Estudi del consum energètic de convertidors analògic-digital integrats en microcontroladors

Microcontrollers are programmable integrated circuits designed to control any particular application. Nowadays are present in many of the electronic devices that surround us: at work, at home and in our life in general. They can be found by controlling the operation of mobiles, computers, tablets, TVs, smart clocks, etc. These are also the main control devices in low-energy sensing nodes applied to smart cities and intelligent buildings. The microcontrollers have integrated hardware modules (called peripherals) in the same chipandthatcanworksimultaneouslywiththeexecutionofinstructionsmadebytheCPU. One of these peripherals is the analog-digital converter (ADC) that has the function of converting an analog input voltage to digital data. This bachelor thesis is intended to study the energy consumption of these integrated ADCs. To do this study, two integrated converters will be presented in different commercial microcontrollers and different experiments will be carried out to measure their consumption. The power consumption of the two ADCs will be studied separately and later a comparison will be made. Finally, conclusions will be drawn on the most appropriate mode of operation (for example, in terms of working frequency of this peripheral) for a lowconsumption ADC conversion that allows, for example, increasing the life time of sensor nodes.Els microcontroladors son circuits integrats programables destinats a governar una apli- ´ cacio determinada. Aquests estan presents en molts dels dispositius electr ´ onics que ens ènvolten: a la feina, a casa nostra i en la nostra vida en general. Es poden trobar controlant el funcionament de mobils, ordinadors, tablets, TV, rellotges intel ` ·ligents, etc. Tambe s ´ onéls dispositius principals de control en nodes sensors de baix consum aplicats a ciutats i edificis intel·ligents. Els microcontroladors disposen de recursos hardware (anomenats periferics) integrats en èl mateix xip i que poden funcionar simultaniament amb l’execuci ` o d’instruccions feta per ´ la CPU. Un d’aquests periferics ` es el convertidor anal ´ ogic-digital (ADC) que t ` e la funci ´ o´ de convertir una tensio d’entrada anal ´ ogica en una dada digital. ` Aquest treball de final de grau esta destinat a estudiar el consum energ ` etic d’aquests ` ADC integrats. Per fer aquest estudi, es presentaran dos convertidors integrats en diferents microcontroladors comercials i es realitzaran diferents experiments per mesurar el seu consum. S’estudiara el consum d’energia dels dos convertidors ADC per separat i ` posteriorment es fara una comparativa. Finalment s’extrauran conclusions sobre el mode ` de funcionament mes adequat (per exemple, en quant a la freq ´ u¨encia de treball) per ob- ` tenir una conversio ADC de baix consum que permeti, per exemple allargar el temps de ´ vida de nodes sensor

Plant polycistronic precursors containing non-homologous microRNAs target transcripts encoding functionally related proteins

Functional homologous and non-homologous clusters of MIR genes that co-regulate target mRNA transcripts have been identified in plant

Commonalities in the Association between PPARG and Vitamin D Related with Obesity and Carcinogenesis

The PPAR nuclear receptor family has acquired great relevance in the last decade, which is formed by three different isoforms (PPARα, PPARβ/δ, and PPAR ϒ). Those nuclear receptors are members of the steroid receptor superfamily which take part in essential metabolic and life-sustaining actions. Specifically, PPARG has been implicated in the regulation of processes concerning metabolism, inflammation, atherosclerosis, cell differentiation, and proliferation. Thus, a considerable amount of literature has emerged in the last ten years linking PPARG signalling with metabolic conditions such as obesity and diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and, more recently, cancer. This review paper, at crossroads of basic sciences, preclinical, and clinical data, intends to analyse the last research concerning PPARG signalling in obesity and cancer. Afterwards, possible links between four interrelated actors will be established: PPARG, the vitamin D/VDR system, obesity, and cancer, opening up the door to further investigation and new hypothesis in this fascinating area of research

Circulating concentrations of free triiodothyronine are associated with central adiposity and cardiometabolic risk factors in young euthyroid adults

Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Granada/CBUA. This study was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness via the Fondo de Investigacion Sanitaria del Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI13/01393), by the Retos de la Sociedad program (DEP2016-79512-R), European Regional Development Funds (ERDF), the Spanish Ministry of Education (FPU13/04365), the Fundacion Iberoamericana de Nutricion (FINUT), the Redes Tematicas de Investigacion Cooperativa RETIC (Red SAMID RD16/0022), the AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation, the University of Granada Plan Propio de Investigacion 2016-Excellence actions: Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES)-and Plan Propio de Investigacion 2018-the Programa Contratos-Puente and Contratos Perfeccionamiento de Doctores, the Junta de Andalucia, Consejeria de Conocimiento, Investigacion y Universidades (ERDF; ref. SOMM17/6107/UGR), and the Fundacion Alfonso Martin Escudero (grant awarded to GSD).Thyroid dysfunction is associated with classic cardiometabolic risk factors in humans. However, this relationship remains unclear in young euthyroid adults. The present work examines the associations of circulating thyroid hormones (THs) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations with body composition and cardiometabolic risk factors in young euthyroid adults. A total of 106 sedentary, euthyroid adults (72 women; 22 ± 2 years old) participated in this cross-sectional study. THs and TSH serum concentrations were determined in fasting conditions (6 h). Body composition (fat mass (FM), lean mass (LM), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT)) was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, anthropometric parameters (weight, height, and waist circumference) were measured, and neck adipose tissue mass was quantified through computed tomography (CT) scanning. Cardiometabolic risk factors including fasting glucose and lipid metabolism markers, hepatic phosphatase and transaminases, and blood pressure were also assessed. Free triiodothyronine (FT3) concentration was positively associated with body mass index, LM, VAT, and waist circumference (all P ≤ 0.038). FT3 was also associated with glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, fatty liver index, and blood pressure (all P < 0.024). All the associations were attenuated when adjusting for sex. In contrast, we found no associations of TSH or free thyroxine with any body composition parameter or cardiometabolic risk factors. In conclusion, FT3 is associated with central adiposity and cardiometabolic risk factors including insulin resistance, fatty liver index, and mean, systolic and diastolic blood pressure in young euthyroid adults. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02365129.Universidad de Granada/CBUASpanish Government PI13/01393Retos de la Sociedad program DEP2016-79512-REuropean CommissionSpanish Government FPU13/04365Fundacion Iberoamericana de Nutricion (FINUT)Redes Tematicas de Investigacion Cooperativa RETIC Red SAMID RD16/0022AstraZenecaUniversity of Granada Plan Propio de Investigacion 2016-Excellence actions: Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES)Plan Propio de Investigacion 2018-the Programa Contratos-PuenteContratos Perfeccionamiento de DoctoresJunta de AndaluciaConsejeria de Conocimiento, Investigacion y Universidades (ERDF) SOMM17/6107/UGRFundacion Alfonso Martin Escuder

Area-specific synapse structure in branched posterior nucleus axons reveals a new level of complexity in thalamocortical networks

Thalamocortical posterior nucleus (Po) axons innervating the vibrissal somatosensory (S1) and motor (MC) cortices are key links in the brain neuronal network that allows rodents to explore the environment whisking with their motile snout vibrissae. Here, using fine-scale high-end 3D electron microscopy, we demonstrate in adult male C57BL/6 wild-type mice marked differences between MC versus S1 Po synapses in (1) bouton and active zone size, (2) neurotransmitter vesicle pool size, (3) distribution of mitochondria around synapses, and (4) proportion of synapses established on dendritic spines and dendritic shafts. These differences are as large, or even more pronounced, than those between Po and ventro-posterior thalamic nucleus synapses in S1. Moreover, using single-axon transfection labeling, we demonstrate that the above differences actually occur on the MC versus the S1 branches of individual Po cell axons that innervate both areas. Along with recently-discovered divergences in efficacy and plasticity, the synaptic structure differences reported here thus reveal a new subcellular level of complexity. This is a finding that upends current models of thalamocortical circuitry, and that might as well illuminate the functional logic of other branched projection axon systems.This work was supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (Grant 785907 HBP SGA2), by Spain’s Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (BFU 2107-88549-P) to F.C., and by Grants of the Helmholtz Society (JHRL)

Déjà vu: on the use of meat resources by sabretooth cats, hominins, and hyaenas in the Early Pleistocene site of Fuente Nueva 3 (Guadix‑Baza Depression, SE Spain)

