Selectivitat renovada. Les proves d'accés a la universitat afavoreixen la igualtat d'oportunitats

Milers d'estudiants estan pendents de les proves d'accés a la universitat, la famosa selectivitat, per accedir als estudis desitjats. Unes proves d'estructura i continguts renovats, però amb temes per resoldre.

Distribución espacial y desigualdad de la renta salarial en el área metropolitana de Barcelona

Las diferencias geográficas en los niveles de ingresos son importantes para elaborar e implementar políticas en las ciudades. Con el objetivo de estimar el nivel de ingresos y analizar su distribución espacial se presenta un método alternativo e innovador que enlaza estimaciones de salarios provenientes de la Encuesta de Estructura Salarial (EES) con datos del padrón de habitantes (1996) y del Censo (2001) desagregados por secciones censales. Los resultados tienen un nivel de detalle espacial significativamente mejor que los disponibles. Se obtiene el valor de la Renta Salarial Media para cada una de las 2500 secciones censales de los 36 municipios pertenecientes a la AMB y para dos periodos. La Renta Salarial presenta una elevada autocorrelación espacial positiva; zonas con niveles similares se concentran espacialmente. La desigualdad en el AMB ha aumentado en el periodo analizado. Este aumento se debe principalmente al componente intra-municipal, es decir, las diferencias en el interior de cada municipio.

Germanes de Shakespeare. 20 del XX Pilar Godayol Barcelona, Eumo Editorial, 2003

No es esta la primera vez que Pilar Godayol cumple con el mandato solidario de “ donar veu a altri ”. Lo hizo, hace un par de años, a través de su espléndida traducción Veus xicanes. Contes (2001) y un año antes mediante el ensayo, Espais de frontera. Gènere i traducció (2000), un libro ya de referencia en el marco teórico de los estudios de género. Hoy, desde un enmarque nuevo, vuelve al empeño de visibilizar la personalidad y la obra de veinte voces de mujeres creadoras, Germanas de Shakespeare, y testigos de excepción de los cambios que convulsionaron la Europa de la primera mitad del siglo XX. Aunque en la contracubierta del libro podemos leer que se trata de “una selecció de vint apunts biogràfics ”, lo cierto es que la autora va mucho más allá del espacio estrictamente biográfico para adentrarse en el terreno de la crítica literaria, de la traducción y del ensayo creativo. Godayol describe, interpreta y valora, desde una perspectiva feminista, las circunstancias y avatares con los que tuvieron que enfrentarse estas veinte mujeres universales, dibujando su retrato psicológico, un tanto a la manera de Gertrude Stein, aunque con más corazón. Eso, unido a un estilo preciso, límpido y brillante, provoca inmediatamente la adhesión emocional de la lectora o lector virtual y hace que sintamos que esas mujeres son también, en lo esencial, hermanas nuestras

Long-term X-ray variability of the microquasar system LS5039/RX J1826.2-1450

We report on the results of the spectral and timing analysis of a BeppoSAX observation of the microquasar system LS 5039/RX J1826.2-1450. The source was found in a low-flux state with Fx(1-10 keV)= 4.7 x 10^{-12} erg cm^{-2} s^{-1}, which represents almost one order of magnitude lower than a previous RXTE observation 2.5 years before. The 0.1--10 keV spectrum is described by an absorbed power-law continuum with photon-number spectral index Gamma=1.8+-0.2 and hydrogen column density of NH=1.0^{+0.4}_{-0.3} x 10^{22} cm^{-2}. According to the orbital parameters of the system the BeppoSAX observation covers the time of an X-ray eclipse should one occur. However, the 1.6-10 keV light curve does not show evidence for such an event, which allows us to give an upper limit to the inclination of the system. The low X-ray flux detected during this observation is interpreted as a decrease in the mass accretion rate onto the compact object due to a decrease in the mass-loss rate from the primary.

