Las excavaciones de Tel Abu Hawan en 1985-1986 y la cronología de la expansión fenicia hacia Occidente

The Stratum III of the excavations of R.W. Hamilton at the site of Tell Abu Hawam (Haifa, Israel) is important in chronological debates because of yielding Aegean pottery in the Levant and of having pottery parallels in materials of the first Phoenician colonies in the West. In a revision of Hamilton’s excavations (who dated it to 1000-925 (?) B.C.), Herrera dated it to ca. 1025/1000-750/725 B.C. and subdivided it into six phases. In this article we present the new dating, propose adjusting its end to ca. 759 B.C., and provide new data in the light of the excavations and paleoenvironmental studies of the Mission Archéologique de Tell Abu Hawam

Decellularization of tumours: A new frontier in tissue engineering

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The tumour extracellular matrix (ECM) has unique features in terms of composition and mechanical properties, resulting in a structurally and chemically different ECM to that of native, healthy tissues. This paper reviews to date the efforts into decellularization of tumours, which in the authors’ view represents a new frontier in the ever evolving field of tumour tissue engineering. An overview of the ECM and its importance in cancer is given, ending with examples of research using decellularized tumours, which has already indicated potential therapeutic targets, unravelled malignancy mechanisms or response to chemotherapy agents. The review highlights that more research is needed in this area, which can answer important questions related to tumour formation and progression to ultimately identify new and effective therapeutic targets. Within the near-future of personalized medicine, this research can create patient-specific tumour models and therapeutic regimes

Biomechanical assessment and clinical analysis of different intramedullary nailing systems for oblique fractures

The aim of this study is to evaluate the fracture union or non-union for a specific patient that presented oblique fractures in tibia and fibula, using a mechanistic-based bone healing model. Normally, this kind of fractures can be treated through an intramedullary nail using two possible configurations that depends on the mechanical stabilisation: static and dynamic. Both cases are simulated under different fracture geometries in order to understand the effect of the mechanical stabilisation on the fracture healing outcome. The results of both simulations are in good agreement with previous clinical experience. From the results, it is demonstrated that the dynamization of the fracture improves healing in comparison with a static or rigid fixation of the fracture. This work shows the versatility and potential of a mechanistic-based bone healing model to predict the final outcome (union, non-union, delayed union) of realistic 3D fractures where even more than one bone is involved

Mechano-sensing and cell migration: A 3D model approach

Cell migration is essential for tissue development in different physiological and pathological conditions. It is a complex process orchestrated by chemistry, biological factors, microstructure and surrounding mechanical properties. Focusing on the mechanical interactions, cells do not only exert forces on the matrix that surrounds them, but they also sense and react to mechanical cues in a process called mechano-sensing. Here, we hypothesize the involvement of mechano-sensing in the regulation of directional cell migration through a three-dimensional (3D) matrix. For this purpose, we develop a 3D numerical model of individual cell migration, which incorporates the mechano-sensing process of the cell as the main mechanism regulating its movement. Consistent with this hypothesis, we found that factors, such as substrate stiffness, boundary conditions and external forces, regulate specific and distinct cell movements

UK Skills and Productivity in an International Context

A nation's prosperity depends largely on its ability to raise the level of its productivity. The education level of its workforce, and how effectively the skills are used in the production processes, are considered important factors in this process. In this report we investigate the extent to which skills have contributed to recent productivity performance in the UK. We do this within a cross-country framework, where we compare the UK's productivity trajectories with those of other close competitors. We quantify the role played by different types of certified skills, both academic and vocational, taking account of the influence of other factors, such as capital investment and technological change. Furthermore, we assess the influence of intangible investments, usually excluded from published data and traditional growth studies. We use a wide range of data sources, and employ growth accounting and panel data econometric techniques. The study begins with a comprehensive review of the literature on the role of human capital in productivity and growth, from both a theoretical and empirical point of view (section 1). We then provide a description of aggregate productivity and employment trends in section 2. Section 3 contains detailed results of the growth accounting decomposition and Section 4 summarises the econometric analysis. Sections 5 and 6 outline the key findings and conclusions emerging from this analysis. The main research questions addressed in this report are: • What have been the main sources of growth in the UK and other major economies since the recession? How have these differed relative to the previous periods? • What is the link between skills and productivity/growth? How have skills contributed to growth over recent years? • What is the contribution of different types of skills to growth? Where does the UK fare better and worse compared to international competitors? • What is the role of training and other intangible assets in explaining productivity and growth outcomes? Do they interact differently with different types of skilled workers

