Correction system for polyphonic piano recordings

M.I. Martin-Erdozain, I. Barbancho, A. Rosa-Pujazon, A.M. Barbancho, "Correction system for polyphonic piano recordings", XXVIII Simposium Nacional de la Unión Científica Internacional de Radio, Santiago de Compostela, España, 2013n this paper, a support tool for piano rehearsal is presented. The system analyses a given piano polyphonic recording to find the times, pitch and duration of the notes and figures played, taking into account the possibility of playing more than one note simultaneously as well as covering the whole piano frequency range. In order to do so, the system uses an onset detection algorithm to segment the input signal into partitions which are then analysed in the time and frequency domains. Then, the system correlates the data extracted from the partitions with the score of the original piece, identifying the positions and type of the mistakes performed by the user, and providing her/him with the corresponding feedback. The experiments conducted showed that the application is capable of analysing a given recording and indicate the musician the mistakes made.This work has been funded by the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad of the Spanish Government under Project No. TIN2010-21089-C03-02 and by the Ministerio de Industria, Turismo y Comercio under Project No. TSI-090100-2011-25

Machine-Learned Exclusion Limits without Binning

Machine-Learned Likelihoods (MLL) is a method that, by combining modern machine-learning classification techniques with likelihood-based inference tests, allows to estimate the experimental sensitivity of high-dimensional data sets. We extend the MLL method by including the exclusion hypothesis tests and show that the addition of Kernel Density Estimators avoids the need to bin the classifier output in order to extract the resulting one-dimensional signal and background probability density functions. We first test our method on toy models generated with multivariate Gaussian distributions, where the true probability distribution functions are known. We then apply it to a case of interest in the search for new physics at the HL-LHC, in which a $Z^\prime$ boson decays into lepton pairs, comparing the performance of our method for estimating 95\% CL exclusion limits to the results obtained applying a binned likelihood to the machine-learning classifier output.Comment: 14 pages, 3 figures. MLL+KDE code will be available from https://github.com/AndresDanielPere

INVESTIGACIÓN EN QUÍMICA, BIOLOGÍA Y AGRONOMÍA

Este libro es el segundo de una serie de dos dedicado a los avances lo relativo a las mezclas de diesel y biodiesel obtenido a partir del aceite de semillas de jatropha curcas, entre otros temas de ese ombustible verde; es decir algo que está al día en cuanto a las búsqueda de fuentes de energía limpias; otro tema ampliamente tratado es el del nitrógeno como elemento de fertilización -que junto con la densidad poblacional de las plantas- buscan prácticas agronómicas para obtener mayores rendimientos. El objetivo final de este libro es el mismo: incorporar cada vez más bibliografía que enriquezca las opciones de consulta por parte de interesados en aspectos particulares y, desde luego, divulgar nuevos conocimentos y ofrecer los resultados del quehacer universitario

An apoptotic caspase network safeguards cell death induction in pyroptotic macrophages

Pyroptosis has emerged as a key mechanism by which inflammasomes promote host defense against microbial pathogens and sterile inflammation. Gasdermin D (GSDMD)-mediated cell lysis is a hallmark of pyroptosis, but our understanding of cell death signaling during pyroptosis is fragmented. Here, we show that independently of GSDMD-mediated plasma membrane permeabilization, inflammasome receptors engage caspase-1 and caspase-8, both of which redundantly promote activation of apoptotic executioner caspase-3 and caspase-7 in pyroptotic macrophages. Impaired GSDMD pore formation downstream of caspase-1 and caspase-8 activation suffices to unmask the apoptotic phenotype of pyroptotic macrophages. Combined inactivation of initiator caspase-1 and caspase-8, or executioner caspase-3 and caspase-7, is required to abolish inflammasome-induced DEVDase activity during pyroptosis and in apoptotic Gsdmd(-/-) cells. Collectively, these results unveil a robust apoptotic caspase network that is activated in parallel to GSDMD-mediated plasma membrane permeabilization and safeguards cell death induction in pyroptotic macrophages

