Diseño e implementación de un sistema telefónico para la lectura de repositoríos digitales de información con la finalidad de prestar el servicio a personas con discapacidades visuales

El objetivo principal del presente proyecto fue diseñar e implementar un IVR basado en Asterisk, el cual junto con otras tecnologías fue capaz de leer repositorios digitales como fueron las páginas web de periódicos, diccionarios, la wikipedia, blogs y libros. El sistema inicia recogiendo los datos de páginas web estandarizadas para generar archivos con un formato que permite ser leído por otra herramienta que es capaz de generar archivos de voz, los cuales fueron reproducidos y así el usuario escuchará la información, además de la recepción por medio de comandos de voz para la elección entre los cinco repositorios digitales disponibles. La central telefónica Asterisk permite la comunicación entre las diferentes aplicaciones como son Festival TTS, VXI y Sphinx mediante scripts en lenguaje PHP y Perl. Esta herramienta puede ser adquirida por un bajo costo, es de fácil instalación y mantenimiento, por lo cual podría ser implementada sin problema por alguna institución del gobierno y así las personas obtendrían un nuevo medio de informació

The effect of calving in the summer on the hepatic transcriptome of Holstein cows during the peripartal period

The liver is the main metabolic organ coordinating the adaptations that take place during the peripartal period of dairy cows. A successful transition into lactation, rather than management practices alone, depends on environmental factors such as temperature, season of parturition, and photoperiod. Therefore, we analyzed the effect of calving season on the hepatic transcriptome of dairy cows during the transition period. A total of 12 Holstein dairy cows were assigned into 2 groups based on calving season (6 cows March-April, spring; 6 cows June-July, summer, SU). The RNA was extracted from liver samples obtained at -30, 3, and 35 DIM via percutaneous biopsy and hybridized to the Agilent 44K Bovine (V2) Gene Expression Microarray (Agilent Technologies Inc., Santa Clara, CA). A quantitative PCR on 22 target genes was performed to verify and expand the analyses. A total of 4,307 differentially expressed genes were detected (false discovery rate ≤0.05) in SU compared with spring. Furthermore, 73 unique differentially expressed genes were detected in SU compared with spring cows after applying a fold-change threshold ≥3 and ≤-3. For Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways analysis of differentially expressed genes, we used the dynamic impact approach. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software was used to analyze upstream transcription regulators and perform gene network analysis. Among metabolic pathways, energy metabolism from lipids, carbohydrates, and amino acids was strongly affected by calving in SU, with a reduced level of fatty acid synthesis, oxidation, re-esterification, and synthesis of lipoproteins, leading to hepatic lipidosis. Glycan-synthesis was downregulated in SU cows probably as a mechanism to counteract the progression of this lipidosis. In contrast, calving in the SU resulted in upregulation of gluconeogenesis but also greater use of glucose as an energy source. Among nonmetabolic pathways, the heat-shock response was obviously activated in SU cows but was also associated with inflammatory and intracellular stress response. Furthermore, data support a recent finding that cows experience endoplasmic reticulum stress around parturition. Transcription regulator analysis revealed how metabolic changes are related to important regulatory mechanisms, including epigenetic modification. The holistic analyses of the liver transcriptome response to calving in the summer at high environmental temperatures underscore how transition cows should be carefully managed during this period, as they experience alterations in liver energy metabolism and inflammatory state increasing susceptibility to health disorders in early postpartum

A Pragmatics-based Model for Narrative Dialogue Generation

We describe a method and a proof of concept which allow the generation of rich and engaging dialogues between virtual characters from a formalised plot description. The structure of the dialogue generated borrows from inferential pragmatics, following the Geneva Model of discourse analysis, in order to provide realistic interaction between characters in the narrative. At a higher level, this discourse is organised following heuristics borrowed from narratology theory in order to elicit emotions linked to dramatic tension and thus favour narrative engagement. Besides enriching narrative generation systems embedded within simulation applications, our work also has the potential to be adapted to support engaging interactive dialogues between users and virtual conversational agents in narrative systems

Comparison of Cytokine Responses in Ecuadorian Children Infected with Giardia, Ascaris, or Both Parasites.

More than 2 billion people are infected with parasites globally, and the majority have coinfections. Intestinal protozoa and helminths induce polarizing CD4(+) T-helper cell 1 (Th1) mediated cytokine responses within the host. Such immune polarization may inhibit the ability of the host to mount an adequate immune response for pathogen clearance to concurrent pathogens. The current study evaluated the plasma cytokine profile in Ascaris and Giardia coinfected children compared with Giardia- and Ascaris-only infected children. Fecal samples and blood samples were collected from asymptomatic 3-year-old children living in the district of Quininde, Ecuador. Stool samples that tested positive for Giardia lamblia-only, Ascaris lumbricoides-only, or G. lamblia and A. lumbricoides coinfections were confirmed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Plasma samples from the study subjects were used to quantitate cytokines. A total of 39 patients were evaluated. Children with coinfection had a significant decrease in Th1 cytokine production, interleukin 2 (IL-2) (P < 0.05), IL-12 (P < 0.05), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (P < 0.05) compared with Giardia-only infected children. Coinfected children had an increase in IL-10/interferon gamma (IFN-γ) ratio compared with uninfected (P < 0.05) and Ascaris alone (P < 0.05). The increased IL-10/IFN-γ ratio in the setting of decreased Th1 cytokine response indicates Th2 polarization in the coinfected group. Reduced Th1 cytokines in children coinfected with Ascaris and Giardia may impair the host's ability to eradicate Giardia infection leading to chronic giardiasis

