that specifically target the apoptotic pathway in order to improve treatment responses. Recently, nutlins, small-molecule antagonists of MDM2, have been developed to inhibit p53-MDM2 interaction and activate p53 signaling in cancer cells. Glioma cell lines and primary cultured glioblastoma cells were treated with nutlin-3a. Nutlin-3a induced p53-dependent G1- and G2-M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in glioma cell lines with normal TP53 status. In addition, nutlin-arrested glioma cells show morphological features of senescence and persistent induction of p21 protein. Furthermore, senescence induced by nutlin-3a might be depending on mTOR pathway activity. In wild-type TP53 primary cultured cells, exposure to nutlin-3a resulted in variable degrees of apoptosis as well as cellular features of senescence. Nutlin-3a-induced apoptosis and senescence were firmly dependent on the presence of functional p53, as revealed by the fact that glioblastoma cells with knockdown p53 with specific siRNA, or cells with mutated or functionally impaired p53 pathway, were completely insensitive to the drug. Finally, we also found that nutlin-3a increased response of glioma cells to radiation therapy. The results provide a basis for the rational use of MDM2 antagonists as a novel treatment option for glioblastoma patients.

Estudio sobre la conservación de las bandas sismográficas ahumadas del Observatorio Fabra

El objetivo de este trabajo es el estudio y la elaboración de una propuesta de conservación de las bandassismográficas en papel ahumado de los primeros sismógrafos que se conservan en el Observatorio Fabra. Las bandas sismográficas son registros gráficosen soporte de papel en los que los sismógrafos dejan grabados los movimientos terrestres. Existen tres métodos para obtener las gráficas de los seísmos: el llamado mecánico, el magneto-fotográfico y el fotográfico. En todos estos sistemas, el registro se realiza sobre una banda de papel que se coloca sobre un cilindro giratorio que da como resultadoun trazado. Si se produce un sismo, quedarepresentado en una gráfica de intensidades.Normalmente en los registros mecánicos labanda es de papel blanco y se emplean tintas de anilinas; pero también pueden ser de papel blanco recubierto por una fina capa de negro de humo que se arranca al paso de un sensor muy fino en forma de punta, normalmente de vidrio, que deja una marca en blanco (Figura 1). En cambio, en los registros ópticos o fotográficos, los trazos quedan reflejados en papel fotográfico ordinario...

Activation of p53 by nutlin-3a induces apoptosis and cellular senescence in human glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor in adults. Despite concerted efforts to improve current therapies and develop novel clinical approaches, patient survival remains poor. As such, increasing attention has focused on developing new therapeutic strategies that specifically target the apoptotic pathway in order to improve treatment responses. Recently, nutlins, small-molecule antagonists of MDM2, have been developed to inhibit p53-MDM2 interaction and activate p53 signaling in cancer cells. Glioma cell lines and primary cultured glioblastoma cells were treated with nutlin-3a. Nutlin-3a induced p53-dependent G1- and G2-M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in glioma cell lines with normal TP53 status. In addition, nutlin-arrested glioma cells show morphological features of senescence and persistent induction of p21 protein. Furthermore, senescence induced by nutlin-3a might be depending on mTOR pathway activity. In wild-type TP53 primary cultured cells, exposure to nutlin-3a resulted in variable degrees of apoptosis as well as cellular features of senescence. Nutlin-3a-induced apoptosis and senescence were firmly dependent on the presence of functional p53, as revealed by the fact that glioblastoma cells with knockdown p53 with specific siRNA, or cells with mutated or functionally impaired p53 pathway, were completely insensitive to the drug. Finally, we also found that nutlin-3a increased response of glioma cells to radiation therapy. The results provide a basis for the rational use of MDM2 antagonists as a novel treatment option for glioblastoma patients.

TP53 induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR) knockdown results in radiosensitization of glioma cells

Background and purpose: The TP53 induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR) functions to lower fructose-2,6-bisphosphate (Fru-2,6-P2) levels in cells, consequently decreasing glycolysis and leading to the scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which correlate with a higher resistance to cell death. The decrease in intracellular ROS levels in response to TIGAR may also play a role in the ability of p53 to protect from the accumulation of genomic lesions. Given these good prospects of TIGAR for metabolic regulation and p53-response modulation, we analyzed the effects of TIGAR knockdown in U87MG and T98G glioblastoma-derived cell lines. Methods/results: After TIGAR-knockdown in glioblastoma cell lines, different metabolic parameters were assayed, showing an increase in Fru-2,6-P2, lactate and ROS levels, with a concomitant decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. In addition, cell growth was inhibited without evidence of apoptotic or autophagic cell death. In contrast, a clear senescent phenotype was observed. We also found that TIGAR protein levels were increased shortly after irradiation. In addition, avoiding radiotherapy-triggered TIGAR induction by gene silencing resulted in the loss of capacity of glioblastoma cells to form colonies in culture and the delay of DNA repair mechanisms, based in c-H2AX foci, leading cells to undergo morphological changes compatible with a senescent phenotype. Thus, the results obtained raised the possibility to consider TIGAR as a therapeutic target to increase radiotherapy effects. Conclusion: TIGAR abrogation provides a novel adjunctive therapeutic strategy against glial tumors by increasing radiation-induced cell impairment, thus allowing the use of lower radiotherapeutic doses.

