K-means algorithms for functional data

Cluster analysis of functional data considers that the objects on which you want to perform a taxonomy are functions f : X e Rp ↦R and the available information about each object is a sample in a finite set of points f ¼ fðx ; y ÞA X x Rgn . The aim is to infer the meaningful groups by working explicitly with its infinite-dimensional nature. In this paper the use of K-means algorithms to solve this problem is analysed. A comparative study of three K-means algorithms has been conducted. The K-means algorithm for raw data, a kernel K-means algorithm for raw data and a K-means algorithm using two distances for functional data are tested. These distances, called dVn and dϕ, are based on projections onto Reproducing Kernel Hilbert Spaces (RKHS) and Tikhonov regularization theory. Although it is shown that both distances are equivalent, they lead to two different strategies to reduce the dimensionality of the data. In the case of dVn distance the most suitable strategy is Johnson–Lindenstrauss random projections. The dimensionality reduction for dϕ is based on spectral methods

A metabolite profile reveals the presence of neurodegenerative conditions according to severity of hydrocephalus

Introduction: In obstructive congenital hydrocephalus, cerebrospinal fluid accumulation is associated with high intracranial pressure (ICP), ischemia/hypoxia, metabolic impairment, neuronal damage and astrocytic reaction. The hyh mutant mice exhibit two different forms of hydrocephalus evolution: severe and moderate. A study was carried out in hyh mice to detect a metabolite profile that define the tissue response in each hydrocephalus form. Methods: Metabolites levels in brain cortex were analyzed with 1H High Resolution Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H HR-MAS) spectroscopy. The study was complemented with ICP recording and histopathological analysis. Results: Mice with severe hydrocephalus were found to have higher ICP and stronger astrocytic reaction. Several metabolites including glutamate and glutamine were found to correlate with the severity of hydrocephalus. The whole metabolite profile may be explained based in differential astrocyte reactions, neurodegenerative and ischemic conditions. The glutamate transporter EAAT2 and the metabolite taurine were found as key histopathological markers for the damaged parenchyma. Conclusions: Spectroscopy allowed the detection of a metabolite profile related to intracranial pressure and hydrocephalus severity, and therefore can be useful to monitor the efficacy of experimental therapies. Supported by Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech, and PI15/0619 (ISCIII/FEDER).Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. Supported by Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech, and PI15/0619 (ISCIII/FEDER)

Long-time effects of an experimental therapy with mesenchymal stem cells in congenital hydrocephalus

Introduction: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) are a potential therapeutic tool due to their ability for migrating and producing neuroprotector factors when they are transplanted in other neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, some investigations have shown that BM-MSC are able to modulate astrocyte activation and neuroprotector factor production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-time effects of a BM-MSC experimental therapy in the hyh mouse model of congenital hydrocephalus. Methods: BM-MSC were characterized in vitro and then transplanted into the ventricles of young hydrocephalic hyh mice, before they develop the severe hydrocephalus. Non-hydrocephalic normal mice (wt) and hydrocephalic hyh mice sham-injected (sterile saline serum) were used as controls. Samples were studied by analyzing and comparing mRNA, protein level expressions and immunoreaction related with the progression and severity of hydrocephalus. Results: Fourteen days after transplantation, hydrocephalic hyh mice with BM-MSC showed lower ventriculomegaly. In these animals, BM-MSC were found undifferentiated and spread into the periventricular astrocyte reaction. There, BM-MSC were detected producing several neuroprotector factors (BDNF, GDNF, NGF, VEGF), in the same way as reactive astrocytes. Total neocortical levels of NGF, TGF-β and VEGF were found increased in hydrocephalic hyh mice transplanted with BM-MSC. Furthermore, astrocytes showed increased expressions of aquaporin-4 (water channel protein) and Slit-2 (neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory molecule). Conclusions: BM-MSC seem to lead to recovery of the severe neurodegenerative conditions associated to congenital hydrocephalus mediated by reactive astrocytes.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. PI15/0619 (ISCIII/FEDER

Intellectual engagements of accounting academics: The ‘forecasted losses' intervention

