Enfoque del paciente con sospecha de neuroinfección en urgencias

Las infecciones del sistema nervioso son importantes fuentes de morbilidad y mortalidad en el mundo, debido a diferentes factores como son el amplio uso de antibióticos que aunque contribuyen con éxito al manejo de infecciones, pero el mal uso por automedicación o tratamientos incompletos favorecen la emergencia de organismos resistentes y la existencia de “mimos infecciosos” que incluyen el síndrome de reconstitución inflamatoria (IRIS). Adicionalmente el crecimiento de las poblaciones inmunocomprometidas por el síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida (SIDA) y por tratamientos agresivos para trasplante sólido o hematopoyético han mejorado la sobrevida de diferentes tipos de malignidades y alteraciones reumatológicas pero son poblaciones que tienen más susceptibilidad a contraer infecciones y encefalitis mediadas inmunológicamente, como son la encefalomielitis diseminada aguda (ADEM) o la encefalitis contra el receptor de N-metil-D aspartato (NMDA).

Harinera Pardo S.A.: experiencias de crisis y recuperación en empresas colombianas

Este estudio de caso consiste en analizar el funcionamiento al interior de la empresa Harinera Pardo S.A, las inversiones realizadas y las decisiones tomadas. También en ver el comportamiento del sector agroindustrial molinero, específicamente de trigo, ya que la empresa se desenvuelve en este mercado. Y por último, entender los factores que llevaron a la empresa objeto de estudio a verse afectada por una crisis empresarial. Con base en el concepto de “crisis” que cita Martin (2008), las causas que la generan en la empresa pueden ser internas, como problemas comerciales, de producción, de calidad, inadecuada infraestructura de costos, problemas de dirección, inversiones y demás o externas, como cambios en el mercado, el fenómeno de la globalización, influencia de los competidores, entre otros. Decidimos citar este autor ya que su visión sobre el concepto de crisis encierra varios factores que hacen parte del desarrollo del estudio de caso. De este estudio se espera aprender con una empresa del sector real, que caer en una crisis no necesariamente significa llegar a su fin, sino que con una adecuada reestructuración, esta puede enfrentar y superar el mal momento que esté atravesando. Para ello tendremos en cuenta la influencia del mercado internacional en la época de los 90´s y la coyuntura que se presentaba alrededor del sector molinero, al igual que el comportamiento al interior de la empresa durante este mismo periodo de tiempo, que fue previo a la recaída de la empresa. A demás, expondremos las opiniones y estrategias utilizadas por Rafael Pardo, presidente de Harinera Pardo, con las que gracias a su puesta en marcha durante los años de crisis, finalmente logró recuperarse en el año 2009. El trabajo es desarrollado por estudiantes de pregrado de Administración de Empresas y Administración de Negocios Internacionales de la Universidad del Rosario, y la investigación a realizar trata temas administrativos de crisis y recuperación.

La cooperación en América del Norte : de las seguridades económica y militar a la bioseguridad (2001-2009)

El nuevo orden internacional derivado de la Guerra Fría se caracterizó por la multiplicación de nuevas amenazas a la seguridad y la construcción de bloques regionales con el propósito de enfrentarlas. Esta investigación plantea que bajo tales circunstancias, en América del Norte, fue adoptada una agenda ampliada y profundizada en materia de seguridad que permitió articular las seguridades económica, militar y la bioseguridad. En este sentido, la configuración de dicha agenda fue posible gracias a la adopción de una retórica neoliberal de seguridad económica desde la puesta en marcha del Tratado de Libre Comercio en 1994, la cual luego del 11 de septiembre de 2001 fue articulada con la agenda de seguridad militar propuesta por el gobierno estadounidense en materia de lucha antiterrorista, que a su turno permitió la adopción de una retórica y unas medidas extraordinarias en materia de bioseguridad, motivada por los ataques bioterroristas con ántrax en EE.UU., el brote de SARS en Canadá y la pandemia de AH1N1 en México.

