Del compromiso ético a la manipulación

Es muy frecuente la presencia de la fotografía como elemento discursivo en el cine, de modo particular en las películas de tema bélico. La fotografía es una imagen de la realidad y, en el caso de la foto-documento (como por ejemplo la fotografía de guerra), pretende ser un reflejo veraz de la misma. Pero, por muchas razones, la objetividad de la fotografía puede verse alterada al permitir la técnica que su autor la manipule o al utilizarse con una finalidad distinta de para la que fue concebida. Sobre esa manipulación, sobre sus justificantes morales o sobre los intereses que la provocan se centran nuestras reflexiones. Estas se articulan a partir del filme Bajo el fuego (Roger Spottiswoode, 1983) que presenta la actuación de un reportero de guerra en el conflicto nicaragüense de 1979. Los tipos de instantáneas que realiza, sus intenciones y la ética de su comportamiento ofrecen muchos matices para el análisis

Can robotic-based top-down rehabilitation therapies improve motor control in children with cerebral palsy? A perspective on the CPWalker project

[EN] Cerebral Palsy (CP) is one of the most severe disabilities in childhood, and it demands important costs in health, education, and social services. CP is caused by damage to or abnormalities inside the developing brain that disrupt the brain's ability to control movement and maintain posture. Furthermore, CP is often associated with sensory deficits, cognition impairments, communication and motor disabilities, behavior issues, seizure disorder, pain, and secondary musculoskeletal problems. According to the literature, motor modules are peripheral measurements related to automatic motor control. There is a lack of evidence of change in motor modules in children with CP when different treatment approaches have been evaluated. Thus, new strategies are needed to improve motor control in this population. Robotic-based therapies are emerging as an effective intervention for gait rehabilitation in motor disorders such as stroke, spinal cord injury, and CP. There is vast clinical evidence that neural plasticity is the central core of motor recovery and development, and on-going studies suggest that robot-mediated intensive therapy could be beneficial for improved functional recovery. However, current robotic strategies are focused on the peripheral neural system (PNS) facilitating the performance of repetitive movements (a bottom-up approach). Since CP affects primarily brain structures, both the PNS and the central nervous system (CNS) should to be integrated in a physical and cognitive rehabilitation therapy (a top-down approach). This paper discusses perspectives of the top-down approach based on a novel robot-assisted rehabilitative system. Accordingly, the CPWalker robotic platform was developed to support novel therapies for CP rehabilitation. This robotic platform (Smart Walker + exoskeleton) is controlled by a multimodal interface enabling the interaction of CP infants with robot-based therapies. The aim of these therapies is to improve the physical skills of infants with CP using a top-down approach, in which motor related brain activity is used to drive robotic physical rehabilitation therapies. Our hypothesis is that the CPWalker concept will promote motor learning and this improvement will lead to significant improvements in automatic motor control.Lerma Lara, S.; Martínez Caballero, I.; Bayón, C.; Del Castillo, M.; Serrano, I.; Raya, R.; Belda Lois, JM.... (2016). Can robotic-based top-down rehabilitation therapies improve motor control in children with cerebral palsy? A perspective on the CPWalker project. Biomedical Research and Clinical Practice. 22-26. doi:10.15761/BRCP.1000106S222

Analysis of a bridge failure due to fire using computational fluid dynamics and finite element models

Bridge fires are a major concern because of the consequences that these kind of events have and because they are a real threat. However, bridge fire response is under researched and not covered in the codes. This paper studies the capabilities of numerical models to predict the fire response of a bridge and provides modeling guidelines useful for improving bridge design. To reach this goal, a numerical analysis of the fire of the I-65 overpass in Birmingham, Alabama, USA in 2002 is carried out. The analyses are based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for creating the fire model, and finite element (FE) software for obtaining the thermo-mechanical response of the bridge. The models are validated with parametric studies that consider heat release rate of the spilled fuel, discretization of the fire temperature in the transition from CFD to FE modeling, and boundary conditions. The validated model is used in a study to evaluate the influence of fire scenario (CFD versus standard fires), and live load. Results show that numerical models are able to simulate the response of the bridge and can be used as a basis for a performance-based approach for the design of bridges under fire. Additionally, it is found that applying the Eurocode standard and hydrocarbon fires along the full length of the bridge does not adequately represent a real bridge fire response for medium-long span bridges such as this case study. The study also shows that live loads essentially do not influence the response of the bridge. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Funding for this research has been provided by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (research project BIA 2011-27104) and the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (Research and Development Support Program PAID-06-11). Funding has also been provided to Dr. Maria Garlock by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under award number CMMI-1068252. The authors are grateful to R. King from the Federal Highway Administration of the USA, J. Black and T. Colquett from the Alabama Department of Transportation, J. Glassman from Princeton University, J.V. Aguado from Ecole Centrale de Nantes and to J. Hidalgo from the University of Edinburgh for all the information and support provided. All opinions expressed in this paper are the authors' and do not necessarily reflect the policies and views of the sponsors.Alós Moya, J.; Paya-Zaforteza, I.; Garlock, ME.; Loma-Ossorio, E.; Schiffner, D.; Hospitaler Pérez, A. (2014). Analysis of a bridge failure due to fire using computational fluid dynamics and finite element models. Engineering Structures. 68:96-110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2014.02.022S961106

