Synthesis of superparamagnetic iron(III) oxide nanowires in double-walled carbon nanotubes

The synthesis and characterization of superparamagnetic iron(III) oxide nanowires confined within double-walled carbon nanotubes by capillary filling with a melted precursor (iron iodide) followed by thermal treatment is reported for the first time

RIPARIANET - Prioritising riparian ecotones to sustain and connect multiple biodiversity and functional components in river networks

Europe has committed to upscale ecosystems protection to include 30% of land and sea. However, due to historical overexploitation of natural assets, the available area for biodiversity protection is severely limited. Riparian zones are natural ecotones between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, contributing disproportionately to regional biodiversity and providing multiple ecosystem functions and services. Due to this and their branching geometry, riparian networks form a vast system of ‘blue-green arteries’ which physically and functionally connect multiple ecosystems over elevation gradients, despite covering a relatively small area of the basin. Hence, RIPARIANET argues that developing approaches able to optimise the spatial conservation of natural stream-riparian networks represent a flagship example of biodiversity protection in the EU. Although the integrity of riparian zones is fundamental for the achievement of multiple EU environmental objectives, the lack of a standardised framework for biodiversity assessment and protection across Member States has led to extensive impairment of riparian areas and frequent stakeholder conflicts. The main objective of RIPARIANET is to leverage the increasing resolution of remote sensing information to provide practitioners with evidence-based guidance and approaches to biodiversity conservation. Key questions include: i) how can we remotely assess riparian integrity and identify areas which provide effective connectivity allowing species biodiversity and ecosystem functions to persist through meta-ecological processes? ii) how can we disentangle the influence of local- and network-scale stressors and processes on riparian biodiversity to better implement river basin management schemes? iii) to what extent do currently existing protected areas in rivers account for the geometry of riparian networks and their multifunctionality? We will address these questions in riparian networks within six river basins in Europe, including Boreal, Continental, Alpine, Temperate and Mediterranean systems. First, we will gather local needs and interests from key stakeholders together with satellite imagery and GIS environmental data for all basins. Then, riparian and river ecosystems functions will be modelled and ecological hotspots will be identified through a GIS-based multi-criteria approach, including stakeholder inputs. Then, we will collect in situ data to assess multiple biodiversity and stressors at the local scale and, subsequently, scale-up this information to the network scale using geostatistical tools and advanced modelling. This knowledge will be conveyed to managers at local and EU scales in the form of decision-support tools allowing decision-makers to identify protection gaps and ecological hotspots along riparian networks, based on multiple biodiversity, functional and connectivity criteria

Versatility of the estlander flap: upper lip, lower lip and comissure reconstruction due to a dog bite

Background: Dog bites continue to be a frequent cause for plastic and reconstructive services in the world. The grand majority of these cases affect the head and neck area; and more often than not they involve the commissure and the lips. The latter leading to an increased level of difficulty and a substantial decrease on the posibilities for a successful reconstruction. This case report focuses on the exploration of the Abbe-Estlander flap as an efficient alternative in most of these cases.Methods: We present two clinical cases involving dog bites where the affected area of both patients was estimated to be one third of the total volume of the lip. Both patients required emergency reconstructive surgery. An Estlander flap was successfully performed in both instances. The purpose of the article is to share the results and motivate the medical community to continue to use this method as a strong avenue for an effective recovery.Results: After two months of the surgery, the team followed up with both patients and they were satisfied with the results. Patient A presented adequate healing of the wound; a lack of alignment of the mucocutaneous rim and rounding of the commissure was observed. Phonation, oral continence without any leakage and complete closure of the lip were also part of the recovery assessment. Patient B presented adequate healing of the wound, phonation and medium oral continence with occasional leakage of liquids and incomplete closure.Conclusions: The Abbe-Estlander flap is still an excellent reconstructive alternative for upper and lower lip reconstruction where the affected area is up to one third of the total volume. As long as the commissure involvement represents minimum difficulty, both aesthetic and functional objectives can be successfully attained using this flap

Does Extended Interval Dosing Natalizumab Preserve Effectiveness in Multiple Sclerosis? A 7 Year-Retrospective Observational Study

The extended interval dosing (EID) of natalizumab has been suggested to be associated with a reduced risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and short-term preservation of efficacy but its long-term effectiveness remain unknown. We aimed to determine the long-term effectiveness and safety of natalizumab in an EID setting in a cohort of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated for more than 7 years. We conducted an observational retrospective cohort study, including 39 (34 female, 5 male) patients with clinically definite relapsing-MS, initially treated with standard interval dosing (SID) of natalizumab (mean time 54 months [SD29]) who were then switched to EID, every 8 weeks (mean time 76 months [SD13]). The main outcome measures included the following: i) annualized relapse rate (ARR), ii) radiological activity, iii) disability progression, and iv) NEDA-3 no evidence of disease activity index. EID preserved ARR, radiological activity, and prevented disability worsening during follow-up. The proportion of patients maintaining their NEDA-3 status after 24, 48, and 72 months of natalizumab administration in EID was 94%, 73%, and 70%, respectively. Stratified analysis according to history of drug therapy showed that the EID of natalizumab was slightly more effective in naïve patients than in those previously treated with other immunosuppressive drugs. No cases of PML or other severe adverse reactions were reported. In conclusion, long-term therapy with natalizumab in an EID setting following an SID regimen maintained its disease-modifying activity, and was safe and well tolerated for over 7 years. These encouraging observational results need to be confirmed in controlled clinical trials.FUNDING: This study was supported by IDIVAL (NVAL 16/11)

