La freqüentació dels parcs naturals a Catalunya

This article offers a series of reflections and proposals concerning the visitors usage of Catalonia's Natural Parks. The basis of these affirmations is the analysis of the parks which exist at the present in Catalonia, as well as the study of the current legislation in Catalonia and in Spain. Although the article deals exclusively with protected natural areas, it must be remembered that people's recreational activities affect the entire natural environment. It is therefore necessary to extend planning to the impact of such activities in all natural areas. The author proposes as a possible solution a hierarchy of leisure zones in natural spaces, divided into three different levels: Municipal Parks, Regional Parks as well as Natural and National Parks

Caixa de sonos

Esta dissertação aborda questões relativas aos conceitos de narrativa e de narrativa processual no contexto da experiência lúdica em espaços de configuração. Para este efeito, sugere-se um sistema, a caixa de sonos, que visa a implementação prática de uma narrativa visual processual enquanto terreno de experiência lúdica em meios tecnológicos. Este sistema procura tirar partido de diferentes media para proporcionar, de forma acessível, novos palcos e rituais performativos, através de narrativas visuais processuais customizáveis e partilháveis. Em concreto, a caixa de sonos, propõe um sistema jogável que possibilita, através da monitorização do comportamento do jogador ao longo da noite, compor interactivamente um retrato simbólico da noite do mesmo. O processo de composição é partilhado a partir de uma projecção direccionada para o tecto por cima da cama do jogador, quando este se encontra acordado; sendo possível que a interacção ocorra de forma activa ou passiva, dependendo do estado de vigia do jogador. Todas as experiências simbólicas, bem como a totalidade das linguagens gráficas (base de dados das composições processuais), são personalizáveis e passíveis de serem partilhadas através de uma plataforma comunitária na rede digital.

Edificio Lúdico de livre utilização: anti-edificio contemporâneo

A presente dissertação centra-se num estudo sobre, a conceção de um edifício lúdico, de utilização livre, sendo o projeto uma proposta atualizada e contemporânea de um edifício, relativamente utópico, que encontra no Fun Palace de Cedric Price o seu melhor antecedente. Apresenta-se uma breve referência a dois espaços sociais que sofreram influência deste anti edifício: o centro George Pompidou em Paris e Jaaga, na India. Os dois casos de estudo aqui apresentados, Downtowm Athletic Club em Nova Iorque e o pavilhão da Holanda em Xangai, revelam características relacionadas com o tema do dissertação – liberdade no espaço lúdico e enquanto locais onde o mote da sexualidade é integrado. O projeto resulta da análise das evoluções sofridas, desde 1960, no que diz respeito aos novos conhecimentos científicos que vieram contribuir para a geração de novas formas de apropriação de conceitos como é o caso do conceito da liberdade em espaços públicos e o da sexualidade. O conceito da sexualidade que evolui com os avanços que as neurociências atingem sobre o conhecimento do cérebro e das emoções e que se traduzem em novas demandas do viver contemporâneo

Boundary value problems for the N-wave interaction equations

We consider boundary value problems for the N-wave interaction equations in one and two space dimensions, posed for x [greater-or-equal, slanted] 0 and x,y [greater-or-equal, slanted] 0, respectively. Following the recent work of Fokas, we develop an inverse scattering formalism to solve these problems by considering the simultaneous spectral analysis of the two ordinary differential equations in the associated Lax pair. The solution of the boundary value problems is obtained through the solution of a local Riemann–Hilbert problem in the one-dimensional case, and a nonlocal Riemann–Hilbert problem in the two-dimensional case.

Initial boundary value problems for the nonlinear Schrödinger equation

A new spectral method for solving initial boundary value problems for linear and integrable nonlinear partial differential equations in two independent variables is applied to the nonlinear Schrödinger equation and to its linearized version in the domain {x≥l(t), t≥0}. We show that there exist two cases: (a) if l″(t)<0, then the solution of the linear or nonlinear equations can be obtained by solving the respective scalar or matrix Riemann-Hilbert problem, which is defined on a time-dependent contour; (b) if l″(t)>0, then the Riemann-Hilbert problem is replaced by a respective scalar or matrix problem on a time-independent domain. In both cases, the solution is expressed in a spectrally decomposed form.

Computer simulations of structures, energetics and dynamics of myoglobin center dot center dot center dot ligand complexes

Myoglobin has been studied in considerable detail using different experimental and computational techniques over the past decades. Recent developments in time-resolved spectroscopy have provided experimental data amenable to detailed atomistic simulations. The main theme of the present review are results on the structures, energetics and dynamics of ligands ( CO, NO) interacting with myoglobin from computer simulations. Modern computational methods including free energy simulations, mixed quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics simulations, and reactive molecular dynamics simulations provide insight into the dynamics of ligand dynamics in confined spaces complementary to experiment. Application of these methods to calculate and understand experimental observations for myoglobin interacting with CO and NO are presented and discussed.

