Design of an embedded speech-centric interface for applications in handheld terminals

The embedded speech-centric interface for handheld wireless devices has been implemented on a commercially available PDA as a part of an application that allows real-time access to stock prices through GPRS. In this article, we have focused mainly in the optimization of the ASR subsystem for minimizing the use of the handheld computational resources. This optimization has been accomplished through the fixed-point implementation of all the algorithms involved in the ASR subsystem and the use of PCA to reduce the feature vector dimensionality. The influence of several parameters, such as the Qn resolution in the fixed-point implementation and the number of PCA components retained, have been studied and evaluated in the ASR subsystem, obtaining word recognition rates of around 96% for the best configuration. Finally, a field evaluation of the system has been performed showing that our design of the speech centric interface achieved good results in a real-life scenario.This work was supported in part by the Spanish Government grants TSI-020110-2009-103, IPT-120000-2010-24, and TEC2011-26807 and the Spanish Regional grant CCG08-UC3M/TIC-4457

Highly graphitic Fe-doped carbon xerogels as dual-functional electro-Fenton catalysts for the degradation of tetracycline in wastewater

Fe-doped carbon xerogels with a highly developed graphitic structure were synthesized by a one-step sol-gel polymerization. These highly graphitic Fe-doped carbons are presented as promising dual-functional electro-Fenton catalysts to perform both the electro-reduction of O2 to H2O2 and H2O2 catalytic decomposition (Fenton) for wastewater decontamination. The amount of Fe is key to the development of this electrode material, since affects the textural properties; catalyzes the development of graphitic clusters improving the electrode conductivity; and influences the O2-catalyst interaction controlling the H2O2 selectivity but, at the same time is the catalyst for the decomposition of the electrogenerated H2O2 to OH• radicals for the organic pollutants oxidation. All materials achieve the development of ORR via the 2-electron route. The presence of Fe considerably improves the electro-catalytic activity. However, a mechanism change seems to occur at around −0.5 V in highly Fe-doped samples. At potential lower than −0.5 eV, the present of Feδ+ species or even Fe–O–C active sites favour the selectivity to 2e-pathway, however at higher potentials, Feδ+ species are reduced favoring a O–O strong interaction enhancing the 4e-pathway. The Electro-Fenton degradation of tetracycline was analyzed. The TTC degradation is almost complete (95.13%) after 7 h of reaction without using any external Fenton-catalysts.Grupo RNM-172Universidad de Granada / CBUAMCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/ y "ERDF A way of making Europe” (PID2021-127803OB-I00)Junta de Andalucía (P18-RTJ-2974 y B. RNM.566. UGR20

Uncovering genetic causes of hypophosphatemia

Background Chronic hypophosphatemia can result from a variety of acquired disorders, such as malnutrition, intestinal malabsorption, hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, excess alcohol intake, some drugs, or organ transplantation. Genetic disorders can be a cause of persistent hypophosphatemia, although they are less recognized. We aimed to better understand the prevalence of genetic hypophosphatemia in the population. Methods By combining retrospective and prospective strategies, we searched the laboratory database of 815,828 phosphorus analyses and included patients 17?55 years old with low serum phosphorus. We reviewed the charts of 1287 outpatients with at least 1 phosphorus result ?2.2 mg/dL. After ruling out clear secondary causes, 109 patients underwent further clinical and analytical studies. Among them, we confirmed hypophosphatemia in 39 patients. After excluding other evident secondary causes, such as primary hyperparathyroidism and vitamin D deficiency, we performed a molecular analysis in 42 patients by sequencing the exonic and flanking intronic regions of a panel of genes related to rickets or hypophosphatemia (CLCN5, CYP27B1, dentin matrix acidic phosphoprotein 1, ENPP1, FAM20C, FGFR1, FGF23, GNAS, PHEX, SLC34A3, and VDR). Results We identified 14 index patients with hypophosphatemia and variants in genes related to phosphate metabolism. The phenotype of most patients was mild, but two patients with X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) due to novel PHEX mutations had marked skeletal abnormalities. Conclusion Genetic causes should be considered in children, but also in adult patients with hypophosphatemia of unknown origin. Our data are consistent with the conception that XLH is the most common cause of genetic hypophosphatemia with an overt musculoskeletal phenotype

