Estudio experimental del Sistema de Albañilería Integral en la construcción de viviendas sismorresistentes. Experimental study of the Integral Masonry System in the construction of earthquake resistant houses

This paper presents the application of the Integral Masonry System (IMS) to the construction of earthquake resistant houses and its experimental study. To verify the security of this new type of building in seismic areas of the third world two prototypes have been tested, one with adobe and the other with hollow brick. In both cases it’s a two-story 6x6x6 m3 house built to scale 1/2. The tests are carried out at the Laboratory of Antiseismic Structures of the Department of Engineering, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru in Lima, in collaboration with the UPM (Technical University of Madrid). This article shows the design process of the prototypes to test, including the sizing of the reinforcements, the characteristics of the tests and the results obtained. These results show that the IMS with adobe or brick remains stable with no significant cracks faced with a severe earthquake, with an estimated acceleration of 1.8 g. Este artículo presenta una aplicación del Sistema de Albañilería Integral (SAI) a la construcción de viviendas sismorresistentes y su estudio experimental. Para verificar su seguridad para su construcción en zonas sísmicas del tercer mundo se han ensayado dos prototipos, uno con adobe, y otro con ladrillo hueco. Se trata de una vivienda de 6x6x6 m3 y dos plantas que se construyen a escala 1/2. Los ensayos se realizaron en el Laboratorio de Estructuras Antisísmicas del Departamento de Ingeniería de la Pontificia Católica Universidad del Perú (PUCP) de Lima en colaboración con la UPM (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid). Este artículo muestra el proceso de diseño de los prototipos a ensayar, incluido el dimensionado de los refuerzos, las características de los ensayos y los resultados obtenidos. Estos resultados muestran que el SAI con adobe o ladrillo permanece estable sin grietas significativas ante un sismo severo, con una aceleración estimada de 1,8 g

Diversity, bioforms and abundance of aquatic plants in a wetland of the Orinoco floodplains, Venezuela

Richness (alpha and beta diversity), abundance and dominance of bioforms of aquatic vegetation in a wetland of the Orinoco floodplains in Venezuela, studied over an annual cycle are described. In a lowland extension of 65,000 hectares including a whole range of aquatic habitats (shallows, marshes, ponds and streams), 197 species belonging to 122 genera and 56 families were recorded. Beta diversity was higher in lentic than in lotic wetlands, the emergent rooted bioform being the most abundant in all habitats and throughout the year. Considering the most persistent species (spatially and temporally), Eichhornia crassipes (Mart) Solms., Hymenachne amplexicaulis (Rudge) Nees and Luziola subintegra Swallen obtained the highest relative importance values. The most abundant species in all environments and throughout the year was Salvinia auriculata Aubl. Brief comments on the limited use of these aquatic plants are given.Se describen la riqueza (alfa y beta diversidad), abundancia y dominancia de bioformas de plantas acuáticas en un humedal de los Llanos del Orinoco, Venezuela, estudiada durante un ciclo anual. En una extensión de 65.000 ha que incluye toda la variedad de hábitats acuáticos del bajo llano venezolano (bajíos, esteros, lagunas y caños), se registraron 197 especies pertenecientes a 122 géneros y 56 familias. La diversidad beta fue mayor en los ambientes lénticos que en los lóticos, siendo la bioforma arraigada emergente la más abundante en todos los ambientes y durante todo el año. Considerando las especies mas persitentes espacial y temporalmente del inventario, Eichhornia crassipes (Mart) Solms., Hymenachne amplexicaulis (Rudge) Nees and Luziola subintegra Swallen, obtuvieron los mayores valores de importancia relativa. La especie más abundante en todos los ambientes y durante todo el año fue Salvinia auriculata Aubl. Se comenta brevemente sobre el escaso aprovechamiento de estas plantas acuáticas

A novel hanging spherical drop system for the generation of cellular spheroids and high throughput combinatorial drug screening

We propose a novel hanging spherical drop system for anchoring arrays of droplets of cell suspension based on the use of biomimetic superhydrophobic flat substrates, with controlled positional adhesion and minimum contact with a solid substrate. By facing down the platform, it was possible to generate independent spheroid bodies in a high throughput manner, in order to mimic in vivo tumour models on the lab-on-chip scale. To validate this system for drug screening purposes, the toxicity of the anti-cancer drug doxorubicin in cell spheroids was tested and compared to cells in 2D culture. The advantages presented by this platform, such as feasibility of the system and the ability to control the size uniformity of the spheroid, emphasize its potential to be used as a new low cost toolbox for high-throughput drug screening and in cell or tissue engineering.The authors thank the precious help of Alessandra Zonari and Rui Domingues for capturing the confocal images. The authors acknowledge the financial support from the FCT-Fundacao para a Ciencia e para a Tecnologia through the Ph.D. grants with the references SFRH/BD/73119/2010, SFRH/BD/69529/2010 and SFRH/BD/71396/2010. We acknowledge the financial support of FEDER through the program Operacional Factores de Competitividade - COMPETE and from FCT - the Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia under the project PTDC/CTM-BIO/1814/2012. We also thank the support by the European Research Council grant agreement ERC-2012-ADG 20120216-321266 for the project ComplexiTE

Uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) contributes to the basal proton conductance of brown adipose tissue mitochondria

Proton leak pathways uncouple substrate oxidation from ATP synthesis in mitochondria. These pathways are classified as basal (not regulated) or inducible (activated and inhibited). Previously it was found that over half of the basal proton conductance of muscle mitochondria was catalyzed by the adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT), an abundant mitochondrial anion carrier protein. To determine whether ANT is the unique protein catalyst, or one of many proteins that catalyze basal proton conductance, we measured proton leak kinetics in mitochondria isolated from brown adipose tissue (BAT). BAT can express another mitochondrial anion carrier, UCP1, at concentrations similar to ANT. Basal proton conductance was measured under conditions where UCP1 and ANT were catalytically inactive and was found to be lower in mitochondria from UCP1 knockout mice compared to wild-type. Ablation of another abundant inner membrane protein, nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase, had no effect on proton leak kinetics in mitochondria from liver, kidney or muscle, showing that basal proton conductance is not catalyzed by all membrane proteins. We identify UCP1 as a second protein propagating basal proton leak, lending support to the hypothesis that basal leak pathways are perpetrated by members of the mitochondrial anion carrier family but not by other mitochondrial inner membrane proteins

Aportaciones a la flora de Galicia, X

In this study mentioned 79 different plants with interest to the flora of Galicia and other territories of the Iberian Peninsula. One of them are new records for Spain flora (Watsonia bulbillifera), 24 are regional novelties (Crassula arborescens, Teline monspessulana, Hippocrepis comosa, Chamaesyce polygonifolia, Myosotis congesta, Verbena bonariensis, Senecio pyrenaicus, Taraxacum acutangulum, T. braun-blanquetii, T. cantabricum, T. ekmanii, T. fulgidum, T. hispanicum, T. lambinonii, T. maculosum, T. pinto-silvae, T. rubicundum, T. sundbergii, Agropyrum cristatum subsp. pectinatum, Bromus inermis, Pennisetum clandestinum, Eragrostis mexicana var. virescens, Iris planifolia, Chasmanthe floribunda), 26 novedades provinciales (Ranunculus peltatus subsp. peltatus var. peltatus, Modiola caroliniana, Sedum dendroideum, Paraserianthes lophantha, Geranium purpureum, Calystegia silvatica subsp. disjuncta, Echium vulgare subsp. pustulatum, Linaria aguillonensis, Linaria lamarckii, Glechoma hederacea, Asperula aristata subsp. scabra, Taraxacum drucei, T. gallaecicum, T. marklundii, T. nordstedtii, Luzula lactea, Commelina communis, Canna indica, Cyperus involucratus, Paspalum notatum, Asphodelus fistulosus, Muscari neglectum, Veratrum album, Iris foetidissima and Hedychium gardnerianum, Passiflora caerulea). Also 15 of them are commented by its taxonomic, ecologic or chorological interest. Clypeola jonthlaspi, Alchemilla transiens, Asperula cynanchica subsp. cynanchica, Valeriana tripteris subsp. tripteris, Luzula sudetica and Rhynchos pora modesti-lucennoi are confirmed for the Galician flora. Morever, in the light of further information, we remove 6 plants from the catalog of the vascular flora of Galicia (Iberis amara, I. linifolia, Sedum sediforme, Anarrhinum laxiflorum, Asperula aristata subsp. aristata and Taraxacum palustre) and Carex vesicaria from the catalog of the Parque Nacional de las Illas Atlánticas.En este trabajo se mencionan 79 plantas de diverso interés para la flora de Galicia y otras zonas de la Península ibérica. Se incluyen 1 novedades para España (Watsonia bulbillifera), 24 novedades regionales (Crassula arborescens, Teline monspessulana, Hippocrepis comosa, Chamaesyce polygonifolia, Myosotis congesta, Verbena bonariensis, Senecio pyrenaicus, Taraxacum acutangulum, T. braun-blanquetii, T. cantabricum, T. ekmanii, T. fulgidum, T. hispanicum, T. lambinonii, T. maculosum, T. pinto-silvae, T. rubicundum, T. sundbergii, Agropyrum cristatum subsp. pectinatum, Bromus inermis, Pennisetum clandestinum, Eragrostis mexicana var. virescens, Iris planifolia, Chasmanthe floribunda), 26 novedades provinciales (Ranunculus peltatus subsp. peltatus var. peltatus, Modiola caroliniana, Sedum dendroideum, Paraserianthes lophantha, Geranium purpureum, Calystegia silvatica subsp. disjuncta, Echium vulgare subsp. pustulatum, Linaria aguillonensis, Linaria lamarckii, Glechoma hederacea, Asperula aristata subsp. scabra, Taraxacum drucei, T. gallaecicum, T. marklundii, T. nordstedtii, Luzula lactea, Commelina communis, Canna indica, Cyperus involucratus, Paspalum notatum, Asphodelus fistulosus, Muscari neglectum,Veratrum album, Iris foetidissima y Hedychium gardnerianum, Passiflora caerulea) y otras 15 de interés diverso, bien ecológico, corológico o taxonómico. Se confirma la presencia de Clypeola jonthlaspi, Alchemilla transiens, Asperula cynanchica subsp. cynanchica, Valeriana tripteris subsp. tripteris, Luzula sudetica y Rhynchospora modesti-lucennoi. También, y a la luz de la información obtenida, eliminamos del catálogo de la flora vascular de Galicia 6 taxones (Iberis amara, I. linifolia, Sedum sediforme, Anarrhinum laxiflorum, Asperula aristata subsp. aristata y Taraxacum palustre) y Carex vesicaria del Parque Nacional de las Illas Atlánticas

Plantas acuáticas: aspectos sobre su distribución geográfica, condición de maleza y usos

Some aspects related to the geographical distribution of aquatic plants are discussed. While records in new locations can extend the range of spatial presence, it contribute little about the origin and native or introduced condition of macrophytes. Aquatic systems can be diverse. They represent themselves a dispersion media for aquatic plants, besides asexual reproduction combined with other strategies, allowed to colonized other environments and enlarge their distribution. The majority of aquatic plant species in the Orinoco basin have neotropical distribution. Some are considered weeds because they are dominant and have a remarkable ecological plasticity both in the wild and disturbed habitats. Species that have been dispersed naturaly or by humans and succeed in their new habitats, can be considered naturalized but also invasive weeds and are fought, rightly but not with the same determination that would put: 1) to preserve or restore the aquatic systems that have affected; 2) exploit the potential uses these aquatic resources offer; 3) considering its value in the ecosystems.Los registros de plantas acuáticas en nuevas localidades permiten ampliar su área de distribución geográfica, pero no siempre informan sobre su origen y condición de nativa o introducida. En el caso de la flora acuática de los llanos del Orinoco, la mayoría de las especies (70%) habita solo en el Neotrópico, de modo que su área nativa se halla en América. Muchas de estas plantas han alcanzado distribuciones más amplias, debido a que los sistemas acuáticos en los que habitan constituyen en sí mismos medios de dispersión. Además, una serie de estrategias como la reproducción asexual y las ecofases les permiten colonizar y reproducirse rápida y exitosamente en nuevos ambientes. No menos importante es la influencia humana en la dispersión activa de estas plantas, principalmente por efectos de la agricultura y las obras hidráulicas. Por ello, debido a su naturaleza dominante y su plasticidad ecológica, algunas plantas acuáticas se convierten en maleza, tanto en su medio natural como en aquellos hábitats que han sido alterados por el ser humano en calidad y cantidad de agua. Las especies que se dispersan naturalmente o con ayuda del hombre, y que tienen éxito en nuevos ambientes, se les considera naturalizadas, pero también invasoras y malezas, en cuyo caso se les combate casi siempre sin tener en cuenta la importancia de: 1) conservar o restaurar la naturaleza de los sistemas acuáticos que hemos afectado; 2) aprovechar los usos potenciales que estos recursos hidrobiológicos ofrecen y 3) estudiar, valorar y preservar su insustituible función en la dinámica de estos ecosistemas

Diversity, bioforms and abundance of aquatic plants in a wetland of the Orinoco floodplains, Venezuela

Richness (alpha and beta diversity), abundance and dominance of bioforms of aquatic vegetation in a wetland of the Orinoco floodplains in Venezuela, studied over an annual cycle are described. In a lowland extension of 65,000 hectares including a whole range of aquatic habitats (shallows, marshes, ponds and streams), 197 species belonging to 122 genera and 56 families were recorded. Beta diversity was higher in lentic than in lotic wetlands, the emergent rooted bioform being the most abundant in all habitats and throughout the year. Considering the most persistent species (spatially and temporally), Eichhornia crassipes (Mart) Solms., Hymenachne amplexicaulis (Rudge) Nees and Luziola subintegra Swallen obtained the highest relative importance values. The most abundant species in all environments and throughout the year was Salvinia auriculata Aubl. Brief comments on the limited use of these aquatic plants are given

Plantas acuáticas: aspectos sobre su distribución geográfica, condición de maleza y usos

Some aspects related to the geographical distribution of aquatic plants are discussed. While records in new locations can extend the range of spatial presence, it contribute little about the origin and native or introduced condition of macrophytes. Aquatic systems can be diverse. They represent themselves a dispersion media for aquatic plants, besides asexual reproduction combined with other strategies, allowed to colonized other environments and enlarge their distribution. The majority of aquatic plant species in the Orinoco basin have neotropical distribution. Some are considered weeds because they are dominant and have a remarkable ecological plasticity both in the wild and disturbed habitats. Species that have been dispersed naturaly or by humans and succeed in their new habitats, can be considered naturalized but also invasive weeds and are fought, rightly but not with the same determination that would put: 1) to preserve or restore the aquatic systems that have affected; 2) exploit the potential uses these aquatic resources offer; 3) considering its value in the ecosystems.Los registros de plantas acuáticas en nuevas localidades permiten ampliar su área de distribución geográfica, pero no siempre informan sobre su origen y condición de nativa o introducida. En el caso de la flora acuática de los llanos del Orinoco, la mayoría de las especies (70%) habita solo en el Neotrópico, de modo que su área nativa se halla en América. Muchas de estas plantas han alcanzado distribuciones más amplias, debido a que los sistemas acuáticos en los que habitan constituyen en sí mismos medios de dispersión. Además, una serie de estrategias como la reproducción asexual y las ecofases les permiten colonizar y reproducirse rápida y exitosamente en nuevos ambientes. No menos importante es la influencia humana en la dispersión activa de estas plantas, principalmente por efectos de la agricultura y las obras hidráulicas. Por ello, debido a su naturaleza dominante y su plasticidad ecológica, algunas plantas acuáticas se convierten en maleza, tanto en su medio natural como en aquellos hábitats que han sido alterados por el ser humano en calidad y cantidad de agua. Las especies que se dispersan naturalmente o con ayuda del hombre, y que tienen éxito en nuevos ambientes, se les considera naturalizadas, pero también invasoras y malezas, en cuyo caso se les combate casi siempre sin tener en cuenta la importancia de: 1) conservar o restaurar la naturaleza de los sistemas acuáticos que hemos afectado; 2) aprovechar los usos potenciales que estos recursos hidrobiológicos ofrecen y 3) estudiar, valorar y preservar su insustituible función en la dinámica de estos ecosistemas

Zebrafish models for human acute organophosphorus poisoning

Terrorist use of organophosphorus-based nerve agents and toxic industrial chemicals against civilian populations constitutes a real threat, as demonstrated by the terrorist attacks in Japan in the 1990 s or, even more recently, in the Syrian civil war. Thus, development of more effective countermeasures against acute organophosphorus poisoning is urgently needed. Here, we have generated and validated zebrafish models for mild, moderate and severe acute organophosphorus poisoning by exposing zebrafish larvae to different concentrations of the prototypic organophosphorus compound chlorpyrifos-oxon. Our results show that zebrafish models mimic most of the pathophysiological mechanisms behind this toxidrome in humans, including acetylcholinesterase inhibition, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation, and calcium dysregulation as well as inflammatory and immune responses. The suitability of the zebrafish larvae to in vivo high-throughput screenings of small molecule libraries makes these models a valuable tool for identifying new drugs for multifunctional drug therapy against acute organophosphorus poisoning

Adaptive Oblivious Transfer and Generalization

International audienceOblivious Transfer (OT) protocols were introduced in the seminal paper of Rabin, and allow a user to retrieve a given number of lines (usually one) in a database, without revealing which ones to the server. The server is ensured that only this given number of lines can be accessed per interaction, and so the others are protected; while the user is ensured that the server does not learn the numbers of the lines required. This primitive has a huge interest in practice, for example in secure multi-party computation, and directly echoes to Symmetrically Private Information Retrieval (SPIR). Recent Oblivious Transfer instantiations secure in the UC framework suf- fer from a drastic fallback. After the first query, there is no improvement on the global scheme complexity and so subsequent queries each have a global complexity of O(|DB|) meaning that there is no gain compared to running completely independent queries. In this paper, we propose a new protocol solving this issue, and allowing to have subsequent queries with a complexity of O(log(|DB|)), and prove the protocol security in the UC framework with adaptive corruptions and reliable erasures. As a second contribution, we show that the techniques we use for Obliv- ious Transfer can be generalized to a new framework we call Oblivi- ous Language-Based Envelope (OLBE). It is of practical interest since it seems more and more unrealistic to consider a database with uncontrolled access in access control scenarii. Our approach generalizes Oblivious Signature-Based Envelope, to handle more expressive credentials and requests from the user. Naturally, OLBE encompasses both OT and OSBE, but it also allows to achieve Oblivious Transfer with fine grain access over each line. For example, a user can access a line if and only if he possesses a certificate granting him access to such line. We show how to generically and efficiently instantiate such primitive, and prove them secure in the Universal Composability framework, with adaptive corruptions assuming reliable erasures. We provide the new UC ideal functionalities when needed, or we show that the existing ones fit in our new framework. The security of such designs allows to preserve both the secrecy of the database values and the user credentials. This symmetry allows to view our new approach as a generalization of the notion of Symmetrically PIR