The Providence of God according to Richard Swinburne

Esta tesis es un estudio del tema de la providencia divina en el trabajo de Richard Swinburne. Su pensamiento sobre este tema consiste principalmen- te en su respuesta al problema del mal. Argumenta que todo el mal que ocurre es lógicamente necesario para que Dios nos dé todos los bienes que considera- mos valiosos. Swinburne sugiere que los bienes que nos otorga pesan más que los males y que esto es lo mejor que Dios puede hacer. Su meta es mostrar que la ocurrencia del mal no cuenta contra el teísmo. El presente trabajo defiende la tesis, siguiendo a Tomás de Aquino, que la teodicea de Swinburne es inadecuado y que cualquier teodicea que no tenga en cuenta la causalidad final será inadecuado. Para conseguir una teodicea satisfactoria, ha de emplearse un procedimiento más metafísico. La tesis dice que un concepto teleológico de la naturaleza es indispensable para reconocer los bienes y males verdaderos. Este concepto es la base de la concepción tradicional del mal como privatio boni, que este trabajo defiende. La tesis argumenta que esta concepción del mal resuelve muchos de las dificultades que encuentra la teodicea de Swinburne. Además, implica que la «defensa de la libertad de la voluntad» de Swinburne, que hace necesario la existencia positiva del mal, no es sostenible. El trabajo muestra también que son sus concepciones del bien y de la libertad que le hacen rechazar algunas de las doctrinas de la teodicea en la tradición cristiana.This dissertation is a study of the theme of divine providence in Richard Swinburne’s work. This consists principally in his response to the problem of evil. He argues that all evil that occurs is logically necessary if God is to give us all the goods that we value greatly. He suggests that the good that God brings about outweighs the evil that he permits and that this is the best that God could do. His aim is to show that the occurrence of evil does not count against theism. The thesis that is defended in the present work, following Thomas Aquinas, is that Swinburne’s theodicy is inadequate and that any theodicy that does not take into account final causality will be inadequate. For a satisfactory theodicy, a more metaphysical approach to the problem of evil has to be employed. The thesis holds that a teleological concept of nature is indispensable in the recognition of the real goods and evils. This concept is the basis for the traditional understanding of evil as privatio boni, which the present work defends. The thesis argues that this way of understanding evil solves many of the difficulties faced by Swinburne’s theodicy. It also means that Swinburne’s free-will defence, which necessitates the existence of evil as an alternative reality to the good, is not sustainable. The study also shows that it is his conceptions of good and freedom that make him reject some of the doctrines in the theodicy in the Christian tradition

Near real-time surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic with incomplete data

When responding to infectious disease outbreaks, rapid and accurate estimation of the epidemic trajectory is critical. However, two common data collection problems affect the reliability of the epidemiological data in real time: missing information on the time of first symptoms, and retrospective revision of historical information, including right censoring. Here, we propose an approach to construct epidemic curves in near real time that addresses these two challenges by 1) imputation of dates of symptom onset for reported cases using a dynamically-estimated "backward" reporting delay conditional distribution, and 2) adjustment for right censoring using the NobBS software package to nowcast cases by date of symptom onset. This process allows us to obtain an approximation of the time-varying reproduction number (Rt) in real time. We apply this approach to characterize the early SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in two Spanish regions between March and April 2020. We evaluate how these real-time estimates compare with more complete epidemiological data that became available later. We explore the impact of the different assumptions on the estimates, and compare our estimates with those obtained from commonly used surveillance approaches. Our framework can help improve accuracy, quantify uncertainty, and evaluate frequently unstated assumptions when recovering the epidemic curves from limited data obtained from public health systems in other locations.PMD was supported by the fellowship Ramón Areces Foundation. JAH was funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, Award U54GM088558, and the National Institutes of Health Director’s Early Independence, Award DP5-OD028145. ML was supported by the Morris-Singer Fund and by a subcontract from the Carnegie Mellon University under an award from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Award U01IP001121). MS was supported by the National Institute Of General Medical Sciences, Award R01GM130668-02. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.S

