Internet de las cosas para mejorar la capacidad de análisis, síntesis y evaluación

La asignatura Redes de Computadores I, que se imparte en el segundo cuatrimestre del primer curso del Grado en Informática de la UCLM, tiene como una de las competencias asignadas la de capacidad de análisis, síntesis y evaluación. Para hacer más atractiva la asignatura, después del primer tema de introducción, se decidió incluir un tema de Internet, que repasara brevemente su historia, evolución, aplicaciones, etc. Es en este tema donde se exponen los conceptos de Internet del Futuro y de Internet de las cosas (Internet of Things, IoT). IoT plantea que todos los objetos de la vida cotidiana puedan disponer de una dirección IP y puedan estar accesibles desde cualquier parte. Estos conceptos realmente entusiasman a los alumnos. Después de dos años observando esta situación se decidió proponer una actividad relacionada con este tema y que sirviese como entrenamiento de la competencia de capacidad de análisis, síntesis y evaluación. Se propuso un trabajo en grupo para la elaboración de pósteres relacionados con IoT. En concreto los temas a elegir serían: una visión general de IoT, IPv6, identificación por radio frecuencia (RFID) y aplicaciones relacionadas. El objetivo final sería realizar una exposición permanente de los pósteres sobre IoT. Se decidió realizar esta actividad porque en los pósteres la capacidad de síntesis y análisis de la información es algo fundamental. Cada uno de los grupos elegiría un tema particular y dispondría de un tiempo para la realización del póster. Se realizarían tres reuniones con el profesor para ir comprobando la evolución del mismo y la resolución de los posibles problemas o dudas. Transcurrido el tiempo, los grupos presentarían en clase sus pósteres durante 5 minutos. Después de esta presentación, los alumnos elegirían los mejores pósteres para la exposición, mediante una votación que puntuaría distintos aspectos de interés (gráficos, organización de la información y explicación del póster). La evaluación se realizaría por los propios alumnos. Tras el periodo de votación y elección de los mejores trabajos se pudo montar la exposición en el pasillo del laboratorio de redes. La experiencia ha sido todo un éxito, los alumnos se volcaron en la realización de los pósteres y la calidad de los mismos fue muy alta. La exposición está en uno de los accesos principales de la escuela, por el que todos los días circulan gran cantidad de alumnos y profesores. Ha llamado la atención de todos y se han recibido bastantes felicitaciones, tanto por el personal universitario local como por el visitante.SUMMARY -- Computer Networks I is a subject taught in the second semester of the first year of the Degree in Computer Science. One of the generic skills assigned to this subject is the ability of analysis, synthesis and evaluation. To make the course more attractive, a unit concerning Internet was included, which briefly reviews the history, evolution, and applications and current and future trends. It is in this unit where the concept of Internet of Things (IoT) is presented. Students are enthusiastic about this concept, so that, we decided to propose the development of posters related to IoT as teamwork. In particular, the topics were: an overview of IoT, IPv6, radio frequency identification (RFID) and IoT applications. This activity was proposed due to the ability to synthesize and analyze information is essential in the developing of posters. Each group chose a topic and was assigned a deadline for the submission of its poster. Three meetings with the teacher were scheduled to check the evolution of the poster and solve any problems or question. After the deadline, each group presents its poster for 5 minutes. Following these presentations, students scored each poster using the teacher’s rubric with the aim to choose the best posters for an exhibition. This rubric included different aspects of interest (graphics, organization of information and explanation of the poster). The students themselves conducted the evaluation. After the voting period, the top posters were chosen and an exhibition was held in the lobby of networks laboratory. The experience has been a success; students threw themselves into performing of the posters and the quality of them was very high. The exhibition is located in one of the main entrances to the school, where many students and teachers move every day. The exhibition has attracted the attention of everyone and teachers have received many compliments on it, both from the local university staff and visitors

Predation and aridity slow down the spread of 21-year-old planted woodland islets in restored Mediterranean farmland

Las figuras y material suplementario que contiene el documento se localizan al final del mismo.Planted woodland islets act as sources of seed that may accelerate woodland development in extensive agricultural landscapes. We assessed a 1-ha plot that was planted with 16 100-m2 islets of holm oak Quercus ilex subsp. ballota seedlings near Toledo (Spain) in 1993. In spring 2014 we measured (1) acorn predation and (2) seedling emergence from seeded acorns at different distances from and orientations around the islets with half of the acorns protected to prevent predation, (3) survival of emerged seedlings, and (4) natural tree establishment outside of the planted islets. Most (96.9 %) unprotected acorns were removed or predated. Seedling emergence from protected acorns ranged from 42.9 % on the northern side of the islets to 13.2 % on the southern side, suggesting a less stressful microclimate on the northern side. Survival of naturally established seedlings was 28.6 % by the end of first summer; seedling mortality was chiefly due to drought (45.0 %) and herbivory (35.0 %). Density of emerged seedlings, surviving seedlings after first dry season, and established oaks >1-year old was similar at different distances from the islets. Over the 21 year time period, 58 new oak individuals >1-year old have established (an average of 3.3 established individuals per ha per year) at an average distance of 6.3 ± 5.4 m away from the closest islet. We conclude that initial oak regeneration triggered by small planted islets in Mediterranean abandoned farmland is slowed down by high acorn predation, seedling herbivory, and stressful microclimatic conditions. Regardless, these islets are a viable tool for regeneration of Mediterranean oak woodland.Projects from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Education (CGL2010-18312 and CGL2014-53308-P) and the Government of Madrid (S2013/MAE-2719, REMEDINAL-3) are currently providing financial support for this body of research. We are indebted to Aurora Mesa and Paula Meli for their help for acorn seeding and to Laura Ferna´ndez and Luis Cayuela for their input with some statistical analyses. The subject editor and two anonymous reviewers provided valuable comments on a former version of this manuscript

