Sport programme imbalance in the Summer Olimpic Games: Solutions coming from the Sportics

El objetivo reglamentario del deporte se refiere al logro principal que debe superar el participante en el deporte para poder puntuar. Este concepto, procedente de los conocimientos de la Spórtica, analiza la esencia interna de cada deporte. El propósito de este trabajo fue determinar el desequilibrio en el conjunto de disciplinas ofertadas en los programas deportivos de los Juegos Olímpicos de verano hasta 2012, en función de los objetivos de la práctica, y proponer soluciones. Se utilizaron metodologías de tipo cuantitativo para codificar los objetivos reglamentarios de las disciplinas deportivas presentes en las 28 ediciones de los Juegos Olímpicos de verano. Se apreció un enorme y continuo desequilibrio (12% deportes con objetivos reglamentarios de reproducir modelos; 88% deportes de superar distancias). En base a los resultados, desde la Spórtica se sugieren propuestas para tratar de incrementar la cantidad de deportes de reproducir modelos de los Juegos Olímpicos (tales como los deportes gimnásticos, acrobáticos y coreográficos). La divulgación de estos deportes depende de la transcendencia mundial que representan los Juegos a nivel educativo, competitivo y recreativoRegulation aim in sports refers to the main achievement that the participant in the sport has to overcome to get the punctuation. This concept, which belongs to the knowledge of the Sportics, analyzes the inner essence of each sport. The purpose of this essay was to determine the imbalance between the disciplines offered in the sport programmes of Summer Olympic Games until London-2012, in depending on the practice aims in sports, and offers solutions. Quantitative methods have been applied to code the regulation aims of the sport disciplines have taken part in the 28 editions of the Summer Olympic Games. An enormous and continuous imbalance had been observed (12% sports which their regulation aims contain models replication; 88% doing distances sports). Based on results, some proposals are suggested from the Sportics to try to increase the number of models replication sports taking place in the Olympic Games (such as gymnastic, acrobatic and choreographic sports). The dissemination of these sports depends on the Games world relevance in the educational, competitive and leisure context

Pressurized irrigation

En un área de aprox. 2 000 000 ha del sur de Córdoba (Argentina) se evaluaron los equipos de riego con el fin de conocer su funcionamiento, el grado de uniformidad con que trabajan y la eficiencia de riego lograda por los productores. Se realizaron 21 evaluaciones sobre equipos operando de acuerdo con la programación establecida por sus usuarios; 14 sobre pivote, una sobre avance lateral, 4 sobre enrolladores (3 de cañón y uno de baja presión) y 2 sobre side roll. Los parámetros de calidad de riego brindaron coeficiente medio de uniformidad = 81,4 %, con uniformidad de distribución = 73,23 %. En el 80 % de los casos, la lámina aplicada fluctuó entre 10 y 20 mm siendo su promedio = 17 mm. De los resultados se puede inferir que -en general- la superficie asignada a cada equipo es siempre mayor que su capacidad para realizar oportunamente una óptima reposición del agua al suelo y que, si bien los coeficientes de uniformidad y distribución del agua pueden considerarse aceptables, la programación del riego es mala en todos los establecimientos evaluados poniéndose de manifiesto en la baja eficiencia de almacenamiento y repercutiendo directamente sobre la producción de los cultivos regados.In approx. 2 000 000 ha in the South of Córdoba (Argentina) was evaluated the performance of the irrigation equipments, the way they are operated and employed, the degree of uniformity they work and the efficiency of irrigation obtained by the farmers. There were 21 evaluations of equipments operating according to the irrigation program established by the owners, 14 on pivots, 1 on lateral move, 4 rollers (3 for gun sprinkler and 1 with low pressure) and 2 side roll. The parameters of the quality of irrigation show values of uniformity coefficient of 81.4 % with a uniformity of distribution of 73.23 %. The 80 % of the cases present a applied depth between 10 and 20 mm with a average value of 17 mm. Based on the obtained values, it can be assumed that -in general- the surface assigned to each of the equipments, is always larger than its capacity to replace soil water adequately. Although the uniformity coefficient and water distribution can be considered acceptable, the most important aspect that highlights this study is the bad irrigation scheduling in all the evaluated farms, stated in the low efficiency of soil water storage that affects directly the production of the irrigated crops.Fil: Puiatti, Juan M. P..Fil: Crespi, Raúl Jesús.Fil: Rivetti, Ana Rosa

Dynamic Python-Based Method Provides Quantitative Analysis of Intercellular Junction Organization During S. pneumoniae Infection of the Respiratory Epithelium

