4,355 research outputs found
EL CENTRALIDAD COMO UN ARQUETIPO SOCIAL DE LA CIUDAD
La centralidad ligada al crecimiento de las ciudades se traduce en un arquetipo social y urbano. En su origen los centros contribuyeron de manera significativa al desarrollo de la vida comunitaria. Los grandes imperios convirtieron a la centralidad en un mecanismo de control y sometimiento social. Una excesiva centralidad producirá tarde o temprano una severa crisis sistémica. El reto de la nueva centralidad radica en recuperar el sentido democrático de los núcleos urbanos.La centralidad ligada al crecimiento de las ciudades se traduce en un arquetipo social y urbano. En su origen los centros contribuyeron de manera significativa al desarrollo de la vida comunitaria. Los grandes imperios convirtieron a la centralidad en un mecanismo de control y sometimiento social. Una excesiva centralidad producirá tarde o temprano una severa crisis sistémica. El reto de la nueva centralidad radica en recuperar el sentido democrático de los núcleos urbanos
Narrative balance management in an Intelligent biosafety training application for improving user performance
The use of three-dimensional virtual environments in training applications supports the simulation of complex scenarios and realistic object behaviour. While these environments have the potential to provide an advanced training experience to students, it is difficult to design and manage a training session in real time due to the number of parameters to pay attention to: timing of events, difficulty, user’s actions and their consequences or eventualities are some examples. For that purpose, we have extended our virtual Bio-safety Laboratory application used for training biohazard procedures with a Narrative Manager. The Narrative Manager controls the simulation deciding which events will take place in the simulation, and when, by controlling the narrative balance of the session. Our hypothesis is that the Narrative Manager allows us to increase the number of tasks for the user to solve and, due to balancing difficulty and intensity, it keeps the user interested in training. When evaluating our system we observed that the Narrative Manager effectively introduces more tasks for the user to solve, and despite that, is accepted by the users as more interesting and not harder than an identical system without a Narrative Manager. Also, a knowledge test demonstrated better results in users’ interest and learning output in the narrative condition
Simplified Mathematical Modeling on Person-to-Person Disease Transmission: The Coronavirus Case
In this paper, a simplified mathematical model is developed through a system of ordinary differential equations for the transmission of diseases from person to person, conditions for disease control are provided and cases are studied in which it is not possible to apply the Hurwitz criterion, the corresponding qualitative study is carried out to draw conclusions on the future evolution of the disease. Additionally, the ways in which the different diseases are transmitted are analyzed and the possibilities of epidemic development and the conditions that must be created to avoid them are studied A background of the Mathematical Modeling research group is also indicated
Managing with (fluorescent)-biomimetic dendrimers
Dendrimers that are modified through their peripheral groups have been employed for
many biomedical purposes. Diagnosis via specific interactions with target proteins is one
of the objectives that has been given more attention. In this way, we have been
developing different methodologies for the detection of immunoglobulins, as an in vitro
method for the diagnosis of allergic reactions to drugs [1], [2].
Specific cell interactions of surfaces grafted dendrimers have been applied to the study
of cell adhesion. We have studied also the application of dendrimer-based uneven
nanopatterns to evaluate the local RGD surface density effects on cell adhesion, as
bioactive substrates to evaluate the impact of the RGD local surface density on the
chondrogenic induction of adult human mesenchymal stem cells [3], [4], [5].
Although the use of PAMAM dendrimer has allowed us to develop useful methods for
this purpose, for certain objectives we have required the development of new
dendrimeric models. We have developed a new approach for the production of allaliphatic
polyamide dendrimers (BAPAD) by iterative 3,3′-diaminopivalic acid
connections as building blocks for dendrimer construction. These dendrimers were
studied in explicit solvent by atomistic forcefield-based molecular dynamics to
characterize structural properties such as shape, radius and monomer distribution [6].
Fluorescent labeling of these biomimetic dendrimers has been used as a tool to study
their interaction with cells.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional AndalucĂa Tech
Role of minor determinants of amoxicillin in the diagnosis of immediate allergic reactions to amoxicillin.
