Sphingomyelinase D/Ceramide 1-Phosphate in Cell Survival and Inflammation

Sphingolipids are major constituents of biological membranes of eukaryotic cells. Many studies have shown that sphingomyelin (SM) is a major phospholipid in cell bilayers and is mainly localized to the plasma membrane of cells, where it serves both as a building block for cell architecture and as a precursor of bioactive sphingolipids. In particular, upregulation of (C-type) sphingomyelinases will produce ceramide, which regulates many physiological functions including apoptosis, senescence, or cell differentiation. Interestingly, the venom of some arthropodes including spiders of the genus Loxosceles, or the toxins of some bacteria such as Corynebacterium tuberculosis, or Vibrio damsela possess high levels of D-type sphingomyelinase (SMase D). This enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of SM to yield ceramide 1-phosphate (C1P), which promotes cell growth and survival and is a potent pro-inflammatory agent in different cell types. In particular, C1P stimulates cytosolic phospholipase A2 leading to arachidonic acid release and the subsequent formation of eicosanoids, actions that are all associated to the promotion of inflammation. In addition, C1P potently stimulates macrophage migration, which has also been associated to inflammatory responses. Interestingly, this action required the interaction of C1P with a specific plasma membrane receptor, whereas accumulation of intracellular C1P failed to stimulate chemotaxis. The C1P receptor is coupled to Gi proteins and activates of the PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK1-2 pathways upon ligation with C1P. The proposed review will address novel aspects on the control of inflammatory responses by C1P and will highlight the molecular mechanisms whereby C1P exerts these actions.

武陵山希蚱属一新种（直翅目：蚱科）

报道了中国武陵山地区蚱科，希蚱属 Xistrella Bolivar 一新种:湖南希蚱 Xistrella hunanensis Wang新种，并附中国希蚱属分种检索表. 模式标本保存在中国科学院昆明动物研究所。

Silicon: the promising material for phontonic integrated circuits platform

The development of optical network demands integrated arid multiple functionality modules to lowing cost and acquire highly reliability. Among the various contender materials to be photonic integrated circuits platform, silicon exhibits dominant characteristics and is the most promising platform materials. The paper compares the characteristics of some candidate materials with silicon and reviews recent progress in silicon based photonic integration technology. Tile challenges to silicon for optical integration for optical networking application arc also indicated.

A new genus and species of grasshopper from China (Orthoptera : Acrididae Catantopinae)

This paper reports a new genus and species of Catantopinae: Guizhouacris xiai gen et sp. nov. The new genus is similar to Genimen I. Bolivar, 1917, but differs from the latter in: 1) lateral lobes of metasternum separated in apical part and 2) prozona about 2.5 (male) and 2.7 (female) times longer than metazona. The new genus is also similar to Rhinopodisma Mishchenko, 1954 (= Aserratus Huang, 1981), but differs from the latter in: 1) diameter of tympanal aperture longer than half tergum and 2) face not projected between two eyes. Type specimens are deposited in the Museum of Hebei University ( MHU).

Desarrollo de un sistema compuesto de aislamiento acústico de baja masa: aplicación experimental a una cabina modular

Tesis inédita presentada en la Universidad Europea de Madrid. Facultad de Arquitectura, Ingeniería y Diseño. Programa de Doctorado en Técnicas Avanzadas en Construcción

Asistencia técnica en los procesos de producción identificados como críticos en el aseguramiento de la calidad en los productos finales.

32 hojas : ilustraciones, fotografías a color.

Aceptación y/o rechazo al uso de las tecnologías en el aula. Caso: profesor de matemáticas

El objetivo principal de este trabajo surge por la inquietud de estudiantes y profesores de Institutos de Educación Universitaria en Venezuela (Universidad Simón Bolívar, Universidad Nacional Abierta, Universidad Nacional Experimental de las Fuerzas Armadas, Universidad Pedagógica, entre otras); así como también los comentarios de algunos colegas de Universidades en Costa Rica y República Dominicana, donde se observa con gran preocupación el rechazo que presentan y plantean muchos profesores en el área de las matemáticas al uso e implementación de las tecnologías en sus programas y contenidos programáticos. Luego de realizar los estudios y corroborar el grado de analfabetismo tecnológico existente en los profesores de matemática, se consideraron elaborar cursos, diplomados y talleres para involucrar a nuestros docentes en el uso de las tecnologías.

Estado del arte del tratamiento gubernamental y educativo de las capacidades sobresalientes en méxico

Con el objetivo de integrar la diversidad en el aula, a nivel mundial se reconoce ampliamente la importancia de dar respuesta a las necesidades de un grupo muy especial de la población, aquellos estudiantes que destacan de alguna forma dentro del contexto escolar. En México estos estudiantes están considerados dentro de la población con necesidades educativas especiales y requieren de una atención educativa especial de tal forma que puedan desarrollar al máximo sus capacidades.

El talento especial de los niños en matemáticas: un estudio cualitativo

La atención a la diversidad escolar es uno de los temas de creciente interés en nuestro país. Particularmente, la falta de investigación y de reconocimiento gubernamental de los niños con algún talento especial ha propiciado la incertidumbre en el aula. Tal situación tiene como consecuencia la necesidad de estudios de contexto que permitan la identificación y el tratamiento escolar de esta población. Este trabajo tiene como finalidad presentar un estado del arte acerca de algunas investigaciones y proyectos llevados a cabo en torno a estos niños. Todo esto, con la finalidad de poder encontrar aquellas características que nos permitan identificar a un niño mexicano con talento en matemáticas.

