Emerging Technologies for Urban Traffic Management

Nowadays, the number of vehicles on the road and the need of transporting people grow fast. Road transportation has become the backbone of industrialized countries. Nevertheless, the road network system in cities is not sufficient to cope with the current demands due to the size of roads available. Building additional or extending existing roads do not solve the traffic congestion problem due to the high costs and the environmental and geographical limitations. As a consequence, the modern society is facing more traffic jams, higher fuel bills and high levels of CO2 emissions

Radiative Heat Transfer for Curvilinear Surfaces

Curved surfaces have not been thoroughly considered in radiative transfer analysis mainly due to the difficulties arising from the integration process and perhaps because of the lack of spatial vision of researchers. When dealing with them, application of the iterative method or direct calculation through integration does not provide with an exact solution, so that only approximate expressions or tables are given for a very limited number of forms. In this way, a vast repertoire of significant shapes remains neglected and energy waste is evident. For this reason, further research on the matter, starting from a different approach was considered worth doing. In previous researches from the authors, form factor calculation has been undertaken for several types of emitters. In all cases, geometric properties of those, revealed as the most powerful tool that shapes radiant interchange. This included mainly rectangular shapes, plane forms and the volumes that can be composed with such primary geometries

Revista de libros

Reseña de los siguientes libros: * Adolfo P. Carpio: Páginas de filosofía * Victor Massuh: Nietzsche y el fin de la religión. * Rudolf Grossmann: Geschichte und Probleme der lateinamerikanischen Literatur * José Ferrater Mora: Diccionario de filosofía abreviado * Germán García: El inmigrante en la novela argentina * Prosas dispersas de Vicente Barbieri: Selección, Advertencia preliminar, Cronología bio-bibliográfica, Contribución a la bibliografía y notas de Aurelia C. Garat y Ana M. Lorenzo * Francisco P. Moreno: Viaje a la Patagonia austral * Raúl H. Castagnino: El teatro de Roberto Arlt * Julián Marías: Esquema de nuestra situación * Alfonso López Quintas: Filosofía española contemporánea * Julio Calonge: Transcripción del ruso al español * José A. Oría: Temas de actualidad durableUniversidad Nacional de La Plat

Signalling through the yeast MAPK Cell Wall Integrity pathway controls P-body assembly upon cell wall stress.

Post-transcriptional control of mRNA is a key event in the regulation of gene expression. From yeast to human cells, P-bodies are cytoplasmic RNA-protein aggregates that play an essential role in this process, particularly under stress conditions. In this work, we show that in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall stress induces the formation of these structures. This effect is dependent on multiple elements in the Cell Wall Integrity (CWI) MAPK signalling pathway, a signal transduction cascade responsible for the maintenance of cell integrity under adverse environmental conditions. Remarkably, P-body assembly requires the catalytic activity of the MAPK of the pathway, Slt2/Mpk1. In accordance with the control exerted by this signalling pathway, the timing of P-body formation is similar to that of the activation of the CWI pathway. Noticeably, mRNAs whose expression is regulated by this pathway localize in P-bodies after the cell is exposed to stress following a temporal pattern coincident with CWI pathway activation. Moreover, when these mRNAs are overexpressed in a mutant background unable to form visible P-bodies, the cells show hypersensitivity to agents that interfere with cell wall integrity, supporting that they play a role in the mRNA lifecycle under stress conditions

Non-destructive Techniques Methodologies for the Detection of Ancient Structures under Heritage Buildings

[EN] Structures and elements buried beneath heritage buildings are frequent but are often unknown and inaccessible. Therefore, they are difficult to locate in general if an archaeological excavation is not carried out, with the economic cost and time involved. It is important to discover them in order to increase our knowledge of cultural heritage, as well as to know, recover and improve the state of conservation of the materials that make up these structures. This paper presents methodologies for locating old structures using a low-cost NDT approach, with a qualitative and quantitative analysis of GPR profiles in heritage buildings. Small perforations are performed at critical points and introducing an endoscope for verification. Various crypts have been located using the proposed methodologies in a real study case: The Church of the Asución of Llíria in Spain.Gil Benso, E.; Mas Tomas, MDLA.; Lerma Elvira, C.; Torner, ME.; Vercher Sanchis, J. (2021). Non-destructive Techniques Methodologies for the Detection of Ancient Structures under Heritage Buildings. International journal of architectural heritage (electronic). 15(10):1457-1473. https://doi.org/10.1080/15583058.2019.1700320S14571473151

A novel learning environment for undergraduate mathematics courses

This work presents a scaffolding design of learning objects as auxiliaries in the teaching-learning of mathematics at undergraduate level, through an electronic learning platform developed for using in formal mathematics courses. Its design is based on the results of surveying a group of mathematics teachers in the undergraduate fields of Science and Engineering in Mexico, about different aspects of their teaching practice. This survey is consistent with other national and international studies that highlight a series of problems found in the undergraduate fields of Science and Engineering. Guidelines for the development of this kind of  learning objects were established, which leads to curricular changes that will result in an adequate process of integrating the use of technology in the classroom. An important feature of these objects is flexibility as they are helpful tools in the innovative design process. A grounded model for the creation of teaching materials is proposed, including elements that facilitate their use, and thus, it is concluded that the use of these tools is a factor that can help alleviate some of the learning problems currently present in undergraduate level mathematics courses.&nbsp

