Implementación de un sistema de traducción automática basado en modelos estadísticos para la traducción de la lengua de señas colombiana al español

Los humanos, en condición de seres sociales, necesitan comunicarse. La comunicación es el intercambio de ideas mediante un código de conocimiento mutuo. No siempre la comunicación se da de forma exitosa, existen condiciones que limitan el proceso comunicativo tales como: la codificación del mensaje (idiomas o lenguas) o las habilidades limitadas de transmisión o emisión, como es el caso de las discapacidades sensoriales. Las discapacidades sensoriales son la ceguera, sordera y dificultad del habla. La disminución gradual o total de la capacidad auditiva es uno de los factores que influye en el aprendizaje de la lengua, lo que conlleva a buscar formas alternativas de comunicación como lo es la lengua de señas. Para el caso de los sordos colombianos, la Lengua de Señas Colombiana (LSC) es una lengua transmitida por medio del movimiento de las extremidades superiores y representada de forma escrita por glosas. La LSC es un código de comunicación para la población no oyente, pero actualmente, existen dificultades para entablar una comunicación efectiva con las personas oyentes, debido a que un alto porcentaje de la población colombiana no conoce o no sabe la LSC. Dicha problemática trasciende en temas como lo es el acceso a la educación, ya que en los centros educativos no se cuenta con suficientes intérpretes que abarquen todos los puntos y aulas de la instalación

Using two dyes to observe the competition of Ca2+ trapping mechanisms and their effect on intracellular Ca2+ signals

The specificity and universality of intracellular Ca2+ signals rely on the variety of spatio-temporal patterns that the Ca2+ concentration can display. Ca2+ liberation through inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) is key for this variety. In this paper, we study how the competition between buffers of different kinetics affects Ca2+ signals that involve Ca2+ release through IP3Rs. The study also provides insight into the underlying spatial distribution of the channels that participate in the signals. Previous works on the effects of Ca2+ buffers have drawn conclusions 'indirectly' by observing the Ca2+-bound dye distributions in the presence of varying concentrations of exogenous buffers and using simulations to interpret the results. In this paper, we make visible the invisible by observing the signals simultaneously with two dyes, Rhod-2 and Fluo-4, each of which plays the role of a slow or fast Ca2+ buffer, respectively. Our observations obtained for different concentrations of Fluo-4 highlight the dual role that fast buffers exert on the dynamics, either reducing the intracluster channel coupling or preventing channel inhibition and allowing the occurrence of relatively long cycles of Ca2+ release. Our experiments also show that signals with relatively high Ca2+ release rates remain localized in the presence of large Rhod-2 concentrations, while the mean speed of the elicited waves increases. We interpret this as a consequence of the more effective uncoupling between IP3R clusters as the slow dye concentration increases. Combining the analysis of the experiments with numerical simulations, we also conclude that Ca2+ release not only occurs within the close vicinity of the centers of the clearly identifiable release sites (IP3R clusters) but there are also functional IP3Rs in between them.Fil: Piegari, Estefanía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Lopez, Lucía Fernanda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Ponce Dawson, Silvina Martha. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires; Argentin

Functional Contribution of the Transcription Factor ATF4 to the Pathogenesis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress represents an early pathological event in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ATF4 is a key ER stress transcription factor that plays a role in both adaptation to stress and the activation of apoptosis. Here we investigated the contribution of ATF4 to ALS. ATF4 deficiency reduced the rate of birth of SOD1G86R transgenic mice. The fraction of ATF4−/−-SOD1G85R transgenic mice that were born are more resistant to develop ALS, leading to delayed disease onset and prolonged life span. ATF4 deficiency completely attenuated the induction of pro-apoptotic genes, including BIM and CHOP, and also led to quantitative changes in the ER protein homeostasis network. Unexpectedly, ATF4 deficiency enhanced mutant SOD1 aggregation at the end stage of the disease. Studies in the motoneuron cell line NSC34 demonstrated that knocking down ATF4 enhances mutant SOD1 aggregation possibly due to alteration in the redox status of the cell. Our results support a functional role of ATF4 in ALS, offering a novel target for disease intervention