Eight-plex iTRAQ analysis of variant metastatic human prostate cancer cells identifies candidate biomarkers of progression: an exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: Due to the heterogeneity in the biological behavior of prostate cancer, biomarkers that can reliably distinguish indolent from aggressive disease are urgently needed to inform treatment choices. METHODS: We employed 8-plex isobaric Tags for Relative and Absolute Quantitation (iTRAQ), to profile the proteomes of two distinct panels of isogenic prostate cancer cells with varying growth and metastatic potentials, in order to identify novel biomarkers associated with progression. The LNCaP, LNCaP-Pro5, and LNCaP-LN3 panel of cells represent a model of androgen-responsive prostate cancer, while the PC-3, PC-3M, and PC-3M-LN4 panel represent a model of androgen-insensitive disease. RESULTS: Of the 245 unique proteins identified and quantified (>or=95% confidence; >or=2 peptides/protein), 17 showed significant differential expression (>or=+/-1.5), in at least one of the variant LNCaP cells relative to parental cells. Similarly, comparisons within the PC-3 panel identified 45 proteins to show significant differential expression in at least one of the variant PC-3 cells compared with parental cells. Differential expression of selected candidates was verified by Western blotting or immunocytochemistry, and corresponding mRNA expression was determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Immunostaining of prostate tissue microarrays for ERp5, one of the candidates identified, showed a significant higher immunoexpression in pre-malignant lesions compared with non-malignant epithelium (P < 0.0001, Mann-Whitney U-test), and in high Gleason grade (4-5) versus low grade (2-3) cancers (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides proof of principle for the application of an 8-plex iTRAQ approach to uncover clinically relevant candidate biomarkers for prostate cancer progression.

On asymptotic behavior at infinity and the finite section method for integral equations on the half-line

e consider integral equations on the half-line of the form and the finite section approximation to x obtained by replacing the infinite limit of integration by the finite limit β. We establish conditions under which, if the finite section method is stable for the original integral equation (i.e. exists and is uniformly bounded in the space of bounded continuous functions for all sufficiently large β), then it is stable also for a perturbed equation in which the kernel k is replaced by k + h. The class of perturbations allowed includes all compact and some non-compact perturbations of the integral operator. Using this result we study the stability and convergence of the finite section method in the space of continuous functions x for which ()()()=−∫∞dttxt,sk)s(x0()syβxβx()sxsp+1 is bounded. With the additional assumption that ()(tskt,sk−≤ where ()()(),qsomefor,sassOskandRLkq11>+∞→=∈− we show that the finite-section method is stable in the weighted space for ,qp≤≤0 provided it is stable on the space of bounded continuous functions. With these results we establish error bounds in weighted spaces for x - xβ and precise information on the asymptotic behaviour at infinity of x. We consider in particular the case when the integral operator is a perturbation of a Wiener-Hopf operator and illustrate this case with a Wiener-Hopf integral equation arising in acoustics.

A Riemann-Hilbert problem with a vanishing coefficient and applications to Toeplitz operators

We study the homogeneous Riemann-Hilbert problem with a vanishing scalar-valued continuous coefficient. We characterize non-existence of nontrivial solutions in the case where the coefficient has its values along several rays starting from the origin. As a consequence, some results on injectivity and existence of eigenvalues of Toeplitz operators in Hardy spaces are obtained.

Evolution PDEs and augmented eigenfunctions. half line.

The solution of an initial-boundary value problem for a linear evolution partial differential equation posed on the half-line can be represented in terms of an integral in the complex (spectral) plane. This representation is obtained by the unified transform introduced by Fokas in the 90's. On the other hand, it is known that many initial-boundary value problems can be solved via a classical transform pair, constructed via the spectral analysis of the associated spatial operator. For example, the Dirichlet problem for the heat equation can be solved by applying the Fourier sine transform pair. However, for many other initial-boundary value problems there is no suitable transform pair in the classical literature. Here we pose and answer two related questions: Given any well-posed initial-boundary value problem, does there exist a (non-classical) transform pair suitable for solving that problem? If so, can this transform pair be constructed via the spectral analysis of a differential operator? The answer to both of these questions is positive and given in terms of augmented eigenfunctions, a novel class of spectral functionals. These are eigenfunctions of a suitable differential operator in a certain generalised sense, they provide an effective spectral representation of the operator, and are associated with a transform pair suitable to solve the given initial-boundary value problem.

Relationships Among Murine CD11chigh Dendritic Cell Subsets as Revealed by Baseline Gene Expression Patterns

The functional relationships and properties of different subtypes of dendritic cells (DC) remain largely undefined. To better characterize these cells, we used global gene analysis to determine gene expression patterns among murine CD11c(high) DC subsets. CD4(+), CD8alpha(+), and CD8alpha(-) CD4(-) (double negative (DN)) DC were purified from spleens of normal C57/BL6 mice and analyzed using Affymetrix microarrays. The CD4(+) and CD8alpha(+) DC subsets showed distinct basal expression profiles differing by >200 individual genes. These included known DC subset markers as well as previously unrecognized, differentially expressed CD Ags such as CD1d, CD5, CD22, and CD72. Flow cytometric analysis confirmed differential expression in nine of nine cases, thereby validating the microarray analysis. Interestingly, the microarray expression profiles for DN cells strongly resembled those of CD4(+) DC, differing from them by <25 genes. This suggests that CD4(+) and DN DC are closely related phylogenetically, whereas CD8alpha(+) DC represent a more distant lineage, supporting the historical distinction between CD8alpha(+) and CD8alpha(-) DC. However, staining patterns revealed that in contrast to CD4(+) DC, the DN subset is heterogeneous and comprises at least two subpopulations. Gene Ontology and literature mining analyses of genes expressed differentially among DC subsets indicated strong associations with immune response parameters as well as cell differentiation and signaling. Such associations offer clues to possible unique functions of the CD11c(high) DC subsets that to date have been difficult to define as rigid distinctions.

