A non-parametric analysis of convergence in ICT industries

The purpose of this article is to explore the relative merits of capital accumulation and efficiency catch-up in the convergence patterns of labor productivity in theICT (Information and Communication Technologies) sector in a set of developed countries. It is the first convergence analysis of ICT carried out from the non-parametric kernel approach and using an intertemporal data envelopment analysis (DEA) to estimate the efficiency of the analyzed countries. Special care has been paid to the dataset construction, using hedonic prices and unit value ratios because of the nature of the industry. The appropriate technology theory extended with non-immediate spillovers is the theoretical framework used to interpret the obtained results. These show thatlabor productivity, technology and efficiency have moved from a unimodal towards a bimodal distribution over time, beginning the 21th century with two convergence clubs of countries. The conclusions obtained from these results show that while capital intensification offer opportunities to benefit from new knowledge developed by the leaders, assimilation of this knowledge is not immediate and its speed depends upon the social and technological capabilities of the followers. Policy decision-makers should be aware that the choice of the technology has to be complemented with the development of other actives to benefit from all its potentialities

Hydro-physical responses of gypseous and non-gypseous soils to livestock grazing in a semi-arid region of NE Spain

20 Pag., 4 Figs., 1 Tabl. The definitive version is available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03783774Pasture productivity depends on soil hydro-physical properties, which in turn are deeply affected by livestock grazing. However, the comparative response of different soil types, and particularly gypseous soil types, to grazing has hardly been studied before. This paper compares the effect of grazing on the soil hydro-physical properties of silty gypseous (Gy) and non-gypseous (NGy) soils located in a semi-arid region (Middle Ebro Valley, NE, Spain). Two different soil managements were selected: ungrazed natural shrubland (N) and grazed shrubland (GR) soils. The gypsum, CaCO3 and organic matter content (OM), soil texture, soil bulk density ( b), penetration resistance (PR), saturated sorptivity (S), hydraulic conductivity (K), and the water retention curve (WRC) for undisturbed soil samples from 1 to 10 cm depth soil layer were measured. The b and PR in NGy soils were significantly higher than those observed in the Gy ones. Soil compaction due to grazing treatment tended to increase b and decrease the K and S values. While no differences in PR were observed in the Gy soils between grazing treatments, the PR measured in the NGy soils under GR was significantly higher than the corresponding values observed under N. Differences in K and S between GR and N treatments were only significant (p < 0.05) in NGy soils, where K and S values under the N treatment were almost four times greater than the corresponding values measured under GR. Overall, no differences in the WRCs were observed between soil types and grazing treatments. While the WRCs of NGy soils were not significantly affected by the grazing treatment, Gy soils under N treatment present a significantly higher level of soil macropores than under GR treatment. The hydro-physical features of Gy soils tended to be less affected by grazing than those of the NGy soils. These results suggest that livestock grazing, in both Gy and NGy soils, has a negative effect on the physical soil properties, which should be taken into account by land managers of these semi-arid regions where silty gypseous and non-gypseous areas coexist.This research was supported by Aragón regional government and La Caixa (Grants: GA-LC020/2010; GA-LC-010/2008) and the CSIC (Grant: PIE-200930I145).Peer reviewe

Plant-plant interactions scale up to produce vegetation spatial patterns: The influence of long- and short-term process

Vegetation spatial patterns emerge in response to feedback interactions between organisms and their environment, because of the redistribution of water and nutrients around the plant canopy or as a consequence of facilitation/competition interactions at the plant level, even in the absence of pre-existing substratum heterogeneities. It has been suggested that changes in vegetation spatial patterns are a signal of transition shift in ecosystems. Understanding the factors that lead to aggregated spatial patterns and control the transition to random distributions requires that environmental and species information is taken into account. In this study, we investigated the relative contributions of aridity (a long-term process), to which vegetation is adapted, and the area covered by bare soil (short-term process) to plant-plant associations and their contribution to aggregated spatial patterns. The study was conducted in a gradient of aridity ranging from that in subalpine grassland habitats in the Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada mountains to that in the semiarid steppes of Cabo de Gata and the middle Ebro Valley in Spain. We compared sites that differed in aridity and a geophysical feature (north- vs. south-facing slope). We observed that the relative contribution of aridity and bare soil to plant-plant facilitation and vegetation aggregation differed in subalpine and semiarid areas. Facilitation in subalpine habitats had a marked effect on aggregated spatial patterns, while aridity contributed to disruption of these patterns. Conversely, in semiarid habitats, the disruption of aggregated patterns was mainly promoted by an increase in bare soil area rather than in aridity. In semiarid habitats, the higher level of stress on south-facing slopes increased facilitation interactions relative to north-facing slopes, although this did not enhance the persistence of aggregated spatial patterns. We conclude that the use of aggregated spatial patterns as an indicator of ecosystem shift must distinguish and separately take account of long-term processes to which vegetation adapt, and short-term process

