Detection of neuronal signatures by means of data-driven tomography

Abstracts from Twenty Second Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting: CNS*2013. Paris, France. 13-18 July 2013This work was supported by MINECO TIN2012-30883 and TIN-2010-19607

Plan de acogida para los alumnos de nuevo ingreso en el grado de Ingeniería Informática en la ESII (UCLM)

Con el propósito de facilitar la adaptación de los nuevos estudiantes a la Universidad, se ha diseñado en la Escuela Superior de Ingeniería Informática de Albacete (ESII) de la Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM) un plan de acogida. Este plan consiste en un conjunto de actividades concebidas para asentar las bases del aprendizaje en la Educación Superior, en especial en los estudios de Informática. Durante la primera semana del curso se realizan unas jornadas de acogida, con charlas de presentación de todos los servicios que ofrecen tanto el centro como la Universidad. También se imparten diversos talleres y seminarios. Además de estas jornadas, durante todo el curso se ofrecen actividades de apoyo y refuerzo, así como un plan de tutorías personalizadas que les acompañará durante sus estudios universitarios en este centro.SUMMARY: In order to facilitate the adaptation of new students to the University, a welcome plan is designed by our institution. This plan consists of a set of activities designed to lay the foundations for learning in Higher Education, specifically in Computer Science. During the first week of the first semester, introductory talks on the services of the School and the University are given, and several workshops and seminars are held too. In addition to these sessions, and throughout the two semesters, some support and reinforcement activities are also offered to students, and a personalized tutoring plan that will accompany them during their studies at this center.Peer Reviewe

Towards an energy efficient 10 Gb/s optical ethernet: performance analysis and viability

The new IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) standard will improve significantly the energy efficiency of 10 Gbps copper transceivers by the introduction of a sleep mode for idle transmission times. The next step towards energy saving seems to be the application of similar concepts to Optical Ethernet, both for short and long range links. To this aim, this paper starts by proposing an analytical model to estimate the energy consumption of a link that uses a sleep-mode power saving mechanism. This model can be useful to answer a number of questions that need to be carefully studied. Otherwise, the complexity of optical components could be increased for the sake of an energy saving that could turn out negligible. In the rest of the paper we analyze three key questions to try to shed some light on this design decision: (a) is the new copper EEE actually outperforming the current regular optical Ethernet in terms of energy saving in such a way that optical PHYs (transceivers) actually need a green upgrade to remain more energy efficient than their copper counterparts? (b) How much energy saving could be actually achieved by EE optical Ethernet? (c) What is the transition time required to achieve a substantial energy saving at medium traffic loads on EE 10 Gb/s optical Ethernet links? The answer to the latter question sets a concrete goal for short-term research in fast on–off laser technology.This work has been supported by a Google Research Award, by the BONE project ("Building the Future Optical Network in Europe"), a Network of Excellence funded by the European Commission through the 7th ICT-Framework Program, by the MEDIANET project and by the Spanish MCINN grants TIN2008-06739-C04-01/TSI and PR2009- 0221. The authors would also like to acknowledge the support for this work from the UC3M-CAM Greencom research grant (under code CCG10-UC3M/TIC- 5624) and TEC2008-02552-E/TEC.Publicad

Transcriptional regulation by Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 during T cell activation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Accumulating evidence suggests an important role for the enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) as an integral part of the gene expression regulatory machinery during development and in response to specific cellular signals. PARP-1 might modulate gene expression through its catalytic activity leading to poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of nuclear proteins or by its physical association with relevant proteins. Recently, we have shown that PARP-1 is activated during T cell activation. However, the proposed role of PARP-1 in reprogramming T cell gene expression upon activation remains largely unexplored.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the present study we use oligonucleotide microarray analysis to gain more insight into the role played by PARP-1 during the gene expression reprogramming that takes place in T cells upon activation with anti-CD3 stimulation alone, or in combination with anti-CD28 co-stimulation. We have identified several groups of genes with expression modulated by PARP-1. The expression of 129 early-response genes to anti-CD3 seems to be regulated by PARP-1 either in a positive (45 genes) or in a negative manner (84 genes). Likewise, in the presence of co-stimulation (anti-CD3 + anti-CD28 stimulation), the expression of 203 genes is also regulated by PARP-1 either up (173 genes) or down (30 genes). Interestingly, PARP-1 deficiency significantly alters expression of genes associated with the immune response such as chemokines and genes involved in the Th1/Th2 balance.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study provides new insights into changes in gene expression mediated by PARP-1 upon T cell activation. Pathway analysis of PARP-1 as a nuclear signalling molecule in T cells would be of relevance for the future development of new therapeutic approaches targeting PARP-1 in the acquired immune response.</p

Economic impact of improving patient safety using Sugammadex for routine reversal of neuromuscular blockade in Spain

