Performance evaluation of Zeus, Jade and SkeletonAgent frameworks

Proceeding of: IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics (SMC-2002), 6-9 Oct. 2002, Hammamet, TunezDue the growing interest in the field of intelligent agents and multi-agent systems researchers have developed different toolkits. The aim of those toolkits, or frameworks, is to help the designers and engineers to build complex systems based on the agent concept. This paper presents a brief description of some of those frameworks: ZEUS, Jade and SkeletonAgent. These frameworks use their own agent architecture and other facilities like visual programming toolkits, documentation or reusable software libraries to facilitate the definition and development of multi-agent systems. The main aim of this paper is to compare the different frameworks in a common domain: to search news in several electronic newspapers. Because every one of those multi-agent toolkits use different features to build the whole multi-agent system, the behavior of any of those systems is expected to be different. The empirical evaluation measures the request time and the number of retrieved documents for the different systems. Finally, the paper discusses the conclusions for the previous experiments.Publicad

LTA and FAU-X Iron-enriched zeolites: use for phosphate removal from aqueous medium

Hydrothermally synthesized Linde type A (LTA) and faujasite X (FAU-X) zeolites are low-cost and environmentally benign inorganic carriers for environmental applications. In this study, (oxy)hydroxides were incorporated onto LTA and FAU-X zeolites to promote the phosphate adsorption. The performance of LTA-Fe and FAU-X-Fe was evaluated through batch adsorption assays. A complete evaluation was performed to recover phosphate from synthetic wastewater. The effect of pH, concentration, equilibrium, and kinetic parameters on phosphate adsorption and its further reuse in sorption–desorption cycles were evaluated. LTA-Fe and FAU-X-Fe are effective for adsorption of phosphate at neutral (e.g., pH 7.0 ± 0.2) and in a broad range of phosphate concentrations. Higher ratios of adsorption capacities were obtained by synthetic zeolites enriched with iron in comparison to their parent forms. The phosphate adsorption occurred through hydrogen bonding and complexation reactions between protonated iron hydroxyl groups and phosphate anions. The phosphate monolayer adsorption was followed by diffusion through the internal pores and 80% of the equilibrium adsorption was reached within 50 min. The LTA-Fe and FAU-X-Fe can be used for phosphate recovery from wastewater treatment plants. The use of LTA-Fe and FAU-X-Fe in a tertiary wastewater treatment stage could allow to reduce the phosphate–phosphorous content, reaching the regulatory levels (equal 1 mg L-1 total phosphorous). The phosphate adsorption using LTA-Fe and FAU-X-Fe does not require pH adjustment, and it is endothermic. The reusability of both iron zeolites is limited, and they can be finally disposed for soil amendment applications.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Assessment of major depressive disorder model in rat

El trastorno depresivo mayor (MDD) es una enfermedad caracterizada por la presencia de dos o más episodios depresivos consecutivos, es un factor de riesgo para cometer suicidio. La mayoría de las terapias antidepresivas se basan en el mantenimiento de la serotonina (5-HT) en la hendidura sináptica. El modelo debulbectomía olfatoria bilateral (OBX) tiene características similares al trastorno depresivo humano. El objetivo de este trabajo es caracterizar a la bulbectomía olfatoria como un modelo de depresión en ratas. Los resultados obtenidos muestran cambios fisiológicos y conductuales que son comparables a la depresión humana, las ratas bulbectomizadas disminuyeron de peso comparadas con los grupos control y cirugía sin extracción, la presencia de la hiperactividad es reducida después de 21 días de tratamiento con antidepresivos, la respuesta alterada a los estímulos adversos y la disminución del acicalamiento puede ser comparado con síntomas de depresión en humanos.Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a disease characterized by the presence of two or more depressive episodes. It is a risk factor to commit suicide. The most common antidepressant therapies are based on maintaining serotonin (5-HT) in the synaptic cleft. The bilateral olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) in rat model have characteristics similar to human depressive disorder. The aim of this work is to characterize olfactory bulbectomy as a depressive major model in rats. These results show physiological and behavioral changes that are comparable to human depression; bulbectomized rats have decreased weight compared to control and surgery without extraction groups, the presence of hyperactivity is reduced after 21 days of treatment with antidepressants (SSRI), altered response to adverse stimuli and a decrease of grooming can be equated a symptom of depression in humans

