Einfluss einer indirekten pharmazeutischen Betreuung auf klinische und soziale Ergebnisse bei ambulant mit Chemotherapie behandelten Tumorpatienten

Krebspatienten, die eine Chemotherapie erhalten, leiden häufig an schwerwiegenden unerwünschten Arzneimittelwirkungen, wie z.B. Übelkeit und Erbrechen, welche nachweislich durch eine geeignete Supportivmedikation und durch eine direkte pharmazeutische Betreuung gesenkt werden können.rnIn dieser Arbeit wurde in einer prospektiven, nicht-interventionellen multizentrischen Studie untersucht, ob ambulant behandelte Mamma- und Colon-Carcinom-Patienten während der Chemotherapie Vorteile durch eine indirekte pharmazeutische Betreuung (Mitgabe einer schriftlichen Patienteninformation und der Begleitmedikamente) haben. Primäres Ziel der Studie war eine Reduktion von Häufigkeit und Schweregrad ausgewählter UAW, sekundäre Ziele waren die Verbesserung der Lebensqualität, der Patientenzufriedenheit und des Patientenwissens zur Therapie und Begleitmedikation. Die Daten wurden mittels vier verschiedener Patienten-Fragebögen in Form von Telefoninterviews zu drei verschiedenen Zeitpunkten der Chemotherapie erhoben.rnInsgesamt konnten 106 Patienten vom St.-Johannes-Hospital in Dortmund und von der Universitätsmedizin Mainz in die Studie eingeschlossen werden. Die UAW nach Häufigkeit und Schweregrad gemäß CTC konnten durch eine indirekte pharmazeutische Betreuung zu allen drei Zeitpunkten der Datenerfassung z.T. signifikant gesenkt werden. Eine Verbesserung konnte auch bei allen humanistischen Ergebnisparametern (Patientenwissen, Lebensqualität, Patientenzufriedenheit) beobachtet werden. Auf Grund der relativ kleinen, nicht vollständig rekrutierten Kontrollgruppe und den unterschiedlichen Rahmenbedingungen an den teilnehmenden Kliniken, sind weitere vergleichende Untersuchungen erforderlich, um den Nutzen einer indirekten pharmazeutischen Betreuung weiter zu belegen. rn

Mapping Individual Variation in Male Mating Preference Space: Multiple Choice in a Color Polymorphic Cichlid Fish

Sexual selection theory largely rests on the assumption that populations contain individual variation in mating preferences and that individuals are consistent in their preferences. However, there are few empirical studies of within-population variation and even fewer have examined individual male mating preferences. Here, we studied a color polymorphic population of the Lake Victoria cichlid fish Neochromis omnicaeruleus, a species in which color morphs are associated with different sex-determining factors. Wild-caught males were tested in three-way choice trials with multiple combinations of different females belonging to the three color morphs. Compositional log-ratio techniques were applied to analyze individual male mating preferences. Large individual variation in consistency, strength, and direction of male mating preferences for female color morphs was found and hierarchical clustering of the compositional data revealed the presence of four distinct preference groups corresponding to the three color morphs in addition to a no-preference class. Consistency of individual male mating preferences was higher in males with strongest preferences. We discuss the implications of these findings for our understanding of the mechanisms underlying polymorphism in mating preferences.

Translated Literature in the Bulgarian Middle Ages as a Social and Cultural Phenomenon

The study reviews the Medieval Bulgarian translations from Greek as a multi-centennial process, preconditioned by the constant contacts between Byzantium and its Slavonic neighbor and dependant on the historical and cultural circumstances in Medieval Bulgaria. The facts are discussed from the prospective of two basic determining factors: social and cultural environment (spiritual needs of the age, political and cultural ideology, translationsʼ initiator, centers of translation activities, degree of education/literacy). The chronological and typological analysis of the thematic and genre range of the translated literature enables the outlining of five main stages: (1) Cyrillo-Methodian period (the middle of the 9th centuty – 885) – reception of the corpus needed for missionary purposes; (2) The First Bulgarian Tsardom period (885–1018) – intensive translation activities, founding the Christian literature in Bulgaria; (3) The period of The Byzantine rule (1018–1185) – a standstill in the translation activities and single translations of low-level literature texts; (4) The Second Bulgarian Tsardom – the period of Asenevtsi dynasty (the late 12th and the 13th centuries) – a partial revision of the liturgical and paraliturgical books; (5) The Second Bulgarian Tsardom – the Athonite-Tarnovo period (the 14th – early 15th century) – extensive relations with Byzantium and alignment to the then-current Byzantine models, intensifications of the translations flow and a broad range of the translation stream. (taken from: http://www.ceeol.com/aspx/issuedetails.aspx?issueid=fb876e89-ce0b-48a8-9373-a3d1e4d579a6&articleId=3056800e-cac7-4138-959e-8813abc311d9, 10.12.2013)