Monitoring coral reefs within the Reef 2050 Integrated Monitoring and Reporting Program: final report of the coral reef expert group

[Extract] The Coral Reef Expert Group (CREG) was one of eight expert groups, which all followed a prescribed process to recommend a design for their thematic component. The tasks of the expert groups included: • Synopsis of the theme, to include discussion on current state, primary drivers, pressures and responses using DPSIR framework. • Review of all current monitoring and modelling activities relevant to the expert group theme. • Identify candidate indicators that can be monitored and would provide information about trend, status or forecasting of value or the system. • Evaluation of the adequacy and confidence of current monitoring and modelling of candidate indicators, determined by their ability to meet the objectives of the RIMReP and management needs provided by the Authority. • Identification and discussion of gaps and opportunities in current monitoring and modelling of such indicators. • Evaluation of new monitoring technologies for their potential to increase efficiency or statistical power and their compatibility with long-term datasets. • Recommendations for monitoring design including consideration of primary indicators, continuity of data sets, how the design addresses management needs, modification to existing programs, costing and transition strategies.An accessible copy of this report is not yet available from this repository, please contact [email protected] for more information

ACRATA: a novel electron transfer domain associated to apoptosis and cancer

BACKGROUND: Recently, several members of a vertebrate protein family containing a six trans-membrane (6TM) domain and involved in apoptosis and cancer (e.g. STEAP, STAMP1, TSAP6), have been identified in Golgi and cytoplasmic membranes. The exact function of these proteins remains unknown. METHODS: We related this 6TM domain to distant protein families using intermediate sequences and methods of iterative profile sequence similarity search. RESULTS: Here we show for the first time that this 6TM domain is homolog to the 6TM heme binding domain of both the NADPH oxidase (Nox) family and the YedZ family of bacterial oxidoreductases. CONCLUSIONS: This finding gives novel insights about the existence of a previously undetected electron transfer system involved in apoptosis and cancer, and suggests further steps in the experimental characterization of these evolutionarily related families

Caribbean Corals in Crisis: Record Thermal Stress, Bleaching, and Mortality in 2005

BACKGROUND The rising temperature of the world's oceans has become a major threat to coral reefs globally as the severity and frequency of mass coral bleaching and mortality events increase. In 2005, high ocean temperatures in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean resulted in the most severe bleaching event ever recorded in the basin. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Satellite-based tools provided warnings for coral reef managers and scientists, guiding both the timing and location of researchers' field observations as anomalously warm conditions developed and spread across the greater Caribbean region from June to October 2005. Field surveys of bleaching and mortality exceeded prior efforts in detail and extent, and provided a new standard for documenting the effects of bleaching and for testing nowcast and forecast products. Collaborators from 22 countries undertook the most comprehensive documentation of basin-scale bleaching to date and found that over 80% of corals bleached and over 40% died at many sites. The most severe bleaching coincided with waters nearest a western Atlantic warm pool that was centered off the northern end of the Lesser Antilles. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Thermal stress during the 2005 event exceeded any observed from the Caribbean in the prior 20 years, and regionally-averaged temperatures were the warmest in over 150 years. Comparison of satellite data against field surveys demonstrated a significant predictive relationship between accumulated heat stress (measured using NOAA Coral Reef Watch's Degree Heating Weeks) and bleaching intensity. This severe, widespread bleaching and mortality will undoubtedly have long-term consequences for reef ecosystems and suggests a troubled future for tropical marine ecosystems under a warming climate.This work was partially supported by salaries from the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program to the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program authors. NOAA provided funding to Caribbean ReefCheck investigators to undertake surveys of bleaching and mortality. Otherwise, no funding from outside authors' institutions was necessary for the undertaking of this study. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Immunological predictors of CD4+ T cell decline in antiretroviral treatment interruptions

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The common response to stopping anti-HIV treatment is an increase of HIV-RNA load and decrease in CD4⁺, but not all the patients have similar responses to this therapeutic strategy. The aim was to identify predictive markers of CD4⁺cell count declines to < 350/μL in CD4-guided antiretroviral treatment interruptions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>27 HIV-infected patients participated in a prospective multicenter study in with a 24 month follow-up. Patients on stable highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), with CD4⁺count > 600/μL, and HIV-RNA < 50 copies/ml for at least 6 months were offered the option to discontinue antiretroviral therapy. The main outcome was a decline in CD4⁺cell count to < 350/μL.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After 24 months of follow-up, 16 of 27 (59%) patients (who discontinued therapy) experienced declines in CD4⁺cell count to < 350/μL. Patients with a CD4⁺nadir of < 200 cells/μL had a greater risk of restarting therapy during the follow-up (RR (CI95%): 3.37 (1.07; 10.36)). Interestingly, lymphoproliferative responses to <it>Mycobacterium tuberculosis </it>purified protein derivative (PPD) below 10000 c.p.m. at baseline (4.77 (1.07; 21.12)), IL-4 production above 100 pg/mL at baseline (5.95 (1.76; 20.07)) in PBMC cultured with PPD, and increased IL-4 production of PBMC with p24 antigen at baseline (1.25 (1.01; 1.55)) were associated to declines in CD4⁺cell count to < 350/μL.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Both the number (CD4⁺nadir) and the functional activity of CD4⁺(lymphoproliferative response to PPD) predict the CD4⁺decrease associated with discontinuation of ART in patients with controlled viremia.</p