The use of insect cells to identify potent and selective inhibitors of the replication of the Dengue and Chikungunya viruses and unravel their molecular mechanism of action

Dengue and Chikungunya viruses cause the most important arthropod-borne viral infections for humans. These viruses are predominant in tropical and subtropical regions. In addition, these viruses are predominant in tropical and subtropical regions. Dengue mortality rate is around 1.2 to 3.5% and deaths due to chikungunya fever are around 1 in 1000; however, half of chikungunya-infected patients evolve into a chronic state that can persist for months up to years. There are no antiviral drugs available for DENV and CHIKV treatment and prevention. Moreover, vector control strategies have failed so far. Thus, the development of potent inhibitors for a broad spectrum of RNA viruses is urgently needed. We established and characterized a new embryonic insect cell line from Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito. Also we established the flaviviruses and alphavirus replication, both in C6/36 and Lulo insect cell lines, as well as in Vero cell line. In addition we carried out a reference compound library and reference panel of assays and data for DENV, which provides a benchmark for further studies. During this study, a panel of 9 antiviral molecules, with proven in vitro anti-dengue virus activity and that act at different stages of the DENV life cycle, was selected. Finally, Favipiravir or T-705, was identified as inhibitor in vitro and in vivo of alphaviruses and the mutation K291R in nsP4, which is responsible of the polymerase activity, was found as the mode of action in CHIKV. Interestingly, lysine in motif F1 is also highly conserved in positive-stranded RNA viruses and this might explain the broad spectrum of T-705 antiviral activity.

F. Hölderlin i S.T. Coleridge: recepció immediata i influència de la Crítica del Judici de Kant en els poetes del romanticisme

La tesi contrasta les conseqüències filosòfiques i la constel·lació temàtica de la Crítica del Judici, amb les manifestacions poeticofilosòfiques de F. Hölderlin i S.T. Coleridge. La font principal de recerca són aquelles tesis de la Crítica del Judici rellevants per comprendre l'esclat de l'idealisme allà on aquest nou sistema involucra significativament art i experiència estètica. Hölderlin s'instal·la de manera genuïna en la tensió entre l'idealisme i la filosofia crítica. Per la radicalitat dels seus plantejaments podrem presentar-lo també com a poeta romàntic o precedent del romanticisme. Pel que fa a Coleridge estudiem la recepció immediata de la filosofia Kantiana en el medi cultural britànic per contrastar el paper del poeta en la importació de la ideologia romàntica alemanya. L'objectiu és presentar Coleridge com a poeta que assumeix els postulats del romanticisme alemany i investigar si aquests postulats poden relacionar-se amb el balanç de la filosofia kantiana expressat a Crítica del Judici.

La música a la ciutat de Girona (1888-1985)

La tesi és una investigació histórica que presenta el fet musical a la ciutat de Girona, i inclou una paronòmica general de la història musical de les principals poblacions de les seves comarques: Olot, Figueres, Banyoles. ripoll, La Bisbal d'Empordà, Sant Feliu de Guíxols, etc. Està organitzada metodològicament en un marc cronològic i una metodologia positivista, intentant reflexar la verdadera història de la música a la ciutat de Girona amb tots i cadascun dels seus personatges i les seves institucions. La recerca s'emmarca al voltant de les corrents artístiques i polítiques de cada moment: Modernisme, Noucentisme, República, Guerra Civil, Franquisme i Democràcia. De cadascuna d'ella s'ha investigat sobre les orquestres, les cobles i les sardanes, els grups de música de cambra, la música en els cafès, la música en la intimitat de les cases particulars, el desenvolupament laboral de la professió musical a travès de la història del Sindicat i la Mútua de Músics, les sales de ball, els cinemes amb música en directe, els crítics musicals, etc. La recerca porta a la conclusió final de què l'època de millor esplendor, de més qualitat i també quantitat de música a la ciutat i comarques, i que ha viscut un millor ambient musical en tota la història, és el període que va des de principis del segle XX fins a l'esclat de la Guerra Civil (1900-1936)

When the rising dragon sees fading stars: China's view of the European Union. CEPS Special Report No. 73, 29 November 2012

This CEPS Special Report gives an overview of China’s perceptions of the EU and the protection of Chinese investments in Europe since the outbreak of the European sovereign debt crisis, especially since the more concrete talks in late 2011 on possible financial support from China. Although the top leadership of the communist party of China (CPC) changed in its recent handover, the perceptions described in this paper are likely to remain the same, just as the main tenets of China’s foreign policy are unlikely to change in the near future. The report argues that while the EU’s image has suffered greatly from the sovereign debt crisis and the way it has been handled, there is room to improve China’s view of Europe and for the EU to maintain a relatively strong negotiation position towards China.

