APOYO DIDÁCTICO DEL LENGUAJE VHDL EN EL ESTUDIO DE UNA UNIDAD DE CONTROL MICROPROGRAMADA

ResumenEn este trabajo se presenta una experiencia educativa en el campo de Arquitectura de Computadoras, en la cual se empleó el lenguaje VHDL como apoyo didáctico para cubrir los conceptos relacionados a una unidad de control microprogramada. En el estudio de esta unidad de control microprogramada se hizo énfasis en el funcionamiento interno de un procesador, en el cual se realizan transferencias de datos entre componentes en intervalos de tiempo muy pequeños y en el que se generan señales internas que resultan complicadas de verificar sin el equipo especializado de laboratorio. Se pretende que se puedan verificar los conceptos teóricos mediante las simulaciones del funcionamiento interno de los componentes del procesador, especialmente la unidad de control. Mediante el lenguaje VHDL y la técnica de diseño asistido por computadora, se realizó la descripción de los componentes digitales que conforman un pequeño procesador de 16 bits y su unidad de control. Se estudió qué señales son necesarias para el control del procesador y cómo se generan empleando la técnica de control microprogramado. Finalmente se muestra la percepción de los estudiantes del grado de aceptación del uso del lenguaje VHDL como apoyo didáctico para el estudio de una unidad de control microprogramadaPalabra(s) Clave: Arquitectura de Computadoras, Control microprogramado, Procesador, VHDL. DIDACTIC SUPPORT OF THE VHDL LANGUAGE IN THE STUDY OF A MICROPROGRAMMED CONTROL UNITAbstractThis article shows an educational experience in the area of computer architecture, in which the language VHDL is used as didactic support to cover the concepts related to a microprogrammed control unit. In the study of this unit, emphasis was done on the internal operation of a processor, in which data transfers between components is performed in very small time intervals and in which signals generated are complicated to verify without the specialized laboratory equipment. It is intended to verify the theoretical concepts through simulations of the internal operation of the processor components, especially the control unit. Using the VHDL language and the computer assisted design technique was performed the description of the components that make up a small 16 bit processor and its control unit. Signals for processor control were studied and how they are generated using the microprogrammed control technique. Finally, the students´ perception is shown of the degree of acceptance of the use of the VHDL language as didactic support for the study of a microprogrammed control unit.Keywords: Computer architecture, Microprogrammed control, Processor, VHD

Fragmentation and Connectivity of Island Forests in Agricultural Mediterranean Environments: A Comparative Study between the Guadalquivir Valley (Spain) and the Apulia Region (Italy)

Habitat loss and fragmentation are considered some the main threats to biodiversity. Original forests have suffered an accentuated fragmentation and agricultural homogenization, leaving only some areas of natural vegetation, relegated to strongly anthropized disconnected patches (island forests, IFs) in a hostile matrix. These patches of original vegetation could be the key for the design and management of ecological corridors to promote species migration, an essential strategy for meeting the consequences of Global Change. This study proposes a comparative analysis of the fragmentation and connectivity of IFs of Quercus in two typically Mediterranean areas of predominantly agricultural use: the Guadalquivir valley (Spain) and the Apulia region (Italy). A retrospective comparison is also carried out in the Guadalquivir valley. The aim is to develop an objective new methodology to locate the patches of most interest using quantitative and qualitative data. Reference cartography of current island forests of Quercus species was developed from several digital sources and validated with orthoimages and field observations. Fragmentation analysis was based on graph structures using the software Conefor 2.6, a reliable tool for assessment of the role of patches in the landscape. Area and distance were used as node and connector values. Dispersion distance was established as 500 m, based on the maximum dispersion of acorns. Results indicate that the Guadalquivir valley has suffered an intensive fragmentation in recent decades. Both the Guadalquivir and Apulia regions host some IFs with the relevant potential to contribute as core habitats in the creation of connections to other natural protected sites. Many residual IFs in the landscape could contribute as stepping stones in the design and management of ecological corridors. Our methodology highlights the value of IFs to develop assessment strategies using homogenized available digital cartography and common criteria for the dispersion distances in graph theory analysis. The application of this new methodology could help in the management of protected sites using highly fragmented areas to allow the species movement through inhospitable landscapes in a unique opportunity to connect the different protected areasThis research was funded by the Council of Economy, Innovation, Science and Employment of the Andalusian Government in the framework of the Project “Modelo espacial de distribución de las quercíneas y otras formaciones forestales de Andalucía: una herramienta para la gestión y la conservación del patrimonio natural” (Code P10-RNM-6013) and by FEDER, Junta de Andalucía— Consejería de Economía y Conocimiento. Proyecto UHU-126283

