Un pie aquí y otro allá: Translation, Globalization, and Hybridization in the New World (B)Order

This thesis explores the role of translation in the production and manipulation of identities in the contemporary Americas as exemplified in the work of Guillermo Gómez-Peña. Underscoring the instrumentality of borders vis-à-vis dominant constructions of identity and in connection with questions of language, race, and citizenship, I argue that translation not only functions as an agent of hegemonic superiority and oppression, but also as a locus of plurivocity and hybridization. Drawing from the concepts “continuous variation” (Deleuze and Guattari [1987] 2004), “coloniality of power” (Mignolo 2000), and “hybridization” (García-Canclini 1995), I discuss the connection of translation with three main topics: monolingualism, globalization, and racial hybridity. First, I discuss the influence that the dominant ideology of the nation-state has exerted on the way translation has been conceptualized since translation studies emerged as a field. Then I turn to colonial legacies in the Americas and the role of translation in situations of language hegemony as shaped by forces of assimilation and diversification. Finally, I look at translation as a crucial agent for the production and legitimization of Latin American identity throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Viewing translation as a performative and transformative activity, I critique a number of contemporary approaches to translation and I point to new understandings of translation as a cluster concept (Tymoczko 2007) in order to expand translation theory and practice beyond Western paradigms

Modulation of TGF-beta signaling by proinflammatory cytokines in articular chondrocytes.

OBJECTIVE: The normal structure and function of articular cartilage are the result of a precisely balanced interaction between anabolic and catabolic processes. The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) family of growth factors generally exerts an anabolic or repair response; in contrast, proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1 beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) exert a strong catabolic effect. Recent evidence has shown that IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha, and the TGF-beta signaling pathways share an antagonistic relationship. The aim of this study was to determine whether the modulation of the response of articular chondrocytes to TGF-beta by IL-1beta or TNF-alpha signaling pathways occurs through regulation of activity and availability of mothers against DPP (Drosophila) human homologue (Smad) proteins. METHODS: Human articular chondrocytes isolated from knee joints from patients with osteoarthritis (OA) or normal bovine chondrocytes were cultured in suspension in poly-(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-coated dishes with either 10% fetal bovine serum media or serum-deprived media 6h before treatment with IL-1beta alone, TNF-alpha alone or IL-1beta followed by TGF-beta. Nuclear extracts were examined by electrophoretic mobility-shift assays (EMSA) for nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) and Smad3/4 deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) binding. Nuclear extracts were also subjected to the TranSignal Protein/DNA array (Panomics, Redwood City, CA) enabling the simultaneous semiquantitative assessment of DNA-binding activity of 54 different transcription factors. Nuclear phospho-Smad2/3 and total Smad7 protein expression in whole cell lysates were studied by Western blot. Cytoplasmic Smad7, type II collagen alpha 1 (COL2A1), aggrecan and SRY-related high mobility group-Box gene 9 (SOX-9) mRNA expression were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: The DNA-binding activity of Smad3/4 in the TranSignal Protein/DNA array was downregulated by TNF-alpha (46%) or IL-1beta treatment (42%). EMSA analysis showed a consistent reduction in Smad3/4 DNA-binding activity in human articular chondrocytes treated with IL-1beta or TNF-alpha. TGF-beta-induced Smad3/4 DNA-binding activity and Smad2/3 phosphorylation were also reduced following pretreatment with IL-1beta in human OA and bovine chondrocytes. Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis showed that IL-1beta partially reversed the TGF-beta stimulation of Smad7 mRNA and protein levels in TGF-beta-treated human OA cells. In contrast, TGF-beta-stimulated COL2A1, aggrecan, and SOX-9 mRNA levels were abrogated by IL-1beta. CONCLUSIONS: IL-1beta or TNF-alpha exerted a suppressive effect on Smad3/4 DNA-binding activity in human articular chondrocytes, as well as on TGF-beta-induced stimulation of Smad3/4 DNA-binding activity and Smad2/3 phosphorylation in human OA and bovine articular chondrocytes. IL-1beta partially reversed the increase in TGF-beta-stimulated Smad7 mRNA or protein levels suggesting that Smad7 may not be involved in the suppression of TGF-beta signaling induced by IL-1beta or TNF-alpha in articular chondrocytes. The balance between the IL-1beta or TNF-alpha and the TGF-beta signaling pathways is crucial for maintenance of articular cartilage homeostasis and its disruption likely plays a substantial role in the pathogenesis of OA

A Recipe for Constructing Frustration-Free Hamiltonians with Gauge and Matter Fields in One and Two Dimensions