ROS production is essential for the apoptotic function of E2F1 in pheochromocytoma and neuroblastoma cell lines

In this study we demonstrate that accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is essential for E2F1 mediated apoptosis in ER-E2F1 PC12 pheochromocytoma, and SH-SY5Y and SK-N-JD neuroblastoma stable cell lines. In these cells, the ER-E2F1 fusion protein is expressed in the cytosol; the addition of 4-hydroxytamoxifen (OHT) induces its translocation to the nucleus and activation of E2F1target genes. Previously we demonstrated that, in ER-E2F1 PC12 cells, OHT treatment induced apoptosis through activation of caspase-3. Here we show that caspase-8 activity did not change upon treatment with OHT. Moreover, over-expression of Bcl-xL arrested OHT-induced apoptosis; by contrast, over-expression of c-FLIP, did not have any effect on OHT-induced apoptosis. OHT addition induces BimL expression, its translocation to mitochondria and activation of Bax, which is paralleled by diminished mitochondrial enrichment of Bcl-xL. Treatment with a Bax-inhibitory peptide reduced OHT-induced apoptosis. These results point out the essential role of mitochondria on the apoptotic process driven by E2F1. ROS accumulation followed E2F1 induction and treatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine, inhibited E2F1-induced Bax translocation to mitochondria and subsequent apoptosis. The role of ROS in mediating OHT-induced apoptosis was also studied in two neuroblastoma cell lines, SH-SY5Y and SK-N-JD. In SH-SY5Y cells, activation of E2F1 by the addition of OHT induced ROS production and apoptosis, whereas over-expression of E2F1 in SK-N-JD cells failed to induce either response. Transcriptional profiling revealed that many of the genes responsible for scavenging ROS were down-regulated following E2F1-induction in SH-SY5Y, but not in SK-N-JD cells. Finally, inhibition of GSK3β blocked ROS production, Bax activation and the down regulation of ROS scavenging genes. These findings provide an explanation for the apparent contradictory role of E2F1 as an apoptotic agent versus a cell cycle activator.

Cationic and charge segregation in La2/3Ca1/3MnO3 thin films grown on (001) and (110) SrTiO3.

Electron energy-loss spectroscopy is used to map composition and electronic states in epitaxial La2/3Ca1/3MnO3 films grown on SrTiO3 001 and 110 substrates. It is found that in partially relaxed 110 films cationic composition and valence state of Mn3+/4+ ions are preserved across the film thickness. In contrast, in fully strained 001 films, the Ca/La ratio gradually changes across the film, being La rich at film/substrate interface and La depleted at free surface; Mn valence state changes accordingly. These observations suggest that a strongly orientation-dependent adaptative composition mechanism dominates stress accommodation in manganite films and provides microscopic understanding of their dissimilar magnetic properties.

Influencia de la tectónica en la sedimentación continental de la cuenca del Vallés-Penedés (Prov.Barcelona, España) durante el Mioceno inferior.

A very important alluvial fan clastic sedimentation, took place in the NNESSW trending Valles-Penedes graben (northeastem Spain) during Miocene time. Shallow lacustrine and paludine areas developed in distal zones of these alluvial fan complexes during Burdigalian (Early Miocene). At that time both facies development and their distribution were closely controlled by tectonic activity. Fault scarp retreat and back-faulting processes in the southeastem edge of the basin (observed in westem Valles afea), originated an expansive advance of distal alluvial-fan facies in that direction. The decreasing or cessation of the activity of the southeastern margin fault ca~sedi,n Late Burdigalian time (while faults in the northwestern margin were still active) facies redistribution, and gave way to the assymetry of the basin. Finally lacustrine, marine and transitional deposits of late burdigalian and langhian age, were laid down overlapping the southeastem inactive margins.

Señales de depredación en los Gastropoda procedentes de un yacimiento pliocénico de Molins de Rei (Barcelona). Implicaciones paleoecológicas

En la presente nota se da una lista ampliada de la fauna malacológica del yacimiento pliocénico de la Plaça de les Bruixes (Molis de Rei, Barcelona). Los fenómenos de coacción que se describen nos muestran su utilidad a la hora de definir las condiciones ambientales y paleogeográficas del lugar donde habita la fauna.

Sistemas lacustres paleógenos de Mallorca (Mediterráneo Occidental).

