La (incumplida) promesa universitaria en el Perú

La universidad pública tomó una senda de crisis como producto del descuido del Estado puesto en evidencia en el desfinanciamiento y la desintegración del tramado institucional. Desde nuestra perspectiva, fueron tres las hipótesis de cambio que estuvieron detrás de la decisión de liberalizar la oferta educativa universitaria. La primera consistió en que con la participación privada se conseguiría ampliar la oferta y, por lo tanto, la cobertura universitaria. La segunda fue que, como consecuencia de la primera, el acceso a los estudios superiores se democratizaría; y Finalmente, se supuso que el mercado sería un regulador efectivo de la calidad de este servicio, en el que la competencia dejaría fuera a las malas universidades. El objetivo de este informe es mostrar qué sucedió con aquellas hipótesis de mediados de los años noventa mediante el análisis descriptivo de un conjunto de datos oficiales sobre la educación superior universitaria en el Perú

Biosensing Techniques in Yeast: G-Protein Signaling and Protein-Protein Interaction Assays for Monitoring Ligand Stimulation and Oligomer Formation of Heterologous GPCRs

Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins) act as transducers of external stimuli for intracellular signaling, and control various cellular processes in cooperation with seven transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Because GPCRs constitute the largest family of eukaryotic membrane proteins and enable the selective recognition of a diverse range of molecules (ligands), they are the major molecular targets in pharmaceutical and medicinal fields. In addition, GPCRs have been known to form heteromers as well as homomers, which may result in vast physiological diversity and provide opportunities for drug discovery. G-proteins and their signal transduction machinery are universally conserved in eukaryotes; thereby, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been used to construct artificial in vivo GPCR biosensors. In this chapter, we focus on the yeast-based GPCR biosensors that can detect ligand stimulation and oligomer formation, and summarize their techniques using the G-protein signaling and protein-protein interaction assays

Submarine lava flow emplacement and faulting in the axial valley of two morphologically distinct spreading segments of the Mariana back-arc basin from Wadatsumi side-scan sonar images

International audienceHigh-resolution, deep-tow side-scan sonar data were collected over two distinct spreading segments in the central part of the Mariana back-arc basin. These data allow mapping of small fissures and faults and the distinguishing of hummocky from smooth lava flows. Using these data, we observe spatial variations in seafloor deformation and volcanic activity within each segment, and also significant differences in the degree of tectonic deformation between the two segments. One segment, characterized by an hourglass shape suggestive of magmatic processes dominating over tectonic processes, is in fact currently dominated by intense deformation rather than volcanism. The other segment, which exhibits morphology (wide and deep linear axial valley) typical of magma-starved segments, is subjected to very limited deformation and is covered by mostly unfaulted, recent flows. Each segment also displays along-axis variations in the degree of tectonic deformation and in lava flows freshness. We observe a decrease of lava effusion rate from segment centers toward their ends. We also investigated the apparent asymmetry of the Mariana basin. On the southern segment of the study area, azimuths of tectonic structures are divided into two groups, one segment-parallel and one ∼15° oblique to strike of the segment. These two trends of linear features developed synchronously with volcanic activity. Currently oblique structures seem to be the most active ones. The tectonic structures that are parallel to the overall valley trend are distributed over the entire valley, whereas the oblique structures are only located proximal to the eastern valley wall. They are likely related to changes in the local stress field related to the obliquely trending eastern axial valley wall. Asymmetric character, such as nonuniform spacing and throw of faults, was not observed. These observations suggest that the asymmetry of the basin is not due to asymmetric spreading, but rather to eastward ridge jumps of several kilometers. Such small-amplitude ridge jumps likely occurred frequently during basin development because the asymmetric character of the basin is strongly pronounced and no abandoned rift valley is recognizable within the entire basi

A New Mathematics Input Interface with Flick Operation for Mobile Devices

Developing online test environments for e-learning on mobile devices will be useful for increasing drill practice opportunities. To provide a drill practice environment for calculus using an online mathematics test system, such as STACK, we developed a flickable mathematics input interface that can be easily used on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. The interface developed using JavaScript and MathDox is mainly for entering mathematical expressions. When the alphabet or number keys on the interface are touched, various candidates of operation appear around the touched key. Flicking in either the leftward, rightward, upward, or downward direction performs the required operation, depending on the selected key. The number of key taps required for entering mathematical expressions on a mobile device using the proposed mathematics input interface is compared with the number of key taps required in direct input; direct input involves using the built-in keyboard of a device. The number of key taps is considerably reduced when using the new mathematics input interface. Furthermore, our new mathematics input interface is compatible with traditional keyboards. The keyboard is automatically selected based on the types of devices being used

A Possible Scenario for Environmental Remediation in Coastal Waters by Use of Phytoplankton and Waste Materials

environmental remediationphytoplanktonseafood productionsewagesteelmaking sla

Proposal of air compressing device using walking vibration energy regeneration for pneumatic driven assistive device

Pneumatically driven wearable assistive devices for walking have been developed recently. These devices can achieve flexible assistance without control; however, they require large and heavy air compressors for activation. In this study, a pneumatically driven source using vibration energy regeneration from walking was developed. The aim was to activate the cylinder using vibrations due to walking and compressed air. A mass element, which is connected to a human body via a spring and a cylinder, vibrates along with the human gait cycle. Next, a prototype was developed and tested. In walking experiments, stored pressure was measured at several gait cycles and masses for comparison. Results indicate that the gait cycle period and masses affect the stored pressure; the highest pressure recorded was 0.08 MPa