Search

Las garantías de resocialización de la pena deben estar amparadas con el uso de las nuevas tecnologías de la información y la comunicación, de manera que se pueda dar cumplimiento a la sujeción jurídico penal dentro de un Estado Social de Derecho. La presente investigación tiene como objetivo central determinar los alcances de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación en los procesos de resocialización de la pena, lo cual se pudo dar a conocer por medio de un enfoque cualitativo con método inductivo, que a través de una revisión documental detallada permitió obtener como resultado principal que las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación son herramientas pertinentes para el logro de la resocialización de la pena, por medio del acercamiento a la educación, el trabajo, el contacto familiar y la atención tanto judicial como penitenciaria y carcelaria, a partir de las cuales se puede facilitar el acceso a la población reclusa a las audiencias de ejecución de pena, transmisión telemática de estas, las reclamaciones de redención de pena, la gestión documental para la descarga de certificados digitales, entre otros. En conclusión, es pertinente incorporar la inteligencia artificial en el sistema carcelario de Colombia.

Circulating miRNAs (c-miRNAs) are found in most, if not all, biological fluids and are becoming well established biomarkers of many human pathologies. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of c-miRNAs as biomarkers of reproductive and metabolic states in fish, a question that has received little attention. Plasma was collected throughout the reproductive cycle from rainbow trout females subjected to two different feeding levels to trigger contrasting metabolic states; ovarian fluid was sample at ovulation. Fluid samples were subjected to small RNA-seq analysis followed by quantitative PCR validation for a subset of promising c-miRNA biomarkers. A comprehensive miRNA repertoire, which was lacking in trout, was first established to allow subsequent analysis. We first showed that biological fluids miRNAomes are complex and encompass a high proportion of the overall species miRNAome. While sharing a high proportion of common miRNAs, plasma and ovarian fluid miRNAomes exhibited strong fluid-specific signatures. We further showed that the plasma miRNAome exhibited major significant changes depending on metabolic and reproductive state. We subsequently identified three (miR-1-1/2-3p, miR-133-a-1/2-3p and miR-206-3p) evolutionarily conserved muscle-specific miRNA that accumulate in the plasma in response to high feeding rates, making these myomiRs strong candidate biomarkers of active myogenesis. We also identified miR-202-5p as a candidate biomarker for reproductive success that could be used to predict ovulation and/or egg quality. These highly promising results reveal the high potential of c-miRNAs as physiologically relevant biomarkers and pave the way for the use of c-miRNAs for non-invasive phenotyping in various fish species.

Many of the resistance mechanisms of enterobacteria to antimicrobial agents are well understood; nevertheless several aspects remain unsolved, particularly with regard to prediction of clinical response. The resistance pattern observed in the antibiogram of a specific organism should be the sum of the natural resistance pattern, characteristic of the species, plus the acquired resistance. In enterobacteria the principal mechanism of resistance to beta lactams and aminoglycosides is enzyme production, Each enzyme recognizes one or more specific beta lactam or aminoglycoside, as a substrate. This translates as a specific resistance phenotype that allows one to infer the enzyme(s) implicated. Enzyme resistance is not, however, the only mechanism of resistance to these agents; often the pattern observed is multifactorial. Resistance to quinolones is due to point and sequence mutations which may be selected by initially active fluoroquinolones and cause a stepwise increase of resistance.

UTP stimulates transmitter release and inhibits M-type K(+) channels in rat superior cervical ganglion neurons via G protein-coupled P2Y receptors. To investigate the underlying signaling mechanisms, we treated the neurons with either pertussis or cholera toxin; neither treatment altered the inhibition of M-type K(+) channels by 10 microM UTP. However, pertussis toxin reduced UTP-evoked [(3)H]noradrenaline release by 66%. UTP, UDP, ATP, and ADP caused accumulation of inositol trisphosphate in a pertussis toxin-insensitive manner. Pharmacological inhibition of inositol trisphosphate-induced Ca(2+) release (by inhibition of phospholipase C, of inositol trisphosphate receptors, and of the endoplasmic Ca(2+)-ATPase) prevented the UTP-dependent inhibition of M currents but failed to alter UTP-evoked [(3)H]noradrenaline release. Chelation of intracellular Ca(2+) by 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N, N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid also reduced the inhibition of M currents by UTP. In addition, all these manipulations attenuated the inhibition of M currents by bradykinin, but hardly affected the inhibitory action of oxotremorine M. These results demonstrate that UTP inhibits M-type K(+) channels via an inositol trisphosphate-dependent signaling cascade that is also used by bradykinin but not by muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. In contrast, the secretagogue action of UTP is largely independent of this signaling cascade but involves pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins. Thus, UTP-sensitive P2Y receptors excite sympathetic neurons via at least two different signal transduction mechanisms.

