dislib: large scale high performance machine learning in Python

In recent years, machine learning has proven to be an extremely useful tool for extracting knowledge from data. This can be leveraged in numerous research areas, such as genomics, earth sciences, and astrophysics, to gain valuable insight. At the same time, Python has become one of the most popular programming languages among researchers due to its high productivity and rich ecosystem. Unfortunately, existing machine learning libraries for Python do not scale to large data sets, are hard to use by non-experts, and are difficult to set up in high performance computing clusters. These limitations have prevented scientists from exploiting the full potential of machine learning in their research. In this work, we present dislib [1], a distributed machine learning library on top of PyCOMPSs programming model [2] that addresses the issues of other similar existing libraries

Diseño de una nave industrial destinada a logística

El presente proyecto tiene como objeto la definición de las obras necesarias para la proyección de una nave industrial, de uso como almacén logístico. Se elige este uso, ya que debido a un constante crecimiento de las empresas, éstas se encuentran con el problema de la falta de sitio para almacenar el stock una vez acabado, y para solucionarlo muchas de ellas optan por la construcción de un almacén logístico, teniendo como función el correcto almacenaje y posterior distribución del material

Diseño de una nave industrial destinada a logística

El presente proyecto tiene como objeto la definición de las obras necesarias para la proyección de una nave industrial, de uso como almacén logístico. Se elige este uso, ya que debido a un constante crecimiento de las empresas, éstas se encuentran con el problema de la falta de sitio para almacenar el stock una vez acabado, y para solucionarlo muchas de ellas optan por la construcción de un almacén logístico, teniendo como función el correcto almacenaje y posterior distribución del material

DDS: integrating data analytics transformations in task-based workflows [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]

High-performance data analytics (HPDA) is a current trend in e-science research that aims to integrate traditional HPC with recent data analytic frameworks. Most of the work done in this field has focused on improving data analytic frameworks by implementing their engines on top of HPC technologies such as Message Passing Interface. However, there is a lack of integration from an application development perspective. HPC workflows have their own parallel programming models, while data analytic (DA) algorithms are mainly implemented using data transformations and executed with frameworks like Spark. Task-based programming models (TBPMs) are a very efficient approach for implementing HPC workflows. Data analytic transformations can also be decomposed as a set of tasks and implemented with a task-based programming model. In this paper, we present a methodology to develop HPDA applications on top of TBPMs that allow developers to combine HPC workflows and data analytic transformations seamlessly. A prototype of this approach has been implemented on top of the PyCOMPSs task- based programming model to validate two aspects: HPDA applications can be seamlessly developed and have better performance than Spark. We compare our results using different programs. Finally, we conclude with the idea of integrating DA into HPC applications and evaluation of our method against Spark.This research was financially supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the grant agreement No 780622; and the Spanish Government (PID2019-107255GB), Generalitat de Catalunya (2014-SGR-1051).Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Envejecimiento hidrotérmico en nanocompuestos epoxi/organoarcilla

Las dispersiones de organoarcillas como refuerzo en nanocompuestos de matriz polimérica han sido ampliamente estudiadas como una vía en la mejora de las propiedades (mecánicas, térmicas, de barrera frente a gases y disolventes e inflamabilidad). Una ventaja añadida es que se consigue una mejora de propiedades con la adición de una pequeña cantidad de refuerzo. En este trabajo se han preparado nanocompuestos basados en una matriz epoxi tipo DGEBA reforzada con dos organoarcillas, C30B e I.30E. Con el fin de mejorar la interfase matriz-refuerzo, también se han preparado nanocompuestos en los que las organoarcillas han sido previamente funcionalizadas a través del anclaje a la superficie de las mismas de un agente silano que contiene grupos reactivos con la matriz. Se ha realizado el estudio de la absorción de agua de estos nanocompuestos a temperatura constante hasta alcanzar el equilibrio de hinchamiento, determinando gravimétricamente la cantidad de agua absorbida en función del tiempo. El análisis de los resultados mediante el modelo de Fick y Langmuir nos ha permitido obtener los valores de los coeficientes de difusión (D). Los nanocompuestos han sido caracterizados mediante Difracción de Rayos X (DRX) y Calorimetría Diferencial de Barrido (DSC). Los valores de D obtenidos por el modelo de Fick son menores que los hallados a través del modelo de Langmuir, el cual se ajusta mejor a los valores experimentales. Como resultado y de acuerdo con la bibliografía, se ha observado que la presencia de las organoarcillas disminuyen el valor de D debido al camino tortuoso que ha de seguir el agua a través del nanocompuesto. Sin embargo, la presencia de grupos silano no mejora los resultados obtenidos del coeficiente de difusión para los nanocompuestos epoxi/organoarcilla