Human TNF receptor p75/80 gene structure and promoter characterization

Tumor necrosis factor receptor p75/80 ((TNF-R p75/80) is a 75 kDa type 1 transmembrane protein expressed predominately on cells of hematopoietic lineage. TNF-R p75/80 belongs to the TNF receptor superfamily characterized by cysteine-rich extracellular regions composed of three to six disulfide-linked domains. In the present report, we have characterized, for the first time, the complete gene structure for human TNF-R p75/80 which spans approximately 43 kbp. The gene consists of 10 exons (ranging from 34 bp to 2.5 kbp) and 9 introns (343 bp to 19 kbp). Consensus elements for transcription factors involved in T cell development and activation were noted in the 5$\sp\prime$ flanking region including TCF-1, Ikaros, AP-1, CK-2, IL-6RE, ISRE, GAS, NF-$\kappa$B and SP1, as well as an unusually high GC content and CpG frequency that appears characteristic of some TNF-R family members. The unusual (GATA)$\sb{\rm n}$ and (GAA)(GGA) repeats found within intron 1 may prove useful for further genome analysis within the 1p36 chromosomal locus. The human TNF-R p75/80 gene structure will permit further assessment of its involvement in normal hematopoietic cell development and function, autoimmune disease, and non-random translocations in hematopoietic malignancies. The region 1.8 kb 5$\sp\prime$ of the ATG was able to drive luciferase expression when transfected into cell lines expressing TNF-R p75/80. Further characterization of the 5$\sp\prime$-regulatory region will aid in determining factors and signal transduction pathways involved in regulating TNF-R p75/80 expression. ^

Opioid maintenance therapy in Switzerland: an overview of the Swiss IMPROVE study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Switzerland’s drug policy model has always been unique and progressive, but there is a Need to reassess this system in a rapidly changing world. The IMPROVE study was conducted to gain understanding of the attitudes and beliefs towards opioid maintenance therapy (OMT) in Switzerland with regards to quality and Access to treatment. To obtain a “real-world” view on OMT, the study approached its goals from two different angles: from the perspectives of the OMT patients and of the physicians who treat patients with maintenance therapy. The IMPROVE study collected a large body of data on OMT in Switzerland. This paper presents a small subset of the dataset, focusing on the research design and methodology, the profile of the participants and the responses to several key questions addressed by the questionnaires. METHODS: IMPROVE was an observational, questionnaire-based cross-sectional study on OMT conducted in Switzerland. Respondents consisted of OMT patients and treating physicians from various regions of the country. Data were collected using questionnaires in German and French. Physicians were interviewed by phone with a computer-based questionnaire. Patients self-completed a paper-based questionnaire at the physicians’ Offices or OMT treatment centres. RESULTS: A total of 200 physicians and 207 patients participated in the study. Liquid methadone and methadone tablets or capsules were the medications most commonly prescribed by physicians (60% and 20% of patient load, respectively) whereas buprenorphine use was less frequent. Patients (88%) and physicians (83%) were generally satisfied with the OMT currently offered. The current political framework and lack of training or information were cited as determining factors that deter physicians from engaging in OMT. About 31% of OMT physicians interviewed were ≥60 years old, indicating an ageing population. Diversion and misuse were considered a significant problem in Switzerland by 45% of the physicians. CONCLUSION: The subset of IMPROVE data presented gives a present-day, real-life overview of the OMT landscape in Switzerland. It represents a valuable resource for policy makers, key opinion leaders and drug addiction researchers and will be a useful basis for improving the current Swiss OMT model.