Enthalpies of formation of N-substituted pyrazoles and imidazoles

Accurate experimental enthalpies of formation measured using static bomb combustion calorimetry, the “vacuum sublimation” drop calorimetry method, and the Knudsen-effusion method are reported for the first time for four azoles:  1-methylimidazole (1MeIMI), 1-methylpyrazole (1MePYR), 1-benzylimidazole (1BnIMI), and 1-benzylpyrazole (1BnPYR). These values and those corresponding to imidazole (1HIMI), pyrazole (1HPYR), 1-ethylimidazole (1EtIMI), 1-ethylpyrazole (1EtPYR), 1-phenylimidazole (1PhIMI), and 1-phenylpyrazole (1PhPYR) are compared with theoretical values using the G2(MP2) and the B3LYP/6-311*G(3df,2p)//6-31G(d) approaches. In general, there is a very good agreement between calculated and experimental values for the series of N-substituted imidazoles, while the agreement is less good for the series of the N-substituted pyrazoles. Experimentally, the gap between the enthalpies of formation of imidazoles and pyrazoles decreases significantly upon N-substitution, while the theoretical estimates indicate that this decrease is smaller.This work has been partially supported by the DGES Projects PB 96-0001-C03-03, PB96-0067, and PB96-0927-C02-01. A generous allocation of computational time at the Centro de Computacio´n Cientı´fica de la Facultad de Ciencias (CCCFC) de la UAM is also gratefully acknowledged. Thanks are due to Junta National de Investigac¸a˜o Cientı´fica e Tecnolo´gica (JNICT), Lisbon, Portugal and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientı´ficas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain, for a joint research project CSIC/JNICT. Financial support from the Praxis XXI, Project 2/2.1/qui/54/94, is acknowledged. L.M.P.F.A. thanks Fundac¸aˆo para a Cieˆncia e Tecnologia, Lisbon, Portugal for the award of a postdoctoral fellowship (Praxis XXI/BDP/16319/98). J.F.L. acknowledges funding from “Dow Chemical Company” for partial support of his thermochemical studies

Registro español de nutrición enteral domiciliaria del año 2009; Grupo NADYA-SENPE