Many respiratory pathogens compromise epithelial barrier function during lung infection by disrupting intercellular junctions, such as adherens junctions and tight junctions, that maintain intercellular integrity. This includes Streptococcus pneumoniae, a leading cause of pneumonia, which can successfully breach the epithelial barrier and cause severe infections such as septicemia and meningitis. Fluorescence microscopy analysis on intercellular junction protein manipulation by respiratory pathogens has yielded major advances in our understanding of their pathogenesis. Unfortunately, a lack of automated image analysis tools that can tolerate variability in sample-sample staining has limited the accuracy in evaluating intercellular junction organization quantitatively. We have created an open source, automated Python computer script called “Intercellular Junction Organization Quantification” or IJOQ that can handle a high degree of sample-sample staining variability and robustly measure intercellular junction integrity. In silico validation of IJOQ was successful in analyzing computer generated images containing varying degrees of simulated intercellular junction disruption. Accurate IJOQ analysis was further confirmed using images generated from in vitro and in vivo bacterial infection models. When compared in parallel to a previously published, semi-automated script used to measure intercellular junction organization, IJOQ demonstrated superior analysis for all in vitro and in vivo experiments described herein. These data indicate that IJOQ is an unbiased, easy-to-use tool for fluorescence microscopy analysis and will serve as a valuable, automated resource to rapidly quantify intercellular junction disruption under diverse experimental conditions

A combinatorial method for the evaluation of yield of fault-tolerant systems-on-chip

In this paper we develop a combinatorial method for the evaluation of yield of fault-tolerant systems-on-chip. The method assumes that defects are produced according to a model in which defects are lethal and affect given components of the system following a distribution common to all defects. The distribution of the number of defects is arbitrary. The method is based on the formulation of the yield as 1 minus the probability that a given boolean function with multiple-valued variables has value 1. That probability is computed by analyzing a ROMDD (reduced ordered multiple-valuedecision diagram) representation of the function. For efficiency reasons, we first build a coded ROBDD (reduced ordered binary decision diagram) representation of the function and then transform that coded ROBDD into the ROMDD required by the method. We present numerical experiments showing that the method is able to cope with quite large systems in moderate CPU times.Postprint (published version

T35: a small automatic telescope for long-term observing campaigns

The T35 is a small telescope (14") equipped with a large format CCD camera installed in the Sierra Nevada Observatory (SNO) in Southern Spain. This telescope will be a useful tool for the detecting and studying pulsating stars, particularly, in open clusters. In this paper, we describe the automation process of the T35 and show also some images taken with the new instrumentation.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures. Accepted for publication in the special issue "Robotic Astronomy" of Advances of Astronom

Towards the removal of antibiotics detected in wastewaters in the POCTEFA territory: Occurrence and TiO2 photocatalytic pilot-scale plant performance

This research aims to assess the presence of four antibiotic compounds detected in the influent and effluent of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the POCTEFA territory (north of Spain and south of France) during the period of 2018-2019, and to relate the removal of antibiotic compounds with the processes used in the WWTPs. The performance of a photocatalytic TiO2/UV-VIS pilot-scale plant was then evaluated for the degradation of selected antibiotics previously detected in urban treated effluent. The main results reflect that azithromycin had the highest mass loadings (11.3 g/day per 1000 inhabitants) in the influent of one of the selected WWTPs. The results also show considerable differences in the extent of antibiotics removal in WWTPs ranging from 100% for sulfadiazine to practically 0% for trimethoprim. Finally, the photocatalytic TiO2/UV-VIS pilot-scale plant achieved the removal of the four antibiotics after 240 min of treatment from 78%-80% for trimethoprim and enrofloxacin, up to 100% for amoxicillin, sulfadiazine and azithromycin. The catalyst recovery via mechanical coagulation-flocculation-decantation was almost total. The Ti concentration in the effluent of the TiO2/UV-VIS pilot-scale plant was lower than 0.1% (w/w), and its release into the environment was subsequently minimized

Clinical nutrition issues in 2022: What is missing to trust supplemental parenteral nutrition (SPN) in ICU patients?

Clinical nutrition; Intensive care unit; Nutrition careNutrició clínica; Unitat de cures intensives; Cura de la nutricióNutrición Clínica; Unidad de cuidados intensivos; Cuidado de la nutriciónA multidisciplinary group of international physicians involved in the medical nutrition therapy (MNT) of adult critically ill patients met to discuss the value, role, and open questions regarding supplemental parenteral nutrition (SPN) along with oral or enteral nutrition (EN), particularly in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting. This manuscript summarizes the discussions and results to highlight the importance of SPN as part of a comprehensive approach to MNT in critically ill adults and for researchers to generate new evidence based on well-powered randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The experts agreed on several key points: SPN has shown clinical benefits, resulting in this strategy being included in American and European guidelines. Nevertheless, its use is heterogeneous across European countries, due to the persistence of uncertainties, such as the optimal timing and the risk of overfeeding in absence of indirect calorimetry (IC), which results in divergent opinions and barriers to SPN implementation. Education is also insufficient. The experts agreed on actions needed to increase evidence quality on SPN use in specific patients at a given time point during acute critical illness or recovery.The organization of the Virtual Meeting that motivated this publication was funded by Baxter Healthcare SA. The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. MPC receives funding from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) (Grant No. 1832817N) and Onderzoeksraad, KU Leuven (Grant No. C24/17/070) and from the Private Charity Organization “Help Brandwonden Kids

