Los orígenes filosóficos del Romanticismo. La naturaleza como epopeya inconsciente

The history of ideas and culture considers Romanticism a literary and aesthetic movement. However, it arises as the answer to an essential question for Philosophy, showing a highly rebellious attitude against both the established political manners and the education received from the previous generation. Bringing out Romanticism and academic formalism was the way to deactivate their strength. The search for a heroic age determined a conception of time and its civilizing process which was opposed to the enlightened aspiration of progress. The first precedent is Hamann, with a critical theology that was fostered by pietism which, at the same time, embraced the idea of empiricism coined by Hume. For Herder, Nature becomes means and aim of the new education, recovering somehow the original meaning of radicalism in Rousseau. For Kant, that was a loud fashion. However, he learnt from them the aporias of an organicist finality of Nature and the inability to explain this process from the physical determinism of Laplace, which was still used in experimental sciences. Opposed to the externalist casuistry, freedom becomes the essence of human nature. Romantics were fascinated by this idea. For Schiller, it is the driving force of human history, which is above natural history – the Spirit, according to Hegel –. This was the context of the philosophe Fichte taught, idealism:the duty of action is prior to the moral duty itself. And this is the philosophy of the so called «training years» of Schelling, the Naturphilosophen and Hegel himself. The will of acting in the philosophy of Fichte is an unconscious force for Novalis and Hölderlin. They consider the sublime process of Nature a transposition of their own youth, of the contradiction and evolution of their own psyche: the breeding that goes over years and adds new stages. This is why Hegel points out, in his semester 1805/06, Realphilosophie: «Does Earth have a history? What is history?».RESUMEN La historia de las ideas y de la cultura considera el romanticismo un movimiento estético y literario, sin embargo su origen responde a una cuestión esencial de la Filosofía, con una actitud altamente contestataria contra las formas políticas establecidas y la educación recibida de la generación anterior. Traer el romanticismo al academicismo del aula fue la forma de desactivar su fuerza. La búsqueda de una edad heroica, determinó una concepción del tiempo y su proceso civilizador opuesta a la pretensión ilustrada de progreso. El primer precedente es Hamann, una teología crítica alimentada por el pietismo que interiorizó a la vez el empirismo de Hume. Con Herder la Naturaleza se convierte en medio y fin de la nueva educación, recuperando de alguna manera lo que fue el radicalismo de Rousseau. Para Kant, aquella moda era estridente, sin embargo comprendió de ellos las aporías de un finalismo organicista de la Naturaleza y la incapacidad de explicar este proceso desde el determinismo físico laplaciano, vigente en las ciencias experimentales. Frente a la casuística externalista, la libertad se convierte en la esencia de lo humano. Esto apasionó a los románticos. Para Schiller es el motor de la historia humana, que está por encima de la historia natural —el Espíritu, según Hegel—. Este fue el contexto de la Filosofía que Fichte enseñaba, el idealismo: el deber de acción es anterior al propio deber moral. Y esta es la Filosofía de los «años de formación» de Schelling, los Naturphilosophen y el mismo Hegel. La voluntad de acción de la Filosofía fichteana es en Novalis y Hölderlin una «fuerza insconsciente». Contemplan el sublime proceso de la Naturaleza, como una transposición de su propia juventud vivida, de la contradicción y devenir de su propia psique: la crianza que supera años e incorpora etapas. Por eso Hegel apunta en su semestre de 1805/06, la Realphilosophie: «¿La Tierra tiene una historia? ¿Qué es historia?»

Consensus on the Clinical Approach to Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis in Spain: A Delphi Survey

