Azolla. other perspective

The human body elements with the exception of nitrogen are generated by natural processes, but the nitrogen is generated artificially by means of urea fertilizer used in agriculture.World Bank-ESPOL/ICQ

Anticancer Activities of Meroterpenoids Isolated from the Brown Alga Cystoseira usneoides against the Human Colon Cancer Cells HT-29

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common types of cancers and a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The current treatment for CRC mainly involves surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. However, due to the side effects and the emergence of drug resistance, the search for new anticancer agents, pharmacologically safe and effective, is needed. In the present study, we have investigated the anticancer effects of eight algal meroterpenoids (AMTs, 1-8) isolated from the brown seaweed Cystoseira usneoides and their underlying mechanisms of action using HT-29, a highly metastatic human colon cancer cell line. All the tested meroterpenoids inhibited the growth of HT-29 malignant cells and were less toxic towards non-cancer colon cells, with the AMTs 1 and 5 exhibiting selectivity indexes of 5.26 and 5.23, respectively. Treatment of HT-29 cells with the AMTs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 induced cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase and, in some instances, apoptosis (compounds 2, 3, and 5). Compounds 1-8 also exhibited significant inhibitory effects on the migration and/or invasion of colon cancer cells. Mechanistic analysis demonstrated that the AMTs 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, and 8 reduced phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and the AMTs 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8 decreased phosphorylation of c-JUN N-terminal kinase (JNK). Moreover, the AMTs 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8 inhibited phosphorylation levels of protein kinase B (AKT) in colon carcinoma cells. These results provide new insights into the mechanisms and functions of the meroterpenoids of C. usneoides, which exhibit an anticancer effect on HT-29 colon cancer cells by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via the downregulation of ERK/JNK/AKT signaling pathways

Purity of monoids and characteristic-free splittings in semigroup rings

Inspired by methods in prime characteristic in commutative algebra, we introduce and study combinatorial invariants of seminormal monoids. We relate such numbers with the singularities and homological invariants of the semigroup ring associated to the monoid. Our results are characteristic independent

VICARED: A Neural Network Based System for the Detection of Electrical Disturbances in Real Time

The study of the quality of electric power lines is usually known as Power Quality. Power quality problems are increasingly due to a proliferation of equipment that is sensitive and polluting at the same time. The detection and classification of the different disturbances which cause power quality problems is a difficult task which requires a high level of engineering knowledge. Thus, neural networks are usually a good choice for the detection and classification of these disturbances. This paper describes a powerful system for detection of electrical disturbances by means of neural networks

Local education networks for school improvement

Este estudio indaga en el funcionamiento, dilemas y controversias de centros que trabajan en redes educativas locales de forma cooperativa con el objetivo de desarrollar procesos de planificación, gestión y formación conjunta, partiendo de un trabajo colaborativo que propicie el progreso y la mejora de los centros. Para ello se utilizaron estrategias de recogida de datos tanto cualitativo como cuantitativo, cuestionarios y técnicas biográfico-narrativas a profesionales implicados en el trabajo de las redes escolares: entrevistas a asesores de zona, coordinadores de redes escolares, observaciones y grabaciones de sesiones de trabajo en grupo y cuestionarios a directores de centros y profesorado participante. Los resultados indican que el trabajo en redes escolares propicia la creación de una estructura organizativa inter-centros, el reparto de responsabilidades, aprendizajes en colaboración, el establecimiento de consenso entre los centros y el incremento de una filosofía de trabajo basada en la equidad, aprendizaje para todos y mejora escolarThis study explores the operation of, and predicaments and controversies in, schools that work together in local education networks to develop planning, management, and joint training processes based on collaborative work that fosters progress and improvement in schools. This was done using qualitative and quantitative data collection strategies, questionnaires and biographical-narrative techniques with professionals working in school networks: interviews with district advisors, education network coordinators, observations and recordings from working group sessions, and questionnaires administered mostly to school principals and teachers. The results show that working in education networks promotes the creation of an inter-school organizational structure, responsibility sharing, collaborative learning, consensus-building between schools, and an increase in a work philosophy based on equity, learning for all, and school improvemen

La colaboración en red entre profesorado de aulas específicas de autismo para promover el intercambio profesional para la inclusión educativa

Aquí se presenta un estudio de caso sobre una estrategia de aprendizaje colaborativo diseñada entre profesionales de la educación, en el ámbito específico de trabajo del autismo, para apoyar el intercambio de experien-cias académicas a través de las redes. La muestra se compone de un equipo de ocho profesoras de aulas de autismo específicas cuyo trabajo se basa en diseñar y contrastar contenidos y estrategias educativas de actuación para estos alumnos. Los resultados indican que el trabajo planificado, consen-suado y con una trayectoria común de participación continuada en el tiempo ofrece garantías para la consecución de estrategias sobre una base firme que camina hacia la calidad en educación. El grupo de trabajo ofre-ce seguridad profesional a sus participantes, favorece la consecución de objetivos comunes y evita el aislamiento profesional de los profesores en aulas específicas, ya que la comunicación en la red es la base de su trabajo.This paper presents a case study on collaborative learning designed by edu-cation processes in a specific working environment, autism, to support the exchange of academic experiences through networks. The sample comprises a team of eight teachers from autism specific classrooms whose work is based on designing and contrasting content and educational strategies for these students. The results indicate that planned, agreed work with a shared trajectory of ongoing participation offers the best possibility of establishing strategies on a firm foundation that leads to quality education. The working group offers professional security to its participants, favoring the achieve-ment of shared goals and avoids professional isolation of teachers in autism specific classrooms, since networking is the foundation of their work

