Testing digital circuits: studying the increment of the number of states and estimating the fault coverage

Testing of digital circuits is very important

Estudio para la mejora de la calidad en el diseño de clases prácticas aplicadas a la asignatura “Historia del Turismo”

Establecimiento una red de contactos con los profesores especializados en historia del turismo en las universidades españolas con el fin de contrastar las diferentes prácticas desarrolladas en clase para incorporarlas a los próximos cursos

Valorization of Microalgae and Energy Resources

Microalgae biotechnology has grown very rapidly in the last few decades due to the multiple applications that these microorganisms have from pharmaceuticals and cosmetics to foods/feeds and biofuels. One of the main challenges in expanding this industry is to enlarge the single use of the biomass produced in addition to reducing the high biomass production cost of the current technologies. To overcome this bottleneck, the development of microalgae-based biorefineries has been proposed. The issue is to obtain as many bioproducts as possible from the cultivated biomass, including biofuels. Consequently, biodiesel production (from the lipid fraction), bioethanol (from carbohydrate fraction), and biogas or bio-oil (from the whole biomass) have been posited. In this book chapter, we review the current state of the art in the production of sustainable biofuels from microalgae and analyze the potential of microalgae to contribute to the biofuel sector

A Software Engineering Experiments to value MDE in testing. Learning Lessons

Controlled experiments are commonly used to evaluate Software Engineering methods, processes and tools. Validating results of Software Engineering re search in industrial settings is a direct way to obtain feedback about its value. However, few software engineering experiments are running in industry. The lack of communication between companies and research teams does not make the necessary cooperation among them possible. This paper presents our experi ences when running an experiment dealing with Early Testing at the University of Seville. It also introduces the strategy we followed to obtain the participation of 97 practitioners from 32 different software companies. Such strategy is pointed out as a set of guidelines to successfully involve this large number of companies and practitioners.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad TIN2013-46928-C3-3-RMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad TIN2015-71938-RED

Pharmacogenomics of prostaglandin and leukotriene receptors

Los antecedentes genéticos individuales junto con los efectos ambientales se cree que están detrás de muchas enfermedades complejas. Una serie de variantes genéticas, principalmente los SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms), han demostrado estar asociados con diferentes patologías y afecciones inflamatorias, que representan potenciales dianas terapéuticas. Las prostaglandinas (PTGs) y leucotrienos (LTs) son eicosanoides derivados del ácido araquidónico y relacionados con ácidos grasos poliinsaturados participan tanto en la homeostasis normal y en condiciones inflamatorias. Estos mediadores lípidos bioactivos son sintetizados a través de dos grandes vías enzimáticas multipaso: PTGs por la ciclooxigenasa y la lipooxigenasa DE 5 LTS. Los principales efectos fisiológicos de PTGs incluyen vasodilatación y la fuga vascular (PTGE2); la maduración de los mastocitos, eosinófilos, y reacciones alérgicas (PTGD2); vascular y la contracción del músculo liso de las vías respiratorias (PTGF2), e inhibición de la agregación plaquetaria (PTGI2). LTB4 está principalmente involucrado en el reclutamiento de los neutrófilos, fuga vascular y en la función de la barrera epitelial, mientras que cisteinil LTs (CysLTs) (LTC4, LTD4 y LTE4) inducen la broncoconstricción y extravasación de neutrófilos, y también participar en la fuga vascular. PTGs y LTs ejercen sus funciones biológicas mediante su unión a receptores afines, que pertenecen a las siete transmembranas acopladas a proteínas G, la superfamilia de receptores. Los SNPs en genes que codifican estos receptores pueden influir en su funcionalidad, ya que tienen un papel en la susceptibilidad a las enfermedades y la respuesta al tratamiento de los medicamentos. En esta revisión resumimos los SNPs en PTGs y receptores de LTs y su relevancia en enfermedades humanas. También ofrecemos información sobre la expresión génica. Por último, podemos especular sobre la dirección futura de este tema.Individual genetic background together with environmental effects are thought to be behind many human complex diseases. A number of genetic variants, mainly single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), have been shown to be associated with various pathological and inflammatory conditions, representing potential therapeutic targets. Prostaglandins (PTGs) and leukotrienes (LTs) are eicosanoids derived from arachidonic acid and related polyunsaturated fatty acids that participate in both normal homeostasis and inflammatory conditions. These bioactive lipid mediators are synthesized through two major multistep enzymatic pathways: PTGs by cyclooxygenase and LTs by 5-lipoxygenase. The main physiological effects of PTGs include vasodilation and vascular leakage (PTGE2); mast cell maturation, eosinophil recruitment, and allergic responses (PTGD2); vascular and respiratory smooth muscle contraction (PTGF2), and inhibition of platelet aggregation (PTGI2). LTB4 is mainly involved in neutrophil recruitment, vascular leakage, and epithelial barrier function, whereas cysteinyl LTs (CysLTs) (LTC4, LTD4, and LTE4) induce bronchoconstriction and neutrophil extravasation, and also participate in vascular leakage. PTGs and LTs exert their biological functions by binding to cognate receptors, which belong to the seven transmembrane, G protein-coupled receptor superfamily. SNPs in genes encoding these receptors may influence their functionality and have a role in disease susceptibility and drug treatment response. In this review we summarize SNPs in PTGs and LTs receptors and their relevance in human diseases. We also provide information on gene expression. Finally, we speculate on future directions for this topic.Trabajo patrocinado por: Programa Miguel Servet. Ref CP14/00034, para José Antonio Cornejo García Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad y Instituto Nacional de Salud Carlos III y Fondos FEDER. Programa Sara Borrell. Ref. CD14/00242, para James R. Perkins Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad e Instituto Nacional de Salud Carlos III y Fondos FEDER. Becas FISPI12/02247, FISPI13/02598 y FISPI15/00726 Servicio Público de Salud de Andalucía. Beca PI-0279-2012 Junta de Extremadura y Fondos FEDER. Beca GR15026peerReviewe

