Aproximación bibliográfica a los Sistemas de Información Geográfica aplicados a la Ordenación del Territorio y los Recursos Naturales.

Sin resume

HVS7: a chemically peculiar hyper-velocity star

Context: Hyper-velocity stars are suggested to originate from the dynamical interaction of binary stars with the supermassive black hole in the Galactic centre (GC), which accelerates one component of the binary to beyond the Galactic escape velocity. Aims: The evolutionary status and GC origin of the HVS SDSS J113312.12+010824.9 (HVS7) is constrained from a detailed study of its stellar parameters and chemical composition. Methods: High-resolution spectra of HVS7 obtained with UVES on the ESO VLT were analysed using state-of-the-art NLTE/LTE modelling techniques that can account for a chemically-peculiar composition via opacity sampling. Results: Instead of the expected slight enrichments of alpha-elements and near-solar Fe, huge chemical peculiarities of all elements are apparent. The He abundance is very low (<1/100 solar), C, N and O are below the detection limit, i.e they are underabundant (<1/100, <1/3 and <1/10 solar). Heavier elements, however, are overabundant: the iron group by a factor of ~10, P, Co and Cl by factors ~40, 80 and 440 and rare-earth elements and Hg even by ~10000. An additional finding, relevant also for other chemically peculiar stars are the large NLTE effects on abundances of TiII and FeII (~0.6-0.7dex). The derived abundance pattern of HVS7 is characteristic for the class of chemical peculiar magnetic B stars on the main sequence. The chemical composition and high vsini=55+-2km/s render a low mass nature of HVS7 as a blue horizontal branch star unlikely. Conclusions: Such a surface abundance pattern is caused by atomic diffusion in a possibly magnetically stabilised, non-convective atmosphere. Hence all chemical information on the star's place of birth and its evolution has been washed out. High precision astrometry is the only means to validate a GC origin for HVS7.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figure

R-SQL: An SQL Database System with Extended Recursion

The relational database language SQL:1999 standard supports recursion, but thisapproach is limited to the linear case. Moreover, mutual recursion is not supported,and negation cannot be combined with recursion. We designed the language R-SQLto overcome these limitations in [ANSS13], improving termination properties in re-cursive definitions. In addition we developed a proof of concept implementation ofan R-SQL system. In this paper we describe in detail an improved system enhanc-ing performance. It can be integrated into existing RDBMS’s, extending them withthe aforementioned benefits of R-SQL. The system processes an R-SQL databasedefinition obtaining its extension in tables of an RDBMS (such as PostgreSQL andDB2). It is implemented in SWI-Prolog and it produces a Python script that, uponexecution, computes the result of the R-SQL relations. We provide some perfor-mance results showing the efficiency gains w.r.t. the previous version. We alsoinclude a comparative analysis including some representative relational a deductive systems

Transcriptomic analysis reveals sex-specific differences in the expression of Dcl1 and Fis1 genes in the radio-adaptive response of thymocytes to TRP53-mediated apoptosis

