Els briòfits saprobiolignícoles de la Vall d'Aran

En aquest treball, comuniquem la presència de 23 espècies de briòfits saprobiolignícoles sobre les soques en descomposició dels avets i dels faigs de la vall d'Aran, i comparem la seva riquesa en relació a altres zones de Catalunya23 species of saprolignicolous bryophytes on rotten stumps of European silver firs and beeches have been identified from the Aran valley. We give some comments on the species richness of this valley, compared with other Catalan similar area

Need for standardization in scientific illustration

El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar las nociones o conceptos transmitidos habitualmente mediante símbolos en las ciencias de la vida, así como determinar cuáles son las combinaciones de signos más utilizadas actualmente para expresar dichos conceptos y establecer cuáles de ellas se podrían considerar consolidadas por el uso repetido. Con dicho fin, se analizó una muestra de 3894 figuras extraídas de aquellos tratados científicos de carácter generalista que habían sido objeto de préstamo más frecuente en las bibliotecas de las facultades de Medicina, Biología y Veterinaria. Para cada una de las ilustraciones contenidas en ellos se identificaron los diferentes conceptos que habían sido representados mediante símbolos y se organizaron en una tabla. Posteriormente se analizaron para cada uno de estos conceptos los símbolos y recursos gráficos empleados para su representación, determinando las combinaciones más prevalentes. Entre las conclusiones de este estudio cabe destacar la falta de homogeneidad en los símbolos utilizados para expresar un determinado concepto, existiendo notables diferencias entre ellos incluso dentro de un mismo tratado, lo que podría disminuir su efectividad. Por otra parte, también se detectó un uso abusivo de algunos símbolos para representar conceptos muy distintos entre sí, lo que puede conducir a una mayor ambigüedad en su interpretación. Por estas razones se hace aconsejable establecer unas normas en la utilización de símbolos en el dibujo científico.The aim of this study was to identify ideas or concepts usually transmitted through images in the life sciences and also identify the most commonly used combinations of signs to express these concepts and establish which of them might be considered consolidated by continued use. For this purpose, a sample of 3894 figures was analyzed. These images were extracted from the most provided scientific books in the libraries of the faculties of Medicine, Biology and Veterinary. In each illustration different concepts that had been represented by symbols were identified and organized in a table. Then we analyzed for each of these concepts graphic symbols and resources used for their representation and we determining the most prevalent combinations. Later, for each of these concepts we analyzed the symbols and graphic resources used for its representation, and the most prevalent combinations were determined. Among the conclusions of this study include the lack of homogeneity in the symbols used to express a given concept. There are notable differences between them even within a single treaty, which could reduce its effectiveness. Furthermore, overuse of some symbols to represent concepts very different was also detected, which can produce a greater ambiguity in interpretation. For these reasons it is advisable to establish rules on the use of symbols in scientific drawing

¿Participación y democracia en los medios sociales?: El caso de Twitter en las elecciones vascas de 2012

Producción CientíficaAl incorporarse a la política española, Twitter prometía revitalizar la relación gobernantes-gobernados y dinamizar el debate político en el marco de la política 2.0, unas expectativas que, según demuestra este trabajo, no se materializaron en el caso de la campaña de las elecciones autonómicas vascas de 2012. En concreto, el artículo analiza la actividad en las cuentas de los principales candidatos en estos comicios —@iurkullu, @lauramintegui, @patxilopez y @basagoiti— identificando el tipo de mensajes, su origen, su intencionalidad y los grados de interacción e hipertextualidad que presentan. Las conclusiones evidencian que en esta campaña Twitter no fue, en los casos analizados, un instrumento de política 2.0: la actividad es baja; el diálogo gobernantes gobernados no existe, por ser las conversaciones puntuales, de escasa profundidad y mala calidad, y no se desarrolla el potencial hipertextual de la herramienta, ya que lo más frecuente es que los tuits no incluyan enlace alguno. El trabajo no ha encontrado creación de opinión, ni discusión ni divulgación de material diferente a la campaña tradicional, y sí en cambio un apoyo a esta cercano al broadcasting de los medios tradicionales. Las diferencias encontradas entre los cuatro candidatos analizados no se explican por parámetros ideológicos o territoriales sino que responden a las diferentes tácticas de campaña tradicional, sin una estrategia diferenciada en política 2.0.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (CSO2012-34698