The late Early Pleistocene archaeological site of Fuente Nueva 3 (Orce, Guadix-Baza Depression, SE Spain), dated to ~1.4 Ma, provides evidence on the subsistence strategies of the first hominin population that dispersed in Western Europe. The site preserves Oldowan tool assemblages associated with abundant remains of large mammals. A small proportion of these remains show cut marks and percussion marks resulting from defleshing and bone fracturing, and a small proportion of bones also show tooth marks. Previous taphonomic studies of FN3 suggested that the hominins had secondary access to the prey leftovers abandoned by sabretooth cats and other primary predators. However, a recent analysis by Yravedra et al. (2021) of the frequency of anthropogenic marks and tooth marks has concluded that the hominins had primary access to the carcasses of a wide variety of ungulate prey, even though the frequency of evisceration marks is strikingly low. In this rebuttal, we analyse the patterns of bone preservation in FN3, which show that the exploitation of bone marrow by the hominins after hammerstone breakage was a usual activity at the site. Our study also reviews the evidence available on the lesser abilities of sabretooth cats for carcass processing compared to pantherine felids. This reinforces the hypothesis that primary predators provided the hominins the opportunity to scavenge sizeable chunks of meat and bone marrow of their prey carcasses before the arrival of hyaenas. Finally, we also provide new inferences on resource availability and competition intensity among the members of the carnivore guild in FN3, which reinforce our interpretation that a secondary access by the Oldowan hominins to the prey leftovers of sabretooth cats was an optimal foraging strategy in the Guadix-Baza Depression.Funding for open access publishing: Universidad Málaga/CBUA This work has been granted by projects CGL-2016-78577-P, CGL-2016-80975-P, and PID2019-111185GB-I00 of the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and University, “Junta de Andalucía” (FEDER) project UMA18-FEDERJA-188, “Generalitat de Catalunya” grant GENCAT 2017SGR 859, and by Research Group RNM-146 from “Junta de Andalucía.” Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBU

A Krüppel-like transcription factor gene is involved in salt stress responses in Medicago spp.

Legume plants are able to fix nitrogen in symbiotic association with rhizobia and, like many crops, are sensitive to high salt conditions. However, very few molecular markers can be associated to stress tolerance in legume crops. A Kruppel-like transcription factor, Mtzpt2-1, required for the formation of the nitrogen-fixing region, confers salt tolerance to yeast cells. Here, legume responses to salt stresses were studied using alfalfa and its close relative Medicago truncatula, a model legume species. Salt stress induces the Mszpt2-1 gene both in roots and root harbouring nodules. In addition, Sinorhizobium meliloti strains tolerating up to 700 mM NaCl, were used in nodulation assays to assess salt tolerance of the symbiotic response of M. truncatula. Few nodules, mainly in the upper part of the root, could be detected in plants treated with 200 mM NaCl, suggesting that nodule initiation was particularly sensitive to salt stress. We have also defined for M. truncatula the threshold of NaCl tolerance after which recovery of stressed plants is irreversible under laboratory conditions. After analysing several times of salt treatment (150 mM NaCl), M. truncatula 108R plants stressed for 7 days could not recover (less than 5%), whereas a 4-day treatment allowed at least 75% recovery. Transgenic M. truncatula plants expressing Mtzpt2-1 in antisense configuration are more sensitive to `recover' from salt stress than the wild type. These results identify Mtzpt2-1 as a molecular marker potentially linked to stress tolerance in M. truncatula and suggest its participation in a transcriptional program induced in these plants to cope with salt stress.Facultad de Ciencias ExactasInstituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecula

A Fuzzy Logic-Based Approach for Estimation of Dwelling Times of Panama Metro Stations

Passenger flow modeling and station dwelling time estimation are significant elements for railway mass transit planning, but system operators usually have limited information to model the passenger flow. In this paper, an artificial-intelligence technique known as fuzzy logic is applied for the estimation of the elements of the origin-destination matrix and the dwelling time of stations in a railway transport system. The fuzzy inference engine used in the algorithm is based in the principle of maximum entropy. The approach considers passengers’ preferences to assign a level of congestion in each car of the train in function of the properties of the station platforms. This approach is implemented to estimate the passenger flow and dwelling times of the recently opened Line 1 of the Panama Metro. The dwelling times obtained from the simulation are compared to real measurements to validate the approach.The authors of this paper want to express their gratitude to the National Secretary of Science and Technology (SENACYT) of the Government of the Republic of Panama for funding this study through the R & D project (MDEPRB09-001). Additionally, they want to thank the support received from Technological University of Panama (UTP), the University of Granada, the Fundación Carolina and the Secretaría del Metro de Panamá (SMP)