Objetivo: Describir las características de la Nutrición Enteral Domiciliaria (NED) en España, registrada por el grupo NADYA-SENPE durante el año 2009. Material y métodos: Recopilación y análisis descriptivo de los datos del registro de NED del grupo NADYASENPE desde el 1 de enero al 31 de diciembre de 2009. Resultados: Se registraron 6.540 pacientes, 5,11% más que en el año anterior y 6.649 episodios de NED (3.135 en mujeres, 47,93%) pertenecientes a 32 centros hospitalarios. Siendo 6.238 (95,38%) mayores de 14 años. La edad media en los menores de 14 años fue de 3,67 ± 2,86 y de 72,10 ± 16,89 en los mayores de 14 años. La enfermedad de base que se registró con más frecuencia fue la neurológica en 2.732 (41,77%) ocasiones, seguida de la neoplasia en 1838; 28,10%. La vía de acceso se registró en 1.123 (17,17%) de los episodios, siendo más frecuente la administración por sonda nasogástrica 562 (50,04%). El tiempo medio de tratamiento nutricional fue de 323 días (10,77 meses). Finalizaron 606 episodios de NED, siendo el motivo más frecuentes el fallecimiento del enfermo, lo que aconteció en 295 (48,68%) ocasiones y el paso a alimentación oral en 219 (36,14%). Los pacientes mantenían una actividad normal en 2162 episodios de NED (32,55%) y en 2468 (37,13%) hacían vida “cama-sillón”. El grado de dependencia fue “total” en 2598 (39,07%) de los episodios registrado. El suministro de la fórmula nutricional se realizó desde el hospital en 4.183 (62,91%) casos y por la farmacia de referencia en 2.262 (el 34,02%) y el material fungible se suministró desde el hospital en 3.531 (53,11%) de los casos. Conclusiones: El número de pacientes con NED registrados es superior al del año 2008, continuando con el incremento progresivo desde el inicio del registro. Las características de los mismos mantiene el mismo perfil que en años anteriores con pequeñas variaciones.Objective: To describe the Home Enteral Nutrition Characteristics (HEN) recorded by the group NADYASENPE during 2009. Material and methods: collection and analysis of the data voluntary recorded in the HEN registry from the NADYASENPE group from January 1st to December 31st. Results: 6.540 HEN patients were registered, 5.11% more than the previous year and 6,649 episodes (3,135 in women, 47,93%) from 32 different hospitals. 6,238 of them (95,38%) were over 14 years. The mean age of the patients under 14 yr was 3,67 ± 2,86 and it was 72,10 ± 16,89 in those over 14 yr group. The base illness registered more frequently was the neurological disorders in 2,732 (41,77%) patients, followed by cancer patients in 1,838; 28,10%. The enteral access route was registered in 1,123 (17,17%) of the episodes, being more frequent the administration by nasogastric tube 562 (50,04%). The mean length of nutritional treatment by episode was 323 days (10,77 months). 606 episodes of HEN ended, being the principal reasons for discontinuing treatment the patient death in 295 (48,68%) occasions. The transition to oral feeding occurred in 219 (36,14%) cases. Patients maintained normal activity in 2162 (32,55%) HEN episodes and 2,468 (37,13%) cases were living “bedcouch”. The level of dependence was “total” in 2,598 (39,07%) of the episodes recorded. The nutritional formula was provided by the hospital in 4,183 (62,91%) cases and by the reference pharmacy in 2,262 (el 34,02%). Consumables were provided by the hospital in 3,531 (53,11%) cases. Conclusions: The number of HEN patients recorded increased from the year 2008, continuing the gradual growth increase since the start of registration. The characteristics of the patients remain in the same profile as in previous years

Acción humana y "disposición de ánimo" desde la perspectiva fenomenológica (Alexander Pfänder, Dietrich von Hildebrand y Max Scheler)

La tesis lleva por título "Acción humana y disposición de ánimo desde la perspectiva fenomenológica (Alexander Pfänder, Dietrich von Hildebrand y Max Scheler)". Básicamente son estas dos nociones (la acción humana y la disposición de ánimo) las que han dividido el trabajo en dos partes. La primera sobre la acción humana y su libertad; la segunda sobre la disposición de ánimo como el fundamento subjetivo de la acción humana

Microwave-assisted synthesis of bipyrazolyls and pyrazolyl-substituted pyrimidines

We describe the preparation of 1,4′-bipyrazolyls and 4-pyrazolylpyrimidines by the reaction of 2-pyrazolyl-3-dimethylamino acrylate and acrylonitrile with double nucleophilic reagents such as hydrazines, urea and guanidine. Reactions were performed under microwave irradiation in 5-60 min. This is a useful procedure for the preparation of valuable compounds with applications in medicinal and coordination chemistry. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Peer Reviewe

Microwave-assisted synthesis and dynamic behaviour of N2,N 4,N6-tris(1H-pyrazolyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamines

A series of N2,N4,N6-tris(1H-pyrazolyl)-1, 3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamines has been synthesised under microwave irradiation in solvent-free conditions. By reaction of pyrazolylamines with cyanuric chloride and 2-chloro-4,6-diamino-1,3,5-triazines under microwave irradiation, 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamies with symmetrical and asymmetrical substitution, respectively, can be obtained. In the latter case, the procedure can be easily adapted by addition of a small amount of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) for the preparation of polymer-supported triazines, with application in supramolecular combinatorial synthesis. At low temperature, the presence of two or four conformers has been detected for symmetrically and asymmetrically substituted derivatives respectively. 1D- and 2D-exchange spectroscopy studies in various solvents and at different temperatures have been used to determine the equilibrium constants and the activation free energies of the restricted rotation about the amino-triazine bond. A plot of the activation free energy versus temperature shows a good linear correlation and confirms that the same process is present in all of the compounds under investigation. © 2005 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.Peer Reviewe

