Desarrollo de un instrumento para adquisición y procesado de EEG (Electro-encefalograma) y ECG (Electro-cardiograma)

Diseño y construcción de un aparato de bajo costo para adquisición y procesamiento de señales bioeléctricas, compuesto por un hardware capaz de amplificar y filtrar las señales, y por un instrumento virtual basado en labVIEW encargado de la adquisición de los distintas bioseñales y de su procesamiento en tiempo real. Este sistema permitirá dar soporte diagnóstico en modelos animales con desórdenes neurológicos sometidos a diferentes tipos de intervención terapéutica.

Caracterización de los barrios de bodegas subterráneas de la denominación de origen calificada Rioja. Estudio y comparación de sus condiciones interiores con las de las nuevas bodegas comerciales

Esta tesis pretende demostrar que las bodegas subterráneas suponen un modelo de construcción eficiente y medioambientalmente sostenible para la crianza y el almacenamiento de vinos. Durante la elaboración, crianza y almacenamiento del vino, las condiciones de temperatura y humedad relativa son determinantes en la calidad final del producto. La aparición de defectos en el vino como consecuencia de altas temperaturas durante el proceso crianza es algo conocido desde el siglo pasado, por lo que los enólogos tratan de alcanzar los parámetros que consideran idóneos para una correcta elaboración y envejecimiento del vino recurriendo en la mayoría de las bodegas a la climatización artificial. Las bodegas subterráneas son construcciones históricas en La Rioja y en el conjunto de los pueblos de la Denominación de Origen Calificada Rioja y el objetivo de esta tesis es demostrar que reúnen de forma natural las condiciones idóneas para la crianza del vino debido al diseño de su construcción y sin necesidad de emplear otras energías para conseguirlo. Además, la presencia de estas construcciones en la Denominación de Origen Calificada Rioja supone el origen de la fama de sus caldos y es un patrimonio cultural hoy en día sin explotar. Para demostrar la importancia de estos barrios de bodegas subterráneas, germen de la Denominación de Origen Calificada Rioja, se han inventariado los barrios de todos los municipios acogidos a ésta. Para ello se han visitado todos los municipios y se han fotografiado sus bodegas. En las visitas realizadas durante la catalogación se ha observado que constituyen hoy en día un patrimonio olvidado, que ha evolucionado hacia merenderos o viviendas, incluso en ocasiones abandonadas o derruidas. La conservación de las construcciones se ha cuidado más en la subzona de Rioja Alta, donde aún se pueden encontrar bodegas donde se elabora vino de forma particular, algo más excepcional de encontrar en La Rioja Baja. También se ha observado que los materiales de construcción de los calados empleados en La Rioja Alta suelen ser de piedra labrada o de sillería, mientras que en La Rioja Baja se recurre más a piedra de río o mampostería. Este trabajo se refleja en 2159 fichas que catalogan las bodegas subterráneas localizadas. Con objeto de demostrar que reúnen las condiciones adecuadas para la crianza, se han instalado sensores que han registrado la temperatura y la humedad relativa en las bodegas subterráneas y en bodegas comerciales de las que se diferencian tanto en el diseño constructivo como en las soluciones adoptadas por estas para reunir los parámetros buscados. Los resultados obtenidos en las bodegas subterráneas muestran que estas construcciones tradicionales presentan menos oscilaciones anuales de temperatura y humedad relativa que las salas de crianza de bodegas comerciales, lo que implica una solución constructiva más adecuada para la crianza y conservación del vino. Para corroborar los resultados obtenidos sobre las condiciones interiores, se ha realizado un análisis sensorial de vinos almacenados