Logic Negation with Spiking Neural P Systems

Nowadays, the success of neural networks as reasoning systems is doubtless. Nonetheless, one of the drawbacks of such reasoning systems is that they work as black-boxes and the acquired knowledge is not human readable. In this paper, we present a new step in order to close the gap between connectionist and logic based reasoning systems. We show that two of the most used inference rules for obtaining negative information in rule based reasoning systems, the so-called Closed World Assumption and Negation as Finite Failure can be characterized by means of spiking neural P systems, a formal model of the third generation of neural networks born in the framework of membrane computing.Comment: 25 pages, 1 figur

The Probabilistic Backbone of Data-Driven Complex Networks: An example in Climate

Correlation Networks (CNs) inherently suffer from redundant information in their network topology. Bayesian Networks (BNs), on the other hand, include only non-redundant information (from a probabilistic perspective) resulting in a sparse topology from which generalizable physical features can be extracted. We advocate the use of BNs to construct data-driven complex networks as they can be regarded as the probabilistic backbone of the underlying complex system. Results are illustrated at the hand of a global climate dataset

Artrodesis de rodilla por fracaso de la artroplatsia total

Veintiuna artrodesis de rodilla fueron realizadas en nuestro Servicio en los últimos 20 años. Se realiza un estudio retrospectivo con un seguimiento medio de 10 años. Las razones para la artrodesis fueron en 12 ocasiones (57%) infección de la artroplastia total, y en los 9 casos restantes (43%) aflojamiento aséptico. La artrodesis se realizó mediante fijación externa en un solo plano en 11 casos (52%), en biplano se colocó en 7 (33%), 2 casos con placas a compresión (9,5%) y el caso restante mediante un clavo intramedular (5%). La fusión después del procedimiento inicial se obtuvo solamente en 12 pacientes (57%) y añadiendo procedimientos adicionales totalizamos 19 rodillas fusionadas (90%). Las complicaciones encontradas fueron: 9 pseudoartrosis, 2 infecciones en el trayecto de las fichas, 2 roturas del material de fijación, una infección persistente que llevó a la amputación, y una parálisis del nervio ciático poplíteo externo.A total of 21 knee arthrodesis performed in the last 20 years was reviewed with an average follow-up of 10 years. Arthrodesis was performed following deep infection in 12 cases (57%) and aseptic loosening of the prostheses in the remaining 9 cases. TH artrodesis were performed using one-plane external fixation in 11 cases, two-planes external fixation in 7, compression plates in 2, intramedular nailing in only 12 patients. Using additional procedures we obtained 19 fused knees (90 %). The complications in this series were: Psuedarthrosis (9 cases), infection of the fixator pins (2 cases), infection of the fixator pins (2 cases), and broken osteosybrtesis components (2 cases), severe deep infection with final amputation of the limb (1 case), and CPE injury (1 case)

IMPLEMENTACIÓN Y CO-SIMULACIÓN DE UN CONTROLADOR PID EN TIEMPO REAL CON FPGA DE BAJO COSTO Y CÓDIGO LIBRE (IMPLEMENTATION AND CO-SIMULATION OF PID CONTROLLER RT BASED ON FPGA OF LOW COST AND OPEN SOURCE)

Los FPGA’s (Field Programmable Gate Array) son dispositivos que tienen un gran número de elementos lógicos programables, por medio de lenguaje descripción de hardware (HDL) es posible desarrollar aplicaciones de nivel industrial. La disponibilidad de éstas en el mercado y la tendencia de herramientas libres han hecho que su uso prolifere en distintas áreas de la industria, aeronáutica, robótica, automatización. Los FPGA a través de HDL se convierten en verdadero hardware y esto se transforma en alta velocidad de procesamiento. La inclusión de dispositivos FPGA a procesos de automatización tiene sus razones en la capacidad del dispositivo en atender de forma paralela distintos procesos. El artículo presenta el diseño, implementación y validación de una plataforma de bajo costo para control de un motor CD (corriente directa) basado en FPGA. La plataforma permite desarrollar de control de velocidad y posición con controladores PID (Proporcional Integral Derivativo) industriales. En este trabajo se abordan la identificación y diseño controlador a través de un código libre desarrollado en Python. La co-simulación de realiza por medio del software MATLAB®.Palabras Clave: Código libre, Co-simulación, FPGA, Modelación PID.AbstractThe FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) are devices with a large number of programmable logic elements, using language hardware description (HDL) it is possible to develop applications of industrial level. The availability of these in the market have made their use proliferate in different areas of industry, aeronautics, robotics, automation. FPGA devices using HDL are now hardware with high processing speed. The inclusion of FPGA devices to automation processes has its reasons in the ability of the device to attend different processes in parallel. This paper presents the design, implementation and validation of a low cost platform for the control of a cd (direct current) motor based on FPGA. The platform allows the development of speed and position control with industrial PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) controllers. In this work the identification, control design and simulation were programming into MATLAB® software.Keywords: Co-simulation, FPGA, Modelling Open source, PID

