A Computational Complexity Theory in Membrane Computing

In this paper, a computational complexity theory within the framework of Membrane Computing is introduced. Polynomial complexity classes associated with di erent models of cell-like and tissue-like membrane systems are de ned and the most relevant results obtained so far are presented. Many attractive characterizations of P 6= NP conjecture within the framework of a bio-inspired and non-conventional computing model are deduced.Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia TIN2006-13425Junta de Andalucía P08–TIC-0420

Language teachers’ perceptions on the use of OER language processing technologies in MALL

Combined with the ubiquity and constant connectivity of mobile devices, and with innovative approaches such as Data-Driven Learning (DDL), Natural Language Processing Technologies (NLPTs) as Open Educational Resources (OERs) could become a powerful tool for language learning as they promote individual and personalized learning. Using a questionnaire that was answered by language teachers (n= 230) in Spain and the UK, this research explores the extent to which OER NLPTs are currently known and used in adult foreign language learning. Our results suggest that teachers´ familiarity and use of OER NLPTs are very low. Although online dictionaries, collocation dictionaries and spell checkers are widely known, NLPTs appear to be generally underused in foreign language teaching. It was found that teachers prefer computer-based environments over mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets and that teachers´ qualification determines their familiarity with a wider range of OER NLPTs. This research offers insight into future applications of Language Processing Technologies as OERs in language learning.TELL-OP -Transforming European Learner Language into Learning Opportunities KA200 Higher Education Strategic Partnership 2014-1-ES01-KA203-004782 ERASMUS

Natural radiactivity from building materials in Spain

The industrial construction sector is very important in Spain. Building materials used in this industry are sources of radiation from natural radionuclides they contain. The European Commission published some recommendations to facilitate the trade of these materials in the E.U. The studies about this subject have increased notably during last years. This, probably, can be associated with the increase interest from natural radiation radiological risk on indoor exposure.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear. CSN-201

Asynchronous Spiking Neural P Systems with Structural Plasticity

Spiking neural P (in short, SNP) systems are computing devices inspired by biological spiking neurons. In this work we consider SNP systems with structural plasticity (in short, SNPSP systems) working in the asynchronous (in short, asyn mode). SNPSP systems represent a class of SNP systems that have dynamic synapses, i.e. neurons can use plasticity rules to create or remove synapses. We prove that for asyn mode, bounded SNPSP systems (where any neuron produces at most one spike each step) are not universal, while unbounded SNPSP systems with weighted synapses (a weight associated with each synapse allows a neuron to produce more than one spike each step) are universal. The latter systems are similar to SNP systems with extended rules in asyn mode (known to be universal) while the former are similar to SNP systems with standard rules only in asyn mode (conjectured not to be universal). Our results thus provide support to the conjecture of the still open problem.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad TIN2012-3743

Enzyme-powered nanobots enhance anticancer drug delivery

The use of enzyme catalysis to power micro- and nanomotors exploiting biocompatible fuels has opened new ventures for biomedical applications such as the active transport and delivery of specific drugs to the site of interest. Here, urease-powered nanomotors (nanobots) for doxorubicin (Dox) anticancer drug loading, release, and efficient delivery to cells are presented. These mesoporous silica-based core-shell nanobots are able to self-propel in ionic media, as confirmed by optical tracking and dynamic light scattering analysis. A four-fold increase in drug release is achieved by nanobots after 6 h compared to their passive counterparts. Furthermore, the use of Dox-loaded nanobots presents an enhanced anticancer efficiency toward HeLa cells, which arises from a synergistic effect of the enhanced drug release and the ammonia produced at high concentrations of urea substrate. A higher content of Dox inside HeLa cells is detected after 1, 4, 6, and 24 h incubation with active nanobots compared to passive Dox-loaded nanoparticles. The improvement in drug delivery efficiency achieved by enzyme-powered nanobots may hold potential toward their use in future biomedical applications such as the substrate-triggered release of drugs in target locations

Antp transcriptional activity is modulated by the formation of the trimeric Antp-TBP complexes with TFIIEβ, Exd and BIP2

Homeoproteins are transcriptional factors that bind to DNA through a highly conserved binding domain known as the homeodomain (HD) which recognizes short regions rich in AT to control the development of the body appendages of organisms. However, their structural and recognition similarities make it difficult to explain how homeoproteins are capable of carrying out their function. Previous results have shown that Antp homeoprotein can establish dimeric interactions with TBP, TFIIEβ, Exd, BIP2 and more recently through BiFC-FRET we confirmed that Antp and TBP can form trimeric complexes with TFIIEβ/Exd/BIP2. Therefore, is important to show how these trimeric complexes modulate Antp transcriptional activity. The experimental approach selected for this project was to perform in vitro transactivation assays in HEK-293 cells transfected with the combinations of Antp and TBP-producing plasmids with TFIIEβ / Exd / BIP2 plasmids using a Luciferase reporter plasmid. Our results show that trimeric interaction of Antp-TBP-TFIIEβ induced a significant increase of 138% in the Antp transcriptional activity. By contrast, trimeric complexes of Antp-TBP-Exd and Antp-TBP-BIP2 modified the transactivating capacity of Antp, decreasing transcription by 20 and 26% respectively. According to this, we were able to confirm that the trimeric complexes Antp-TBP/TFIIEβ/Exd/BIP2 are involved in the modulation of Antp transcriptional activity. So, now it is interesting to analyze how these trimeric complexes are involved in the activation and/or repression of target genes of Antp during genetic control of development in Drosophila melanogaster

Distribution of melanopsin positive neurons in pigmented and albino mice: evidence for melanopsin interneurons in the mouse retina.

Here we have studied the population of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) in adult pigmented and albino mice. Our data show that although pigmented (C57Bl/6) and albino (Swiss) mice have a similar total number of ipRGCs, their distribution is slightly different: while in pigmented mice ipRGCs are more abundant in the temporal retina, in albinos the ipRGCs are more abundant in superior retina. In both strains, ipRGCs are located in the retinal periphery, in the areas of lower Brn3a(+)RGC density. Both strains also contain displaced ipRGCs (d-ipRGCs) in the inner nuclear layer (INL) that account for 14% of total ipRGCs in pigmented mice and 5% in albinos. Tracing from both superior colliculli shows that 98% (pigmented) and 97% (albino) of the total ipRGCs, become retrogradely labeled, while double immunodetection of melanopsin and Brn3a confirms that few ipRGCs express this transcription factor in mice. Rather surprisingly, application of a retrograde tracer to the optic nerve (ON) labels all ipRGCs, except for a sub-population of the d-ipRGCs (14% in pigmented and 28% in albino, respectively) and melanopsin positive cells residing in the ciliary marginal zone (CMZ) of the retina. In the CMZ, between 20% (pigmented) and 24% (albino) of the melanopsin positive cells are unlabeled by the tracer and we suggest that this may be because they fail to send an axon into the ON. As such, this study provides the first evidence for a population of melanopsin interneurons in the mammalian retina

Diagnostic imaging techniques of the respiratory tract of sheep

Diagnostic imaging techniques are very useful non-invasive methods to obtain medical images for the diagnosis of respiratory diseases in sheep. The use of ultrasound and thermographic cameras must be enhanced at farm level with the objective of assisting in the diagnosis of major respiratory diseases present in sheep farms. X-ray and, particularly, computed tomography are very interesting tools to facilitate the understanding of the main pathological processes in sheep, especially at the respiratory level. This article shows more than 40 images of thermograms, X-ray, ultrasonography and computed tomography of the most significant respiratory diseases in sheep