Accounting for pastoralists in Argentina

No official statistics exist on pastoralism in Argentina, so their number is not known. Between 30,000 to 35,000 households practise pastoralism, estimates Red Chaco based on the 2018 National Census. In some areas, pastoralism is alive as a mobile, extensive production system. Despite the uncertainty about the precise numbers, pastoralists play a significant role in Argentinian agriculture and society. Argentina is a large but highly urbanized country, with 92% of the population living in towns and cities. Only 13.2% of the country is agriculturally well endowed; 70% of the land is semi-arid, and much of the rest is mountainous or too cold for growing crops. Livestock-raising is the main form of agriculture in such marginal areas, either as ranching or as pastoralism.Estación Experimental Agropecuaria BarilocheFil: Lanari, Maria Rosa. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Estacion Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Perez Centeno, Marcelo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Área de Investigación para la Agricultura Familiar Región Patagonia; ArgentinaFil: Preda, Graciela Maria. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Área de Investigación para la Agricultura Familiar Región Patagonia; ArgentinaFil: Quiroga Mendiola, Mariana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Área de Investigación para la Agricultura Familiar Región Patagonia; ArgentinaFil: Ejarque, Mercedes. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Área de Investigación para la Agricultura Familiar Región Patagonia; ArgentinaFil: Lammel, Sofía Ailén. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Área de Investigación para la Agricultura Familiar Región Patagonia; ArgentinaFil: Moronta, Martin Nestor. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Área de Investigación para la Agricultura Familiar Región Patagonia; ArgentinaFil: Quiroga Rogers, Juan. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria (INTA). Área de Investigación para la Agricultura Familiar Región NOA; ArgentinaFil: Losardo, Pablo Gustavo. Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería y Pesca de la Nación; ArgentinaFil: Frere, Pablo. Fundación Gran Chaco; Argentin

Males self-assessment of sexual maturation using drawings and photos

A avaliação da idade biológica de adolescentes participantes de programas esportivos é importante devido às relações existentes entre o desempenho esportivo e as modificações decorrentes da maturação sexual que ocorrem no período da puberdade. A idade biológica pode ser determinada através da idade dentária, da idade de maturação sexual, assim como do peso e da estatura do jovem, em relação à idade cronológica (Marcondes, Berquó, Hegg, Colli & Zacchi, 1987). Na área de educação física e do esporte, os meios mais empregados são as avaliações antropométricas do peso e da estatura. A avaliação da maturação sexual através dos estágios de desenvolvimento de pilosidade pubiana, mamas e genitais, conforme o método proposto por Tanner (1962), não é de fácil aplicabilidade dadas as condições exigidas pelo método, ou seja, necessidade de médico especializado, local adequado, além do constrangimento causado por este tipo de avaliação que pode gerar desconforto ao avaliado. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a precisão da autoavaliação da maturação sexual, de acordo com os estágios propostos por Tanner (1962), realizada através de desenhos de Morris e Udry (AD) e através de fotos de Tunner (AF), com a avaliação médica (AM). A amostra foi composta por 347 meninos, na faixa etária entre 10 e 16 anos, avaliados em três momentos diferentes. Na análise dos dados foram calculados os percentuais de concordância, de sub-estimativa e superestimativa, assim como o índice Kappa. O índice de Kappa variou entre 0,35 e 0,66. A auto-avaliação da pilosidade pubiana mostrou-se mais eficaz do que a auto-avaliação do estágio de desenvolvimento de genitais. Concluímos que os adolescentes podem avaliar precisamente seu próprio estágio de desenvolvimento de acordo com os estágios apresentados por fotos ou desenhos.The evaluation of biological age in young participants of sport programs is important because of the relationship between sport performance and physical modifications due to sexual maturation during puberty. The biological age can be determined by dental age, sexual maturation, height and weight of the young athlete, in relation to the chronological age. In the field of sport and physical education, measurements of weight and height are commonly used as indicators of biological maturation. The evaluation of the stages of sexual maturation, by the method proposed by Tanner (1962), is not easy due to the necessity of a specialized physician and a very private room. Besides, the whole procedure is extremely embarrassing for the subject. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the agreement between the adolescent’s self-assessment of maturation using Morris e Udry’s drawings (AD) and Tunner’s standard photographs (AF), and the physician’s evaluation (ME). The sample was composed of 347 males, with ages between 10 and 16 years, evaluated at three different moments. In data analysis, the percentage of agreement, underestimation and overestimation of maturation stages were calculated as well as Kappa coefficients. The Kappa coefficients varied between 0.35 and 0.66. The self-assessment of pubic hair stage seemed to be more efficient than the self-assessment of genital stage. We concluded that adolescents can accurately assess their own developmental stage according to standard photographs standard drawings

