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[ES] El objetivo de este Trabajo Fin de Máster es desarrollar una Verification IP (VIP). Una VIP es una IP desarrollada utilizando lenguajes de descripción hardware (HDL) que tiene como finalidad garantizar el correcto funcionamiento de otro módulo hardware. Una VIP estudia el comportamiento del módulo, así como sus entradas y salidas, además de analizar el tratamiento de la información que se lleva a cabo en dicho módulo. Los resultados obtenidos en este proceso se contrastan con un modelo de referencia o modelo Golden, que se utiliza como ejemplo de funcionamiento correcto y como objetivo en la verificación del módulo en cuestión o DUT (Device Under Test). El desarrollo se realizará en un entorno UVM (Universal Verification Methodology), una metodología de verificación de vanguardia que posee ciertas ventajas respecto a metodologías tradicionales de verificación. El protocolo que verificará esta VIP desarrollada como parte del TFM es el PCIe o PCI express (Peripheral Component Interconnect express). Dicho protocolo tiene una gran relevancia en el mercado de las telecomunicaciones y de la electrónica en general, ya que se utiliza tanto en aplicaciones específicas de gran complejidad para la implementación de dispositivos en sistemas de mayor magnitud como en aplicaciones más simples destinadas a la denominada "electrónica de consumo". Maxlinear desarrolla circuitos integrados que hacen uso de dicho estándar, es por esa razón que está interesada en el desarrollo de una VIP que permita mejorar las tareas de validación de dichos dispositivos. La última generación de este estándar publicada es la quinta generación (PCIe Gen5), cuyas características son las que evaluará y verificará la VIP a desarrollar. Por tanto, en el presente TFM se desarrollará una VIP plenamente funcional que verifique un subset de las características del estándar PCIe y será diseñado con una arquitectura que permita fácilmente añadirle nuevas características del estándar en un futuro según las necesidades de la empresa. La verificación de esta VIP se llevará a cabo enfrentándola a una VIP de PCIe completa, adquirida por la empresa., [EN] The main goal of this Final Masters Project is to develop a Verification IP (VIP). A VIP is an IP that is developed using hardware description languages (HDL) and that aims to guarantee that the performance of another hardware module is correct. A VIP studies the behaviour of the module, as well as its inputs and outputs, analysing also how information is managed inside the module. The results obtained from this analysis are compared with the ones obtained from a reference (or Golden) model, used in the verification as an example of the correct behaviour that is expected to be achieved in the DUT (Device Under Test). The whole development will be done in a UVM (Universal Verification Methodology) environment, a cutting edge verification methodology that provides significant improvements regarding the conventional hardware verification flow. The protocol for which this VIP is developed as Final Masters Project is PCIe, also known as PCI Express (Peripheral Component Interconnect express). This protocol is hugely relevant in the current telecommunications and electronics market, as it is used for both specific complex applications that are meant to be implemented in greater systems, and simpler applications for consumer electronics. Maxlinear is a company that develops integrated circuits that use this standard bus, which is the reason why they are interested in the development of a VIP that could improve the verification tasks related to these ICs. The latest release of this PCIe standard is the fifth generation (PCIe Gen5) and those features in the standard are the ones that are going to be verified by the VIP. Thus, the developed PCIe VIP (as Final Masters Project) will check a subset of the features in the PCIe standard, and will be designed prioritising scalability, in order to make it suitable to add new features and related checkers from PCIe specification in the near future, according to the needs of the company. The verification of the VIP itself will be done connecting it to another PCIe VIP, purchased by the company.

Learning and memory deficits are hallmarks of the aging brain, with cortical neuronal circuits representing the main target in cognitive deterioration. While GABAergic inhibitory and disinhibitory circuits are critical in supporting cognitive processes, their roles in age-related cognitive decline remain largely unknown. Here, we examined the morphological and physiological properties of the hippocampal CA1 vasoactive intestinal peptide/calretinin-expressing (VIP+/CR+) type 3 interneuron-specific (I-S3) cells across mouse lifespan. Our data showed that while the number and morphological features of I-S3 cells remained unchanged, their firing and synaptic properties were significantly altered in old animals. In particular, the action potential duration and the level of steady-state depolarization were significantly increased in old animals in parallel with a significant decrease in the maximal firing frequency. Reducing the fast-delayed rectifier potassium or transient sodium conductances in I-S3 cell computational models could reproduce the age-related changes in I-S3 cell firing properties. However, experimental data revealed no difference in the activation properties of the Kv3.1 and A-type potassium currents, indicating that transient sodium together with other ion conductances may be responsible for the observed phenomena. Furthermore, I-S3 cells in aged mice received a stronger inhibitory drive due to concomitant increase in the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous inhibitory currents. These age-associated changes in the I-S3 cell properties occurred in parallel with an increased inhibition of their target interneurons and were associated with spatial memory deficits and increased anxiety. Taken together, these data indicate that VIP+/CR+ interneurons responsible for local circuit disinhibition survive during aging but exhibit significantly altered physiological properties, which may result in the increased inhibition of hippocampal interneurons and distorted mnemonic functions.