Suramin analogues uncouple two Gi/Go-coupled receptors, the D2 dopamine receptor in rat striatum and the A1 adenosine receptor in human cerebral cortex, with distinct structure-activity relations. This discrepancy may reflect true differences in the affinity of the analogues for specific receptor/G protein complexes or may be attributable to differences in species or in the tissue source used. We addressed this question by using human embryonic kidney 293 cells that stably express the human A1 and rat A1 receptor and the human D2 receptor. Suramin is 10-fold more potent than its didemethylated analogue NF037 in inhibiting the interaction between G proteins and the rat A1 or human A1 receptor; in contrast, both compounds are equipotent in uncoupling the D2 receptor. These differences are observed regardless of whether (1) inhibition of high affinity agonist binding to the receptors or (2) agonist-stimulated GTPgammaS binding is used as readout, (3) the receptors are allowed to interact with the G protein complement in human embryonic kidney 293 cell membranes, or (4) the receptors are forced to interact with a defined G protein alpha subunit (i.e., after reconstituting pertussis toxin-treated membranes with exogenous rGi alpha-1). The apparent affinity of suramin depends in a linear manner on receptor occupancy, which shows that suramin and the receptor compete for the G protein. Finally, the affinity of the receptors for rGi alpha-1 (human A1rat A1human D2) is inversely correlated with the potency of suramin in uncoupling ternary complexes formed by these receptors and thus determines the selectivity of the suramin analogues for specific receptor/G protein tandems.

Polygeneration systems with thermal energy storage represent promising solutions to achieve energy saving and emissions reduction in the civil sector. The definition of customer-oriented design and operation strategies represents a most challenging task, in order to maximize the profitability and make the investment attractive. A large potential is often recognized for the installation of centralized plants serving a cluster of buildings located over a small area; in such cases the design problem becomes extremely complex and the analyst needs reliable instruments to identify the optimal solution. This paper in two parts presents a scientific tool for the optimization of design and operation for complex polygeneration plants serving a number of buildings with heat, cooling and electricity. The method is flexible with respect to boundary conditions as concerns the power exchange with the public grid, the tariff structure and the normative constraints. In Part I of the paper the method is described, focusing the attention on the most conceptual aspects. The Mixed Integer Linear Programming algorithm is also presented and error analyses are performed for each of the figures adopted, in order to assess the robustness of the method. In Part II of this paper the tool will be extensively applied to some explicative case studies, in order to better clarify its potential in supporting energy analysts and decision makers.

This paper represents the 2nd part of a paper in two parts. In part I a 2nd Principle analysis of a Multiple- Effects-Evaporation (MEE) process has been proposed. In this Part II perspectives for process improvement will be investigated, along two distinct research lines: the thermoeconomics-aided optimization of a new system and the increase of thermal efficiency for existing systems by a pinch-based plant retrofit. As concerns the first research line, a detailed productive structure for the plant stage (i.e. effect) examined in Part I is presented; the cost formation structure is then used to improve a simplified optimization process, revealing capable to properly reflect the interactions among exergy flows. It is shown that the flash at brine inlet and the exergy destruction at the pre-heaters, both apparently playing a secondary role with respect to heat transfer at the evaporators, become main sources of irreversibility when the ΔT between two consecutive effects increases. Then, as a corollary to the low exergetic efficiency calculated in Part I of this paper, the potential for exergy saving through process integration is discussed. Although detailed calculations are not included, a conceptual application of pinch-based techniques is proposed, which reveals scarce margins for integration at process level and a much higher potential for process/hot-utility integration. The use of heat cascades can be optimized looking at the Thermal Desalination Process as a black box; economics of cogeneration systems integrated with the desalination plant and targeted on heat supply, in fact, essentially depends on the cost of feed steam, fuel and electricity.