Intranasal trans-sialidase-based vaccine against Trypanosoma cruzi triggers a mixed cytokine profile in the nasopharynx-associated lymphoid tissue and confers local and systemic immunogenicity

Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, can infect through conjunctive or oral mucosas. Therefore, the induction of mucosal immunity by vaccination is relevant not only to trigger local protection but also to stimulate both humoral and cell-mediated responses in systemic sites to control parasite dissemination. In a previous study, we demonstrated that a nasal vaccine based on a Trans-sialidase (TS) fragment plus the mucosal STING agonist c-di-AMP, was highly immunogenic and elicited prophylactic capacity. However, the immune profile induced by TS-based nasal vaccines at the nasopharyngeal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT), the target site of nasal immunization, remains unknown. Hence, we analyzed the NALT cytokine expression generated by a TS-based vaccine plus c-di-AMP (TSdA+c-di-AMP) and their association with mucosal and systemic immunogenicity. The vaccine was administered intranasally, in 3 doses separated by 15 days each other. Control groups received TSdA, c-di-AMP, or the vehicle in a similar schedule. We demonstrated that female BALB/c mice immunized intranasally with TSdA+c-di-AMP boosted NALT expression of IFN-γ and IL-6, as well as IFN-β and TGF-β. TSdA+c-di-AMP increased TSdA-specific IgA secretion in the nasal passages and also in the distal intestinal mucosa. Moreover, T and B-lymphocytes from NALT-draining cervical lymph nodes and spleen showed an intense proliferation after ex-vivo stimulation with TSdA. Intranasal administration of TSdA+c-di-AMP provokes an enhancement of TSdA-specific IgG2a and IgG1 plasma antibodies, accompanied by an increase IgG2a/IgG1 ratio, indicative of a Th1-biased profile. In addition, immune plasma derived from TSdA+c-di-AMP vaccinated mice exhibit in-vivo and ex-vivo protective capacity. Lastly, TSdA+c-di-AMP nasal vaccine also promotes intense footpad swelling after local TSdA challenge. Our data support that TSdA+c-di-AMP nasal vaccine triggers a NALT mixed pattern of cytokines that were clearly associated with an evident mucosal and systemic immunogenicity. These data are useful for further understanding the immune responses elicited by the NALT following intranasal immunization and the rational design of TS-based vaccination strategies for prophylaxis against T. cruzi.Fil: Pacini, María Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Bulfoni Balbi, Camila. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Dinatale, Brenda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: González, Florencia Belén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Prochetto, Estefanía Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Laboratorio de Tecnología Inmunológica; ArgentinaFil: de Hernández, María Azul. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Cribb, Pamela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Farré, Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Espariz, Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Blancato, Victor Sebastian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Magni, Christian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Marcipar, Iván Sergio. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Laboratorio de Tecnología Inmunológica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe; ArgentinaFil: Perez, Ana Rosa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Inmunología Clinica y Experimental de Rosario; Argentin

A model based on the quantification of complement C4c, CYFRA 21-1 and CRP exhibits high specificity for the early diagnosis of lung cancer

Lung cancer screening detects early-stage cancers, but also a large number of benign nodules. Molecular markers can help in the lung cancer screening process by refining inclusion criteria or guiding the management of indeterminate pulmonary nodules. In this study, we developed a diagnostic model based on the quantification in plasma of complement-derived fragment C4c, cytokeratin fragment 21-1 (CYFRA 21-1) and C-reactive protein (CRP). The model was first validated in two independent cohorts, and showed a good diagnostic performance across a range of lung tumor types, emphasizing its high specificity and positive predictive value. We next tested its utility in two clinically relevant contexts: assessment of lung cancer risk and nodule malignancy. The scores derived from the model were associated with a significantly higher risk of having lung cancer in asymptomatic individuals enrolled in a computed tomography (CT)-screening program (OR = 1.89; 95% CI = 1.20–2.97). Our model also served to discriminate between benign and malignant pulmonary nodules (AUC: 0.86; 95% CI = 0.80–0.92) with very good specificity (92%). Moreover, the model performed better in combination with clinical factors, and may be used to reclassify patients with intermediate-risk indeterminate pulmonary nodules into patients who require a more aggressive work-up. In conclusion, we propose a new diagnostic biomarker panel that may dictate which incidental or screening-detected pulmonary nodules require a more active work-up