This paper explores the social and political potential of accounting scholarship, presenting and discussing an intellectual intervention challenging a legislative reform that significantly affected Spanish industrial relations. In this reform, an accounting artifact (forecasted losses) played an unexpected role and was misrepresented, prompting a sizeable number of scholars to sign two manifestos in 2010 and 2012 against the use of forecasted losses made by the new legislation. As promoters of this manifesto, we perform in this paper a collaborative autoethnography to reflect on the context, events, reactions, and significance of this intervention for both the academic and the industrial relations fields. We mobilize Pierre Bourdieu’s ideas on the public intellectual to think more generally about academic engagements in the interplay between accounting, policymaking, and social issues. This intervention illustrates the different manners in which administrative and economic powers interfered in the Spanish accounting academic field, limiting the disposition of Spanish scholars to engage in public debates. We also interpret our engagement as mobilizing intellectual capital to expose how the notion of forecasted losses was used to produce a form of symbolic violence and how this capital is more effective as it produces messages addressed to the producers, i.e., policymakers and the judicature in this specific case.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, FEDER and Consejería de Educación, Junta de Castilla y León (Grants RTI2018-099920-B-I00 and BU058P17)

Helicobacter pylori Is Present at Quantifiable Levels in Raw Vegetables in the Mediterranean Area of Spain

[EN] Vegetables are one of the main foodstuffs consumed in the Mediterranean diet. However, raw vegetables have been associated with relevant foodborne outbreaks worldwide. Accurate knowledge of the microbiological quantitative risks associated with these matrices is crucial in order to define effective control measures, avoiding the survival and dissemination of foodborne pathogens through the different food chain stages. The aim of the present study is the assessment of the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (a unique carcinogenic biological agent recognized to date) on leafy vegetables (spinach, lettuce, and chard) by means of the detection of the specific pathogenicity vacA gene. A real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) optimized approach was used to detect H. pylori-positive samples and the concentration of this pathogen (with a limit of detection equal to 10 cells). One hundred raw vegetable samples were acquired in markets corresponding to the Spanish Mediterranean area. Sliced vegetable leaves were homogenized and centrifuged, and DNA was extracted from the homogenates. qPCR results confirmed 20 out of 100 H. pylori-positive samples, with melting temperature (T-m) values in the range of 84.8-86.5 degrees C (T-m vacA H. pylori = 85 degrees C). Amplicons were cut, purified, and sequenced to confirm the homology with the H. pylori vacA gene. A total of 17 out of 100 vegetable samples (12/45 (26.6%) lettuce, 2/21 (9.5%) spinach, and 3/34 (8.8%) chard samples) were finally confirmed as H. pylori-positive. Contamination levels were in the range of 1.5 +/- 0.3 to 2.5 +/- 0.1 log(10) cycles (36-335 CFU/g leafy vegetables). Our results show that H. pylori is detected by qPCR at levels close to infectious doses in fresh vegetables, thus posing a food safety hazard.This research was funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion, Spain, grant number PID2019-105691RB-I00. M. Garcia-Ferrus is the recipient of a PEJ2018-003746A grant from Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad, Spain. Prof. Pina-Perez is also grateful to the GVA202/031 grant project.García-Ferrús, M.; González Pellicer, A.; Pina-Pérez, MC.; Ferrús Pérez, MA. (2022). Helicobacter pylori Is Present at Quantifiable Levels in Raw Vegetables in the Mediterranean Area of Spain. Agriculture. 12(3):1-7. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture120303391712

Inhibition of VEGF-Induced VEGFR-2 Activation and HUVEC Migration by Melatonin and Other Bioactive Indolic Compounds