y criados en bodegas subterráneas comparándolos con los almacenados sin estar sometidos a un control de estos parámetros, como se puede dar en condiciones domésticas, una vez comercializados cuando el enólogo pierde el control sobre ellos. Los resultados demuestran que los vinos almacenados en domicilios particulares presentan diferencias con los almacenados en bodegas subterráneas. Estos resultados son acordes con los datos obtenidos de los sensores colocados en estas bodegas subterráneas, donde la temperatura máxima anual no supera los 20ºC, considerada como umbral máximos permitido durante la crianza por varios autores. ABSTRACT This thesis aims to demonstrate that the underground cellars represent a model of efficient construction and environmentally sustainable for aging and storing wines. During the production, aging and storing wine, temperature and relative humidity are crucial to the final product quality. The appearance of defects in wine as a result of high temperatures during the aging process is something known since the last century, so that winemakers seek to achieve the parameters considered suitable for proper production and aging of wine using the most wineries to artificial air conditioning. The underground cellars are historical buildings in La Rioja and all the peoples of the Designation of Origin Rioja and the aim of this thesis is to demonstrate that naturally meet the conditions for aging wine due to its construction design and without the use of other energy to get it. Furthermore, the presence of these buildings in the Rioja Denomination of Origin represents the origin of the fame of its wines and is a cultural heritage today untapped. To demonstrate the importance of these areas of underground cellars, germ of the Designation of Origin Rioja, they have been inventoried all the districts of municipalities benefiting from this. This will have visited all municipalities and have photographed their cellars. In visits made during cataloging it has been observed that constitute today a forgotten heritage that has evolved to picnic or homes, sometimes even abandoned or demolished. The conservation of the buildings has been more careful in the subzone of Rioja Alta, where you can still find wine cellars where a particular way, something exceptional to find in La Rioja Baja is made. It has also been observed that the building materials used in the drafts La Rioja Alta usually carved stone or masonry, while in La Rioja Baja is most uses of river stone or masonry. This work is reflected in 2159 cataloging records located underground cellars. In order to demonstrate that they meet the conditions suitable for breeding they were installed sensors that recorded the temperature and relative humidity in the underground cellars and commercial wineries which differ both in the building design and the solutions adopted by sought to gather these parameters. The results obtained in the underground cellars show that these traditional buildings have fewer annual fluctuations of temperature and relative humidity of the aging rooms commercial wineries, which implies a more constructive solution suitable for the breeding and conservation of wine. To corroborate the results obtained on domestic conditions, has made a sensory analysis of wines stored and raised underground cellars compared with stored without being subjected to control these parameters, as can occur in domestic conditions, once marketed as winemaker loses control over them. The results show that the wines stored in private homes have differences with those stored in underground cellars. These results are consistent with data obtained from sensors placed in these underground cellars, where the maximum annual temperature is below 20 ° C, considered as maximum allowable threshold for raising by various authors.