PolĂtica de acceso abierto tomada de: https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/id/publication/3704Background: Skin testing of subjects with immediate hypersensitivity to amoxicillin
is performed using major and minor determinants of benzylpenicillin plus amoxicillin.
However, sensitivity is not optimal, and other determinants need to be considered.
We assessed the sensitivity of stable, well-characterized minor determinants of
amoxicillin in subjects with immediate allergic reactions to amoxicillin to improve
skin test sensitivity.
Methods: Amoxicillin, amoxicilloic acid, and diketopiperazine were prepared and
characterized by reverse-phase HPLC, tested in vivo by skin testing and in vitro by
basophil activation test and RAST inhibition assay.
Results: Patients with immediate hypersensitivity to amoxicillin were selected: Group
A (n = 32), skin test positive just to amoxicillin; Group B (n = 19), skin test positive
to benzylpenicillin determinants; Group C (n = 10), skin test negative and
amoxicillin drug provocation test positive. In Group A, 27 subjects (81.8%) were
skin test positive to amoxicillin, ten (30.3%) to amoxicilloic acid, two (6.1%) to
diketopiperacine, and six (18.2%) negative. In Group B, nine (50%) were positive
to amoxicillin, eight (42.1%) to amoxicilloic acid, none to diketopiperacine, and
nine (50%) negative. In Group C, skin tests were negative. BAT was positive to
amoxicillin in 26 patients (50.9%), to amoxicilloic acid in 15 (29.1%), and diketopiperazine
in four (7.8%). RAST inhibition studies showed > 50% inhibition in all
sera, with the highest concentration of amoxicillin and amoxicilloic acid.
Conclusions: The combination of minor determinants of amoxicillin, amoxicilloic
acid, and diketopiperazine seems to be of no greater value than the use of amoxicillin
alone. Further efforts are needed to find new structures to improve sensitivity in
the diagnosis of immediate hypersensitivity to betalactams
Sensitivity analysis of Component's Tolerance in Inductively Coupled Power Transfer System
ICPT systems help drivers to recharge their electrical vehicles via wireless. The core of the system is a pair of coils and two reactive structures. In order to predict the performance of a practical implementation, it is necessary to study the impact of using real components which suffer from variations in their nominal values. Basing on the performed study, we conclude that the components on the side where the inductance is in series with the capacitance should be carefully selected as variations in their values greatly affect the system performance. A 50 kW system has been evaluated in terms of efficiency and load voltage.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional AndalucĂa Tech
Effective elastic thickness in the Central Andes. Correlation to orogenic deformation styles and lower crust high-gravity anomaly
Global studies have assessed the importance of elastic thickness (Te) on orogenic evolution, showing that the style and nature of upper crustal shortening are influenced by the inherited lithospheric strength. Thus, pioneer works have identified that the upper crustal deformation style in the easternmost sector of the Central Andes in South America are related to the elastic thickness (Te). There, the thick-skinned and pure-shear style of Santa Bárbara system was initially related to the existence of low Te values. In contrast, the thin-skinned and simple-shear style of deformation in the Subandean system involves high Te values. However, more recent Te studies in the Central Andes present conflicting results which lead to question this straightforward relation. Results from these studies show a strong dependence on the applied methodology hampering the general understanding of the lithospheric thermo-mechanical state of the Central Andes. To contribute to this issue, we perform a high-resolution Te map, using forward modeling by solving flexural equation of infinite plate model in two dimensions. To achieve this, the crust-mantle interface was calculated using a high-resolution gravity anomaly dataset which combines satellite and terrestrial data, and an average density contrast. Additionally, the gravity anomaly and the foreland basin depth in the Central Andes were best predicted by considering that lower crustal rocks fill the space deflected downward in the plate model. The obtained Te values show an inverse correlation with previous heat flow studies, and a strong spatial correlation with the styles and mechanisms of deformation in the easternmost sector of the Central Andes. In the Santa Bárbara system Te values less than 10 km predominate, whereas in the Subandean system high Te values were observed. Such high values correlate with the orogenic curvature and with an shallower gravity Moho zone, which breaks the regional trend of the Central Andes. This shallower gravity Moho is linked to a high-gravity anomaly located in the east part of the Eastern Cordillera and Subandean system. These results are also correlated with a high-velocity zone in the upper mantle previously found by receiver functions studies. This correlation could indicate changes in the properties of the lower crustal rocks that justify the shallower gravity Moho zone and explain in part the highest Te values.Fil: Garcia, Hector Pedro Antonio. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, FĂsicas y Naturales. Instituto GeofĂsico SismolĂłgico Volponi; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas; ArgentinaFil: Gianni, Guido Martin. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, FĂsicas y Naturales. Instituto GeofĂsico SismolĂłgico Volponi; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas; ArgentinaFil: Lupari, Marianela Nadia. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, FĂsicas y Naturales. Instituto GeofĂsico SismolĂłgico Volponi; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas; ArgentinaFil: Sanchez, Marcos Ariel. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, FĂsicas y Naturales. Instituto GeofĂsico SismolĂłgico Volponi; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas; ArgentinaFil: Soler, Santiago RubĂ©n. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, FĂsicas y Naturales. Instituto GeofĂsico SismolĂłgico Volponi; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas; ArgentinaFil: Ruiz, Francisco. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, FĂsicas y Naturales. Instituto GeofĂsico SismolĂłgico Volponi; ArgentinaFil: Lince Klinger, Federico Gustavo. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, FĂsicas y Naturales. Instituto GeofĂsico SismolĂłgico Volponi; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas; Argentin
Green building rating systems and their application in the Mexican context
Revista indexada en SCOPUSThis article offers a review of the scientific literature aimed at putting forward a proposal on the main variables or categories of sustainable design to take into consideration to manage, plan, design, build and maintain buildings in Mexico. The methodology consisted in reviewing 5 successfully tried international green building models (rating systems), from which a series of requirements by sustainable category were taken in order to propose categories and variables proper to the Mexican context. The result was a checklist that comprises sustainable design requirements broken down by categories: natural, human, technologic and economic to apply in the Mexican context. It is concluded that successfully tried green building international models such as: LEED®, BREAM®, CASBEE®, ESTIDAMA® or Green Star® can be very useful to manage, plan, design and construct sustainable buildings around the world
Child Head Circumference and Placental MFSD2a Expression Are Associated to the Level of MFSD2a in Maternal Blood During Pregnancy
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a world-wide health challenge, which prevalence is expected to increase in parallel to the epidemic of obesity. Children born from GDM mothers have lower levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in cord blood, which might influence their neurodevelopment. Recently, the membrane transporter Major Family Super Domain 2a (MFSD2a) was associated with the selective transportation of DHA as lysophospholipids. The expression of the DHA membrane transporter MFSD2a is lower in GDM placentas, which could affect materno-fetal DHA transport. Humans with homozygous inactivating mutations in the MFSD2a gene present severe microcephaly and intellectual impairments. Herein, we intended to identify early blood biomarkers that may be of use during pregnancy to monitor the offspring development and the adequate nutritional interventions, such as nutritional supplementation, that may be selected to improve it. We evaluated MFSD2a expression in maternal blood at the third trimester of pregnancy, and its potential relationship with the expression of placental MFSD2a at delivery and child outcomes. Three groups of pregnant women were recruited: 25 controls, 23 GDM with dietary treatment, and 20 GDM with insulin treatment. Maternal and neonatal anthropometric and biochemical parameters were evaluated. MFSD2a was analyzed in placenta, blood and serum. MFSD2a protein expression in maternal blood was significantly lower in GDM groups and correlated with placental MFSD2a and Z-score neonatal head circumference during the first 6 months of life. The cord/maternal serum ratio of DHA, a solid indicator of materno-fetal DHA transport, was reduced in GDM groups and correlated with MFSD2a in maternal blood at the third trimester and in placenta at delivery. This indicates that altered MFSD2a levels in maternal blood during pregnancy might influence placental nutrient transport and fetal neurodevelopment. Furthermore, MFSD2a levels in maternal blood on the third trimester were inversely correlated to DHA in maternal serum lyso-PL. Thus, the level of MFSD2a in maternal blood could be used as a potential biomarker for the early detection of disturbances of MFSD2a expression during pregnancy and the subsequent consequences for the neurodevelopment of the child, as well as it may help to choose the optimal treatment approach for the affected subjects
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