A novel network-based analysis to measure efficiency in science and technology parks: the ISA framework approach

In the last years, Science and Technology Parks (STPs) have been considered facilitators of inter-organizational relationships, as well as instruments of public policy, by creating networks and allowing access for the learning of local innovation.In this study, we propose a quantitative tool as support for measuring the efficiency of STPs through the analysis of the complex networks they form. We present a generic framework called the Inter-Relationship Science-Park Analysis (ISA) framework to study STPs at three different levels of management: (1) individual entities (research centres, universities, innovation companies, etc.); (2) STP global management; and (3) productive sector development. Moreover, we have applied the ISA framework to a real-world case study: the Walqa Science and Technology Park. Through it we have been able to know what relationships are established within this Science and Technology Park and which are the most important nodes in this network of interactions

A MOS-based Dynamic Memetic Differential Evolution Algorithm for Continuous Optimization: A Scalability Test

Continuous optimization is one of the areas with more activity in the field of heuristic optimization. Many algorithms have been proposed and compared on several benchmarks of functions, with different performance depending on the problems. For this reason, the combination of different search strategies seems desirable to obtain the best performance of each of these approaches. This contribution explores the use of a hybrid memetic algorithm based on the multiple offspring framework. The proposed algorithm combines the explorative/exploitative strength of two heuristic search methods that separately obtain very competitive results. This algorithm has been tested with the benchmark problems and conditions defined for the special issue of the Soft Computing Journal on Scalability of Evolutionary Algorithms and other Metaheuristics for Large Scale Continuous Optimization Problems. The proposed algorithm obtained the best results compared with both its composing algorithms and a set of reference algorithms that were proposed for the special issue

Nuestra Experiencia con la técnica de Barcat y Godart en el Torticolis Muscular Congénito

Los autores exponen los resultados obtenidos en diez casos de T.M.C. tratados quirúrgicamente con la técnica de Barcat y Godard, tanto estéticos como funcionales. Se analizan los parámetros de sexo, edad de intervención, lado afectado, tipo de parto, anomalías asociadas, y presencia de asimetría facial, movilidad craneal, pérdida de relieve muscular y aparición de bandas laterales postoperatorias. Estos resultados son comparados con los otros autores, mostrándose superiores.The author s expos e the results obtained in ten case s of congenital muscular torticolis treated surgicaly with Barcat and Godar's procedure, as much aesthetic as functional results. They analyze the parameters: sex age of the surgery, side affected, childbirth, associate anomalies, and facial asymetry, craneal movility, loss of muscular surface, and lateral bands after surgery. This results wer e compared woth the Bibliography

Responses to different feeding levels during the first month post-insemination in highly prolific multiparous sows

Aim of study: To evaluate the impact of the feed level during the first month of gestation on body weight evolution, backfat and loin muscle depths and reproductive performances in highly prolific sows.Area of study: Galicia (Northwestern Spain).Material and methods: Thirty-six Danbred sows were assigned to three experimental groups (n=12) receiving, from day 1 to 30 of pregnancy, 2.5, 3.0 or 3.5 kg/d of a standard diet (8.83 MJ net energy and 138.5 g crude protein/kg). In each group, the number of sows in the second-, third- and fourth-cycle was the same. All animals received, of the same diet, 2.5 kg/d from day 31 to 90 and 3.0 kg/d from day 91 to 107. Seven days prior the parturition, sows were moved to the farrowing-lactating facilities where spent until weaning receiving a common standard lactation diet. At 24 h post-farrowing, litters were standardized to 13 piglets each by cross-fostering.Main results: The optimal feeding level during the first 30 days of gestation was 3.0 kg/d because a lower amount penalized their body weight gain and a higher amount did not improve their fatty reserves. It is worth considering that the increase from 2.5 to 3.5 kg/d generated advantages at birth (higher and more homogenous piglet weights) but also handicaps (lower litter size). The effects were similar irrespective of the cycle number.Research highlights: Different feeding levels during the early pregnancy were tested because it is a critical period. Suppling 3.0 kg/d carried out the best productive and reproductive implications

Indigenous case of mycetoma by Actinomadura madurae in Paraná (Entre Ríos, Argentina): case report and literature review of the argentinian casuistry