Transferencia inalámbrica de energía

El trabajo presentado en este documento se centra en la temática de la transferencia inalámbrica de energía, concretamente en aplicaciones de campo lejano, para llevar a cabo dicho trabajo nos centraremos en el diseño, implementación y medición de una rectenna operando en la banda ISM concretamente a una frecuencia de 2.45GHz, el objetivo primordial de este trabajo será analizar que parámetros intervienen en la eficiencia de conversión en la etapa de RF-DC a fin de lograr la máxima eficiencia de conversión posible. Para llevar a cabo dicho análisis se emplearán herramientas informáticas, concretamente se hará uso del software AWR Microwave Office, a través del cual se realizarán simulaciones SourcePull a fin de determinar la impedancia óptima de entrada que se le debe presentar a la etapa rectificadora RF-DC para conseguir la máxima eficiencia de conversión, una vez realizadas dichas pruebas se implementará físicamente un circuito rectenna a través del cual realizar medidas de SourcePull mediante un Wide Matching Range Slide Screw Tuner de MAURY MICROWAVE para cotejar las posibles diferencias con los resultados obtenidos en las simulaciones. Tras la fase de pruebas SourcePull se extrapolará una red de entrada en base a los datos obtenidos en las mediciones anteriores y se diseñará y fabricará un circuito rectenna con máxima eficiencia de conversión para un conjunto de valores de potencia de entrada de RF y carga de DC, tras lo cual se analizará la eficiencia del circuito diseñado para diferentes valores de potencia de RF de entrada y carga de DC. Como elemento rectificador emplearemos en nuestro trabajo el diodo Schottky HSMS-2820, los diodos Schottky se caracterizan por tener tiempos de conmutación relativamente bajos y pérdidas en directa reducidas los cual será fundamental a la hora de trabajar con niveles reducidos de potencia de RF de entrada, para implementar el circuito se empleará un substrato FR4 con espesor de 0.8mm para disminuir en la mayor medida posible las pérdidas introducidas por el dieléctrico, se analizarán diferentes posibilidades a la hora de implementar el filtro de RF a la salida del diodo rectificador y finalmente se optará por el empleo de un stub radial ya que será este el que mejor ancho de banda nos proporcione. Los resultados simulados se compararán con los resultados medidos sobre el circuito rectenna para determinar la similitud entre ambos. ABSTRACT. The work presented in this paper focuses on the issue of wireless transfer of energy, particularly applied to far-field applications, to carry out this work we focus on the design, implementation and measurement of a rectenna operating in the ISM band specifically at a frequency of 2.45GHz, the primary objective of this study is to analyze any parameter involved in the RF-DC conversion efficiency in order to achieve the maximum conversion efficiency as possible. Computer analysis tools will be used, particularly AWR Microwave Office software, in order to carry out SourcePull simulations to determine the optimal input impedance which must be presented to the rectifier stage for maximum conversion efficiency, once obtained, a rectenna circuit will be implemented to compute SourcePull measurements, and finally simulated results will be compared to measured results. Once obtained the result, an input network impedance is extrapolated based on data from previous measurements to design and implement a rectenna circuit with high conversion efficiency for a set of RF input power and DC load values , after that, the designed circuit efficiency will be analyzed for different values of RF input power and DC load. In this work a HSMS-2820 Schottky diode will be used as the rectifier , Schottky diodes are characterized by relatively low switching times and reduced direct losses, that properties will be essential when working with low RF input power levels , to implement the circuit a FR4 substrate with 0.8mm thickness is used to reduce as much as possible the dielectric losses, different possibilities to implement the RF filter to the output of the rectifier diode will be analyzed, finally we will opt for the use of a radial stub as this will provide the best bandwidth possible. The simulated results are compared with the results measured on the rectenna circuit to determine the similarity between them.

Evaluación experimental del dispositivo LRF HOKUYO URG-04LX-UG01

En robótica móvil existen diferentes dispositivos que permiten percibir la configuración del entorno. Pueden utilizarse alternativas de gran alcance como por ejemplo los ultrasonidos, pero que tienen la desventaja de consumir un tiempo elevado en la realización de las medidas. En corta distancia destacan los sensores basados en la emisión de luz infrarroja, que responden a muy alta velocidad pero tienen muy poco alcance. La obtención de fotografia, en incluso video, por medio de camaras, permite obtener mucha información del entorno, pero exige un procesado normalmente muy elaborado. Los “Laser Range Finder” son dispositivos basados en la emisión de un haz laser que responden a muy alta velocidad en el entorno de unos cuantos metros alrededor del robot móvil, lo que los hacen especialmente adecuados para un uso continuo que permita obtener de forma rapida un mapa de los obstaculos mas próximos. En el presente proyecto se va a realizar un ejercicio de medida con el laser range finder URG-04LX-UG01 para confirmar su utilidad en el ambito de la robótica móvil. ABSTRACT In mobile robotics there are different devices that allow sense the environment configuration. Powerful alternatives may be used as e.g. ultrasounds, but they have the disadvantage of consuming a large time to perform measurements. In short range highlights the infrared light based sensors, that responds at very high speed but have very low range. The photography obtaining, even video, by cameras, allow acquire many environmental information but normally require a very elaborate processing. The Laser Range Finder are devices based on laser beam broadcasting that respond a very high speed in the vicinity of a few meters around the mobile robot, which make them especially suitable for the continuous use, that allows fast obtain of the nearests obstacles map. In this project we are going to do an measurement exercise with laser range finder URG-04LX-UG01 to confirm its utility in mobile robotics scope.