This paper represents the Part II of a paper in two parts. In Part I the fundamentals of Scope Oriented Thermoeconomics have been introduced, showing a scarce potential for the cost accounting of existing plants; in this Part II the same concepts are applied to the optimization of a small set of design variables for a vapour compression chiller. The method overcomes the limit of most conventional optimization techniques, which are usually based on hermetic algorithms not enabling the energy analyst to recognize all the margins for improvement. The Scope Oriented Thermoeconomic optimization allows us to disassemble the optimization process, thus recognizing the Formation Structure of Optimality, i.e. the specific influence of any thermodynamic and economic parameter in the path toward the optimal design. Finally, the potential applications of such an in-depth understanding of the inner driving forces of the optimization are discussed in the paper, with a particular focus on the sensitivity analysis to the variation of energy and capital costs and on the actual operation-oriented design.

With reference to the feasibility analysis for CHCP applications in airports performed in Part I of this work, the optimal strategy for repowering and operation of the Malpensa 2000 CHCP plant is here discussed. The analysis starts from experimental energy demand data, available on hourly basis for an entire operational year. After a description of the CHCP lay-out, the optimal management strategy was determined keeping into account the articulated energy tariff system and the technical characteristics of components. A profit-oriented optimization of the repowering actions to take up to 2010 is presented, based on the expected growth of energy consumption due to the scheduled increases in transportation capacity; energy and emission saving were also calculated by simulating plant operation on hourly basis, for several repowering strategies.

Airports are very energy-intensive areas, because of the large buildings (both terminals and non-passengers areas) equipped with heating and air-conditioning systems, the high power demand for lighting and electric equipment and the energy requests from many facilities within the airport area. The contemporaneous and high demand for power and heat makes cogeneration to represent a viable solution for energy saving; in southern climate zones, however, combined heating, cooling and power (CHCP) systems can lead to even better results. This paper constitutes the first part of a work in two parts; starting from an analysis of typical energy demand profiles in airports, economical and technical criteria to assess the feasibility of trigeneration plants are proposed. Typical results for large airports are also presented. Part II of this work presents an in-depth analysis for the Malpensa 2000 airport, oriented to optimize the design and the operation of the CHCP system.

Multi-stage flash (MSF) and reverse osmosis (RO) are the most common techniques for seawater desalination. A significant difference between these methodologies consists of their different energy requirements, i.e., thermal energy for MSF and mechanical energy for RO plants. The presence of both desalination systems (MSF and RO) appears to be suitable for cogeneration plants. The reject heat from the power cycle can feed an MSF section, while some power feeds the RO section and the MSF auxiliary equipment; the rest is sold to the grid. A criterion for the optimal design of such tri-functional cogeneration plants is proposed, based on exergo-economics and on profit maximization. In particular, in this work the analytical model is presented by examining the required data, expressing the physical and cost balances and furnishing a comprehensive definition of the objective function. The proposed model is flexible and suitable for comparative applications in all Mediterranean countries. Multi-stage flash (MSF) and reverse osmosis (RO) are the most common techniques for seawater desalination. A significant difference between these methodologies consists of their different energy requirements, i.e., thermal energy for MSF and mechanical energy for RO plants. The presence of both desalination systems (MSF and RO) appears to be suitable for cogeneration plants. The reject heat from the power cycle can feed an MSF section, while some power feeds the RO section and the MSF auxiliary equipment; the rest is sold to the grid. A criterion for the optimal design of such tri-functional cogeneration plants is proposed, based on exergo-economics and on profit maximization. In particular, in this work the analytical model is presented by examining the required data, expressing the physical and cost balances and furnishing a comprehensive definition of the objective function. The proposed model is flexible and suitable for comparative applications in all Mediterranean countries.