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Abstract Background Neck pain has a significant global impact, ranking as the fourth leading cause of disability. Recurrent neck pain often leads to impaired sensorimotor control, particularly in craniocervical flexion (CFF). The Craniocervical Flexion Test (CCFT) has been widely investigated to assess the performance of deep cervical flexor muscles. However, its use requires skilled assessors who need to subjectively detect compensations, progressive increases in range of motion (ROM) or excessive superficial flexor activation during the test. The aim of this study was to design and develop a novel Craniocervical Flexion Movement Control Test (CFMCT) based on inertial sensor technology and real-time computer feedback and to evaluate its safety and usability, as well as inter and intra-rater reliability in both healthy individuals and patients with neck pain. Methods We used inertial sensor technology associated with new software that provides real-time computer feedback to assess CCF movement control through two independent test protocols, the progressive consecutive stages protocol (including progressive incremental stages of ROM) and the random stages protocol (providing dynamic and less predictable movement patterns). We determined intra and inter-rater reliability and standard error of the measurement for both protocols. The participants rated their usability was analysed through the System Usability Scale (SUS) and possible secondary effects associated with the tests were registered. Results The progressive consecutive stages protocol and the random stages protocol were safe and easy to use (SUS scores of 82.00 ± 11.55 in the pain group and 79.56 ± 13.36 in the asymptomatic group). The progressive consecutive stages protocol demonstrated good inter-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] ≥ 0.75) and moderate to good intra-rater reliability (ICC 0.62–0.80). However, the random stages protocol exhibited lower intra-rater reliability, especially in the neck pain group, where the reliability values were poor in some cases (ICC 0.48–0.72). Conclusion The CFMCT (progressive consecutive stages protocol) is a promising instrument to evaluate CCF motor control in patients with chronic neck pain. It has potential for telehealth assessment and easy adherence for exercise prescription and seems to be a safe and usable tool for patients with pain and asymptomatic individuals. Its use as a test or for exercise needs to be further investigated to facilitate its transfer to clinical practice.

Abstract Background Members of the β-subfamily of connexins contain an intracellular pocket surrounded by amino acid residues from the four transmembrane helices. The presence of this pocket has not previously been investigated in members of the α-, γ-, δ-, and ε-subfamilies. We studied connexin50 (Cx50) as a representative of the α-subfamily, because its structure has been determined and mutations of Cx50 are among the most common genetic causes of congenital cataracts. Methods To investigate the presence and function of the intracellular pocket in Cx50 we used molecular dynamics simulation, site-directed mutagenesis, gap junction tracer intercellular transfer, and hemichannel activity detected by electrophysiology and by permeation of charged molecules. Results Employing molecular dynamics, we determined the presence of the intracellular pocket in Cx50 hemichannels and identified the amino acids participating in its formation. We utilized site-directed mutagenesis to alter a salt-bridge interaction that supports the intracellular pocket and occurs between two residues highly conserved in the connexin family, R33 and E162. Substitution of opposite charges at either position decreased formation of gap junctional plaques and cell–cell communication and modestly reduced hemichannel currents. Simultaneous charge reversal at these positions produced plaque-forming non-functional gap junction channels with highly active hemichannels. Conclusions These results show that interactions within the intracellular pocket influence both gap junction channel and hemichannel functions. Disruption of these interactions may be responsible for diseases associated with mutations at these positions.

Abstract Background Patients with craniocervical pain have shown reduced performance in the craniocervical flexion test (CCFT). However, there is limited evidence of other possible kinematic alterations not assessed in the context of the CCFT. Previous studies on other functional or planar movements have reported alterations in sensorimotor control (e.g., range of motion [ROM], velocity, or smoothness) in subjects with neck pain. The objective of this study was to explore the association between sensorimotor control variables associated with craniocervical flexion movement and different characteristics related to pain, age, disability, and fear of movement in individuals with non-traumatic chronic neck pain and asymptomatic controls. Methods This was an observational, cross-sectional study in patients with non-traumatic neck pain and asymptomatic participants. Regression models were used to assess whether descriptive characteristics of the sample, including: (a) age, (b) intensity of pain, (c) neck disability, (d) chronicity of pain, and (e) fear of movement could explain sensorimotor control variables such as ROM, velocity, jerk, head repositioning accuracy, and conjunct motion. All these variables were recorded by means of light inertial measurement unit sensors during the performance of three maximal repetitions of full range craniocervical flexion in the supine position. Results A total of 211 individuals were screened and 192 participants finished the protocol and were included in the analyses. Participants had an average age of 34.55 ± 13.93 years and included 124 patients with non-traumatic neck pain and 68 asymptomatic subjects. Kinesiophobia partially explained lower craniocervical flexion ROM (p = .01) and lower peak velocity in flexion (P