The innate immune lymphocytes (ILCs), discovered about a decade ago, exhibit functional features of T cells but lack antigen‐specific receptors (ie, TCR). ILCs modulate mucosal immunity, inflammation, and tissue homeostasis.1 Among them, ILC3s express retinoid‐related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) transcription factor and produce IL‐22 and IL‐17, actively maintaining tissue homeostasis., RJS is funded by Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (IJCI‐2016‐27619).

Canine inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of enteropathies with nonspecific chronic symptoms and poorly understood etiology. Many aspects connected with IBD are not understood. One of them is the participation of the intestinal nervous system in the development of pathological processes. Thus, this study aimed to demonstrate changes in the density of intramucosal nerve fibers containing vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)&mdash, one of the most important intestinal nervous factors caused by the various stages of IBD development. Mucosal biopsy specimens collected from the duodenum, jejunum and descending colon of healthy dogs and dogs with varied severity of IBD were included in the experiment. The density of VIP-like immunoreactive (VIP-LI) nerves was determined by a single immunofluorescence technique and a semi-quantitative method consisting in VIP-LI fiber counts in the field of view (0.1 mm2). The obtained results indicate that IBD induces changes in the density of mucosal VIP-LI nerve fibers in the canine gastrointestinal tract. The initial decrease is followed by an increase in VIP-like immunoreactivity in successive stages of the disease. These observations show that VIP is a neuronal factor that participates in the pathological processes connected with canine IBD. The observed changes probably result from the neuroprotective and/or adaptive properties of VIP. Protective and adaptive reactions induced by inflammation aim to protect the GI tract against damage by proinflammatory factors and ensure the homeostasis in the enteric nervous system (ENS) under the conditions changed by the disease process.

For Internet banking to compete effectively with traditional brick-and-mortar banking, managers must identify the key determinants of customer satisfaction. While many studies exist on Internet banking, and there is a large base of marketing literature on customers&rsquo, perceptions of luxury products, research on the service quality of luxury brands in Internet banking is scarce. Our study investigates service quality that exert influence on customer satisfaction with Internet banking most, along with the moderating role of customer type on the relation between service quality and customer satisfaction. The moderation analysis in our study is the test of difference between general customers and VIP customers which are created according to customer type. Using a web survey of 645 general and VIP (very important person) customers who use Internet banking systems, we examined the effects of fix factors that have an influence on service quality: usefulness, ease of use, and system security, reliability, responsiveness, and empathy. In the full sample, all factors that affect Internet banking quality also affected customer satisfaction significantly. Usefulness, ease of use, and system trust, responsiveness, and empathy are more important in VIP customer satisfaction than in that of general customers, while system security is a more important factor for general than for VIP customers. Our study results indicate that general and VIP customers differently perceive service quality that are relevant to customer satisfaction.

International audience; Visuo-vestibular integration is crucial for locomotion, yet the cortical mechanismsinvolved remain poorly understood. We combined binaural monopolar galvanic vestibularstimulation (GVS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to characterize thecortical networks activated during antero-posterior and lateral stimulations in humans.We focused on functional areas that selectively respond to egomotion-consistent opticflow patterns: the human middle temporal complex (hMT+), V6, the ventral intraparietal(VIP) area, the cingulate sulcus visual (CSv) area and the posterior insular cortex (PIC).Areas hMT+, CSv, and PIC were equivalently responsive during lateral and antero-posterior GVS while areas VIP and V6 were highly activated during antero-posteriorGVS, but remained silent during lateral GVS. Using psychophysiological interaction (PPI)analyses, we confirmed that a cortical network including areas V6 and VIP is engagedduring antero-posterior GVS. Our results suggest that V6 and VIP play a specific role inprocessing multisensory signals specific to locomotion during navigation

Background Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells are a potential resource for the clinical therapy of certain diseases. Canine, as a companion animal, living in the same space with human, is an ideal new model for human diseases research. Because of the high prevalence of diabetes, alternative transplantation islets resource (i.e. insulin producing cells) for diabetes treatment will be in urgent need, which makes our research on the transdifferentiation of Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into insulin producing cells become more important. Result In this study, we completed the transdifferentiation process and achieved the transcriptome profiling of five samples with two biological duplicates, namely, “BMSCs”, “islets”, “stage 1”, “stage 2” and “stage 3”, and the latter three samples were achieved on the second, fifth and eighth day of induction. A total of 11,530 differentially expressed transcripts were revealed in the profiling data. The enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed several signaling pathways that are essential for regulating proliferation and transdifferentiation, including focal adhesion, ECM-receptor interaction, tight junction, protein digestion and absorption, and the Rap1 signaling pathway. Meanwhile, the obtained protein–protein interaction network and functional identification indicating involvement of three genes, SSTR2, RPS6KA6, and VIP could act as a foundation for further research. Conclusion In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first survey of the transdifferentiation of canine BMSCs into insulin-producing cells according with the timeline using next-generation sequencing technology. The three key genes we pick out may regulate decisive genes during the development of transdifferentiation of insulin producing cells.

