Adaptive Function Segmentation Methodology for Resources Optimization of Hardware-Based Function Evaluators

This thesis presents a new adaptive function segmentation methodology (AFSM), for the evaluation of mathematical functions through piecewise polynomial approximation (PPA) methods. This methodology is planned to be employed for the development of an efficient hardware-based channel emulator in future development steps of the current project. In contrast to state-of-art segmentation methodologies, which applicability is limited because these are highly dependent on the function shape and require significant intervention from the user to setup appropriately the algorithm, the proposed segmentation methodology is flexible and applicable to any continuous function within an evaluation interval. Through the analysis of the first and second order derivatives, the methodology becomes aware of the function shape and adapts the algorithm behavior accordingly. The proposed segmentation methodology aims towards hardware architectures of limited resources that resort to fixed-point numeric representation where hardware designer should make a compromise between resources consumption and output accuracy. An optimization algorithm is implemented to assist the user in searching the best segmentation parameters that maximize the outcome of the design trade-offs for a given signal-to-quantization-noise ratio requirement. When compared to state-of-the-art segmentation methodologies, the proposed AFSM delivers better performance of approximation for the hardware-based evaluation of transcendental functions given that fewer segments and consequently fewer hardware resources are required.Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologí

Deducing signaling pathways from parallel actions of arsenite and antimonite in human epidermal keratinocytes.

Inorganic arsenic oxides have been identified as carcinogens in several human tissues, including epidermis. Due to the chemical similarity between trivalent inorganic arsenic (arsenite) and antimony (antimonite), we hypothesized that common intracellular targets lead to similarities in cellular responses. Indeed, transcriptional and proteomic profiling revealed remarkable similarities in differentially expressed genes and proteins resulting from exposure of cultured human epidermal keratinocytes to arsenite and antimonite in contrast to comparisons of arsenite with other metal compounds. These data were analyzed to predict upstream regulators and affected signaling pathways following arsenite and antimonite treatments. A majority of the top findings in each category were identical after treatment with either compound. Inspection of the predicted upstream regulators led to previously unsuspected roles for oncostatin M, corticosteroids and ephrins in mediating cellular response. The influence of these predicted mediators was then experimentally verified. Together with predictions of transcription factor effects more generally, the analysis has led to model signaling networks largely accounting for arsenite and antimonite action. The striking parallels between responses to arsenite and antimonite indicate the skin carcinogenic risk of exposure to antimonite merits close scrutiny

Non-Coding RNA Sequencing of Equine Endometrium During Maternal Recognition of Pregnancy.

Maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP) in the mare is not well defined. In a non-pregnant mare, prostaglandin F2α (PGF) is released on day 14 post-ovulation (PO) to cause luteal regression, resulting in loss of progesterone production. Equine MRP occurs prior to day 14 to halt PGF production. Studies have failed to identify a gene candidate for MRP, so attention has turned to small, non-coding RNAs. The objective of this study was to evaluate small RNA (<200 nucleotides) content in endometrium during MRP. Mares were used in a cross-over design with each having a pregnant and non-mated cycle. Each mare was randomly assigned to collection day 11 or 13 PO (n = 3/day) and endometrial biopsies were obtained. Total RNA was isolated and sequencing libraries were prepared using a small RNA library preparation kit and sequenced on a HiSeq 2000. EquCab3 was used as the reference genome and DESeq2 was used for statistical analysis. On day 11, 419 ncRNAs, representing miRNA, snRNA, snoRNA, scaRNA, and vaultRNA, were different between pregnancy statuses, but none on day 13. Equine endometrial ncRNAs with unknown structure and function were also identified. This study is the first to describe ncRNA transcriptome in equine endometrium. Identifying targets of these ncRNAs could lead to determining MRP