Brood parasites are expected to lay only one egg per parasitized nest, as the existence of several parasitic nestlings in a brood increases competition and can lead the starvation of some of them. However, multiparasitism (laying of two or more eggs by one or more parasitic females in a single host nest) is surprisingly frequent. Here, we study multiparasitism by different females or by the same female (repeated parasitism) in the great spotted cuckoo Clamator glandarius, a non‐evictor brood parasite that mainly parasitizes the magpie Pica pica, and whose chicks may be raised together with host nestlings in the same nest. We used a total of 262 magpie nests found during four breeding seasons. Multiparasitism and repeated parasitism are very frequent because this brood parasite is less virulent than other cuckoo species and magpie hosts can successfully raise more than one parasitic nestling per nest. The total number of cuckoo chicks fledged was higher in multiparasitized nests than in single‐ or double‐parasitized magpie nests. Magpie breeding success (i.e. the proportion of eggs that produce young that leave the nest) did not differ between single‐, double‐, and multiparasitized magpie nests. These results suggest that multiparasitism is an adaptation in the great spotted cuckoo. The intensity of parasitism (number of cuckoo eggs per nest), after controlling for the potential effect of year, did not affect nest desertion or nest predation rate, neither during the incubation nor the nestling periods. This implies that nest concealment does not affect the susceptibility of one nest being parasitized and predated, as nest predation rate was similar regardless of the intensity of parasitism. Predation rate during the nestling phase did not vary according to intensity of parasitism, which does not support either the ‘mutualism' hypothesis or the ‘predation cost of begging' hypothesis.

Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) are relevant agents in bacterial adaptation and evolutionary diversification. Stable appropriation of these DNA elements depends on host factors, among which are the nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs). NAPs are highly abundant proteins that bind and bend DNA, altering its topology and folding, thus affecting all known cellular DNA processes from replication to expression. Even though NAP coding genes are found in most prokaryotic genomes, their functions in host chromosome biology and xenogeneic silencing are only known for a few NAP families. Less is known about the occurrence, abundance, and roles of MGE-encoded NAPs in foreign elements establishment and mobility. In this study, we used a combination of comparative genomics and phylogenetic strategies to gain insights into the diversity, distribution, and functional roles of NAPs within the class Acidithiobacillia with a special focus on their role in MGE biology. Acidithiobacillia class members are aerobic, chemolithoautotrophic, acidophilic sulfur-oxidizers, encompassing substantial genotypic diversity attributable to MGEs. Our search for NAP protein families (PFs) in more than 90 genomes of the different species that conform the class, revealed the presence of 1,197 proteins pertaining to 12 different NAP families, with differential occurrence and conservation across species. Pangenome-level analysis revealed 6 core NAP PFs that were highly conserved across the class, some of which also existed as variant forms of scattered occurrence, in addition to NAPs of taxa-restricted distribution. Core NAPs identified are reckoned as essential based on the conservation of genomic context and phylogenetic signals. In turn, various highly diversified NAPs pertaining to the flexible gene complement of the class, were found to be encoded in known plasmids or, larger integrated MGEs or, present in genomic loci associated with MGE-hallmark genes, pointing to their role in the stabilization/maintenance of these elements in strains and species with larger genomes. Both core and flexible NAPs identified proved valuable as markers, the former accurately recapitulating the phylogeny of the class, and the later, as seed in the bioinformatic identification of novel episomal and integrated mobile elements.

Análisis del papel de las imágenes de España y Francia en el proceso de construcción nacional mexicano durante las décadas centrales del XIX. A partir de fuentes periodísticas y otros tipos de discursos públicos se reconstruye la forma como España, la madre por la sangre, y Francia, la madre por el espíritu, fueron utilizadas en el debate político mexicano, con el enfrentamiento entre dos proyectos alternativos, no sólo de Estado, sino también de nación.

Introduction: The aim of this project was to evaluate the psychopathological impact of home confinement and school closing between March and September 2020 on the mental health of Catalonian children. Methods: PEDSAME study: first cross-sectional section (beginning of the school year) and retrospective data (lockdown), carried out through the network of Primary Care pediatricians in the Catalan population between 5 and 14 years (included) from 09/14/2020 to 10/30/2020 in a random sample. Data were collected with an online survey through the RedCap platform at the beginning of the school year. The main variable was the result of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire answered by parents to assess the risk of psychopathology, in addition to other related variable. Results: The results obtained at the beginning of the school year show that 9.8% of the patients were probable cases of psychopathology. The most affected group were those between 5 and 8 years. The perception of the children's level of concern for their health and that of their family was a risk factor for presenting psychopathology, while the good family environment was a protective factor. Emotional and behavioral symptoms, sleep disorders and problematic use of screens were detected more frequently during confinement than at the beginning of the school year. Conclusions: Confinement and the absence of schooling for 6 months had a negative impact on the mental health of the child–adolescent population who showed worse indicators than the previous year. Resumen: Introducción: El objetivo de este proyecto fue evaluar el impacto psicopatológico del confinamiento domiciliario y cierre escolar entre marzo y septiembre 2020 en la población pediátrica catalana. Métodos: Estudio PEDSAME: primer corte transversal (inicio de curso escolar) y datos retrospectivos (periodo de confinamiento), realizado a través de la red de pediatras de atención primaria en población catalana entre 5 y 14 años (incluidos) del 14/09/2020 al 30/10/2020 en una muestra aleatoria. Los datos fueron recogidos con una encuesta on line a través de la plataforma RedCap al inicio del curso. La variable principal fue el resultado del cuestionario Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire contestado por los progenitores para evaluar el riesgo de psicopatología, además de otras variables relacionadas. Resultados: Los resultados obtenidos al inicio del curso escolar mostraron que el 9,8% de los pacientes eran casos probables de psicopatología. La franja más afectada fue la de los 5 a 8 años. La percepción del nivel de preocupación de los niños por su salud y la de su familia fue un factor de riesgo de presentar psicopatología, mientras que el buen ambiente familiar resultó protector. Durante el confinamiento se detectaron con mayor frecuencia síntomas emocionales, de conducta, trastornos del sueño y uso problemático de pantallas respecto al inicio del curso escolar. Conclusiones: El confinamiento y la ausencia de escolarización durante 6 meses supusieron un impacto negativo en la salud mental de la población infantojuvenil, con peores indicadores que el curso anterior.