El objetivo principal del proyecto es determinar la influencia de los sistemas constructivos utilizados en la construcción de vivienda en Colombia entre los años 2007 a 2020 en 15 zonas del territorio de Colombia, para de esta manera poder presentar una clara visión hacia los mercados que son afectados por las tendencias de esta industria y a los inversionistas que se ven involucrados en el desarrollo de la construcción. En principio se realiza la caracterización de los sistemas constructivos usados en las 15 zonas de Colombia teniendo en cuenta sus ventajas, desventajas, equipo, tipo de mano de obra, costos actualizados por metro cuadrado, elementos que componen cada sistema, capacidad de pisos, número de personas requeridas para el desarrollo de cada método y normas avaladas e influenciadas por cada método. Posteriormente se grafican y tabulan los datos encontrados en unidades iniciadas por cada ciudad, tipo de sistema constructivo y tipo de vivienda, catalogados como VIS y no VIS, los cuales se clasificarán de acuerdo al gobierno que se presentó con sus políticas de vivienda en los años estudiados. Se desarrollará de igual manera para las áreas iniciadas de los sistemas constructivos. Se analizarán las tendencias encontradas por cada ciudad, por cada sistema constructivo y por cada tipo de vivienda. Por último, se clasificarán las viviendas de acuerdo a sus precios como no VIS, VIS y VIP teniendo en cuenta cada ciudad y cada plan gobierno presentado durante los años 2007 hasta 2020. A partir de estos definir tendencias y corrientes de los sistemas constructivos en viviendas. GLOSARIO……………………………………………………………………………….16 RESUMEN………………………………………………………………………….…….18 INTRODUCCION………………………………………………………………………...19 1. PLANTEAMIENTO DEL PROBLEMA 20 1.1 IDENTIFICACIÓN 20 1.2 DESCRIPCIÓN 22 1.3 PLANTEAMIENTO 23 2. DELIMITACIÓN DE LA PROPUESTA 23 3. OBJETIVOS 23 3.1 OBJETIVO GENERAL 23 3.2 OBJETIVOS ESPECÍFICOS 23 4. ANTECEDENTES 23 5. JUSTIFICACIÓN 26 6. MARCO REFERENCIAL 27 6.1 MARCO TEÓRICO 27 6.2 MARCO CONCEPTUAL* 28 6.2.1 DESCRIPCION DE LOS SISTEMAS CONSTRUCTIVOS MAS UTILIZADOS PARA LA CONSTRUCCION DE VIS y NO VIS EN COLOMBIA 28 6.2.2 SISTEMAS CONTRUCTIVOS 29 6.2.3 SISTEMA CONSTRUCTIVO APORTICADO 29 6.2.4 SISTEMA CONSTRUCTIVO EN MAMPOSTERIA ESTRUCTURAL 30 6.2.5 SISTEMAS INDUSTRIALIZADOS 31 6.3 MARCO INSTITUCIONAL 44 6.4 MARCO LEGAL 45 7. METODOLOGÍA 46 8. CARACTERIZACION DE LOS SISTEMAS CONSTRUCTIVOS 46 9. REGIONES 54 10. UNIDADES DE LOS SISTEMAS CONSTRUCTIVOS MAS UTILIZADOS 55 10.1 Análisis de unidades de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Bogotá y Soacha. 55 10.2 Análisis de unidades de vivienda No VIS iniciadas en Bogotá y Soacha. 57 10.3 Análisis de unidades de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Medellín, Bello, Envigado, Itagüí, Sabaneta, Estrella, Caldas, Copacabana, Girardota y Barbosa. 59 10.4 Análisis de unidades de vivienda No VIS iniciadas en Medellín, Bello, Envigado, Itagüí, Sabaneta, Estrella, Caldas, Copacabana, Girardota y Barbosa. 61 10.5 Análisis de unidades de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Cali y Yumbo 63 10.6 Análisis de unidades de vivienda No VIS iniciadas en Cali y Yumbo 65 10.7 Análisis de unidades de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Barranquilla y Soledad. 67 10.8 Análisis de unidades de vivienda No VIS iniciadas en Barranquilla y Soledad 69 10.9 Análisis de unidades de vivienda VIS en Bucaramanga, Floridablanca, Girón y Piedecuesta 71 10.10 Análisis de unidades de vivienda No VIS iniciadas en Bucaramanga, Floridablanca, Girón y Piedecuesta 73 10.11 Análisis de unidades de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Pereira y Dosquebradas 75 10.12 Análisis de unidades de vivienda No VIS iniciadas en Pereira y Dosquebradas 77 10.13 Análisis de unidades de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Armenia 79 10.14 Análisis de unidades de vivienda No VIS iniciadas en Armenia 81 10.15 Análisis de unidades de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Cartagena. 83 10.16 Análisis de unidades de vivienda No VIS iniciadas en Cartagena. 85 10.17 Análisis de unidades de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Ibagué. 87 10.18 Análisis de unidades de vivienda No VIS iniciadas en Ibagué. 89 10.19 Análisis de unidades de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Cúcuta, Los Patios, Villa del Rosario y El Zulia. 91 10.20 Análisis de unidades de vivienda No VIS iniciadas en Cúcuta, Los Patios, Villa del Rosario y El Zulia. 93 10.21 Análisis de unidades de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Manizales y Villa María. 95 10.22 Análisis de unidades de vivienda No VIS iniciadas en Manizales y Villa María. 97 10.23 Análisis de unidades de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Villavicencio. 99 10.24 Análisis de unidades de vivienda No VIS iniciadas en Villavicencio. 101 10.25 Análisis de unidades de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Neiva 103 10.26 Análisis de unidades de vivienda No VIS iniciadas en Neiva. 105 10.27 Análisis de unidades de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Pasto. 107 10.28 Análisis de unidades de vivienda No VIS iniciadas en Pasto. 109 10.29 Análisis de unidades de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Popayán. 111 10.30 Análisis de unidades de vivienda No VIS iniciadas en Popayán. 113 11. ÁREA INICIADA DE VIVIENDA SEGÚN TIPO DE VIVIENDA. 115 11.1 Análisis de área de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Bogotá y Soacha. 