Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HABLAR PARA ESCRIBIR. EL ESTILO PERIODÍSTICO SPEAKING TO WRITE. THE JOURNALISTIC STYLE

The linguistic learning implies a process of the progressive elaboration of concepts, skills and discourse attitudes. Speaking is not only the pronunciation of words, but also their recreation in the construction of texts that are organized with the different intention of the speakers, the different expectation of the receivers and the variety of demands of the communicative situations. That is why; the work with oral discourse within the learning context should combine the spontaneous communication with the systematic work of different kinds of texts. We will try to get a closer answer to the questions provided by the didactic transposition of the language.
Assessing the impact of RFID and sensor technologies on the returns management of time-sensitive products

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the value of radio‐frequency identification (RFID) and sensor technologies to reverse logistics processes. The research is motivated by the question of to what extent the accuracy of information on product quality delivered by such technologies impacts the total recovered value that companies obtain from returned goods in an industry with time‐sensitive products.Design/methodology/approach – The paper first presents a case study to examine the returns management process at a manufacturer of high‐tech consumer electronics. It then develops an analytical model to study the monetary benefits in a scenario with RFID‐enabled product disposition.Findings – The results show that RFID allows for a redesign of the return process that performs more efficiently regarding the total recovered value depending on technology costs (i.e. tag costs) and capabilities (i.e. sufficient sensor‐delivered parameters to rightly infer product quality). Second, the results indicate t.
Characterization of mutations in streptomycin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates in the area of Barcelona.

OBJECTIVES To determine the proportion and type of mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates resistant to streptomycin, and their relationship with the level of resistance and with the epidemiological molecular pattern of the isolates. METHODS Sixty-nine streptomycin-resistant isolates from a M. tuberculosis strain collection (1995-2005) from Barcelona were studied. The MIC of streptomycin for each isolate was determined using the proportions method with Middlebrook 7H11 medium. The entire rpsL gene and two specific fragments of the rrs gene (the 530 loop and the 912 region) were sequenced. IS6110-restriction fragment length polymorphism and spoligotyping were performed in each isolate. RESULTS Twenty-six (26/69, 37.7%) streptomycin-resistant isolates presented a mutation in either the rpsL gene and/or the rrs530 loop, with no mutation in the rrs912 region. Seventeen (24.6%) isolates showed rpsL mutations (codons 43 and 88) associated with high MIC levels. Nine (13.0%) isolates had alterations in the rrs gene (A513T, A513C and C516T). Nineteen isolates (19/64, 29.7%) were classified into seven clusters (containing 2-5 isolates per cluster). Nineteen different spoligotype patterns were found. All the LAM3 spoligotype isolates (10/67, 14.9%) were associated with a C491T change in the rrs gene, being also observed in all LAM3 streptomycin-susceptible isolates. CONCLUSIONS Mutations in the rpsL and rrs genes were detected in 37.7% of streptomycin-resistant M. tuberculosis isolates. High-level resistance was associated with mutations in the rpsL gene, whereas wild-type isolates showed low MIC levels. The presence of the C491T substitution in the rrs gene in streptomycin-susceptible and -resistant isolates demonstrates that this change is an epidemiological marker associated with LAM3 sublineage.
Systemic RNAi of the cockroach vitellogenin receptor results in a phenotype similar to that of the Drosophila yolkless mutant

During vitellogenesis, one of the most tightly regulated processes in oviparous reproduction, vitellogenins are incorporated into the oocyte through vitellogenin receptor (VgR)‐mediated endocytosis. In this paper, we report the cloning of the VgR cDNA from Blattella germanica, as well as the first functional analysis of VgR following an RNA interference (RNAi) approach. We characterized the VgR, VgR mRNA and protein expression patterns in pre‐adult and adult stages of this cockroach, as well as VgR immunolocalization in ovarioles, belonging to the panoistic type. We then specifically disrupted VgR gene function using RNAi techniques. Knockdown of VgR expression led to a phenotype characterized by low yolk content in the ovary and high vitellogenin concentration in the haemolymph. This phenotype is equivalent to that of the yolkless mutant of Drosophila melanogaster, which have the yl (VgR) gene disrupted. The results additionally open the perspective that development genes can be functionally analyzed via systemic RNAi in this basal species.
Some Assembly Required - Program Analysis of Embedded System Code

Programming embedded system software typically involves more than one programming language. Normally, a high-level language such as C/C++ is used for application oriented tasks and a low-level assembly language for direct interaction with the underlying hardware. In most cases those languages are closely interwoven and the assembly is embedded in the C/C++ code. Verification of such programs requires the integrated analysis of both languages at the same time. However, common algorithmic verification tools fail to address this issue. In this work we present a model-checking based static analysis approach which seamlessly integrates the analysis of embedded ARM assembly with C/C++ code analysis. In particular, we show how to automatically check that the ARM code complies to its interface descriptions. Given interface compliance, we then provide an extended analysis framework for checking general properties of ARM code. We implemented this analysis in our source code analysis tool Goanna, and applied to the source code of an L4 micro kernel implementation.
r WG IS NOT ENOUGH: DETECTING SUBGROUP DISAGREEMENT.