State space models for multi-setup operational modal analysis

Operational Modal Analysis consists on estimate the modal parameters of a structure (natural frequencies, damping ratios and modal vectors) from output-only vibration measurements. The modal vectors can be only estimated where a sensor is placed, so when the number of available sensors is lower than the number of tested points, it is usual to perform several tests changing the position of the sensors from one test to the following (multiple setups of sensors): some sensors stay at the same position from setup to setup, and the other sensors change the position until all the tested points are covered. The permanent sensors are then used to merge the mode shape estimated at each setup (or partial modal vectors) into global modal vectors. Traditionally, the partial modal vectors are estimated independently setup by setup, and the global modal vectors are obtained in a postprocess phase. In this work we present two state space models that can be used to process all the recorded setups at the same time, and we also present how these models can be estimated using the maximum likelihood method. The result is that the global mode shape of each mode is obtained automatically, and subsequently, a single value for the natural frequency and damping ratio of the mode is computed. Finally, both models are compared using real measured data.

Supervisión de un sistema de tiempo real distribuido

En el presente proyecto se propone la definición e implementación de un subsistema de monitorización para un sistema de tiempo real distribuido. Este monitor supervisará el estado de todos los componentes software y hardware del sistema original, y permitirá el arranque y parada de cada componente individualmente o del subsistema completo. Constará de dos componentes básicos: un supervisor local para cada subsistema, y un supervisor central con interfaz gráfica. El supervisor local es un componente software asociado a cada subsistema que realizará las funciones de monitorización, arranque/parada de los componentes y envío de informes al supervisor central. Atenderá además a los comandos de arranque y parada provenientes del supervisor central. El supervisor central recibirá los informes de estado de cada uno de los supervisores locales y permitirá el arranque y parada de los subsistemas. Contará con un interfaz gráfico a modo de posición de control. El sistema será desarrollado íntegramente (salvo la posición gráfica) en ADA95, y podrá ejecutarse en cualquiera de las distribuciones Linux más extendidas. En el contexto de Ingeniería de Software, se seguirá un desarrollo en cascada, aportándose los requisitos, el diseño, la codificación y un plan de pruebas. Abstract In this project, the definition and implementation of a monitoring system is proposed for a previously defined real-time distributed system. This supervisory system will monitor the status of each subsystem and its software and hardware components. This new system will also be able to start and stop each individual component and start or stop the entire system. It will consist of two basic components: a local supervisor for each subsystem, and a central supervisor with a graphical unit interface (GUI). The local supervisor will be a software component attached to each original subsystem, which will perform functions such as components monitoring, start and stop the associated subsystem, and sending reports to the central supervisor. It also will attend the start and stop commands from the central supervisor. The central supervisor will receive status reports from each of the local supervisors and will allow starting and stopping the subsystems. It will offer a graphical interface to be used as a main control panel. The system will be developed in ADA 95 (except the graphical position), and should work on any of the most common Linux distributions. In the context of Software Engineering, the project will be developed following a waterfall life cycle. Reports on the stages of requirements, design, coding and testing plan shall be provided.

Diseño e implementación de un controlador de velocidad PID multivariable para un robot con configuración de triciclo

La robótica móvil constituye un área de desarrollo y explotación de interés creciente. Existen ejemplos de robótica móvil de relevancia destacada en el ámbito industrial y se estima un fuerte crecimiento en el terreno de la robótica de servicios. En la arquitectura software de todos los robots móviles suelen aparecer con frecuencia componentes que tienen asignadas competencias de gobierno, navegación, percepción, etcétera, todos ellos de importancia destacada. Sin embargo, existe un elemento, difícilmente prescindible en este tipo de robots, el cual se encarga del control de velocidad del dispositivo en sus desplazamientos. En el presente proyecto se propone desarrollar un controlador PID basado en el modelo y otro no basado en el modelo. Dichos controladores deberán operar en un robot con configuración de triciclo disponible en el Departamento de Sistemas Informáticos y deberán por tanto ser programados en lenguaje C para ejecutar en el procesador digital de señal destinado para esa actividad en el mencionado robot (dsPIC33FJ128MC802). ABSTRACT Mobile robotics constitutes an area of development and exploitation of increasing interest. There are examples of mobile robotics of outstanding importance in industry and strong growth is expected in the field of service robotics. In the software architecture of all mobile robots usually appear components which have assigned competences of government, navigation, perceptionetc., all of them of major importance. However, there is an essential element in this type of robots, which takes care of the speed control. The present project aims to develop a model-based and other non-model-based PID controller. These controllers must operate in a robot with tricycle settings, available from the Department of Computing Systems, and should therefore be programmed in C language to run on the digital signal processor dedicated to that activity in the robot (dsPIC33FJ128MC802).