115 11.2 Análisis de área de vivienda no VIS iniciadas en Bogotá y Soacha. 117 11.3 Análisis de área de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Medellín, Bello, Envigado, Itagüí, Sabaneta, Estrella, Caldas, Copacabana, Girardota y Barbosa. 119 11.4 Análisis de área de vivienda no VIS iniciadas en Medellín, Bello, Envigado, Itagüí, Sabaneta, Estrella, Caldas, Copacabana, Girardota y Barbosa. 121 11.5 Análisis de área de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Cali y Yumbo. 123 11.6 Análisis de área de vivienda no VIS iniciadas en Cali y Yumbo. 125 11.7 Análisis de área de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Barranquilla y Soledad. 127 11.8 Análisis de área de vivienda no VIS iniciadas en Barranquilla y Soledad. 128 11.9 Análisis de área de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Bucaramanga, Floridablanca, Girón y Piedecuesta. 130 11.10 Análisis de área de vivienda no VIS iniciadas en Bucaramanga, Floridablanca, Girón y Piedecuesta 132 11.11 Análisis de área de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Pereira y Dosquebradas 134 11.12 Análisis de área de vivienda no VIS iniciadas en Pereira y Dosquebradas 135 11.13 Análisis de área de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Armenia 137 11.14 Análisis de área de vivienda no VIS iniciadas en Armenia 139 11.15 Análisis de área de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Cartagena 140 11.16 Análisis de área de vivienda no VIS iniciadas en Cartagena 142 11.17 Análisis de área de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Ibagué 144 11.18 Análisis de área de vivienda no VIS iniciadas en Ibagué 145 11.19 Análisis de área de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Cúcuta, Los Patios, Villa del Rosario y El Zulia 147 11.20 Análisis de área de vivienda no VIS iniciadas en Cúcuta, Los Patios, Villa del Rosario y El Zulia 149 11.21 Análisis de área de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Manizales y Villa María 151 11.22 Análisis de área de vivienda no VIS iniciadas en Manizales y Villa María 152 11.23 Análisis de área de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Villavicencio 154 11.24 Análisis de área de vivienda no VIS iniciadas en Villavicencio 156 11.25 Análisis de área de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Neiva 158 11.26 Análisis de área de vivienda no VIS iniciadas en Neiva 160 11.27 Análisis de área de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Pasto 162 11.28 Análisis de área de vivienda no VIS iniciadas en Pasto 163 11.29 Análisis de área de vivienda VIS iniciadas en Popayán 165 11.30 Análisis de área de vivienda no VIS iniciadas en Popayán 167 12. ÁREA INICIADA DE VIVIENDA SEGÚN PRECIOS. 168 12.1 Área de vivienda según precios iniciadas en Bogotá y Soacha. 169 12.2 Área de vivienda según precios iniciadas en Medellín, Bello, Envigado, Itagüí, Sabaneta, Estrella, Caldas, Copacabana, Girardota y Barbosa 171 12.3 Área de vivienda según precios iniciadas en Cali y Yumbo 173 12.4 Área de vivienda según precios iniciadas en Barranquilla y Soledad 175 12.5 Área de vivienda según precios iniciadas en Bucaramanga, Floridablanca, Girón y Piedecuesta 177 12.6 Área de vivienda según precios iniciadas en Pereira y Dosquebradas 178 12.7 Área de vivienda según precios iniciadas en Armenia 180 12.8 Área de vivienda según precios iniciadas en Cartagena 182 12.9 Área de vivienda según precios iniciadas en Ibagué 183 12.10 Área de vivienda según precios iniciadas en Cúcuta, Los Patios, Villa del Rosario y El Zulia 185 12.11 Área de vivienda según precios iniciadas en Manizales y Villa María 187 12.12 Área de vivienda según precios iniciadas en Villavicencio 189 12.13 Área de vivienda según precios iniciadas en Neiva 190 12.14 Área de vivienda según precios iniciadas en Pasto 192 12.15 Área de vivienda según precios iniciadas en Popayán 194 13. TABLAS DE RESUMEN. 196 14. ANALISIS DE RESULTADOS. 199 15. CONCLUSIONES 203 16. RECOMENDACIONES 205 17. BIBLIOGRAFÍA 205 The main objective of the project is to determine the influence of the construction systems used in the construction of housing in Colombia between 2007 and 2020 in 15 areas of the territory of Colombia, in order to present a clear vision to the markets that are affected by the trends of this industry and to the investors that are involved in the development of the construction. In principle, the construction systems used in the 15 zones of Colombia are characterized taking into account their advantages, disadvantages, equipment, type of labor, updated costs per square meter, elements that make up each system, floor capacity, number of people required for the development of each method and standards endorsed and influenced by each method. Subsequently, the data found in units initiated by each city, type of construction system and type of housing, classified as VIS and not VIS, are plotted and tabulated, which will be classified according to the government that presented its housing policies in the years studied. It will be developed in the same way for the initiated areas of the constructive systems. Trends found by each city, by each construction system and by each type of housing will be analyzed. Finally, the homes will be classified according to their prices as non-VIS, VIS and VIP taking into account each city and each government plan presented during the years 2007 to 2020. From these define trends and currents of construction systems in housing. Pregrado