TRPV4 channel is involved in the coupling of fluid viscosity changes to epithelial ciliary activity

Autoregulation of the ciliary beat frequency (CBF) has been proposed as the mechanism used by epithelial ciliated cells to maintain the CBF and prevent the collapse of mucociliary transport under conditions of varying mucus viscosity. Despite the relevance of this regulatory response to the pathophysiology of airways and reproductive tract, the underlying cellular and molecular aspects remain unknown. Hamster oviductal ciliated cells express the transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channel, which is activated by increased viscous load involving a phospholipase A2–dependent pathway. TRPV4-transfected HeLa cells also increased their cationic currents in response to high viscous load. This mechanical activation is prevented in native ciliated cells loaded with a TRPV4 antibody. Application of the TRPV4 synthetic ligand 4α-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate increased cationic currents, intracellular Ca2+, and the CBF in the absence of a viscous load. Therefore, TRPV4 emerges as a candidate to participate in the coupling of fluid viscosity changes to the generation of the Ca2+ signal required for the autoregulation of CBF

The VVV Near-IR Galaxy Catalogue beyond the Galactic disk

Knowledge about the large-scale distribution of galaxies is far from complete in the Zone of Avoidance, which is mostly due to high interstellar extinction and to source confusion at lower Galactic latitudes. Past near-infrared (NIR) surveys, such as the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS), have shown the power of probing large-scale structure at these latitudes. Our aim is to map the galaxy distribution across the Southern Galactic plane using the VISTA Variables in the V\'ia L\'actea Survey (VVV), which reach 2 to 4 magnitudes deeper than 2MASS. We used SExtractor + PSFEx to identify extended objects and to measure their sizes, the light concentration index, magnitudes, and colours. Morphological and colour constraints and visual inspection were used to confirm galaxies. We present the resulting VVV NIR Galaxy Catalogue of 5563 visually confirmed galaxies, of which only 45 were previously known. This is the largest catalogue of galaxies towards the Galactic plane, with 99% of these galaxies being new discoveries. We found that the galaxy density distribution closely resembled the distribution of low interstellar extinction of the existing NIR maps. We also present a description of the 185 2MASS extended sources observed in the region, of which 16% of these objects had no previous description, which we have now classified. We conclude that interstellar extinction and stellar density are the main limitations for the detection of background galaxies in the Zone of Avoidance. The VVV NIR Galaxy Catalogue is a new data set providing information for extragalactic studies in the Galactic plane.Comment: Accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Main Journal 21 page

Galaxy clustering in the VVV Near-IR Galaxy Catalogue

Mapping galaxies at low Galactic latitudes and determining their clustering status are fundamental steps in defining the large-scale structure in the nearby Universe. The VVV Near-IR Galaxy Catalogue (VVV NIRGC) allows us to explore this region in great detail. Our goal is to identify galaxy overdensities and characterize galaxy clustering in the Zone of Avoidance. We use different clustering algorithms to identify galaxy overdensities: the Voronoi tessellations, the Minimum Spanning Tree and the Ordering Points To Identify the Clustering Structure. We studied the membership, isolation, compactness, and flux limits to identify compact groups of galaxies. Each method identified a variety of galaxy systems across the Galactic Plane that are publicly available.We also explore the probability that these systems are formed by concordant galaxies using mock catalogues. Nineteen galaxy systems were identified in all of the four methods. They have the highest probability to be real overdensities. We stress the need for spectroscopic follow-up observations to confirm and characterize these new structures.Comment: 16 pages, 10 figures, 9 tables. Accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS

Effective nut dispersal by magpies (Pica pica L.) in a Mediterranean agroecosystem