State sum constructions, such as Kuperberg's algorithm, give partition functions of physical systems, like lattice gauge theories, in various dimensions by associating local tensors or weights, to different parts of a closed triangulated manifold. Here we extend this construction by including matter fields to build partition functions in both two and three space-time dimensions. The matter fields introduces new weights to the vertices and they correspond to Potts spin configurations described by an $\mathcal{A}$-module with an inner product. Performing this construction on a triangulated manifold with a boundary we obtain the transfer matrices which are decomposed into a product of local operators acting on vertices, links and plaquettes. The vertex and plaquette operators are similar to the ones appearing in the quantum double models (QDM) of Kitaev. The link operator couples the gauge and the matter fields, and it reduces to the usual interaction terms in known models such as $\mathbb{Z}_2$ gauge theory with matter fields. The transfer matrices lead to Hamiltonians that are frustration-free and are exactly solvable. According to the choice of the initial input, that of the gauge group and a matter module, we obtain interesting models which have a new kind of ground state degeneracy that depends on the number of equivalence classes in the matter module under gauge action. Some of the models have confined flux excitations in the bulk which become deconfined at the surface. These edge modes are protected by an energy gap provided by the link operator. These properties also appear in "confined Walker-Wang" models which are 3D models having interesting surface states. Apart from the gauge excitations there are also excitations in the matter sector which are immobile and can be thought of as defects like in the Ising model. We only consider bosonic matter fields in this paper.Comment: 52 pages, 58 figures. This paper is an extension of arXiv:1310.8483 [cond-mat.str-el] with the inclusion of matter fields. This version includes substantial changes with a connection made to confined Walker-Wang models along the lines of arXiv:1208.5128 and subsequent works. Accepted for publication in JPhys

Adjustment of model parameters to estimate distribution transformers remaining lifespan

Currently, the electrical system in Argentina is working at its maximum capacity, decreasing the margin between the installed power and demanded consumption, and drastically reducing the service life of transformer substations due to overload (since the margin for summer peaks is small). The advent of the Smart Grids allows electricity distribution companies to apply data analysis techniques to manage resources more efficiently at different levels (avoiding damages, better contingency management, maintenance planning, etc.). The Smart Grids in Argentina progresses slowly due to the high costs involved. In this context, the estimation of the lifespan reduction of distribution transformers is a key tool to efficiently manage human and material resources, maximizing the lifetime of this equipment. Despite the current state of the smart grids, the electricity distribution companies can implement it using the available data. Thermal models provide guidelines for lifespan estimation, but the adjustment to particular conditions, brands, or material quality is done by adjusting parameters. In this work we propose a method to adjust the parameters of a thermal model using Genetic Algorithms, comparing the estimation values of top-oil temperature with measurements from 315 kVA distribution transformers, located in the province of Tucumán, Argentina. The results show that, despite limited data availability, the adjusted model is suitable to implement a transformer monitoring system.Fil: Jimenez, Victor Adrian. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional Tucumán. Centro de Investigación en Tecnologías Avanzadas de Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Will, Adrian L. E.. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional Tucumán. Centro de Investigación en Tecnologías Avanzadas de Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Gotay Sardiñas, Jorge. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional Tucumán. Centro de Investigación en Tecnologías Avanzadas de Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, Sebastian Alberto. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional Tucumán. Centro de Investigación en Tecnologías Avanzadas de Tucumán; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; Argentin

Permutation and local permutation polynomial of maximum degree

Let $F_q$ be the finite field with $q$ elements and $F_q[x_1,\ldots, x_n]$ the ring of polynomials in $n$ variables over $F_q$. In this paper we consider permutation polynomials and local permutation polynomials over $F_q[x_1,\ldots, x_n]$, which define interesting generalizations of permutations over finite fields. We are able to construct permutation polynomials in $F_q[x_1,\ldots, x_n]$ of maximum degree $n(q-1)-1$ and local permutation polynomials in $F_q[x_1,\ldots, x_n]$ of maximum degree $n(q-2)$ when $q>3$, extending previous results

Nivel de riesgo para presentar diabetes mellitus 2 en una comunidad rural del Estado de México

La diabetes Mellitus tipo 2 es una enfermedad crónica que se caracteriza por el aumento de la glucosa en la sangre conocido como hiperglucemia, se presenta en personas mayores, siendo algunos de los factores pre disponentes la obesidad, el sedentarismo, la alimentación y la genética por mencionar algunos ya que es una enfermedad multicasual (DOHME 2006