The mouse cerebral cortex contains neurons that express choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and are a potential local source of acetylcholine. However, the neurotransmitters released by cortical ChAT+ neurons and their synaptic connectivity are unknown. We show that the nearly all cortical ChAT+ neurons in mice are specialized VIP+ interneurons that release GABA strongly onto other inhibitory interneurons and acetylcholine sparsely onto layer 1 interneurons and other VIP+/ChAT+ interneurons. This differential transmission of ACh and GABA based on the postsynaptic target neuron is reflected in VIP+/ChAT+ interneuron pre-synaptic terminals, as quantitative molecular analysis shows that only a subset of these are specialized to release acetylcholine. In addition, we identify a separate, sparse population of non-VIP ChAT+ neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex with a distinct developmental origin that robustly release acetylcholine in layer 1. These results demonstrate both cortex-region heterogeneity in cortical ChAT+ interneurons and target-specific co-release of acetylcholine and GABA.

This repository contains the data used to generate the figures and the analysis.&nbsp

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is an important modulatory peptide throughout the CNS acting as a neurotransmitter, neurotrophic or neuroprotective factor. In the hippocampus, a brain area implicated in learning and memory processes, VIP has a crucial role in the control of GABAergic transmission and pyramidal cell activity in response to specific network activity by either VIP-containing basket cells or interneuron-selective (IS) interneurons and this appears to have a differential impact in hippocampal-dependent cognition. At the cellular level, VIP regulates synaptic transmission by either promoting disinhibition, through activation of VPAC1 receptors, or enhancing pyramidal cell excitability, through activation of VPAC2 receptors. These actions also control several important synaptic plasticity phenomena such as long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD). This paper reviews the current knowledge on the activation and multiple functions of VIP expressing cells in the hippocampus and their role in controlling synaptic transmission, synaptic plasticity and learning and memory processes, discussing also the role of VPAC1 and VPAC2 VIP receptors in the regulation of these different processes. Furthermore, we address the current knowledge regarding changes in VIP mediated neurotransmission in epileptogenesis and mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (MTLE-HS), and discuss the therapeutic opportunities of using selective VIP receptor ligands to prevent epileptogenesis and cognitive decline in MTLE-HS.

Background: Cholera remains a major global health problem, causing high output diarrhea leading to severe dehydration and shock in developing countries. We aimed to determine whether vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), the mediator of pancreatic cholera syndrome, has a role in the pathophysiology of human cholera. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study of cholera cases hospitalized with severe dehydration. Plasma and stool water levels of VIP were measured just after admission, after complete rehydration (3–4 h), at 24 h post-rehydration and at discharge after diarrhea ceased. Results: In total, 23 cholera patients were examined between January and August 2018. The geometric mean of stool VIP (sVIP) and plasma VIP (pVIP) on admission were 207.67 and 8.34 pmol/L, respectively. pVIP values were all within the normal range (p = 0.026), total stool volume (p = 0.023) as well as stool output in the first 24 h (p = 0.013). Conclusions: The data suggest that VIP, which is released by intestinal nerves, may play an important role in human choleragenesis, and inhibitors of intestinal VIP merit testing for potential therapeutic benefits.

