Functional characterization of TasA and TapA in the formation of the amyloid fiber in Bacillus subtilis

Introduction Functional amyloids are a very heterogeneous family of amyloid proteins widespread in nature, from humans to bacteria. Unlike their “pathogenic” relatives, implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases, functional amyloids play important roles in several biological processes. In Bacillus subtilis, the protein TasA forms amyloid-like fibers that serve as a scaffold for the rest of the components of the extracellular matrix. Along with TasA, the auxiliary protein TapA promotes and accelerates TasA fiber assembly. Most amyloid proteins contain regions within their sequence in which their aminoacid composition make them prone to aggregation. However, the sequence determinants in TasA or TapA involved in the assembly of the amyloid fiber, its structure and function still remains elusive. Objectives To identify and characterize regions of TasA or TapA important for amyloid fiber assembly and functionality in Bacillus subtilis biofilms. Materials & methods An in silico study was performed in order to define amyloidogenic regions within TasA and TapA sequences. This analysis revealed several regions of interest and was followed by in vitro experiments using synthetic peptides corresponding to the analyzed regions. We used several biophysical techniques in combination with transmission electron microscopy to study their possible amyloid properties. Results Of the predicted amyloidogenic regions of TasA, only two polymerized with enrichment of beta-sheets, characteristic of amyloid proteins. A similar behavior was found in a sequence of the N-terminal half of TapA, which has been previously demonstrated to be determinant in the functionality of TapA. Conclusion Our findings support the utility of the in silico prediction for the search of amyloidogenic domains in proteins. The aggregative properties of all peptides and the additional amyloid-like features of some of them are suggestive of their relevance in the amyloid properties of TasA and suggest in some cases, their putative implication in the TasA-TapA interaction.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Introduction: Groundless Grounds and Hinges. Wittgenstein's on certainty within the Philosophical Tradition

The editors would like to thank the Spanish Research Agency for the funding obtained through two research grants, one on intellectual autonomy (FFI2017-87395-P) and the other on the nature and normativity of inquiry (PID2021-123938NB-100

Análisis de la marcha: sus fases y variables espaciotemporales

The gait is defined as a bipedal mode of locomotion formed by a succession of singleand double-leg support periods enabling the displacement of the center of gravity of the human body with a smaller energy cost than any other form of human locomotion. The basic walking cycle is formed by the stride. Analysis of the spatio-temporal variables makes it possible to perform a detailed study of this mode of locomotion. There is a plethora of scientific studies analyzing spatio-temporal gait variables, such as length and duration of step and stride, support and swing times, and cadence and walking speed. The aims of this study are to present the most relevant information about the phases into which the gait can be divided, and to identify the spatio-temporal variables used for gait analysis. Spatio-temporal analysis has been shown to be a valid method of providing a detailed study of gait.La marcha se define como un modo de locomoción bípedo donde se suceden los periodos de apoyo monopodal y bipodal, posibilitando el desplazamiento del centro de gravedad del cuerpo humano con un coste energético menor a cualquier otra forma de locomoción humana. La zancada forma el ciclo básico de la marcha. El análisis de las variables espacio-temporales de la marcha permite un estudio detallado de este modo de locomoción. Son abundantes los estudios científicos que analizan las variables espacio-temporales de la marcha, tales como la longitud y tiempo de paso y de zancada, los tiempos de apoyo y de balanceo, así como la cadencia de pasos y la velocidad. Los objetivos del presente estudio son aunar la información más relevante respecto a las fases en las que se divide la marcha, así como identificar las variables espaciotemporales utilizadas para su análisis. El análisis espacio-temporal de la marcha ha mostrado ser un método adecuado para un estudio detallado de la mism

Comparación de la amortiguación durante la marcha con calzado de montaña respecto a la marcha sin calzado

Los objetivos del presente estudio fueron determinar la influencia de las botas de montaña y de las plantillas viscoelásticas durante la marcha sobre la producción de la fuerza de impacto y sobre su gradiente de carga. 11 sujetos sanos y físicamente activos formaron parte del estudio. Se registraron la producción de la fuerza de impacto y su gradiente de carga durante la marcha sin calzado y durante la marcha con botas de montaña y con tres plantillas viscoelásticas. Las botas de montaña redujeron la producción de la fuerza de impacto. Las plantillas Sorbothane Composite © e Integrale © implantadas en las botas ayudaron a reducir en mayor medida la producción de esta fuerza.UY-MoUC

