Bifurcation diagram for saddle/source bimodal linear dynamical systems

We continue the study of the structural stability and the bifurcations of planar bimodal linear dynamical systems (BLDS) (that is, systems consisting of two linear dynamics acting on each side of a straight line, assuming continuity along the separating line). Here, we enlarge the study of the bifurcation diagram of saddle/spiral BLDS to saddle/source BLDS and in particular we study the position of the homoclinic bifurcation with regard to the new improper node bifurcationPostprint (published version

Recuperación, purificación y caracterización de lipasas producidas por Candida rugosa : aplicación a la resolución de compuestos quirales y diseños del reactor enzimático /

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Seasonal changes in antioxidative/oxidative profile of mining and non-mining populations of Syrian beancaper as determined by soil conditions

Soil pollution by heavy metals/metalloids (HMMs) is a problem worldwide. To prevent dispersion of contaminated particles by erosion, the maintenance of a vegetative cover is needed. Successful plant establishment in multi-polluted soils can be hampered not only by HMM toxicities, but also by soil nutrient deficiencies and the co-occurrence of abiotic stresses. Some plant species are able to thrive under these multi-stress scenarios often linked to marked fluctuations in environmental factors. This study aimed to investigate the metabolic adjustments involved in Zygophyllum fabago acclimative responses to conditions prevailing in HMM-enriched mine-tailings piles, during Mediterranean spring and summer. To this end, fully expanded leaves, and rhizosphere soil, of three contrasting mining and non-mining populations of Z. fabago grown spontaneously in south-eastern Spain were sampled in two consecutive years. Approximately 50 biochemical, physiological and edaphic parameters were examined, including leaf redox components, primary and secondary metabolites, endogenous levels of salicylic acid, and physicochemical properties of soil (fertility parameters and total concentration of HMMs). Multivariate data analysis showed a clear distinction in antioxidative/oxidative profiles between and within the populations studied. Levels of chlorophylls, proteins and proline characterized control plants whereas antioxidant capacity and C- and S-based antioxidant compounds were biomarkers of mining plants. Seasonal variations were characterized by higher levels of alkaloids and PAL and soluble peroxidase activities in summer, and by soluble sugars and hydroxycinnamic acids in spring irrespective of the population considered. Although the antioxidant systems are subjected to seasonal variations, the way and the intensity with which every population changes its antioxidative/oxidative profile seem to be determined by soil conditions. In short, Z. fabago displays a high physiological plasticity that allow it to successfully shift its metabolism to withstand the multiple stresses that plants must cope with in mine tailings piles under Mediterranean climatic conditions.This work was supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación [grant number CTM2011-23958]; Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología [grant number CGL2006-11569]; and Fundación Séneca [grant number FB/23/FS/02]. AL-O holds a grant from the Ministerio de Educación Cultura y Deporte [grant number AP2012-2559]. Part of this work was carried out at the Instituto de Biotecnología Vegetal, UPCT

Variable-based multi-module data caches for clustered VLIW processors

Memory structures consume an important fraction of the total processor energy. One solution to reduce the energy consumed by cache memories consists of reducing their supply voltage and/or increase their threshold voltage at an expense in access time. We propose to divide the L1 data cache into two cache modules for a clustered VLIW processor consisting of two clusters. Such division is done on a variable basis so that the address of a datum determines its location. Each cache module is assigned to a cluster and can be set up as a fast power-hungry module or as a slow power-aware module. We also present compiler techniques in order to distribute variables between the two cache modules and generate code accordingly. We have explored several cache configurations using the Mediabench suite and we have observed that the best distributed cache organization outperforms traditional cache organizations by 19%-31% in energy-delay and by 11%-29% in energy-delay. In addition, we also explore a reconfigurable distributed cache, where the cache can be reconfigured on a context switch. This reconfigurable scheme further outperforms the best previous distributed organization by 3%-4%.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Entrada en pubertad y fertilidad de novillas Parda de Montaña y Pirenaica sometidas a distintos ritmos de crecimiento durante la recría