Método sensible para monitorizar la migración de las células madre mesenquimales de la médula ósea en modelos murinos

Resumen: Objetivo: Las células madre mesenquimales (MSCs) son atractivas en la terapia regenerativa de patologías humanas. En los modelos murinos, en los que se trasplantan MSCs humanas, es muy importante poder distinguir el origen de las MSCs identificadas en los órganos de ratones. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el rendimiento del análisis basado en PCR de secuencias Alu humanas para detectar ADN humano después de la infusión de células madre de médula ósea humana (hBMSCs) en ratones inmunodeficientes. Material y método: Las hBMSCs se obtuvieron de la cabeza femoral de pacientes sometidos a cirugía de reemplazo de cadera. Se infundieron 106 hBMSCs por vía intravenosa mediante inyección en el seno retro‐orbitario de ratones NOD/SCID. Después se evaluó la presencia de ADN humano en pulmón, hígado y hueso. Resultados: En mezclas de ADN in vitro, el ADN humano se detectó fácilmente con una buena relación logarítmica‐lineal. De manera similar, cuando se mezclaron osteoblastos humanos y de ratón, se detectaron fácilmente 1‐10 células humanas entre 105 células de ratón. Asimismo, se detectó el ADN humano en los pulmones 1 y 7 días después de las infusiones celulares en ratones NOD/SCID. Sin embargo, el ADN humano se detectó de manera inconsistente en el hígado y los huesos. Conclusión: La detección de secuencias Alu es un procedimiento eficaz para detectar ADN humano. Los resultados confirman que la mayoría de las hBMSCs inyectadas por vía intravenosa quedan atrapadas en los pulmones. Por lo tanto, de cara al tratamiento de trastornos esqueléticos, se necesitan procedimientos para aumentar la migración de dichas células al hueso

A new teaching strategy to teach microbiology through its history

Ante el nuevo reto de la implantación del Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior los métodos de estudio deben adaptarse y servirse de herramientas innovadoras. Una buena estrategia para comprender una ciencia, su metodología y objetivos, es conocer su historia. Esta estrategia se hace especialmente útil en el caso de la Microbiología por ser una disciplina joven, que se ha cimentado precisamente en la metodología que sus creadores han ido elaborando. El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido crear una herramienta de utilidad en el aprendizaje de la Microbiología. Para ello hemos tomado como punto de apoyo su historia, es decir, explicar la Microbiología mediante la descripción de los descubrimientos y hechos que contribuyeron al desarrollo de esta ciencia. Para ello se ha creado una página web con dos aplicaciones independientes que operan sobre una base de datos común. 1. La primera de carácter público para los alumnos aunque con posibilidad de acceso restringido; se pueden consultar los contenidos sin posibilidad de alterarlos. 2. La otra aplicación es privada, los profesores pueden administrar los contenidos, y hacer uso de diferentes herramientas que facilitan la gestión de los mismos.In the light of the challenge presented by the European Higher Education Area, study strategies will have to adapt themselves and take advantage of innovative tools provided by modern information technology. One good way of understanding a science, its methodology and objectives is by taking an interest in its history. This approach is especially useful with regard to Microbiology, which is a fairly young discipline founded upon and made cohesive by the methods devised and constantly elaborated on by its designers. The aim of this work has been to offer guidance towards learning Microbiology. To this end we have chosen as our starting point, and indeed one of the keystones of our approach, the history of the subject itself; that is to say, an explanation of Microbiology via a description of the discoveries and milestones that have contributed to the development of this science. Thus we have set up a web page with two separate applications operating on one common database. 1. The first is openly available to the students, although allowing the possibility of restricted access. Its contents may be consulted but not altered. 2. The second is accessible only by lecturers, who may administer its contents and resort to different tools to facilitate the management of the information available on the site

Medicago sativa L.: mejora y nuevos aspectos de su valor nutritivo y funcional por co-inoculación bacteriana