BACKGROUND: Radio-Adaptive Response (RAR) is a biological defense mechanism whereby exposure to low dose ionizing radiation (IR) mitigates the detrimental effects of high dose irradiation. RAR has been widely observed in vivo using as endpoint less induction of apoptosis. However, sex differences associated with RAR and variations between males and females on global gene expression influenced by RAR have not been still investigated. In addition, the response to radiation-induced apoptosis is associated with phosphorylation of TRP53 at both the serine 15 (ser-18 in the mouse) and serine 392 (ser-389 in mice) residues, but the role of these two phosphorylated forms in male and female RAR remains to be elucidated. RESULTS: We analyzed the effect of administering priming low dose radiation (0.075 Gy of X-rays) prior to high dose radiation (1.75 Gy of γ-rays) on the level of caspase-3-mediated apoptosis and on global transcriptional expression in thymocytes of male and female mice. Here, we provide the first evidence of a differential sex effect of RAR on the reduction of thymocyte apoptosis with males showing lesser levels of caspase-3-mediated apoptosis than females. Analysis of transcriptomic profiles of 1944 genes involved in apoptosis signaling in radio-adapted thymocytes identified 17 transcripts exhibiting differential expression between both sexes. Among them, Dlc1 and Fis1 are closely related to the apoptosis mediated by the TRP53 protein. Our data demonstrate that overexpression of Dlc1 and Fis1 occur concomitantly with a highest accumulation of phosphoserine-18-TRP53 and caspase-3 in radio-adapted thymocytes of female mice. In an opposite way, both down-modulation of Fis1 and phosphoserine-389-TRP53 accumulation appear to be associated with protection from thymocyte apoptosis mediated by caspase-3 in males. CONCLUSIONS: Transcriptomic analysis performed in this work reveals for the first time sex-specific differences in gene expression influenced by RAR. Our results also suggest a sex-dependent dual role for phosphoserine-18-TRP53 and phosphoserine-389-TRP53 in the regulation of the radio-adaptive response in mouse thymocytes.This work was supported in part by grants from Spanish Nuclear Security Council (CSN-UAM 29072011) to JS, two grants funded by Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (SAF 2012-36566; SAF2015-70561-R (MINECO/FEDER, EU)), and one funded by Carlos III Health Institute (CIBERER 3-749/172.03) to JFD.S

Role of twin boundaries on the vortex dynamics in YBa2_2Cu3_3O7_7

By means of a novel technique of rotating the applied current we have directly measured the influence of twin boundaries on the vortex motion in a YBa$_2$Cu$_3$O$_7$ single crystal. The results indicate that the effect of twin planes on the vortex dynamics starts to develop below a certain temperature, being responsible for an anisotropic viscosity in the vortex liquid state and a guided motion in the solid state.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Mecp2-null mice provide new neuronal targets for Rett syndrome

BACKGROUND: Rett syndrome (RTT) is a complex neurological disorder that is one of the most frequent causes of mental retardation in women. A great landmark in research in this field was the discovery of a relationship between the disease and the presence of mutations in the gene that codes for the methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2). Currently, MeCP2 is thought to act as a transcriptional repressor that couples DNA methylation and transcriptional silencing. The present study aimed to identify new target genes regulated by Mecp2 in a mouse model of RTT. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We have compared the gene expression profiles of wild type (WT) and Mecp2-null (KO) mice in three regions of the brain (cortex, midbrain, and cerebellum) by using cDNA microarrays. The results obtained were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. Subsequent chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed seven direct target genes of Mecp2 bound in vivo (Fkbp5, Mobp, Plagl1, Ddc, Mllt2h, Eya2, and S100a9), and three overexpressed genes due to an indirect effect of a lack of Mecp2 (Irak1, Prodh and Dlk1). The regions bound by Mecp2 were always methylated, suggesting the involvement of the methyl-CpG binding domain of the protein in the mechanism of interaction. CONCLUSIONS: We identified new genes that are overexpressed in Mecp2-KO mice and are excellent candidate genes for involvement in various features of the neurological disease. Our results demonstrate new targets of MeCP2 and provide us with a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of RTT

Proyecto SYMBCITY del Solar Decathlon Europe 2014: redensificación sostenible como forma de intervención urbana en tiempos de crisis

Based on the concept of «sustainable redensification» we propose the colonization or refurbishment of available spaces on the roof, lower floors or between walls of existing buildings, for demanded uses in each city district, and the retrofit of its facades, generating a new urban unit that gives birth to a symbiotic organism benefitting all parties involved. This increase of density and its exploitation will allow financing the energy and accessibility improvement of the occupied building that shares its land. This project is part of the development of the prototype by the Plateau Team, formed by Alcala University and Castilla-La Mancha University, selected team for the «Solar Decathlon 2014» competition. This innovative urban re-generation proposal includes urban, social, technical and economic analysis, searches for new places of business opportuni-ties, and creates a symbiosis between the new and the old to improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings.<br><br>Partiendo del concepto de «redensificación sostenible» se propone la colonización o reordenación de espacios disponibles sobre la cubierta, bajos o entre medianeras de edificaciones existentes, para usos demandados en cada barrio, y el desarro-llo de sus fachadas, generando un nuevo conjunto urbano que en su asociación origina un organismo simbiótico benefician-do a todas las partes implicadas. Este aumento de edificabilidad y su explotación permitirá la financiación de las mejoras energéticas y de accesibilidad de la edificación ocupada que cede su terreno. Este proyecto forma parte del desarrollo del prototipo del equipo Plateau Team, formado por las Universidades de Alcalá y Castilla-La Mancha, seleccionado para la competición «Solar Decathlon 2014». Esta apuesta innovadora de regeneración urbana incluye el análisis urbano, social, técnico y económico, busca nuevos lugares de oportunidad y crea una simbiosis entre lo nuevo y lo antiguo mejorando la eficiencia energética del parque de viviendas existente