Synthesis of a new vanadyl(IV) complex with trehalose (TreVO): insulin-mimetic activities in osteoblast-like cells in culture

Vanadium compounds show interesting biological and pharmacological properties. Some of them display insulin-mimetic effects and others produce antitumor actions. The bioactivity of vanadium is present in inorganic species like the vanadyl(IV) cation or vanadate( V) anion. Nevertheless, the development of new vanadium derivatives with organic ligands which improve the beneficial actions and decrease the toxic effects is of great interest. On the other hand, the mechanisms involved in vanadium bioactivity are still poorly understood. A new vanadium complex of the vanadyl(IV) cation with the disaccharide trehalose (TreVO), Na6 [VO(Tre)2].4H2O, here reported, shows interesting insulin- mimetic properties in two osteoblast cell lines, a normal one (MC3T3E1) and a tumoral one (UMR106). The complex affected the proliferation of both cell lines in a different manner. On tumoral cells, TreVO caused a weak stimulation of growth at 5 lM but it inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-response manner between 50 and 100 lM. TreVO significantly inhibited UMR106 differentiation (15–25% of basal) in the range 5–100 lM. On normal osteoblasts, TreVO behaved as a mitogen at 5–25 lM. Different inhibitors of the MAPK pathway blocked this effect. At higher concentrations (75–100 lM), the complex was a weak inhibitor of the MC3T3E1 proliferation. Besides, TreVO enhanced glucose consumption by a mechanism independent of the PI3-kinase activation. In both cell lines, TreVO stimulated the ERK phosphorylation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Different inhibitors (PD98059, wortmannin, vitamins C and E) partially decreased this effect, which was totally inhibited by their combination. These results suggest that TreVO could be a potential candidate for therapeutic treatments.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

El proceso de gestión de la RSC. Estudio de caso

Introducción: Estamos ante un momento de cambio en el contexto empresarial, lo cual repercute en el comportamiento de las organizaciones con la sociedad, que a través de una adecuada gestión de la Responsabilidad Social Corporativa (RSC) da respuesta a los intereses de sus stakeholders. Metodología:El objetivo de esta investigación es analizar, mediante el estudio de caso Unilever España, cómo se articulan las diferentes fases del proceso de gestión de la RSC. Resultados y conclusiones: Los resultados muestran que el desarrollo de las diferentes fases tiene consecuencias en la propia naturaleza de la gestión de la RSC, siendo las principales: la transversalidad, la transparencia y el dinamismo. Esta investigación también supone una aportación interesante en la gestión de los valores de consumo (asociados a una marca producto) y su relación con los intangibles de la compañíaIntroduction: We are living a moment of change in business context, which directly affects organizations' behaviour with society, through which a proper management of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) satisfies its starkeholders' interests. Methodology: The aim of this research is to analyze, focuzed on the Unilever Spain case study, how the different phases of the CSR management process are articulated. Results and conclusions:The results show that the development of the different phases has consequences in the own nature of the CSR management, being the main ones: transversality, transparency and dynamism. This research also provides an interesting contribution to the management of consumer values (linked to a product brand) and its relation to the company's intangible

De la reflexión personal a la reflexión crítica en equipo : Aprendizaje Permanente en Equipo, un modelo para una práctica reflexiva y democrática en la primera infancia