Objective: to study the effect of co-inoculation with Ensifer meliloti and Halomonas maura of the leguminous Medicago sativa L., on growth, nutritional and functional value, grown under salinity conditions. Methods: plants of M. sativa were grown in a solution with a mixture of salts (CaSO4, MgCl, NaCl and NaHCO 3) and were co-inoculated with its specific rhizobium and the halophilic moderated bacterium H. maura. Different physiologic parameters were determined, as well as, nitrogen and minerals content. Furthermore, an assay of in vitro digestibility was carried out. Results: salinity had a negative effect on the plants; however, co-inoculation increased yield, nitrogen content, total minerals, Ca and Mg. Moreover, physiologic parameters as water potential and leghemoglobin content in fresh nodules were higher compared to those of plants inoculated only with E. meliloti. Both, salinity and bacterial treatment with E. meliloti and H. maura increased the antioxidant capacity of the legume, in dialyzates and retentates collected after an in vitro digestibility assay. Conclusion: co-inoculation of plants with E. meliloti and H. maura could improve the alfalfa yield under specific salinity conditions, increasing the nutritional and functional value of the plants. M. sativa could be considered in the formulations of nutritional supplements for the human diet.Este trabajo forma parte de la Tesis Doctoral de Rosario Martínez y ha sido financiado por European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) y cofinanciado por los proyectos P07-AGR-2704 y RNM-4746 de la Junta de Andalucía (España). Queremos agradecer a los grupos AGR-145 y BIO-275 así como al Profesor José Aguilar su ayuda

Salud escolar en tiempos de Covid

El regreso a los centros educativos tras los meses de confinamiento por la pandemia de COVID-19 ha supuesto un reto para todos los países del mundo. En el caso de Europa, y concretamente España, la vuelta a las aulas ha sido un proceso complejo en el que el papel de la enfermera escolar ha sido fundamental. El objetivo del proyecto es analizar el impacto de la pandemia sobre los estudiantes de todos los niveles, así como las dificultades más relevantes encontradas en la incorporación a la educación y el papel de la enfermera en ello. Los resultados detallan los problemas más prevalentes a nivel sanitario, socioeconómico y legislativo que han surgido a raíz de la pandemia a nivel europeo, estatal y comunitario en el caso de la Comunidad de Madrid y desarrollan la labor fundamental de las enfermeras escolares en el cumplimiento de los protocolos elaborados para la reincorporación de los estudiantes a la educación semi-presencial. En las conclusiones se recogen las principales consecuencias sobre la salud bio-psico-social de los estudiantes de todos los niveles a raíz de la pandemia, la repercusión que tuvo sobre su educación, el cambio a la modalidad virtual durante el confinamiento iniciado en el mes de marzo y la posterior adaptación al sistema semi-presencial, donde uno de los protagonistas es la enfermera escolar. Su labor se basa en asegurar el cumplimiento de los protocolos y medidas de protección instauradas en todos los centros educativos y velar por la seguridad de todas las personas implicadas.Coming back to schools after months of lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge for all countries in the world. In the case of Europe, and specifically Spain, the return to the classroom has been a complex process in which the role of the school nurse has been key. The aim of the project is to analyse the impact of the pandemic on students at all levels, as well as the most relevant difficulties encountered in the incorporation into education and the role of the nurse in this. The results detail the most prevalent problems at a health, socio-economic and legislative level that have arisen as a result of the pandemic at a European, Spanish and regional level in the case of the Community of Madrid and develop the fundamental work of school nurses in the fulfilment of the protocols drawn up for the reincorporation of students into semi-attendance education. The conclusions include the main consequences on the bio-psycho-social health of students at all levels as a result of the pandemic, the impact on their education of the change to the virtual modality during the confinement that began in March and the subsequent adaptation to the blended learning system, where one of the protagonists is the school nurse. Their work is based on ensuring compliance with the protocols and protective measures established in all educational centres and ensuring the safety of all those involved

GEODIVULGAR: Geología y Sociedad

Fac. de Ciencias GeológicasFALSEsubmitte