Caracterización y propuesta técnica de la acuicultura en el sector de jama, provincia de Manabí

El cantón Jama, ubicado en la provincia de Manabí, ha sido por décadas un centro de operaciones para la producción acuícola, siendo esta actividad la que caracteriza a esta zona del país. En Jama al igual que muchas otras zonas acuícolas en el país, el Penaeus vannamei es la especie mayormente cultivada. Este sufrió los embates del virus de la Mancha Blanca durante los primeros años del siglo, pero la zona se ha recuperado. Sin embargo hay mucho que se puede mejorar para optimizar los procesos de producción, por lo cual se hace la propuesta técnica definida a fin de optimizar la rentabilidad de los productores mediante inversiones en sus infraestructuras y en sus protocolos de cultivos

Methyl donor supply to heat stress-challenged polymorphonuclear leukocytes from lactating Holstein cows enhances 1-carbon metabolism, immune response, and cytoprotective gene network abundance

[EN] Mechanisms controlling immune function of dairy cows are dysregulated during heat stress (HS). Methyl donor supply-methionine (Met) and choline (Chop-positively modulates innate immune function, particularly antioxidant systems of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Met and Chol supply in vitro on mRNA abundance of genes related to 1-carbon metabolism, inflammation, and immune function in short-term cultures of PMN isolated from mid-lactating Holstein cows in response to heat challenge. Blood PMN were isolated from 5 Holstein cows (153 +/- 5 d postpartum, 34.63 +/- 2.73 kg/d of milk production; mean +/- SD). The PMN were incubated for 2 h at thermal-neutral (37 degrees C; TN) or heat stress (42 degrees C; HS) temperatures with 3 levels of Chol (0, 400, or 800 mu g/mL) or 3 ratios of Lys:Met (Met; 3.6:1, 2.9:1, or 2.4:1). Supernatant concentrations of IL-1 beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were measured via bovine-specific ELISA. Fold-changes in mRNA abundance were calculated separately for Chol and Met treatments to obtain the fold-change response at 42 degrees C (HS) relative to 37 degrees C (TN). Data were subjected to ANOVA using PROC MIXED in SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Orthogonal contrasts were used to determine the linear or quadratic effect of Met and Chol for mRNA fold-change and supernatant cytokine concentrations. Compared with PMN receiving 0 mu g of Chol/mL, heat-stressed PMN supplemented with Chol at 400 or 800 mu g/mL had greater fold-change in abundance of CBS, CSAD, GSS, GSR, and GPX1. Among genes associated with inflammation and immune function, fold-change in abundance of TLR2, TLR4, IRAK1, IL1B, and IL10 increased with 400 and 800 mu g of Chol/mL compared with PMN receiving 0 mu g of Chol/mL. Fold-change in abundance of SAHH decreased linearly at increasing levels of Met supply. A linear effect was detected for MPO, NFKB1, and SOD1 due to greater fold-change in abundance when Met was increased to reach Lys: Met ratios of 2.9:1 and 2.4:1. Although increasing Chol supply upregulated BAX, BCL2, and HSP70, increased Met supply only upregulated BAX. Under HS conditions, enhancing PMN supply of Chol to 400 mu g/mL effectively increased fold-change in abundance of genes involved in antioxidant production (conferring cellular processes protection from free radicals and reactive oxygen species), inflammatory signaling, and innate immunity. Although similar outcomes were obtained with Met supply at Lys:Met ratios of 2.9:1 and 2.4:1, the response was less pronounced. Both Chol and Met supply enhanced the cytoprotective characteristics of PMN through upregulation of heat shock proteins. Overall, the modulatory effects detected in the present experiment highlight an opportunity to use Met and particularly Chol supplementation during thermal stress.M. Vailati-Riboni was supported in part by Hatch funds under project ILLU-538-914, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (Washington, DC). The authors declare no conflict of interest.Lopreiato, V.; Vailati-Riboni, M.; Parys, C.; Fernández Martínez, CJ.; Minuti, A.; Loor, J. (2020). Methyl donor supply to heat stress-challenged polymorphonuclear leukocytes from lactating Holstein cows enhances 1-carbon metabolism, immune response, and cytoprotective gene network abundance. Journal of Dairy Science. 103(11):10477-10493. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2020-18638S104771049310311Abdelmegeid, M. K., Vailati-Riboni, M., Alharthi, A., Batistel, F., & Loor, J. J. (2017). Supplemental methionine, choline, or taurine alter in vitro gene network expression of polymorphonuclear leukocytes from neonatal Holstein calves. 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Supplementation with rumen-protected methionine or choline during the transition period influences whole-blood immune response in periparturient dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 100(5), 3958-3968. doi:10.3168/jds.2016-11812Yan, J., Meng, X., Wancket, L. M., Lintner, K., Nelin, L. D., Chen, B., … Liu, Y. (2012). Glutathione Reductase Facilitates Host Defense by Sustaining Phagocytic Oxidative Burst and Promoting the Development of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps. The Journal of Immunology, 188(5), 2316-2327. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.1102683Zhou, Z., Bulgari, O., Vailati-Riboni, M., Trevisi, E., Ballou, M. A., Cardoso, F. C., … Loor, J. J. (2016). Rumen-protected methionine compared with rumen-protected choline improves immunometabolic status in dairy cows during the peripartal period. Journal of Dairy Science, 99(11), 8956-8969. doi:10.3168/jds.2016-10986Zhou, Z., Ferdous, F., Montagner, P., Luchini, D. N., Corrêa, M. N., & Loor, J. J. (2018). 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Better postpartal performance in dairy cows supplemented with rumen-protected methionine compared with choline during the peripartal period