Resumen: Introducción: El objetivo de este proyecto fue evaluar el impacto psicopatológico del confinamiento domiciliario y cierre escolar entre marzo y septiembre 2020 en la población pediátrica catalana. Métodos: Estudio PEDSAME: primer corte transversal (inicio de curso escolar) y datos retrospectivos (periodo de confinamiento), realizado a través de la red de pediatras de atención primaria en población catalana entre 5 y 14 años (incluidos) del 14/09/2020 al 30/10/2020 en una muestra aleatoria. Los datos fueron recogidos con una encuesta on line a través de la plataforma RedCap al inicio del curso. La variable principal fue el resultado del cuestionario Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire contestado por los progenitores para evaluar el riesgo de psicopatología, además de otras variables relacionadas. Resultados: Los resultados obtenidos al inicio del curso escolar mostraron que el 9,8% de los pacientes eran casos probables de psicopatología. La franja más afectada fue la de los 5 a 8 años. La percepción del nivel de preocupación de los niños por su salud y la de su familia fue un factor de riesgo de presentar psicopatología, mientras que el buen ambiente familiar resultó protector. Durante el confinamiento se detectaron con mayor frecuencia síntomas emocionales, de conducta, trastornos del sueño y uso problemático de pantallas respecto al inicio del curso escolar. Conclusiones: El confinamiento y la ausencia de escolarización durante 6 meses supusieron un impacto negativo en la salud mental de la población infantojuvenil, con peores indicadores que el curso anterior. Abstract: Introduction: The aim of this project was to evaluate the psychopathological impact of home confinement and school closing between March and September 2020 on the mental health of Catalonian children. Methods: PEDSAME study: first cross-sectional section (beginning of the school year) and retrospective data (lockdown), carried out through the network of Primary Care pediatricians in the Catalan population between 5 and 14 years (included) from 09/14/2020 to 10/30/2020 in a random sample. Data were collected with an online survey through the RedCap platform at the beginning of the school year. The main variable was the result of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire answered by parents to assess the risk of psychopathology, in addition to other related variable. Results: The results obtained at the beginning of the school year show that 9.8% of the patients were probable cases of psychopathology. The most affected group were those between 5 and 8 years. The perception of the children's level of concern for their health and that of their family was a risk factor for presenting psychopathology, while the good family environment was a protective factor. Emotional and behavioral symptoms, sleep disorders and problematic use of screens were detected more frequently during confinement than at the beginning of the school year. Conclusions: Confinement and the absence of schooling for 6 months had a negative impact on the mental health of the child–adolescent population who showed worse indicators than the previous year.

The question of the nationality of Spaniards born in the monarchy’s European territories but living in America was complex and was debated in the States that had gained independence. Opinions oscillated between the universal declaration of citizenship and the equally universal expulsion of the natives of the old metropolis, both at times occurring within the same country. This work offers an analysis of the way in which this was resolved by the various new Nation-States, with particular attention to the Mexican case, on the assumption that it was not only an administrative problem, but that it formed part of the process of national construction in Latin America. A problem of nation rather than State.

Abstract Background The craniocervical flexion test (CCFT) is recommended when examining patients with neck pain related conditions and as a deep cervical retraining exercise option. During the execution of the CCFT the examiner should visually assess that the amount of craniocervical flexion range of motion (ROM) progressively increases. However, this task is very subjective. The use of inertial wearable sensors may be a user-friendly option to measure and objectively monitor the ROM. The objectives of our study were (1) to measure craniocervical flexion range of motion (ROM) associated with each stage of the CCFT using a wearable inertial sensor and to determine the reliability of the measurements and (2) to determine craniocervical flexion ROM targets associated with each stage of the CCFT to standardize their use for assessment and training of the deep cervical flexor (DCF) muscles. Methods Adults from a university community able to successfully perform the CCFT participated in this study. Two independent examiners evaluated the CCFT in two separate sessions. During the CCFT, a small wireless inertial sensor was adhered to the centre of the forehead to provide real-time monitoring and to record craniocervical flexion ROM. The intra- and inter-rater reliability of the assessment of craniocervical ROM was calculated. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of CEU San Pablo University (236/17/08). Results Fifty-six participants (18 males, 23 females; mean [SD] age, 21.8 [3.45] years) were included in the study and successfully completed the study protocol. All interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values indicated good or excellent reliability of the assessment of craniocervical ROM using a wearable inertial sensor. There was high variability between subjects on the amount of craniocervical ROM necessary to achieve each stage of the CCFT. Conclusions The use of inertial sensors is a reliable method to measure the craniocervical flexion ROM associated with the CCFT. The great variability in the ROM limits the possibility to standardize a set of targets of craniocervical flexion ROM equivalent to each of the pressure targets of the pressure biofeedback unit.