Rett Syndrome is a devastating neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from mutations in the gene MECP2. Mutations of Mecp2 that are restricted to GABAergic cell types largely replicate the behavioral phenotypes associated with mouse models of Rett Syndrome, suggesting a pathophysiological role for inhibitory interneurons. Recent work has suggested that vasoactive intestinal peptide-expressing (VIP) interneurons may play a critical role in the proper development and function of cortical circuits, making them a potential key point of vulnerability in neurodevelopmental disorders. However, little is known about the role of VIP interneurons in Rett Syndrome. Here we find that loss of MeCP2 specifically from VIP interneurons replicates key neural and behavioral phenotypes observed following global Mecp2 loss of function.

The mouse cerebral cortex contains neurons that express choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and are a potential local source of acetylcholine. However, the neurotransmitters released by cortical ChAT+ neurons and their synaptic connectivity are unknown. We show that the nearly all cortical ChAT+ neurons in mice are specialized VIP+ interneurons that release GABA strongly onto other inhibitory interneurons and acetylcholine sparsely onto layer 1 interneurons and other VIP+/ChAT+ interneurons. This differential transmission of ACh and GABA based on the postsynaptic target neuron is reflected in VIP+/ChAT+ interneuron pre-synaptic terminals, as quantitative molecular analysis shows that only a subset of these are specialized to release acetylcholine. In addition, we identify a separate, sparse population of non-VIP ChAT+ neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex with a distinct developmental origin that robustly release acetylcholine in layer 1. These results demonstrate both cortex-region heterogeneity in cortical ChAT+ interneurons and target-specific co-release of acetylcholine and GABA.

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a ubiquitous bacterium in soils, insect cadavers, phylloplane, water, and stored grain, that produces several proteins, each one toxic to different biological targets such as insects, nematodes, mites, protozoa, and mammalian cells. Most Bt toxins identify their particular target through the recognition of specific cell membrane receptors. Cry proteins are the best-known toxins from Bt and a great amount of research has been published. Cry are cytotoxic to insect larvae that affect important crops recognizing specific cell membrane receptors such as cadherin, aminopeptidase-N, and alkaline phosphatase. Furthermore, some Cry toxins such as Cry4A, Cry4B, and Cry11A act synergistically with Cyt toxins against dipteran larvae vectors of human disease. Research developed with Cry proteins revealed that these toxins also could kill human cancer cells through the interaction with specific receptors. Parasporins are a small group of patented toxins that may or may not have insecticidal activity. These proteins could kill a wide variety of mammalian cancer cells by recognizing specific membrane receptors, just like Cry toxins do. Surface layer proteins (SLP), unlike the other proteins produced by Bt, are also produced by most bacteria and archaebacteria. It was recently demonstrated that SLP produced by Bt could interact with membrane receptors of insect and human cancer cells to kill them. Cyt toxins have a structure that is mostly unrelated to Cry toxins; thereby, other mechanisms of action have been reported to them. These toxins affect mainly mosquitoes that are vectors of human diseases like Anopheles spp (malaria), Aedes spp (dengue, zika, and chikungunya), and Culex spp (Nile fever and Rift Valley fever), respectively. In addition to the Cry, Cyt, and parasporins toxins produced during spore formation as inclusion bodies, Bt strains also produce Vip (Vegetative insecticidal toxins) and Sip (Secreted insecticidal proteins) toxins with insecticidal activity during their vegetative growth phase.

The skin temperature (Tm) of the orofacial area influences orofacial functions and is related to the blood flow (BF). Marked increases in BF mediated by parasympathetic vasodilation may be important for orofacial Tm regulation. Therefore, we examined the relationship between parasympathetic reflex vasodilation and orofacial Tm in anesthetized rats. Electrical stimulation of the central cut end of the lingual nerve (LN) elicited significant increases in BF and Tm in the lower lip. These increases were significantly reduced by hexamethonium, but not atropine. VIP agonist increased both BF and Tm in the lower lip. The activation of the superior cervical sympathetic trunk (CST) decreased BF and Tm in the lower lip; however, these decreases were significantly inhibited by LN stimulation. Our results suggest that parasympathetic vasodilation plays an important role in the maintaining the hemodynamics and Tm in the orofacial area, and that VIP may be involved in this response.

