TAMU Online ESL Certification Prep Course

Title III Management Institute, May 2, 2007, San Antonio, TexasThis training is made possible by the Limited English Proficient, Student Success Initiative (LEP SSI) and Title III funds through the Texas Education Agency

Diseño e implementación de un sistema electrónico de potencia autosustentable

En el presente proyecto se diseñó un sistema de distribución de energía de corriente alterna a partir de una fuente de corriente directa utilizando herramientas analíticas del dominio del tiempo y el dominio de la frecuencia aplicables en todos los puntos de electrónica de potencia y circuitos eléctricos. El objetivo del proyecto es el diseño e implementación de estos sistemas teóricos para poder posteriormente ser utilizados como métodos alternativos de generación de energía, como por ejemplo, a complemento de sistemas de energía renovables y que pueda brindar este servicio a comunidades donde la distribución de la energía por métodos convencionales sea muy costosa o ineficiente. Esto se logra a partir de la obtención de un voltaje de corriente directa que puede ser un panel solar o bien simplemente una batería, la cual deberá de pasar a una etapa de elevación para llegar a un voltaje deseado y poder ser invertido y obtener un voltaje eficaz que pueda dar soporte energético al usuario, antes de ser entregado a este último deberá de pasar por una etapa de un filtro de línea el cual deberá de estar diseñado de tal manera que la componente fundamental quede situada en la banda de paso y las demás armónicas queden posteriores a la frecuencia de corte. En el caso de cuando la energía se adquiere a partir de paneles solares se agrega una etapa con un acumulador para almacenar la energía, en la etapa de conversión de corriente directa a corriente directa de elevación se ponen 2 etapas de 25Vcd a 100Vcd y de 100Vcd a 180Vcd de tal manera que se pueda obtener una última etapa de 360Vcd este voltaje ya es suficiente para poder realizar una etapa de inversión y obtener un voltaje de 127Vrms y de 60Hz que otorga Comisión Federal de Electricidad a los usuarios. De esta manera el usuario no tendría que modificar ningún electrodoméstico ni aparato electrónico

PVP-coated silver nanoparticles block the transmission of cell-free and cell-associated HIV-1 in human cervical culture

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Previous <it>in vitro </it>studies have demonstrated that polyvinylpyrrolidone coated silver nanoparticles (PVP-coated AgNPs) have antiviral activity against HIV-1 at non-cytotoxic concentrations. These particles also demonstrate broad spectrum virucidal activity by preventing the interaction of HIV-1 gp120 and cellular CD4, thereby inhibiting fusion or entry of the virus into the host cell. In this study, we evaluated the antiviral activity of PVP-coated AgNPs as a potential topical vaginal microbicide to prevent transmission of HIV-1 infection using human cervical culture, an <it>in vitro </it>model that simulates <it>in vivo </it>conditions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>When formulated into a non-spermicidal gel (Replens) at a concentration of 0.15 mg/mL, PVP-coated AgNPs prevented the transmission of cell-associated HIV-1 and cell-free HIV-1 isolates. Importantly, PVP-coated AgNPs were not toxic to the explant, even when the cervical tissues were exposed continuously to 0.15 mg/mL of PVP-coated AgNPs for 48 h. Only 1 min of PVP-coated AgNPs pretreatment to the explant was required to prevent transmission of HIV-1. Pre-treatment of the cervical explant with 0.15 mg/mL PVP-coated AgNPs for 20 min followed by extensive washing prevented the transmission of HIV-1 in this model for 48 h.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A formulation of PVP-coated AgNPs homogenized in Replens gel acts rapidly to inhibit HIV-1 transmission after 1 min and offers long-lasting protection of the cervical tissue from infection for 48 h, with no evidence of cytotoxicity observed in the explants.</p> <p>Based on this data, PVP-coated AgNPs are a promising microbicidal candidate for use in topical vaginal/cervical agents to prevent HIV-1 transmission, and further research is warranted.</p

Use of silver nanoparticles increased inhibition of cell-associated HIV-1 infection by neutralizing antibodies developed against HIV-1 envelope proteins