Protocol of a scoping review of outcome domains in dermatology

Introduction: Core outcome sets (COSs) are agreed outcomes (domains (subdomains) and instruments) that should be measured as a minimum in clinical trials or practice in certain diseases or clinical fields. Worldwide, the number of COSs is increasing and there might be conceptual overlaps of domains (subdomains) and instruments within disciplines. The aim of this scoping review is to map and to classify all outcomes identified with COS projects relating to skin diseases.Methods and analysis: We will conduct a scoping review of outcomes of skin disease-related COS initiatives to identify all concepts and their definitions. We will search PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library. The search dates will be 1 January 2010 (the point at which Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) was established) to 1 January 2024. We will also review the COMET database and C3 website to identify parts of COSs (domains and/or instruments) that are being developed and published. This review will be supplemented by querying relevant stakeholders from COS organisations, dermatology organisations and patient organisations for additional COSs that were developed. The resulting long lists of outcomes will then be mapped into conceptually similar concepts

¡La melatonina me hace sentir despierto! Siete años de experiencia en el laboratorio (2000 – 2007)

The research on the effect of melatonin on intraocular pressure (IOP) is reviewed from the hystorical point of view of our laboratory. The original idea of melatonin modulating intraocular pressure has been improved by using selective compounds for MT2 and specially melatonin MT3 receptors. The selective compound 5-methoxyamino N-acetyltryptamine (5-MCA-NAT) has been an attractive compound due to its ability to reduce IOP about 40%, therefore being a good candidate to the treatment of the ocular hypertension linked to glaucoma. More compounds have been developed and tested permitting us to have a more accurate panorama of those receptors controlling the relevant process of intraocular pressure.La investigación sobre el efecto de la melatonina sobre la presión intraocular (PIO) es revisada desde la perspectiva histórica de nuestro laboratorio. La idea original sobre la melatonina modulando la presión intraocular ha sido mejorada gracias al empleo de nuevos compuestos selectivos para el receptor MT2 y especialmente para el MT3. El compuesto selectivo 5-metoxiamino N-acetiltriptamina (5-MCA-NAT) se ha convertido en un compuesto muy atractivo debido a su capacidad de reducir la PIO hasta un 50%, convirtiéndose en un compuesto muy interesante para el tratamiento de la hipertensión ocular asociada al glaucoma. Se han desarrollado y ensayado más compuestos que nos han permitido tener un panorama más preciso acerca de como estos receptores controlan el proceso fisiológico de la presión intraocular.

Valencia bridge fire tests: Validation of simplified and advanced numerical approaches to model bridge fire scenarios

[EN] Bridge fires are a major concern and the subject of many studies that use numerical models. However, experimental studies are still required to test the validity of these numerical models and improve their accuracy. This paper uses temperature results of the Valencia bridge fire tests carried out at the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, in Valencia (Spain) to calibrate the fire models that constitute the first step in modeling any bridge fire event. The calibration is carried out by both a simplified approach (Heskestad and Hamada's correlation) and advanced numerical models (Computational Fluid Dynamics models built with the Fire Dynamics Simulator -FDS- software). The Valencia bridge fire tests involved four fire scenarios under a composite bridge with Heat Release Rate (HRR) values between 361 and 1352 kW. The results show that applying Heskestad and Hamada's correlation gave good results when used within its limits of application (HRR < 0.764 MW) but did not work well beyond them, which means it would be suitable for planning reduced scale bridge fire tests but not in the analysis of real bridge fires. On the other hand, FDS provides good predictions of the temperatures and can be used to study bridge fire responses. This work is therefore an important step forward in the study of bridge fires and towards the improvement of the resilience of infrastructure networks vis-a-vis fire hazards. It also highlights the problems that can arise in fire tests in the open air, the influence of the wind being of critical importance.Funding for this research was provided by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Research Project BIA 2011-27104). The authors are grateful to the Infrastructure and Safety departments of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia and the City of Valencia Fire Department (Cuerpo de Bomberos de Valencia), which provided crucial support in conducting the tests.Alós-Moya, J.; Paya-Zaforteza, I.; Hospitaler Pérez, A.; Loma-Ossorio, E. (2019). Valencia bridge fire tests: Validation of simplified and advanced numerical approaches to model bridge fire scenarios. Advances in Engineering Software (Online). 128:55-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advengsoft.2018.11.003S556812