The onset of lactation in dairy cows is characterized by high output of methylated compounds in milk when sources of methyl group are in short supply. Methionine and choline (CHOL) are key methyl donors and their availability during this time may be limiting for milk production, hepatic lipid metabolism, and immune function. Supplementing rumen-protected Met and CHOL may improve overall performance and health of transition cows. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplemental rumen-protected Met and CHOL on performance and health of transition cows. Eighty-one multiparous Holstein cows were used in a randomized, complete, unbalanced block design with 2×2 factorial arrangement of Met (Smartamine M, Adisseo NA, Alpharetta, GA) and CHOL (ReaShure, Balchem Inc., New Hampton, NY) inclusion (with or without). Treatments (20 to 21 cows each) were control (CON), CON+Met (SMA), CON+CHOL (REA), and CON+Met+CHOL (MIX). From -50 to -21d before expected calving, all cows received the same diet (1.40Mcal of NEL/kg of DM) with no Met or CHOL. From -21d to calving, cows received the same close-up diet (1.52Mcal of NEL/kg of DM) and were assigned randomly to treatments (CON, SMA, REA, or MIX) supplied as top dresses. From calving to 30 DIM, cows were fed the same postpartal diet (1.71Mcal of NEL/kg of DM) and continued to receive the same treatments through 30 DIM. The Met supplementation was adjusted daily at 0.08% DM of diet and REA was supplemented at 60g/d. Incidence of clinical ketosis and retained placenta tended to be lower in Met-supplemented cows. Supplementation of Met (SMA, MIX) led to greater DMI compared with other treatments (CON, REA) in both close-up (14.3 vs. 13.2kg/d, SEM 0.3) and first 30d postpartum (19.2 vs. 17.2kg/d, SEM 0.6). Cows supplemented with Met (SMA, MIX) had greater yields of milk (44.2 vs. 40.4kg/d, SEM 1.2), ECM (44.6 vs. 40.5kg/d, SEM 1.0), and FCM (44.6 vs. 40.8kg/d, SEM 1.0) compared with other (CON, REA) treatments. Milk fat content did not differ in response to Met or CHOL. However, milk protein content was greater in Met-supplemented (3.32% vs. 3.14%, SEM 0.04%) but not CHOL-supplemented (3.27 vs. 3.19%, SEM 0.04%) cows. Supplemental CHOL led to greater blood glucose and insulin concentrations with lower glucose:insulin ratio. No Met or CHOL effects were detected for blood fatty acids or BHB, but a Met × time effect was observed for fatty acids due to higher concentrations on d 20. Results from the present study indicate that peripartal supplementation of rumen-protected Met but not CHOL has positive effects on cow performance

Photovoltaic System Implementation in Baltra and Puerto Ayora Islands

In the research, an analysis of the impact of the photovoltaic systems installed in two islands of the Galápagos archipelago is made. In this sense, a series of calculations has been used to find the significant values that have allowed us to choose the specific devices for this project. A modeling study was analyzed to quantify the total energy of the system, the number of possible modules to be installed, the amount of energy to be stored according to the type of batteries and the ampere-hour (Ah) that the regulation set must support of the electric current. The socio-economic and environmental impact of the system on Baltra Island was assessed with an example and estimations to make it explicit, the results of the surveys used are shown through which the most significant results were exposed, exposing that the photovoltaic systems in stage of implantation do not affect the environment, flora and fauna, its greatest impact is in the use of land