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>HIV/AIDS pandemic is a worldwide public health issue. There is a need for new approaches to develop new antiviral compounds or other therapeutic strategies to limit viral transmission. The envelope glycoproteins gp120 and gp41 of HIV are the main targets for both silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and neutralizing antibodies. There is an urgency to optimize the efficiency of the neutralizing antibodies (NABs). In this study, we demonstrated that there is an additive effect between the four NABs and AgNPs when combined against cell-associated HIV-1 infection <it>in vitro</it></p> <p>Results</p> <p>Four NABs (Monoclonal antibody to HIV-1 gp41 126-7, HIV-1 gp120 Antiserum PB1 Sub 2, HIV-1 gp120 Antiserum PB1, HIV-1 gp120 Monoclonal Antibody F425 B4e8) with or without AgNPs of 30-50 nm in size were tested against cell free and cell-associated HIV_IIIBvirus. All NABs inhibited HIV-1 cell free infection at a dose response manner, but with AgNPs an antiviral additive effect was not achieved Although there was no inhibition of infection with cell-associated virus by the NABs itself, AgNPs alone were able to inhibit cell associated virus infection and more importantly, when mixed together with NABs they inhibited the HIV-1 cell associated infection in an additive manner.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The most attractive strategies to deal with the HIV problem are the development of a prophylactic vaccine and the development of effective topical vaginal microbicide. For two decades a potent vaccine that inhibits transmission of infection of HIV has been searched. There are vaccines that elicit NABs but none of them has the efficacy to stop transmission of HIV-1 infection. We propose that with the addition of AgNPs, NABs will have an additive effect and become more potent to inhibit cell-associated HIV-1 transmission/infection.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The addition of AgNPs to NABs has significantly increased the neutralizing potency of NABs in prevention of cell-associated HIV-1 transmission/infection. Further exploration is required to standardize potentiation of NABs by AgNPs. It is also required to evaluate in vivo toxicity of AgNPs before AgNPs could be incorporated in any antiviral vaginal creams.</p

Evaluating a Master's Degree Program via Distance Education

TTVN Conference, Galveston, TX, January 18, 200

Factores críticos de éxito para la permanencia de las pymes en el mercado

La sobrevivencia de las pequeñas y medianas empresas (Pymes) es fundamental para el desarrollo del país, ya que juegan un papel importante en la generación del PIB, de empleos, aportar bienes y servicios. Por tanto, el objetivo de esta investigación es determinar los factores críticos de éxito (FCE) que permiten que las Pymes de Ciudad Victoria (México), permanezcan en el mercado. Para lograrlo se lleva a cabo un análisis cualitativo, en las Pymes del sector industrial, comercial y de servicios. Los resultados evidencian que los FCE que influyen de manera positiva en las Pymes es la planeación estratégica, es aquí donde la empresa fijas sus metas futuras, así como la capacitación adecuada del recurso humano. En este mismo estudio se encontró como evidencia que el factor que afecta negativamente a las Pymes es el financiamiento, debido a que la mayoría opera mediante financiamientos tradicionales

Clinical and immunological assessment in breast cancer patients receiving anticancer therapy and bovine dialyzable leukocyte extract as an adjuvant

Dialyzable leukocyte extract (DLE) is one of the immunological agents used as an adjuvant in cancer therapy; it has been associated with improved quality of life during cancer chemotherapy. Based on these previous findings and on the observed clinical benefits attributed to DLE in other types of cancer, we investigated its clinical and immunological effects as a therapy adjuvant on breast cancer patients who received only chemotherapy, as compared to patients administered bovine DLE (bDLE) as an adjuvant. This study included 43 breast cancer patients who were about to begin chemotherapy. This group was divided as follows: 25 received chemotherapy and bDLE as an adjuvant therapy, and 18 received only chemotherapy without the adjuvant. All patient clinical and immunological responses were monitored. Among patients in the group that received bDLE as adjuvant, 60% showed a complete response, 32% showed a partial response and 8% did not respond. By contrast, in the group without the adjuvant, 39% showed a complete response, 50% displayed a partial response and 11% were non-responders. In addition, bDLE treatment in combination with chemotherapy resulted in the enhancement of the Karnofsky performance scale during chemotherapy. Even though patients underwent several cycles of chemotherapy without bDLE, the lymphocyte population dropped to below the reference value. On the other hand, in patients with bDLE as adjuvant, the CD4(+) and CD8(+) lymphocytes and the B lymphocytes were maintained within the median range of the reference value. The number of natural killer cells also increased after chemotherapy treatment with bDLE as an adjuvant. In conclusion, bDLE treatment contributes to significant immunological recovery in patients that have undergone heavy chemotherapy, increasing the clinical response and quality of life during chemotherapy

Promoting Bilingualism and Biliteracy: Programmatic Difference between One-way Dual Language (Developmental Bilingual) and Transitional Bilingual Models

NABE 2009 presentation in Austin, Texa