El micetoma es una infección granulomatosa crónica que involucra tejidos cutáneos, subcutáneos y eventualmente músculo y hueso. Puede ser causada por bacterias Gram positivas filamentosas (actinomicetomas) o por hongos (eumicetomas). Es una infección endémica de zonas subtropicales con baja humedad relativa. El objetivo de este trabajo es el de presentar un caso de actinomicetoma causado por Actinomadura madurae autóctono de la ciudad de Paraná (Entre Ríos) con el fin de demostrar que pueden darse casos esporádicos por fuera de las zonas endémicas descritas. Además, se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de los casos de micetoma descritos en Argentina y se los comparó con el caso reportado.Mycetoma is a chronic granulomatous infection involving skin, subcutaneous tissue and eventualy muscle and bone. It can be caused by Gram positive filamentous bacteria (actinomycetomas) or fungi (eumicetomas). It is an endemic infection in subtropical areas with low relative humidity. The aim of this work is to present a case of actinomycetoma caused by Actinomadura madurae in a patient from Paraná city (Entre Rios) to demonstrate that sporadic mycetoma cases may occur outside the described endemic areas. In addition, a literature review of Argentinian mycetoma cases was performed.Fil: Dudiuk, Catiana Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Theill, L.. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Moyano, Susana. Laboratorio Privado Avenida. Paraná, Entre Ríos; ArgentinaFil: Barbagelata, María Sol. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Leonardelli, Florencia. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Unidad de Administración Territorial; ArgentinaFil: Macedo, Daiana. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Latorre Rapella, María Gabriela. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Acosta, A.. Laboratorio Privado Avenida. Paraná, Entre Ríos; ArgentinaFil: Gamarra, S.. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Garcia, Guillermo Manuel. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentin

Acute Effects of Muscular Fatigue on Vertical Jump Performance in Acrobatic Gymnasts, Evaluated by Instrumented Insoles: A Pilot Study

The study of fatigue during training is becoming a very useful tool to avoid possible injuries not only during the training sessions but also during recovery time. Many researches have proved that concepts such as muscular fatigue and postactivation potentiation have a close relationship. With this aim, vertical jump can provide a very important information that can help to analyze the muscular fatigue that happened during this type of activity, mainly if the monitoring system is able to measure jumping parameters during their regular training session in their natural training environment. This study was performed with instrumented insoles called ECnsole. These insoles were tested with a group of twelve volunteers. In a tumbling surface, the participants performed a jumping protocol in three conditions: rest, fatigue-induced, and recovery. Using these validated insoles, the acrobatic gymnasts showed an inability to use the stretch-shortening cycle for improving vertical jumping performance after fatigue condition, although no deterioration of jump performance was found.Junta de Andalucía European Commission P10-TIC5997European Commissio

Ingested insecticide to control Aedes aegypti : developing a novel dried attractive toxic sugar bait device for intra-domiciliary control

Laboratory work was Funded by Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuadorʼs Internal Research Grant L13234, awarded to MN. Semi-field work was funded by a seed grant from the Syracuse University, awarded to DL.Background: Illnesses transmitted by Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika comprise a considerable global burden; mosquito control is the primary public health tool to reduce disease transmission. Current interventions are inadequate and insecticide resistance threatens the effectiveness of these options. Dried attractive bait stations (DABS) are a novel mechanism to deliver insecticide to Ae. aegypti. The DABS are a high-contrast 28 inch2 surface coated with dried sugar-boric acid solution. Aedes aegypti are attracted to DABS by visual cues only, and the dried sugar solution elicits an ingestion response from Ae. aegypti landing on the surface. The study presents the development of the DABS and tests of their impact on Ae. aegypti mortality in the laboratory and a series of semi-field trials. Methods: We conducted multiple series of laboratory and semi-field trials to assess the survivability of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes exposed to the DABS. In the laboratory experiments, we assessed the lethality, the killing mechanism, and the shelf life of the device through controlled experiments. In the semi-field trials, we released laboratory-reared female Ae. aegypti into experimental houses typical of peri-urban tropical communities in South America in three trial series with six replicates each. Laboratory experiments were conducted in Quito, Ecuador, and semi-field experiments were conducted in Machala, Ecuador, an area with abundant wild populations of Ae. aegypti and endemic arboviral transmission. Results: In the laboratory, complete lethality was observed after 48 hours regardless of physiological status of the mosquito. The killing mechanism was determined to be through ingestion, as the boric acid disrupted the gut of the mosquito. In experimental houses, total mosquito mortality was greater in the treatment house for all series of experiments (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: The DABS devices were effective at killing female Ae. aegypti under a variety of laboratory and semi-field conditions. DABS are a promising intervention for interdomiciliary control of Ae. aegypti and arboviral disease prevention.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Alteraciones citológicas del cuello uterino en la Liga santandereana de lucha contra el cáncer de 2002 a 2003

