Cultural Explorations of Human Intelligence Around the World

The goal of this article is to review cultural explorations of human intelligence around the globe. The article opens in the first part with a consideration of cultural studies that suggest that there is more to intelligence than IQ. It continues with the suggestion for what that more might be, namely, successful intelligence. The second part of the article thus describes the theory of successful intelligence, as well as data from various cultures that support the theory. The third part of the article considers cultural conceptions, of implicit theories of intelligence. It is concluded that cultural studies suggest that conventional notions of intelligence are narrow and limited

spectrino Software: Spectra Visualization and Preparation for R

spectrino is a spectra preparation software utility for the R language and environment for statistical computing. It is an operating-system specific tool, for use under Microsoft Windows, with specialized visualization, organization and preprocessing features for spectra. The software accepts spectral data from analytical instruments and then prepares a data structure to be introduced in R. spectrino has a rich set of features to create data structures and visually manipulate/compare spectra. The application is accessible by a library of functions from within R. These commands allow for the creation and manipulation of data structures in spectrino and the selective extraction of spectral data. Before exporting, the spectra are preprocessed according the requirements of consecutive discriminant analysis. This preprocessing is adjustable by a series of options.

Enfermedades venéreas en la España del último tercio del siglo XIX : una aproximación a los fundamentos morales de la Higiene Pública

Las enfermedades venéreas formaron parte de las preocupaciones y prácticas de la higiene Pública en la España del último tercio del siglo XIX. A su carácter social se unía su específica valoración moral ligada a la moral sexual imperante, siendo su impacto sobredimensionado. Los higienistas asumían un modelo epidemiológico centrado en la prostitución, dividiéndose en prohibicionistas y reglamentaristas. Los reglamentos puestos en práctica incluían la vigilancia moral, policial y sanitaria. También las instituciones asistenciales y su utilización por la mujer reflejaban la valoración moral

TRADE THROUGH FDI: investing in services

The type of relationship between different modes of trading services across international borders is of great interest, not only for the academic literature but also for the formulation trade liberalization offers under the GATS. Even more than for trade in goods, it is thus important to know whether cross-border trade and trade through commercial presence abroad act as complements or substitutes in services. The most commonly used analytical tool in the empirical analysis of this question is the gravity model of trade. This paper offers a consistent theoretical foundation for the application of the gravity model to services and to commercial presence, using a composite demand model with offers testable hypothesis about the complementary or substitutive relationship between different modes of supply. It further links the results to policy variables like market regulations which may act directly or implicitly as barriers to trade. Our empirical test for the sample of OECD countries over the decade 1994- 2004 yields robust complementary effects in the short-run, which is reinforced in the long-run by an increased potential for cross-border imports based on previous FDI inflows. A detailed analysis by individual service sectors highlights business, communication and financial services as showing the largest potential for cross-border trade when market regulations are reduced and when commercial presence increases.FDI, imports, services, panel data, substitution and complementary effects

Inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome improves lifespan in animal murine model of Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria

Inflammation is a hallmark of aging and accelerated aging syndromes such as Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS). In this study, we present evidence of increased expression of the components of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in HGPS skin fibroblasts, an outcome that was associated with morphological changes of the nuclei of the cells. Lymphoblasts from HGPS patients also showed increased basal levels of NLRP3 and caspase 1. Consistent with these results, the expression of caspase 1 and Nlrp3, but not of the other inflammasome receptors was higher in the heart and liver of Zmpste2

Inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome improves lifespan in animal murine model of Hutchinson–Gilford Progeria

Inflammation is a hallmark of aging and accelerated aging syndromes such as Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS). In this study, we present evidence of increased expression of the components of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in HGPS skin fibroblasts, an outcome that was associated with morphological changes of the nuclei of the cells. Lymphoblasts from HGPS patients also showed increased basal levels of NLRP3 and caspase 1. Consistent with these results, the expression of caspase 1 and Nlrp3, but not of the other inflammasome receptors was higher in the heart and liver of Zmpste24−/− mice, which phenocopy the human disease. These data were further corroborated in LmnaG609G/G609G mice, another HGPS animal model. We also showed that pharmacological inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome by its selective inhibitor, MCC950, improved cellular phenotype, significantly extended the lifespan of progeroid animals, and reduced inflammasome-dependent inflammation. These findings suggest that inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome is a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of HGPS.Junta de Andalucía PI-0036-201

Media, owners and pressures: our understanding of the market for information

This paper summarizes the supply-side and demand-side theories of media bias.media bias, market for information

spectrino Software: Spectra Visualization and Preparation for R

spectrino is a spectra preparation software utility for the R language and environment for statistical computing. It is an operating-system specific tool, for use under Microsoft Windows, with specialized visualization, organization and preprocessing features for spectra. The software accepts spectral data from analytical instruments and then prepares a data structure to be introduced in R. spectrino has a rich set of features to create data structures and visually manipulate/compare spectra. The application is accessible by a library of functions from within R. These commands allow for the creation and manipulation of data structures in spectrino and the selective extraction of spectral data. Before exporting, the spectra are preprocessed according the requirements of consecutive discriminant analysis. This preprocessing is adjustable by a series of options

Rich oleocanthal and oleacein extra virgin olive oil and inflammatory and antioxidant status in people with obesity and prediabetes. The APRIL study: A randomised, controlled crossover study

Background: Oleocanthal and oleacein are olive oil phenolic compounds with well known anti inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. The main evidence, however, is provided by experimental studies. Few human studies have examined the health benefits of olive oils rich in these biophenols. Our aim was to assess the health properties of rich oleocanthal and oleacein extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), compared to those of common olive oil (OO), in people with prediabetes and obesity. Methods: Randomised, double-blind, crossover trial done in people aged 40e65 years with obesity (BMI 30e40 kg/m2 ) and prediabetes (HbA1c 5.7e6.4%). The intervention consisted in substituting for 1 month the oil used for food, both raw and cooked, by EVOO or OO. No changes in diet or physical activity were recommended. The primary outcome was the inflammatory status. Secondary outcomes were the oxidative status, body weight, glucose handling and lipid profile. An ANCOVA model adjusted for age, sex and treatment administration sequence was used for the statistical analysis. Results: A total of 91 patients were enrolled (33 men and 58 women) and finished the trial. A decrease in interferon-g was observed after EVOO treatment, reaching inter-treatment differences (P ¼ 0.041). Total antioxidant status increased and lipid and organic peroxides decreased after EVOO treatment, the changes reaching significance compared to OO treatment (P < 0.05). Decreases in weight, BMI and blood glucose (p < 0.05) were found after treatment with EVOO and not with OO. Conclusions: Treatment with EVOO rich in oleocanthal and oleacein differentially improved oxidative and inflammatory status in people with obesity and prediabetes.Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga/CBU