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Social Acceptance of Aquaculture in Spain: An Instrument to Achieve Sustainability for Society

Aquaculture is a technique to produce food that is under debate, due to its possible consequences for altering the economy, traditional fishing included, or the environment, even with doubts about the health of consumers. This document studies its social acceptance from the point of view of carrying capacity. This term is defined as the level at which this activity begins to be disproportionate and poses important disadvantages for society. In this context, we conducted 803 surveys in six coastal provinces in Spain. The results show that the acceptance of these products is good, implying that aquaculture is far from reaching its saturation point in society. Additionally, the respondents gave a higher priority to socio-economic objectives than to environmental ones. We can conclude that the further development of this sector is advisable in these provinces. The general perception of aquaculture is better among men, and also among higher-income consumers. Informative activities should be organized to target these more hesitant groups. Production structures should be revised to overcome biases in the population about the idea that the food obtained from aquaculture harms the environment or is less natural or healthy. The possible abuse of feed and chemicals spreads this idea, and this could affect the taste and quality adversely

Feasibility of face mask spirometry during decannulation in head and neck surgery : prospective cohort study

Objectives: To analyse the relationship between spirometric parameters measured with a face mask versus a mouthpiece, as well as the feasibility of face mask spirometric evaluation in a head and neck surgery (HNS) decannulation context. Furthermore, we examine peak inspiratory flow (PIF) cut-off values before and after decannulation. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Otolaryngology HNS Department of a university teaching hospital. Participants: Twenty-four patients were selected. A maximal flow-volume loop was conducted before (with mouthpiece) and after (with mouthpiece and face mask) decannulation. Main outcome measures: Recorded outcomes were forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second, peak expiratory flow, PIF, forced expiratory flow at 50% of FVC and forced inspiratory flow at 50% of FVC. Spearman correlation coefficients between spirometric parameters measured with a face mask versus a mouthpiece were calculated. Wilcoxon test was used to check differences between mouthpiece and face mask values. Results: Correlation between mouthpiece and face mask spirometric values was moderate to high (r = 0.46-0.95). All parameters measured by spirometry were significantly lower with a face mask than those obtained with a mouthpiece (p < 0.05). Before decannulation, the lowest PIF value (tested with mouthpiece) that allowed successful decannulation was 1 L/s. After decannulation, the lowest PIF value tested with mouthpiece and face mask for successful completion of the decannulation process were 0.77 and 0.56 L/s, respectively. Conclusion: Face mask is a feasible option to perform a spirometry when face diseases hinder spirometric evaluation through a mouthpiece in an HNC surgery context

Mediating effect of job crafting dimensions on influence of burnout at self-efficacy and performance: revisiting health-impairment process of JD-R theory in public administration

In recent years, job crafting has greatly interested Work and Organizational Psychology. Different research studies have shown its positive impact on people and organizational performance. However, it knows little about the differential effect of the two dimensions that make up this variable (prevention-focused and promotion-focused) and its role in the health impairment spiral process of the job demand-resources theory (JD-R). This research aims to analyze the mediating effect of the different dimensions of job crafting on the influence of burnout on performance and self-efficacy in the workplace. The study used a sample of 339 administrative employees of a university. : The results indicate that promotion-focused job crafting is a mediating variable in the relationship between the influence of burnout on performance and self-efficacy. Unexpectedly, prevention-focused job crafting does not have this mediating role in the same relationship. : These findings confirm the adverse impact of burnout on personal and organizational improvement, while showing the absence of prevention/protection responses of employees when they are burned out. The theoretical and practical implications show an advance in knowledge about the process of health deterioration and about the spiral of health deterioration in the JD-R theor

El papel multifuncional de la ganadería en las estaciones de esquí

Los pastos de puerto en que se ubican las estaciones de esquí constituyen la principal fuente de alimentación de ovejas y vacas durante un periodo relativamente largo del año. Su aprovechamiento ganadero evitaría la existencia de una elevada biomasa residual al final del periodo vegetativo, que limita la conservación y la estabilidad del manto nival durante el invierno, incrementando el riesgo de avalanchas