Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Effects of Nursery Care in the Medium Run under Unobserved Heterogeneity

Unlike the previous literature which focuses on the short run cognitive effects of attending childcare (3-5 years old), we estimate the medium run cognitive and non-cognitive effects of nursery care (0-2 years old) considering not only observed but also unobserved heterogeneity. We constructed a panel dataset with national coverage from different administrative sources. Our results suggest positive selection for Language, Mathematics, Motivation and Self-Esteem, implying that babies and toddlers who are more likely (for unobserved reasons) to attend nursery care have a higher treatment effect. We also find heterogeneous effects in a way that further expansions of public nursery care centers that successfully attract babies and toddlers with high resistance and not currently enrolled in nursery care may yield low returns. This calls into question childcare policies at very early stages especially when there is poor quality involved

Tectografía secuencial como sistema de representación

La complejidad del proceso constructivo en la edificación, donde intervienen muchas tecnologías y un sin fin de oficios, todos ellos aplicados en un diseño exclusivo que hace cada arquitectura distinta; nos ha llevado a desarrollar un nuevo sistema de representación gráfica al que hemos llamado Tectografía Secuencial (raíz latina “tectus” que alude a lo oculto o a las cualidades inherentes del templo, a la que se añade el vocablo “GRAFÍA”: representación gráfica). El modo Secuencial expresa un número de imágenes en movimiento del que carece toda representación arquitectónica, o más bien, representa en un solo fotograma y, a manera de tráiler cinematográfico, las distintas fases del proceso constructivo, que se superponen estratégicamente para resolver con claridad todo el entramado técnico del detalle. Por lo tanto, estimamos que es necesaria la utilización de una secuencia gráfica del proceso, para la correcta explicación del docente y facilitar así la comprensión perceptiva por parte del discente. Pero hemos de añadir que, aparte de ser un método didáctico, se convierte en una herramienta gráfica válida para la dirección técnica de una obra en la fase de ejecución material, donde se presentan las grandes dudas en relación con los planos del Proyecto, o su adaptación o ajuste a la realidad final.The complexity of the constructive process in the building, where they control many technologies and one without end of trades, all of them applied in an exclusive design that does every different architecture; it has led us to developing a new system of graphical representation to which we have been called Tectografía Secuencial (Latin root "tectus" that alludes to the secret thing or to the inherent qualities of the temple, to that the word is added "GRAFÍA”: graphical representation). The Sequential way expresses a number of images in movement which any architectural representation lacks, or rather, represents in an alone still and, like cinematographic trailer, the different phases of the constructive process, which are superposed strategically to solve with clarity the whole technical studding of the detail. Therefore, we think that there is necessary the utilization of a graphical sequence of the process, for the correct explanation of the teacher and to facilitate this way the perceptive comprehension on the part of the learning. But we have to add that, apart from being a didactic method, it turns into a graphical valid tool for the technical direction of a work into the phase of material execution, where they present the big doubts in relation with the planes of the Project, or his adjustment or adjustment to the final reality

Distribution Uniformity in Intensive Horticultural Systems of Almería and Influence of the Production System and Water Quality

The high productivity and efficiency of the use of irrigation water that characterizes greenhouse horticultural crops can be affected by poor irrigation distribution uniformity. The objective of this work was to estimate the average irrigation distribution uniformity (DU) of the greenhouses in Almería, determining the influence of the irrigation water quality as well as the production system on this uniformity. A prospective study was carried out in which commercial farms were selected that used different water qualities (groundwater vs. reclaimed) with different production systems (organic vs. conventional/integrated). The average irrigation distribution uniformity in the greenhouses of Almería was 80%. The farms with organic production systems presented a drastic DU reduction with respect to conventional farms (48% vs. 88%). The DU of the irrigation water presented in commercial farms irrigated with reclaimed water presented a lower DU than those irrigated with groundwater (76% vs. 86%). The distribution of irrigation depth of water in the greenhouses showed slight variations (from 3.2 to 2.9 mm) depending on the emitter position, with the highest values being at the head of the sub-main pipe and dripper line and the lowest at the end of the sub-main pipe and dripper line. The depth of water values was very close to the theoretical average of 3 mm. Water quality affects the distribution pattern of the depth of water in greenhouses. Installations irrigated with reclaimed water showed greater oscillation of the water depth within the sub-unit, varying from 3.6 to 2.0 mm, although the average depth was located close to the theoretical depth (3 mm). The production system affected the distribution of the depth of water—in the organic system, the depth underwent greater variation depending on the position of the emitter in the sub-unit, ranging from 1.7 to 3.3 mm. In addition, within this production system, the median depth of water was close to 2.5 mm, lower than the theoretical depth (3 mm), which denoted a certain generalized filling that was accentuated at the end of the dripper line and sub-main pipe

NGSQC: cross-platform quality analysis pipeline for deep sequencing data

Abstract Background While the accuracy and precision of deep sequencing data is significantly better than those obtained by the earlier generation of hybridization-based high throughput technologies, the digital nature of deep sequencing output often leads to unwarranted confidence in their reliability. Results The NGSQC (N ext G eneration S equencing Q uality C ontrol) pipeline provides a set of novel quality control measures for quickly detecting a wide variety of quality issues in deep sequencing data derived from two dimensional surfaces, regardless of the assay technology used. It also enables researchers to determine whether sequencing data related to their most interesting biological discoveries are caused by sequencing quality issues. Conclusions Next generation sequencing platforms have their own share of quality issues and there can be significant lab-to-lab, batch-to-batch and even within chip/slide variations. NGSQC can help to ensure that biological conclusions, in particular those based on relatively rare sequence alterations, are not caused by low quality sequencing.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/112794/1/12864_2010_Article_3466.pd