Staple-based paper electrochemical platform for celiac disease diagnosis

A staple-based electrochemical platform is proposed for the first time as a simple and low-cost detection system for paper-based devices. The system, that incorporates small and disposable stainless-steel staples as electrodes (modified with carbon ink in the case of the working electrode) is combined with a paper strip and is carefully optimized with ferrocene carboxylic acid. As a proof-of-concept, it was employed for the enzymatic (HRP-based) immunoelectroanalytical detection of human tissue anti-transglutaminase (anti-tTG), biomarker for celiac disease diagnosis. The intensity of the current due to the electrochemical reduction of TMB (HRP substrate) was recorded chronoamperometrically at -0.2 V in different paper areas. A linear relationship between the current measured at 30 s and the logarithm of the concentration of anti-tTG in the range comprised between 3 and 100 U.mL-1 was obtained. Negative and positive controls produced expected values. Results demonstrated that the paper/staple-combined platform is very convenient for the detection of electroactive analytes and other compounds that can be determined indirectly in bioassays.Fil: Nanni, Paula Inés. Universidad de Oviedo; España. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnología. Departamento de Bioingeniería. Laboratorio de Medios e Interfases; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Lopez, Andrea. Universidad de Oviedo; EspañaFil: Nuñez Bajo, Estefanía. Universidad de Oviedo; EspañaFil: Madrid, Rossana Elena. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnología. Departamento de Bioingeniería. Laboratorio de Medios e Interfases; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez Abedul, M. Teresa. Universidad de Oviedo; Españ

Developmental Sex Differences in the Metabolism of Cardiolipin in Mouse Cerebral Cortex Mitochondria

Cardiolipin (CL) is a mitochondrial-specific phospholipid. CL content and acyl chain composition are crucial for energy production. Given that estradiol induces CL synthesis in neurons, we aimed to assess CL metabolism in the cerebral cortex (CC) of male and female mice during early postnatal life, when sex steroids induce sex-dimorphic maturation of the brain. Despite the fact that total amount of CL was similar, its fatty acid composition differed between males and females at birth. In males, CL was more mature (lower saturation ratio) and the expression of the enzymes involved in synthetic and remodeling pathways was higher, compared to females. Importantly, the sex differences found in CL metabolism were due to the testosterone peak that male mice experience perinatally. These changes were associated with a higher expression of UCP-2 and its activators in the CC of males. Overall, our results suggest that the perinatal testosterone surge in male mice regulates CL biosynthesis and remodeling in the CC, inducing a sex-dimorphic fatty acid composition. In male's CC, CL is more susceptible to peroxidation, likely explaining the testosterone-dependent induction of neuroprotective molecules such as UCP-2. These differences may account for the sex-dependent mitochondrial susceptibility after perinatal hypoxia/ischemia.Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plat

Data mining methods to detect airborne pollen of spring flowering arboreal taxa

Variations in the airborne pollen load are among the current and expected impacts on plant pollination driven by climate change. Due to the potential risk for pollen-allergy sufferers, this study aimed to analyze the trends of the three most abundant spring-tree pollen types, Pinus, Platanus and Quercus, and to evaluate the possible influence of meteorological conditions. An aerobiological study was performed during the 1993–2020 period in the Ourense city (NW Spain) by means of a Hirst-type volumetric sampler. Meteorological data were obtained from the ‘Ourense’ meteorological station of METEOGALICIA. We found statistically significant trends for the Total Pollen in all cases. The positive slope values indicated an increase in pollen grains over the pollen season along the studied years, ranging from an increase of 107 to 442 pollen grains. The resulting C5.0 Decision Trees and Rule-Based Models coincided with the Spearman’s correlations since both statistical analyses showed a strong and positive influence of temperature and sunlight on pollen release and dispersal, as well as a negative influence of rainfall due to washout processes. Specifically, we found that slight rainfall and moderate temperatures promote the presence of Pinus pollen in the atmosphere and a marked effect of the daily thermal amplitude on the presence of high Platanus pollen levels. The percentage of successful predictions of the C5.0 models ranged between 62.23–74.28%. The analysis of long-term datasets of pollen and meteorological information provides valuable models that can be used as an indicator of potential allergy risk in the short term by feeding the obtained models with weather prognostics.Xunta de Galicia | Ref. CO-0034-2021 00VTUniversidad de Vigo | Ref. INOU 2021Universidad de Vigo | Ref. OUR1 131H 64