Effects of Spruce Budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.)) Outbreaks on Boreal Mixed-Wood Bird Communities

This study examined the influence of a spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.)) outbreak on a boreal mixed-wood bird community in forest stands ranging in age from 0 to 223 yr. We asked if (1) patterns of species response were consistent with the existence of spruce budworm specialists, i.e., species that respond in a stronger quantitative or qualitative way than other species; (2) the superabundance of food made it possible for species to expand their habitat use in age classes that were normally less used; and (3) the response to budworm was limited to specialists or was it more widespread. Results here indicated that three species, specifically the Bay-breasted Warbler (Dendroica castanea), Tennessee Warbler (Vermivora peregrina), and Cape May Warbler (Dendroica tigrina), had a larger numerical response to the budworm outbreak. They responded with increases in density of up to tenfold over 4 or 5 yr. No other species responded with more than a twofold increase in the same time period. These species also showed a functional response by breeding more frequently in young stands aged 1–21 yr and intermediate stands aged 22–36 yr as budworm numbers increased. Our data also suggested that many species profited to a lesser extent from budworm outbreaks, but that this effect may be too subtle to detect in most studies. We found evidence of a positive numerical effect in at least 18 additional species in one or two stand-age categories but never in all three for any one species. Given the numerical response in many species and the potential influence of budworm on bird populations because of the vast extent of outbreaks, we believe that the population cycle of spruce budworm should be considered in any evaluation of population trends in eastern boreal birds.

How well do regional or national Breeding Bird Survey data predict songbird population trends at an intact boreal site?

A study to monitor boreal songbird trends was initiated in 1998 in a relatively undisturbed and remote part of the boreal forest in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Eight years of point count data were collected over the 14 years of the study, 1998-2011. Trends were estimated for 50 bird species using generalized linear mixed-effects models, with random effects to account for temporal (repeat sampling within years) and spatial (stations within stands) autocorrelation and variability associated with multiple observers. We tested whether regional and national Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) trends could, on average, predict trends in our study area. Significant increases in our study area outnumbered decreases by 12 species to 6, an opposite pattern compared to Alberta (6 versus 15, respectively) and Canada (9 versus 20). Twenty-two species with relatively precise trend estimates (precision to detect > 30% decline in 10 years; observed SE ≤ 3.7%/year) showed nonsignificant trends, similar to Alberta (24) and Canada (20). Precision-weighted trends for a sample of 19 species with both reliable trends at our site and small portions of their range covered by BBS in Canada were, on average, more negative for Alberta (1.34% per year lower) and for Canada (1.15% per year lower) relative to Fort Liard, though 95% credible intervals still contained zero. We suggest that part of the differences could be attributable to local resource pulses (insect outbreak). However, we also suggest that the tendency for BBS route coverage to disproportionately sample more southerly, developed areas in the boreal forest could result in BBS trends that are not representative of range-wide trends for species whose range is centred farther north.

Modeled and observed atmospheric radiation balance during the West African dry season: role of mineral dust, biomass burning aerosol, and surface albedo

The global radiation balance of the atmosphere is still poorly observed, particularly at the surface. We investigate the observed radiation balance at (1) the surface using the ARM Mobile Facility in Niamey, Niger, and (2) the top of the atmosphere (TOA) over West Africa using data from the Geostationary Earth Radiation Budget (GERB) instrument on board Meteosat-8. Observed radiative fluxes are compared with predictions from the global numerical weather prediction (NWP) version of the Met Office Unified Model (MetUM). The evaluation points to major shortcomings in the NWP model's radiative fluxes during the dry season (December 2005 to April 2006) arising from (1) a lack of absorbing aerosol in the model (mineral dust and biomass burning aerosol) and (2) a poor specification of the surface albedo. A case study of the major Saharan dust outbreak of 6–12 March 2006 is used to evaluate a parameterization of mineral dust for use in the NWP models. The model shows good predictability of the large-scale flow out to 4–5 days with the dust parameterization providing reasonable dust uplift, spatial distribution, and temporal evolution for this strongly forced dust event. The direct radiative impact of the dust reduces net downward shortwave (SW) flux at the surface (TOA) by a maximum of 200 W m−2 (150 W m−2), with a SW heating of the atmospheric column. The impacts of dust on terrestrial radiation are smaller. Comparisons of TOA (surface) radiation balance with GERB (ARM) show the “dusty” forecasts reduce biases in the radiative fluxes and improve surface temperatures and vertical thermodynamic structure.