Gastrin and cholecystokinin (CCK) are hormones released from endocrine cells in the antral stomach (gastrin), the duodenum, and the jejunum (CCK). Recent reports, based on secretion experiments in an enteroendocrine cell line (NCI‐H716) and gastrin receptor expression in proglucagon‐expressing cells from the rat colon, suggested that gastrin could be a regulator of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) secretion. To investigate these findings, we studied the acute effects of CCK‐8 (a CCK1/CCK2 (gastrin) receptor agonist) and gastrin‐17 (a CCK2(gastrin) receptor agonist) in robust ex vivo models: the isolated perfused rat small intestine and the isolated perfused rat colon. Small intestines from Wistar rats (n = 6), were perfused intraarterially over 80 min. During the perfusion, CCK (1 nmol/L) and gastrin (1 nmol/L) were infused over 10‐min periods separated by washout/baseline periods. Colons from Wistar rats (n = 6) were perfused intraarterially over 100 min. During the perfusion, CCK (1 nmol/L), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) (10 nmol/L), and glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) (1 nmol/L) were infused over 10‐min periods separated by washout/baseline periods. In the perfused rat small intestines neither CCK nor gastrin stimulated the release of GLP‐1 or neurotensin. In the perfused rat colon, neither CCK or VIP stimulated GLP‐1 or peptide YY (PYY) release, but GIP stimulated both GLP‐1 and PYY release. In both sets of experiments, bombesin, a gastrin‐releasing peptide analog, served as a positive control. Our findings do not support the suggestion that gastrin or CCK participate in the acute regulation of intestinal GLP‐1 secretion, but that GIP may play a role in the regulation of hormone secretion from the colon., Recent reports, based on secretion experiments in an enteroendocrine cell line (NCI‐H716) and gastrin receptor expression in proglucagon‐expressing cells from the rat colon, suggested that gastrin could be a regulator of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) secretion. To investigate these findings, we studied the acute effects of CCK‐8 (a CCK1/CCK2 (gastrin) receptor agonist) and gastrin‐17 (a CCK2(gastrin) receptor agonist) in the isolated perfused rat small intestine and the isolated perfused rat colon. Our findings do not support the suggestion that gastrin or CCK participate in the acute regulation of intestinal GLP‐1 secretion, but that GIP, unexpectedly, may play a role in the regulation of hormone secretion from the colon.

Activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) was discovered and first characterized in the laboratory of Prof. Illana Gozes to be regulated by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) toward neuroprotection. Importantly, ADNP is a master regulator of >400 genes, essential for brain formation, while its haploinsufficiency causes cognitive impairments. Recently, de novo mutations in ADNP were identified as leading to the autism-like ADNP syndrome, mimicked by the Adnp-deficient mouse model. Furthermore, novel peptide derivatives of the neuroprotective ADNP-snippet NAP (NAPVSIPQ), developed in our laboratory, include SKIP and the mirroring all D-amino acid SKIP (D-SKIP). We now extended previous evidence suggesting potential antagonistic features for D-SKIP, compared with the neuroprotective peptide SKIP, as was observed by NMR analysis and social/olfactory functional testing. Here, an impact of the Adnp genotype was observed in the Morris Water Maze (MWM) test measuring cognition, coupled with improvement by SKIP, opposing the inert/exacerbating effect of D-SKIP. In the elevated plus-maze and open field tests measuring anxiety-related behaviors, contrasting effects of SKIP and D-SKIP were found, with SKIP improving/preserving the normal phenotype of the mouse, and D-SKIP causing alterations. Lastly, an in silico analysis suggested that SKIP and D-SKIP bind the microtubule end binding (EB) proteins EB1 and EB3 in different conformations, thereby indicating distinctive natures for the two peptides, potentially mediating differential in vivo effects. Altogether, our findings corroborate the notion of D-SKIP acting as an antagonist, thus distinguishing it from the neuroprotective SKIP.

El movilizarse libremente implica, para las personas con discapacidad visual, adquirir técnicas de orientación y movilidad que les permita ejercer su autonomía e independencia. La orientación le permite reconocer su posición con respecto al entorno, mientras que la movilidad le permite moverse de manera segura y eficiente de un lugar a otro. Sin embargo, el recorrer un lugar desconocido es un reto para una persona con discapacidad visual (PcDV). En este trabajo de investigación y desarrollo se construye OGeo, un sistema de orientación y navegación para interiores de edificios que mediante el uso de balizas (dispositivos iBeacon) y celulares basados en Android permite que una PcDV pueda desplazarse en el interior de un edificio. El sistema está basado en instrucciones de voz, que guiarán a la PcDV de un punto A hasta un punto B, con instrucciones precisas, paso a paso. El objetivo fundamental, desde un punto de vista social, es el de aportar ayudas en la inclusión social de las PcDV, en donde es evidente que proporcionará una mayor inserción escolar., Moving freely means, for visually impaired people, acquiring spatial orientation and mobility techniques that allow them to achieve their autonomy and independence. Orientation allows them to recognize their position according to the environment, while mobility allows them to move safely and efficiently from one place to another. However, navigating around an unknown place is a challenge for visually impaired people (ViP). In this research and development work, OGeo is created, an orientation and navigation system for interiors of buildings that uses markers (iBeacon devices) and mobile phones based on Android. This system allows a ViP to move inside a building independently. The system is based on voice instructions, which will guide a ViP from point A to point B, using precise instructions, step by step. The fundamental objective, from a social point of view, is to provide support for the social inclusion of ViP, where it is evident that it will provide greater school inclusiveness.

