neuroanatomical basis of behavioral disturbances in patients with prefrontal lesions

The role of the frontal lobe in control of behavioral and cognitive abilities is explored in a group of 34 patients with brain lesions restricted to the prefrontal cortex. The scores in both structured behavioral questionnaires and standard neuropsychological tests were analyzed using the injured area of the frontal lobe as the independent variable. Our results show that patients with simultaneous lesions in supero– and inferomedial areas of the prefrontal cortex exhibit higher behavioral disturbances. Bilateral lesions also are associated with greater behavioral troubles. On the contrary, cognitive abilities are globally impaired in prefrontal patients. Results are discussed in relation to current models of the organization of the prefrontal cortex and its role on behavior control

Free volume holes diffusion to describe physical aging in poly(mehtyl methacrylate)/silica nanocomposites

9 páginas, 5 figuras, 3 tablas.-- Trabajo presentado al "MACRO2010: 43rd IUPAC World Polymer Congress" celebrado en Glasgow (U.K.) del 11 al 16 de julio de 2010.The spontaneous thermodynamically driven densification, the so-called physical aging, of glassy poly(mehtyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and its nanocomposites with silica has been described by means of the free volume holes diffusion model. This mechanism is able to account for the partial decoupling between physical aging and segmental dynamics of PMMA in nancomposites. The former has been found to be accelerated in PMMA/silica nanocomposites in comparison to “bulk” PMMA, whereas no difference between the segmental dynamics of bulk PMMA and that of the same polymer in nanocomposites has been observed. Thus, the rate of physical aging also depends on the amount of interface polymer/nanoparticles, where free volume holes disappear after diffusing through the polymer matrix. The free volume holes diffusion model is able to nicely capture the phenomenology of the physical aging process with a structure dependent diffusion coefficient.The authors acknowledge the University of the Basque Country and Basque Country Government (Ref. No. IT- 436-07, Depto. Educación, Universidades e Investigación) and Spanish Minister of Education (Grant Nos. MAT 2007- 63681 and CSD2006-00053) for their support. The support of the Basque Government within the Etortek program is also acknowledged.Peer reviewe

The embedded clusters DBS 77, 78, 102, and 160-161 and their link with the interstellar medium

Aims. We report a study of the global properties of some embedded clusters placed in the fourth quadrant of the Milky Way to clarify some issues related with their location into the Galaxy and their stellar formation processes. Methods. We performed BVI photometric observations in the region of DBS 77, 78, 102, 160, and 161 clusters and infrared spectroscopy in DBS 77 region. They were complemented with JHK data from VVV survey combined with 2MASS catalogue, and used mid-infrared information from GLIMPSE catalogue. We also searched for HI data from SGPS and PMN radio surveys, and previous spectroscopic stellar classification. The spectroscopic and photometric information allowed us to estimate the spectral classification of the brightest stars of each studied region. On the other hand, we used the radio data to investigate the interstellar material parameters and the continuum sources probably associated with the respective stellar components. Results. We estimated the basic physical parameters of the clusters (reddening, distance, age, and initial mass function). We searched for HII regions located near to the studied clusters and we analyzed the possible link between them. In the particular case of DBS 160-161 clusters, we identified the HI bubble B332.5-0.1-42 located around them. We found that the mechanical energy injected to the interstellar medium by the more massive stars of this couple of clusters was enough to generate the bubble.Comment: 15 pages, 14 figures, 6 tables, accepted for publication in A&

El concepto de justicia en la Encíclica "Mater et magistra"

La idea de la Justicia ocupa un puesto central en la doctrina de la Encíclica Mater et Magistra del Papa Juan XXIII. La palabra "justicia" recurre en el texto de la Encíclica no menos de cuarenta veces. Esto no puede extrañar. La Justicia es una norma universal que regulta todas las relaciones sociales y económicas de los hombres. Este es un presupuesto fundamental de la doctrina social de los Papas desde León XIII hastas Pío XII. Es también la base de la enseñanza social de Juan XXIII en la Mater et Magistra

Spatio-temporal vulnerability assessment in fractured groundwater systems

Governance reforms are required to demonstrate adaptive and resilient urban water resource management that considers complexity, uncertainty in immediate and long term change. Contamination of groundwater is a complex process and full of uncertainty at local and regional scale. The main objective of this research is the study of vulnerability to pollution in an unconfined karstic aquifer. Mainly it is addressed vulnerability integration, in relation to policy, specifically in risk evaluation and risk–benefit considerations. Development of an integrated vulnerability assessment methodology can be useful to effectively manage and protect this valuable freshwater source. The research insights suggest that the establishment of a pattern of effective governance is mandatory as the future highway, the prison and the airport are overlaying the most vulnerable areas of the aquifer and therefore provide policy makers guidance in overcoming urban water governance challenges.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Rabdomiólisis tras la práctica de spinning: una asociación peculiar

ResumenLa rabdomiólisis de esfuerzo es una entidad clínica con unas características especiales. Se describe un cuadro de rabdomiólisis en un varón joven y sano, tras la práctica de una única sesión de spinning y se compara con otros descritos en la literatura. El objetivo es exponer las peculiaridades de la asociación del spinning con la rabdomiólisis por esfuerzo y conocer el riesgo de esta patología, aun en personas sanas, en relación con esta práctica deportiva. La contracción muscular que se produce en este ejercicio y la percepción disminuida del esfuerzo, al ser una actividad realizada en grupo, estimulada ambientalmente y alentada por un monitor, pueden contribuir a esta asociación.AbstractExertional rhabdomyolysis is a distinct entity with special characteristics. We present a case report, and literature review, of rhabdomyolysis in a young healthy male adult after practicing a single spinning session. The objective is to explain the peculiarities of the association spinning and exertional rhabdomyolysis and determine the risk of this disease, even in healthy people, concerning this sport. Muscular contraction during this exercise and the diminished perception of effort, due to being a group activity encouraged by a monitor, may contribute to its association