Application of the Lighthill-Ford theory of spontaneous imbalance to clear-air turbulence forecasting

A new method of clear-air turbulence (CAT) forecasting based on the Lighthill–Ford theory of spontaneous imbalance and emission of inertia–gravity waves has been derived and applied on episodic and seasonal time scales. A scale analysis of this shallow-water theory for midlatitude synoptic-scale flows identifies advection of relative vorticity as the leading-order source term. Examination of leading- and second-order terms elucidates previous, more empirically inspired CAT forecast diagnostics. Application of the Lighthill–Ford theory to the Upper Mississippi and Ohio Valleys CAT outbreak of 9 March 2006 results in good agreement with pilot reports of turbulence. Application of Lighthill–Ford theory to CAT forecasting for the 3 November 2005–26 March 2006 period using 1-h forecasts of the Rapid Update Cycle (RUC) 2 1500 UTC model run leads to superior forecasts compared to the current operational version of the Graphical Turbulence Guidance (GTG1) algorithm, the most skillful operational CAT forecasting method in existence. The results suggest that major improvements in CAT forecasting could result if the methods presented herein become operational.

Dr John Snow and an early investigation of groundwater contamination

John Snow was a physician but his studies of the way in which cholera is spread have long attracted the interest of hydrogeologists. From his investigation into the epidemiology of the cholera outbreak around the well in Broad Street, London, in 1854, Snow gained valuable evidence that cholera is spread by contamination of drinking water. Subsequent research by others showed that the well was contaminated by sewage. The study therefore represents one of the first, if not the first, study of an incident of groundwater contamination in Britain. Although he had no formal geological training, it is clear that Snow had a much better understanding of groundwater than many modern medical practitioners. At the time of the outbreak Snow was continuing his practice as a physician and anaesthetist. His casebooks for 1854 do not even mention cholera. Yet, nearly 150 years later, he is as well known for his work on cholera as for his pioneering work on anaesthesia, and his discoveries are still the subject of controversy.

The United Nations and the African Union: Assessing a partnership for peace in Darfur

In Resolution 1556, the Security Council, with the conflict in Darfur clearly in mind, determined that the ‘situation in Sudan constitutes a threat to international peace and security and to stability in the region’. This article focuses on the response by the United Nations, in particular the Security Council, and the African Union to the Darfur conflict. It begins by exploring the role of peacekeeping operations and regional arrangements or agencies in the overarching architecture of international peace and security. Having laid this frame of reference, it then looks at the modalities of peacekeeping in Darfur. These operations began with the African Union acting in isolation but have transitioned to an increasingly important role being played by the United Nations and a hybrid peacekeeping presence. Finally, this article asks whether, assuming that a legally dispositive conclusion can be drawn that genocide has taken place in Darfur since the outbreak of hostilities there in 2003, there exists a legal justification, or even obligation, for non-compliance by states with the sanctions regime established by Security Council Resolutions 1556 and 1591. This regime of sanctions has played an important part in the Security Council's approach to Darfur but has been, unfortunately, left largely unexamined from the standpoint of international legality.

Managing outbreaks of invasive species: eradication vs. suppression

A framework is developed to evaluate eradication as one of three alternative management responses to an outbreak of an invasive species: eradication, suppression or no action. This framework can be used to establish under what conditions an eradication option could provide an expected net economic benefit, and whether this net benefit exceeds that of the other two options. The eradication option is more likely to be preferred in situations where there is an immediate export benefit that is derived from eradication of the outbreak, and also the uncertainty associated with the likely success of eradication is low.

Spatio-temporal analysis of an invasive plant pathogen (Phytophthora ramorum) in England and Wales

Phytophthora ramorum is a damaging invasive plant pathogen and was first discovered in the UK in 2002. Spatial point analyses were applied to the occurrence of this disease in England and Wales during the period of 2003-2006 in order to assess its spatio-temporal spread. Out of the 4301 garden centres and nurseries (GCN) surveyed, there were 164, 105, 123 and 41 sites with P. ramorum in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. Spatial analysis of the observed point patterns of GCN outbreaks suggested that these sites were significantly clumped within a radius of ca 60 km in 2003, but not in later years. Further analyses were conducted to determine the relationship of GCN outbreak sites over two consecutive years and thus to infer possible disease spread over time. This analysis suggested that disease spread among GCN sites was most likely to have occurred within a distance of 60 km for 2003-2004, but not for the later years. There were 35, 63, 81 and 58 sites with P. ramorum in the semi-natural environment (SNE). Analyses were carried out to assess whether infected GCN sites could act as an inoculum source of infected SNE plants or vice versa. In all years, there was a significant spatial closeness among GCN and SNE outbreak sites within a distance of 1 km. But a significant relationship over a longer distance (within 60 km) was only observed between cases in 2003 and 2004. These analyses suggest that statutory actions taken so far appear to have reduced the extent of long-distance spread of P. ramorum among garden centres and nurseries, but not the disease spread at a shorter distance between GCN and SNE sites.