The 19 kDa Mycobacterium tuberculosis

We describe the association of caspase-dependent and caspase-independent mechanisms in macrophage apoptosis induced by LpqH, a 19 kDa Mycobacterium tuberculosis lipoprotein. LpqH triggered TLR2 activation, with upregulation of death receptors and ligands, which was followed by a death receptor signaling cascade with activation of initiator caspase 8 and executioner caspase 3. In this caspase-mediated phase, mitochondrial factors were involved in loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm), release of cytochrome c, and caspase 9 activation. Interestingly, a caspase-independent pathway was also identified; by immunoblot, the mitochondrial apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) was demonstrated in nuclei and cytosol of LpqH-treated macrophages. Confocal microscopy revealed translocation of AIF to the nuclei of the majority of apoptotic cells. These findings emphasize the complex and redundant nature of the macrophage death response to mycobacteria

Promoting quality in written composition

En este estudio de revisión centramos nuestros esfuerzos en intentar establecer diferentes estrategias, técnicas y procedimientos de instrucción eficaces y eficientes a la hora de responder a todos y cada uno de los procesos implicados en la escritura. Para ello analizamos cincuenta estudios empíricos, de reciente publicación en revistas indexadas con alto índice de impacto, donde se emplearon dichas estrategias, así como herramientas virtuales que haciendo uso de esas mismas técnicas y procedimientos dan respuesta a los distintos perfiles de desarrollo y rendimiento en composición escrita. Como resultado pudimos hacernos una idea de la prevalencia de estrategias en base a uno u otro indicador de escritura, y conocer cuáles de estos están siendo más potenciados a través de las herramientas de la web 2.0. Durante la realización de este trabajo se recibieron ayudas competitivas del proyecto del MICINN (EDU2010-19250) para el trienio 2010-2013 concedido al IP/Director J. N. García.In this study we focused our efforts on trying to establish different strategies, instructional techniques and procedures effective and efficient in responding to each and every one of the processes involved in writing. We analyzed fifty empirical studies, recently published, where such strategies were used, as well as a set of virtual tools which, using the same techniques and procedures, provide answers to the different profiles of development and performance in written composition. As a result we could get an idea of the prevalence of strategies based on either typing indicator, and know which of these are being further enhanced through the tools of Web 2.0. During this study we received competitive funds from de MICINN project (EDU2010-19250, 2010-2013) awarded to Principal Researcher (J. N. García).peerReviewe

Diseño y desarrollo de un selector de colores y un calibrador de monitor para plataforma web

Diseño y desarrollo de un calibrador de monitor y una paleta o selector de colores en plataforma web. El calibrador utiliza el "Gamma correction method developed by Xiao et al". Este método nos permite hacer uso de un observador para calibrar el monitor sin necesidad de utilizar dispositivos externos como un medidor fotométrico. Para la implementación del método se ha desarrollado una aplicación escrita en HTML5 y JavaScript que hace uso del usuario como observador al cual se le presentan una serie de patrones dibujados pixel a pixel y se solicita al usuario que ajuste la intensidad de color correspondiente a ese patrón. De esta manera obtenemos la curva del gamma del monitor, a la cual aplicamos el método de regresión potencial para obtener la gamma y la constante que nos permitirán calibrar colores. Por otro lado también se ha desarrollado una paleta de colores en HTML5, JavaScript y JQuery con diversas herramientas para la construcción, gestión y modificación de colores.The calibrator uses Gamma correction method developed by Xiao et al" (5). This method allows us to use an observer to calibrate the monitor without using external devices such as a photometric device. For implementation of the method we have developed an application written in HTML5 and JavaScript application that uses the user as an observer, will present a series of patterns drawn pixel by pixel and prompts the user to adjust the intensity of the corresponding color to that pattern. With this process we obtain the gamma curve of the monitor, we apply the method of potential regression to obtain the parameters that will allow us to calibrate colors. On the other hand it has also developed a color palette in HTML5, JavaScript and JQuery with various tools for the construction, management and modification of colors.Disseny i desenvolupament d'un calibrador de monitor i una paleta o selector de colors en plataforma web. El calibrador utilitza el "Gamma correction method developed by Xiao et al". Aquest mètode ens permet fer ús d'un observador per calibrar el monitor sense necessitat d'utilitzar dispositius externs com un mesurador fotomètric. Per a la implementació del mètode s'ha desenvolupat una aplicació escrita en HTML5 i Javascript que fa ús de l'usuari com a observador al com se li presenten una sèrie de patrons dibuixats píxel a píxel i se sol·licita a l'usuari que ajusti la intensitat de color corresponent a aquest patró. D'aquesta manera obtenim la corba del gamma del monitor, a la qual apliquem el mètode de regressió potencial per obtenir la gamma i la constant que ens permetran calibrar colors. D'altra banda també s'ha desenvolupat una paleta de colors en HTML5, Javascript i *JQuery amb diverses eines per a la construcció, gestió i modificació de colors

