Characterizing visual asymmetries in contrast perception using shaded stimuli.

Previous research has shown a visual asymmetry in shaded stimuli where the perceived contrast depended on the polarity of their dark and light areas (Chacón, 2004). In particular, circles filled out with a top-dark luminance ramp were perceived with higher contrast than top-light ones although both types of stimuli had the same physical contrast. Here, using shaded stimuli, we conducted four experiments in order to find out if the perceived contrast depends on: (a) the contrast level, (b) the type of shading (continuous vs. discrete) and its degree of perceived three-dimensionality, (c) the orientation of the shading, and (d) the sign of the perceived contrast alterations. In all experiments the observers' tasks were to equate the perceived contrast of two sets of elements (usually shaded with opposite luminance polarity), in order to determine the subjective equality point. Results showed that (a) there is a strong difference in perceived contrast between circles filled out with luminance ramp top-dark and top-light that is similar for different contrast levels; (b) we also found asymmetries in contrast perception with different shaded stimuli, and this asymmetry was not related with the perceived three-dimensionality but with the type of shading, being greater for continuous-shading stimuli

iMODS: internal coordinates normal mode analysis server

Normal mode analysis (NMA) in internal (dihedral) coordinates naturally reproduces the collective functional motions of biological macromolecules. iMODS facilitates the exploration of such modes and generates feasible transition pathways between two homologous structures, even with large macromolecules. The distinctive internal coordinate formulation improves the efficiency of NMA and extends its applicability while implicitly maintaining stereochemistry. Vibrational analysis, motion animationś and morphing trajectories can be easily carried out at different resolution scales almost interactively. The server is versatile; non-specialists can rapidly characterize potential conformational changes, whereas advanced users can customize the model resolution with multiple coarse-grained atomic representations and elastic network potentials. iMODS supports advanced visualization capabilities for illustrating collective motions, including an improved affine-model-based arrow representation of domain dynamics. The generated all-heavy-atoms conformations can be used to introduce flexibility for more advanced modeling or sampling strategies.Human Frontier Science Program—RGP0039/2008, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad—BFU2013-44306P and Comunidad de Madrid—CAM-S2010/BMD

Modelo para la Autoevaluación de la Condición Financiera de las MIPYMES del sector de Tecnologías de Información en Costa Rica

Proyecto de graduación (Licenciatura en Administración de Empresas. Enfasis en Finanzas) Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, Escuela de Administración de Empresas, 2015Las MIPYMES del sector de tecnologías de información han ido creciendo notoriamente en Costa Rica constituyendo una fuente importante de empleo, actualmente hay carencia de modelos financieros para este tipo de empresas, por esta razón se desarrolla un modelo de autoevaluación financiera para que los propietarios sean capaces de evaluar su negocio y asi facilitar la toma de decisiones