Pharmaceutical and Botanical Management of Pain Associated with Psychopathology: A Narrative Review

Generally, pain can be described as an unpleasant sensory or emotional experience associated with tissue damage. Chronic pain has become a public health problem because among 35 and 75% of the world population has shown the symptom. In particular, neuropathic pain has shown high comorbidity disorders such as anxiety and depression. Conventional therapies for treating pain include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, tricyclic antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and opioids, which usually cause some side effects such as gastritis, headache, liver and kidney toxicity, and drug dependence. Conventional pharmaceuticals also tend to be expensive, and they cannot be easily afforded in developing countries, which have led to the use of natural products as an alternative treatment. In this chapter, we reviewed the current research of natural products for pain treatment. We also describe preclinical studies that assess the effect of some natural products on pain therapy, phytochemistry research, toxicity, adverse effects, and biosecurity. We also describe how conventional pain is managed and the possible use of compounds obtained from vegetable species for pain treatment

Evaluation of the Expression of Genes Associated with Inflammation and Apoptosis in Androgenetic Alopecia by Targeted RNA-Seq

Abstract Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) or male pattern baldness is the most common form of hair loss in humans. Despite being a very frequent dermatological entity, molecular pathophysiology remains unclear. Several authors relate the presentation of AGA with a premature apoptotic process during the anagen phase and with an inflammatory microenvironment in the hair follicle. We evaluated a panel of 30 genes associated with inflammation and apoptosis in 5 AGA patients by targeted RNA-Seq. WNT7A gene was highly expressed in patients in stages 3V to 5 on the Hamilton-Norwood scale compared to patients with 5A stage. CASP7 and TNF genes were overexpressed in stages 3V and 4 compared to stages 5 and 5A. Overexpression of these genes detected only at early stages of AGA proves the role of WNT pathway, apoptosis, and inflammation in the development of this disorder

Imported cysticercosis in Spain: A retrospective case series from the +REDIVI Collaborative Network

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common parasitic neurological disease worldwide and a major cause of epilepsy. Spain is the country reporting the highest number of NCC imported cases in Europe. Retrospective case series of NCC patients registered in the +REDIVI Network from October 1, 2009 to July 2018. A specific questionnaire, including clinical and diagnostic characteristics, was created and sent to the collaborator centers. 46 cases were included in the analysis. 55% were male, mean age of 40 years. 95.6% were migrants. The median duration since migration from an endemic area was 10 years. Predominant nationalities were Ecuadorians (50%) and Bolivians (30.4%). Frequent locations were parenchymal (87%), subarachnoid (26.1%) and intraventricular cysts (10.9%). Serological analysis was performed in 91.3%, being 54.8% positive. Most prevalent clinical manifestations were persistent headache (60.9%), epilepsy (43.5%) and visual changes (13%). Patients were mainly treated with albendazole (76.1%), corticosteroids (67.4%), and anticonvulsionants (52.2%). 82.5% had a favorable clinical outcome. Most NCC cases were long-standing migrants. Few clinical differences were observed depending on the cysticerci location. The treatment was often not according to current recommendations, and no uniform criteria were followed when it came to the therapeutic regimen. NCC case management in Spain (including clinician awareness and laboratory capacity improvements) needs to be strengthened.We would thanks María Jesús Perteguer from the National Center of Microbiology for the information and update on NCC lab techniques currently performed in Spain. The corresponding author’s affiliation centre belongs to the ISCIII-Sub. Gral. Redes- Network Biomedical Research on Tropical Diseases (RICET in Spanish) grant RD16CIII/0003/0001, RD16/0027/0020, RD16CIII/0003/0001 and the European Regional Development Fund. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.S

Rediscovering Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle (<em>Lepidochelys kempii</em>): Molecular Analysis and Threats