The aim of the study was to develop a novel real-time, computer-based synchronization system to continuously record pressure and craniocervical flexion ROM (range of motion) during the CCFT (craniocervical flexion test) in order to assess its feasibility for measuring and discriminating the values of ROM between different pressure levels. This was a descriptive, observational, cross-sectional, feasibility study. Participants performed a full-range craniocervical flexion and the CCFT. During the CCFT, a pressure sensor and a wireless inertial sensor simultaneously registered data of pressure and ROM. A web application was developed using HTML and NodeJS technologies. Forty-five participants successfully finished the study protocol (20 males, 25 females; 32 (11.48) years). ANOVAs showed large effect significant interactions between pressure levels and the percentage of full craniocervical flexion ROM when considering the 6 pressure reference levels of the CCFT (p < 0.001; η2 = 0.697), 11 pressure levels separated by 1 mmHg (p < 0.001; η2 = 0.683), and 21 pressure levels separated by 0.5 mmHg (p < 0.001; η2 = 0.671). The novel time synchronizing system seems a feasible option to provide real-time monitoring of both pressure and ROM, which could serve as reference targets to further investigate the potential use of inertial sensor technology to assess or train deep cervical flexors.

The AP–Henstock–Kurzweil-type integral is defined on X, where X is a complete measure metric space. We present some properties of the integral, continuing the study’s use of a Radon measure μ. Finally, using locally finite measures, we extend the AP–Henstock–Kurzweil integral theory to second countable Hausdorff spaces that are locally compact. A Saks–Henstock-type Lemma is proved here.

El artículo tiene como objetivo analizar las Bases Curriculares (BC) de la asignatura de Educación Física y Salud (EFS) en relación con la atención de estudiantes con Necesidades Educativas Especiales (NEE). Se utilizó una metodología cualitativa de tipo descriptiva que tiene como procedimiento el análisis bibliográfico y documental. Los resultados indican que las BC no están diseñadas en lo específico para trabajar con estudiantes con NEE puesto que no existen orientaciones puntuales para ello, sino que el enfoque está en el trabajo general con estudiantes que no tienen dificultad para conseguir los objetivos y habilidades establecidas por el currículo nacional chileno. Se concluye que las BC están orientadas a la homogeneidad del alumnado y presenta poca o nula utilidad en el abordaje de la EFS propiamente tal en este grupo. Abstract. The article aims to analyze the Curricular Bases (BC) of the Physical Education and Health (EFS) subject in relation to the attention of students with Special Educational Needs (SEN). A qualitative descriptive methodology was used that has as a procedure the bibliographic and documentary analysis. The results indicate that the BC are not specifically designed to work with students with SEN since there are no specific guidelines for it, but rather that the focus is on general work with students who do not have difficulty in achieving the objectives and skills established by the national curriculum. It is concluded that the BC are oriented to the homogeneity of the students and that their usefulness does not contribute to the approach of the SAI itself in this group.

El artículo analiza el proceso de construcción de una memoria compartida sobre la llamada Guerra de Independencia a partir de los debates en la prensa y los discursos conmemorativos del 16 y el 27 de septiembre sobre el sentido y significado de lo ocurrido entre 1810 y 1821. La hipótesis es que las disensiones no tuvieron que ver tanto con la historia como con la memoria, expresión de dos proyectos de nación, cuyo enfrentamiento fue una de las claves de la vida política del primer México independiente.

Sexually selected signals reliably reflect individual phenotypic or genetic quality and, thus, survival prospects of holders. Telomere length is considered a good predictor of life expectancy and, consequently, exploring the links between telomere length and sexually selected traits is much needed to better understand the mechanisms that maintain the honesty of sexual signals. We manipulated the length of throat feathers in spotless starling (Sturnus unicolor) males (a sexually selected signal) before reproduction and explored its effects on telomere shortening and breeding performance in subsequent reproductive events. We did not detect an effect of the feathers clipping manipulation, but males with longer throat feathers before the experiment had shorter telomeres that also shortened more slowly than those of males with shorter throat feathers did. Moreover, length of throat feathers of males before manipulation was positively related to hatching success of second clutches. Thus, correlative but not experimental results support the expected associations between sexually selected signals, telomeres and reproduction. We discuss such results in scenarios of sexual selection where feather length reflects, but does not directly cause, telomere attrition, and enhanced reproductive success. Males with longer throat feathers might be older, more experienced males (i.e., with shorter telomeres), able to buffer telomere shortening between reproductive events. Because of the absence of experimental effects, differential incubation effort of females cannot explain the detected association with hatching success, but other sexually selected traits that covary with throat-feather length could be responsible. Exploring those physiological and/or morphological characteristics related to throat-feather length should therefore be the matter of future research.