Doxycycline control of prion protein transgene expression modulates prion disease in mice

Conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into the pathogenic isoform (PrPSc) is the fundamental event underlying transmission and pathogenesis of prion diseases. To control the expression of PrPC in transgenic (Tg) mice, we used a tetracycline controlled transactivator (tTA) driven by the PrP gene control elements and a tTA-responsive promoter linked to a PrP gene [Gossen, M. and Bujard, H. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89, 5547–5551]. Adult Tg mice showed no deleterious effects upon repression of PrPC expression (>90%) by oral doxycycline, but the mice developed progressive ataxia at ≈50 days after inoculation with prions unless maintained on doxycycline. Although Tg mice on doxycycline accumulated low levels of PrPSc, they showed no neurologic dysfunction, indicating that low levels of PrPSc can be tolerated. Use of the tTA system to control PrP expression allowed production of Tg mice with high levels of PrP that otherwise cause many embryonic and neonatal deaths. Measurement of PrPSc clearance in Tg mice should be possible, facilitating the development of pharmacotherapeutics.

Characterization of human telomerase complex

Telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein complex, adds hexameric repeats called “telomeres” to the growing ends of chromosomal DNA. Characterization of mammalian telomerase has been elusive because of its low level of expression. We describe a bioinformatics approach to enrich and characterize the human telomerase complex. Using local sequence homology search methods, we detected similarity of the Tetrahymena p80 subunit of telomerase with the autoantigen Ro60. Antibodies to Ro60 immunoprecipitated the telomerase activity. Ro60 and p80 proteins were cross-recognizable by antibodies to either protein. Telomerase activity and the RNA component of telomerase complex were localized to a doublet in a native gel from the Ro60 antibody-precipitated material. The enriched material showed specific binding to a TTA GGG probe in vitro in an RNA template-dependent manner. Polyclonal antibodies to the doublet also immunoprecipitated the telomerase activity. These results suggest an evolutionary conservation of the telomerase proteins.

A GFP-equipped bidirectional expression module well suited for monitoring tetracycline-regulated gene expression in mouse

Doxycycline (Dox)-sensitive co-regulation of two transcriptionally coupled transgenes was investigated in the mouse. For this, we generated four independent mouse lines carrying coding regions for green fluorescent protein (GFP) and β-galactosidase in a bicistronic, bidirectional module. In all four lines the expression module was silent but was activated when transcription factor tTA was provided by the α-CaMKII-tTA transgene. In vivo analysis of GFP fluorescence, β-galactosidase and immunochemical stainings revealed differences in GFP and β-galactosidase levels between the lines, but comparable patterns of expression. Strong signals were found in neurons of the olfactory system, neocortical, limbic lobe and basal ganglia structures. Weaker expression was limited to thalamic, pontine and medullary structures, the spinal cord, the eye and to some Purkinje cells in the cerebellum. Strong GFP signals were always accompanied by intense β-galactosidase activity, both of which could be co-regulated by Dox. We conclude that the tTA-sensitive bidirectional expression module is well suited to express genes of interest in a regulated manner and that GFP can be used to track transcriptional activity of the module in the living mouse.