Rotunda - Vol 13, No 9 - Nov 16, 1932

El presente documento tiene como objetivo desarrollar un plan de negocio para la implementación de una plataforma de financiamiento participativo financiero (crowdlending), que conectará a los peruanos que requieran de financiamiento (acreditados) para cumplir sus sueños a corto plazo con el apoyo de otros peruanos que disponen de fondos (prestamistas) a cambio de rentabilidad en su inversión. Conectamos a cada prestamista con varios acreditados, a través de nuestra plataforma digital (website y app móvil) que será intuitiva, simple y segura, que permita el seguimiento tanto de sus préstamos personales, como de sus inversiones. En el plan de negocio se determinaron los siguientes segmentos de clientes: los acreditados, como peruanos mayores de edad que residen en Lima Metropolitana y con necesidades de financiamiento de menor cuantía y en corto plazo, generalmente dirigidas a cubrir consolidación de deudas, viajes, estudios y compras; los prestamistas, como peruanos mayores de edad que residen en Lima Metropolitana que disponen de fondos excedentes y están en permanente búsqueda de mayores rentabilidades. Luego del análisis estratégico, se observaron condiciones favorables para la implementación de este plan de negocio pues actualmente el mercado de las fintech (empresas que brindan servicios financieros haciendo uso de tecnología) está facilitando el acceso de los peruanos al sistema financiero que antes no lo tenían. Existen varias alternativas en el rubro de préstamos personales, sin embargo, la fintech ekeko que se encuentra en el sector fintech crowdlending, con su ventaja y los objetivos estratégicos planteados, se enfocará en la diferenciación por mejores tasas para los acreditados y para los prestamistas mejor servicio agregando un seguimiento al sistema de cobranzas de los préstamos colocados de los acreditados. Se dispone de una estructura organizativa acorde a una sociedad anónima cerrada, desarrollándose los estados financieros para medir la viabilidad financiera y económica, con los cuales se obtuvo una utilidad positiva en el estado de resultados, mientras que el flujo de caja permitió evidenciar un VPN de S/ 1,567,725 y una TIR de 70%, positivos, por lo cual el proyecto es viable y se recomienda su implementación.The purpose of this document is to develop a business plan for the implementation of a participatory financial financing platform (crowdlending), which will connect Peruvians who require financing (accredited) to accomplished their dreams in the short term with the support of other Peruvians which has funds (lenders) in exchange of return on your investment. We connect each lender with several accredited, through our digital platform (website and mobile application) that will be intuitive, simple and secure, which will allow following of both their personal loans and their investments. The customer segments were determined in the business plan: accredited, such as those of legal age residing in Metropolitan Lima and with minor and short-term financing needs, lead to covering the consolidation of debts, travel, studies and shopping. Lenders, such as Peruvians of legal age who reside in Metropolitan Lima who have surplus funds and are constantly seeking greater returns. After the strategic analysis, favorable conditions were observed for the implementation of this business plan, because currently fintech market (companies that provide financial services using technology) is facilitating the access of Peruvians to the financial system that previously did not. There are several alternatives in the field of personal loans, however, the fintech ekeko that is in the fintech crowdlending sector, with its advantage and the strategic objectives set, focused on the differentiation for the best rates for the accredited and the best service for the lenders adding a follow-up to the collection system of the loans placed by the borrowers. An organizational structure is available according to a closed corporation, developing the financial statements to measure the financial and economic viability, with which a positive profit was obtained in the income statement, while the cash flow is evidenced in NPV S/ 1,567,725 and IRR 70%, positive, so the project is viable and its implementation is recommended.Trabajo de investigació

Abordaje del paciente con dispepsia

Dyspepsia corresponds to a syndrome and not to an isolated diagnosis or symptom as such. It involves a heterogeneous group of symptoms located in the upper abdomen. Depending on the etiology, it may be an organic dyspepsia or a functional dyspepsia. Any patient presenting for the first time with these symptoms is classified as uninvestigated dyspepsia. In these cases, 3 possible strategies can be followed, including: upper endoscopy, examining and treating for Helicobacter pylori or a proton pump inhibitor trial; the approach chosen will depend on the factors of each patient. In the case of functional dyspepsia, treatment includes general measures such as changes in diet and medications such as proton pump inhibitors. Like any functional disorder of the digestive system, the probability of recurrence of symptoms is high when treatment is suspended, even so the prognosis of the disease is completely benign.La dispepsia corresponde a un síndrome y no a un diagnóstico o síntoma aislado como tal. Involucra un grupo heterogéneo de síntomas localizados en el abdomen superior. Según la etiología puede ser una dispepsia orgánica o una dispepsia funcional. Todo paciente que acude por primera vez con estos síntomas se clasifica como una dispepsia no investigada. En estos casos se puede seguir 3 posibles estrategias que incluyen: la endoscopia alta, examinar y tratar por Helicobacter pylori o un trial de inhibidores de bomba de protones; el abordaje que se escoja dependerá de los factores de cada paciente. En el caso de la dispepsia funcional el tratamiento incluye medidas generales como cambios en la alimentación y medicamentos como los inhibidores de bomba de protones. Como todo trastorno funcional del sistema digestivo la probabilidad de recurrencia de los síntomas es alta al suspender el tratamiento, aun así, el pronóstico de la enfermedad es completamente benigno

