Las políticas culturales de la Dirección General de Bibliotecas bonaerense (1946-1952)

En la presente tesina abordamos las políticas culturales llevadas a cabo por la Dirección General de Bibliotecas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (Argentina) en lo concerniente a la actividad bibliotecológica entre 1946 y 1952. Planteamos el desarrollo del trabajo sobre cuatro ejes principales: bibliotecas, bibliotecarios, lectores y libros. En primer lugar, presentamos un panorama general de la situación político-social de la época. Luego, analizamos los intereses de las bibliotecas bonaerenses a través de la participación de sus representantes en el Primer Congreso Provincial de Bibliotecas Populares (1949) e indagamos en qué condiciones se originó la Biblioteca Pública Central y su rol en la profesionalización de los bibliotecarios. En este sentido, valoramos la institucionalización de la formación bibliotecaria mediante la creación de la Escuela de Bibliotecología y desarrollamos qué contenidos se plantearon en los primeros planes de estudios de las carreras. Del mismo modo, examinamos qué concepción tenía la Dirección General de los lectores y de sus lecturas, específicamente las de los niños, las mujeres y los obreros. Para finalizar, consideramos la implementación de las políticas culturales en torno a la difusión y la circulación de libros, especialmente de los editados en Argentina y en otros países del continente americano

ANÁLISE CEFALOMÉTRICA COMPARATIVA ENTRE CRIANÇAS RESPIRADORAS BUCAIS E NASAIS

Existem muitas controvérsias sobre a real interferência da respiração no crescimento craniofacial. Este estudo avaliou a possível relação da influência do padrão respiratório com as variáveis cefalométricas: 1) variáveis esqueléticas sagitais: convexidade do ponto A, profundidade facial, profundidade da maxila e comprimento do corpo mandibular; 2) variáveis esqueléticas verticais: altura facial inferior, eixo facial, cone facial, plano palatal, plano mandibular, altura facial posterior e arco mandibular; 3) variáveis dentárias: protrusão do incisivo inferior e protrusão do incisivo superior. A amostra constituiu-se de 120 crianças do sexo masculino e do sexo feminino com más-oclusões dentárias de Classe I e II-1, respiradores bucais e nasais na fase da dentadura mista e permanente, com indicação para tratamento ortodôntico. Após as avaliações ortodôntica, otorrinolaringológica e fonoaudiológica a amostra foi dividida em 2 grupos: 60 crianças portadoras de más-oclusões Classe I e Classe II-1 respiradoras bucais e 60 crianças portadoras de más-oclusões Classe I e Classe II-1 respiradoras nasais, sendo cada grupo divididos em 3 subgrupos nas faixas etárias: 7 a 8 anos, 9 a 10 anos e 11 a 12 anos. Após a obtenção dos resultados e a interpretação da análise estatística, foi possível concluir que: 1) das relações entre os padrões respiratórios (bucal e nasal) e as variáveis esqueléticas sagitais: constatou-se que houve diferença estatisticamente significante, apresentando-se as variáveis cefalométricas: Convexidade pto. A: aumentada no grupo de respiração bucal, idade de 7 a 8 anos com má-oclusão Classe I. Profundidade facial : aumentada no grupo de respiração bucal, idade de 9 a 10 anos com má-oclusão Classe II-1. Profundidade maxila: aumentada no grupo de respiração bucal, idade de 9 a 10 anos com má-oclusão Classe II-1; 2) das relações entre os padrões respiratórios (bucal e nasal) e as variáveis esqueléticas verticais: constatou-se que houve diferença estatisticamente significante, apresentando-se as variáveis cefalométricas: Cone facial: diminuída no grupo de respiração bucal, idade 9 a 10 anos com má-oclusão Classe I. Arco mandibular : diminuída no grupo de respiração bucal, idade 7 a 8 anos com má-oclusão Classe II-1.; 3) das relações entre os padrões respiratórios (bucal e nasal) e as variáveis dentárias: constatou-se que não houve diferença estatisticamente significante para nenhuma das variáveis dentárias analisadas: protrusão do incisivo inferior e superior , não se relacionando com os padrões respiratórios (bucal e nasal).

