Noether symmetry for Gauss-Bonnet dilatonic gravity

Noether symmetry for Gauss-Bonnet-Dilatonic interaction exists for a constant dilatonic scalar potential and a linear functional dependence of the coupling parameter on the scalar field. The symmetry with the same form of the potential and coupling parameter exists all in the vacuum, radiation and matter dominated era. The late time acceleration is driven by the effective cos- mological constant rather than the Gauss-Bonnet term, while the later compensates for the large value of the effective cosmological constant giving a plausible answer to the well-known coincidence problem.Comment: 17 pages, 5 figures, in press on GR

Animal models of RLS phenotypes.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a complex disorder that involves sensory and motor systems. The major pathophysiology of RLS is low iron concentration in the substantia nigra containing the cell bodies of dopamine neurons that project to the striatum, an area that is crucial for modulating movement. People who have RLS often present with normal iron values outside the brain; recent studies implicate several genes are involved in the syndrome. Like most complex diseases, animal models usually do not faithfully capture the full phenotypic spectrum of disease, which is a uniquely human construct. Nonetheless, animal models have proven useful in helping to unravel the complex pathophysiology of diseases such as RLS and suggesting novel treatment paradigms. For example, hypothesis-independent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified several genes as increasing the risk for RLS, including . BTBD9. Independently, the murine homolog . Btbd9 was identified as a candidate gene for iron regulation in the midbrain in mice. The relevance of the phenotype of another of the GWAS identified genes, . MEIS1, has also been explored. The role of . Btbd9 in iron regulation and RLS-like behaviors has been further evaluated in mice carrying a null mutation of the gene and in fruit flies when the BTBD9 protein is degraded. The . BTBD9 and . MEIS1 stories originate from human GWAS research, supported by work in a genetic reference population of mice (forward genetics) and further verified in mice, fish flies, and worms. Finally, the role of genetics is further supported by an inbred mouse strain that displays many of the phenotypic characteristics of RLS. The role of animal models of RLS phenotypes is also extended to include periodic limb movements

Reflexiones en torno a la financiación actual y futura de las universidades a nivel mundial Considerations about present and future university financing world wide

Durante la pasada década, las posiciones del Banco Mundial se orientaron hacia la defensa de la orientación competitiva y de mercado de la educación superior, mientras que UNESCO reafirmó el estatuto de servicio público de ella y abogó por mantener un importante financiamiento estatal, con el objetivo de desarrollar una educación superior igualmente accesible a todos sobre la base del mérito. Este artículo es un ejercicio de educación superior internacional comparada. Presenta reflexiones sobre todo respecto a los siguientes temas: principales tendencias globales de la educación superior; modelos mundiales de financiamiento; visión global del financiamiento de las universidades; financiamiento, políticas de educación superior, cooperación internacional e internacionalización; financiamiento de la educación superior en Europa. En resumen, concluye que diversificar las fuentes de financiamiento es positivo y necesario, pero esto no debe implicar una reducción o abdicación del Estado en el financiamiento de la educación terciaria.<br>During the past decade, the World Bank's higher education guidelines were geared towards competition and the market place, while Unesco reaffirmed the statute of its public service and advocated the importance of State financing, with the purpose of developing a higher education that is equally accessible to all and based on merit. This article is a comparison of international higher education. It presents considerations on the following topics: main global tendencies for higher education; world models of financing; global vision of university financing; financing, higher education policies, international cooperation and internationalization; higher education financing in Europe. In short, it concludes that diversifying the sources of financing is both positive and necessary, though this must not imply a reduction or abdication of the State in the financing of higher education