Sea turtles are reptiles that have inhabited the earth for 100 million years. These are divided into 2 families (Cheloniidae and Dermochelyidae) and 7 species of sea turtles in the world: the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea); hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata); Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii); olive ridley (L. olivacea); Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta); flatback sea turtle (Natator depressus) and green turtle (Chelonia mydas). In particular, Kemp’s ridley is included in the red list of IUCN categorized as “critically endangered”. The most important site around the Word is in Rancho Nuevo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Where 80–95% of the world’s nesting is concentrated. Other nesting areas are Tepeguajes and Barra del Tordo, in Tamaulipas, and with less intensity in Veracruz (Lechuguillas and El Raudal beaches) and South Padre Island, Texas, USA. They deposit an average of about 90 eggs and hatching takes 40 to 60 days. Therefore, they are vulnerable to different anthropogenic activities and sources of pollution, such as heavy metals, which can cause toxic effects that are harmful to the turtles, damage their physiology and health. To understand the real situation about health and genetic parameters it is necessary to analyze biochemical and molecular factors in this species

Recombinant Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite surface protein allelic variants: antibody recognition by individuals from three communities in the Brazilian Amazon

Circumsporozoite protein (CSP) variants of P. vivax, besides having variations in the protein repetitive portion, can differ from each other in aspects such as geographical distribution, intensity of transmission, vectorial competence and immune response. Such aspects must be considered to P. vivax vaccine development. Therefore, we evaluated the immunogenicity of novel recombinant proteins corresponding to each of the three P. vivax allelic variants (VK210, VK247 and P. vivax-like) and of the C-terminal region (shared by all PvCSP variants) in naturally malaria-exposed populations of Brazilian Amazon. Our results demonstrated that PvCSP-VK210 was the major target of humoral immune response in studied population, presenting higher frequency and magnitude of IgG response. The IgG subclass profile showed a prevalence of cytophilic antibodies (IgG1 and IgG3), that seem to have an essential role in protective immune response. Differently of PvCSP allelic variants, antibodies elicited against C-terminal region of protein did not correlate with epidemiological parameters, bringing additional evidence that humoral response against this protein region is not essential to protective immunity. Taken together, these findings increase the knowledge on serological response to distinct PvCSP allelic variants and may contribute to the development of a global and effective P. vivax vaccine

Evidencias de terremotos cuaternarios en una sima hipogénica: La Sima de Benís (Murcia, SE España)