Dos importantes sistemas lacustres-palustres se desarrollaron durante el Paleógeno en las Baleares. En el primero de ellos, de edad Bartoniense (Eoceno medio), se formó una importante acumulación de sedimentos carbonatados biogénicos y organógenos (lignitos). La organización megasecuencial de las sucesiones lacustres registra la siguiente evolución del sistema: 1) implantación de los medios lacustres, 2) expansión y relativa profundización, 3) colmatación por progradación de los depósitos de las zonas marginales del sistema sobre las internas y 4) etapa final, dominantemente agradante, con un pronunciado equilibrio entre las tasas de sedimentación y subsidencia. El segundo sistema, de edad oligocena (Estampiense superior- Chatiense), esta constituido por una asociación de depósitos lacustres y palustres relacionados con facies distales de un sistema aluvial. Por ello, el aporte de materiales detriticos finos al sistema lacustre jugó un papel primordial; aunque en las zonas mis protegidas de las cubetas lacustres, la acumulación de carbonatos biogénicos y la de maicriaorginica fue también importante. Su evolución megasecuencial sugiere las siguientes fases: 1) implantación en zonas terminalesdistales del sistema aluvial, 2) expansión e implantación de depocentros carbonatados, y 3) colmatación final relacionada con laprogradación de las zonas terminales del sistema aluvial. Ambos sistemas lacustres indican el desarrollo de etapas de estratificación permanente u ocasional de la columna de agua. El10 permitió lapreservación de materia orgánica derivada de macrófitos superiores y de organismos algales y bacterias

Effects of exercise on mitochondrial DNA content in skeletal muscle of patients with COPD

Background Exhausting exercise reduces the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content in the skeletal muscle of healthy subjects due to oxidative damage. Since patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) suffer enhanced oxidative stress during exercise, it was hypothesised that the mtDNA content will be further reduced. Objective To investigate the effects of exercise above and below the lactate threshold (LT) on the mtDNA content of skeletal muscle of patients with COPD. Methods Eleven patients with COPD (676 8 years; forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1)456 8%ref) and 10 healthy controls (666 4 years; FEV1 906 7% ref) cycled 45 min above LT (65% peak oxygen uptake (V9O2 peak)and another 7 patients (656 6 years; FEV1 506 4%ref)and 7 controls (566 9 years;FEV1 926 6%ref) cycled 45 min below their LT (50% V9O2 peak). Biopsies from the vastus lateralis muscle were obtained before exercise, immediately after and 1 h, 1 day and 1 week later to determine by PCR the mtDNA/nuclear DNA (nDNA) ratio (a marker of mtDNA content) and the expression of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor- g coactivator-1 a (PGC-1a)mRNA and the amount of reactive oxygen species produced during exercise was estimated from total V9O2. Results Skeletal muscle mtDNA/nDNA fell significantly after exercise above the LT both in controls and in patients with COPD, but the changes were greater in those with COPD. These changes correlated with production of reactive oxygen species, increases in manganese superoxide dismutase and PGC-1 a mRNA and returned to baseline values 1 week later. This pattern of response wa was also observed, albeit minimised, in patients exercising below the LT. Conclusions In patients with COPD, exercise enhances the decrease in mtDNA content of skeletal muscle and the expression of PGC-1 a mRNA seen in healthy subjects probably due to oxidative stress.

Sociodemographic Factors and Clinical Conditions Associated to Hospitalization in Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Virus Infected Patients in Spain, 2009-2010

The emergence and pandemic spread of a new strain of influenza A (H1N1) virus in 2009 resulted in a serious alarm in clinical and public health services all over the world. One distinguishing feature of this new influenza pandemic was the different profile of hospitalized patients compared to those from traditional seasonal influenza infections. Our goal was to analyze sociodemographic and clinical factors associated to hospitalization following infection by influenza A(H1N1) virus. We report the results of a Spanish nationwide study with laboratory confirmed infection by the new pandemic virus in a case-control design based on hospitalized patients. The main risk factors for hospitalization of influenza A (H1N1) 2009 were determined to be obesity (BMI≥40, with an odds-ratio [OR] 14.27), hematological neoplasia (OR 10.71), chronic heart disease, COPD (OR 5.16) and neurological disease, among the clinical conditions, whereas low education level and some ethnic backgrounds (Gypsies and Amerinds) were the sociodemographic variables found associated to hospitalization. The presence of any clinical condition of moderate risk almost triples the risk of hospitalization (OR 2.88) and high risk conditions raise this value markedly (OR 6.43). The risk of hospitalization increased proportionally when for two (OR 2.08) or for three or more (OR 4.86) risk factors were simultaneously present in the same patient. These findings should be considered when a new influenza virus appears in the human population.