The energy expenditure of 2 Holstein cow strains in an organic grazing system

Until recently, measurements of energy expenditure (EE; herein defined as heat production) in respiration chambers did not account for the extra energy requirements of grazing dairy cows on pasture. As energy is first limiting in most pasture-based milk production systems, its efficient use is important. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare EE, which can be affected by differences in body weight (BW), body composition, grazing behavior, physical activity, and milk production level, in 2 Holstein cow strains. Twelve Swiss Holstein-Friesian (HCH; 616 kg of BW) and 12 New Zealand Holstein-Friesian (HNZ; 570 kg of BW) cows in the third stage of lactation were paired according to their stage of lactation and kept in a rotational, full-time grazing system without concentrate supplementation. After adaption, the daily milk yield, grass intake using the alkane double-indicator technique, nutrient digestibility, physical activity, and grazing behavior recorded by an automatic jaw movement recorder were investigated over 7d. Using the (13)C bicarbonate dilution technique in combination with an automatic blood sampling system, EE based on measured carbon dioxide production was determined in 1 cow pair per day between 0800 to 1400 h. The HCH were heavier and had a lower body condition score compared with HNZ, but the difference in BW was smaller compared with former studies. Milk production, grass intake, and nutrient digestibility did not differ between the 2 cow strains, but HCH grazed for a longer time during the 6-h measurement period and performed more grazing mastication compared with the HNZ. No difference was found between the 2 cow strains with regard to EE (291 ± 15.6 kJ) per kilogram of metabolic BW, mainly due to a high between-animal variation in EE. As efficiency and energy use are important in sustainable, pasture-based, organic milk production systems, the determining factors for EE, such as methodology, genetics, physical activity, grazing behavior, and pasture quality, should be investigated and quantified in more detail in future studies.

Advances in understanding energy consumption behavior and the governance of its change - Outline of an integrated framework

Transforming today’s energy systems in industrialized countries requires a substantial reduction of the total energy consumption at the individual level. Selected instruments have been found to be effective in changing people’s behavior in single domains. However, the so far weak success story on reducing overall energy consumption indicates that our understanding of the determining factors of individual energy consumption as well as of its change is far from being conclusive. Among others, the scientific state of the art is dominated by analyzing single domains of consumption and by neglecting embodied energy. It also displays strong disciplinary splits and the literature often fails to distinguish between explaining behavior and explaining change of behavior. Moreover, there are knowledge gaps regarding the legitimacy and effectiveness of the governance of individual consumption behavior and its change. Against this backdrop, the aim of this paper is to establish an integrated interdisciplinary framework that offers a systematic basis for linking the different aspects in research on energy related consumption behavior, thus paving the way for establishing a better evidence base to inform societal actions. The framework connects the three relevant analytical aspects of the topic in question: (1) It systematically and conceptually frames the objects, i.e. the energy consumption behavior and its change (explananda); (2) it structures the factors that potentially explain the energy consumption behavior and its change (explanantia); (3) it provides a differentiated understanding of change inducing interventions in terms of governance. Based on the existing states of the art approaches from different disciplines within the social sciences the proposed framework is supposed to guide interdisciplinary empirical research.

Infant breastfeeding patterns by sex: Do males feed more?

Background: Most studies have looked at breastfeeding practices from the point of view of the maternal behavior only, however in counseling women who choose to breastfeed it is important to be aware of general infant feeding patterns in order to adequately provide information about what to expect. Available literature on the differences in infant breastfeeding behavior by sex is minimal and therefore requires further investigation. Objectives: This study determined if at the age of 2 months there were differences in the amount of breast milk consumed, duration of breastfeeding, and infant satiety by infant sex. It also assessed whether infant sex is an independent predictor of initiation of breastfeeding. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of data obtained from the Infant Feeding Practices Survey II (IFPS II) which was a longitudinal study carried out from May 2005 through June 2007 by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The questionnaires asked about demography, prenatal care, mode of delivery, birth weight, infant sex, and breastfeeding patterns. A total of 3,033 and 2,552 mothers completed the neonatal and post-neonatal questionnaires respectively. ^ Results: There was no significant difference in the initiation of breastfeeding by infant sex. About 85% of the male infants initiated breastfeeding compared with 84% of female infants. The odds ratio of ever initiating breastfeeding by male infants was 0.93 but the difference was not significant with a p-value of 0.49. None of the other infant feeding patterns differed by infant gender. ^ Conclusion: This study found no evidence that male infants feed more or that their mothers are more likely to initiate breastfeeding. Each baby is an individual and therefore will have a unique feeding pattern. Based on these findings, the major determining factors for breastfeeding continue to be maternal factors therefore more effort should be invested in promoting breastfeeding among mothers of all ethnic groups and social classes.^