Encephalitozoon cuniculi

This is the first confirmed report of Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi) in farm meat rabbits located in Northern Mexico. Eighty young rabbits exhibited clinical signs of this zoonotic emerging disease, like torticollis, ataxia, paresis, circling, and rolling. Samples of brain, kidney, and liver were examined for histology lesions. For the first time the lesions caused by E. cuniculi were graded according to their severity (I, II, and III) and the size of the granulomas (Types A, B, and C). The main cerebral injuries were Grade III, coinciding with the presence of Type C granulomas. The cerebral lesions were located in the cortex, brain stem, and medulla. The renal lesions were also Grade III distributed throughout cortex and renal medulla, with no granuloma formation. The involvement of hypersensitivity Types III and IV is suggested. All of the rabbits were seropositive to E. cuniculi by CIA testing, suggesting that this zoonotic and emerging pathogen is widely distributed among animals intended for human consumption. We believe this work could be used as a guide when examining E. cuniculi and will provide direction to confirm the diagnosis of this pathogen

Tracing the assembly histories of galaxy clusters in the nearby universe

We have compiled a sample of 67 nearby ($z$ < 0.15) clusters of galaxies, for which on average more than 150 spectroscopic members are available, and, by applying different methods to detect substructures in their galaxy distribution, we have studied their assembly history. Our analysis confirms that substructures are present in 70% of our sample, having a significant dynamical impact in 57% of them. A classification of the assembly state of the clusters based on the dynamical significance of their substructures is proposed. In 19% of our clusters, the originally identified brightest cluster galaxy is not the central gravitationally dominant galaxy (CDG), but turns out to be either the second-rank, or the dominant galaxy of a substructure (a SDG, in our classification), or even a possible "fossil" galaxy in the periphery of the cluster. Moreover, no correlation was found in general between the projected offset of the CDG from the X-ray peak and its peculiar velocity. The comparison of the CDGs properties with the assembly states and dynamical state of the intracluster media, especially the core cooling status, suggests a complex assembly history, with clear evidence of co-evolution of the CDG and its host cluster in the innermost regions.Comment: Contains 33 pages, 12 figures, 8 tables. On the accompanying webpage ( http://www.astro.ugto.mx/recursos/HP_SCls/Top70.html ), we offer the complete set of figures describing all clusters presented in this articl

Evaluación de las características hidroquímicas de antiguos cauces del Río Dulce en Villa Nueva, provincia de Santiago del Estero

El acceso al agua segura, en pequeñas localidades como Villa Nueva, es un problema de vieja data. El Área de estudio está situada en el sector SO de la provincia de Santiago del Estero, y geomorfológicamente se ubica en el tramo medio de la Llanura Aluvial del Río Dulce. Se caracteriza por una sucesión de antiguos cauces colmatados y entrelazados. El trabajo de investigación se orientó hacia la caracterización hidroquímica del acuífero libre, y su utilización como soporte de almacenamiento y de recarga en forma natural o artificial, para el abastecimiento de agua destinada al consumo humano. Mediante perforaciones se realizaron estudios granulométricos de los sedimentos que permitieron obtener una aproximación acerca de la permeabilidad. Los análisis físico-químicos de las muestras de agua obtenidas, no superan los límites tolerables de las aguas seguras, excepto una de ellas, que supera la concentración de sulfatos.Access to safe water, in small towns like Villa Nueva, is a long-standing problem. The research area is located in the SW sector of the province of Santiago del Estero, and geomorphologically is located in the middle stretch of the Dulce River Floodplain. It is characterized by a succession of former channels silted and intertwined. The research work was oriented towards free aquifer hydrochemical characterization, and their use as storage media and recharge in natural or artificial, for the supply of water for human consumption. Through perforations were made sediments grain size determination studies, we have obtained an approximation concerning permeability. The physico-chemical analysis of water samples obtained do not exceed tolerable limits of safe water, except one, which exceeds the concentration of sulfates.Universidad Nacional de La Plat

Nutritional Content of Black Soldier Fly Larvae Achieved During Biotransformation of Organic Wastes