Urbanismo neoliberal y fragmentación urbana: El caso de Zaragoza (España) en los primeros quince años del siglo XXI

El crecimiento del espacio urbano de Zaragoza durante los primeros quince años del siglo xxi se caracteriza por su fragmentación socioespacial a varias escalas, un rasgo significativo del urbanismo neoliberal. En esta ciudad se ha seguido un modelo que se compone por grandes fragmentos monofuncionales, no separados unos de otros, sino soldados al espacio urbano preexistente por las principales arterias de circulación; estas vías y otros obstáculos físicos o percibidos interrumpen la continuidad con el espacio consolidado, sobre todo para el movimiento de personas. No obstante este patrón permite la conexión de los nuevos espacios con el entorno urbano local, al mismo tiempo fomenta la segregación social e impulsa un modelo policéntrico basado en desplazamientos en automóvil privado. The growth of urban space of Zaragoza during the first fifteen years of the 21st century is characterized by its socio-spatial fragmentation at several scales, a significant feature of the neoliberal urbanism. The growth model of the city is composed of large monofunctional urban fragments attached to the existing urban space by the main traffic routes. These ways and other physical or perceived obstacles interrupt the continuity with the consolidated urban space, especially for the movement of people. Nevertheless, this pattern allows the connection of the new spaces with the local urban environment but, at the same time, promotes the social segregation and fosters a polycentric functional model based on travel by private car

The Role of Epigenetics in the Progression of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma and the Basis for Future Epigenetic Treatments

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is curable when diagnosed at an early stage, but when disease is non-confined it is the urologic cancer with worst prognosis. Antiangiogenic treatment and immune checkpoint inhibition therapy constitute a very promising combined therapy for advanced and metastatic disease. Many exploratory studies have identified epigenetic markers based on DNA methylation, histone modification, and ncRNA expression that epigenetically regulate gene expression in ccRCC. Additionally, epigenetic modifiers genes have been proposed as promising biomarkers for ccRCC. We review and discuss the current understanding of how epigenetic changes determine the main molecular pathways of ccRCC initiation and progression, and also its clinical implications. Despite the extensive research performed, candidate epigenetic biomarkers are not used in clinical practice for several reasons. However, the accumulated body of evidence of developing epigenetically-based biomarkers will likely allow the identification of ccRCC at a higher risk of progression. That will facilitate the establishment of firmer therapeutic decisions in a changing landscape and also monitor active surveillance in the aging population. What is more, a better knowledge of the activities of chromatin modifiers may serve to develop new therapeutic opportunities. Interesting clinical trials on epigenetic treatments for ccRCC associated with well established antiangiogenic treatments and immune checkpoint inhibitors are revisited.Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIComisión Europe

Predominant factors of institutionalization in the elderly: a comparative study between home nursing and community dwelling

Purpose: The purpose of this paper was to detect the most significant factors associated with each living alternative to improve socialization and mental health of the elderly. The measurements included affective evaluation, cognitive assessment, anxiety level, physical functionality, quality of life and social relationships. Individuals in home nursing residences were older and had worse affective status, functionality, cognitive state and quality of life. Social relationships in community people were better than in the institutionalized condition, particularly for less aged people. Design/methodology/approach: Comparative descriptive study realized in 200 people older than 70 years in home nursing placement versus community dwelling conditions. Findings: Multivariate analysis and logistic regression indicated that greater disability and poorer quality of social relationships were the main factors influencing the institutionalization process. Specifically, the Sociotype Questionnaire appeared as an efficient tool concerning the detection of social isolation effects as well as an acceptable integrator of prosocial information about home nursing placement. Originality/value: The Geriatric Sociotype survey has shown usefulness in the evaluation of the social network of elderly people, both from the point of view of assessment and prognosis. In this sense it is considered that one of the main contributions of this study is to have included the qualitative evaluation of social relations, and to observe the differences according to the place of residence

Depression in Alzheimer''s Disease: A Delphi Consensus on Etiology, Risk Factors, and Clinical Management