Using Food Webs and Metabolic Theory to Monitor, Model, and Manage Atlantic Salmon-A Keystone Species Under Threat

Populations of Atlantic salmon are crashing across most of its natural range: understanding the underlying causes and predicting these collapses in time to intervene effectively are urgent ecological and socioeconomic priorities. Current management techniques rely on phenomenological analyses of demographic population time-series and thus lack a mechanistic understanding of how and why populations may be declining. New multidisciplinary approaches are thus needed to capitalize on the long-term, large-scale population data that are currently scattered across various repositories in multiple countries, as well as marshaling additional data to understand the constraints on the life cycle and how salmon operate within the wider food web. Here, we explore how we might combine data and theory to develop the mechanistic models that we need to predict and manage responses to future change. Although we focus on Atlantic salmon-given the huge data resources that already exist for this species-the general principles developed here could be applied and extended to many other species and ecosystems

Lo binario femenino masculino. Simbolismos de género en conventos novohispanos

Este libro pretende dar visibilidad a la significativa influencia de las estructuras sociales de género en la edificación de la arquitectura conventual mexicana. los espacios habitados por mujeres de vida consagrada no han sido abordados con esta perspectiva , propone por primera vez una mirada académica al género como estructura social que dio origen tanto a las características físicas de la arquitectura conventual novohispana como a prácticas cotidianas que reflejaban una diferencia importante entre ideales de virilidad y feminidad

Violencia de género. Escenarios y quehaceres pendientes

La obra Violencia de género. Escenarios y quehaceres pendientes es producto de la importancia que para la Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México representa profundizar en los problemas sociales, como la violencia contra las mujeres, que para ser atendida y pueda disminuir requiere de la investigación multidisciplinaria. Asimismo, del interés que se tiene en vincular el conocimiento científico con el quehacer del sector público y las tareas gubernamentales. El objetivo es que el libro sea de interés para toda aquella población cuya tarea se dirija a atender el maltrato a las mujeres desde las instituciones hasta las organizaciones civiles, y sea de provecho para la comunidad universitaria. Al respecto, el Centro de Investigación en Estudios de Género y Equidad propició el espacio para establecer un debate con especialistas en estudios de género de distintas universidades, que permitió reconocer los avances y quehaceres pendientes relacionados con la eliminación de la violencia de género, así como explicar sus causas y las sugerencias para eliminarla o aminorarla. En este sentido, la obra contribuye a cumplir con uno de los objetivos de esta Casa de Estudios: difundir la perspectiva de igualdad de género, en relación con el respeto de los Derechos Humanos de las mujeres y de los hombres. Cabe reconocer la colaboración de los cuerpos académicos que conforman la Red de Fortalecimiento de la Equidad de Género de la uaem, así como la participación de las investigadoras de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México y de la Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica.El presente volumen Violencia de género: escenarios y quehaceres pendientes, es un texto que integra el resultado de una serie de investigaciones, que diversas/os especialistas nacionales y extranjeras/os que desde varias disciplinas y espacios han obtenido acerca de la dinámica y/o prevención de la violencia de género. El libro inicia con un capítulo intitulado: “Estudiantes universitarios y violencia en el salón de clase”, debido a que las sociólogas Alma Rosa Sánchez Olvera y Raquel Güereca Torres, se dieron a la tarea de indagar situaciones violentas en las aulas de la Facultad de Estudios Superiores de Acatlán (unam) y de la Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Azcapotzalco. A través de la aplicación de una encuesta y varias entrevistas grupales realizadas entre algunos núcleos del estudiantado universitario, las investigadoras identificaron los tipos de violencia que las y los estudiantes dicen vivir en el salón de clase, particularmente las referidas en la relación docente alumna/o. Asimismo, las autoras encontraron interesantes diferencias en los rasgos identitarios de las y los estudiantes de esas instituciones. También en el trabajo se discute qué es la violencia escolar y cómo se manifiestan las relaciones de poder en el salón de clase. De acuerdo con las investigadoras, dentro de los hallazgos más importantes destacan las asimetrías en el espacio escolar, expresadas en una desigualdad intergenérica e intragénerica, lo cual indica que la violencia de género es también padecida y ejercida por los hombres, y no sólo incide sobre las mujeres. De igual manera, la investigación aporta testimonios acerca del abuso que algunas mujeres (investidas de cierto poder o autoridad) ejercen contra sus congéneres o hacia los varones. El estudio también consideró las formas sutiles de la violencia, como la presión psicológica, la discriminación social, la imposición cultural, variantes de la violencia simbólica, abanico de posibilidades que intenta explicar las relaciones de dominio maestra/o-alumna/o, personal administrativo-alumnas/os, así como entre alumnas/os en el nivel académico. También, interesada en el tema de la violencia sexual en ambientes escolares, Fannella Giusti Minotre presenta el trabajo: “Percepciones del hostigamiento sexual en la academia: la experiencia de la Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica”, donde la autora expone un resumen de los principales hallazgos obtenidos en el Diagnóstico de percepciones del hostigamiento sexual en autoridades de la Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, investigación que se desarrolló durante 2011. El estudio se inscribió en el marco del proyecto “Implementación y Ejecución de la Política Institucional contra el Hostigamiento Sexual en la una”, y respondió a la necesidad de diagnosticar los mecanismos institucionales que legitiman y perpetúan el ejercicio de prácticas de hostigamiento sexual en la universidad nacional del país centroamericano. Del mismo modo, este diagnóstico permitió identificar la necesidad de continuar con esta línea de investigación en el espacio universitario referido, ya que es indispensable profundizar y sistematizar las formas, manifestaciones, prevalencia, causas, actores involucrados en el hostigamiento sexual, para su eventual erradicación

Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of non-specific acute low back pain: a randomised controlled multicentre trial protocol [ISRCTN65814467]

BACKGROUND: Low back pain and its associated incapacitating effects constitute an important healthcare and socioeconomic problem, as well as being one of the main causes of disability among adults of working age. The prevalence of non-specific low back pain is very high among the general population, and 60–70% of adults are believed to have suffered this problem at some time. Nevertheless, few randomised clinical trials have been made of the efficacy and efficiency of acupuncture with respect to acute low back pain. The present study is intended to assess the efficacy of acupuncture for acute low back pain in terms of the improvement reported on the Roland Morris Questionnaire (RMQ) on low back pain incapacity, to estimate the specific and non-specific effects produced by the technique, and to carry out a cost-effectiveness analysis. METHODS/DESIGN: Randomised four-branch controlled multicentre prospective study made to compare semi-standardised real acupuncture, sham acupuncture (acupuncture at non-specific points), placebo acupuncture and conventional treatment. The patients are blinded to the real, sham and placebo acupuncture treatments. Patients in the sample present symptoms of non specific acute low back pain, with a case history of 2 weeks or less, and will be selected from working-age patients, whether in paid employment or not, referred by General Practitioners from Primary Healthcare Clinics to the four clinics participating in this study. In order to assess the primary and secondary result measures, the patients will be requested to fill in a questionnaire before the randomisation and again at 3, 12 and 48 weeks after starting the treatment. The primary result measure will be the clinical relevant improvement (CRI) at 3 weeks after randomisation. We define CRI as a reduction of 35% or more in the RMQ results. DISCUSSION: This study is intended to obtain further evidence on the effectiveness of acupuncture on acute low back pain and to isolate the specific and non-specific effects of the treatment

PESFOR-W: Improving the design and environmental effectiveness of woodlands for water Payments for Ecosystem Services

ABSTRACT: The EU Water Framework Directive aims to ensure restoration of Europe?s water bodies to ?good ecological status? by 2027. Many Member States will struggle to meet this target, with around half of EU river catchments currently reporting below standard water quality. Diffuse pollution from agriculture represents a major pressure, affecting over 90% of river basins. Accumulating evidence shows that recent improvements to agricultural practices are benefiting water quality but in many cases will be insufficient to achieve WFD objectives. There is growing support for land use change to help bridge the gap, with a particular focus on targeted tree planting to intercept and reduce the delivery of diffuse pollutants to water. This form of integrated catchment management offers multiple benefits to society but a significant cost to landowners and managers. New economic instruments, in combination with spatial targeting, need to be developed to ensure cost effective solutions - including tree planting for water benefits - are realised. Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) are flexible, incentive-based mechanisms that could play an important role in promoting land use change to deliver water quality targets. The PESFOR-W COST Action will consolidate learning from existing woodlands for water PES schemes in Europe and help standardize approaches to evaluating the environmental effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of woodland measures. It will also create a European network through which PES schemes can be facilitated, extended and improved, for example by incorporating other ecosystem services linking with aims of the wider forestscarbon policy nexus

River Habitat Survey In the Picos de Europa, Northern Spain. Results from 2008

River Habitat Survey (RHS) and macrophyte surveys were tested on a selection of rivers in the Picos de Europa to provide advice on an effective training and sampling strategy for RHS in the Cantabrian region of Spain. The objectives included recommended improvements to the RHS guidance manual for European river and to collect RHS and macrophyte data for European inter-calibration purposes. The results of twenty surveys are included in the report