Background: Neuromuscular blocking (NMB) agents are often administered to facilitate tracheal intubation and prevent patient movement during surgical procedures requiring the use of general anesthetics. Incomplete reversal of NMB, can lead to residual NMB, which can increase the risk of post-operative pulmonary complications. Sugammadex is indicated to reverse neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium or vecuronium in adults. The aim of this study is to estimate the clinical and economic impact of introducing sugammadex to routine reversal of neuromuscular blockade (NMB) with rocuronium in Spain. Methods: A decision analytic model was constructed reflecting a set of procedures using rocuronium that resulted in moderate or deep NMB at the end of the procedure. Two scenarios were considered for 537, 931 procedures using NMB agents in Spain in 2015: a scenario without sugammadex versus a scenario with sugammadex. Comparators included neostigmine (plus glycopyrrolate) and no reversal agent. The total costs for the healthcare system were estimated from the net of costs of reversal agents and overall cost offsets via reduction in postoperative pneumonias and atelectasis for which incidence rates were based on a Spanish real-world evidence (RWE) study. The model time horizon was assumed to be one year. Costs were expressed in 2019 euros (€) and estimated from the perspective of a healthcare system. One-way sensitivity analysis was carried out by varying each parameter included in the model within a range of +/- 50%. Results: The estimated budget impact of the introduction of sugammadex to the routine reversal of neuromuscular blockade in Spanish hospitals was a net saving of €57.1 million annually. An increase in drug acquisition costs was offset by savings in post-operative pulmonary events, including 4806 post-operative pneumonias and 13, 996 cases of atelectasis. The total cost of complications avoided was €70.4 million. All parameters included in the model were tested in sensitivity analysis and were favorable to the scenario with sugammadex. Conclusions: This economic analysis shows that sugammadex can potentially lead to cost savings for the reversal of rocuronium-induced moderate or profound NMB compared to no reversal and reversal with neostigmine in the Spanish health care setting. The economic model was based on data obtained from Spain and from assumptions from clinical practice and may not be valid for other countries

Directory of Atmospheric, Hydrographic and Biological datasets for the Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem

Environmental and biological data-sets were recovered from oceanographic surveys and other observation sources (e.g. tide gauges) since the 40s. This rescue and mining exercise was carried out in cooperation with the countries bordering the CCLME and other nations undertaking research in the region (i.e. Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Cape Verde, Spain, Norway, Germany and France). A total of 425 data-sets, 27 databases and 21 time-series sites have been identified in the area. A substantial part of them were rescued from archives supported in paper copy. Finally, a directory of meta-data referring 99 data-sets and data-bases has been published. This catalogue and the recovered data offer an exceptional opportunity for the researchers in the CCLME to study the dynamics and trends of a multiplicity of variables, and will enable them to create their own time-series, baselines and climatologies under a spatial and temporal perspective. It will produce new and valuable information on changes produced during the last 35 years in this region, going from climatic changes to shifts in species diversity and populations due to natural and human induced factors. This directory is the first result of the project “Enhancing oceanography capacities on Western Africa Countries” funded by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and coordinated by the IOC-UNESCO and the IEO. The project aims to reinforce transboundary cooperation in the CCLME and to facilitate access and data flow to existing scientific information and its utilization by the scientists, politicians, industry and civil society.http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0023/002314/231430E.pd

Environmental heterogeneity modulates the effect of plant diversity on the spatial variability of grassland biomass

Plant productivity varies due to environmental heterogeneity, and theory suggests that plant diversity can reduce this variation. While there is strong evidence of diversity effects on temporal variability of productivity, whether this mechanism extends to variability across space remains elusive. Here we determine the relationship between plant diversity and spatial variability of productivity in 83 grasslands, and quantify the effect of experimentally increased spatial heterogeneity in environmental conditions on this relationship. We found that communities with higher plant species richness (alpha and gamma diversity) have lower spatial variability of productivity as reduced abundance of some species can be compensated for by increased abundance of other species. In contrast, high species dissimilarity among local communities (beta diversity) is positively associated with spatial variability of productivity, suggesting that changes in species composition can scale up to affect productivity. Experimentally increased spatial environmental heterogeneity weakens the effect of plant alpha and gamma diversity, and reveals that beta diversity can simultaneously decrease and increase spatial variability of productivity. Our findings unveil the generality of the diversity-stability theory across space, and suggest that reduced local diversity and biotic homogenization can affect the spatial reliability of key ecosystem functions.EEA Santa CruzFil: Daleo, Pedro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC); Argentina.Fil: Alberti, Juan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC); Argentina.Fil: Chaneton, Enrique J. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía; Argentina.Fil: Chaneton, Enrique J. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura (IFEVA); Argentina.Fil: Iribarne, Oscar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC); Argentina.Fil: Tognetti, Pedro M. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía; Argentina.Fil: Tognetti, Pedro M. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura (IFEVA); Argentina.Fil: Bakker, Jonathan D. University of Washington. School of Environmental and Forest Sciences; Estados UnidosFil: Borer, Elizabeth T. University of Minnesota. Department of Ecology, Evolution & Behavior; Estados UnidosFil: Bruschetti, Martín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC); Argentina.Fil: MacDougall, Andrew S. University of Guelph.Department of Integrative Biology; CanadáFil: Pascual, Jesús. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC); Argentina.Fil: Peri, Pablo Luis. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz; Argentina.Fil: Peri, Pablo Luis. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral; Argentina.Fil: Peri, Pablo Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Fil: Hautier, Yann. Utrecht University. Department of Biology. Ecology and Biodiversity Group; Países Bajo

Charge Transport in Trap-Sensitized Infrared PbS Quantum-Dot-Based Photoconductors: Pros and Cons

Control of quantum-dot (QD) surface chemistry offers a direct approach for the tuning of charge-carrier dynamics in photoconductors based on strongly coupled QD solids. We investigate the effects of altering the surface chemistry of PbS QDs in such QD solids via ligand exchange using 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) and tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI). The roll-to-roll compatible doctor-blade technique was used for the fabrication of the QD solid films as the photoactive component in photoconductors and field-effect phototransistors. The ligand exchange of the QD solid film with MPA yields superior device performance with higher photosensitivity and detectivity, which is due to less dark current and lower noise level as compared to ligand exchange with TBAI. In both cases, the mechanism responsible for photoconductivity is related to trap sensitization of the QD solid, in which traps are responsible of high photoconductive gain values, but slow response times under very low incident optical power (100 pW), where traps are filled, both MPA- and TBAI-treated photodevices exhibit similar behavior, characterized by lower responsivity and faster response time, as limited by the mobility in the QD solid