A framework for lexical representation

In this paper we present a unification-based lexical platform designed for highly inflected languages (like Roman ones). A formalism is proposed for encoding a lemma-based lexical source, well suited for linguistic generalizations. From this source, we automatically generate an allomorph indexed dictionary, adequate for efficient processing. A set of software tools have been implemented around this formalism: access libraries, morphological processors, etc.Comment: 9 page

GRAMPAL: A Morphological Processor for Spanish implemented in Prolog

A model for the full treatment of Spanish inflection for verbs, nouns and adjectives is presented. This model is based on feature unification and it relies upon a lexicon of allomorphs both for stems and morphemes. Word forms are built by the concatenation of allomorphs by means of special contextual features. We make use of standard Definite Clause Grammars (DCG) included in most Prolog implementations, instead of the typical finite-state approach. This allows us to take advantage of the declarativity and bidirectionality of Logic Programming for NLP. The most salient feature of this approach is simplicity: A really straightforward rule and lexical components. We have developed a very simple model for complex phenomena. Declarativity, bidirectionality, consistency and completeness of the model are discussed: all and only correct word forms are analysed or generated, even alternative ones and gaps in paradigms are preserved. A Prolog implementation has been developed for both analysis and generation of Spanish word forms. It consists of only six DCG rules, because our {\em lexicalist\/} approach --i.e. most information is in the dictionary. Although it is quite efficient, the current implementation could be improved for analysis by using the non logical features of Prolog, especially in word segmentation and dictionary access.Comment: 11 page

Early stages of LDL oxidation: apolipoprotein B structural changes monitored by infrared spectroscopy.

Changes in the conformation of apoliprotein B-100 in the early stages of copper-mediated low density lipoprotein oxidation have been monitored by infrared spectroscopy. During the lag phase no variation in structure is observed, indicating that copper binding to the protein does not significantly affect its structure. In the propagation phase, while hydroperoxides are formed but the protein is not modified, no changes in secondary structure are observed, but the thermal profile of the band corresponding to alpha-helix is displaced in frequency, indicating changes in tertiary structure associated with this conformation but not with beta-sheet components. When aldehyde formation starts, a decrease of approximately 3% in the area of bands corresponding to alpha-helix and beta-sheet is produced, concomitantly with an increase in beta-turns and unordered structure. The two bands corresponding to beta-turns vary as well under these conditions, indicating changes in these structures. Also at this stage the thermal profile shows variations in frequency for the bands corresponding to both alpha-helix and beta-sheet.The results are consistent with the hypothesis that as soon as the polyunsaturated fatty acids from the particle core are modified, this change is reflected at the surface, in the alpha-helical components contacting the monolayer.Fil: Chehin, Rosana Nieves. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; España. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas; Argentina. Universidad del País Vasco; EspañaFil: Rengel, David. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; España. Universidad del País Vasco; EspañaFil: Milicua, José Carlos G.. Universidad del País Vasco; España. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; EspañaFil: Goñi, Félix M.. Universidad del País Vasco; España. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; EspañaFil: Arrondo JL. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; España. Universidad del País Vasco; EspañaFil: Pifat, Greta. Rudjer Bošković Institute; Croaci

Estimates of patient costs related with population morbidity: Can indirect costs affect the results?

A number of health economics works require patient cost estimates as a basic information input. However the accuracy of cost estimates remains in general unspecified. We propose to investigate how the allocation of indirect costs or overheads can affect the estimation of patient costs in order to allow for improvements in the analysis of patient costs estimates. Instead of focusing on the costing method, this paper proposes to highlight changes in variance explained observed when a methodology is chosen. We compare three overhead allocation methods for a specific Spanish population adjusted using the Clinical Risk Groups (CRG), and we obtain different series of full-cost group estimates. As a result, there are significant gains in the proportion of the variance explained, depending upon the methodology used. Furthermore, we find that the global amount of variation explained by risk adjustment models depends mainly on direct costs and is independent of the level of aggregation used in the classification system.Patient costs, Clinical Risk Groups, Variation explained, Overhead allocation

Papel de los polimorfismos de los genes CFH y ARMS2 en el desarrollo de la retinopatía y la cardiopatía isquémica en la diabetes tipo 1

Fundamento. La diabetes tipo 1 (DT1) es un enfermedad con elevada morbilidad vascular. El objetivo de este estudio es valorar la asociación de los polimorfismos rs1410996 del gen CFH y rs10490924 del gen ARMS2 en pacientes con DT1. Material y métodos. Se trata de un estudio retrospectivo, en el que se han analizado las características clínicas y los polimorfismos rs1410996 del gen CFH y rs10490924 del gen ARMS2 de 147 pacientes con DT1 valorados en la consulta de Endocrinología. Resultados. Todos los pacientes que desarrollaron retinopatía diabética proliferativa en los primeros 20 años de evolución eran portadores del polimorfismo rs1410996 del gen CFH. La frecuencia del alelo de riesgo fue significativamente mayor en los pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica que en los que no la presentaban (75 frente a 53%, p<0,001). Conclusiones. Parece existir una tendencia a aumentar el riesgo de desarrollar retinopatía diabética proliferativa en los pacientes con DT1 asociado con el polimorfismo rs1410996 del gen CFH. Este polimorfismo parece asociarse también con el desarrollo de cardiopatía isquémica en estos pacientes. Sin embargo, el polimorfismo rs10490924 del gen ARMS2 no parece asociarse con la retinopatía ni con la cardiopatía isquémica.Background. Type 1 diabetes is associated with vascular morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of polymorphisms rs1410996 CFH and rs10490924 ARMS2 with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and coronary disease in type 1 diabetes patients. Material and methods. We present a retrospective study that analyses the clinical characteristics and the polymorphisms rs1410996 CFH and rs10490924 ARMS2 of 147 type 1 diabetes patients. Results. The patients who developed proliferative diabetic retinopathy in the first 20 years carried the rs1410996 CFH polymorphism. The overall risk-allele frequency was significantly higher among patients with coronary artery disease than in those without it (75 vs. 53%, p<0.001). Conclusions. rs1410996 CFH polymorphism could be associated with both proliferative diabetic retinopathy and coronary artery disease in type 1 diabetes patients. However, rs10490924 ARMS2 does not seem to be associated either with retinopathy or coronary artery disease

Algunas consideraciones sobre el derecho al libre comercio en la doctrina de Francisco de Vitoria

En las relecciones De Indis y De iure belli de Francisco de Vitoria, el libre comercio se presenta como un “derecho humano” de acuerdo con el ius gentium. Este derecho está enraizado en el derecho de comunicación y asociación. Los derechos a viajar, morar y emigrar lo preceden y también está estrechamente relacionado con los derechos a predicar, proteger a los conversos y constituir príncipes cristianos. En el presente trabajo se defiende que el derecho al libre comercio tiene como último fundamento la ley natural e, indirectamente, la ley divina; que el comercio no es independiente de la ética; y que permite desarrollar la justicia y la amistad, entre otras repercusiones. Francisco de Vitoria se presenta como defensor de la iniciativa privada y del libre mercado