In this paper, we give sufficient conditions for the existence and uniqueness of the solution of Sturm–Liouville equations subject to Dirichlet boundary value conditions and involving Kurzweil–Henstock integrable functions on unbounded intervals. We also present a finite element method scheme for Kurzweil–Henstock integrable functions.

The study of brood parasitism has traditionally been focused on the breeding period, but recent evidence suggests that it urgently needs a new spatio-temporal perspective to explore novel avenues on brood parasite-host co-evolutionary interactions. Many brood parasites are migrants, but their ecology outside their short breeding season is poorly known. The great spotted cuckoo (Clamator glandarius) is one of the classical models in the study of brood parasitism, however, there is very little information on its migratory strategy, route and wintering grounds. Furthermore, there is no previous information on the geographical distribution of mortality and its causes in this species; information that is critical to understand the fluctuations in cuckoo populations and detect potential conservation risks. Using satellite tracking technology, we provide novel insight into the migratory behavior and performance of the great spotted cuckoo. We found individuals from southern Spain to be long-distance nocturnal migrants that use the East Atlantic Flyway for both post and pre-breeding migration, and that winter in the western Sahel. We found evidence of individual variation in their migration route, particularly regarding their post-breeding behavior in Spain. Our study also suggests that the south of Morocco is the most dangerous area due to a large number of deaths during the post-breeding migratory period. Furthermore, we found that natural predation seems to be the main cause of death, probably due to raptors, although human activities (i.e. hunting) could also played a role in the southern Mediterranean shore. Our study offers novel findings and challenges traditional ideas on the ecology of this species providing a good example of how the new spatio-temporal perspective can expand our knowledge on brood parasites.

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Using a bounded bilinear operator, we define the Henstock-Stieltjes integral for vector-valued functions; we prove some integration by parts theorems for Henstock integral and a Riesz-type theorem which provides an alternative proof of the representation theorem for real functions proved by Alexiewicz.

Host defences against cuckoo parasitism and cuckoo trickeries to overcome them are a classic example of antagonistic coevolution. Recently it has been reported that this relationship may turn to be mutualistic in the case of the carrion crow (Corvus corone) and its brood parasite, the great spotted cuckoo (Clamator glandarius), given that experimentally and naturally parasitized nests were depredated at a lower rate than non-parasitized nests. This result was interpreted as a consequence of the antipredatory properties of a fetid cloacal secretion produced by cuckoo nestlings, which presumably deters predators from parasitized host nests. This potential defensive mechanism would therefore explain the detected higher fledgling success of parasitized nests during breeding seasons with high predation risk. Here, in a different study population, we explored the expected benefits in terms of reduced nest predation in naturally and experimentally parasitized nests of two different host species, carrion crows and magpies (Pica pica). During the incubation phase non-parasitized nests were depredated more frequently than parasitized nests. However, during the nestling phase, parasitized nests were not depredated at a lower rate than non-parasitized nests, neither in magpie nor in carrion crow nests, and experimental translocation of great spotted cuckoo hatchlings did not reveal causal effects between parasitism state and predation rate of host nests. Therefore, our results do not fit expectations and, thus, do not support the fascinating possibility that great spotted cuckoo nestlings could have an antipredatory effect for host nestlings, at least in our study area. We also discuss different possibilities that may conciliate these with previous results, but also several alternative explanations, including the lack of generalizability of the previously documented mutualistic association.

Análisis de la reordenación museística llevada a cabo por el Estado mexicano entre 1944, inauguración del refundado Museo Nacional de Historia, y 1964, inauguración de los museos nacionales de Antropología y del Virreinato, y del relato de nación que la sustenta.

El nivel de cuota láctea por explotación y la transferencia de cuota entre las distintas explotaciones juegan un papel principal en la reestructuración del sector productor de leche en España. En este trabajo se estiman el valor de una unidad de cuota, de su valor de capitalización en el horizonte del año 2006 y la concreción de algunos determinantes de dicho valor. El estudio se realiza utilizando los datos de 32 explotaciones de leche gallegas para el periodo 1990-1999, y como resultado del mismo se deducen conclusiones de interés en cuanto al funcionamiento del mercado de la cuota y a la política de gestión de las mismas.

After the progress made during the genomics era, bioinformatics was tasked with supporting the flow of information generated by nanobiotechnology efforts. This challenge requires adapting classical bioinformatic and computational chemistry tools to store, standardize, analyze, and visualize nanobiotechnological information. Thus, old and new bioinformatic and computational chemistry tools have been merged into a new sub-discipline: nanoinformatics. This review takes a second look at the development of this new and exciting area as seen from the perspective of the evolution of nanobiotechnology applied to the life sciences. The knowledge obtained at the nano-scale level implies answers to new questions and the development of new concepts in different fields. The rapid convergence of technologies around nanobiotechnologies has spun off collaborative networks and web platforms created for sharing and discussing the knowledge generated in nanobiotechnology. The implementation of new database schemes suitable for storage, processing and integrating physical, chemical, and biological properties of nanoparticles will be a key element in achieving the promises in this convergent field. In this work, we will review some applications of nanobiotechnology to life sciences in generating new requirements for diverse scientific fields, such as bioinformatics and computational chemistry.