Influence of the Position on the Bicycle on the Frontal Area in Road Cyclists

The aims of the present study were to determine whether the estimations of the frontal area of the combined cyclist-bicycle (APCB) obtained with the Heil’s non-logarithmic prediction equations (NPE) in the stem position (SP), brake hoods position (BHP) and drops position (DP) are comparable to the measured APCB with the computerized planimetry (CP) method, and to analyse with the CPmethod and the NPE the influence of the body position on the APCB. Nineteen participants competing in the Spanish Road Cycling First division took part in the study. The NPE overestimated the APCB in the BHP and in the DP compared with the measured APCB with the CP method (6.9% and 5.1%, respectively; p<0.05). Significant differences among the three positions were obtained with the CP method. The overestimation of the APCB with the NPE in the BHP and in the DP, and the less sensitivity of the NPE to show significant differences between the SP and DP suggest that the NPE are not appropriate to accurately predict the APCB

Psychophysics of Artificial Neural Networks Questions Classical Hue Cancellation Experiments

We show that classical hue cancellation experiments lead to human-like opponent curves even if the task is done by trivial (identity) artificial networks. Specifically, human-like opponent spectral sensitivities always emerge in artificial networks as long as (i) the retina converts the input radiation into any tristimulus-like representation, and (ii) the post-retinal network solves the standard hue cancellation task, e.g. the network looks for the weights of the cancelling lights so that every monochromatic stimulus plus the weighted cancelling lights match a grey reference in the (arbitrary) color representation used by the network. In fact, the specific cancellation lights (and not the network architecture) are key to obtain human-like curves: results show that the classical choice of the lights is the one that leads to the best (more human-like) result, and any other choices lead to progressively different spectral sensitivities. We show this in two ways: through artificial psychophysics using a range of networks with different architectures and a range of cancellation lights, and through a change-of-basis theoretical analogy of the experiments. This suggests that the opponent curves of the classical experiment are just a by-product of the front-end photoreceptors and of a very specific experimental choice but they do not inform about the downstream color representation. In fact, the architecture of the post-retinal network (signal recombination or internal color space) seems irrelevant for the emergence of the curves in the classical experiment. This result in artificial networks questions the conventional interpretation of the classical result in humans by Jameson and Hurvich.Comment: 17 pages, 7 figure

Modelado y análsis de un brazo mecánico

La realización de este Proyecto Fin de Carrera tiene como objetivo el desarrollo de un modelo numérico de mecanismo con características de brazo mecánico sencillo y el estudio del comportamiento del mismo ante cargas, para el ajuste del diseño final y realización del primer prototipo. Se construirá un modelo mediante el software de diseño Solid Edge Syncronous Technologies, con el cual modelaremos a tamaño real. Se montará el conjunto total y se realizará una simulación con un motor .Una vez construido el modelo se simulará con el programa de elementos finitos Femap V10, llevando a cabo diferentes análisis para poder comprender y analizar la robustez del conjunto. Los diferentes análisis que se realizarán son: modos de vibración, un análisis estático con carga de y un estudio de pandeo. En los anexos se han incluido los planos de las diferentes piezas que componen el mecanismo así como un esquema de montaje. También se encuentran las características del conjunto así como las propiedades de las diferentes partes del conjunto y sus características.Ingeniería Técnica en Mecánic

Analysis of cardiac response of soccer referees in competition: a case study

][Resumen] Los objetivos de este estudio fueron, por un lado, examinar la respuesta cardiaca de un árbitro de fútbol tanto durante un test de campo incremental como durante dos partidos en un torneo nacional de categoría cadete, y por otro lado, determinar las zonas de intensidad del árbitro durante los partidos atendiendo a su FCmax individual. Un árbitro de fútbol de categoría nacional fue equipado con un pulsómetro (Polar Electro Oy, Kempele, Finlandia) y su FC fue monitorizada durante la realización del Yo-Yo de recuperación intermitente nivel 1 (YYIR1) y durante dos partidos de un Torneo de Fútbol de categoría cadete. Las zonas de intensidad se establecieron atendiendo a la clasificación de Edwards (1993). La FCmax obtenida en el YYIR1 y en los partidos fue de 178 ppm y 161 ppm, respectivamente. Durante los partidos la FCmed registrada fue de 127 ± 1,03 ppm que corresponde a un 71,3% de la FCmax obtenida en el YYIR1. La distribución de la frecuencia cardiaca atendiendo a las zonas establecidas es la siguiente: 10 ± 1,95% (zona 1), 32 ± 1,65% (zona 2), 38 ± 5,14% (zona 3), 19 ± 4,31% (zona 4) y 1 ± 0,53% (zona 5). Los resultados obtenidos nos muestran que la FC más alta alcanzada en partidos de categoría cadete es inferior a la alcanzada en el YYIR1. Además, se observa que la carga interna, medida mediante FC obtenida en partidos, es inferior a la reportada en otros estudios con árbitros en partidos de categoría sénior[Abstract] The aims of this study were: at first, to examine the cardiac response of an soccer referee both during an incremental field test and during two matches in a national Tournament Under 16 (U16), and secondly, to identify the different intensities of the soccer referee during the matches attending to his maximal heart rate (HRmax). A soccer referee of national competitive-level was equipped with a heart rate monitor (Polar Electro Oy, Kempele, Finland) and the HR was monitored during the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 (YYIR1) and during two matches of U16 National Tournament. The intensities were established attending to Edwards classification (1993). The average of HR (HRav) obtained in the YYIR1 and in the matches was 178 bpm and 161 bpm, respectively. HRav registered during matches was 127 ± 1.03 bpm approximately at 71.3% of FCmax obtained in the YYIR1. The percentage of time spent at different intensities during the matches was: 10 ± 1.95% (zone 1), 32 ± 1.65% (zone 2), 38 ± 5.14% (zone 3), 19 ± 4.31% (zone 4) y 1 ± 0.53% (zone 5). Our findings show that the highest HR reached during matches, is lower than HRmax registered during the YYIR1. Likewise, we can observe that internal match load, measured as a FC obtained during matches, is lower than the results of other studies during senior competitive-level matches

