Kneadings, Symbolic Dynamics and Painting Lorenz Chaos. A Tutorial

A new computational technique based on the symbolic description utilizing kneading invariants is proposed and verified for explorations of dynamical and parametric chaos in a few exemplary systems with the Lorenz attractor. The technique allows for uncovering the stunning complexity and universality of bi-parametric structures and detect their organizing centers - codimension-two T-points and separating saddles in the kneading-based scans of the iconic Lorenz equation from hydrodynamics, a normal model from mathematics, and a laser model from nonlinear optics.Comment: Journal of Bifurcations and Chaos, 201

Symbolic Toolkit for Chaos Explorations

New computational technique based on the symbolic description utilizing kneading invariants is used for explorations of parametric chaos in a two exemplary systems with the Lorenz attractor: a normal model from mathematics, and a laser model from nonlinear optics. The technique allows for uncovering the stunning complexity and universality of the patterns discovered in the bi-parametric scans of the given models and detects their organizing centers -- codimension-two T-points and separating saddles.Comment: International Conference on Theory and Application in Nonlinear Dynamics (ICAND 2012

Nueva forma de entender las pruebas de condición física en relación con la salud

El objetivo de este trabajo es mostrar una nueva forma de entender la evaluación de la “condición física en relación con la salud”, para evitar la inactividad y el sedentarismo. Los antecedentes se encuentran en las baterías de test utilizadas desde 1976 hasta la actualidad. Se utiliza el concepto de salud de la OMS. Se analizan pruebas con criterios de funcionalidad, economía, validez, fiabilidad y especificidad. Se eligen las siguientes pruebas y se calculan los umbrales: UKK Walk test (P75), 6” en sprint test 20 m (P75), 19 repeticiones en Chair Stand Test(P25), 11 repeticiones Arm Curl Test (P25), -10,5 cm Back Scratch Test (P25), -17,5 cm en Chair Sit and Reach Test. Se propugna la elaboración de una batería de test universal e inclusiva y elaborar percentiles mundiales ayudados por el big dataThe aim of this research was to propose a new way of understanding health-related physical fitness assessment in order to prevent inactivity and sedentarism. The background lies in the test batteries used from 1976 to the present. WHO's health concept was used. Tests were analysed based on functionality, economy, validity, reliability and specificity criteria. The following tests were chosen and the thresholds were calculated: 1,425s in the UKK walk test (P75), 6s in the 20-m sprint test (P75), 19 repetitions in the chair stand test (P25), 11 repetitions in the arm curl test (P25), -10.5cm in the back scratch test (P25), -17.5cm in the chair sit-and-reach test (P25). It was proposed that a universal and inclusive test battery be developed and the percentiles for the world population are determined with the help of big dat

A new role of the Rac-GAP β2-chimaerin in cell adhesion reveals opposite functions in breast cancer initiation and tumor progression

β2-chimaerin is a Rac1-specific negative regulator and a candidate tumor suppressor in breast cancer but its precise function in mammary tumorigenesis in vivo is unknown. Here, we study for the first time the role of β2-chimaerin in breast cancer using a mouse model and describe an unforeseen role for this protein in epithelial cell-cell adhesion. We demonstrate that expression of β2-chimaerin in breast cancer epithelial cells reduces E-cadherin protein levels, thus loosening cell-cell contacts. In vivo, genetic ablation of β2-chimaerin in the MMTV-Neu/ErbB2 mice accelerates tumor onset, but delays tumor progression. Finally, analysis of clinical databases revealed an inverse correlation between β2-chimaerin and E-cadherin gene expressions in Her2+ breast tumors. Furthermore, breast cancer patients with low β2-chimaerin expression have reduced relapse free survival but develop metastasis at similar times. Overall, our data redefine the role of β2-chimaerin as tumor suppressor and provide the first in vivo evidence of a dual function in breast cancer, suppressing tumor initiation but favoring tumor progression

Raman microprobe characterization of electrodeposited S-rich CuIn(S,Se)2 for photovoltaic applications: Microstructural analysis

This article reports a detailed Raman scattering and microstructural characterization of S-rich CuIn(S,Se)2 absorbers produced by electrodeposition of nanocrystalline CuInSe2 precursors and subsequent reactive annealing under sulfurizing conditions. Surface and in-depth resolved Raman microprobe measurements have been correlated with the analysis of the layers by optical and scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and in-depth Auger electron spectroscopy. This has allowed corroboration of the high crystalline quality of the sulfurized layers. The sulfurizing conditions used also lead to the formation of a relatively thick MoS2 intermediate layer between the absorber and the Mo back contact. The analysis of the absorbers has also allowed identification of the presence of In-rich secondary phases, which are likely related to the coexistence in the electrodeposited precursors of ordered vacancy compound domains with the main chalcopyrite phase, in spite of the Cu-rich conditions used in the growth. This points out the higher complexity of the electrodeposition and sulfurization processes in relation to those based in vacuum deposition techniques

La toma de muestras intraoperatorias con hisopo para el diagnóstico precoz de una infección de prótesis total de cadera es una práctica ineficaz