Los datos antracologicos de la Balma del Gai (Bages, Barcelona): una aportacion al conocimiento de la vegetacion y la explotacion de los recursos forestales durante el tardiglaciar en el NE peninsular.

La secuencia de la Balma del Gai presenta una sucesión estratigráfica con materiales arqueológicos que abarcan un período entre ca. 12.000-8.500 BP. El registro antracológico de la secuencia es abundante y aporta datos importantes sobre el medio vegetal y las estrategias de explotación de los recursos forestales. El objetivo de este trabajo es plantear las diferentes problemáticas de este período con relación a las transformaciones del medio natural y de los cambios en las estrategias de subsistencia de los últimos cazadores recolectores. Las coníferas dominan entre los restos antracológicos en la base de la secuencia, pero el cambio climático permite el desarrollo de otros taxones que caracterizan las formaciones vegetales en el entorno de la Balma del Gai. Asimismo el cambio en las estrategias de explotación de los recursos naturales, combustible y consumo alimenticio, afectan también el registro antracológico.

Quantification of environment-driven changes in epiphytic macroinvertebrate communities associated to Phragmites australis

The epiphytic macroinvertebrate communities associated with the Common Reed, Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steudel, were examined seasonally from summer 2004 to spring 2005 in eleven coastal lagoons of the Llobregat Delta (NE Spain) following the method proposed by Kornijów & Kairesalo (1994). The aims of the study were to: 1) characterise and quantify changes in epiphytic macroinvertebrate communities along environmental gradients; 2) assess the contribution of elements of the epiphytic compartment to structuring the community; 3) define the optima and tolerances of selected epiphytic macroinvertebrate taxa for the most relevant ecological factors responsible for assemblage composition; and 4) identify possible epiphytic species assemblages that would allow a lagoon"s typology to be established, as well as their representative indicator species. Communities showed statistically significant seasonal variation, with two faunal peaks: one in summer, with high chironomid densities, and the other in winter, with high naidid densities. These peaks showed a clear response to the influence of environmental factors. Salinity explained the highest percentage of total variance (36%), while trophic variables (nutrients, phytoplanktonic chlorophyll-a, and total organic carbon) and epiphyton biomass (19.2 and 4% of total variance explained, respectively) were secondary. Three different epiphytic macroinvertebrate species assemblages could be defined. These assemblages were directly linked to conductivity conditions, which determined the rate of survival of certain taxa, and to the existence of a direct connection with the sea, which permitted the establishment of 'brackish-water' species. In spite of the existence of these species assemblages, the species composition and biomass of epiphytic macroinvertebrates and epiphyton differed substantially between lagoons; both elements were subject to changes in the environment, which finally determined the site-to-site variation in the density and composition of the macroinvertebrate population

Bessat, Hubert (2010): Le patois et la vie traditionnelle aux Contamines-Montjoie. I. La nature, les activités agro-pastorales et forestières. Grenoble: ELLUG / Universitat de Grenoble, 321 p.

En aquesta monografia Hubert Bessat ens presenta la primera part del seu estudi sobre el parlar de les Contamines-Montjoie. El poble de les Contamines-Montjoie (departament de l"Alta Savoia) està situat al sud del Montblanc, en una vall oberta al nord, en el territori francoprovençal de França a tocar de la Vall d"Aosta, aquesta ja a Itàlia.

Señales de depredación en los Gastropoda procedentes de un yacimiento pliocénico de Molins de Rei (Barcelona). Implicaciones paleoecológicas

En la presente nota se da una lista ampliada de la fauna malacológica del yacimiento pliocénico de la Plaça de les Bruixes (Molis de Rei, Barcelona). Los fenómenos de coacción que se describen nos muestran su utilidad a la hora de definir las condiciones ambientales y paleogeográficas del lugar donde habita la fauna.