CCR5Δ32 variant and cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a cohort study

Introduction The aim of our study was to analyze the influence of the CCR5Δ32 polymorphism in the risk of cardiovascular (CV) events and subclinical atherosclerosis among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods A total of 645 patients fulfilling the American Rheumatism Association 1987 revised classification criteria for RA were studied. Patients were genotyped for the CCR5 rs333 polymorphism using predesigned TaqMan assays. Also, HLA DRB1 genotyping was performed using molecular-based methods. Carotid intima-media thickness, flow-mediated endothelium-dependent dilatation (FMD) and endothelium-independent vasodilatation, which were used as surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerosis, were measured in a subgroup of patients with no clinical CV disease. Results A lower frequency of carriers of the CCR5Δ32 allele among patients with CV events (3.4% versus 11.3%, P = 0.025, odds ratio 0.28, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.06 to 0.89) was observed. However, after adjusting for gender, age at time of RA diagnosis, and the presence of shared epitope, rheumatoid factor and classic CV risk factors in the Cox regression analysis, this reduction of CV events in CCR5Δ32 allele carriers was slightly outside the range of significance (P = 0.097; hazard ratio 0.37 (95% CI 0.12 to 1.19)). Carriers of the CCR5Δ32 deletion also showed higher FMD values than the remaining patients (CCR5/CCR5Δ32 patients: 7.03% ± 6.61% versus CCR5/CCR5 patients: 5.51% ± 4.66%). This difference was statistically significant when analysis of covariance was performed (P = 0.024). Conclusions Our results show a potential influence of the CCR5Δ32 deletion on the risk of CV disease among patients with RA. This may be due to a protective effect of this allelic variant against the development of vascular endothelial dysfunction

Identification of a Novel Pathogenic Rearrangement Variant of the APC Gene Associated with a Variable Spectrum of Familial Cancer

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal-dominant condition characterized by the presence of multiple colorectal adenomas, caused by germline variants in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene. More than 300 germline variants have been characterized. The detection of novel variants is important to understand the mechanisms of pathophysiology. We identified a novel pathogenic germline variant using next-generation sequencing (NGS) in a proband patient. The variant is a complex rearrangement (c.422+1123_532-577 del ins 423-1933_423-1687 inv) that generates a complete deletion of exon 5 of the APC gene. To study the variant in other family members, we designed an endpoint PCR method followed by Sanger sequencing. The variant was identified in the proband patient’s mother, one daughter, her brother, two cousins, a niece, and a second nephew. In patients where the variant was identified, we found atypical clinical symptoms, including mandibular, ovarian, breast, pancreatic, and gastric cancer. Genetic counseling and cancer prevention strategies were provided for the family. According to the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) guidelines, this novel variant is considered a PVS1 variant (very strong evidence of pathogenicity), and it can be useful in association with clinical data for early surveillance and suitable treatment. View Full-Tex

A New Approach to Energy Calculation of Road Accidents against Fixed Small Section Elements Based on Close-Range Photogrammetry

[EN] This paper presents a new approach for energetic analyses of traffic accidents against fixed road elements using close-range photogrammetry. The main contributions of the developed approach are related to the quality of the 3D photogrammetric models, which enable objective and accurate energetic analyses through the in-house tool CRASHMAP. As a result, security forces can reconstruct the accident in a simple and comprehensive way without requiring spreadsheets or external tools, and thus avoid the subjectivity and imprecisions of the traditional protocol. The tool has already been validated, and is being used by the Local Police of Salamanca (Salamanca, Spain) for the resolution of numerous accidents. In this paper, a real accident of a car against a fixed metallic pole is analysed, and significant discrepancies are obtained between the new approach and the traditional protocol of data acquisition regarding collision speed and absorbed energy.S

Microfabrication processes for microfluidic devices on a single laser Workstation: direct writing lithography on SU-8, laser ablation on polymers and mask manufacturing

