Locally linear approximation for Kernel methods : the Railway Kernel

In this paper we present a new kernel, the Railway Kernel, that works properly for general (nonlinear) classification problems, with the interesting property that acts locally as a linear kernel. In this way, we avoid potential problems due to the use of a general purpose kernel, like the RBF kernel, as the high dimension of the induced feature space. As a consequence, following our methodology the number of support vectors is much lower and, therefore, the generalization capability of the proposed kernel is higher than the obtained using RBF kernels. Experimental work is shown to support the theoretical issues.Support vector machines, Kernel Methods, Classification problems

Tourism policy in the Canary Islands : past experiences, current trends and future plans

The Canary Islands are a well-known brand in Europe, and in 2017 the number of tourist arrivals exceeded 14 million. The heavy tourist inflow in the 1990s prompted the Government of the Canary Islands to adopt a policy to protect the environment by restricting the building of new hotels. This moratorium was abolished in 2018. The paper describes the evolution of Canary Islands tourism policy in recent years and explains how the government, in cooperation with the private sector, is planning transform the Canary archipelago into a destination with distinct features, different from its competitors.peer-reviewe

A genomic approach highlights common and diverse effects and determinants of susceptibility on the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae exposed to distinct antimicrobial peptides

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The mechanism of action of antimicrobial peptides (AMP) was initially correlated with peptide membrane permeation properties. However, recent evidences indicate that action of a number of AMP is more complex and involves specific interactions at cell envelopes or with intracellular targets. In this study, a genomic approach was undertaken on the model yeast <it>Saccharomyces cerevisiae </it>to characterize the antifungal effect of two unrelated AMP.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Two differentiated peptides were used: the synthetic cell-penetrating PAF26 and the natural cytolytic melittin. Transcriptomic analyses demonstrated distinctive gene expression changes for each peptide. Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed differential expression of selected genes. Gene Ontology (GO) annotation of differential gene lists showed that the unique significant terms shared by treatment with both peptides were related to the cell wall (CW). Assays with mutants lacking CW-related genes including those of MAPK signaling pathways revealed genes having influence on sensitivity to peptides. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry demonstrated PAF26 interaction with cells and internalization that correlated with cell killing in sensitive CW-defective mutants such as Δ<it>ecm33 </it>or Δ<it>ssd1</it>. GO annotation also showed differential responses between peptides, which included ribosomal biogenesis, <it>ARG </it>genes from the metabolism of amino groups (specifically induced by PAF26), or the reaction to unfolded protein stress. Susceptibility of deletion mutants confirmed the involvement of these processes. Specifically, mutants lacking <it>ARG </it>genes from the metabolism of arginine pathway were markedly more resistant to PAF26 and had a functional CW. In the deletant in the arginosuccinate synthetase (<it>ARG1</it>) gene, PAF26 interaction occurred normally, thus uncoupling peptide interaction from cell killing. The previously described involvement of the glycosphingolipid gene <it>IPT1 </it>was extended to the peptides studied here.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Reinforcement of CW is a general response common after exposure to distinct AMP, and likely contributes to shield cells from peptide interaction. However, a weakened CW is not necessarily indicative of a higher sensitivity to AMP. Additional processes modulate susceptibility to specific peptides, exemplified in the involvement of the metabolism of amino groups in the case of PAF26. The relevance of the response to unfolded protein stress or the sphingolipid biosynthesis, previously reported for other unrelated AMP, was also independently confirmed.</p

DKK1 (dickkopf homolog 1 (Xenopus laevis))

Review on DKK1 (dickkopf homolog 1 (Xenopus laevis)), with data on DNA, on the protein encoded, and where the gene is implicated

Vitamin D and the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition

Altres ajuts: Comunidad de Madrid to Alberto Muñoz and Antonio García de Herreros (S2010/BMD-2344 Colomics2).Several studies support reciprocal regulation between the active vitamin D derivative 1 α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)D) and the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Thus, 1,25(OH)D inhibits EMT via the induction of a variety of target genes that encode cell adhesion and polarity proteins responsible for the epithelial phenotype and through the repression of key EMT inducers. Both direct and indirect regulatory mechanisms mediate these effects. Conversely, certain master EMT inducers inhibit 1,25(OH)D action by repressing the transcription of VDR gene encoding the high affinity vitamin D receptor that mediates 1,25(OH)D effects. Consequently, the balance between the strength of 1,25(OH)D signaling and the induction of EMT defines the cellular phenotype in each context. Here we review the current understanding of the genes and mechanisms involved in the interplay between 1,25(OH)D and EMT

Heart Rate Variability Monitoring during a Padel Match

Padel, an increasingly popular sport, presents some associated cardiovascular risks, which can be prevented by heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring. However, there is no study worldwide that characterizes HRV during padel games. Therefore, this study aims to monitor HRV responses and characterize them using linear and non-linear metrics at three timepoints: at baseline, during a game, and during recovery. Twenty-seven amateur participants had their HRV monitored before, during, and after a 90 min padel game. We extracted time, frequency, and non-linear measures with MATLAB for baseline, rest period, and at three periods of 5 min during the game. The differences in measures were assessed through an ANOVA. The autonomic modulation was affected by the padel match in amateur players. In this regard, the root mean square of successive differences between normal heartbeats (RMSsd), Poincaré plot (perpendicular standard deviation (SD1) and horizontal standard deviation (SD2)), sample entropy (SampEn), low frequencies (LF), and very low frequencies (VLF) were significantly reduced during the game, whereas alpha-2, high frequencies (HF), and the ratio between low and high frequencies (LF/HF) increased during the game. Furthermore, an abrupt change was found in the autonomic modulation between game and recovery assessments, which suggests the need to rethink the practices of cool-down protocols. The multiple timepoints analyzed during this study allow us to investigate the evolution of different HRV measures in the time, frequency, and non-linear domains, clarifying the interpretation of the variables, especially the less-investigated ones such as the non-linear measures