El presente proyecto se enmarca en la actual línea revisionista vinculada al período de las «independencias». Como ya es habitual, las conmemoraciones y efemérides marcan en un alto porcentaje el calendario científico y la producción historiográfica, y ahora estamos inmersos tanto en el proceso de los Bicentenarios (Guerra hispano-francesa de 1808, emancipaciones americanas en torno al simbólico año de 1810, y Cortes de Cádiz en 1812), como en el de rescatar las celebraciones de los «Centenarios» de hace un siglo. Este número monográfico intenta sumar un aporte que pudiera servir de basamento para quienes pretendan una aproximación a temas vinculados con el citado proceso historiográfico. En la construcción iconográfica de las naciones americanas (y no solamente «nacionales» sino también regionales) las temáticas y las tipologías resultan de lo más variadas y cada una cumple un papel de mayor o menor relevancia, pero siempre plausible de un análisis particularizado y global. El paisaje, las costumbres, el retrato, las alegorías, la pintura de historia y la de temática social en el caso de las primeras, y la arquitectura, escultura, pintura, gráfica, dibujo, fotografía, artes decorativas y un variadísimo cúmulo de objetos dentro de la segunda, determinan un amplio panorama analítico que ha hecho aumentar el interés y la atención de los especialistas, sobre todo del XIX, con una avidez sin parangón respecto de décadas anteriores.

Análisis de las imágenes sobre México en las revistas ilustradas españolas entre 1834 y 1874. Después de una reflexión teórica sobre las posibilidades del uso de las revistas ilustradas decimonónicas en la reconstrucción de los imaginarios colectivos, se utilizan métodos estadísticos e iconológicos para reconstruir los rasgos más característicos del imaginario español sobre México, la forma en que fue construido y el significado que tuvo para la época.

El espacio público y su espacio comunitario son esenciales para mejorar la calidad de vida y constituye uno de los elementos urbanos indispensables para lograr la consolidación del barrio y su integración a la ciudad. Esto significa crear superficies y espacios que proporcionen a los individuos oportunidades de intercambio, lugares de descanso y recreación, permitiendo el desarrollo, acondicionamiento y percepción del ambiente, lo cual depende, en gran medida, de la organización y la capacidad desplegada por una comunidad. En este sentido, los Estados y otras instituciones deberán establecer y facilitar mecanismos instrumentos y medios que permitan prever, disponer o reservar áreas cuyo potencial como futuro espacio público este acorde a las preferencias y necesidades sentida por la mayoría de los habitantes, construyendo así, a crear una estructura urbana acorde al proceso de crecimiento y desarrollo de estos asentamientos, hacia la futura rehabilitación del espacio barrio.

Análisis de la vida y obra de Manuel de la Bárcena como expresión de los retos a los que tuvieron que hacer frente las élites que hicieron las independencias. Se estudian tanto sus cambiantes y contradictorio posicionamientos político-ideológicos como, sobre todo, la lógica de un discurso que expresa la difícil adaptación a un tiempo nuevo de una burocracia imperial que en el lapso de apenas diez años vio cambiar casi por completo su marco de imaginación y comprensión del mudo.

El aumento alarmante de los asentamientos urbanos precarios ha configurado a Maracaibo como una ciudad eminentemente informal, verdad esta que no es asimilada con facilidad por el sector formal de la ciudad, que se resiste a perder su primacía ante el avance del otro. En este sentido, se busca el mejoramiento de la calidad de vida de los usuarios de estos sectores a través del reconocimiento de sus valores culturales y sus necesidades de espacio comunal y familiar. Dicha búsqueda contempla también la formación de organizaciones autónomas que permanezcan y actúen más allá del proceso de autoconstrucción y renovación del hábitat, creándose comunidades autogestionarias y autónomas que se orienten a la búsqueda de recursos para el logro de los proyectos de desarrollo y mejoramiento de su entorno. Por ello, es fundamental la participación y organización de las comunidades para la defensa y mejoramiento de nuestros asentamientos urbanos precarios, porque permite garantizar la calidad urbana en beneficio de todos, con el fin de lograr impactar en forma positiva, en las políticas urbanas y de fortalecer la participación y apropiación de los programas por parte de las comunidades como una forma de avanzar en la búsqueda de una sociedad equitativa, responsable y solidaria con el derecho a la vivienda y a un entorno apropiado.

Natural selection penalizes individuals that provide costly parental care to non-relatives. However, feedings to brood-parasitic fledglings by individuals other than their foster parents, although anecdotic, have been commonly observed, also in the great spotted cuckoo (Clamator glandarius)--magpie (Pica pica) system, but this behaviour has never been studied in depth. In a first experiment, we here show that great spotted cuckoo fledglings that were translocated to a distant territory managed to survive. This implies that obtaining food from foreign magpies is a frequent and efficient strategy used by great spotted cuckoo fledglings. A second experiment, in which we presented a stuffed-cuckoo fledgling in magpie territories, showed that adult magpies caring for magpie fledglings responded aggressively in most of the trials and never tried to feed the stuffed cuckoo, whereas magpies that were caring for cuckoo fledglings reacted rarely with aggressive behavior and were sometimes disposed to feed the stuffed cuckoo. In a third experiment we observed feedings to post-fledgling cuckoos by marked adult magpies belonging to four different possibilities with respect to breeding status (i.e. composition of the brood: only cuckoos, only magpies, mixed, or failed breeding attempt). All non-parental feeding events to cuckoos were provided by magpies that were caring only for cuckoo fledglings. These results strongly support the conclusion that cuckoo fledglings that abandon their foster parents get fed by other adult magpies that are currently caring for other cuckoo fledglings. These findings are crucial to understand the co-evolutionary arms race between brood parasites and their hosts because they show that the presence of the host's own nestlings for comparison is likely a key clue to favour the evolution of fledgling discrimination and provide new insights on several relevant points such as learning mechanisms and multiparasitism.