Low cost e-Health devices development for Raspberry Pi

Proyecto de Sistemas Informáticos (Facultad de Informática, Curso 2013-2014)La monitorización cardiovascular requiere el uso de equipos de coste elevado, siendo este inasumible en muchos casos para ciertos ámbitos de bajos recursos económicos. Las principales complicaciones a la hora de reducir dichos costes se centran en encontrar plataformas de pequeño tamaño, alto rendimiento y bajo consumo energético que puedan capturar señales electrocardiográficas en tiempo real. Este documento presenta un dispositivo de bajo coste que cumple los objetivos antes citados, haciendo uso para ello de una plataforma ahora mismo en auge, la Raspberry Pi. Para permitir el procesamiento de la señal y capturar sus puntos clave se han usado tanto filtros morfológicos como filtros basados en funciones de transferencia, probándose altamente efectivos para ECGs. Se ha hecho uso además de un chip fabricado por Texas Instruments, el ADS1198, siendo este de coste reducido y de rendimiento elevado. La meta final del dispositivo es facilitar el muestreo y análisis de señales en todos los entornos, sobre todo en aquellos con limitaciones económicas.Cardiovascular monitoring requires the use of expensive equipment, often unaffordable for certain low-income areas. The main complications in the process of reducing these costs stem from the difficulty of finding small, high-performance platforms with a low energy consumption able to acquire electrocardiographic signals in real time. To this purpose, this document presents a low-cost, low-consumption alternative that uses the Raspberry Pi, a rising platform nowadays. In order to allow the processing of the signal and its acquisition, morphological and transfer function-based filtering have been used, which have proven to be highly effective for ECG filtering. A chip, made by Texas Instruments, the ADS1198, has been used in the development of this alternative and has proven to be a low-cost, high-efficiency alternative. The goal of this device is to provide a cheap, broad spectrum solution in order to sample and analyse signals in all environments, specially those with economic constraints.Depto. de Sistemas Informáticos y ComputaciónFac. de InformáticaTRUEunpu

Identification of NRF2 activation as a prognostic biomarker in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

The standard-of-care treatment of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL) with chemotherapy usually achieves reasonable rates of initial complete response. However, patients who relapse or do not respond to conventional therapy show dismal outcomes, with cure rates below 10% and limited therapeutic options. To ameliorate the clinical management of these patients, it is urgent to identify biomarkers able to predict their outcomes. In this work, we investigate whether NRF2 activation constitutes a biomarker with prognostic value in T-ALL. Using transcriptomic, genomic, and clinical data, we found that T-ALL patients with high NFE2L2 levels had shorter overall survival. Our results demonstrate that the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway is involved in the oncogenic signalling induced by NRF2 in T-ALL. Furthermore, T-ALL patients with high NFE2L2 levels displayed genetic programs of drug resistance that may be provided by NRF2-induced biosynthesis of glutathione. Altogether, our results indicate that high levels of NFE2L2 may be a predictive biomarker of poor treatment response in T-ALL patients, which would explain the poor prognosis associated with these patients. This enhanced understanding of NRF2 biology in T-ALL may allow a more refined stratification of patients and the proposal of targeted therapies, with the ultimate goal of improving the outcome of relapsed/refractory T-ALL patients.RTI2018-093330-B-I0