Upper and lower bounds on the learning curve for Gaussian processes

In this paper we introduce and illustrate non-trivial upper and lower bounds on the learning curves for one-dimensional Gaussian Processes. The analysis is carried out emphasising the effects induced on the bounds by the smoothness of the random process described by the Modified Bessel and the Squared Exponential covariance functions. We present an explanation of the early, linearly-decreasing behavior of the learning curves and the bounds as well as a study of the asymptotic behavior of the curves. The effects of the noise level and the lengthscale on the tightness of the bounds are also discussed.

Cholinesterase inhibitors for dementia with Lewy bodies, Parkinson's disease dementia and cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease

Background - Previous Cochrane reviews have considered the use of cholinesterase inhibitors in both Parkinson's disease with dementia (PDD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). The clinical features of DLB and PDD have much in common and are distinguished primarily on the basis of whether or not parkinsonism precedes dementia by more than a year. Patients with both conditions have particularly severe deficits in cortical levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Therefore, blocking its breakdown using cholinesterase inhibitors may lead to clinical improvement. Objectives - To assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of cholinesterase inhibitors in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), Parkinson’s disease with dementia (PDD), and cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease falling short of dementia (CIND-PD) (considered as separate phenomena and also grouped together as Lewy body disease). Search methods - The trials were identified from a search of ALOIS, the Specialised Register of the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group (on 30 August 2011) using the search terms Lewy, Parkinson, PDD, DLB, LBD. This register consists of records from major healthcare databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL) and many ongoing trial databases and is updated regularly. Reference lists of relevant studies were searched for additional trials. Selection criteria - Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials assessing the efficacy of treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors in DLB, PDD and cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease (CIND-PD). Data collection and analysis - Data were extracted from published reports by one review author (MR). The data for each 'condition' (that is DLB, PDD or CIND-PD) were considered separately and, where possible, also pooled together. Statistical analysis was conducted using Review Manager version 5.0. Main results - Six trials met the inclusion criteria for this review, in which a total of 1236 participants were randomised. Four of the trials were of a parallel group design and two cross-over trials were included. Four of the trials included participants with a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease with dementia (Aarsland 2002a; Dubois 2007; Emre 2004; Ravina 2005), of which Dubois 2007 remains unpublished. Leroi 2004 included patients with cognitive impairment and Parkinson's disease (both with and without dementia). Patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) were included in only one of the trials (McKeith 2000). For global assessment, three trials comparing cholinesterase inhibitor treatment to placebo in PDD (Aarsland 2002a; Emre 2004; Ravina 2005) reported a difference in the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Clinical Global Impression of Change (ADCS-CGIC) score of -0.38, favouring the cholinesterase inhibitors (95% CI -0.56 to -0.24, P < 0.0001). For cognitive function, a pooled estimate of the effect of cholinesterase inhibitors on cognitive function measures was consistent with the presence of a therapeutic benefit (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.34, 95% CI -0.46 to -0.23, P < 0.00001). There was evidence of a positive effect of cholinesterase inhibitors on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in patients with PDD (WMD 1.09, 95% CI 0.45 to 1.73, P = 0.0008) and in the single PDD and CIND-PD trial (WMD 1.05, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.68, P = 0.01) but not in the single DLB trial. For behavioural disturbance, analysis of the pooled continuous data relating to behavioural disturbance rating scales favoured treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors (SMD -0.20, 95% CI -0.36 to -0.04, P = 0.01). For activities of daily living, combined data for the ADCS and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) activities of daily living rating scales favoured treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors (SMD -0.20, 95% CI -0.38 to -0.02, P = 0.03). For safety and tolerability, those taking a cholinesterase inhibitor were more likely to experience an adverse event (318/452 versus 668/842; odds ratio (OR) 1.64, 95% CI 1.26 to 2.15, P = 0.0003) and to drop out (128/465 versus 45/279; OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.33 to 2.84, P = 0.0006). Adverse events were more common amongst those taking rivastigmine (357/421 versus 173/240; OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.53 to 3.38, P < 0.0001) but not those taking donepezil (311/421 versus 145/212; OR 1.24, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.80, P = 0.25). Parkinsonian symptoms in particular tremor (64/739 versus 12/352; OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.44 to 5.09, P = 0.002), but not falls (P = 0.39), were reported more commonly in the treatment group but this did not have a significant impact on the UPDRS (total and motor) scores (P = 0.71). Fewer deaths occurred in the treatment group than in the placebo group (4/465 versus 9/279; OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.84, P = 0.03). Authors' conclusions - The currently available evidence supports the use of cholinesterase inhibitors in patients with PDD, with a positive impact on global assessment, cognitive function, behavioural disturbance and activities of daily living rating scales. The effect in DLB remains unclear. There is no current disaggregated evidence to support their use in CIND-PD.