Photocatalytic Water Splitting Promoted by 2D and 3D Porphyrin Covalent Organic Polymers Synthesized by Suzuki-Miyaura Carbon-Carbon Coupling

[EN] This work deals with the synthesis of metal-free and porphyrin-based covalent organic polymers (COPs) by the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling carbon-carbon bond forming reaction to study the photocatalytic overall water splitting performance. Apart from using 5,10,15,20-Tetrakis-(4-bromophenyl)porphyrin, we have chosen different cross-linker monomers to induce 2-dimensional (2D) or 3-dimensional (3D) and different rigidity in their resulting polymeric molecular structure. The synthesised COPs were extensively characterised to reveal that the dimensionality and flexibility of the molecular structure play an intense role in the physical, photochemical, and electronic properties of the polymers. Photoinduced excited state of the COPs was evaluated by nanosecond time-resolved laser transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS) by analysing excited state kinetics and quenching experiments, photocurrent density measurements and photocatalytic deposition of Ru3+ to RuO2, and photocatalysis. In summary, TAS experiments demonstrated that the transient excited state of these polymers has two decay kinetics and exhibit strong interaction with water molecules. Moreover, photocurrent and photocatalytic deposition experiments proved that charges are photoinduced and are found across the COP molecular network, but more important charges can migrate from the surface of the COP to the medium. Among the various COPs tested, COP-3 that has a flexible and 3D molecular structure reached the best photocatalytic performances, achieving a photocatalytic yield of 0.4 mmol H-2 x g(COP-3)(-1) after 3 h irradiation.Financial support by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Severo Ochoa with grant code RTI2018-098237-CO21), Generalitat Valenciana (Prometeo 2017/083) and European Union [APOSTD2018/216] are gratefully acknowledged.Nóvoa-Cid, M.; Melillo, A.; Ferrer Ribera, RB.; Alvaro Rodríguez, MM.; Garcia-Baldovi, H. (2022). Photocatalytic Water Splitting Promoted by 2D and 3D Porphyrin Covalent Organic Polymers Synthesized by Suzuki-Miyaura Carbon-Carbon Coupling. Nanomaterials. 12(18):1-19. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12183197119121

Transformative learning experience among nursing students with patients acting as teachers: Mixed methods, non-randomized, single-arm study

Expert patient; Nursing education; People living with HIVPaciente experto; Educación en enfermería; Personas que viven con el VIHPacient expert; Educació en infermeria; Persones que viuen amb el VIHAim To examine the effects of expert HIV patients acting as teachers to Spanish nursing students both on their HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and practices and on their approach to the care model as well as to explore their learning experience. Design Non-randomized, single-arm study with quantitative before and after measurements and qualitative data. Methods The intervention consisted of five 90-min workshops led by two women living with HIV. Thirty-four nursing students participated, and quantitative and qualitative data were gathered from February to June 2018. We used the Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale (PPOS) and the KAP questionnaire on HIV/AIDS to collect quantitative data. Results Statistically significant differences were found in the global score for care orientation and its two dimensions, caring and sharing. About the changes resulting from the workshops, the quantitative results—more patient-centred care perception and better attitudes towards people living with HIV—match the qualitative findings in all the aspects studied, except in sharing. Conclusion Incorporating expert patients as teachers in the nursing bachelor's degree resulted in more patient-centred care and improved knowledge, attitudes and practices. The workshops conducted by qualified expert patients showed transformative learning power, as the participants improved professional and personal aspects.This study was supported by a Community Grant ‘Cuidados de, por y para las personas que viven con VIH. personas que viven con VIH como docentes en la formación de estudiantes de enfermería’ from Gilead Sciences, S.L., Spain, in 2017 Community Grants & Donations Program