La patología del cuello uterino es uno de los problemas de salud más relevantes en la población femenina,poco estudiada en nuestra región. Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia de alteraciones citológicas del cuellouterino, durante los años 2002 a 2003 en la Liga santandereana de lucha contra el cáncer. Pacientes y métodos:se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo, en el cual se tomaron 2088 historias clínicas, de las cualesse seleccionaron informes de 454 citologías de cervix de pacientes con alteraciones patológicas epiteliales.Resultados: el 21,74% de los informes revisados reportaban lesiones patológicas cervicales; la edad de laspacientes osciló entre los 17 y los 87 años, con una mediana de 38 años. Se encontraron atipias de célulasescamosas de significado indeterminado en el 21,3%; atipias de células glandulares de significado indeterminadoen el 19,2%; el 44,7% presentaron lesiones intraepiteliales de bajo grado; el 16,7% lesiones intraepitelialesde alto grado; y 1,3% carcinoma invasor. Conclusiones: se encontró que la proporción de pacientes conalteraciones epiteliales cervicouterinas de todos los tipos fue superior a la frecuencia detectada en otraspartes del mundo. PALABRAS CLAVE: Citología cervicouterina, Alteraciones citológicas, Estudio descriptivo

Targeted gene sequencing, bone health, and body composition in Cornelia de Lange Syndrome

The aim of this study was to evaluate bone health and body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in individuals with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS). Overall, nine individuals with CdLS (five females, all Caucasian, aged 5-38 years) were assessed. Total body less head (TBLH) and lumbar spine (LS) scans were performed, and bone serum biomarkers were determined. Molecular analyses were carried out and clinical scores and skeletal features were assessed. Based on deep sequencing of a custom target gene panel, it was discovered that eight of the nine CdLS patients had potentially causative genetic variants in NIPBL. Fat and lean mass indices (FMI and LMI) were 3.4-11.1 and 8.4-17.0 kgm2, respectively. For TBLH areal bone mineral density (aBMD), after adjusting for height for age Z-score of children and adolescents, two individuals (an adolescent and an adult) had low BMD (aBMD Z-scores less than -2.0 SD). Calcium, phosphorus, 25-OH-vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and alkaline phosphatase levels were 2.08-2.49 nmolL, 2.10-3.75 nmolL, 39.94-78.37 nmolL, 23.4-80.3 pgmL, and 43-203 IUL, respectively. Individuals with CdLS might have normal adiposity and low levels of lean mass measured with DXA. Bone health in this population seems to be less of a concern during childhood and adolescence. However, they might be at risk for impaired bone health due to low aBMD in adulthood

Functional consequences of microbial shifts in the human gastrointestinal tract linked to antibiotic treatment and obesity

The microbiomes in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of individuals receiving antibiotics and those in obese subjects undergo compositional shifts, the metabolic effects and linkages of which are not clearly understood. Herein, we set to gain insight into these effects, particularly with regard to carbohydrate metabolism, and to contribute to unravel the underlying mechanisms and consequences for health conditions. We measured the activity level of GIT carbohydrate-active enzymes toward 23 distinct sugars in adults patients (n = 2) receiving 14-d β-lactam therapy and in obese (n = 7) and lean (n = 5) adolescents. We observed that both 14 d antibiotic-treated and obese subjects showed higher and less balanced sugar anabolic capacities, with 40% carbohydrates being preferentially processed as compared with non-treated and lean patients. Metaproteome-wide metabolic reconstructions confirmed that the impaired utilization of sugars propagated throughout the pentose phosphate metabolism, which had adverse consequences for the metabolic status of the GIT microbiota. The results point to an age-independent positive association between GIT glycosidase activity and the body mass index, fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance (r2 ≥ 0.95). Moreover, antibiotics altered the active fraction of enzymes controlling the thickness, composition and consistency of the mucin glycans. Our data and analyses provide biochemical insights into the effects of antibiotic usage on the dynamics of the GIT microbiota and pin-point presumptive links to obesity. The knowledge and the hypotheses generated herein lay a foundation for subsequent, systematic research that will be paramount for the design of “smart” dietary and therapeutic interventions to modulate host-microbe metabolic co-regulation in intestinal homeostasis