[EN] The interaction between karst hypogenic processes and Late Pleistocene active faulting determines the present topography and shape of the Benís Cave within the Cieza Ranges in the eastern Betic Cordillera (SE Spain). This cave represents the explored deepest cave within the Murcia region, reaching the deepest point at -320 m, and showing "in situ" fossil remains of mammal carnivores (Lynx pardinus spelaeus) as well. In addition, this cave displays evidence of paleoseismic activity from broken speleothems, but also from instrumental earthquakes collapsing the cave ceiling hall at -150 m depth (1999 Mula Event). The geometry and speleogenesis of Benís cave from the Late Pleistocene is a combination of two processes: (1) a shallow hypogenic origin related to upwards movement of confined aquifer located between 0 and 150 m depth, with lots of outlets and megascallops, and (2) a deep fault-cave related to the Benís fault developed between 150 - 320 m depth. This fault is N-S trending with normal kinematics and evidence of Late Pleistocene paleoseismic activity. Related to this, different fossil bones of Lynx pardinus spelaeus, was found in situ, which were dated by amino acid racemization in 65 ± 17.6 ka (OIS 4). The estimated size of the last paleoearthquake was around 6 Mw according to the measured coseismic displacement at depth and the length of the Benís fault trace at surface. The combination of the two processes (hypogenic confined aquifer and a seismogenic faulting), controlled the development, geometry and speleogenesis of the Benís Cave during at least the last 250 ka.[ES] La interacción entre una cueva hipogénica y la actividad de una falla cuaternaria es la principal responsable de la génesis de la cueva más profunda de la Región de Murcia y una de las mayores cavidades hipogénicas del sur de la península. La Sima de Benís presenta una amplia y única variedad de espeleotemas y de estructuras de disolución que se encuentran afectadas por deformaciones sísmicas producidas tanto por paleoterremotos durante el Pleistoceno Superior, como por terremotos instrumentales (Mw 4,8; VI EMS-98, 1999; Mula). Además, dentro de las zonas más profundas de la cueva aparecen restos fósiles “in situ” de macromamíferos (Lynx pardinus spelaeus), los cuales hemos relacionado con la actividad sísmica en el interior de la caverna. En cuanto a su topografía, esta cavidad presenta dos sectores bien diferenciados: (1) un primer sector de 150-160 m de desarrollo vertical con pozos de origen hipogénico con desarrollo de golpes de gubia y conductos de disolución ascendentes (con “outlets” y “megascallops”) y (2) un segundo sector entre los 150 - 160 m y los 320 m de profundidad, el cual se desarrolla sobre un plano de falla normal de dirección N-S (Falla de Benís). Este segundo sector de la sima es el que presenta evidencias paleosísmicas cuaternarias, dividiéndose a su vez en dos zonas en relación a la dinámica kárstica dominante: (2.a) una zona vadosa dominada por estructuras hipogénicas (donde aparecen folias y corales), junto con marcas cinemáticas de movimiento de la falla (estrías con recristalizaciones y concreciones carbonatadas) y (2.b) una zona freática profunda controlada por la precipitación de nubes de calcita bajo lámina de agua y de tamaño métrico que se desarrolla hasta los - 320 m de profundidad. En cuanto a la parte hipogénica superior de la sima, se desarrolla a favor de una fractura con relleno de calcita y de orientación E-W sobre carbonatos del Cretácico superior y el Paleoceno, con un espesor centimétrico y evidencias de relleno posterior y circulación de fluidos. La potencial actividad paleosísmica ha podido ser datada en 65 ± 17,6 ka (OIS 4) mediante el análisis de racemización de aminoácidos de los colmillos de un lince de las cavernas, el cual pudo ser afectado por un terremoto. Por último, se ha estimado el tamaño del último sismo relacionado con la actividad de la falla a partir de relaciones empíricas, con un valor de Mw oscilando entre 5,5 y 6. Para ello se ha estimado la longitud en superficie de la traza de falla que controla la cueva en profundidad y se ha comparado con el último salto cosísmico observable en el interior de la sima. Estimaciones del salto de falla acumulado y la datación del último paleoterremoto, sugieren que parte de la evolución hipogénica con paleoterremotos de esta cavidad de forma conjunta se produjo al menos, desde hace 250 ka (OIS 7)

Soil penetration resistance analysis by multivariate and geostatistical methods

The penetration resistance (PR) is a soil attribute that allows identifies areas with restrictions due to compaction, which results in mechanical impedance for root growth and reduced crop yield. The aim of this study was to characterize the PR of an agricultural soil by geostatistical and multivariate analysis. Sampling was done randomly in 90 points up to 0.60 m depth. It was determined spatial distribution models of PR, and defined areas with mechanical impedance for roots growth. The PR showed a random distribution to 0.55 and 0.60 m depth. PR in other depths analyzed showed spatial dependence, with adjustments to exponential and spherical models. The cluster analysis that considered sampling points allowed establishing areas with compaction problem identified in the maps by kriging interpolation. The analysis with main components identified three soil layers, where the middle layer showed the highest values of PR.La resistencia a la penetración (RP) es un atributo del suelo que permite identificar zonas con restricciones debido a la compactación, que se traduce en impedancia mecánica para el desarrollo de las raíces y en una menor productividad de los cultivos. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue caracterizar la RP de un suelo agrícola, mediante análisis geoestadístico y multivariado. El muestreo se realizó de manera aleatoria en 90 puntos, hasta una profundidad de 0,60 m. Se determinaron los modelos de distribución espacial de la RP y se delimitaron áreas con problemas de impedancia mecánica de las raíces. La RP presentó distribución aleatoria a 0,55 y 0,60 m de profundidad. La RP en las otras profundidades analizadas mostraron dependencia espacial, con ajustes a modelos exponenciales y esféricos. El análisis jerárquico que consideró puntos de muestreo, permitió establecer zonas con problemas de compactación, identificadas en los mapas obtenidos mediante interpolación por kriging. El análisis de componentes principales permitió identificar tres capas de suelo, donde la capa intermedia fue la que presentó los mayores valores de RP