Alpha-catenin-Dependent Recruitment of the Centrosomal Protein CAP350 to Adherens Junctions Allows Epithelial Cells to Acquire a Columnar Shape

Epithelial morphogenesis involves a dramatic reorganisation of the microtubule cytoskeleton. How this complex process is controlled at the molecular level is still largely unknown. Here, we report that the centrosomal microtubule (MT)-binding protein CAP350 localises at adherens junctions in epithelial cells. By two-hybrid screening, we identified a direct interaction of CAP350 with the adhesion protein α-catenin that was further confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation experiments. Block of epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin)-mediated cell-cell adhesion or α-catenin depletion prevented CAP350 localisation at cell-cell junctions. Knocking down junction-located CAP350 inhibited the establishment of an apico-basal array of microtubules and impaired the acquisition of columnar shape in Madin-Darby canine kidney II (MDCKII) cells grown as polarised epithelia. Furthermore, MDCKII cystogenesis was also defective in junctional CAP350-depleted cells. CAP350-depleted MDCKII cysts were smaller and contained either multiple lumens or no lumen. Membrane polarity was not affected, but cortical microtubule bundles did not properly form. Our results indicate that CAP350 may act as an adaptor between adherens junctions and microtubules, thus regulating epithelial differentiation and contributing to the definition of cell architecture. We also uncover a central role of α-catenin in global cytoskeleton remodelling, in which it acts not only on actin but also on MT reorganisation during epithelial morphogenesis.This work was supported by Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad, Spain (BFU2012-36717 and CSD2009-00016 to RMR and BFU2011-22916 to JRM) and by Junta de Andalucia (CVI-7256 and CTS-2071), and by a funding GenHomme Network 02490-6088 to Hybrigenics and the Institut Curie. MA and AZ were supported by MEC–FPI Grants.Peer Reviewe

A Modified Method for Whole Exome Resequencing from Minimal Amounts of Starting DNA

Next generation DNA sequencing (NGS) technologies have revolutionized the pace at which whole genome and exome sequences can be generated. However, despite these advances, many of the methods for targeted resequencing, such as the generation of high-depth exome sequences, are somewhat limited by the relatively large amounts of starting DNA that are normally required. In the case of tumour analysis this is particularly pertinent as many tumour biopsies often return submicrogram quantities of DNA, especially when tumours are microdissected prior to analysis. Here, we present a method for exome capture and resequencing using as little as 50 ng of starting DNA. The sequencing libraries generated by this minimal starting amount (MSA-Cap) method generate datasets that are comparable to standard amount (SA) whole exome libraries that use three micrograms of starting DNA. This method, which can be performed in most laboratories using commonly available reagents, has the potential to enhance large scale profiling efforts such as the resequencing of tumour exomes

Pore-forming activity of S. pneumoniae pneumolysin disrupts the paracellular localization of the epithelial adherens junction protein E-cadherin

Streptococcus pneumoniae, a common cause of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia, can cross the respiratory epithelial barrier to cause lethal septicemia and meningitis. S. pneumoniae pore-forming toxin pneumolysin (PLY) triggers robust neutrophil (PMN) infiltration that promotes bacterial transepithelial migration in vitro and disseminated disease in mice. Apical infection of polarized respiratory epithelial monolayers by S. pneumoniae at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 20 resulted in recruitment of PMNs, loss of 50% of the monolayer, and PMN-dependent bacterial translocation. Reducing the MOI to 2 decreased PMN recruitment two-fold and preserved the monolayer, but apical-to-basolateral translocation of S. pneumoniae remained relatively efficient. At both MOI of 2 and 20, PLY was required for maximal PMN recruitment and bacterial translocation. Co-infection by wild-type S. pneumoniae restored translocation by a PLY-deficient mutant, indicating that PLY can act in trans. Investigating the contribution of S. pneumoniae infection on apical junction complexes in the absence of PMN transmigration, we found that S. pneumoniae infection triggered the cleavage and mislocalization of the adherens junction (AJ) protein E-cadherin. This disruption was PLY-dependent at MOI of 2 and was recapitulated by purified PLY, requiring its pore-forming activity. In contrast, at MOI of 20, E-cadherin disruption was independent of PLY, indicating that S. pneumoniae encodes multiple means to disrupt epithelial integrity. This disruption was insufficient to promote bacterial translocation in the absence of PMNs. Thus, S. pneumoniae triggers cleavage and mislocalization of E-cadherin through PLY-dependent and -independent mechanisms, but maximal bacterial translocation across epithelial monolayers requires PLY-dependent neutrophil transmigration