Effects of MSC coadministration and route of delivery on cord blood hematopoietic stem cell engraftment

Licencia Creative Commons Reconocimiento-No comercial.-- et al.Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) using umbilical cord blood (UCB) progenitors is increasingly being used. One of the problems that may arise after UCB transplantation is an impaired engraftment. Either intrabone (IB) injection of hematopoietic progenitors or mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) coadministration has been proposed among the strategies to improve engraftment. In the current study, we have assessed the effects of both approaches. Thus, NOD/SCID recipients were transplanted with human UCB CD34+ cells administered either intravenously (IV) or IB, receiving or not bone marrow (BM)-derived MSCs also IV or IB (in the right femur). Human HSC engraftment was measured 3 and 6 weeks after transplantation. Injected MSCs were tracked weekly by bioluminescence. Also, lodgment within the BM niche was assessed at the latter time point by immunofluorescence. Our study shows regarding HSC engraftment that the number of BM human CD45+ cells detected 3 weeks after transplantation was significantly higher in mice cotransplanted with human MSCs. Moreover, these mice had a higher myeloid (CD13+) engraftment and a faster B-cell (CD19+) chimerism. At the late time point evaluated (6 weeks), human engraftment was higher in the group in which both strategies were employed (IB injection of HSC and MSC coadministration). When assessing human MSC administration route, we were able to track MSCs only in the injected femurs, whereas they lost their signal in the contralateral bones. These human MSCs were mainly located around blood vessels in the subendosteal region. In summary, our study shows that MSC coadministration can enhance HSC engraftment in our xenogenic transplantation model, as well as IB administration of the CD34+ cells does. The combination of both strategies seems to be synergistic. Interestingly, MSCs were detected only where they were IB injected contributing to the vascular niche.This study was supported in part by a grant from Gerencia Regional de Salud de Castilla y León (ref. GRS/222/A/08) and by a grant from Consejería de Educación de la Junta de Castilla y León (ref. HUS003A10-2). S.C. was supported by Junta de Castilla y Leon (FPI grant EDU/1878/2006).Peer Reviewe

Reasons for abandoning early exclusive breastfeeding: an unsolved public health problem in Medellín

ABSTRACT: To identify the reasons for the early abandonment of exclusive breastfeeding in the city of Medellin in 2011. Methodology: a descriptive study with a 95% confidence interval and a sample of 303 mothers with children under 24 months. These participants were enrolled in one of the social programs of the municipality of Medellin and had abandoned exclusive breastfeeding before the children were six months old. A structured survey was used to collect information regarding the mothers, their children, and the reasons for abandoning early breastfeeding. Frequencies and percentages were described and an assessment was performed to see if motives and age were associated with the abandonment of exclusive breastfeeding. Results: early abandonment occurred mainly before the child was four months old. The main reasons were related to milk production problems, baby rejection, the mother’s activities or occupations, and her health status. Additionally, the participants reported the use of infant formulas as substitutes or supplements to breast milk. Conclusions: the reasons for early abandonment of breastfeeding have changed; this is why mothers must have the knowledge needed to increase breast milk production, the assistance of qualified personnel, and the working conditions allowing them to attend to these needs.RESUMEN: Identificar los motivos del abandono temprano de la lactancia materna exclusiva en la ciudad de Medellín en el año 2011. Metodología: se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal con una confianza del 95% para una muestra de 303 madres con hijos menores de 24 meses, inscritos en uno de los programas sociales de la alcaldía de Medellín que habían abandonado la lactancia materna exclusiva antes de los seis meses. Se aplicó una encuesta estructurada sobre las madres, sus hijos, los motivos para el abandono temprano y los alimentos introducidos. Se describieron frecuencias y evaluaron asociaciones con los motivos y edad de abandono de la lactancia materna exclusiva. Resultados: el abandono temprano ocurrió principalmente antes de los cuatro meses de edad del niño(a). Los principales motivos estuvieron relacionados con problemas para la producción láctea, rechazo del bebé, actividades u ocupaciones de la madre y el estado de salud. Los alimentos reportados como reemplazo o complementarios a la leche materna, fueron principalmente fórmulas infantiles. Conclusiones: los motivos de abandono temprano han cambiado, porque ahora es clave que la madre tenga el conocimiento necesario para aumentar la producción de leche materna, la orientación por parte de personal entrenado y que le brinden a esta las condiciones laborales que se lo permitan