Estudio sobre la conservación de las bandas sismográficas ahumadas del Observatorio Fabra

El objetivo de este trabajo es el estudio y la elaboración de una propuesta de conservación de las bandassismográficas en papel ahumado de los primeros sismógrafos que se conservan en el Observatorio Fabra. Las bandas sismográficas son registros gráficosen soporte de papel en los que los sismógrafos dejan grabados los movimientos terrestres. Existen tres métodos para obtener las gráficas de los seísmos: el llamado mecánico, el magneto-fotográfico y el fotográfico. En todos estos sistemas, el registro se realiza sobre una banda de papel que se coloca sobre un cilindro giratorio que da como resultadoun trazado. Si se produce un sismo, quedarepresentado en una gráfica de intensidades.Normalmente en los registros mecánicos labanda es de papel blanco y se emplean tintas de anilinas; pero también pueden ser de papel blanco recubierto por una fina capa de negro de humo que se arranca al paso de un sensor muy fino en forma de punta, normalmente de vidrio, que deja una marca en blanco (Figura 1). En cambio, en los registros ópticos o fotográficos, los trazos quedan reflejados en papel fotográfico ordinario...

Cunqueiro en Cataluña: un modelo de relacións intersistémicas

Se estudia las relaciones entre importantes agentes culturales de Galícia y Cataluña alrededor de la figura de Álvaro Cunqueiro y sus relaciones con el mundo editorial y del periodismo cultural en Cataluña. Se resume el estado de la cuestión en la crítica cunqueiriana sobre esta cuestión y se presentan los artículos que conforman el monográfico de la revista.

Construction and validation of a scoring system for the selection of high-quality data in a Spanish population primary care database (SIDIAP)

Background Computerised databases of primary care clinical records are widely used for epidemiological research. In Catalonia, the InformationSystem for the Development of Research in Primary Care (SIDIAP) aims to promote the development of research based on high-quality validated data from primary care electronic medical records. Objective The purpose of this study is to create and validate a scoring system (Registry Quality Score, RQS) that will enable all primary care practices (PCPs) to be selected as providers of researchusable data based on the completeness of their registers. Methods Diseases that were likely to be representative of common diagnoses seen in primary care were selected for RQS calculations. The observed/ expected cases ratio was calculated for each disease. Once we had obtained an estimated value for this ratio for each of the selected conditions we added up the ratios calculated for each condition to obtain a final RQS. Rate comparisons between observed and published prevalences of diseases not included in the RQS calculations (atrial fibrillation, diabetes, obesity, schizophrenia, stroke, urinary incontinenceand Crohn’s disease) were used to set the RQS cutoff which will enable researchers to select PCPs with research-usable data. Results Apart from Crohn’s disease, all prevalences were the same as those published from the RQS fourth quintile (60th percentile) onwards. This RQS cut-off provided a total population of 1 936 443 (39.6% of the total SIDIAP population). Conclusions SIDIAP is highly representative of the population of Catalonia in terms of geographical, age and sex distributions. We report the usefulness of rate comparison as a valid method to establish research-usable data within primary care electronic medical records

La Llibertat en relació = La libertad en relación

Aquest monografic és possible gràcies als textos que les seves autores van presentar a la taula rodona "Repensar el que és polític" coordinada per María-Milagros Rivera, en el X Congrés de I'Associació Internacional de Filosòfes, titulat "Passió per la Ilibertat. Acció, passió i política. Debats feministes" celebrat a Barcelona, el 2 d'octubre de 2002, organitzat per Fina Birulés a qui agraïm que ens hagi donat I'oportunitat de publicar-los. Totes les autores posen en el centre el fet que la llibertat neix i es desplega sempre amb un sentit del vincle i, com escriu Diana Sartori,amb el sentit de I'autoritat que autoritza el fer, I'actuar. Aquest és un dels pensaments i de la practica política més fructífera nascuda de la política de les dones que han significat la diferència de ser dona al món