Evolución paleoambiental de la mitad sur de la Península Ibérica. Aplicación a la evaluación del comportamiento de los repositorios de residuos radiactivos

Esta publicación refleja los resultados obtenidos de la realización de los proyectos "EQUIP: Evidency from Quaternary Infills Palaeohydrogeology" (F 14W/ CT96/0031), financiado por la UE, "Evolución Paleoclimática de [a Mitad Sur de [a Península Ibérica" financiado por ENRESA y "Paleoclima" financiado por el Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear y ENRESA. La cuenca de Guadix-Baza, sector oriental, es una de las escasas zonas europeas donde se ha conservado un registro razonablemente completo del Pleistoceno. La cuenca de Guadix Baza, en régimen continental desde el Plioceno, funcionó bajo un régimen centrípeto, con abanicos aluviales en los bordes y una zona compleja lacustre en mosaico en su centro. Se ha podido establecer la existencia de una amplia variedad de facies aluviales y fluviales y sus interrelaciones. La sedimentación en el margen lacustre estaba constituida por arenas bioclásticas y lutitas con fósiles, mientras que en zonas más centrales predominaron lutitas yesíferas, lutitas con yeso intrasedimentario, arenas yesíferas yesos y, ocasionalmente, carbonatos que durante un período concreto depositaron los materiales que configuran el "Nivel Calcáreo de Orce", calizas y dolomías con cantidades variables de yeso y terrígenos cerca de los bordes. El trabajo de campo permitió el establecimiento de una serie estratigráfica tipo compuesta, que refleja los principales acontecimiento paleoambientales que tuvieron lugar durante el Pleistoceno. Con el fin de evitar la yesificación de la calcita y aragonito, propia del ambiente lacustre, la serie tipo de ha establecido en el registro del margen lacustre. Con ayuda del análisis paleomagnético y el análisis de la racemización de aminoácidos en conchas de moluscos y ostrácodos se ha establecido la cronología numérica de la sección estratigráfica tipo que cubre desde el límite Plioceno-Pleistoceno hasta unos 250 ka BP, cuando la erosión de la cabecera del río Fardes alcanza la cuenca abriéndola hacia el valle del Guadalquivir y cesando [a sedimentación lacustre. También se ha datado un depósito de terraza fluvial. Se han obtenido datos paleoambientales "instantáneos" mediante el estudio palinológico, el análisis paleobotánico de material silicificado (madera opalizada) o carbonizado (análisis paleoantracológico), el análisis geoquímico orgánico de algunos niveles especialmente favorables. La geoquímica orgánica de biomarcadores de algunos niveles concretos proporcionó datos sobre su origen (plantas terrestres o acuáticas) y confirmó que un conspicuo nivel carbonoso tuvo su origen en un incendio forestal. El análisis paleobiológico basado en la distribución de especies de ostrácodos, gasterópodos y pelecípodos ha permitido una primera aproximación paleoambiental, pese al evidente sesgo introducido por la presencia de fuentes salinas y materiales yesíferos en el área fuente de los abanicos aluviales del límite oriental de la cuenca. Esta interpretación se ha depurado mediante el estudio geoquímico inorgánico, isótopos estables y elementos traza de las conchas calcíticas de ostrácodos. Ello ha permitido el establecimiento de una alternancia de períodos "fríos y húmedos" y "cálidos y áridos" que permiten reconocer de las clases climáticas "mediterráneo seco" y "mediterráneo húmedo" sensu Horowitz (1989), que tienen sus correlatos en el registro paleoclimático de los grandes lagos del rift del Mar Muerto, el Mar Caspio y lagos pluviales de Norte América. La correlación de los datos isotópicos con las paleosalinidades deducidas del estudio de las inclusiones fluidas en yeso intrasedimentario ha permitido corroborar estas interpretaciones. Esto plantea un nuevo enfoque en el análisis del comportamiento de los repositorios de residuos radiactivos de alta

