Optimisation using Natural Language Processing: Personalized Tour Recommendation for Museums

This paper proposes a new method to provide personalized tour recommendation for museum visits. It combines an optimization of preference criteria of visitors with an automatic extraction of artwork importance from museum information based on Natural Language Processing using textual energy. This project includes researchers from computer and social sciences. Some results are obtained with numerical experiments. They show that our model clearly improves the satisfaction of the visitor who follows the proposed tour. This work foreshadows some interesting outcomes and applications about on-demand personalized visit of museums in a very near future.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures; Proceedings of the 2014 Federated Conference on Computer Science and Information Systems pp. 439-44

Spatio-temporal variability of surface air temperature in northeastern Spain

The present thesis examined changes in the annual and seasonal distribution of daily maximum and minimum temperatures for northeastern Spain. A better understanding of the ongoing changes in the temperature means and extremes was the primary objective. Further aims involved the analysis of large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns at different geopotential levels as well as the Mean Sea Level (MSL) pressure based on climate composites analysis and canonical variates in order to quantify the driving forces beyond the observed variability. Finally, this work aimed to assess future climate projections of seasonal temperature and their spatial variations to improve the understanding and prediction of the long-term trends of temperature means and extremes simulations. To achieve all these goals, it was necessary to develop a homogenous dataset with high spatial and temporal resolution. The next few paragraphs answer the main research questions raised during this work

Nonsmooth pitchfork bifurcation in a dc-dc converter: coexisting attractors and intermittency

In this paper we deal with the analysis of nonlinear dynamical behavior of a single inductor two inputs two outputs (SITITO) power electronics DC-DC converter. The system can be used to regulate generally two outputs (one positive and one negative). Under certain operating conditions, the switching model can be approximated by a one dimensional piecewise constant vector field and, as a consequence, the corresponding map is piecewise linear (PWL). This model is derived and then it is used to study a nonsmooth pitchfork bifurcation in the system. Coexistence of attractors are detected by using the same model. Intermittent chaotic behavior is also addressed. Analytical results are confirmed by one dimensional and twodimensional bifurcation diagrams.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Dynamical analysis of an interleaved single inductor TITO switching regulator

We study the dynamical behavior of a single inductor two inputs two outputs (SITITO) power electronics DC-DC converter under a current mode control in a PWM interleaved scheme. This system is able to regulate two, generally one positive and one negative, voltages (outputs). The regulation of the outputs is carried out by the modulation of two time intervals within a switching cycle. The value of the regulated voltages is related to both duty cycles (inputs). The stability of the whole nonlinear system is therefore studied without any decoupling. Under certain operating conditions, the dynamical behavior of the system can be modeled by a piecewise linear (PWL)map, which is used to investigate the stability in the parameter space and to detect possible subharmonic oscillations and chaotic behavior. These results are confirmed by numerical one dimensional and two-dimensional bifurcation diagrams and some experimental measurements from a laboratory prototype.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Building the Foundation for a Necessary Debate: Projectification of Society

Projectification is the phenomenon whereby activities traditionally carried out in a functional manner are approached as projects. It also includes the transformation processes of organisations as project management and non-functional structures. It is a phenomenon that has become important in recent years. It has brought great benefits to organisations and public administration, and it has optimised the use of economic resources. On the other hand, projectification also brings undesirable effects, known as the dark side of projectification. Several years after the first time projectification was coined, a deep debate about projectification has been necessary to make the most of all possible levels. This research, through a bibliometric analysis and a review of the most outstanding literature, identifies those aspects that need to be discussed and where there is room for improvement. The results, with an important set of disadvantages of projectification, sometimes not taken into account, especially at the individual level, establish a solid basis for the debate on projectification and the possible points of improvement from all perspectives (individual, organisational and societal). These perspectives should be observed as different but complementary, forming a holistic understanding of projectification

pH-dependent, extended release and enhanced in vitro efficiency against colon cancer of Tegafur formulated using chitosan-coated poly (ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles

Tegafur is used to treat various malignant lesions, including advanced gastric and colorectal cancers. However, its efficacy is limited by its low oral bioavailability, short half-life and serious toxicity. To address these drawbacks, a nanoformulation of poly(ε-caprolactone) nanoparticles coated with chitosan was developed for the delivery of Tegafur. Poly(ε-caprolactone) particles were prepared by an interfacial polymer disposition method, while surface functionalization with chitosan followed a coacervation procedure. Transmission electron microscopy and elemental analyses, and electrokinetics of the particles demonstrated that such core/shell nanostructure was obtained. Compared to unmodified particles, chitosan-coated nanoparticles demonstrated a substantially increased stability at both 4 and 25 ◦C over 30 days. Particles showed an encapsulation efficiency of ≈64% and a pH-dependent behavior in which complete Tegafur release was extended over 168, 48 or 24 h at pH 7.4 (blood), 6.5 (extracellular microenvironment of tumors) or 5.5 (endosomes/lysosomes of tumor cells), respectively. Based on hemocompatibility and cell viability tests, chitosan-coated nanoparticles exhibited satisfactory biocompatibility and safety for drug delivery. Furthermore, Tegafur-loaded chitosan-decorated particles demonstrated enhanced anticancer efficiency, with half maximal inhibitory concentration values in HT- 29 and T-84 cells of ≈ 4-fold and ≈3.5-fold less than that of the free drug and drug-loaded unmodified nanoparticles, respectively. In vivo studies are needed to fully assess their efficacy and safetyFEDER/Junta de Andalucía – Consejería de Transformaci´on Econ´omica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades, Spain (Grant P20_00346)

Reanalysis and reclassification of rare genetic variants associated with inherited arrhythmogenic syndromes

Background: Accurate interpretation of rare genetic variants is a challenge for clinical translation. Updates in recommendations for rare variant classification require the reanalysis and reclassification. We aim to perform an exhaustive re-analysis of rare variants associated with inherited arrhythmogenic syndromes, which were classified ten years ago, to determine whether their classification aligns with current standards and research findings. Methods: In 2010, the rare variants identified through genetic analysis were classified following recommendations available at that time. Nowadays, the same variants have been reclassified following current American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics recommendations. Findings: Our cohort included 104 cases diagnosed with inherited arrhythmogenic syndromes and 17 post-mortem cases in which inherited arrhythmogenic syndromes was cause of death. 71.87% of variants change their classification. While 65.62% of variants were classified as likely pathogenic in 2010, after reanalysis, only 17.96% remain as likely pathogenic. In 2010, 18.75% of variants were classified as uncertain role but nowadays 60.15% of variants are classified of unknown significance. Interpretation: Reclassification occurred in more than 70% of rare variants associated with inherited arrhythmogenic syndromes. Our results support the periodical reclassification and personalized clinical translation of rare variants to improve diagnosis and adjust treatment