Conditional and targeted overexpression of vascular chymase causes hypertension in transgenic mice

We cloned a rat vascular chymase (RVCH) from smooth muscle cells (SMCs) that converts angiotensin I to II and is up-regulated in SMC from spontaneously hypertensive vs. normotensive rats. To determine whether increased activity of RVCH is sufficient to cause hypertension, transgenic mice were generated with targeted conditional expression of RVCH to SMC, with the use of the tetracycline-controlled transactivator (tTA). We confirmed conditional expression of RVCH by mRNA, protein, and chymase activity in the absence, but not in the presence, of dietary doxycycline. The systolic blood pressure (mmHg), measured by carotid artery cannulation at 10–12 weeks of age, was higher in tTA+/RVCH+ mice than in nonbinary transgenic littermates (136 ± 4 vs. 109 ± 3) (P < 0.05), as were the diastolic and mean pressures. Hypertension was completely reversed by doxycycline, suggesting a causal link with chymase expression. Medial thickening of mesenteric arteries from tTA+/RVCH+ mice vs. littermates (0.82 ± 0.1 vs. 0.42 ± 0.02) (P < 0.05) was associated with increased SMC proliferation, as judged by positive immunoreactivity, with the use of an antibody to the proliferating cell nuclear antigen. These structural changes were prevented by doxycycline. Perfusion myography of mesenteric arteries from tTA+/RVCH+ mice also revealed increased vasoconstriction in response to phenylephrine and impaired metacholine-induced vasodilatation when compared with littermate controls or with the doxycyline-treated group. Our studies suggest that up-regulation of this vascular chymase is sufficient to cause a hypertensive arteriopathy, and that RVCH may be a candidate gene and a therapeutic target in patients with high blood pressure.

Doxycycline-mediated quantitative and tissue-specific control of gene expression in transgenic mice.

The tet regulatory system in which doxycycline (dox) acts as an inducer of specifically engineered RNA polymerase II promoters was transferred into transgenic mice. Tight control and a broad range of regulation spanning up to five orders of magnitude were monitored dependent on the dox concentration in the water supply of the animals. Administration of dox rapidly induces the synthesis of the indicator enzyme luciferase whose activity rises over several orders of magnitude within the first 4 h in some organs. Induction is complete after 24 h in most organs analyzed. A comparable regulatory potential was revealed with the tet regulatory system where dox prevents transcription activation. Directing the synthesis of the tetracycline-controlled transactivator (tTA) to the liver led to highly specific regulation in hepatocytes where, in presence of dox, less than one molecule of luciferase was detected per cell. By contrast, a more than 10(5)-fold activation of the luciferase gene was observed in the absence of the antibiotic. This regulation was homogeneous throughout but stringently restricted to hepatocytes. These results demonstrate that both tetracycline-controlled transcriptional activation systems provide genetic switches that permit the quantitative control of gene activities in transgenic mice in a tissue-specific manner and, thus, suggest possibilities for the generation of a novel type of conditional mutants.

Creation of a reversible on/off system for site-specific in vivo control of exogenous gene activity in the renal glomerulus.

Using genetically engineered glomerular mesangial cells, an in vivo gene transfer approach was developed that specifically targets the renal glomerulus. By combining this system with a tetracycline (Tc)-responsive promoter, the present study aimed to create a reversible on/off system for site-specific in vivo control of exogenous gene activity within the glomerulus. In the Tc regulatory system, a Tc-controlled transactivator (tTA) encoded by a regulator plasmid induces target gene transcription by binding to a tTA-responsive promoter located in a response plasmid. Tc inhibits this tTA-dependent transactivation via its affinity for tTA. In double-transfected cells, therefore, the activity of a transgene can be controlled by Tc. Cultured rat mesangial cells were cotransfected with a regulator plasmid and a response plasmid that introduces a beta-galactosidase gene. In vitro, stable double-transfectant MtTAG cells exhibited no beta-galactosidase activity in the presence of Tc. However, following withdrawal of Tc from culture media, expression of beta-galactosidase was induced within 24 h. When Tc was again added, the expression was rapidly resuppressed. Low concentrations of Tc were sufficient to maintain the silent state of tTA-dependent promoter. MtTAG cells were then transferred into the rat glomeruli via renal artery injection. In the isolated chimeric glomeruli, expression of beta-galactosidase was induced ex vivo in the absence of Tc, whereas it was repressed in its presence. When Tc-pretreated MtTAG cells were transferred into the glomeruli of untreated rats, beta-galactosidase expression was induced in vivo within 3 days. Oral administration of Tc dramatically suppressed this induction. These data demonstrate the feasibility of using mesangial cell vectors combined with the Tc regulatory system for site-specific in vivo control of exogenous gene expression in the glomerulus.