Superstructure fiber gratings via single step femtosecond laser inscription

We present the development of superstructure fiber gratings (SFG) in Ge-doped, silica optical fiber using femtosecond laser inscription. We apply a simple but extremely effective single step process to inscribe low loss, sampled gratings with minor polarization dependence. The method results in a controlled modulated index change with complete suppression of mode coupling associated with the overlapping LPG structure leading to highly symmetric superstructure spectra, with the grating reflection well within the Fourier design limit. The devices are characterized and compared with numerical modeling by solving Maxwell's equations and calculating the back reflection spectrum using the bidirectional beam propagation method (BiBPM). Experimental results validate our numerical analysis, allowing for the estimation of inscription parameters such as the ac index modulation change, and the wavelength, position and relative strength of each significant resonance peak. We also present results on temperature and refractive index measurements showing potential for sensing applications.

Factors preventing myopia progression with orthokeratology correction

PURPOSE: To examine which baseline measurements constitute predictive factors for axial length growth over 2 years in children wearing orthokeratology contact lenses (OK) and single-vision spectacles (SV). METHODS: Sixty-one children were prospectively assigned to wear either OK (n = 31) or SV (n = 30) for 2 years. The primary outcome measure (dependent variable) was axial length change at 2 years relative to baseline. Other measurements (independent variables) were age, age of myopia onset, gender, myopia progression 2 years before baseline and baseline myopia, anterior chamber depth, corneal power and shape (p value), and iris and pupil diameters as well as parental refraction. The contribution of all independent variables to the 2-year change in axial length was assessed using univariate and multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS: After univariate analyses, smaller increases in axial length were found in the OK group compared to the SV group in children who were older, had earlier onset of myopia, were female, had lower rate of myopia progression before baseline, had less myopia at baseline, had longer anterior chamber depth, had greater corneal power, had more prolate corneal shape, had larger iris diameter, had larger pupil sizes, and had lower levels of parental myopia (all p < 0.05). In multivariate analyses, older age and greater corneal power were associated with smaller increases in axial length in the OK group (both p < 0.05), whereas in SV wearers, smaller iris diameter was associated with smaller increases in axial length (p = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Orthokeratology is a successful treatment option in controlling axial elongation compared to SV in children of older age, had earlier onset of myopia, were female, had lower rate of myopia progression before baseline, had lower myopia at baseline, had longer anterior chamber depth, had greater corneal power, had more prolate corneal shape, had larger iris and pupil diameters, and had lower levels of parental myopia. © American Academy of Optometry.

Superstructure fiber gratings via single step femtosecond laser inscription

We present the development of superstructure fiber gratings (SFG) in Ge-doped, silica optical fiber using femtosecond laser inscription. We apply a simple but extremely effective single step process to inscribe low loss, sampled gratings with minor polarization dependence. The method results in a controlled modulated index change with complete suppression of mode coupling associated with the overlapping LPG structure leading to highly symmetric superstructure spectra, with the grating reflection well within the Fourier design limit. The devices are characterized and compared with numerical modeling by solving Maxwell's equations and calculating the back reflection spectrum using the bidirectional beam propagation method (BiBPM). Experimental results validate our numerical analysis, allowing for the estimation of inscription parameters such as the ac index modulation change, and the wavelength, position and relative strength of each significant resonance peak. We also present results on temperature and refractive index measurements showing potential for sensing applications.