Caracterización química de efluentes de bodegas, Mendoza (Argentina)

La industria vitivinícola genera efluentes sólidos y líquidos en cantidad apreciable. Los sólidos son aprovechados en distintas aplicaciones e inclusive tienen valor comercial. En cambio, los líquidos pueden originar problemas cuando es necesario decidir cómo desecharlos o transformarlos en desechables. En Mendoza (Argentina), es común enviarlos después de su decantación a cauces y campos abiertos. En ambos casos aparece un serio riesgo de contaminación. Visto que generalmente se desconoce la composición de tales efluentes, este trabajo pretende caracterizarlos físico-químicamente en el período de elaboración de vinos, determinando: pH, conductividad eléctrica, DBO, DQO, cloruros, sulfatos, carbonatos y bicarbonatos, calcio, magnesio, sodio y potasio. La calidad de los efluentes varía notablemente con el agua empleada en los lavados, que aporta mayoritariamente aniones y cationes. Cuando el agua de lavado es abundante, los valores de pH, DBO y DQO de los efluentes permiten su eliminación junto con otros residuos cloacales o en campo abierto.

Late Weichselian fluvial evolution of the southern Kara Sea

Glaciations had a profound impact on the global sea-level and particularly on the Arctic environments. One of the key questions related to this topic is, how did the discharge of the Siberian Ob and Yenisei rivers interact with a proximal ice sheet? In order to answer this question high-resolution (1-12 kHz), shallow-penetration seismic profiles were collected on the passive continental margin of the Kara Sea Shelf to study the paleo-drainage pattern of the Ob and Yenisei rivers. Both rivers incised into the recent shelf, leaving filled and unfilled river channels and river canyons/valleys connecting to a complex paleo-drainage network. These channels have been subaerially formed during a regressive phase of the global sea-level during the Last Glacial Maximum. Beyond recent shelf depths of 120 m particle transport is manifested in submarine channel-levee complexes acting as conveyor for fluvial-derived fines. In the NE area, uniform draping sediments are observed. Major morphology determining factors are (1) sea-level fluctuations and (2) LGM ice sheet influence. Most individual channels show geometries typical for meandering rivers and appear to be an order of magnitude larger than recent channel profiles of gauge stations on land. The Yenisei paleo-channels have larger dimensions than the Ob examples and could be originated by additional water release during the melt of LGM Putoran ice masses. Asymmetrical submarine channel-levee complexes with channel depths of 60 m and more developed, in some places bordered by glacially dominated morphology, implying deflection by the LGM ice masses. A total of more than 12,000 km of acoustic profiles reveal no evidence for an ice-dammed lake of greater areal extent postulated by several workers. Furthermore, the existence of the channel-levee complexes is indicative of unhindered sediment flow to the north. Channels situated on the shelf above 120-m water depth exhibit no phases of ponding and or infill during sea-level lowstand. These findings denote the non-existence of an ice sheet on large areas of the Kara Sea shelf.

Analysis on International Trade of CLM Countries

Since their accession to AFTA, trade volumes of CLM countries have being grown rapidly while their trade patterns and directions have significantly changed. Recognizing the importance of international trade in CLM economies, this study attempts to analyze the trade patterns of CLM countries based the gravity model. The empirical analysis is conducted to identify the determining factors of each country’s bilateral trade flows and policy implications for promoting their trade.

Influencia de los requisitos de seguridad a la fatiga en el dimensionamiento de puentes mixtos de carretera