The trade unions membership dynamics and union members’ trajectories

This text presents an analysis of aggregated membership’s dynamics for Spanish trade unions, using ECVT data, as well as union memberships’ trajectories, or members’ decisions about joining the organization, permanency and responsibilities, and subsequent attrition. For the analysis of trajectories we make use of information of the records of actual memberships and the record of quitting of CCOO, and of a survey-questionnaire to a sample of leavers of the same union. This study allows us to confirm a linkage between the decision and motivations to become union member, to participate in union activities, the time of permanency, and the motives to quit the organization. We also identify five types of union members’ trajectories, indicating that, far from views that assert a monolithic structure, unions are complex organizations.

Welfare Regimes and “progressive” governments in Latin America: The cases of Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia

Several authors have applied the concept of Welfare Regimens for studying social policy in Latin America (Esping-Andersen, 1993 and 2000). Among others, Martínez Franzoni (2007) develops a typology, with fi eld work is at the turn of the millennium, and establishes three categories: State-productivist regime, state-protectionist and family orientated. Most countries in the region are placed in the latter category. The hypothesis of this article argues that with the emergence of governments considered “left” or “progressive” in several countries of the region from the late ‘90s and, more decisively, in 2000’, the map of welfare regimes models could have mutated substantively. The nationally transformative experiences are different (various socio-economic realities and political action in which they are located exists) but they have several contact points that can be summarized in a greater state intervention in different areas previously closed to their operating and recovery of important functions of welfare and care of the population by the government. The paper discusses with an exploratory and descriptive approach the welfare schemes that would shape in three countries that have constitutionalized the change from the neoliberal paradigm: Venezuela, Bolivia and Ecuador.

B-type supergiants in the Small Magellanic Cloud: rotational velocities and implications for evolutionary models

High-resolution spectra for 24 SMC and Galactic B-type supergiants have been analysed to estimate the contributions of both macroturbulence and rotation to the broadening of their metal lines. Two different methodologies are considered, viz. goodness-of-fit comparisons between observed and theoretical line profiles and identifying zeros in the Fourier transforms of the observed profiles. The advantages and limitations of the two methods are briefly discussed with the latter techniques being adopted for estimating projected rotational velocities ( v sin i) but the former being used to estimate macroturbulent velocities. The projected rotational velocity estimates range from approximately 20 to 60 kms(-1), apart from one SMC supergiant, Sk 191, with a v sin i similar or equal to 90 km s(-1). Apart from Sk 191, the distribution of projected rotational velocities as a function of spectral type are similar in both our Galactic and SMC samples with larger values being found at earlier spectral types. There is marginal evidence for the projected rotational velocities in the SMC being higher than those in the Galactic targets but any differences are only of the order of 5 - 10 km s(-1), whilst evolutionary models predict differences in this effective temperature range of typically 20 to 70 km s(-1). The combined sample is consistent with a linear variation of projected rotational velocity with effective temperature, which would imply rotational velocities for supergiants of 70 kms(-1) at an effective temperature of 28 000 K ( approximately B0 spectral type) decreasing to 32 km s(-1) at 12 000 K (B8 spectral type). For all targets, the macroturbulent broadening would appear to be consistent with a Gaussian distribution ( although other distributions cannot be discounted) with an 1/e half-width varying from approximately 20 km s(-1) at B8 to 60 km s(-1) at B0 spectral types.

Reflexive learning in pre-service training of primary school teachers: from experience to assimilation of contents

This article presents an educational experiment carried out in the Primary School Teaching Degree at the University of Barcelona. Specifically, the article analyses the application of the “Work Corners” approach in a core subject. In a three-year action research process, trainers put into practice an innovation which enabled them to boost cooperative work and reflexive learning among trainees. Firstly, the theoretical model underpinning the project and guiding many of the actions carried out by the training team is presented. After providing detailed information on the practical development of the experiment, the data-gathering process and its results are shown. Various information-gathering strategies were used in assessing the project, such as a questionnaire, participant observation, and teachers’ diaries. The results demonstrate, amongst other things, that “work corners” offer viable and appropriate educational conditions for the articulation of theoretical and practical knowledge, for building professional knowledge, and therefore, the beginnings of a reflexive teaching practice.

Students with disabilities in a Chilean university

The purpose of this article is to give a report about a research related with the conditions of inclusion of students with disability in a Chilean university. This research is a quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study. To collect the data required, a survey was developed, which was applied to 38 students with disability. The main results reveal a high retention rate of students, who exhibit a positive perception of their inclusion in their university life and also a high level of satisfaction with most of the services provided. Seven out of ten students surveyed recognize having received some sort of education care from their programs to pursue their studies. However, there still exists a lack of connection between the current initiatives developed at the university to support the enrollment and permanence of students. Added to this fact, there is a lack of protocols and training for teachers and staff. In this study it is proposed that the university must establish a management system that defines objectives, strategies and actions that contribute to improve inclusion of people with disabilities.

Sher 25: pulsating but apparently alone

The blue supergiant Sher 25 is surrounded by an asymmetric, hourglass-shaped circumstellar nebula, which shows similarities to the triple-ring structure seen around SN 1987A. From optical spectroscopy over six consecutive nights, we detect periodic radial velocity variations in the stellar spectrum of Sher 25 with a peak-to-peak amplitude of ~ 12 km s^-1 on a time-scale of about 6 d, confirming the tentative detection of similar variations by Hendry et al. From consideration of the amplitude and time-scale of the signal, coupled with observed line profile variations, we propose that the physical origin of these variations is related to pulsations in the stellar atmosphere, rejecting the previous hypothesis of a massive, short-period binary companion. The radial velocities of two other blue supergiants with similar bipolar nebulae, SBW1 and HD 168625, were also monitored over the course of six nights, but these did not display any significant radial velocity variations.