Customisable Handling of Java References in Prolog Programs

Integration techniques for combining programs written in distinct language paradigms facilitate the implementation of specialised modules in the best language for their task. In the case of Java-Prolog integration, a known problem is the proper representation of references to Java objects on the Prolog side. To solve it adequately, multiple dimensions should be considered, including reference representation, opacity of the representation, identity preservation, reference life span, and scope of the inter-language conversion policies. This paper presents an approach that addresses all these dimensions, generalising and building on existing representation patterns of foreign references in Prolog, and taking inspiration from similar inter-language representation techniques found in other domains. Our approach maximises portability by making few assumptions about the Prolog engine interacting with Java (e.g., embedded or executed as an external process). We validate our work by extending JPC, an open-source integration library, with features supporting our approach. Our JPC library is currently compatible with three different open source Prolog engines (SWI, YAP} and XSB) by means of drivers. To appear in Theory and Practice of Logic Programming (TPLP).Comment: 10 pages, 2 figure

Role of growth factors in the pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis in systemic sclerosis.

The most severe clinical and pathologic manifestations of systemic sclerosis (SSc) are the result of a fibrotic process characterized by the excessive and often progressive deposition of collagen and other connective tissue macromolecules in skin and numerous internal organs. The mechanisms involved in the initiation and progression of the remarkable fibrotic process in SSc remain largely unknown. Extensive recent studies have indicated that a variety of polypeptide growth factors play a crucial role in this process. The most commonly implicated growth factors include transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Here, the experimental evidence supporting the participation of various growth factors in the pathogenesis of the fibrotic process in SSc and the molecular mechanisms involved will be reviewed

Las decisiones de política económica del BCE. Del nacimiento de la institución hasta la expansión cuantitativa

Las decisiones de política económica tomadas por el BCE no han seguido una trayectoria firme, sino que ha ido experimentando variaciones según el contexto económico en el que se encontraba la Eurozona. Concretamente, la crisis financiera internacional afectó a la gran parte de los estados miembros de la misma, lo que se tradujo en pronunciados desequilibrios, poniéndose de manifiesto la débil unión entre los países que la forman. Por ello, el objetivo de este estudio es analizar detalladamente cómo han evolucionado las medidas de política monetaria a lo largo de la historia del BCE desde su nacimiento hasta la reciente expansión cuantitativa, creando una dualidad entre las medidas tomadas antes y después de la crisis de deuda soberana que nos está afectando desde 2009. Además, se expone exhaustivamente cada una de las medidas monetarias adoptadas y sus efectos, tanto las convencionales como las no convencionales, siendo éstas últimas empleadas para reforzar el crédito bancario. Finalmente, concluimos con las posibles actuaciones del BCE en un futuro cercanoEconomic policy decisions taken by the ECB have not followed a firm trajectory, but that has been experiencing changes according to the economic context in which was the Eurozone. Specifically, the international financial crisis affected the great part of the member states of the same, which resulted in pronounced imbalances, exposing the weak connection between the countries that form. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze in detail how they have evolved the monetary policy measures throughout the history of the ECB since its birth until the recent quantitative expansion, creating a duality between the measures taken before and after the crisis of sovereign debt that is affecting us since 2009. In addition, comprehensively set out each of the monetary measures taken and their effects, both conventional and non-conventional, being the latter used to reinforce the bank credit. Finally, we conclude with the potential activities of the ECB in the near futureUniversidad de Sevilla. Grado en Economí

Unlocking Community Engagement in REDD+ Initiatives: Insights from a Case Study in the Amazon

The literature on national plans to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation REDD shows that the stakeholders present in the territory especially the communities are the focus of these actions The article questions the level of community engagement in a proposed REDD project in the Amazon by private companies with the aim of analyzing the socio-economic and environmental aspects of community residents The theoretical framework integrates stakeholder theory and community participation theory to support the analysis of the level of engagement 338 small rural producers were chosen from among the residents of 23 communities in four municipalities in the state of Par The sociodemographic characteristics were collected and structured in tables and graphs The results reveal that the communities are socially disjointed with problems defining property rights and access to government goods and services which makes it difficult to achieve the benefits declared by the REDD projec