El fenómeno de fatiga es uno de los condicionantes más importantes en el diseño de puentes metálicos y mixtos bajo la acción cíclica de fuertes sobrecargas reales. Hoy en día, ha tomado mayor relevancia en el ámbito de puentes de carretera debido al aumento sustancial de la intensidad de tráfico y el peso de los vehículos. La evolución de las normativas actuales, que recogen su cálculo a partir del ELU de seguridad a fatiga, debe ir dirigida, hacia una mayor simplicidad de aplicación y un mayor rigor técnico. A partir del análisis de seis puentes mixtos de carretera proyectados recientemente (2007-2011) se pretende establecer una comparación, tanto cualitativa como cuantitativa, entre los métodos simplificados de la normativa española (antigua RPM/RPX 95 y actual EAE) y el Eurocódigo frente al Método del Daño Acumulado, caracterizado por ser más complicado de aplicar pero más riguroso. A través del análisis efectuado, se obtienen reglas prácticas sencillas y fiables para el dimensionamiento o verificación de elementos estructurales a fatiga según características principales como la tipología de la sección o la longitud de vano, entre otros. En conclusión, el trabajo que se propone desarrollar combina el análisis crítico de la base teórica con el estudio aplicado de casos reales y pretende sentar las bases para profundizar en esta área de gran interés para proyectistas. Fatigue is one of the most determining factors in the design of steel and composite bridges with dynamic loads subject to cyclic live loads. Nowadays, it has taken relevance in the field of roadway bridges due to considerable increase in the intensity of traffic and the weight of vehicles. The evolution of the current design codes, which include an analysis of the ultimate limit state of fatigue, should aim for greater ease of application and technical rigour. Based on the analysis of six composite road bridges designed recently (2007-2011), a comparison has been made, both qualitative and quantitative, between the simplified methods of the Spanish codes (current EAE and old RPM/RPX95) and Eurocode with regard to the Cumulative Damage Method, characterised for being more difficult to apply but more rigorous. Through an exhaustive analysis, a set of practical and reliable rules have been obtained for the sizing or verification of structural elements according to main characteristics such as the tipology of the cross section or the length of span, among others. In conclusion, the work developed combines the critical analysis of the theory with the applied study of real cases and sets out to lay the foundations for deepening into this area of great interest to designers.

Estudio microestructural de pastas de cemento expuestas a medios simulados de agresividad moderada frecuentes en ambientes rurales

Los materiales base cemento (pastas, morteros, hormigones y otros tipos de mezclas) son materiales ampliamente utilizados en la sociedad actual y son uno de los pilares de la ingeniería civil debido a sus buenas propiedades estructurales, facilidad de fabricación y bajo coste. Sus propiedades permiten su uso en ambientes industriales y naturales, siendo materiales muy versátiles siempre y cuando, se tenga en cuenta que sus propiedades durables son limitadas en ambientes donde se producen fenómenos de lixiviación y ataque por diversos iones agresivos. El presente proyecto de investigación se desarrolló motivado por la necesidad de profundizar en el conocimiento del comportamiento de los materiales base cemento en situaciones concretas de exposición a cierto tipo de degradaciones que se producen frecuentemente en explotaciones agropecuarias ubicadas en ambientes naturales. Se diseñó un procedimiento experimental que nos permitiese evaluar el efecto que tienen los ácidos orgánicos sobre la matriz cementicia, así como la acción que presentan los sulfatos y las aguas naturales en los mismos. Teniendo muy presente siempre las características de las disoluciones a las cuales se ha expuesto el material. En último término, se trata de conocer los mecanismos de los procesos de ataque para poder definir el comportamiento del material en estos medios. Los procedimientos de ensayo, así como las técnicas de caracterización son las herramientas fundamentales con las que profundizar en el conocimiento del material, por lo que resulta de vital importancia conocer a fondo las posibilidades que su empleo nos ofrece. En el presente trabajo se ha desarrollado un profundo estudio del uso del termoanálisis en la caracterización de pastas de cemento. Además se han optimizado los procedimientos de caracterización de las muestras con otro tipo de técnicas. La caracterización de las probetas nos ha permitido comprobar el comportamiento del material en situaciones de exposición en ensayos acelerados de laboratorio. Los resultados obtenidos han permitido determinar que el pH del medio agresivo es una variable fundamental cuando se trata de evaluar la agresividad del mismo. La presencia de ciertos iones desarrollaría efectos de sinergia con respecto al pH y condicionaría los valores de las constantes termodinámicas que rigen los equilibrios. La posibilidad de formación de sales de ácidos orgánicos y la diferente solubilidad de las mismas derivaría en cambios en los comportamientos mecánicos. La proporción de compuestos de aluminio o la presencia de puzolanas capaces de fijar el calcio son también factores evidenciados como determinantes en el comportamiento del material. Además se podría afirmar que la disolución de la portlandita es un efecto determinante en el proceso de degradación. Nowadays, cement based materials (pastes, mortars, concrete and other mixtures) are widely used. These kinds of material are one of the pillars of Civil Engineering due to their structural properties, easy manufacturing and low cost. Their properties allow the use in industrial and natural environments. They are very versatile materials for use in this type of environment. But it is necessary to to keep in mind that they have a durability limited when they are exposed to aggressives environments where leaching process occur and various aggressive ions can damage the materials. This research work was developed motivated by the need to go in dept in the knoledge of the behavior of cement based materials. These kinds of materials frecuently are exposed to some types of damage that occur on farms located in natural environments. An experimental procedure that would allow us to evaluate the effect of organic acids on the cement matrix and the action presented by sulfates and natural waters in the same was designed. Always bearing in mind the characteristics of the solutions to which the material is exposed. Ultimately it comes to understanding the mechanisms of the processes leading to define the material behavior in this type of environment. Test procedures and characterization techniques are fundamental tools which to deepen the knowledge of the material, so it is important to know in its potential uses. In this work we have developed a deep study of the use of thermal analysis in the characterization of cement pastes. Furthermore, we have optimized characterization procedures of samples with other techniques. The characterization of the samples has allowed us to check the behavior of the material on exposure to accelerated laboratory tests. The results have established that the pH of the corrosive media is a fundamental variable when it comes to assessing the aggressiveness of it. The presences of certain ions develop synergies with respect to pH and would determine the values of the constants governing thermodynamic equilibria. The possible formation of salts of organic acids and the different solubility of the same would lead to changes in mechanical behavior. The proportion of aluminum compounds or the presence of pozzolans capable of binding calcium is also evidenced as determining factors in the material behavior. Besides we could assert that the dissolution of the portlandite is a determining effect on the degradation process.