Generalized Strichartz Inequalities for the Wave Equation on the Laguerre Hypergroup

Mathematics Subject Classification: 42B35, 35L35, 35K35

Az Európai Unió nemzetközi fejlesztéspolitikája előtt álló kihívások és válaszok (EU’s international development policy – challenges and answers)

A tanulmány röviden áttekinti, hogy milyen kihívások érték az elmúlt években az EU nemzetközi fejlesztéspolitikáját, és milyen válaszokat adott ezekre a Közösség. A Bizottság által 2011-ben kiadott Agenda for Change című zöld könyv a közös fejlesztéspolitikát erőteljesebb normatív alapokra igyekszik helyezni és a demokrácia és jó kormányzás támogatását teszi az EU egyik fő célkitűzéséve a fejlődő országokban. Mindez a gyakorlatban erőteljesebb kondicionalitást és szelektivitást fog jelenteni az európai segélyezésben. _____ The paper briefly reviews the challenges that the EU’s international development policy faced in recent years and the answers the Community has provided to these. A green paper published by the Commission in 2011, the Agenda for Change attempts to place development policy on a stronger normative basis by making the support of good governance and democracy one of the main goals of the EU in developing countries. In practice, this will mean stronger conditionality and greater selectivity in EC aid.

A Phenomenological Study of Learning Processes at Work: Confirming, Extending, and Challenging Holistic Learning Theory

Holistic learning theory (Yang, 2003) identified explicit, implicit, and emancipatory knowledge facets in learning. A phenomenological study of how participants’ experienced interactions between knowledge facets showed the facets expressed, informed, changed, and guided one another. The complexity of learning and the role of spirituality in learning were explored.

Five Years in the Rise of the Modern Cruise Industry

The years from 1969-74 were critical in the evolution of the passenger shipping industry from crossing to cruising. Faced with a decline in demand for point-to-point passenger transportation and an increase in the demand for cruises, steamship lines were also faced with a number of internal and external challenges. The writer discusses some companies that met these challenges, some that did not, and some new, cruise-oriented companies now leading the industry today

The Beacon, September 12, 2008

Vol. 21, Issue 14, 8 pages

Vertical profiles of environmental parameters measured on discrete water samples collected with Niskin bottles at station TARA_038 during the Tara Oceans expedition 2009-2013

The Tara Oceans Expedition (2009-2013) was a global survey of ocean ecosystems aboard the Sailing Vessel Tara. It carried out extensive measurements of evironmental conditions and collected plankton (viruses, bacteria, protists and metazoans) for later analysis using modern sequencing and state-of-the-art imaging technologies. Tara Oceans Data are particularly suited to study the genetic, morphological and functional diversity of plankton. The present data set includes properties of seawater, particulate matter and dissolved matter that were measured from discrete water samples collected with Niskin bottles during the 2009-2013 Tara Oceans expedition. Properties include pigment concentrations from HPLC analysis (10 depths per vertical profile, 25 pigments per depth), the carbonate system (Surface and 400m; pH (total scale), CO2, pCO2, fCO2, HCO3, CO3, Total alkalinity, Total carbon, OmegaAragonite, OmegaCalcite, and dosage Flags), nutrients (10 depths per vertical profile; NO2, PO4, N02/NO3, SI, quality Flags), DOC, CDOM, and dissolved oxygen isotopes. The Service National d'Analyse des Paramètres Océaniques du CO2, at the Université Pierre et Marie Curie, determined CT and AT potentiometrically. More than 200 vertical profiles of these properties were made across the world ocean. DOC, CDOM and dissolved oxygen isotopes are available only for the Arctic Ocean and Arctic Seas (2013).

High-dimensional Z-stable AH algebras

Peer reviewed