Criterios para la evaluación de tesis doctorales

In this paper, we propose a questionnaire directed at accurately assessing the quality of doctoral dissertations in its different stages, both a-priori, in the doctoral defence, and a-posteriori, whenever the dissertation be newly assessed as part of an application for a research grant, prize, etc. These criteria are independent of a further assessment of the dissertation as a published text.El presente trabajo tiene por objeto proponer el texto de un cuestionario o test que permita la evaluación de las tesis doctoral de modo minucioso en las fases de evaluación a priori, en el acto académico de presentación y defensa y a posteriori cuando la tesis sea susceptible de nueva evaluación en las convocatorias de premio extraordinario o en las solicitudes de concesión de becas o proyectos de investigación sin perjuicio de su evaluación como trabajo científico una vez publicado

Bacterial Footprints in Elastic Pillared Microstructures

Soft substrates decorated with micropillar arrays are known to be sensitive to deflection due to capillary action. In this work, we demonstrate that micropillared epoxy surfaces are sensitive to single drops of bacterial suspensions. The micropillars can show significant deformations upon evaporation, just as capillary action does in soft substrates. The phenomenon has been studied with five bacterial strains: S. epidermidis, L. sakei, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and B. subtilis. The results reveal that only droplets containing motile microbes with flagella stimulate micropillar bending, which leads to significant distortions and pillar aggregations forming dimers, trimers, and higher order clusters. Such deformation is manifested in characteristic patterns that are left on the microarrayed surface following evaporation and can be easily identified even by the naked eye. Our findings could lay the ground for the design and fabrication of mechanically responsive substrates, sensitive to specific types of microorganisms

Effect on Intermediary Metabolism and Digestive Parameters of the High Substitution of Fishmeal with Insect Meal in Sparus aurata Feed

The depletion of traditional protein sources and the impact this causes on the production costs of aquaculture feed make it necessary to find alternative materials that allow for the sustainability of production. Among various proposals, insects have drawn scholarly attention because of their high protein content and the efficiency of their production, both from an environmental and an economic perspective. However, nutritional changes in fish diets require further clarification regarding the effect of this new ingredient in fish performance and physiology. In this study, we evaluated the use of two insect meal species, Hermetia illucens and Tenebrio molitor, for the partial replacement of fishmeal, as well as their influence on growth indices and the gut microbiome. Although the results showed a worsening of biometric parameters and a modification of the microbial community, the impact was different depending on the insect species and their rearing conditions. Thus, specific studies for each case are recommended.Hermetia illucens and Tenebrio molitor were tested on account of their potential to replace fish protein in feed. Two levels of replacement for H. illucens, 30% and 50% (H30 and H50), and one for T. molitor, 50% (T50), as well as an additional diet with a modified fatty acid fraction (H50M), were investigated in relation to juvenile Sparus aurata growth indices, enzyme activities and gut microbiome. A T50 diet showed similar results to a control (C) diet, with no significant differences regarding morphological indices and minor differences for nutritional indices. Regarding the gut microbiome, H50M was the diet which showed the more similar prokaryotic community to C, which suggests that fatty acid fractions might influence the composition of the gut microbiome. Nevertheless, differences appeared to be related to a redistribution of dominant species, while changes in species affiliation were limited to minoritary species. The positive correlation between some of these minoritary species (Peptostreptococcus russellii, Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Weisella confusa) and several fish growth parameters might explain differences between control and insect diets. Deciphering such uncertainty and revealing the potential role these unusual species may play on fish performance should be addressed in future investigations.INIA (Spanish Agricultural and Agro-Food Research Institute)Project RTA 2015-00021-C03-02 and FEDER fundsEuropean Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and Consejeria de Agricultura, Pesca y Desarrollo Rural, OPP71