Ergociudad: concepción modélica de la calidad de vida urbana desde la perspectiva de la ergonomía y el diseño urbano

Este documento corresponde a la Tesis para optar al grado de Doctor en Arquitectura y Urbanismo en el marco del Programa de Doctorado conjunto de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid y la Universidad de Chile. La investigación realizada es de carácter exploratorio-descriptivo con el propósito de establecer y relacionar conceptualmente las teorías y principios de la ergonomía y del diseño urbano, para proponer desde un enfoque sistémico criterios de confort en el diseño de la ciudad, que contribuyan a la calidad de vida y la vida urbana, dando a luz lineamientos para la “Ergociudad”; concepto que surge de la unión de las palabras Ergonomía y Ciudad. Al estudiar a diversos autores se concluye en la carencia de referentes de confort y de políticas basados en la relación empírica del ser humano en la ciudad que posibiliten la configuración del medio ambiente urbano a partir de ella. La ciudad se piensa y se construye desde su estructura y no desde una mirada sistémica e integrada de los factores dimensionales, ambientales y psicosociales condicionantes del confort en sus distintas escalas. La mirada respecto del desarrollo de la ciudad es físico constructiva y, por tanto, deja de lado el problema de los estresores o de la percepción de los factores de riesgo en el entorno construido. El tema central de esta tesis es proponer una estructura modélica de calidad de vida urbana denominada Ergociudad en base a los fundamentos teóricos de la Ergonomía y el Diseño Urbano y establecer el “Índice Ergourbano”, como representación de los factores ergonómicos presentes en la ciudad. En este marco, el enfoque de la ergonomía y sus prestaciones han sido trabajados en orden a facilitar mecanismos para disponer de sus procedimientos y de su modelo de análisis relacional a otras escalas. El concepto de “Ergociudad” y su propuesta de exploración desde las personas, postula una mirada sobre los problemas que enfrenta el ser humano en la ciudad considerando la dimensión de lo humano, desde perspectivas psicológicas y sociológicas para establecer y configurar la percepción de estrés y bienestar; la dimensión de lo urbano, representada por los objetos que componen el entorno (en sus distintas escalas); y, la dimensión de lo perceptual, que definiría el concepto de confort en la forma de comprender el mundo sensorial. Los resultados de la investigación confirman la hipótesis de trabajo en términos de demostrar que la percepción de disconfort en la ciudad reflejado en un índice de evaluación perceptual espacial denominado índice Ergourbano obtenido de las mediciones en situ de los factores ergonómicos del entorno. Los resultados finales de la tesis han permitido identificar variables afines en los aspectos espaciales y perceptuales. Ello mediante la exploración de las situaciones urbanas y sus conexiones para establecer el grado de adecuación del espacio urbano a las prácticas, usos y modos de las personas en la ciudad. Una vez aplicado y validado el método desarrollado se ha llegado a obtener información suficiente para aumentar el nivel de conocimiento sobre el espacio urbano con un enfoque relacional que permite entenderlo desde la experiencia de las personas que lo habitan, insistiendo en su aporte metodológico y proyectual considerando la inexistente aplicación de información que vincule la ergonomía a esta escala urbana. ABSTRACT This document corresponds to the thesis to obtain the degree of Doctor of Architecture and Urbanism in the framework of the combined doctorate program of the Technical University of Madrid and the University of Chile. The research carried out is of a descriptive–explanatory nature with the objective of establishing and conceptually relating the theories and principals of ergonomics (or human factors) and urban design. This is done in order to propose, from a systematic focus, comfort criteria in the design of cities that contribute to quality of life and urban life, giving birth to chacteristics for “Ergocity”; concepts that arise from the union of the words ergonomic and city. After studying diverse authors, one concludes the lack of references toward comfort and policies based on the empirical relation of humans in the city that