Background: Alzheimer''s disease (AD) and other forms of dementia are among the most common causes of disability in the elderly. Dementia is often accompanied by depression, but specific diagnostic criteria and treatment approaches are still lacking. This study aimed to gather expert opinions on dementia and depressed patient management to reduce heterogeneity in everyday practice. Methods: Prospective, multicenter, 2-round Modified Delphi survey with 53 questions regarding risk factors (11), signs and symptoms (7), diagnosis (8), and treatment (27) of depression in dementia, with a particular focus on AD. The questionnaire was completed by a panel of 37 expert physicians in neurodegenerative diseases (19 neurologists, 17 psychiatrists, and 1 geriatrician). Results: Consensus was achieved in 40 (75.5%) of the items: agreement in 33 (62.3%) and disagreement in 7 (13.2%) of them. Among the most relevant findings, depression in the elderly was considered an early sign (prodromal) and/or a dementia risk factor, so routine cognitive check-ups in depressed patients should be adopted, aided by clinical scales and information from relatives. Careful interpretation of neuropsychological assessment must be carried out in patients with depression as it can undermine cognitive outcomes. As agreed, depression in early AD is characterized by somatic symptoms and can be differentiated from apathy by the presence of sadness, depressive thoughts and early-morning awakening. In later-phases, symptoms of depression would include sleep-wake cycle reversal, aggressive behavior, and agitation. Regardless of the stage of dementia, depression would accelerate its course, whereas antidepressants would have the opposite effect. Those that improve cognitive function and/or have a dual or multimodal mode of action were preferred: Duloxetine, venlafaxine/desvenlafaxine, vortioxetine, tianeptine, and mirtazapine. Although antidepressants may be less effective than in cognitively healthy patients, neither dosage nor treatment duration should differ. Anti-dementia cholinesterase inhibitors may have a synergistic effect with antidepressants. Exercise and psychological interventions should not be applied alone before any pharmacological treatment, yet they do play a part in improving depressive symptoms in demented patients. Conclusions: This study sheds light on several unresolved clinical challenges regarding depression in dementia patients. Further studies and specific recommendations for this comorbid patient population are still needed.

SK channels contribution to ventricular electrophysiology in heart failure patients

Heart failure (HF) is characterized by deterioration of the electrical and contractile function of the heart due to structural and functional remodelling, leading to development of arrhythmias and increased sudden cardiac death risk. SK channels are a type of calcium-activated potassium channels that do not play a relevant role in normal ventricular electrophysiology. However, it has been hypothesized that these channels become more relevant in pathologies such as HF. Nontheless, their role in human ventricular electrophysiology is not fully characterized

Evaluación de la movilidad potencial de metales en escorias industriales presentes en el subsuelo de un entorno urbano (barrio de la Almozara, Zaragoza)

Pyrite roasting wastes coming from a former industry closed in 1979 are still present at the subsoil of La Almozara neighborhood (Zaragoza, Spain). These granular wastes are mainly composed of Fe- and Fe-Ti-oxides, also having high Tl, As, Mo, Cu, Sb, Ag, Pb, and Be content that far exceed the generic reference levels. When these waste materials interact with water, they produce acid solutions with pH=3,2, resulting in a high mobilization of Cu, Zn, Cd, Mn, and Co. However, when wastes are mixed with granular construction materials, leachates showed neutral pH and chemical mobilization was much lower being only significant for Se and Mo. The results here obtained demonstrate the potential risk for hydrogeological contamination posed by the presence of these wastes in the subsoil and the high eolic dispersability of such materials. El cierre en 1979 de la Industrial Química de Zaragoza dejó los residuos industriales de tostación de piritas en el subsuelo del actual barrio de La Almozara (Zaragoza). Estos residuos, de carácter granular y constituidos por óxidos de Fe y Fe-Ti, poseen elevadas concentraciones en Tl, As, Mo, Cu, Sb, Ag, Pb y Be, que superan ampliamente los niveles genéricos de referencia. La interacción de estos residuos con agua provoca soluciones con pH=3,2, dando lugar a una movilización elevada de Cu, Zn, Cd, Mn y Co. Sin embargo, cuando estos residuos están mezclados con material granular de construcción, las soluciones resultantes de la interacción mantienen un pH neutro y la movilización elemental es muy inferior, siendo solo relevante para Se y Mo. Los resultados obtenidos demuestran el potencial riesgo de contaminación del medio hidrogeológico que supone la presencia de las escorias en el subsuelo y su alta dispersabilidad eólica