The author introduces the visual inspection test, the mixture modeling test, Silverman's multimodality test and the dip test as procedures that organizational researchers can use to detect a pattern of subgroup disagreement. He argues that the r WG family of indices, described as the most popular measures of within-group agreement, are not a sufficient measure of agreement. It is observed how each subgroup disagreement test has the potential to correct a substantial limitation in current measures of within-group agreement. Researchers interested in measuring subgroup disagreement are advised to select whichever test they believe will disclose the most about the pattern of a group's responses.
Divergence among Genes Encoding the Elongation Factor Tu of Yersinia Species

ABSTRACT Elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu), encoded by tuf genes, carries aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosome during protein synthesis. Duplicated tuf genes (tufA and tufB), which are commonly found in enterobacterial species, usually coevolve via gene conversion and are very similar to one another. However, sequence analysis of tuf genes in our laboratory has revealed highly divergent copies in 72 strains spanning the genus Yersinia (representing 12 Yersinia species). The levels of intragenomic divergence between tufA and tufB sequences ranged from 8.3 to 16.2% for the genus Yersinia, which is significantly greater than the 0.0 to 3.6% divergence observed for other enterobacterial genera. We further explored tuf gene evolution in Yersinia and other Enterobacteriaceae by performing directed sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Phylogenetic trees constructed using concatenated tufA and tufB sequences revealed a monophyletic genus Yersinia in the family Enterobacteriaceae. Moreover, Yersinia strains form clades within the genus that mostly correlate with their phenotypic and genetic classifications. These genetic analyses revealed an unusual divergence between Yersinia tufA and tufB sequences, a feature unique among sequenced Enterobacteriaceae and indicative of a genus-wide loss of gene conversion. Furthermore, they provided valuable phylogenetic information for possible reclassification and identification of Yersinia species.
Lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production in mice infected with different geographical isolates of Trichinella spiralis

Antigen‐specific proliferative responses and cytokine production were measured in lymphocytes taken from inbred NIH mice infected with different isolates of Trichinella spiralis. Stimulation with muscle larval homogenate antigen produced high proliferative responses, cells responding more strongly to antigen from one isolate (London‐L) than to antigens of the other two isolates (Spanish‐S and Polish‐P). Antigen from the P‐isolate elicited relatively poor responses. There was considerable, although variable, cross reactivity between isolate antigens and this was reflected in proliferation to heterologous stimulation. When pulsed with the mitogen Concanavalin A (Con‐A) mesenteric lymph node cells (MLNC) produced IFN‐gamma on day four post infection but not on day eight. In contrast, production of IL‐4 and IL‐5 was greatest on day eight. Differences were seen in levels of cytokine production between cells taken from mice infected with different isolates. These data show a sequential activation of Th1 and Th2 cells during infection with T. spiralis isolates, and suggest that the level of activation of each Th subset is influenced by the antigenic characteristics of each isolate.
Effects of adding either a leukotriene receptor antagonist or low-dose theophylline to a low or medium dose of inhaled corticosteroid in patients with persistent asthma.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effect of adding zafirlukast or low-dose theophylline to a beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) extra-fine hydrofluoroalkane aerosol on bronchial hyperresponsiveness as the primary outcome variable. METHODS Twenty-four patients with mild-to-moderate asthma were studied using a randomized crossover design with the following three treatment blocks: (1) beclomethasone, 100 microg/d, alone for the first 2 weeks followed by 400 microg/d alone for the next 2 weeks; (2) beclomethasone, 100 microg/d, followed by 400 microg/d, with the addition of zafirlukast, 20 mg bid; (3) beclomethasone, 100 microg/d, followed by 400 microg/d, with the addition of theophylline, 200 to 300 mg bid. Measurements were made after 2 and 4 weeks of each treatment and at pretreatment baseline. RESULTS The mean trough plasma theophylline concentration was 6.7 mg/L, coinciding with the anti-inflammatory target range (ie, 5 to 10 mg/L). The provocative dose of methacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV(1) (as doubling dose difference from baseline) was significantly (p < 0.05) greater with beclomethasone, 100 microg, plus zafirlukast (1.1 doubling dose) but not with beclomethasone, 100 microg, plus theophylline (0.7 doubling dose) compared to beclomethasone, 100 microg alone (0.4 doubling dose), but not compared to beclomethasone, 400 microg alone (1.1 doubling dose). There were also significant (p < 0.05) differences between beclomethasone, 100 microg, plus zafirlukast (but not BDP, 100 microg, plus theophylline) vs beclomethasone, 100 microg, alone in terms of nitric oxide level, midexpiratory phase of forced expiratory flow, and peak expiratory flow. There were no further significant improvements observed with the addition of zafirlukast or theophylline to beclomethasone, 400 microg. CONCLUSIONS A leukotriene receptor antagonist, but not low-dose theophylline, conferred significant additive anti-inflammatory effects to therapy with a low-dose inhaled corticosteroid but not to that with a medium dose of an inhaled corticosteroid. Thus, optimizing the dose of inhaled corticosteroid as monotherapy would seem to be the logical first step, which is in keeping with current guidelines.
Type inference in systems of recursive types withsubtypingTrevor

We present general methods for performing type inference and deciding sub-typing in languages with recursive types. Our type inference algorithm generalizes a common idea of previous work: type inference is reduced to a constraint satisfaction problem, whose satissability can be decided by a process of closure and consistency checking. We prove a general correctness theorem for this style of type inference. We deene subtyping co-inductively, and we prove by co-induction that a closed and consistent constraint set has a solution. Our theorem makes it easier to nd new type inference algorithms. For example, we provide deenitions of closure and consistency for recursive types with a greatest type, but not a least type; we show that the deenitions satisfy the conditions of our theorem; and the theorem immediately provides a type inference algorithm, thereby solving an open problem.
Characterization of metabolites of the chemopreventive agent curcumin in human and rat hepatocytes and in the rat in vivo, and evaluation of their ability to inhibit phorbol ester-induced prostaglandin E2 production.

Curcumin, the yellow pigment in turmeric, has been shown to prevent malignancies in a variety of tissues in rodents, especially in the intestinal tract. Pharmacological activities of curcumin in cells in situ germane to chemoprevention, such as inhibition of expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), require drug concentrations in the 10(-5) - 10(-4) M range. The systemic bioavailability of curcumin is low, so that its pharmacological activity may be mediated, in part, by curcumin metabolites. To investigate this possibility, we compared curcumin metabolism in human and rat hepatocytes in suspension with that in rats in vivo. Analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography with detection at 420 and 280 nm permitted characterization of metabolites with both intact diferoylmethane structure and increased saturation of the heptatrienone chain. Chromatographic inferences were corroborated by mass spectrometry. The major metabolites in suspensions of human or rat hepatocytes were identified as hexahydrocurcumin and hexahydrocurcuminol. In rats, in vivo, curcumin administered i.v. (40 mg/kg) disappeared from the plasma within 1 h of dosing. After p.o. administration (500 mg/kg), parent drug was present in plasma at levels near the detection limit. The major products of curcumin biotransformation identified in rat plasma were curcumin glucuronide and curcumin sulfate whereas hexahydrocurcumin, hexahydrocurcuminol, and hexahydrocurcumin glucuronide were present in small amounts. To test the hypothesis that curcumin metabolites resemble their progenitor in that they can inhibit COX-2 expression, curcumin and four of its metabolites at a concentration of 20 microM were compared in terms of their ability to inhibit phorbol ester-induced prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in human colonic epithelial cells. Curcumin reduced PGE2 levels to preinduction levels, whereas tetrahydrocurcumin, previously shown to be a murine metabolite of curcumin, hexahydrocurcumin, and curcumin sulfate, had only weak PGE2 inhibitory activity, and hexahydrocurcuminol was inactive. The results suggest that (a) the major products of curcumin biotransformation by hepatocytes occur only at low abundance in rat plasma after curcumin administration; and (b) metabolism of curcumin by reduction or conjugation generates species with reduced ability to inhibit COX-2 expression. Because the gastrointestinal tract seems to be exposed more prominently to unmetabolized curcumin than any other tissue, the results support the clinical evaluation of curcumin as a colorectal cancer chemopreventive agent.
Cyclin A2-Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2 Cooperates with the PLK1-SCFβ-TrCP1-EMI1-Anaphase-Promoting Complex/Cyclosome Axis To Promote Genome Reduplication in the Absence of Mitosis

ABSTRACT Limiting genome replication to once per cell cycle is vital for maintaining genome stability. Inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) with the specific inhibitor RO3306 is sufficient to trigger multiple rounds of genome reduplication. We demonstrated that although anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) remained inactive during the initial G2 arrest, it was activated upon prolonged inhibition of CDK1. Using cellular biosensors and live-cell imaging, we provide direct evidence that genome reduplication was associated with oscillation of APC/C activity and nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling of CDC6 even in the absence of mitosis at the single-cell level. Genome reduplication was abolished by ectopic expression of EMI1 or depletion of CDC20 or CDH1, suggesting the critical role of the EMI1-APC/C axis. In support of this, degradation of EMI1 itself and genome reduplication were delayed after downregulation of PLK1 and β-TrCP1. In the absence of CDK1 activity, activation of APC/C and genome reduplication was dependent on cyclin A2 and CDK2. Genome reduplication was then promoted by a combination of APC/C-dependent destruction of geminin (thus releasing CDT1), accumulation of cyclin E2-CDK2, and CDC6. Collectively, these results underscore the crucial role of cyclin A2-CDK2 in regulating the PLK1-SCFβ-TrCP1-EMI1-APC/C axis and CDC6 to trigger genome reduplication after the activity of CDK1 is suppressed.
A study on eddy-current losses in rotors of surface permanent magnet synchronous machines

We investigate eddy-current losses in rotors of surface permanent magnet synchronous machines, which have concentrated armature windings. By FEM analysis, it is clear that eddy-current losses in rotors are apparently different at rated current if the pole and slot combinations are different. The distribution of eddy-current density in the rotor is closely related with asynchronous components of the armature MMF. If the armature MMF has a low order of spatial harmonic component, which is not synchronous with the rotor, eddy-current losses are large amount.
From nose to lung: the regulation behind Streptococcus pneumoniae virulence factors

Streptococcus pneumoniae probably possesses a redundant set of factors required for colonization of the nasopharynx and invasive disease, because of its strict relationship with its human host and relatively small genome size (∼2.1 Mb). Nevertheless, transcriptional regulation of genes encoding factors required for in vivo growth is predicted to be important on two fronts: in the transition from carriage to invasive disease and within different microniches of the nasopharynx. The importance of both serotype‐specific and host tissue‐specific virulence factors during infection and disease has been highlighted by the recent identification of novel virulence factors in this organism coupled with the release of complete genome sequences from two strains. These studies add to the foundation of knowledge of classical S. pneumoniae virulence factors such as polysaccharide capsule and pneumolysin, which have well‐documented roles in pathogenesis
Cortical information flow in Parkinson's disease: a composite network/field model

The basal ganglia play a crucial role in the execution of movements, as demonstrated by the severe motor deficits that accompany Parkinson's disease (PD). Since motor commands originate in the cortex, an important question is how the basal ganglia influence cortical information flow, and how this influence becomes pathological in PD. To explore this, we developed a composite neuronal network/neural field model. The network model consisted of 4950 spiking neurons, divided into 15 excitatory and inhibitory cell populations in the thalamus and cortex. The field model consisted of the cortex, thalamus, striatum, subthalamic nucleus, and globus pallidus. Both models have been separately validated in previous work. Three field models were used: one with basal ganglia parameters based on data from healthy individuals, one based on data from individuals with PD, and one purely thalamocortical model. Spikes generated by these field models were then used to drive the network model. Compared to the network driven by the healthy model, the PD-driven network had lower firing rates, a shift in spectral power toward lower frequencies, and higher probability of bursting; each of these findings is consistent with empirical data on PD. In the healthy model, we found strong Granger causality between cortical layers in the beta and low gamma frequency bands, but this causality was largely absent in the PD model. In particular, the reduction in Granger causality from the main “input” layer of the cortex (layer 4) to the main “output” layer (layer 5) was pronounced. This may account for symptoms of PD that seem to reflect deficits in information flow, such as bradykinesia. In general, these results demonstrate that the brain's large-scale oscillatory environment, represented here by the field model, strongly influences the information processing that occurs within its subnetworks. Hence, it may be preferable to drive spiking network models with physiologically realistic inputs rather than pure white noise.
Reverse Optokinetic After-nystagmus Generated by Gaze Fixation During Optokinetic Stimulation

Gaze fixation during optokinetic stimulation generates an after-nystagmus with a slow component towards the reverse direction of the optokinetic stimulation. The duration and maximum slow component velocity (SCV) of this "reverse OKAN" were observed by changing the duration, velocity and direction of the optokinetic stimulation in nine normal volunteers. The duration of reverse OKAN increased with increasing stimulation time but was unaffected by changes in the stimulation velocity. The maximum SCV of reverse OKAN decreased with an increase in the stimulation velocity but was not significantly affected by changes in the optokinetic stimulation time. There was no directional difference among the horizontal, upwards and downwards reverse OKANs. The reverse OKAN was thought to be generated by a mechanism different from the velocity storage mechanism which produced optokinetic nystagmus and the first phase of OKAN. Retinal slip during the optokinetic stimulation was considered to be an input to the mechanism which generated the reverse OKAN. We hypothesize that the mechanism causing the reverse OKAN may be a generator of the second phase of OKAN, which was also intimately connected with self-motion sensation during the optokinetic stimulation.