Esta investigación tiene el propósito de realizar una evaluación sobre el impacto energético y económico que tiene el aplicar la definición de nZEB - acrónimo del inglés "nearly Zero Energy Building" - a una vivienda económica y social en Colombia. De acuerdo con esto, la presente investigación pretende analizar los parámetros, a nivel de diseño pasivo de una tipología residencial, que garanticen una reducción de la demanda y emisiones de CO2 en un edificio nZEB. A su vez, se presenta un análisis económico de la amortización de costos en este tipo de viviendas. Por medio de esta investigación se busca lograr un equilibrio entre el impacto ambiental durante la vida útil de la vivienda y el confort interior de los usuarios en base a un coste óptimo. El diseño de este tipo de vivienda social parte de la limitación económica de la administración pública. Este estudio busca determinar las soluciones energéticas óptimas para lograr bajar las demandas de consumo. De esta manera, se pretende encontrar un balance entre la tipología de vivienda implementada dentro de las limitaciones del marco económico actual y un panorama de gasto energético cero. El presente trabajo propone como objetivo demostrar los resultados de diferentes evaluaciones de eficiencia energética de la tipología de Vivienda de Interés Social (VIS) en Colombia, y determinar el rango de parámetros que permiten alcanzar una solución viable para reducir las demandas energéticas y las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero. Nos apoyaremos en los datos que arroja el programa de certificación energética HULC (CTEHE2019), en tres diferentes biomas tropicales y no estacionales en Colombia. La finalidad es contribuir a facilitar información sobre líneas de trabajo que permitan garantizar viviendas y eficientes energéticamente dentro del desarrollo económico con el contexto ambiental y social, en diferentes entornos climáticos. This thesis explores the feasibility of applying the nZEB definition - "Nearly Zero Energy Building" - to economic and social housing in Colombia. In accordance, this research intends to analyze the parameters, at a passive design level of a residential building typology, thus reducing heating and cooling demands and CO2 emissions to reach nZEB qualification. In turn, a cost optimal analysis is conducted and presents a cost amortization of the passive design strategies presented for this type of housing. Through this research, a balance is sought between the environmental impact during the life of the dwelling and the interior comfort of the users based on cost optimum methodology. The design typology of social housing is based on the economic limitations of Colombian public administration. This study seeks to determine the optimal energy-performance solutions to achieve lower consumption demands. In this way, it aims to find a balance between the housing typology implemented within the limitations of the current economic framework of zero energy expenditure. The present work focuses on presenting results specified by conducting a series of evaluations on energy and economic impact it may have on the Social Interest Housing (VIS, Vivienda de Interés social in spanish) typology in Colombia, and determine the range of parameters that allow reaching a viable solution to reduce energy demands and greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, data provided by the HULC, energy certification program (CTEHE2019), in three different tropical and non-seasonal biomes in Colombia will be analyzed. The purpose is to contribute to providing information on lines of work that guarantee energy efficient housing within economic development with the environmental and social context, in different climatic environments and that meet Colombian government economic framework for social housing.

International audience; Thermoregulation is a homeostatic mechanism that is disrupted in some neurological diseases. Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are susceptible to increases in body temperature, especially with more severe neurological signs. This condition can become intolerable when these patients suffer febrile infections such as coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). We review the mechanisms of hyperthermia in patients with MS, and they may encounter when infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Finally, the thermoregulatory role and relevant adaptation to regular physical exercise are summarized.

In this paper we report on our approach on integrating c-Si PV into lightweight structures, in particular towards vehicle integration. To this end we want to get rid of the (bulk weight of the) glass but seek a suitable replacement in terms of mechanical stability. First we elaborate on the most basic standards and norms that VIPV products should relate to in terms of (thermo-)mechanical testing. Then, for the experimental part, 2 concepts are investigated. In a first approach, we reinforced the encapsulant with glass fibre material, while in a second one we applied a dedicated glass-fibre-reinforced sheet as a replacement of the backsheet. In both cases we stay as close as possible to using commercially available material. For each approach we elaborate the testing that has been carried out: thermal cycling, vibrations, mechanical shock and hail impact. On a final note, we point out some initial damp heat testing results, that are a particular challenge for light-weight modules without glass. The authors gratefully acknowledge imec's SiPV industrial affiliation programme and its partners, the support of the European Union through the funded H2020 project HighLite under Grant Agreement no. 857793, and the partial funding by the Kuwait Foundation for the advancement of Sciences under project number P115-15EE-01.

The easy access to social media has created influencers that take advantage of this opportunity and gather their own audience. It did not take long for influencers to enter the radar of marketers looking for different ways of reaching consumers. Influencer marketing has become one of the most popular tools in marketing communication. The increasing number of brand-influencer collaborations raises the question of whether influencers are as effective as they are thought to be. The effect of influencers on consumers' purchasing behaviour is an important topic in marketing. However, research on this topic is very scarce. Accordingly, this paper aims to investigate the effect of online source credibility and influencer identification on consumers' purchase decisions. An online survey is conducted on 460 participants to achieve this aim. Results show that the perceived trustworthiness of influencers and influencer identification positively affects consumers' purchase decisions.