Coupled resonator acoustic waveguides-based acoustic interferometers designed within two-dimensional phononic crystals: experiment and theory

The acoustic response of defect-based acoustic interferometer-like designs, known as Coupled Resonator Acoustic Waveguides (CRAWs), in two-dimensional phononic crystals (PnCs) is reported. The PnC is composed of steel cylinders arranged in a square lattice within a water matrix with defects induced by selectively removing cylinders to create Mach-Zehnder-like (MZ) defect-based interferometers. Two defect-based acoustic interferometers of MZ-type are fabricated, one with arms oriented horizontally and another one with arms oriented diagonally, and their transmission features are experimentally characterized using ultrasonic spectroscopy. The experimental data are compared with finite element method (FEM) simulations and with tight-binding (TB) calculations in which each defect is treated as a resonator coupled to its neighboring ones. Significantly, the results exhibit excellent agreement indicating the reliability of the proposed approach. This comprehensive match is of paramount importance for accurately predicting and optimizing resonant modes supported by defect arrays, thus enabling the tailoring of phononic structures and defect-based waveguides to meet specific requirements. This successful implementation of FEM and TB calculations in investigating CRAWs systems within phononic crystals paves the way for designing advanced acoustic devices with desired functionalities for various practical applications, demonstrating the application of solid-state electronics principles to underwater acoustic devices description

Unravelling the 2D self-assembly of Fmoc-dipeptides at fluid interfaces

Dipeptides self-assemble into supramolecular structures showing plenty of applications in the nanotechnology and biomedical fields. A set of Fmoc-dipeptides with different aminoacid sequences has been synthesized and their self-assembly at fluid interfaces has been assessed. The relevant molecular parameters for achieving an efficient 2D self-assembly process have been established. The selfassembled nanostructures of Fmoc-dipeptides displayed significant chirality and retained the chemical functionality of the aminoacids. The impact of the sequence on the final supramolecular structure has been evaluated in detail using in situ characterization techniques at air/water interfaces. This study provides a general route for the 2D self-assembly of Fmoc-dipeptides

Expansion of a novel endogenous retrovirus throughout the pericentromeres of modern humans

Abstract Background Approximately 8% of the human genome consists of sequences of retroviral origin, a result of ancestral infections of the germ line over millions of years of evolution. The most recent of these infections is attributed to members of the human endogenous retrovirus type-K (HERV-K) (HML-2) family. We recently reported that a previously undetected, large group of HERV-K (HML-2) proviruses, which are descendants of the ancestral K111 infection, are spread throughout human centromeres. Results Studying the genomes of certain cell lines and the DNA of healthy individuals that seemingly lack K111, we discover new HERV-K (HML-2) members hidden in pericentromeres of several human chromosomes. All are related through a common ancestor, termed K222, which is a virus that infected the germ line approximately 25 million years ago. K222 exists as a single copy in the genomes of baboons and high order primates, but not New World monkeys, suggesting that progenitor K222 infected the primate germ line after the split between New and Old World monkeys. K222 exists in modern humans at multiple loci spread across the pericentromeres of nine chromosomes, indicating it was amplified during the evolution of modern humans. Conclusions Copying of K222 may have occurred through recombination of the pericentromeres of different chromosomes during human evolution. Evidence of recombination between K111 and K222 suggests that these retroviral sequences have been templates for frequent cross-over events during the process of centromere recombination in humans.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/111301/1/13059_2015_Article_641.pd

Secreted nuclear protein DEK regulates hematopoiesis through CXCR2 signaling

The nuclear protein DEK is an endogenous DNA-binding chromatin factor regulating hematopoiesis. DEK is one of only 2 known secreted nuclear chromatin factors, but whether and how extracellular DEK regulates hematopoiesis is not known. We demonstrated that extracellular DEK greatly enhanced ex vivo expansion of cytokine-stimulated human and mouse hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and regulated HSC and hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) numbers in vivo and in vitro as determined both phenotypically (by flow cytometry) and functionally (through transplantation and colony formation assays). Recombinant DEK increased long-term HSC numbers and decreased HPC numbers through a mechanism mediated by the CXC chemokine receptor CXCR2 and heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) (as determined utilizing Cxcr2-/- mice, blocking CXCR2 antibodies, and 3 different HSPG inhibitors) that was associated with enhanced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, AKT, and p38 MAPK. To determine whether extracellular DEK required nuclear function to regulate hematopoiesis, we utilized 2 mutant forms of DEK: one that lacked its nuclear translocation signal and one that lacked DNA-binding ability. Both altered HSC and HPC numbers in vivo or in vitro, suggesting the nuclear function of DEK is not required. Thus, DEK acts as a hematopoietic cytokine, with the potential for clinical applicability

Disruption of thalamic functional connectivity is a neural correlate of dexmedetomidine-induced unconsciousness

Understanding the neural basis of consciousness is fundamental to neuroscience research. Disruptions in cortico-cortical connectivity have been suggested as a primary mechanism of unconsciousness. By using a novel combination of positron emission tomography and functional magnetic resonance imaging, we studied anesthesia-induced unconsciousness and recovery using the α2-agonist dexmedetomidine. During unconsciousness, cerebral metabolic rate of glucose and cerebral blood flow were preferentially decreased in the thalamus, the Default Mode Network (DMN), and the bilateral Frontoparietal Networks (FPNs). Cortico-cortical functional connectivity within the DMN and FPNs was preserved. However, DMN thalamo-cortical functional connectivity was disrupted. Recovery from this state was associated with sustained reduction in cerebral blood flow and restored DMN thalamo-cortical functional connectivity. We report that loss of thalamo-cortical functional connectivity is sufficient to produce unconsciousness. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.04499.00