New Trends in Industrial Equipment for the Improvement of Asphalt Roofing Process

Roofing techniques are the key for weather resistance and energy efficiency of buildings. Installing asphalt roofing rolls is one of the most popular roof protection methods. This is usually carried out manually. Workers apply heat to the rolls by means of burners. Operators must follow quite a few steps to roof: place the rolls on the ground, unroll, apply energy, and secure. From 20 to 25 rolls per day can be installed by an operator using this manual procedure (200–250 m2). So, the fact that manual installation means such a reduced work capacity has pushed the development of industrial equipment. Besides, requirement for reduction of CO2 emissions is forcing to develop systems that optimize the fuel consumptions or even to replace fuel burners by other types of electric heating devices. In this chapter, a review of the state of the art and market of equipment for accelerating asphalt roofing process is presented. A detailed description of some systems and patents is given. The main geometric, physical, and performance parameters will be described and compared. Two new systems based on torches and infrared heating show double installation speed that is the usual manual roofing rate

Rediseño de hardware y software del Sistema de Control de Presión de la planta GUNT RT 450 del laboratorio de instrumentación industrial de la FIEC, mediante el uso de un PLC Siemens S7-1200, LabVIEW y OPC

Este proyecto está encaminado al aporte del desarrollo académico del Laboratorio de Instrumentación Industrial de la FIEC, enfocándose en el rediseño del sistema de control de presión en la Planta Gunt RT 450, que consiste en implementar un PLC Siemens S7-1200, programado con TIA Portal V11, que permite monitoreo y control tanto local como remoto a través de una interfaz gráfica desarrollada en LabVIEW con el toolkit DSC cuya comunicación se da por conectividad OPC utilizando NI OPC Servers y una red Ethernet. La planta podrá ser controlada de forma manual y automática para lo que se utilizará un controlador PID configurado con el bloque PID_Compact. Los datos adquiridos en tiempo real serán almacenados en una base de datos de Microsoft Access; se incluyen también las correspondientes guías de prácticas de laboratorio y software de manera que los estudiantes del curso de instrumentación industrial puedan replicar este proyecto o adaptarlo para realizar el control de otras variables como nivel, caudal y temperatura.This project aims to help in the academic development of the Industrial Instrumentation Lab of FIEC, focusing on the redesign of the pressure control system of the “Gunt RT 450 Plant”, which implements a PLC Siemens S7-1200, that was programmed using TIA Portal V11, the one that allows monitoring and control, local and remote, through a graphic interface developed in LabVIEW with the DSC toolkit, whose communication happens through OPC connectivity, using NI OPC Servers and Ethernet network. The plant will be controlled manually or automatically through the use of a PID controller configured with the PID_Compact block. Data required in real time will be stored in a data base of Microsoft Access; suitable lab practice guides and software will be included too, in order to let the Industrial-Instrumentation-Lab-students replicate this project or adapt it to control other variables such as level, caudal and temperature

De la capacité d'une bouche artificielle a reproduire le geste d'un instrumentiste

National audienceCe travail présente une étude sur la capacité d'une bouche artificielle aspirante à reproduire le jeu d'une clarinette simplifiée. Le système étudié est composé d'un bec instrumenté connecté à un cylindre. L'instrument est joué d'une part par un musicien, d'autre part à l'aide de la bouche artificielle aspirante. Le bec permet la mesure de la pression dans la bouche du musicien, la pression acoustique dans le bec et le déplacement de l'extrémité de l'anche. Le geste instrumental est caractérisé par les paramètres de jeu et les paramètres d'anche estimés par l'analyse de la partie stationnaire des signaux mesurés. Les paramètres de jeu considérés dans ce travail sont la pression moyenne dans la bouche et la valeur maximale du déplacement de l'anche. Les paramètres d'anche estimés à l'aide d'une méthode inverse sont la raideur non linéaire, l'amortissement équivalent de l'anche et l'ouverture au repos. La bouche artificielle est réglée de façon à obtenir des valeurs de paramètres de jeu proches de ceux obtenus avec un musicien pour une nuance et une embouchure données. L'analyse et la comparaison d'un jeu de paramètres d'anche permet de quantifier la performance de la bouche artificielle à reproduire une situation de jeu. La gamme de fonctionnement de la bouche artificielle est ainsi définie pour pouvoir étudier à terme les caractéristiques d'anches considérées comme différentes

Soft Tissue Grafting Procedures before Restorations in the Esthetic Zone: A Minimally Invasive Interdisciplinary Case Report.

An esthetically pleasing smile is a valuable aspect of physical appearance and plays a significant role in social interaction. Achieving the perfect balance between extraoral and intraoral tissues is essential for a harmonious and attractive smile. However, certain intraoral deficiencies, such as non-carious cervical lesions and gingival recession, can severely compromise the overall aesthetics, particularly in the anterior zone. Addressing such conditions requires careful planning and meticulous execution of both surgical and restorative procedures. This interdisciplinary clinical report presents a complex case of a patient with esthetic complaints related to asymmetric anterior gingival architecture and severely discolored and eroded maxillary anterior teeth. The patient was treated using a combination of minimally invasive ceramic veneers and plastic mucogingival surgery, resulting in a successful outcome. The report emphasizes the potential of this approach in achieving optimal esthetic results in challenging cases, highlighting the importance of an interdisciplinary team approach in achieving a harmonious balance between dental and soft tissue aesthetics