Background. The purpose of this study was to gather information on the current assessment and management of patients with moderate-to-severe AD in routine daily practice. Methods. A cross-sectional two-round Delphi survey with the participation of dermatologists and allergologists throughout Spain was conducted. They completed a 46-item questionnaire, and consensus was defined when responses of >= 80% of participants coincided in the categories of a 5-point Likert scale for that item. Results. A total of 105 specialists (aged 40-59 years) completed the two rounds. Participants agreed regarding the consideration of AD as a multifaceted disease and the differences in clinical presentation of AD according to the patient's age. It is recommendable to perform a skin biopsy to exclude early stage T-cell cutaneous lymphoma, psoriasis, or dermatitis herpetiformis, among others (99.1%). Also, consensus was reached regarding the use of the SCORAD index to quantify the severity of the disease (86.7%), the use of wet wraps to increase the effect of topical corticosteroids (90.4%), the usefulness of proactive treatment during follow-up (85.6%) and tacrolimus ointment (91.2%) to reduce new flares, and the fact that crisaborole is not the treatment of choice for severe AD (92.4%). AD was not considered a contraindication for immunotherapy in patients with allergic respiratory diseases (92.4%). In patients with severe AD, the use of immune response modifier drugs (97.6%) or phototherapy (92.8%) does not sufficiently cover their treatment needs. Consensus was also obtained regarding the role of the new biologic drugs (93.6%) targeting cytokines involved in the Th2 inflammatory pathway (92.0%) and the potential role of dupilumab as first-line treatment (90.4%) in moderate-to-severe AD patients. Conclusion. This study contributes a reference framework to the care of AD patients. There is no diagnostic test or biomarkers to direct treatment or to assess the severity of the disease, and many therapeutic challenges remain

Unveiling the true costs and societal impacts of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in Europe

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, auto-immune condition that imposes a high burden on individuals, society, and the healthcare system. Approximately 4.4% of adults and up to 18.6% of children/adolescents have AD in Europe, with 20% of all cases accounting for moderate-to-severe forms. This form of the condition in adults results in annual societal costs across Europe of an estimated euro30 billion; euro15.2 billion related to missed workdays or reduced work productivity, euro10.1 billion related to direct medical costs and euro4.7 billion related to personal expenditure of patients/families. AD can also substantially impact physical, emotional, and social quality-of-life. Several studies have shown the debilitating itch-scratch cycle is the main cause of the multifaceted burden, as it causes substantial sleep deprivation and stigmatisation due to the physical appearance of the skin, and confidence issues. These factors lead to psychosocial issues and can cumulate over time and prohibit patients reaching their 'full life potential'. Despite this, many patients with the condition are undertreated, resulting in uncontrolled symptoms and a further strain placed on patients, society, and the economy. The authors of this White Paper comprise the European Atopic Dermatitis Working Group, which is a network of international specialists with expertise in dermatology and healthcare policy decisions. Their programme of action is focused on harnessing their expertise to build consensus, advance research, share knowledge, and ultimately seek to improve AD care outcomes through achieving long-term symptom control. This White Paper presents a systematic evaluation of the overall financial and humanistic burden of moderate-to-severe AD and the current challenges that exist with AD care. It introduces recommendations for how, collaboratively, key stakeholders and policy makers can support improvements in AD management to achieve better disease control, thus reducing the costs and associated burden placed on individuals, society, and the economy

Parallel and divergent morphological adaptations underlying the evolution of jumping ability in ants

Jumping is a rapid locomotory mode widespread in terrestrial organisms. However, it is a rare specialization in ants. Forward jumping has been reported within four distantly related ant genera: Gigantiops, Harpegnathos, Myrmecia, and Odontomachus. The temporal engagement of legs/body parts during jump, however, varies across these genera. It is unknown what morphological adaptations underlie such behaviors and whether jumping in ants is solely driven directly by muscle contraction or additionally relies on elastic recoil mechanism. We investigated the morphological adaptations for jumping behavior by comparing differences in the locomotory musculature between jumping and non-jumping relatives using X-ray micro-CT and 3D morphometrics. We found that the size-specific volumes of the trochanter depressor muscle (scm6) of the middle and hind legs are 3-5 times larger in jumping ants, and that one coxal remotor muscle (scm2) is reduced in volume in the middle and/or hind legs. Notably, the enlargement in the volume of other muscle groups is directly linked to the legs or body parts engaged during the jump. Furthermore, a direct comparison of the muscle architecture revealed two significant differences between jumping vs. non-jumping ants: First, the relative Physiological Cross-Sectional Area (PCSA) of the trochanter depressor muscles of all three legs were larger in jumping ants, except in the front legs of Odontomachus rixosus and Myrmecia nigrocincta; second, the relative muscle fiber length was shorter in jumping ants compared to non-jumping counterparts, except in the front legs of O. rixosus and M. nigrocincta. These results suggest that the difference in relative muscle volume in jumping ants is largely invested in the area (PCSA), and not in fiber length. There was no clear difference in the pennation angle between jumping and non-jumping ants. Additionally, we report that the hind leg length relative to body length was longer in jumping ants. Based on direct comparison of the observed vs. possible work and power output during jumps, we surmise that direct muscle contractions suffice to explain jumping performance in three species, except for O. rixosus, where the lack of data on jumping performance prevents us from drawing definitive conclusions for this particular species. We suggest that increased investment in jumping-relevant musculature is a primary morphological adaptation that separates jumping from non-jumping ants. These results elucidate the common and idiosyncratic morphological changes underlying this rare adaptation in ants. まとぅみ (Okinawan language-Uchinaaguchi) (Japanese) РЕЗЮМЕ (Kazakh) ZUSAMMENFASSUNG (German)