Open cluster Dolidze 25: Stellar parameters and the metallicity in the Galactic Anticentre

The young open cluster Dolidze 25, in the direction of the Galactic Anticentre, has been attributed a very low metallicity, with typical abundances between $-0.5$ and $-0.7$ dex below solar. We intend to derive accurate cluster parameters and accurate stellar abundances for some of its members. We have obtained a large sample of intermediate- and high-resolution spectra for stars in and around Dolidze 25. We used the FASTWIND code to generate stellar atmosphere models to fit the observed spectra. We derive stellar parameters for a large number of OB stars in the area, and abundances of oxygen and silicon for a number of stars with spectral types around B0. We measure low abundances in stars of Dolidze 25. For the three stars with spectral types around B0, we find $0.3$ dex (Si) and $0.5$ dex (O) below the values typical in the solar neighbourhood. These values, even though not as low as those given previously, confirm Dolidze 25 and the surrounding H II region Sh2-284 as the most metal-poor star-forming environment known in the Milky Way. We derive a distance $4.5\pm0.3\:$kpc to the cluster ($r_{\textrm{G}}\approx12.3\:$kpc). The cluster cannot be older than $\sim3\:$Myr, and likely is not much younger. One star in its immediate vicinity, sharing the same distance, has Si and O abundances at most $0.15\:$dex below solar. The low abundances measured in Dolidze 25 are compatible with currently accepted values for the slope of the Galactic metallicity gradient, if we take into account that variations of at least $\pm0.15\:$dex are observed at a given radius. The area traditionally identified as Dolidze 25 is only a small part of a much larger star-forming region that comprises the whole dust shell associated with Sh2-284 and very likely several other smaller H II regions in its vicinity.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy \& Astrophysics. 16 pages, 12 figure

The IACOB spectroscopic database of Galactic OB stars

We present the IACOB spectroscopic database, the largest homogeneous database of high-resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio spectra of Northern Galactic OB-type stars compiled up to date. The spectra were obtained with the FIES spectrograph attached to the Nordic Optical Telescope. We briefly summarize the main characeristics and present status of the IACOB, first scientific results, and some future plans for its extension and scientific exploitation.Comment: 2 pages. Poster contribution to the proceedings of the IAU272 "Active OB stars: structure, evolution, mass loss and critical limits

Metallicity dependence of turbulent pressure and macroturbulence in stellar envelopes

Macroturbulence, introduced as a fudge to reproduce the width and shape of stellar absorption lines, reflects gas motions in stellar atmospheres. While in cool stars, it is thought to be caused by convection zones immediately beneath the stellar surface, the origin of macroturbulence in hot stars is still under discussion. Recent works established a correlation between the turbulent-to-total pressure ratio inside the envelope of stellar models and the macroturbulent velocities observed in corresponding Galactic stars. To probe this connection further, we evaluated the turbulent pressure that arises in the envelope convective zones of stellar models in the mass range 1-125 Msun based on the mixing-length theory and computed for metallicities of the Large and Small Magellanic Cloud. We find that the turbulent pressure contributions in models with these metallicities located in the hot high-luminosity part of the Hertzsprung-Russel (HR) diagram is lower than in similar models with solar metallicity, whereas the turbulent pressure in low-metallicity models populating the cool part of the HR-diagram is not reduced. Based on our models, we find that the currently available observations of hot massive stars in the Magellanic Clouds appear to support a connection between macroturbulence and the turbulent pressure in stellar envelopes. Multidimensional simulations of sub-surface convection zones and a larger number of high-quality observations are necessary to test this idea more rigorously.Comment: Accepted A&A, 8 p