A modified tetracycline-regulated system provides autoregulatory, inducible gene expression in cultured cells and transgenic mice.

A system for tetracycline-regulated inducible gene expression was described recently which relies on constitutive expression of a tetracycline-controlled transactivator (tTA) fusion protein combining the tetracycline repressor and the transcriptional activation domain of VP16 [Gossen, M. & Bujard, H. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89, 5547-5551]. This system yielded only low levels of transactivator protein, probably because tTA is toxic. To avoid this difficulty, we placed the tTA gene under the control of the inducible promoter to which tTA binds, making expression of tTA itself inducible and autoregulatory. When used to drive expression of the recombination activating genes 1 and 2 (RAG-1 and RAG-2), the autoregulatory system yielded both substantially higher levels of variable (diversity) joining [V(D)J] recombination activity (70-fold on average) and inducible expression in a much larger fraction of transfected cells (autoregulatory, 90%, vs. constitutive, 18%). In addition, this system allowed the creation of transgenic mice in which expression of a luciferase transgene was inducible tens to hundreds of times the basal levels in most tissues examined. Induced levels of expression were highest in thymus and lung and appear to be substantially higher than in previously reported inducible luciferase transgenic mice created with the constitutive system. With the modified system, inducible transactivator mRNA and protein were easily detected in cell lines by RNA and Western blotting, and transactivator mRNA was detected by RNA blotting in some tissues of transgenic mice. This autoregulatory system represents an improved strategy for tetracycline-regulated gene expression both in cultured cells and in transgenic animals.

Cenários de prática no Sistema Único de Saúde e as diretrizes curriculares nacionais para o curso de odontologia

A formação dos profissionais de saúde ainda está distante dos princípios e diretrizes do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). As propostas publicadas pelas Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais (DCN) para o curso de odontologia, em 2002, visam preencher essa lacuna por meio da articulação entre as Instituições de Educação Superior (IES) e o SUS. Trata-se de estudo qualitativo, descritivo e exploratório sobre o sentido das atividades realizadas nos cenários de prática do SUS, sob o ponto de vista dos alunos do curso de odontologia de uma IES privada localizada no interior de São Paulo, à luz das DCN e do projeto político pedagógico (PPP) do referido curso. A pesquisa ocorreu no site da rede social do Facebook, em grupos secretos de discussão com 10 discentes, utilizando questões abertas relacionadas à odontologia, ao SUS e à graduação, entre novembro de 2014 e julho de 2015. Durante o processo, descobriu-se que 8 alunos trabalhavam no SUS como auxiliares e técnicos de saúde bucal e uma auxiliar de enfermagem, fato que influenciou na construção e condução das perguntas. As opiniões dos alunos, o PPP da IES estudada e o documento das DCN foram analisados por meio dos Mapas Conceituais (concebidos por Novak e Cañas), e em seguida, validados, respectivamente, pelos discentes, pelo coordenador do curso de odontologia estudado, e pela representante da Associação Brasileira de Ensino Odontológico (ABENO). Para aprofundar a análise das distintas vivências e pontos de vistas, utilizou-se a técnica de análise de conteúdo temática de Bardin. A discussão dos resultados evidenciou que além de ser possível ocorrer práticas pedagógicas nos cenários de prática do SUS, também é provável o aprendizado de competências e habilidades descritas pelas DCN. O potencial transformador desses cenários de prática possibilitou, nessa pesquisa, a proposição de estratégias para a realização de atividades no SUS alinhadas às DCN.