Complete Assembly of the Genome of an Acidovorax citrulli Strain Reveals a Naturally Occurring Plasmid in This Species

Acidovorax citrulli is the causal agent of bacterial fruit blotch (BFB), a serious threat to cucurbit crop production worldwide. Based on genetic and phenotypic properties, A. citrulli strains are divided into two major groups: group I strains have been generally isolated from melon and other non-watermelon cucurbits, while group II strains are closely associated with watermelon. In a previous study, we reported the genome of the group I model strain, M6. At that time, the M6 genome was sequenced by MiSeq Illumina technology, with reads assembled into 139 contigs. Here, we report the assembly of the M6 genome following sequencing with PacBio technology. This approach not only allowed full assembly of the M6 genome, but it also revealed the occurrence of a ∼53 kb plasmid. The M6 plasmid, named pACM6, was further confirmed by plasmid extraction, Southern-blot analysis of restricted fragments and obtention of M6-derivative cured strains. pACM6 occurs at low copy numbers (average of ∼4.1 ± 1.3 chromosome equivalents) in A. citrulli M6 and contains 63 open reading frames (ORFs), most of which (55.6%) encoding hypothetical proteins. The plasmid contains several genes encoding type IV secretion components, and typical plasmid-borne genes involved in plasmid maintenance, replication and transfer. The plasmid also carries an operon encoding homologs of a Fic-VbhA toxin-antitoxin (TA) module. Transcriptome data from A. citrulli M6 revealed that, under the tested conditions, the genes encoding the components of this TA system are among the highest expressed genes in pACM6. Whether this TA module plays a role in pACM6 maintenance is still to be determined. Leaf infiltration and seed transmission assays revealed that, under tested conditions, the loss of pACM6 did not affect the virulence of A. citrulli M6. We also show that pACM6 or similar plasmids are present in several group I strains, but absent in all tested group II strains of A. citrulli

Student Perceptions abot the Use of Personal Computer and other Resources in the University Classroom

Este estudio se plantea como objetivo analizar la utilidad del ordenador personal en el aula por estudiantes de educación superior de la Facultad de Ciencias de Educación de Sevilla. Se ha empleado un cuestionario cualitativo y cuantitativo para la recogida de datos, diseñado y desarrollado en base a categorías: utilidad del ordenador personal/aspectos que facilitan su uso, valoración de la información, inconvenientes, otros recursos electrónicos y espacios útiles de consulta. Los resultados señalan que el ordenador personal ayuda a consultar la información de forma más rápida, facilita el trabajo, ahorra tiempo y espacio, ayuda a tomar apuntes y consultar la plataforma virtual y facilita la autonomía en las tareas.This research consider as analysis aim the usefulness personal computer in classroom for the higher students in the Faculty of Sciences of Education in Seville. Has been useful a qualitative and quantitative questionnaire for data collection. Design and develop throw categories: utility personal computer/aspects that easily their use, valuation of information, disadvantages, another electronic recourses and useful spaces for consultation. The results indicate the personal computer helps to view the information more quickly, easier the job, save time and space, help to take notes and consult the virtual platform and easier the autonomy in the tasks

The urban form in the city of Tulcán, Carchi - Ecuador

[EN] Tulcán, located north in Ecuador is the capital of the Carchi Province. It is a city especially commercial and agricultural whose urban morphology responds to historical, environmental and administrative circumstances since 1851, date on which the cantonization takes place, begins the formation of the capital city with an urban structure formed in checkerboard that welcomes the traditional nucleus of the typical city of the ecuadorian highlands. With the development of this city, isolated neighborhoods are born out of the original urban fabric that expand in the territory, following the main road connections, eventually to fill the internal space with a morphology of contrasts, as each neighborhood or new occupations are structured individually without thinking as a city of integral formation. The longitudinal growth of the city was marked from its beginning by the river Bob, to the north-west, and the river Tajamar to the south-east; that keeps the city within natural limits, which also provide certain environmental and landscape benefits; however in the last few decades the city has had a significant growth that threatens an unattended and constantly heterogeneous city, with problems and possibilities and attending to the idea that the city is an unfinished work, integral and sustainable urban regeneration is the basis for a reordering and a new urban approach. Therefore was proposed to study three strategic lines: the existing city, its internal circuits of connection and the adjacent nature. Establishing initial uses in the city, to occupy the predominant urban void and thus to activate the public space. Restructure mobility, which will strengthen the use of new peripheral road infrastructures to reduce motorized circuits in the interior, thus promoting the use of bicycles and the creation of pedestrian routes. Finally, environmental resources will again have the value of landscape and ecological wealth producing around the city a green infrastructure that contains growth and is a link of this with the countryside.Tapia, Y.; Vigil De Insausti, A.; Montaño, MD. (2018). The urban form in the city of Tulcán, Carchi - Ecuador. En 24th ISUF International Conference. Book of Papers. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 513-522. https://doi.org/10.4995/ISUF2017.2017.6268OCS51352

Random Generation of Arbitrary Waveforms for Emulating Three-Phase Systems

This paper describes an apparatus for generating a signal representative of steady-state and transient disturbances in three-phase waveforms of an ac electrical system as described in IEEE Std 1159-09. It can be configured as a synthesizer of randomly distorted signals for different applications: for testing the effects of disturbed grid on equipment and to generate patterns of electrical disturbances for the training of artificial neural networks, which are used for measuring power quality tasks. For the first purpose, voltage and current amplifiers are added in the output stage, which allows the generation of disturbed signals at grid level.Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología DPI2006-15467-C02-01Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología DPI2006-15467-C02-0