Ternary nanocomposites: curing, morphology and mechanical properties of epoxy/thermoplastic/organoclay systems

The influence of two organically modified montmorillonites on the curing, morphology and mechanical properties of epoxy/poly(vinyl acetate)/organoclay ternary nanocomposites was studied. The organoclays and poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) provoked contrary effects on the epoxy curing reaction. Ternary nanocomposites developed different morphologies depending on the PVAc content, that were similar to those observed in the epoxy/PVAc binary blends. The organoclays were only located in the epoxy phase independently of the morphology. All nanocomposites showed intercalated structures with similar clay interlayer distances. Both PVAC and organoclays lowered the Tg of the epoxy phase, the presence of clays did not influence the Tg of the PVAc phase. The addition of the organoclays to the epoxy improved stiffness but lowered ductility while the adition of PVAc improved toughness although reduced stiffness of epoxy thermoset. Ternary nanocomposites exhibited optimal properties that combine the favourable effects of the clay and the thermoplastic

Understanding factors that influence the decision to be vaccinated against influenza and pertussis in pregnancy : A qualitative study

Acord transformatiu CRUE-CSICAims and Objectives: To identify how pregnant women perceive pertussis and influenza and the factors that influence their decision to be vaccinated. Background: Suffering from influenza during pregnancy increases complications in the pregnant woman, foetus and newborn. Pertussis in children under six months of age causes severe complications. Maternal vaccination against influenza and pertussis is effective and safe. However, vaccination rates are insufficient. Design: We conducted a qualitative descriptive study, using semi-structured interviews. This research adheres to the COREQ guidelines and checklist. Methods: We carried out 18 semi-structured face-to-face interviews with pregnant women, using intentional sampling and thematic analysis. Results: We identified an overarching theme, 'factors that influenced participants' decision to be vaccinated or not', which was composed of four subthemes that were in turn made up of 12 categories. The factors that influenced participants' decision to be vaccinated against influenza and pertussis were related to their knowledge of and their perception of risk for these diseases. Participants perceived the risk of pertussis to be greater, and they focused their concern on the newborn. The recommendations and convictions of nurse-midwives were the most important factors encouraging vaccination. Participants trusted their nurse-midwives and most reported that they would have been vaccinated if their midwife had recommended it. Other factors were linked to lack of information, fear and concerns about economic interests. Conclusions: The convictions and actions of the nurse-midwife in recommending vaccination to pregnant women are decisive. Strategies to improve vaccination rates should be directed to helping health professionals understand how their practice affects the final decision of pregnant women. Relevance to clinical practice: Understanding the factors that limit vaccination rates among pregnant women provides valuable information to nurse-midwives that can help to improve vaccination strategies and practices. Increased maternal vaccination rates would reduce morbidity and mortality among pregnant women and newborns

Intercultural communication between long-stay immigrants and Catalan Primary Care Nurses : a qualitative approach to rebalancing power

There is a gap between the preferences of immigrant patients and their experiences with intercultural communication. This study aims to explore the experiences and perspectives of long-stay immigrants on intercultural communication in encounters with primary care (PC) nurses. Participants were selected by purposive sampling at the Maresme Primary Care Center. A focus group and five in-depth interviews with long-stay immigrants from eight countries were carried out. Data collection was guided by a script previously validated by a group of experts. We conducted a qualitative analysis following Charmaz's approach, and data saturation was reached with 11 patients (one focus group and five interviews). Long-stay immigrants would like closer and more personalized communication exchanges with greater humanity, as well as polite and respectful manners as they perceive signs of an asymmetrical care relationship. Those who had negative communication experiences tried to justify some of the behaviors as a result of having free access to public health services. This is one of the few existing studies from the point of view of long-stay immigrants. Achieving effective intercultural communication requires a process of self-reflection, awareness-raising and commitment, both on a personal and institutional level, to eliminate the asymmetry in the nurse-patient relationship. Nurses should be trained in person-centered intercultural communication