Design of in-building wireless networks deployments using evolutionary algorithms

In this article, a novel approach to deal with the design of in-building wireless networks deployments is proposed. This approach known as MOQZEA (Multiobjective Quality Zone Based Evolutionary Algorithm) is a hybr id evolutionary algorithm adapted to use a novel fitness function, based on the definition of quality zones for the different objective functions considered. This approach is conceived to solve wireless network design problems without previous information of the required number of transmitters, considering simultaneously a high number of objective functions and optimizing multiple configuration parameters of the transmitters

Walnut polyphenol metabolites, urolithins A and B, inhibit the expression of the prostate-specific antigen and the androgen receptor in prostate cancer cells

Walnuts have been gathering attention for their health-promoting properties. They are rich in polyphenols, mainly ellagitannins (ETs) that after consumption are hydrolyzed to release ellagic acid (EA). EA is further metabolized by microbiota to form urolithins, such as A and B, which are absorbed. ETs, EA and urolithins have shown to slow the proliferation and growth of different types of cancer cells but the mechanisms remain unclear. We investigate the role of urolithins in the regulatory mechanisms in prostate cancer, specifically those related to the androgen receptor (AR), which have been linked to the development of this type of cancer. In our study, urolithins down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of both prostate specific antigen (PSA) and AR in LNCaP cells. The luciferase assay performed with a construct containing three androgen response elements (AREs) showed that urolithins inhibit AR-mediated PSA expression at the transcriptional level. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that urolithins decreased AR binding to its consensus response element. Additionally, urolithins induced apoptosis in LNCaP cells, and this effect correlated with a decrease in Bcl-2 protein levels. In summary, urolithins attenuate the function of the AR by repressing its expression, causing a down-regulation of PSA levels and inducing apoptosis. Our results suggest that a diet rich in ET-containing foods, such as walnuts, could contribute to the prevention of prostate cancer

Self-association of short DNA loops through minor groove C:G:G:C tetrads

In addition to the better known guanine-quadruplex, four-stranded nucleic acid structures can be formed by tetrads resulting from the association of Watson-Crick base pairs. When such association occurs through the minor groove side of the base pairs, the resulting structure presents distinctive features, clearly different from quadruplex structures containing planar G-tetrads. Although we have found this unusual DNA motif in a number of cyclic oligonucleotides, this is the first time that this DNA motif is found in linear oligonucleotides in solution, demonstrating that cyclization is not required to stabilize minor groove tetrads in solution. In this article, we have determined the solution structure of two linear octamers of sequence d(TGCTTCGT) and d(TCGTTGCT), and their cyclic analogue d, utilizing 2D NMR spectroscopy and restrained molecular dynamics. These three molecules self-associate forming symmetric dimers stabilized by a novel kind of minor groove C:G:G:C tetrad, in which the pattern of hydrogen bonds differs from previously reported ones. We hypothesize that these quadruplex structures can be formed by many different DNA sequences, but its observation in linear oligonucleotides is usually hampered by competing Watson-Crick duplexes

In vitro characterization of solute transport in the spinal canal

This paper presents results of an experimental investigation of solute transport in a simplified model of the spinal canal. The work aims to provide increased understanding of the mechanisms responsible for drug dispersion in intrathecal drug delivery (ITDD) procedures. The model consists of an annular channel bounded externally by a rigid transparent tube of circular section, representing the dura mater, and internally by an eccentric cylindrical compliant insert, representing the spinal cord. The tube, closed at one end, is connected to a rigid acrylic reservoir, representing the cranial cavity. The system is filled with water, whose properties are almost identical to those of the cerebrospinal fluid. A programmable peristaltic pump is employed to generate oscillatory motion at frequencies that are representative of those induced by the cardiac and respiratory cycles. Laser induced fluorescence is used to characterize the dispersion of fluorescent dye along the canal and into the cranial cavity for different values of the relevant Womersley number and different eccentricities of the annular section. The present work corroborates experimentally, for the first time, the existence of a steady bulk flow, associated with the mean Lagrangian motion, which plays a key role in the transport of the solute along the spinal canal. The measurements of solute dispersion are found to be in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions obtained using a simplified transport equation derived earlier on the basis of a two-timescale asymptotic analysis. The experimental results underscore the importance of the eccentricity and its variations along the canal and identifies changes in the flow topology associated with differences in the Womersley number, with potential implications in guiding future designs of ITDD protocols.This work was supported by the coordinated project, PID2020-115961RB-C31, PID2020-115961RB-C32, and PID2020-115961RA-C33, financed by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, and by the Junta de Andalucia and European Funds, Project No. P18-FR-4619. F. Moral-Pulido wants to thank the Spanish Ministry of Universities for the financial support provided by the Fellowship FPU18/05694. The work of A. L. Sánchez was supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation through Grant No. 1853954

Recensiones [Revista de Historia Económica Año XX Primavera-Verano 2002 n. 2 pp. 389-426]