Proyecto de automatización de un almacén de distribución

Premi al millor Projecte de Fi de Carrera presentat durant el curs 2006-2007 en l'àmbit de Logística/Estructures que atorga MECALUXRealizar el estudio de viabilidad para la automatización de un almacén de distribución de la empresa SCM SL., dedicada a la distribución de productos para el mercado de la construcción, con el objetivo de poder cubrir con el personal actual el aumento de la demanda previsto (se prevé doblar la demanda), manteniendo en todo momento los niveles de calidad y de servicio requeridos.Award-winnin

Uma visão geral sobre o tratamento da osteoporose pós-menopausa

Osteoporosis is a worldwide health problem related to the aging of the population, and it is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. It is related to substantial morbidity, mortality and impairment of the quality of life. Estrogen deficiency is the major contributing factor to bone loss after menopause. The lifetime fracture risk at 50 years of age is about 50% in women. The aim of the treatment of osteoporosis is to prevent fractures. Non-pharmacological treatment involves a healthy diet, prevention of falls, and physical exercise programs. Pharmacological treatment includes calcium, vitamin D, and active medication for bone tissue such, as anti-resorptives (i.e., SERMs, hormonal replacement therapy, bisphosphonates, denosumab), bone formers (teriparatide), and mixed agents (strontium ranelate). Bisphosphonates (alendronate, risedronate, ibandronate, and zoledronate) are the most used anti-resorptive agents for the treatment of osteoporosis. Poor compliance, drug intolerance, and adverse effects can limit the benefits of the treatment. Based on the knowledge on bone cells signaling, novel drugs were developed and are being assessed in clinical trials.A osteoporose é um problema de saúde mundial relacionada com o envelhecimento da população e muitas vezes é subdiagnosticada e subtratada. Relaciona-se à significativa morbidade, mortalidade e redução da qualidade de vida. A deficiência de estrogênio é o principal fator que contribui para a perda óssea após a menopausa. O risco de fratura a partir dos 50 anos de idade é de cerca de 50% em mulheres. O objetivo do tratamento da osteoporose é a prevenção de fraturas. O tratamento não farmacológico envolve uma dieta saudável, prevenção de quedas e de programas de exercícios físicos. O tratamento farmacológico inclui cálcio, vitamina D e medicação ativa em tecido ósseo, tais como antirreabsortivos (SERMs, terapia de substituição hormonal, bifosfonatos, denosumabe), formadores de osso (PTH e análogos) e agentes mistos (ranelato de estrôncio). Os bisfosfonatos (alendronato, risedronato, ibandronato e zoledronato) são os mais utilizados agentes antirreabsortivos para o tratamento da osteoporose. A baixa aderência, a intolerância medicamentosa e os efeitos adversos podem limitar os benefícios do tratamento. Com base no conhecimento da sinalização entre as células ósseas, novos medicamentos foram desenvolvidos e estão sendo avaliados em ensaios clínicos.Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo Departamento de Ciências FisiológicasUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

Minimization procedure of experimental tests for calibration purposes, within HVAC&R energy efficiency framework

Simulation models and predictive tools need to be fast, accurate and robust at the same time. The models that have to provide numerical solutions under transient conditions for a long period of time need to be simple with the aim of minimizing the time respond, without losing the accuracy. Thus, previous experimental data and a calibration methodology are necessary to assure this objective, both are strictly necessary to reproduce the behaviour with accuracy expected. Consequently, even accurate information (e.g. look-up tables) for HVAC&R components (e.g. heat exchangers, fan/compressor, auxiliary elements, etc.) is known and all coupling system is developed, the minimization of experimental tests for calibration purposed based scattered data interpolation is now an important aspect, which looks for reducing the quantity of experiments necessary to assure the accuracy expected from an optimization point of view. The present work shows an optimization procedure based on test number minimization according detailed error comparison against existing previous data. Illustrative results for a specific component are presented highlighting test number reduction without losing accuracy.This project has received funding from the Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 755517.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version