Scatter-hoarding animals such as corvids play a crucial role in the dispersal of nut-producing tree species. This interaction is well known for some corvids, but remains elusive for other species such as the magpie (Pica pica), an abundant corvid in agroecosystems and open landscapes of the Palearctic region. In addition, the establishment of the individual dispersed seeds—a prerequisite for determining seed-dispersal effectiveness—has never before been documented for the interaction between corvids and nut-producing trees. We analyzed walnut dispersal by magpies in an agroecosystem in southern Spain. We used several complementary approaches, including video recording nut removal from feeders, measuring dispersal distance using radio tracking (with radio transmitters placed inside nuts), and monitoring the fate of dispersed nuts to the time of seedling emergence. Magpies were shown to be highly active nut dispersers. The dispersal distance averaged 39.6 ± 4.5 m and ranged from 4.1 to 158.5 m. Some 90% of the removed walnuts were cached later, and most of these (98%) were buried in the soil or hidden under plant material. By the time of seedling emergence, ca. 33% of nuts remained at the caching location. Finally, 12% of the cached nuts germinated and 4% yielded an emerged seedling, facilitating the transition to the next regeneration stage. The results demonstrate for the first time that magpies can be an effective scatter-hoarding disperser of a nut-producing tree species, suggesting that this bird species may play a key role in the regeneration and expansion of broadleaf forests in Eurasia.Gobierno de EspañaComunidad de MadridMinisterio de Economía y Competitivida

Integral

Abstract In order to analyze the current process of operation of slaughterhouses and propose actions for an appropriate control, as well as implement the reduction of water used per slaughtered animal, this study of green production applied to the processes in a selected municipal slaughterhouse in Querétaro, Mexico was undertaken. Also, from treatability tests of wastewater, a mobile prototype of water treatment (1.5 m 3 /day) was conceptualized, designed and built. This prototype is operating at the slaughterhouse and demonstrates the efficiency of treatment of those waters. Along with the prototype, this project developed a technological folder with technical specifications, comparative analysis of production units and a business plan that brings together all the necessary information to evaluate the project and the general guidelines to implement it in other municipalities of Querétaro. The business plan is essential to seek funding, partners or investors, and serves as a guide for those leading the implementation of the results obtained in this project at other municipalities. Additionally, an environmental impact study was performed to identify and interpret the environmental impacts of a full scale project, with emphasis on environmental benefits

Therapeutic approach with commercial supplements for pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration with residual PANK2 expression levels

[Background]: Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) is a group of rare neurogenetic disorders frequently associated with iron accumulation in the basal nuclei of the brain characterized by progressive spasticity, dystonia, muscle rigidity, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and retinal degeneration or optic nerve atrophy. Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) is one of the most widespread NBIA subtypes. It is caused by mutations in the gene of pantothenate kinase 2 (PANK2) that result in dysfunction in PANK2 enzyme activity, with consequent deficiency of coenzyme A (CoA) biosynthesis, as well as low levels of essential metabolic intermediates such as 4′-phosphopantetheine, a necessary cofactor for essential cytosolic and mitochondrial proteins. [Methods]: In this manuscript, we examined the therapeutic effectiveness of pantothenate, panthetine, antioxidants (vitamin E and omega 3) and mitochondrial function boosting supplements (L-carnitine and thiamine) in mutant PANK2 cells with residual expression levels. [Results]: Commercial supplements, pantothenate, pantethine, vitamin E, omega 3, carnitine and thiamine were able to eliminate iron accumulation, increase PANK2, mtACP, and NFS1 expression levels and improve pathological alterations in mutant cells with residual PANK2 expression levels. [Conclusion]: Our results suggest that several commercial compounds are indeed able to significantly correct the mutant phenotype in cellular models of PKAN. These compounds alone or in combinations are of common use in clinical practice and may be useful for the treatment of PKAN patients with residual enzyme expression levels.This work was supported by FIS PI16/00786 and PI19/00377 grants, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER-Unión Europea), Proyectos de Investigación de Excelencia de la Junta de Andalucía CTS-5725 and PY18-850

Pantothenate and L-Carnitine supplementation improves pathological alterations in cellular models of KAT6A syndrome

Mutations in several genes involved in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression have been considered risk alterations to different intellectual disability (ID) syndromes associated with features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Among them are the pathogenic variants of the lysine-acetyltransferase 6A (KAT6A) gene, which causes KAT6A syndrome. The KAT6A enzyme participates in a wide range of critical cellular functions, such as chromatin remodeling, gene expression, protein synthesis, cell metabolism, and replication. In this manuscript, we examined the pathophysiological alterations in fibroblasts derived from three patients harboring KAT6A mutations. We addressed survival in a stress medium, histone acetylation, protein expression patterns, and transcriptome analysis, as well as cell bioenergetics. In addition, we evaluated the therapeutic effectiveness of epigenetic modulators and mitochondrial boosting agents, such as pantothenate and L-carnitine, in correcting the mutant phenotype. Pantothenate and L-carnitine treatment increased histone acetylation and partially corrected protein and transcriptomic expression patterns in mutant KAT6A cells. Furthermore, the cell bioenergetics of mutant cells was significantly improved. Our results suggest that pantothenate and L-carnitine can significantly improve the mutant phenotype in cellular models of KAT6A syndrome.This research was funded by FIS PI16/00786 (2016) and FIS PI19/00377 (2019) grants, the Ministerio de Sanidad, Spain, and the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER Unión Europea), Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport. This activity has been co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and by the Regional Ministry of Economic Transformation, Industry, Knowledge and Universities of the Junta de Andalucía, within the framework of the ERDF Andalusia operational program 2014–2020 Thematic objective “01-Reinforcement of research, technological development and innovation” through the reference research project CTS-5725 and PY18-850.Peer reviewe