El diagnóstico de infección articular periprotésica es motivo de reuniones y consensos internacionales. Sin embargo, no hay consenso sobre cuál es la prueba más adecuada para identificar de manera profiláctica el o los microorganismos responsables. En este trabajo se realiza un estudio retrospectivo de 1.022 pacientes a los que se les implantaron 1.045 prótesis totales de cadera entre los años 2009-2013, ambos inclusive. Se analizan los resultados del cultivo de muestras tomadas intraoperatoriamente identificándose los microorganismos aislados y su correlación con la clínica de infección. Se calcularon la sensibilidad, especificidad, valores predictivos positivos y negativos de la prueba. Se identificaron los pacientes con complicaciones infecciosas, la clasificación de los mismos según criterios de Tsukayama y el tratamiento realizado. Concluimos que la toma rutinaria de muestras intraoperatorias en la artroplastia primaria de cadera para intentar adelantar el diagnóstico de una infección periprotésica es una práctica ineficaz e ineficiente y, por ello, hay que abandonarla.There are many international meetings and consensus about the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection. However, there aren´t consensus about the most appropriate test to identify the prophylactically microorganisms responsible of infection. This paper is a retrospective study of 1.022 patients with 1.045 total hip replacements between 2009-2013. We analyzed the results of intraoperative culture samples, identified the microorganisms and the patients with clinical infection. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the test. The patients with infectious were identified and classified according to criteria Tsukayama and treatment performed. We conclude that intraoperative culture samples in primary hip arthroplasty to try to advance the diagnosis of periprosthetic infection are an ineffective and inefficient practice and we have to stop doing it

On the Lebesgue measure of Li-Yorke pairs for interval maps

We investigate the prevalence of Li-Yorke pairs for $C^2$ and $C^3$ multimodal maps $f$ with non-flat critical points. We show that every measurable scrambled set has zero Lebesgue measure and that all strongly wandering sets have zero Lebesgue measure, as does the set of pairs of asymptotic (but not asymptotically periodic) points. If $f$ is topologically mixing and has no Cantor attractor, then typical (w.r.t. two-dimensional Lebesgue measure) pairs are Li-Yorke; if additionally $f$ admits an absolutely continuous invariant probability measure (acip), then typical pairs have a dense orbit for $f \times f$. These results make use of so-called nice neighborhoods of the critical set of general multimodal maps, and hence uniformly expanding Markov induced maps, the existence of either is proved in this paper as well. For the setting where $f$ has a Cantor attractor, we present a trichotomy explaining when the set of Li-Yorke pairs and distal pairs have positive two-dimensional Lebesgue measure.Comment: 41 pages, 3 figure

Somatic Integration of Single Ion Channel Responses of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Enhanced by PNU-120596

Positive allosteric modulators of highly Ca2+-permeable α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, such as PNU-120596, may become useful therapeutic tools supporting neuronal survival and function. However, despite promising results, the initial optimism has been tempered by the concerns for cytotoxicity. The same concentration of a given nicotinic agent can be neuroprotective, ineffective or neurotoxic due to differences in the expression of α7 receptors and susceptibility to Ca2+ influx among various subtypes of neurons. Resolution of these concerns may require an ability to reliably detect, evaluate and optimize the extent of α7 somatic ionic influx, a key determinant of the likelihood of neuronal survival and function. In the presence of PNU-120596 and physiological choline (∼10 µM), the activity of individual α7 channels can be detected in whole-cell recordings as step-like current/voltage deviations. However, the extent of α7 somatic influx remains elusive because the activity of individual α7 channels may not be integrated across the entire soma, instead affecting only specific subdomains located in the channel vicinity. Such a compartmentalization may obstruct detection and integration of α7 currents, causing an underestimation of α7 activity. By contrast, if step-like α7 currents are integrated across the soma, then a reliable quantification of α7 influx in whole-cell recordings is possible and could provide a rational basis for optimization of conditions that support survival of α7-expressing neurons. This approach can be used to directly correlate α7 single-channel activity to neuronal function. In this study, somatic dual-patch recordings were conducted using large hypothalamic and hippocampal neurons in acute coronal rat brain slices. The results demonstrate that the membrane electrotonic properties do not impede somatic signaling, allowing reliable estimates of somatic ionic and Ca2+ influx through α7 channels, while the somatic space-clamp error is minimal (∼0.01 mV/µm). These research efforts could benefit optimization of potential α7-PAM-based therapies

GARBAN: genomic analysis and rapid biological annotation of cDNA microarray and proteomic data

Genomic Analysis and Rapid Biological ANnotation (GARBAN) is a new tool that provides an integrated framework to analyze simultaneously and compare multiple data sets derived from microarray or proteomic experiments. It carries out automated classifications of genes or proteins according to the criteria of the Gene Ontology Consortium at a level of depth defined by the user. Additionally, it performs clustering analysis of all sets based on functional categories or on differential expression levels. GARBAN also provides graphical representations of the biological pathways in which all the genes/proteins participate. AVAILABILITY: http://garban.tecnun.es