Taxonomy of the ant genus Nesomyrmex Wheeler (Formicidae, Myrmicinae) in the Afrotropical region, with a review of current species groups and description of a new species of the N-angulatus group from Mozambique

This study reviews the taxonomy of the ant genus Nesomyrmex Wheeler, 1910 in the Afrotropical region. Previous revisionary studies are discussed and four species groups are proposed on the basis of external morphology. The N. angulatus group contains seven species that are widely distributed throughout the whole Afrotropical region, with one species also occurring in the Palaearctic and Malagasy regions. The N. cataulacoides group is monotypic, with one morphologically bizarre species found in Equatorial rain forests. The N. humerosus group is also monotypic and occurs in East Africa. The last and by far most species-rich group is the N. simoni group that contains 17 species, all of which are endemic to South Africa. The four groups are defined for the first time for the region, and an illustrated identification key is provided. Furthermore, the N. angulatus group is more thoroughly reviewed. One new species from Mozambique is described, N. inhaca sp. nov., and species accounts for the other six are provided. Also, an illustrated identification key to the species of the N. angulatus group is presented.journal articl

Dupilumab provides rapid and sustained improvement in SCORAD outcomes in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: combined results of four randomized phase 3 trials

Background:Dupilumab, a first-in-class therapy targeting the two key cytokines involved in the persistent underlying inflammatory pathway in atopic dermatitis (AD), is approved for treatment of moderate-to-severe AD in Europe, USA, Japan and several other countries. Objective:To assess dupilumab effects on SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and component scores (objective and subjective SCORAD) over time in adults with moderate-to-severe AD. Methods:Thispost hocanalysis included 2,444 patients in four placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, phase 3 trials. SOLO 1 and 2 (NCT02277743; NCT02277769) evaluated 16 weeks of dupilumab monotherapy against placebo. CAFe (NCT02755649) and CHRONOS (NCT02260986) evaluated dupilumab with concomitant topical corticosteroids (TCS) against TCS alone for 16 and 52 weeks, respectively. Results:2,444 patients randomized to treatment in SOLO 1 and 2 (N = 1,379), CAFe (N = 325) and CHRONOS (N = 740) were analyzed. Dupilumab treatment significantly improved overall SCORAD and individual components as early as Week 1 or 2, with significant and clinically meaningful differences vs. control through end of treatment (p < .0001). These results occurred irrespective of dupilumab regimen, 300 mg subcutaneously weekly or every 2 weeks. Conclusions:In four large phase 3 trials in adults with moderate-to-severe AD, dupilumab treatment with or without concomitant TCS resulted in rapid and sustained improvements in all SCORAD outcomes vs. placebo or TCS alone

Recent NA48/2 and NA62 results

The NA48/2 Collaboration at CERN has accumulated and analysed unprecedented statistics of rare kaon decays in the $K_{e4}$ modes: $K_{e4}(+-)$ ($K^\pm \to \pi^+ \pi^- e^\pm \nu$) and $K_{e4}(00)$ ($K^\pm \to \pi^0 \pi^0 e^\pm \nu$) with nearly one percent background contamination. It leads to the improved measurement of branching fractions and detailed form factor studies. New final results from the analysis of 381 $K^\pm \to \pi^\pm \gamma \gamma$ rare decay candidates collected by the NA48/2 and NA62 experiments at CERN are presented. The results include a decay rate measurement and fits to Chiral Perturbation Theory (ChPT) description.Comment: Prepared for the Proceedings of "Moriond QCD and High Energy Interactions. March 22-29 2014." conferenc