Quantification of sprouting angiogenesis under the effect of different growth factors involved in the tumor microenvironmen

One of the most important problems in tumor control is the management of metastatic process. Angiogenesis or the formation of new blood vessels from preexisting ones plays a crucial role in the expansion of the tumor by providing oxygen, nutrition and conduits for cancer cells to invade and metastasize new tissues¹. Abnormalities of growth factors (GFs) released such as PDGFs (Platelet Derived Growth Factor) could be involved in malignant human diseases2,3. Inflammation and cancer present similar mechanisms of development including angiogenesis or cell proliferation4. In order to know the effect on sprouting promotion of GFs existent in the tumor environment such as VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor), PDGF, BMP2 (Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2) or TGF-ß (Transforming Growth Factor-ß), we have developed a microfluidic-based test based on devices designed by Farahat et al. (2012)5, which allows to the user the quantification of sprouting formation under the effect of these GFs. TGF-ß pathway involved in tumor progression in multiple human cancers, instigates phenotypical changes affecting to the cell growth, differentiation and migration6. Knowing the overexpression of GFs such as VEGF or BMP2 in tumors7,8, we aimed to compare its effect on endothelial cells in angiogenesis. Analyzing the promotion of sprout in normal conditions under GFs addition would be possible to determine which of these molecules could decrease or promote the advance of the endothelial cells. The results obtained in this work indicated that VEGF is the most important factor to enhance the angiogenic process while non-specific factors such as BMP2 or TGF-ß show a low effectiveness. In the case of PDGF, the negative effect of this molecule observed in our assays could be explained by the non-optimal balance of concentration. Furthermore, we are currently working to quantify the effect of fluid flow on the sprouting promotion

Migration of mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) from cardboard containers to dry food and prediction tool

This research aimed to study the migration of mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) from primary carton packages to dry foods, using 16 aromatic hydrocarbons as model substances, covering a wide range of molecular masses and chemical structures. Migration experiments were performed using modified polyphenylene oxide as a food simulant and couscous and polenta as dry foods. The migration tests were carried out to simulate storage at room temperature for long periods and in hot food containers as the worst scenario. Multivariate analysis algorithms were applied to correlate and group the migration of model substances, and a partial least squares regression (PLSR) model was built to predict the worst-case migration. The results showed strong correlations in the migration patterns of the model substances, based on their volatility, food matrix, migration time and temperature. Different behaviour between the migration of the most volatile and the heaviest model substances was observed

Living on the Edge: Settlement Patterns by the Symbiotic Barnacle \u3cem\u3eXenobalanus globicipitis\u3c/em\u3e on Small Cetaceans

The highly specialized coronulid barnacle Xenobalanus globicipitis attaches exclusively on cetaceans worldwide, but little is known about the factors that drive the microhabitat patterns on its hosts. We investigate this issue based on data on occurrence, abundance, distribution, orientation, and size of X. globicipitis collected from 242 striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) that were stranded along the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Barnacles exclusively infested the fins, particularly along the trailing edge. Occurrence, abundance, and density of X. globicipitis were significantly higher, and barnacles were significantly larger, on the caudal fin than on the flippers and dorsal fin. Barnacles were found more frequently and in greater numbers on the dorsal rather than ventral side of the caudal fin and on the central third of dorsal and ventral fluke surfaces. Nearly all examined individuals attached with their cirral fan oriented opposite to the fluke edge. We suggest that X. globicipitis may chemically recognize dolphins as a substratum, but fins, particularly the flukes, are passively selected because of creation of vortices that increase contact of cyprids with skin and early survival of these larvae at the corresponding sites. Cyprids could actively select the trailing edge and orient with the cirri facing the main direction of flow. Attachment on the dorsal side of the flukes is likely associated with asymmetrical oscillation of the caudal fin, and the main presence on the central segment of the flukes could be related to suitable water flow conditions generated by fluke performance for both settlement and nutrient filtration