Zeolite-encapsulated single-atom catalysts for efficient CO2 conversion

Zeolite-supported single-atom catalysts (SACs) have emerged as a novel class of cheap and tuneable catalysts that can exhibit high activity, selectivity and stability. In this work, we conduct an extensive screening by means of density functional theory calculations to determine the usefulness of 3d, 4d and 5d transition metal (TM) SACs-supported in MFItype Silicalite-1 zeolite for CO2 conversion. Two reaction mechanisms are considered, namely the redox −direct CO2 dissociation− and associative −hydrogen-assisted CO2 dissociation− mechanisms. Early TM SACs exhibit the lowest energy barriers, which follow the redox mechanism. These energy barriers raise when going right in the periodic table up to group 10, where they become prohibitive and the associative mechanism should dominate. By also considering their resistance to aggregation, we support the use of Sc, Y, La, Ru, Rh, Ni, Pd and Pt as potentially active and stable catalysts for CO2 conversion, given their low energy barriers and strong interaction with the zeolite framework

El consentimiento del uso de la voz como medio probatorio, en un proceso judicial

Nuestra investigación lleva como título “El Consentimiento del Uso de la Voz como Medio Probatorio, en el Proceso Judicial”, tuvo como propósito de investigación establecer la manera en que se viene protegiendo el uso de la voz, a través de los medios probatorios en el proceso judicial. La metodología utilizada fue de tipo básica, el mismo que buscó interpretar y plantear probables soluciones. También, el tipo de investigación, coadyuvó a venideras investigaciones, siendo que, el mismo se amplió mediante el análisis de teorías, y que su intención no es fue de una inmediata aplicación. El enfoque de tesis correspondió al Cualitativo, el cual utilizó la recolección de datos sin medición numérica para descubrir o afinar preguntas de investigación en el proceso de interpretación. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron que está acreditado que, existe deficiencias en la protección de la voz través de los medios probatorios en un proceso judicial determinado; que el uso de la grabación de la voz de una persona, si vulnera su dignidad, por cuanto de su uso se puede dañar su imagen, trayectoria y trascendencia; existen casos de presentación de una grabación de voz ante procesos judiciales determinados

Developmental Sex Differences in the Metabolism of Cardiolipin in Mouse Cerebral Cortex Mitochondria

Cardiolipin (CL) is a mitochondrial-specific phospholipid. CL content and acyl chain composition are crucial for energy production. Given that estradiol induces CL synthesis in neurons, we aimed to assess CL metabolism in the cerebral cortex (CC) of male and female mice during early postnatal life, when sex steroids induce sex-dimorphic maturation of the brain. Despite the fact that total amount of CL was similar, its fatty acid composition differed between males and females at birth. In males, CL was more mature (lower saturation ratio) and the expression of the enzymes involved in synthetic and remodeling pathways was higher, compared to females. Importantly, the sex differences found in CL metabolism were due to the testosterone peak that male mice experience perinatally. These changes were associated with a higher expression of UCP-2 and its activators in the CC of males. Overall, our results suggest that the perinatal testosterone surge in male mice regulates CL biosynthesis and remodeling in the CC, inducing a sex-dimorphic fatty acid composition. In male's CC, CL is more susceptible to peroxidation, likely explaining the testosterone-dependent induction of neuroprotective molecules such as UCP-2. These differences may account for the sex-dependent mitochondrial susceptibility after perinatal hypoxia/ischemia.Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plat

Mediterranean alcohol-drinking pattern and mortality in the SUN (Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra) Project: a prospective cohort study

Moderate alcohol intake has been related to lower mortality. However, alcohol use includes other dimensions beyond the amount of alcohol consumed. These aspects have not been sufficiently studied as a comprehensive entity. We aimed to test the relationship between an overall alcohol-drinking pattern and all-cause mortality. In a Mediterranean cohort study, we followed 18 394 Spanish participants up to 12 years. A validated 136-item FFQ was used to assess baseline alcohol intake. We developed a score assessing simultaneously seven aspects of alcohol consumption to capture the conformity to a traditional Mediterranean alcohol-drinking pattern (MADP). It positively scored moderate alcohol intake, alcohol intake spread out over the week, low spirit consumption, wine preference, red wine consumption, wine consumed during meals and avoidance of binge drinking. During the follow-up, 206 deaths were identified. For each 2-point increment in a 0-9 score of adherence to the MADP, we observed a 25% relative risk reduction in mortality (95% CI 11, 38%). Within each category of alcohol intake, a higher adherence to the MADP was associated with lower mortality. Abstainers (excluded from the calculations of the MADP) exhibited higher mortality (hazard ratio 1·82, 95% CI 1·14, 2·90) than participants highly adherent to the MADP. In conclusion, better adherence to an overall healthy alcohol-drinking pattern was associated with reduced mortality when compared with abstention or departure from this pattern. This reduction goes beyond the inverse association usually observed for moderate alcohol drinking. Even moderate drinkers can benefit from the advice to follow a traditional MADP