MYH10 activation rescues contractile defects in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM).

The most prevalent genetic form of inherited arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is caused by mutations in desmosomal plakophilin-2 (PKP2). By studying pathogenic deletion mutations in the desmosomal protein PKP2, here we identify a general mechanism by which PKP2 delocalization restricts actomyosin network organization and cardiac sarcomeric contraction in this untreatable disease. Computational modeling of PKP2 variants reveals that the carboxy-terminal (CT) domain is required for N-terminal domain stabilization, which determines PKP2 cortical localization and function. In mutant PKP2 cells the expression of the interacting protein MYH10 rescues actomyosin disorganization. Conversely, dominant-negative MYH10 mutant expression mimics the pathogenic CT-deletion PKP2 mutant causing actin network abnormalities and right ventricle systolic dysfunction. A chemical activator of non-muscle myosins, 4-hydroxyacetophenone (4-HAP), also restores normal contractility. Our findings demonstrate that activation of MYH10 corrects the deleterious effect of PKP2 mutant over systolic cardiac contraction, with potential implications for ACM therapy.This study was supported by MCIU grant BFU2016-75144-R and PID2020- 116935RB-I00, and by a “la Caixa” Banking Foundation grant under the project code HR18-00304” to J.A.B.; The study was also supported by the “Ayudas a la Investigación Cátedra Real Madrid-Universidad Europea” (2017/RM01). C.M.-L. and S.S. hold MCIU predoctoral contracts BES-2017-079715, and BES-2017-079707 respectively. R.G. acknowledges funding from the European Research Council under grant ERCAG-340177 (3DNanoMech) and from the MCIU under grant MAT2016- 76507-R. The CNIC is supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MCIN) and the Pro CNIC Foundation and is a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence, grant CEX2020-001041-S funded by MICIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033. The microscopy experiments were carried out at the Dynamic Microscopy and Image Unit, CNIC, ICTS-ReDib, co-financed by MCIN/AEI /10.13039/ 501100011033 and FEDER “A way of making Europe” (#ICTS-2018-04- CNIC-16). Imaris full analysis were carried out at the Microscopy & Dynamic Imaging, CNIC, ICTS-ReDib, co-funded by MCIN/AEI /10.13039/501100011033. Biomedical Imaging has been conducted at the Advanced Imaging Unit of the CNIC (Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III), Madrid, Spain. This project used the ReDIB ICTS infrastructure TRIMA@CNIC, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MCIN).S

Motor Decline in Clinically Presymptomatic Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 2 Gene Carriers

BACKGROUND: Motor deficits are a critical component of the clinical characteristics of patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 2. However, there is no current information on the preclinical manifestation of those motor deficits in presymptomatic gene carriers. To further understand and characterize the onset of the clinical manifestation in this disease, we tested presymptomatic spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 gene carriers, and volunteers, in a task that evaluates their motor performance and their motor learning capabilities. METHODS AND FINDINGS: 28 presymptomatic spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 gene carriers and an equal number of control volunteers matched for age and gender participated in the study. Both groups were tested in a prism adaptation task known to be sensible to both motor performance and visuomotor learning deficits. Our results clearly show that although motor learning capabilities are intact, motor performance deficits are present even years before the clinical manifestation of the disease start. CONCLUSIONS: The results show a clear deficit in motor performance that can be detected years before the clinical onset of the disease. This motor performance deficit appears before any motor learning or clinical manifestations of the disease. These observations identify the performance coefficient as an objective and quantitative physiological biomarker that could be useful to assess the efficiency of different therapeutic agents