Living the Revolution: urban communes & soviet socialism, 1917-1932

This book follows a revolutionary trend popular among young activists and would-be radicals after 1917, the formation of collective units of cohabitation and association known as 'urban communes'. In these spaces, activists tried to live what they understood as the 'socialist lifestyle', self-consciously putting Marxist and Bolshevik theories into practice. By telling the story of the urban communes, this book reveals how grand revolutionary ideals, such as collectivism, equality, proletarian ethics, and modern practice, were experienced, understood, and appropriated on a human level. This enables us to better understand the messy realities of the early Soviet state, showing how ideological beliefs and revolutionary contingencies actually came into being during this time.

On mathematical and physical principles of transformations of the coherent radar backscatter matrix

The congruential rule advanced by Graves for polarization basis transformation of the radar backscatter matrix is now often misinterpreted as an example of consimilarity transformation. However, consimilarity transformations imply a physically unrealistic antilinear time-reversal operation. This is just one of the approaches found in literature to the description of transformations where the role of conjugation has been misunderstood. In this paper, the different approaches are examined in particular in respect to the role of conjugation. In order to justify and correctly derive the congruential rule for polarization basis transformation and properly place the role of conjugation, the origin of the problem is traced back to the derivation of the antenna height from the transmitted field. In fact, careful consideration of the role played by the Green’s dyadic operator relating the antenna height to the transmitted field shows that, under general unitary basis transformation, it is not justified to assume a scalar relationship between them. Invariance of the voltage equation shows that antenna states and wave states must in fact lie in dual spaces, a distinction not captured in conventional Jones vector formalism. Introducing spinor formalism, and with the use of an alternate spin frame for the transmitted field a mathematically consistent implementation of the directional wave formalism is obtained. Examples are given comparing the wider generality of the congruential rule in both active and passive transformations with the consimilarity rule.

The evolution of green leases: towards inter-organizational environmental governance

Improving the environmental performance of non-domestic buildings is a complex and ‘wicked’ problem due to conflicting interests and incentives. This is particularly challenging in tenanted spaces, where landlord and tenant interactions are regulated through leases that traditionally ignore environmental considerations. ‘Green leasing’ is conceptualized as a form of ‘middle-out’ inter-organizational environmental governance that operates between organizations, alongside other drivers. This paper investigates how leases are evolving to become ‘greener’ in the UK and Australia, providing evidence from five varied sources on: (1) UK office and retail leases, (2) UK retail sector energy management, (3) a major UK retailer case study; (4) office leasing in Sydney, and (5) expert interviews on Australian retail leases. With some exceptions, the evidence reveals an increasing trend towards green leases in prime offices in both countries, but not in retail or sub-prime offices. Generally introduced by landlords, adopted green leases contain a variety of ambitions and levels of enforcement. As an evolving form of private–private environmental governance, green leases form a valuable framework for further tenant–landlord cooperation within properties and across portfolios. This increased cohesion could create new opportunities for polycentric governance, particularly at the interface of cities and the property industry.

High Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity Is a Hallmark of Periapical Granulomas

Introduction: The inability to distinguish periapical cysts from granulomas before performing root canal treatment leads to uncertainty in treatment outcomes because cysts have lower healing rates. Searching for differential expression of molecules within cysts or granulomas could provide information with regard to the identity of the lesion or suggest mechanistic differences that may form the basis for future therapeutic intervention. Thus, we investigated whether granulomas and cysts exhibit differential expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules. Methods: Human periapical granulomas, periapical cysts, and healthy periodontal ligament tissues were used to investigate the differential expression of ECM molecules by microarray analysis. Because matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) showed the highest differential expression in the microarray analysis, MMPs were further examined by in situ zymography and immunohistochemistry. Data were analyzed by using one-way analysis of variance followed by the Tu-key test. Results: We observed that cysts and granulomas differentially expressed several ECM molecules, especially those from the MMP family. Compared with cysts, granulomas exhibited higher MMP enzymatic activity in areas stained for MMP-9. These areas were composed of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) in contrast to cysts. Similarly, MMP-13 was expressed by a greater number of cells in granulomas compared with cysts. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that high enzymatic MIMP activity in PMNs together with MMP-9 and MMP-13 stained cells could be a molecular signature of granulomas unlike periapical cysts. (J Endod 2009;35:1234-1242)