The model Permanent Learning in Teams -as professional learning communities- is a practical approach that early childhood professionals and their coaches support to develop a critical reflective attitude on their knowledge and praxis. The model was developed during a two years action research project conducted by Bureau MUTANT (2007-2008) and co-constructed with four childcare-providing organizations. The project focused on the development of a reflexion process at all levels in these organizations - educators, team leaders and management and staff at central level - to improve professional quality. The coconstruction of the model contributed to strengthening the individual and team learning processes. It also led to more pleasure, enthusiasm and increased commitment towards the work of educators. However, two important conditions have to be in place within early childhood organizations: Structural time to facilitate the reflection process and team coaching.  El modelo Aprendizaje Permanente en Equipo apoya a los profesionales y equipos directivos de la primera infancia a desarrollar una actitud crítica y reflexiva sobre el conocimiento y la práctica. El modelo, desarrollado durante un proyecto de dos años de investigación práctica, fue llevado a cabo por Bureau MUTANT (2007-2008) y coconstruido con cuatro centros de atención y educación a la primera infancia. El proyecto puso énfasis en el desarrollo de un proceso de reflexión, a distintos niveles en estos centros, para mejorar la calidad profesional. La coconstrucción del modelo ha contribuido al fortalecimiento de los procesos de aprendizaje individuales y de equipo. También dio lugar a una mayor satisfacción y compromiso hacia el trabajo entre los educadores. Sin embargo, dos condiciones se hacen imprescindibles para obtener resultados positivos: la necesidad de crear tiempo estructural para facilitar la práctica reflexiva y la supervisión sistemática de los equipos de educadores.The model Permanent Learning in Teams -as professional learning communities- is a practical approach that early childhood professionals and their coaches support to develop a critical reflective attitude on their knowledge and praxis. The model was developed during a two years action research project conducted by Bureau MUTANT (2007-2008) and co-constructed with four childcare-providing organizations. The project focused on the development of a reflexion process at all levels in these organizations - educators, team leaders and management and staff at central level - to improve professional quality. The coconstruction of the model contributed to strengthening the individual and team learning processes. It also led to more pleasure, enthusiasm and increased commitment towards the work of educators. However, two important conditions have to be in place within early childhood organizations: Structural time to facilitate the reflection process and team coaching

Three new vanadyl(IV) complexes with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen, Naproxen and Tolmetin) : Bioactivity on osteoblast-like cells in culture

The synthesis and spectral and magnetic characterization of VO(2+) complexes with Ibuprofen (2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propionic acid), Naproxen (6-methoxy-alpha-methyl-2-naphthalene acetic acid) and Tolmetin (1-methyl-5-(4-methylbenzoyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-acetic acid) were studied. The complexes [VO(Ibu)(2)] x 5CH(3)OH, [VO(Nap)(2)] x 5CH(3)OH and [VO(Tol)(2)] were obtained from methanolic solutions under nitrogen atmosphere. The biological activities of these complexes on the proliferation of two osteoblast-like cells in culture (MC3T3E1 and UMR106) were compared with that of the vanadyl(IV) cation. The complexes exhibited different effects depending on the concentration and the cellular type, while no effect was observed for their parent drugs.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

Synthesis of a new vanadyl(IV) complex with trehalose (TreVO): insulin-mimetic activities in osteoblast-like cells in culture

Vanadium compounds show interesting biological and pharmacological properties. Some of them display insulin-mimetic effects and others produce antitumor actions. The bioactivity of vanadium is present in inorganic species like the vanadyl(IV) cation or vanadate( V) anion. Nevertheless, the development of new vanadium derivatives with organic ligands which improve the beneficial actions and decrease the toxic effects is of great interest. On the other hand, the mechanisms involved in vanadium bioactivity are still poorly understood. A new vanadium complex of the vanadyl(IV) cation with the disaccharide trehalose (TreVO), Na6 [VO(Tre)2].4H2O, here reported, shows interesting insulin- mimetic properties in two osteoblast cell lines, a normal one (MC3T3E1) and a tumoral one (UMR106). The complex affected the proliferation of both cell lines in a different manner. On tumoral cells, TreVO caused a weak stimulation of growth at 5 lM but it inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-response manner between 50 and 100 lM. TreVO significantly inhibited UMR106 differentiation (15–25% of basal) in the range 5–100 lM. On normal osteoblasts, TreVO behaved as a mitogen at 5–25 lM. Different inhibitors of the MAPK pathway blocked this effect. At higher concentrations (75–100 lM), the complex was a weak inhibitor of the MC3T3E1 proliferation. Besides, TreVO enhanced glucose consumption by a mechanism independent of the PI3-kinase activation. In both cell lines, TreVO stimulated the ERK phosphorylation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Different inhibitors (PD98059, wortmannin, vitamins C and E) partially decreased this effect, which was totally inhibited by their combination. These results suggest that TreVO could be a potential candidate for therapeutic treatments.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta