Structure-activity relationships from in vitro efficacies of the thiazolide series against the intracellular apicomplexan protozoan Neospora caninum

Nitazoxanide (2-acetolyloxy-N-(5-nitro 2-thiazolyl) benzamide; NTZ) represents the parent compound of a novel class of broad-spectrum anti-parasitic compounds named thiazolides. NTZ is active against a wide variety of intestinal and tissue-dwelling helminths, protozoa, enteric bacteria and a number of viruses infecting animals and humans. While potent, this poses a problem in practice, since this obvious non-selectivity can lead to undesired side effects in both humans and animals. In this study, we used real time PCR to determine the in vitro activities of 29 different thiazolides (NTZ-derivatives), which carry distinct modifications on both the thiazole- and the benzene moieties, against the tachyzoite stage of the intracellular protozoan Neospora caninum. The goal was to identify a highly active compound lacking the undesirable nitro group, which would have a more specific applicability, such as in food animals. By applying self-organizing molecular field analysis (SOMFA), these data were used to develop a predictive model for future drug design. SOMFA performs self-alignment of the molecules, and takes into account the steric and electrostatic properties, in order to determine 3D-quantitative structure activity relationship models. The best model was obtained by overlay of the thiazole moieties. Plotting of predicted versus experimentally determined activity produced an r2 value of 0.8052 and cross-validation using the "leave one out" methodology resulted in a q2 value of 0.7987. A master grid map showed that large steric groups at the R2 position, the nitrogen of the amide bond and position Y could greatly reduce activity, and the presence of large steric groups placed at positions X, R4 and surrounding the oxygen atom of the amide bond, may increase the activity of thiazolides against Neospora caninum tachyzoites. The model obtained here will be an important predictive tool for future development of this important class of drugs.

Educational activities for a gamified system

The objective of this dissertation is to analyze, design, and implement an activity module for a larger educational platform with the use of gamification techniques with the purpose to improve learning, pass rates, and feedback. The project investigates how to better incentivize student learning. A software requirement specification was delineated to establish the system guidelines and behavior. Following, a definition of the activities in the module was created. This definition encompassed a detailed description of each activity, together with elements that compose it, available customizations and the involved formulas. The activity high-level design process includes the design of the defined activities by use of the software methodology UWE (UML-based Web Engineering) for their future implementation, modeling requirements, content, navigation and presentation. The low-level design is composed of the database schema and types and the relating EER (Enhanced Entity-Relationship) diagram. After this, the implementation of the designed module began, together with testing in the later stages. We expect that by using the implemented activity module, students will become more interested in learning, as well as more engaged in the process, resulting in a continuous progress during the course.---RESUMEN---El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar, diseñar e implementar un módulo de actividades didácticas que formará parte de una plataforma educativa, haciendo uso de técnicas de gamificación con la finalidad de mejorar el aprendizaje, ratio de aprobados y retroalimentación para los alumnos. El proyecto investiga como incentivar mejor el aprendizaje estudiantil. Se trazó una especificación de requisitos de software para establecer las pautas del sistema y su comportamiento. A continuación, se definieron las actividades del módulo. Esta definición abarca una descripción detallada de cada actividad, junto a los elementos que la componen, las configuraciones disponibles y las formulas involucradas. El proceso de diseño de alto nivel incluye el diseño de las actividades definidas usando la metodología de software UWE (UML-based Web Engineering) para su futura implementación, requisitos de modelaje, contenido, navegación y presentación. El diseño de bajo nivel está compuesto por el esquema y tipos de la base de datos y el diagrama de entidad-relación correspondiente. Tras esto se realizó la implementación y pruebas de parte del sistema. Se espera que usando el módulo de actividades implementado, los estudiantes muestren un mayor interés por aprender, así como estar más involucrados en el proceso, resultando en un progreso más continuo durante el curso.

Integración de Spring, Hibernate y JSF en el desarrollo de aplicaciones web

Este proyecto está centrado en investigar la utilización de los frameworks de Java Spring,Hibernate y JSF en el desarrollo de aplicaciones web. Para poder analizar sus ventajas e inconvenientes, he realizado un caso práctico, una aplicación web llamada “Votación de Product Box”. Las primeras dos secciones de este proyecto son este resumen del proyecto y un abstract, es decir, este mismo resumen, en inglés. En la introducción (sección tercera), definiré los objetivos del proyecto, luego en la cuarta sección explicaré las características principales de cada framework, destacando sus ventajas. Una vez presentados los frameworks, paso a explicar el caso práctico, definiendo los requisitos de la aplicación Web y sus casos de uso en la quinta sección. Describo el entorno de desarrollo, las herramientas utilizadas y la razón por las cuales las he elegido en la sexta sección. Ahora explico cómo he realizado la integración de los tres frameworks en la aplicación (sección séptima) y la relaciono por medio de diagramas de clase y de entidad-relación (sección octava). Por último he realizado un tutorial de uso de la aplicación Web (sección novena), he sacado las conclusiones de haber trabajado con estos frameworks, qué ventajas e inconvenientes he encontrado y qué he aprendido a lo largo de este proyecto (sección décima),y he referenciado una bibliografía por si se quiere profundizar en el estudio de estos frameworks (sección undécima). ABSTRACT This project focuses on investigating the use of Java frameworks Spring, JSF and Hibernate on the development of Web applications. To analyze their advantages and disadvantages, I have made a practical example, a website called “Votación de Product Box”. The first two sections of this project are the project summary and abstract (the same summary in English). In the introduction (section three), I define the project goals, and then, in the fourth section, I explain the main features of each framework, emphasizing on its advantages. After introducing the frameworks, I explain the study case, I gather requirements and I make use cases in the fifth section. I describe the development environment, the tools used and the reason why I have chosen them in the sixth section. So I can explain how I made the integration of the three frameworks in the application (section seventh) and relate through class diagrams and entity relationship (section eight). Finally I make a tutorial to use the Web application (Section ninth), I draw to the conclusions of working with these frameworks, which advantages and disadvantages I have found, and I what things I learned through this project (tenth section) and I have a referenced bibliography just in case you want to find out some more about these frameworks (section eleven).

Fundamentos de las Bases de Datos. 2011C1 Exámenes finales (curso 2012-2013)

En ese curso, este examen se hizo en la última sesión de teoría por lo que se prepararon varias versiones ligeramente diferentes para cada grupo de teoría.

Fundamentos de las Bases de Datos. 2011C2 Exámenes finales (curso 2012-2013)

El examen consta de 3 partes: Test de teoría, problemas de teoría y SQL. Hay dos versiones, una para informática y otra para multimedia.

Fundamentos de las Bases de Datos. 2012C1 Examen final (curso 2012-2013)

En el curso 2011-12 este examen de problemas de aplicación de la teoría se realizó en la fecha asignada por la Universidad de Alicante y en aulas comunes para Informática y Multimedia.

Fundamentos de las Bases de Datos. 2012C2 Examen (curso 2012-2013)

Examen de segunda convocatoria del curso 2011-12. Consta de 3 partes: test y problemas de teoría, y SQL.

Fundamentos de las Bases de Datos. Presentaciones Teoría1 (curso 2012-2013)

Presentaciones de la primera hora de las sesiones de teoría (TEORÍA1).

Reasoning Methods for Designing and Surveying Relationships Described by Sets of Functional Constraints

This work is supported by the Hungarian Scientific Research Fund (OTKA), grant T042706.

Uma vida de relações falhadas: continuidade ou mudança?: estudo sobre a herança psíquica e os desamores narcísicos na vida adulta

Este estudo propôs-se investigar, como os Esquemas Iniciais Desadaptativos (EIDs) concebidos pelo indivíduo e a sua representação dos Estilos Parentais (EPs), influenciam na escolha amorosa da vida adulta considerando os relacionamentos amorosos de reparação narcísica: Submisso-Idealizador, Eufórico-Idealizante e Evitante-Desnarcisante. A amostra constituiu-se por 225 (jovens) adultos/as portugueses/as, entre os 23 e 63 anos, que tivessem tido ou possuíssem na altura do estudo uma relação amorosa. A investigação de natureza quantitativa utilizou como instrumentos o: Inventário de Tipos de Relacionamento Amoroso (ITRA), Questionário de Esquemas (QE) e Questionário de Estilos Parentais (QEP). Segundo os resultados, evidenciou-se a associação de EIDs0F 1 e EPs1F 2 mais precoces e rígidos (incondicionais) aos três tipos de relacionamento amoroso, verificou-se uma herança psíquica trans-geracional com conteúdos individuais e relacionais mantidos e apurou-se a necessidade de o sujeito procurar relações fornecedoras de uma imagem mais completa do seu self desestruturado, concluindo-se que houve uma continuidade de relações falhadas; Abstract: A lifetime of failed relationships: continuity or change? Study about the psychic heritage and narcissistic unlove in adulthood. This study proposes to investigate, how the Early Maladaptive Schemas (EIDs) conceived by the individual and, their representation about the Parental Styles (EPs), influence the choice of adulthood loving relationships considering the romantic relationships of narcissistic repair: Submissive-Idealizer, Euphoric-Idealizing and Avoidant-Devaluate. The sample consisted of 225 Portuguese (young) adults, between 23 and 63 years old, who have had or maintained at the time of the study a loving relationship. The quantitative research used as instruments the: Inventory Types of Loving Relationship (ITRA), Schema Questionnaire (QE) and Parental Styles Questionnaire (QEP). According to the results, it showed the association of more early and rigid (unconditional) EIDs2F 3 and EPs3F 4 with the three types of love relationship, it was found a trans-generational psychic inheritance with individual and relational content maintained and found out the need for the subject pursuit for supplier relations of a more complete image of your self unstructured, concluding that there was a continuity of failed relationships.

Determination of thresholds in marine molluscs as an alternative to the Environmental Quality Standards in marine water defined in the Water Framework Directive

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) establishes Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) in marine water for 34 priority substances. Among these substances, 25 are hydrophobic and bioaccumulable (2 metals and 23 organic compounds). For these 25 substances, monitoring in water matrix is not appropriate and an alternative matrix should be developed. Bivalve mollusks, particularly mussels (Mytilus edulis, Mytilus galloprovincialis), are used by Ifremer as a quantitative biological indicator since 1979 in France, to assess the marine water quality. This study has been carried out in order to determine thresholds in mussels at least as protective as EQS in marine water laid down by the WFD. Three steps are defined: - Provide an overview of knowledges about the relations between the concentrations of contaminants in the marine water and mussels through bioaccumulation factor (BAF) and bioconcentration factor (BCF). This allows to examine how a BCF or a BAF can be determined: BCF can be determined experimentally (according to US EPA or ASTM standards), or by Quantitative Activity-Structure Relationship models (QSAR): four equations can be used for mussels. BAF can be determined by field experiment; but none standards exists. It could be determined by using QSAR but this method is considered as invalid for mussels, or by using existing model: Dynamic Budget Model, but this is complex to use. - Collect concentrations data in marine water (Cwater) in bibliography for those 25 substances; and compare them with concentration in mussels (Cmussels) obtained through French monitoring network of chemicals contaminants (ROCCH) and biological integrator network RINBIO. According to available data, this leads to determine the BAF or the BCF (Cmussels /Cwater) with field data. - Compare BAF and BCF values (when available) obtained with various methods for these substances: BCF (stemming from the bibliography, using experimental process), BCF calculated by QSAR and BAF determined using field data. This study points out that experimental BCF data are available for 3 substances (Chlorpyrifos, HCH, Pentachlorobenzene). BCF by QSAR can be calculated for 20 substances. The use of field data allows to evaluate 4 BAF for organic compounds and 2 BAF for metals. Using these BAF or BCF value, thresholds in shellfish can be determined as an alternative to EQS in marine water.

Additive genetic relationship of longevity with fertility and production traits in Nellore cattle based on bivariate models

Survival or longevity is an economically important trait in beef cattle. The main inconvenience for its inclusion in selection criteria is delayed recording of phenotypic data and the high computational demand for including survival in proportional hazard models. Thus, identification of a longevity-correlated trait that could be recorded early in life would be very useful for selection purposes. We estimated the genetic relationship of survival with productive and reproductive traits in Nellore cattle, including weaning weight (WW), post-weaning growth (PWG), muscularity (MUSC), scrotal circumference at 18 months (SC18), and heifer pregnancy (HP). Survival was measured in discrete time intervals and modeled through a sequential threshold model. Five independent bivariate Bayesian analyses were performed, accounting for cow survival and the five productive and reproductive traits. Posterior mean estimates for heritability (standard deviation in parentheses) were 0.55 (0.01) for WW, 0.25 (0.01) for PWG, 0.23 (0.01) for MUSC, and 0.48 (0.01) for SC18. The posterior mean estimates (95% confidence interval in parentheses) for the genetic correlation with survival were 0.16 (0.13-0.19), 0.30 (0.25-0.34), 0.31 (0.25-0.36), 0.07 (0.02-0.12), and 0.82 (0.78-0.86) for WW, PWG, MUSC, SC18, and HP, respectively. Based on the high genetic correlation and heritability (0.54) posterior mean estimates for HP, the expected progeny difference for HP can be used to select bulls for longevity, as well as for post-weaning gain and muscle score.

Selecting statistical models to study the relationship between soybean yield and soil physical properties

Statistical models allow the representation of data sets and the estimation and/or prediction of the behavior of a given variable through its interaction with the other variables involved in a phenomenon. Among other different statistical models, are the autoregressive state-space models (ARSS) and the linear regression models (LR), which allow the quantification of the relationships among soil-plant-atmosphere system variables. To compare the quality of the ARSS and LR models for the modeling of the relationships between soybean yield and soil physical properties, Akaike's Information Criterion, which provides a coefficient for the selection of the best model, was used in this study. The data sets were sampled in a Rhodic Acrudox soil, along a spatial transect with 84 points spaced 3 m apart. At each sampling point, soybean samples were collected for yield quantification. At the same site, soil penetration resistance was also measured and soil samples were collected to measure soil bulk density in the 0-0.10 m and 0.10-0.20 m layers. Results showed autocorrelation and a cross correlation structure of soybean yield and soil penetration resistance data. Soil bulk density data, however, were only autocorrelated in the 0-0.10 m layer and not cross correlated with soybean yield. The results showed the higher efficiency of the autoregressive space-state models in relation to the equivalent simple and multiple linear regression models using Akaike's Information Criterion. The resulting values were comparatively lower than the values obtained by the regression models, for all combinations of explanatory variables.

The relationship between anxiety and depression in animal models: a study using the forced swimming test and elevated plus-maze

The present study evaluated the correlation between the behavior of mice in the forced swimming test (FST) and in the elevated plus-maze (PM). The effect of the order of the experiments, i.e., the influence of the first test (FST or PM) on mouse behavior in the second test (PM or FST, respectively) was compared to handled animals (HAND). The execution of FST one week before the plus-maze (FST-PM, N = 10), in comparison to mice that were only handled (HAND-PM, N = 10) in week 1, decreased % open entries (HAND-PM: 33.6 ± 2.9; FST-PM: 20.0 ± 3.9; mean ± SEM; P<0.02) and % open time (HAND-PM: 18.9 ± 3.3; FST-PM: 9.0 ± 1.9; P<0.03), suggesting an anxiogenic effect. No significant effect was seen in the number of closed arm entries (FST-PM: 9.5 (7.0-11.0); HAND-PM: 10.0 (4.0-14.5), median (interquartile range); U = 46.5; P>0.10). A prior test in the plus-maze (PM-FST) did not change % immobility time in the FST when compared to the HAND-FST group (HAND-FST: 57.7 ± 3.9; PM-FST: 65.7 ± 3.2; mean ± SEM; P>0.10). Since these data suggest that there is an order effect, the correlation was evaluated separately with each test sequence: FST-PM (N = 20) and PM-FST (N = 18). There was no significant correlation between % immobility time in the FST and plus-maze indexes (% time and entries in open arms) in any test sequence (r: -0.07 to 0.18). These data suggest that mouse behavior in the elevated plus-maze is not related to behavior in the forced swimming test and that a forced swimming test before the plus-maze has an anxiogenic effect even after a one-week interval.

The relationship between product design and business models in the context of sustainability

Dans les sphères du développement durable, des modèles d’affaires et du design de produit, certains leviers rendent le croisement de ces trois sphères de plus en plus pertinent. Au croisement de ces trois sphères se trouve une opportunité de comprendre les relations existantes entre le design de produit et les modèles d’affaires afin d’aider les décideurs à développer des solutions davantage durables. L’approche méthodologique de cette recherche utilise un système complexe et est basée sur un paradigme pragmatique. En vue de répondre à la question « Dans quelle mesure des modèles d’affaires et le design de produit sont liés dans un contexte de développement durable? », cette recherche a soigneusement analysé trois cas: Better Place, une compagnie californienne ayant développé une infrastructure permettant le chargement des voitures électriques; Interface Inc., un manufacturier mondial de tuiles de tapis commerciales établi à Atlanta; et Métacycle, un concept d’entreprise développé par une équipe de chercheurs en design à Montréal. Chaque cas a été analysé en corrélant des aspects du design de produit à des éléments de leur modèle d’affaires. Les résultats montrent que dans le contexte du développement durable, le design de produit et les modèles d’affaires sont interdépendants. Les résultats peuvent être résumés en six points: il existe des relations applicables universellement; les innovations de design substantielles jouent un rôle important dans le développement durable; la « durabilité » peut être une qualité émergente d’un modèle d’affaires; les partenariats peuvent être vitaux pour l’intégration des systèmes; un modèle de services a des bénéfices et des limitations considérables; le design peut agir comme levier à l’utilisation d’énergies renouvelables. Pratiquer simultanément l’innovation du modèle d’affaires et du produit peut apporter une valeur ajoutée, susciter des opportunités et augmenter l’efficience sur plusieurs facettes. Toutefois, les risques et les coûts de tels procédés sont souvent très élevés. En aidant à comprendre et définir comment les trois sphères mentionnées plus tôt sont interdépendantes, cette recherche pourrait idéalement inspirer des recherches supplémentaires sur le sujet. L’application par des organisations de la méthodologie et des apprentissages résultant de cette recherche peut permettre à d’autres d’utiliser le croisement entre l’innovation de produit et l’innovation du modèle d’affaires afin de résoudre des enjeux sociaux et environnementaux complexes.