We demonstrate the capability of a laser micromachining workstation for cost-effective manufacturing of a variety of microfluidic devices, including SU-8 microchannels on silicon wafers and 3D complex structures made on polyimide Kapton® or poly carbonate (PC). The workstation combines a KrF excimer laser at 248 nm and a Nd3+:YVO4 DPSS with a frequency tripled at 355 nm with a lens magnification 10X, both lasers working at a pulsed regime with nanoseconds (ns) pulse duration. Workstation also includes a high-resolution motorized XYZ-tilt axis (~ 1 um / axis) and a Through The Lens (TTL) imaging system for a high accurate positioning over a 120 x 120 mm working area. We have surveyed different fabrication techniques: direct writing lithography,mask manufacturing for contact lithography and polymer laser ablation for complex 3D devices, achieving width channels down to 13μ m on 50μ m SU-8 thickness using direct writing lithography, and width channels of 40 μm for polyimide on SiO2 plate. Finally, we have tested the use of some devices for capillary chips measuring the flow speed for liquids with different viscosities. As a result, we have characterized the presence of liquid in the channel by interferometric microscopy

Evaluación de materias primas animales y vegetales y de enzimas en concentrados para neonatos de Caimán crocodilus fuscus.

Se evaluó la respuesta obtenida en la asimilación de nutrientes al utilizar productos enzimáticos (Bio Feed Pro y Enzytech) en 2 dosificaciones (0.5 y g/Kg) en un concentrado comercial formulado con ingredientes animales principalmente, y en un concentrado experimental constituido con ingredientes vegetales en mayor proporción para la alimentación de 540 neonatos de Caima crocodilus fuscus. El diseño experimental utilizado fue bloques al azar con arreglo factorial de 2x5 (dos tipos de concentrados, 5 dosis de productos enzimáticos). Las variables analizadas fueron: incremento en el peso e incremento en la longitud durante el período experimental. Se establecieron ecuaciones de regresión para peso y longitud de los animales en función de los días de experimentación, con cada uno de los tratamientos considerados. Asimismo se obtuvieron los parámetros zooténicos de conversión y eficiencia alimenticia, el análisis económico permitió establecer los costos de producción por kg/animal. Aunque la inclusión de ingredientes vegetales en el 57 por ciento de la ración no mejoró los efectos producidos por el concentrado comercial y las enzimas tampoco mejoraron significativamente la asimilación de nutrientes, los resultados aquí expuestos superan los hallados por otros autores al utilizar dietas basadas en carnes frescas, a la vez aplían el campo de acción para el empleo de productos enzimáticos, tan pronto se venzan los obstáculos surgidos en esta primera investigación sobre el tem

Exploring the potential of phenolic compounds from the coffee pulp in preventing cellular oxidative stress after in vitro digestion

The coffee pulp, a by-product of the coffee industry, contains a high concentration of phenolic compounds and caffeine. Simulated gastrointestinal digestion may influence these active compounds’ bioaccessibility, bioavailability, and bioactivity. Understanding the impact of the digestive metabolism on the coffee pulp's phenolic composition and its effect on cellular oxidative stress biomarkers is essential. In this study, we evaluated the influence of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of the coffee pulp flour (CPF) and extract (CPE) on their phenolic profile, radical scavenging capacity, cellular antioxidant activity, and cytoprotective properties in intestinal epithelial (IEC-6) and hepatic (HepG2) cells. The CPF and the CPE contained a high amount of caffeine and phenolic compounds, predominantly phenolic acids (3′,4′-dihydroxycinnamoylquinic and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acids) and flavonoids (3,3′,4′,5,7-pentahydroxyflavone derivatives). Simulated digestion resulted in increased antioxidant capacity, and both the CPF and the CPE demonstrated free radical scavenging abilities even after in vitro digestion. The CPF and the CPE did not induce cytotoxicity in intestinal and hepatic cells, and both matrices exhibited the ability to scavenge intracellular reactive oxygen species. The coffee pulp treatments prevented the decrease of glutathione, thiol groups, and superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymatic activities evoked by tert-butyl hydroperoxide elicitation in IEC-6 and HepG2 cells. Our findings suggest that the coffee pulp could be used as a potent food ingredient for preventing cellular oxidative stress due to its high content of antioxidant compoundsThis research was funded by the COCARDIOLAC project from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (RTI 2018-097504-B-I00) and the Excellence Line for University Teaching Staff within the Multiannual Agreement between the Community of Madrid and the UAM (2019-2023). M. Rebollo-Hernanz received funding from the FPU program of the Ministry of Universities for his predoctoral fellowship (FPU15/04238) and his grant for the requalification of the Spanish university system (CA1/RSUE/2021-00656