Genetic and Phenotypic Characterization of the Etiological Agent of Canine Orchiepididymitis Smooth Brucella sp. BCCN84.3

Members of the genus Brucella cluster in two phylogenetic groups: classical and non-classical species. The former group is composed of Brucella species that cause disease in mammals, including humans. A Brucella species, labeled as Brucella sp. BCCN84.3, was isolated from the testes of a Saint Bernard dog suffering orchiepididymitis, in Costa Rica. Following standard microbiological methods, the bacterium was first defined as "Brucella melitensis biovar 2." Further molecular typing, identified the strain as an atypical "Brucella suis." Distinctive Brucella sp. BCCN84.3 markers, absent in other Brucella species and strains, were revealed by fatty acid methyl ester analysis, high resolution melting PCR and omp25 and omp2a/omp2b gene diversity. Analysis of multiple loci variable number of tandem repeats and whole genome sequencing demonstrated that this isolate was different from the currently described Brucella species. The smooth Brucella sp. BCCN84.3 clusters together with the classical Brucella Glade and displays all the genes required for virulence. Brucella sp. BCCN84.3 is a species nova taxonomical entity displaying pathogenicity; therefore, relevant for differential diagnoses in the context of brucellosis. Considering the debate on the Brucella species concept, there is a need to describe the extant taxonomical entities of these pathogens in order to understand the dispersion and evolution

Primary breast cancer and health related quality of life in Spanish women: The EpiGEICAM case-control study

This study evaluates the impact of breast cancer (BC) in health related quality of life (HRQL) and in psychological distress (PD) during the initial phases of the disease and looks for contributing factors. A multicentric case-control study, EpiGEICAM, was carried out. Incident BC cases and age- and residence- matched controls were included. Clinical, epidemiological, HRQL (SF-36) and PD information (GHQ-28) was collected. We used multivariable logistic regression models to estimate OR of low HRQL and of PD in cases compared to controls, and to identify factors associated with low HRQL and with PD. Among 896 BC cases and 890 control women, cases had poorer scores than both, the reference population and the control group, in all SF-36 scales. BC women with lower education, younger, active workers, never smokers, those with comorbidities, in stage IV and with surgical treatment had lower physical HRQL; factors associated with low mental HRQL were dissatisfaction with social support, being current smoker and having children. Cases had a fivefold increased odds of PD compared to controls. Managing comorbidities and trying to promote social support, especially in younger and less educated women, could improve well-being of BC patients

Clinical and Sociodemographic Determinants of Adherence to World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) Recommendations in Breast Cancer Survivors-Health-EpiGEICAM Study

Breast cancer (BC) survivors are advised to follow the WCRF/AICR cancer prevention recommendations, given their high risk of developing a second tumour. We aimed to explore compliance with these recommendations in BC survivors and to identify potentially associated clinical and sociodemographic factors. A total of 420 BC survivors, aged 31-80, was recruited from 16 Spanish hospitals. Epidemiological, dietary and physical activity information was collected through questionnaires. A 7-item score to measure compliance with the recommendations was built according to the 2018 WCRF/AICR scoring criteria. Standardized prevalences and standardized prevalence ratios of moderate and high compliance across participant characteristics were estimated using multinomial and binary logistic regression models. The mean score was 3.9 (SD: 1.0) out of 7 points. Recommendations with the worst adherence were those of limiting consumption of red/processed meats (12% of compliance, 95% CI: 8.2-15.0) and high fibre intake (22% of compliance, 95% CI: 17.6-27.0), while the best compliance was observed for the consumption of fruits and vegetables (73% of compliance, 95% CI: 69.2-77.7). Overall, adherence was worse in women with university education and in those with first-degree relatives with BC. This information may be of interest to design and implement personalized preventive measures adapted to the characteristics of these patients.This research was funded by the Fundación Científica Asociación Española Contra el Cancer (AECC) (Scientific Foundation of the Spanish Association against Cancer 2016). This article presents independent research. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Carlos III Institute of Health.S