Protocol of a scoping review of outcome domains in dermatology

Introduction: Core outcome sets (COSs) are agreed outcomes (domains (subdomains) and instruments) that should be measured as a minimum in clinical trials or practice in certain diseases or clinical fields. Worldwide, the number of COSs is increasing and there might be conceptual overlaps of domains (subdomains) and instruments within disciplines. The aim of this scoping review is to map and to classify all outcomes identified with COS projects relating to skin diseases. Methods and analysis: We will conduct a scoping review of outcomes of skin disease-related COS initiatives to identify all concepts and their definitions. We will search PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library. The search dates will be 1 January 2010 (the point at which Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) was established) to 1 January 2024. We will also review the COMET database and C3 website to identify parts of COSs (domains and/or instruments) that are being developed and published. This review will be supplemented by querying relevant stakeholders from COS organisations, dermatology organisations and patient organisations for additional COSs that were developed. The resulting long lists of outcomes will then be mapped into conceptually similar concepts. Ethics and dissemination: This study was supported by departmental research funds from the Department of Dermatology at Northwestern University. An ethics committee review was waived since this protocol was done by staff researchers with no involvement of patient care. Conflicts of interests, if any, will be addressed by replacing participants with relevant conflicts or reassigning them. The results will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals, social media posts and promotion by COS organisations

Herbivory, Connectivity, and Ecosystem Resilience: Response of a Coral Reef to a Large-Scale Perturbation

Coral reefs world-wide are threatened by escalating local and global impacts, and some impacted reefs have shifted from coral dominance to a state dominated by macroalgae. Therefore, there is a growing need to understand the processes that affect the capacity of these ecosystems to return to coral dominance following disturbances, including those that prevent the establishment of persistent stands of macroalgae. Unlike many reefs in the Caribbean, over the last several decades, reefs around the Indo-Pacific island of Moorea, French Polynesia have consistently returned to coral dominance following major perturbations without shifting to a macroalgae-dominated state. Here, we present evidence of a rapid increase in populations of herbivorous fishes following the most recent perturbation, and show that grazing by these herbivores has prevented the establishment of macroalgae following near complete loss of coral on offshore reefs. Importantly, we found the positive response of herbivorous fishes to increased benthic primary productivity associated with coral loss was driven largely by parrotfishes that initially recruit to stable nursery habitat within the lagoons before moving to offshore reefs later in life. These results underscore the importance of connectivity between the lagoon and offshore reefs for preventing the establishment of macroalgae following disturbances, and indicate that protecting nearshore nursery habitat of herbivorous fishes is critical for maintaining reef resilience

Effects of alirocumab on types of myocardial infarction: insights from the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial

Aims  The third Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction (MI) Task Force classified MIs into five types: Type 1, spontaneous; Type 2, related to oxygen supply/demand imbalance; Type 3, fatal without ascertainment of cardiac biomarkers; Type 4, related to percutaneous coronary intervention; and Type 5, related to coronary artery bypass surgery. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction with statins and proprotein convertase subtilisin–kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors reduces risk of MI, but less is known about effects on types of MI. ODYSSEY OUTCOMES compared the PCSK9 inhibitor alirocumab with placebo in 18 924 patients with recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and elevated LDL-C (≥1.8 mmol/L) despite intensive statin therapy. In a pre-specified analysis, we assessed the effects of alirocumab on types of MI. Methods and results  Median follow-up was 2.8 years. Myocardial infarction types were prospectively adjudicated and classified. Of 1860 total MIs, 1223 (65.8%) were adjudicated as Type 1, 386 (20.8%) as Type 2, and 244 (13.1%) as Type 4. Few events were Type 3 (n = 2) or Type 5 (n = 5). Alirocumab reduced first MIs [hazard ratio (HR) 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.77–0.95; P = 0.003], with reductions in both Type 1 (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.77–0.99; P = 0.032) and Type 2 (0.77, 0.61–0.97; P = 0.025), but not Type 4 MI. Conclusion  After ACS, alirocumab added to intensive statin therapy favourably impacted on Type 1 and 2 MIs. The data indicate for the first time that a lipid-lowering therapy can attenuate the risk of Type 2 MI. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction below levels achievable with statins is an effective preventive strategy for both MI types.For complete list of authors see http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehz299</p