Assessment of procedures for the structural analysis of “Homenaje Tower” in the Alhambra in Granada (Spain)

Este artículo pretende describir la respuesta estructural de la Torre del Homenaje, una de las torres del complejo de la Alhambra (Granada), y por otro lado revisar las distintas técnicas utilizadas en el análisis estructural de edificios históricos aplicándolas a dicho objeto para valorar el alcance de cada una de ellas. La torre se analiza mediante tres procedimientos con diferentes niveles de complejidad. En primer lugar, se utiliza el método de líneas de empuje para valorar los diferentes coeficientes de seguridad desde un punto de vista de la estabilidad. En segundo lugar, se lleva a cabo un análisis elástico y lineal aplicando el método de los elementos finitos para identificar posibles concentraciones de tensiones de tracción. Por último, se ha realizado un análisis estático no lineal tipo pushover sobre cinco modelos numéricos diferenteThis paper aim, on one hand, to describe the structural response of “Homenaje Tower”, one of the towers of the Historical Complex of the Alhambra, in Granada (Spain) and, on the other hand, to look over the different techniques used in the structural analysis of historical buildings, applying them to the tower to assess the scope of each of them. The tower is analyzed from three methods that count on different levels of complexity. First, an analysis using graphical method for limit analysis is carried out to assess the different safety coefficients from a stability point of view. Secondly, a finite element linear elastic analysis is applied in order to identify possible stress concentration zones, in particular zones with tensile stresses. Finally, a nonlinear static pushover analysis has been carried out over five different numerical models to assess the structural response to horizontal loads of perimeter walls and interior porticos

El atrio como estrategia estructural en nuevos rascacielos que renuncian a la verticalidad: casos de estudio

En la última década, ha venido emergiendo un nuevo tipo de edificio en altura. Se trata de rascacielos inclinados u ondulados que, desafiando toda la lógica edificatoria que supone la conservación de la verticalidad, se convierten en auténticos hitos e iconos arquitectónicos. El reconocimiento de este último aspecto está conduciendo a la emergencia de varias representaciones de este tipo respaldadas por algunos de los estudios de arquitectura más influyentes del panorama internacional. Pero, ¿vienen estas actuaciones acompañadas de nuevos conceptos o estrategias estructurales o de diseño que respondan a la singularidad que las caracteriza? Se analiza aquí la solución estructural de dos ejemplos para identificar aquellas aportaciones de carácter estructural/arquitectónico que apuntan a servir de base para el desarrollo del tipo. Reconociéndose la utilización del atrio como una de ellas, se lleva a cabo una evaluación basada en modelos de su influencia en el comportamiento estructural de torres inclinadas.In the last decade, a new type of high rise building has been emerging. They are leaning or undulating skyscrapers which become real architectural icons by defying the building logic that the preservation of the vertical line implies. The acceptance of this last aspect is making emerge several works of this kind signed by some of the most influential architectural firms in the world. But, do these new involve works new structural concepts or strategies that answer to their singular characters? Here, the structural solution of two examples is analyzed to identify those contributions with a structural/architectural nature that could became a base for the development of this type. The use of the atrium is recognized as one of them. An assessment based on models of its influence on the structural behavior of leaning towers is carried out