Observation of a gel of quantum vortices in a superconductor at very low magnetic fields

A gel consists of a network of particles or molecules formed for example using the sol-gel process, by which a solution transforms into a porous solid. Particles or molecules in a gel are mainly organized on a scaffold that makes up a porous system. Quantized vortices in type-II superconductors mostly form spatially homogeneous ordered or amorphous solids. Here we present high-resolution imaging of the vortex lattice displaying dense vortex clusters separated by sparse or entirely vortex-free regions in β-Bi2Pd superconductor. We find that the intervortex distance diverges upon decreasing the magnetic field and that vortex lattice images follow a multifractal behavior. These properties, characteristic of gels, establish the presence of a novel vortex distribution, distinctly different from the well-studied disordered and glassy phases observed in high-temperature and conventional superconductors. The observed behavior is caused by a scaffold of one-dimensional structural defects with enhanced stress close to the defects. The vortex gel might often occur in type-II superconductors at low magnetic fields. Such vortex distributions should allow to considerably simplify control over vortex positions and manipulation of quantum vortex states.Fil: Llorens, José Benito. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; EspañaFil: Embon, Lior. Weizmann Institute Of Science.; IsraelFil: Correa, Alexandre. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; España. Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid; EspañaFil: González, Jesús David. Universidad del Magdalena; Colombia. Universiteit Antwerp; BélgicaFil: Herrera, Edwin. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; España. Universidad Central; ColombiaFil: Guillamón, Isabel. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; EspañaFil: Luccas, Roberto F.. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; EspañaFil: Azpeitia, Jon. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; EspañaFil: Mompeán, Federico J.. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; EspañaFil: García Hernández, Mar. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; EspañaFil: Munuera, Carmen. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; EspañaFil: Aragón Sánchez, Jazmín. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Area de Investigación y Aplicaciones No Nucleares. Gerencia de Física (Centro Atómico Bariloche). División Bajas Temperaturas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología - Nodo Bariloche | Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología - Nodo Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Fasano, Yanina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Area de Investigación y Aplicaciones No Nucleares. Gerencia de Física (Centro Atómico Bariloche). División Bajas Temperaturas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología - Nodo Bariloche | Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología - Nodo Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Milosevic, Milorad V.. Universiteit Antwerp; BélgicaFil: Suderow, Hermann. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; EspañaFil: Anahory, Yonathan. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Israe

A genome-wide association study follow-up suggests a possible role for PPARG in systemic sclerosis susceptibility

Introduction: A recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) comprising a French cohort of systemic sclerosis (SSc) reported several non-HLA single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) showing a nominal association in the discovery phase. We aimed to identify previously overlooked susceptibility variants by using a follow-up strategy.<p></p> Methods: Sixty-six non-HLA SNPs showing a P value <10-4 in the discovery phase of the French SSc GWAS were analyzed in the first step of this study, performing a meta-analysis that combined data from the two published SSc GWASs. A total of 2,921 SSc patients and 6,963 healthy controls were included in this first phase. Two SNPs, PPARG rs310746 and CHRNA9 rs6832151, were selected for genotyping in the replication cohort (1,068 SSc patients and 6,762 healthy controls) based on the results of the first step. Genotyping was performed by using TaqMan SNP genotyping assays. Results: We observed nominal associations for both PPARG rs310746 (PMH = 1.90 × 10-6, OR, 1.28) and CHRNA9 rs6832151 (PMH = 4.30 × 10-6, OR, 1.17) genetic variants with SSc in the first step of our study. In the replication phase, we observed a trend of association for PPARG rs310746 (P value = 0.066; OR, 1.17). The combined overall Mantel-Haenszel meta-analysis of all the cohorts included in the present study revealed that PPARG rs310746 remained associated with SSc with a nominal non-genome-wide significant P value (PMH = 5.00 × 10-7; OR, 1.25). No evidence of association was observed for CHRNA9 rs6832151 either in the replication phase or in the overall pooled analysis.<p></p> Conclusion: Our results suggest a role of PPARG gene in the development of SSc