Why continue sharing: determinants of behavior in collaborative economy services

La economía colaborativa está revolucionando la forma en que los consumidores utilizan los bienes y servicios. En nuestro estudio modificamos y ampliamos el modelo de confirmación de expectativas para determinar los factores motivacionales que impulsan la satisfacción y la intención de continuar usando los servicios de viajes colaborativos. Más importante aún, agregamos el valor social como un factor adicional. En este estudio fueron encuestados usuarios españoles experimentados de BlaBlaCar. La calidad del servicio, la utilidad percibida, la confianza y el valor social son determinantes de la satisfacción de los usuarios experimentados y, a través de ella, de la intención de continuar usando; mientras que no es el caso para el impacto ambiental ni para los beneficios económicos. Además, la confianza afecta directamente a la intención de continuar. Estos resultados tienen implicaciones gerenciales relevantes, mostrando que los usuarios de algunos servicios colaborativos están motivados por otros factores además de los económicos.The sharing economy is revolutionizing the way consumers use goods and services. In our study we modify and extend the expectation confirmation model to determine the motivational factors which drive the satisfaction and continue intention to use ridesharing services. Most importantly, we add social value as an additional factor to those previously studied in the literature. We apply our model in a survey among experienced Spanish users of BlaBlaCar. Service quality, perceived usefulness, trust and social value are determinants of satisfaction of experienced users and through it, of intention to continuance; while it is the case neither for environmental impact nor for economic benefits. Additionally, trust affects directly continuance. These results have relevant managerial implications, showing that users of some sharing services are motivated by other factors than purely economic

A Bibliometric Analysis of Gamification Research

Gamification has rapidly emerged as one of the favorite persuasive technologies widely used with the aim of promoting a positive change in the user's behavior by means of including game-like elements in non-game contexts. As a research discipline, gamification is growing fast, maturing from basic and fundamental questions such as what and why gamify to more mature ones such as how to gamify, when and when not, and still facing empirical and theoretical challenges to prove the effects of its practice and consolidate the principles that guide meaningful gamification designs. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a bibliometric study to describe how gamification as a scientific discipline is structured and how it has evolved over time. To do this, we make use of bibliometric performance analysis and science mapping methods to display and analyze the intellectual, conceptual and social network structures of gamification research, as well as the evolution and dynamical aspects of the discipline. The results reveal the research fronts and intellectual structures of the field, the internal relationships among articles, authors and keywords, the existing networks of collaboration, the emerging trends, the hot topics, and the most influential authors, publications and sources. Together, they picture the intellectual landscape of gamification as a scientific field that will be useful for junior and senior researchers, practitioners, funding agencies and policymakers

From scientific experiments to innovation : impact pathways of a Synchrotron Light Facility

Research infrastructures are commonly used by scientific and industrial communities to conduct research and experiments which translate in the creation of new knowledge. This knowledge may generate different outcomes (e.g. publications, patents, etc.) and find applications in different sectors and domains, ultimately triggering innovation developments. However, the pathway from knowledge creation to innovation is complex: it is split among different players, from the scientific community to industrial actors (even those not directly involved in the experiments) and may take time and significant investments. The objective of this paper is to assess innovation impacts arising from a Research Infrastructure and specifically tracing and describing the pathways according to which these impacts may materialize. The example used is the ALBA Synchrotron Light source facility located in Barcelona and in operation since 2012. The paper builds on the evidence collected through two surveys to direct and indirect users of ALBA (overall 384 questionnaires collected), in-depth interviews as well as an analysis of patents' citations. It draws from a pilot exercise carried out in the framework of the Horizon 2020 Ri-Paths project. It contributes to the broader discussion on the socio-economic impact assessment of Research Infrastructures and relevant methodologies and metrics