No evidence of brown adipose tissue activation after 24 weeks of supervised exercise training in young sedentary adults in the ACTIBATE randomized controlled trial

Exercise modulates both brown adipose tissue (BAT)metabolismand white adipose tissue (WAT) browning in murine models. Whether this is true in humans, however, has remained unknown. An unblinded randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02365129) was therefore conducted to study the effects of a 24-week supervised exercise intervention, combining endurance and resistance training, on BAT volume and activity (primary outcome). The study was carried out in the Sport and Health University Research Institute and the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital of the University of Granada (Spain). One hundred and forty-five young sedentary adults were assigned to either (i) a control group (no exercise, n = 54), (ii) a moderate intensity exercise group (MOD-EX, n = 48), or (iii) a vigorous intensity exercise group (VIG-EX n = 43) by unrestricted randomization. No relevant adverse events were recorded. 97 participants (34 men, 63 women) were included in the final analysis (Control; n = 35, MOD-EX; n=31, and VIG-EX; n=31).We observed no changes in BAT volume (Δ Control: −22.2 ± 52.6ml; Δ MOD-EX: −15.5 ± 62.1ml, Δ VIG-EX: −6.8 ± 66.4 ml; P = 0.771) or 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake (SUVpeak Δ Control: −2.6 ± 3.1ml; Δ MOD-EX: −1.2 ± 4.8, Δ VIG-EX: −2.2 ± 5.1; p = 0.476) in either the control or the exercise groups. Thus, we did not find any evidence of an exercise-induced change on BAT volume or activity in young sedentary adults.Spanish Government PI13/01393Retos de la Sociedad DEP2016-79512-R PTA-12264IEuropean CommissionSpanish Government FPU13/04365 FPU14/04172 FPU15/04059 FPU16/03653 FPU19/01609Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia (CONACyT) 440575Fundacion Iberoamericana de Nutricion (FINUT)Redes Tematicas de Investigacion Cooperativa RETIC Red SAMID RD16/0022AstraZenecaUniversity of Granada Plan Propio de Investigacion 2016 -Excellence actions: Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES)Plan Propio de Investigacion 2018 -Programa Contratos-PuentePrograma Perfecionamiento de DoctoresJunta de Andalucia Consejeria de Conocimiento, Investigacion y Universidades (ERDF) SOMM17/6107/UGRJunta de Andalucia P18-RT-4455Fundacion Alfonso Martin EscuderoMaria Zambrano fellowship by the Ministerio de Universidades y la Union Europea-NextGenerationEU RR_C_2021_04Novo Nordisk FoundationNovocure Limited NNF18OC003239

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DURING THE TREATMENT OF WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER

ABSTRACT Breast cancer incidence increases with age, and its treatment usually has side effects such as joint pain, depression and fatigue. Insufficient physical activity can decrease muscle strength, increase fatigue and reduce quality of life. Given the above, the purpose of this systematic review was to identify the main intervention strategies based on physical activities for women during breast cancer treatment. This study considered four databases: PubMed, SportDiscus, Lilacs, and Scielo, taking into consideration studies of the last five years. The descriptors for physical activity variable were “exercise", “physical activity”, and “motor activity”. For breast cancer variable, the descriptors were “breast neoplasm”, and for participants: “women” and “adults”. Seven studies related to the benefits of physical activity were found, one of those was carried out in Brazil. The variables studied were fatigue, anthropometry, physical activity level (PAL), pain threshold, sleep quality, life quality (LQ), physical fitness (PF), and cortisol level. The types of intervention strategies were in most part through aerobic exercises, resistance/strength training, hydrotherapy, relaxation, yoga and belly dancing. Although there is no consensus on which physical activity, intensity, and frequency are best for the patients, in general, all patients increased their level of physical activity and quality of life, reduced fatigue, and were not impeded by the treatment or found necessary to interrupt it while performing such physical activities