allow for the configuration of the urban environment based on comfort. The city is thought out and built from its structure and not from a systematic and integrated viewpoint of the dimensional, environmental and psychosocial factors, determining factors of comfort in its distinct scales. The view regarding the development of the city is physical constructive and, therefore, leaves aside the problem of the stress factors or the perception of risk factors in the constructed environment. The central theme of this thesis is to propose a quality model of urban life entitled Ergo-city, based on the fundamental theories of the ergonomics and urban design, and to establish an “Ergourban index” as representation of the ergonomic factors present in the city. In this framework, the focus of ergonomics and its services have been used in order to facilitate mechanisms to arrange their procedures and their model of relational analysis on other scales. The concept of “Ergocity”and its offer of exploration from a people perspective, proposes a look at the problems that humans face in the city considering the nonhuman dimension, from psychological and sociological perspectives to establish and configure la perception of stress and well-being: the urban dimension, represented by the objects that the surroundings are made up of (on their distinct scales), and the perceptual dimension, which will define the concept of comfort by means of understanding the sensorial world. The results of the research confirm the working hypothesis in terms of demonstrating the perception of discomfort in the city reflected in an index of perceptual/spatial evaluation named ergo-urban obtained from in situ measurements of the ergonomic factors of the surroundings. The final results of the thesis have permitted the identification the identification of variables related to the spatial and perceptual aspects. All of this through the exploration of the urban situations and their connections in order to establish the level of adaptation of the urban space to the practices, uses and modes of the people in the city. Once applied and validated, the method of development has led to the collection of sufficient information to increase the level of knowledge of the urban space with a relational focus that allows us to understand it from the experience of the people who inhabit said space, persisting with its methodological and projective contribution considering the inexistent application of information that links the ergonomics on an urban scale.

Interaction between human tRNA synthetases involves repeated sequence elements.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (tRNA synthetases) of higher eukaryotes form a multiprotein complex. Sequence elements that are responsible for the protein assembly were searched by using a yeast two-hybrid system. Human cytoplasmic isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase is a component of the multi-tRNA synthetase complex and it contains a unique C-terminal appendix. This part of the protein was used as bait to identify an interacting protein from a HeLa cDNA library. The selected sequence represented the internal 317 amino acids of human bifunctional (glutamyl- and prolyl-) tRNA synthetase, which is also known to be a component of the complex. Both the C-terminal appendix of the isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase and the internal region of bifunctional tRNA synthetase comprise repeating sequence units, two repeats of about 90 amino acids, and three repeats of 57 amino acids, respectively. Each repeated motif of the two proteins was responsible for the interaction, but the stronger interaction was shown by the native structures containing multiple motifs. Interestingly, the N-terminal extension of human glycyl-tRNA synthetase containing a single motif homologous to those in the bifunctional tRNA synthetase also interacted with the C-terminal motif of the isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase although the enzyme is not a component of the complex. The data indicate that the multiplicity of the binding motif in the tRNA synthetases is necessary for enhancing the interaction strength and may be one of the determining factors for the tRNA synthetases to be involved in the formation of the multi-tRNA synthetase complex.