Microwave-assisted selective and efficient synthesis of 1,3,5-triazinyl mono and bisureas

International audienc

Usefulness of high b-value diffusion-weighted MRI in the diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Background: Current diagnostic criteria of probable Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) include a combination of clinical, EEG and analytic data. Recent data indicate that brain MRI including fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences can be a valid and reliable tool for the diagnosis of CJD. We describe our experience with high b-value (3000s/mm2) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in patients with probable or definite CJD and compare it with standard b-value (1000s/mm2) DWI. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients admitted to our Hospital Service between 2002 and 2008 with a final diagnosis of probable or definite CJD. Patients were examined using either a 1.5 Tesla or a 3 Tesla MRI. The MRI protocol included T1-weigthed spin-echo sequences, T2-weighted fast spin-echo, FLAIR and DWI sequences with high b-value and standard b-value. Results: During the study period there were 7 patients with probable or definite CJD. Only 3 patients (43%) showed changes on FLAIR sequence consistent with CJD. All the cases were detected with high b-value DWI, including 2 cases (28%) that would have been missed using standard b-value (1000s/mm2) DWI. In all the patients the changes were more conspicuous and extensive at high b-value DWI (b=3000s/mm2). Conclusion: Our data indicate that high b-value DWI may improve the sensitivity of brain MRI for the diagnosis of CJD, allowing the detection of some cases that would have been overlooked by conventional sequences. Resumen: Introducción: Los criterios diagnósticos actuales de la enfermedad de Creutzfeldt-Jakob (ECJ) probable incluyen la combinación de datos clínicos, electroencefalográficos y analíticos. En los últimos años se ha demostrado que la RM craneal con el uso de secuencias FLAIR y difusión (DWI) puede ser una herramienta útil en el diagnóstico de esta enfermedad. Describimos nuestra experiencia en la utilización de la DWI convencional (b: 1000s/mm2) y DWI con valor b alto (3000s/mm2) en el diagnóstico de la ECJ probable o definitiva. Pacientes y métodos: Realizamos un análisis retrospectivo de los pacientes atendidos en nuestro hospital diagnosticados de ECJ probable o definitiva, desde el año 2002 al 2008. A todos ellos se les realizó una RM craneal con un protocolo que incluyó secuencias potenciadas en T1, T2, FLAIR y dos secuencias DWI, una con valor b convencional (1000s/mm2) y otra con valor b alto (3000s/mm2). Resultados: Se atendieron a 7 pacientes con diagnóstico de ECJ probable o definitiva. En tres de ellos (43%) la secuencia FLAIR mostró cambios de señal compatibles con ECJ. En todos los pacientes en la secuencia DWI con valor b alto se observaron alteraciones características de la enfermedad, incluyendo dos casos (28%) en los que todas las secuencias realizadas, incluida la DWI convencional, fueron normales. Adicionalmente en los 7 casos (100%) las alteraciones radiológicas fueron más fáciles de identificar y más extensas con valores altos b de DWI. Conclusión: La utilización de un valor b alto (3000s/mm2) en la secuencia DWI puede aumentar la sensibilidad de la RM craneal en el diagnóstico de la ECJ, permitiendo la detección de casos en los que la DWI convencional es normal. Keywords: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, MRI, Magnetic resonance imaging, Diffusion-weighted imaging, DWI, b value, Palabras clave: Enfermedad de Creutzfeldt-Jakob, Resonancia magnética cerebral, Secuencias potenciadas en difusión, DWI, Valor