Excessive concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) trigger angiogenesis, which causes complications such as the destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques and increased growth of tumors. This work focuses on the determination of the inhibitory activity of melatonin and other indolic related compounds on VEGF-induced VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) activation and an approximation to the molecular mechanism underlying the inhibition. Quantification of phosphorylated VEGFR-2 was measured by ELISA. Migration wound-healing assay was used to determine cell migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). This is the first time that melatonin, 3-indolacetic acid, 5-hydroxytryptophol, and serotonin are proved to significantly inhibit VEGF-induced VEGFR-2 activation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and subsequent angiogenesis. 3-Indolacetic acid showed the highest inhibitory effect (IC50 value of 0.9704 mM), followed by 5-hydroxytryptophol (35% of inhibition at 0.1 mM), melatonin (30% of inhibition at 1 mM), and serotonin (24% of inhibition at 1 mM). An approximation to the molecular mechanism of the inhibition has been proposed, suggesting that indolic compounds might interact with the cell surface components of the endothelial membrane in a way that prevents VEGF from activating the receptor. Additionally, wound-healing assay revealed that exposure of HUVECs to melatonin and 3-indolacetic acid in the presence of VEGF significantly inhibited cell migration by 87% and 99%, respectively, after 24 h. These data demonstrate that melatonin, 3-indolacetic acid, 5-hydroxytryptophol, and serotonin would be good molecules for future exploitation as anti-VEGF signaling agents.España, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación AGL2013-47300-C3-2-

La creación artística en adolescentes con altas capacidades y el uso integrado de los dispositivos móviles

Este estudio de investigación participa de un proceso comunicativo y colaborativo entre los protagonistas de este estudio, alumnos de altas capacidades, y otros agentes implicados: padres, docentes universitarios, profesores de educación primaria y secundaria, coordinadores de mentorías universitarias, y expertos de la Junta de Andalucía y la Universidad de Cádiz. La superdotación, concepto utilizado por primera vez en 1972 por Whipple, con intención de nombrar a los niños con una capacidad superior a lo normal y las teorías que han desarrollado este modelo, han mostrado el abanico de características y rasgos que presentan los aprendizajes de estas personas y su interacción entre ellas. Las más destacadas, a juicio de la comunidad científica, serían: habilidad general y/o habilidad específica por encima de la media poblacional; altos niveles de compromiso con la tarea y de creatividad. La investigación se ha llevado a cabo con 13 jóvenes adolescentes con edades entre 8 y 16 años; representa una actividad planificada y guiada por propósitos y fines determinados por el tiempo y el espacio con la intención de entender las realidades que se estudian caracterizadas por los intercambios e interacciones de los protagonistas, alumnos y alumnas de altas capacidades. La metodología utilizada ha sido cualitativa, de tipo observacional y descriptiva basada en el estudio de procesos creativos interdisciplinares y su praxis. Hemos conseguido acercarnos a la realidad social de estos niños, escuchar, interpretar y comprender sus vivencias, formas de actuar, decisiones, dificultades, opiniones y entender sus experiencias tal como se producen en el contexto

Del teléfono inteligente al usuario inconsciente

Más allá del teléfono como dispositivo tecnológico multifunción y su gran potencial, su utilización tiene una inevitable incidencia en la vida del usuario. A través de una bibliografía de carácter interdisciplinar, sin olvidar un enfoque antropológico y filosófico, nos detenemos en las consecuencias del manejo de las TIC y del smartphone, en un problema psicosocial como sería el FOMO, y en la vulnerabilidad y la inconsciencia del usuario, como situaciones a paliar o revertir, en un contexto y época particularmente complicado, en el que se agudizan algunos diagnósticos realizados por pensadores y estudiosos en el siglo XX. Las TIC e Internet en general, y los smartphone y las redes sociales en particular, resultan ser mucho más que meros soportes. Nos fijaremos en algunas de sus enormes repercusiones. Se revela cómo el comportamiento del usuario, muchas veces inconsciente, antes de serle enteramente imputable, es resultado de una estrategia predefinida por ingenieros y diseñadores de las compañías tecnológicas, que estudian y explotan el conocimiento del comportamiento humano para promover y afianzar al máximo el uso del smartphone o de las redes sociales. Por tanto, no resulta extraña la coincidencia con los estudios realizados a posteriori, que reflejan el resultado exitoso de las pretensiones y los estudios utilizados previamente al desarrollo de TIC y de software por parte de sus diseñadores y comercializadores. El progreso hacia mayores cotas de consciencia y responsabilización por parte de los usuarios pasa por la información y la asunción de las dificultades del contexto cultural