Some animals are capable of recognizing themselves in a mirror, which is considered to be demonstrated by passing the mark test. Mirror self-recognition capacity has been found in just a few mammals having very large brains and only in one bird, the magpie (Pica pica). The results obtained in magpies have enormous biological and cognitive implications because the fact that magpies were able to pass the mark test meant that this species is at the same cognitive level with great apes, that mirror self-recognition has evolved independently in the magpie and great apes (which diverged 300 million years ago), and that the neocortex (which is not present in the bird's brains) is not a prerequisite for mirror self-recognition as previously believed. Here, we have replicated the experimental design used on magpies to determine whether jackdaws (Corvus monedula) are also capable of mirror self-recognition by passing the mark test. We found that our nine jackdaws showed a very high interest towards the mirror and exhibited self-contingent behavior as soon as mirrors were introduced. However, jackdaws were not able to pass the mark test: both sticker-directed actions and sticker removal were performed with a similar frequency in both the cardboard (control) and the mirror conditions. We conclude that our jackdaws' behaviour raises non-trivial questions about the methodology used in the avian mark test. Our study suggests that the use of self-adhesive stickers on sensitive throat feathers may open the way to artefactual results because birds might perceive the stickers tactilely.

El espacio público en Latinoamérica afronta un amplio y contradictorio convivir de realidades, abarcando escenarios de una sociedad, en muchos casos, fragmentada y marginada, con pocas posibilidades de establecer un vínculo que cohesione los distintos estratos sociales, de ejercer participación en la producción de la ciudad y, por ende, del espacio público. En consecuencia, deben formularse y replicarse, en mayor medida, alternativas de valor social, espacial y cultural de los espacios públicos, especialmente en aquellas áreas periféricas donde se localizan poblaciones con niveles de vida más bajos y con mayores dificultades para incorporarse a la sociedad urbana. Ello conlleva a repensar la creación, consolidación y gestión concertada de estos espacios, intentando proveer a sus habitantes de las herramientas necesarias para transformarlos en parte activa y productiva de la ciudad.

Se estudió la forma de cristalizar el sudor, en forma de dendritas y de hojas de helecho, en 50 pacientes afectados por fibrosis quística, mediante la recolección de una gota de sudor; también se realizó la prueba a un grupo control de 550 niños supuestamente sanos. Este método resultó útil para identificar a los pacientes afectados por esta enfermedad, pues mediante el mismo se encontró un 94 % de positividad, y sólo en tres enfermos resultó negativo. A su vez, permitió diferenciar a los del grupo control, pues la cristalización del sudor en estos sujetos se produjo en forma de cristales cuboides en un 99 %, y de los 550 niños sanos con prueba de concentración negativa, la cristalización fue negativa en 543 (98,7).

Se realizó un estudio longitudinal, prospectivo, de intervención, con los 20 pacientes con fibrosis quística, pertenecientes a las provincias centrales, que fueron atendidos en el Hospital Pediátrico Universitario “José Luis Miranda” y en el Hospital Universitario “Arnaldo Milán Castro” de Villa Clara; se estableció una correlación entre los siguientes períodos: desde 1980 a 1999 y desde el 2000 hasta el 2002, en el cual se estableció una atención multidisciplinaria. Los especialistas evaluaron de forma individual a cada paciente mensualmente y establecieron conductas terapéuticas con fisioterapia respiratoria, antibioticoterapia, vitaminoterapia y la utilización de enzimas pancreáticas. Para comparar a los pacientes, se estableció un índice que refirió la morbilidad por sistemas y aparatos, así como el número de consultas a las que el enfermo había acudido antes de iniciarse este tipo de seguimiento y una vez establecido el mismo. Los pacientes presentaron una evolución favorable en cuanto a manifestaciones respiratorias, digestivas y complicaciones respiratorias, no así con las complicaciones digestivas. El índice de Shwachman-Kulzycki es un método eficaz para la evaluación de los pacientes, los cuales mejoran su calidad de vida con esta atención multidisciplinaria.

Reseña

This article analyzes the role that clashes between “Criollos” and “Peninsulares” played in the development of Hispano-American independence wars. After showing that they had a marginal role in these conflicts, it develops the hypothesis that the insistence of different national historiographies in seeing these clashes as the main cause of independence wars is to be explained by their interpretation of these wars as national liberation wars rather than civil wars.