The purpose of the research was to study the nutritional content in the larvae of the black soldier fly BSF (Hermetia Illucens) during the biotransformation of organic wastes at laboratory scale in a controlled reactor, comparing growth at ambient temperatures of 27 and 29 °C, maintaining relative humidity between 65 and 80 %. Eggs were incubated until hatching, 4 mixtures of organic wastes were evaluated with carbon-nitrogen-ratio (C/N) of 14:1, 12:1, 10:1 and 8:1, composed of fresh, cooked, meat, pruning and grass wastes, with a feeding rate of 47.62 mg substrate/larva·day for 21 days, during growth moisture, pH and ashes of the substrate were measured, length, width and mass of 3% of the population were measured in the larvae. Moisture ashes, ethereal extract, organic nitrogen and crude protein of the larvae of each trial were characterized, obtaining moisture between 64-73, ashes 3.5-5.7, ethereal extract 28-35, crude protein 48-51 and organic nitrogen 7.6-8.4 % at 27 °C; moisture between 53-60, ashes 4.6-6.4, ethereal extract 34-39, crude protein 41-52 and organic nitrogen 6.6-8.3 % at 29 °C. The bioconversion rate was between 16-25 % at 27 °C and 9-20 % at 29 °C, the conversion efficiency to protein was between 7-13% at 27 °C and 3.6-9.7 % at 29 °C; the conversion efficiency to fat was between 1.7-8.4% at 27 °C and 3.4-6.9 % at 29 °C; the growth rates show that the larval development speed is an exponential model between the sixth and ninth day of measurement with C/N 14:1 and 10:1 at 27 °C and between the sixth and eighth day with C/N 12:1 and 10:1 at 29 °C. BSF larvae are a promising source of food due to the short time utilization of organic residues

Tropoelastin and fibulin overexpression in the subepitelial connective tissue of human pterigium

Purpose To evaluate possible changes in the collagen and elastic components of the subepithelial connective tissue of human pterygium. Design Immunohistochemical study. Methods Immunohistochemical staining using antitropoelastin, anti-fibulin-2, and anti-fibulin-3 antibodies was performed in 10 normal conjunctival and 20 pterygium specimens. Masson trichome staining also was performed to study subepithelial connective tissue. Sirius red staining was used to identify collagen type I and III components. Tropoelastin, fibulin-2, and fibulin-3 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expressions were analyzed in 9 conjunctival and 12 pterygium specimens by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. Results The subepithelial connective tissue and vessels were more predominant in pterygium compared with the normal conjunctival tissue. Amorphous subepithelial zones were observed in the areas of the pterygium tissue, but not in normal conjunctiva. Increased tropoelastin staining was seen in the pterygium tissue with areas of degenerative changes or immature formation of elastic fibers, as well an increase in tropoelastin mRNA, in contrast with fibulin-2 and fibulin-3 messenger levels. Fibulin-2 and fibulin-3 expression was colocalized in the subepithelial connective tissue and was distributed along blood and lymphatic vessels. Collagen type III, an immature form of collagen, was increased in the pathologic samples in association with a tissue remodeling process. Conclusions Elastin metabolism is dysregulated in the pathogenesis of human pterygium with tropoelastin, fibulin-2, and fibulin-3 overexpression in the subepithelial connective tissue.Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias (Alcalá de Henares, España)Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Madrid, España)

Lung Cancer in Peru

Peru is a South American nation with a growing and aging population of 31 million people with a life expectancy at birth of 76.7 years. The country is divided into 25 regions, 79% of the population is urban, and Lima, the capital, concentrates more than a third of the population.1 Although Peru is an upper-middle-income country, health expenditure represents only 5.1% of the gross domestic product, which is lower than the average of Latin America and the Caribbean (LATAM) (8.56%).2 Out-of-pocket health expenditure is 30.9%.3 Peru has a comprehensive National Cancer Plan and two population-based cancer registries in Lima and Arequipa.Revisión por pare