Editada en la Fundación Empresa PúblicaManera, C: Història del creixement económic a Mallorca (1700-2000) (Por Luis Germán Zubero).-- Carmona, J., Colomé, J., Pan-Montojo, J., y Simpson, J. (eds.): Viñas, bodegas y mercados. El cambio técnico en la vitivinicultura española, 1830-1936 (Por Carmelo Pellejero).-- González Portilla, M. (ed.): Los orígenes de una metrópoli industrial: la ría de Bilbao (Por Carlos Larrinaga).-- Craig, L. A., y Fisher, D.: The European Macroeconomy: Growth, Integration and Cycles, 1500-1913 (Por Joan R. Roses).-- Sargent, T., y Velde, F.: The Big Problem of Small Change (Por José I. García de Paso.-- Andersen, B.: Technological Change and the Evolution of Corporate Innovation: The Structure of Patenting, 1880-1990 (Por Patricio Sáiz).-- Rotberg, R. (ed.): Patterns of Social Capital. Stability and Change in Historical Perspective (Por Blanca Sánchez Alonso).-- James, H.: The Deutsche Bank and the Nazi Economic War against the Jews (Por Pedro Fernández Sánchez).-- Battilossi, S., y Cassis, Y. (eds.): European Banks and the American Challenge. Competition and Cooperation in International Banking under Bretton Woods (Por Mª Ángeles Pons).-- Zeitlin, J., y Herrigel, G. (eds.): Americanization and its Limits. Reworking US Technology and Management in Post-war Europe and Japan (Por Nuria Puig)Publicad

Health benefits of walnut polyphenols: An exploration beyond their lipid profile.

Walnuts are commonly found in our diet and have been recognized for their nutritious properties for a long time. Traditionally, walnuts have been known for their lipid profile which has been linked to a wide array of biological properties and health-promoting effects. In addition to essential fatty acids, walnuts contain a variety of other bioactive compounds such as, vitamin E and polyphenols. Among common foods and beverages, walnuts represent one of the most important sources of polyphenols, hence, their effect over human health warrants attention. The main polyphenol in walnuts is pedunculagin, an ellagitannin. After consumption, ellagitannins are hydrolyzed to release ellagic acid, which is converted by gut microflora to urolithin A and other derivatives, such as urolithins B, C and D. Ellagitannins possess well known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory bioactivity and several studies have assessed the potential role of ETs against disease initiation and progression, including cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. The purpose of this review is to summarize current available information relating to the potential effect of walnut polyphenols in health maintenance and disease prevention

Ischemic postconditioning fails to reduce infarct size in pig models of intermediate and prolonged ischemia

This study was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (“RETOS 2019” grant No PID2019-107332RB-I00 to B.I). B.I is funded by the European Commission (ERC-CoG grant No 819775, and H2020-HEALTH grant No 945118). J.N. is recipient of a predoctoral grant (Jordi Soler Soler) through CIBERCV. The CNIC is supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), the Ministry of Science and Innovation and the Pro CNIC Foundation, and is a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence (CEX2020-001041-S).S

Divulgación en tiempos de pandemia: el poder de las webs

Trabajo presentado en el simposio Micromundo Aprendizaje-Servicio para el descubrimiento de antibiótico

Análisis de necesidades y apoyos para la acción tutorial en la facultad de psicología

Memoria ID2012-0002. Ayudas de la Universidad de Salamanca para la innovación docente, curso 2012-2013

Caso único: el efecto Ringelmann en un bote de remo de elite = Unique case: The Ringelmann effect on a rowboat elite

Objetivo: Analizar si en la tripulación del cuatro sin timonel español seleccionada para el preolímpico de Río de Janeiro 2016 presenta el efecto Ringelmann, consistente en que conforme aumenta el número de componentes de un grupo, la aportación individual, al resultado final, va disminuyendo. Método: La muestra la componen los cuatro remeros de la tripulación del citado bote con una experiencia de 13, 16, 10 y 13 años respectivamente, y una edad media de 24.25 ± 0.5 años. Resultados: En la totalidad de los casos se produce un aumento sistemático en la condición del equipo respecto de la individual, con una media de metros recorridos en esta de 1029.25 metros, mientras que en la grupal fue de 1036.75. El número de vatios generados también fue superior en la ejecución colectiva (535.25w. frente a los 524.25w.). Sin embargo, la media de paladas en la condición individual fue inferior (35.5) a la de grupo (37.25). En cuanto a la percepción de esfuerzo (escala de Borg), los remeros puntuaban más bajo individualmente (7.75) que en grupo (8.75). Conclusiones: Nuestros datos parecen mostrar que el nivel competitivo, la fuerte convicción de equipo y la alta motivación pueden no solo paliar, sino hacer desaparecer el efecto Ringelmann en un bote de cuatro sin timonel. A pesar de que la percepción de esfuerzo es mayor en equipo. ABSTRACT Objective: Try to know if the crew of the Spanish boat Coxless four selected for the pre-Olympic 2016 Rio de Janeiro shows the Ringelmann effect, which is that as the number of components of a group, the individual contribution decreases. Method: The sample is composed of four rowers crew of that boat with an experience of 13, 16, 10 and 13 years, respectively, and an average age of 24.25 years ([DT] = 0.5). Results: In all cases a systematic increase occurs in the equipment condition regarding individual, with an average of meters traveled in this of 1029.25 meters, while the group was 1036.75. The number of watts generated was also higher in the collective execution (535.25w. versus 524.25w.). However, the average of strokes in the individual condition was lower (35.5) to the group (37.25). As for the perception of effort (Borg scale), the rowers individually scored lower (7.75) than in group (8.75)