La celebración del Centenario de la Independencia fue acompañada en México de un complejo debate histórico-político-ideológico en torno al ser de la nación, el saldo de los 100 años de vida independiente y los problemas y retos para el futuro. Este trabajo analiza, a partir básicamente de fuentes periodísticas, las características de este debate, sus principales claves interpretativas y su significado en el contexto del proceso de construcción nacional mexicano.

RESUMEN; El levantamiento militar de julio del 36, planteado por sus autores como contrarrevolución preventiva ante una presunta insurrección popular, acabó provocando, con la ruptura del Estado republicano, una revolución real, que transformó las estructuras económicas e incluso la alianza de clases representada por el Frente Popular; ante esta revolución que los gobiernos de Largo y Negrín trataron de encauzar, en la zona rebelde se produjo una reacción restauradora de la España tradicional, inspirada por la oligarquía y alentada masivamente por unas malogradas clases medias, felices en su papel de satélite de aquéllas. Pero revolución y reacción restauradora son, en cualquier caso, líneas paralelamente divergentes de la República del 14 de abril/16 de febrero. Y hay que subrayar que también en la zona rebelde la sublevación generó un peligroso rompimiento del entramado estatal y administrativo, imponiéndose bajo el aparente manto unitario de los Bandos de Guerra una especie de anarquía policentrista, que sólo muy lentamente acabó decantándose en el Caudillaje encarnado por Franco.

Índice• Introducción • Ciudad híbrida, espacio calle, entre-tejido urbano• La ciudad híbrida y el espacio calle • Estrategia metodológica • Marco explicativo: Maracaibo como ciudad híbrida y la calle como entre tejido • Referencias bibliográficas Resumen Maracaibo como ciudad portuaria, su dinámica demográfica y de crecimiento, expresa la multiculturalidad e hibridación en sus formas complejas-heterogéneas y las cambiantes dinámicas territoriales; donde la calle actúa como el escenario expresivo de las condiciones de territorialidad. El objetivo de la ponencia es evaluar el potencial de la calle como entretejido entre fragmentos urbanos predominantemente residenciales, considerando las siguientes variables: permeabilidad, interacción, porosidad, variedad, flujos, cruces y códigos genéticos. Resultando, que la calle a través del cambio de uso a comercial, manifiesta el mayor potencial para unir los fragmentos; además, se da una simbiosis entre lo que existe; y el fragmento espontáneo modela patrones de consolidación. Concluyendo, la calle expresa el reconocimiento de diferencias, dado por la territorialidad que constituye, transforma y construye el espacio urbano. Abstract Maracaibo as a port city, its population dynamics and growth, multiculturalism and hybridity expressed in complex form, heterogeneous and changing regional dynamics, where the street serves as the stage expressive of the conditions of territoriality. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the potential of the street as interwoven between predominantly residential urban fragments, considering the following variables: permeability, interaction, porosity, variety, flow, crosses and genetic codes. Proving that the road through the change of use to commercial, shows the greatest potential to unite the fragmented and there is a symbiosis between what exists and the fragment patterns of spontaneous consolidation models. In conclusion, the street is recognition of differences, given the territoriality that is, transform and build the urban space.

RESUMEN: El crecimiento demográfico y económico de Extremadura fue una de las preocupaciones de los ministros ilustrados de Carlos III. Uno de los proyectos presentados al rey para conseguirlo fue el de poner en cultivo los extensos terrenos montuosos e improductivos de aquella provincia con la doble finalidad de aumentar la producción agrícola y dotar de tierras a los campesinos pobres. Los resultados fueron decepcionantes, principalmente porque la legislación que se aprobó sobre el tema no recogió plenamente el espíritu social con que se había planteado el proyecto, y porque ni siquiera se aplicó en la forma ordenada, beneficiando casi exclusivamente a los poderosos y hacendados locales.ABSTRACT: The population increase and economic growth in Extremadura were some of the main concerns of the enlightened ministers under the reign of Charles III. One of the projects submitted to the king with this aim, proposed to cultivate the woodlands and unproductive lands in that area in order to increase farming and provide poor peasants with land. The results were disappointing, mainly because the legislation on this subject did not entirely embody the social spirit of the project, and also because the way it was put into practice was not the way ordered. As a consequence, only the councilmans and the local landowners profited from it.

Hace unos meses, cuando en un celebrado artículo Francis Fukuyama analizaba «¿El fin de la Historia?», señalaba: «Si admitimos por el momento que el comunismo y el fascismo, rivales del liberalismo, han muerto, ¿queda algún oponente ideológico?... Dos posibilidades saltan a la vista: la religión y el nacionalismo ... Desde luego, es cierto que desde la batalla de lena, gran parte de los conflictos tienen su base en este...»l. Un movimiento que dominó gran parte del siglo XIX y las primeras décadas del siglo actual, apareció incluso en países europeos consolidados como forma de conciencia racial o cultural diferenciada, que reclamaba diversos grados de autonomía para algunas regiones y que vuelve a perfilarse como «uno de los más poderosos movimientos individuales que funcionan en el mundo actual...» (Sir Isaac Berlin, 1979); sobre todo a raíz del reciente derrumbe del centralismo comunista en la Europa del Este.