An efficient cloud scheduler design supporting preemptible instances

Maximizing resource utilization by performing an efficient resource provisioning is a key factor for any cloud provider: commercial actors can maximize their revenues, whereas scientific and non-commercial providers can maximize their infrastructure utilization. Traditionally, batch systems have allowed data centers to fill their resources as much as possible by using backfilling and similar techniques. However, in an IaaS cloud, where virtual machines are supposed to live indefinitely, or at least as long as the user is able to pay for them, these policies are not easily implementable. In this work we present a new scheduling algorithm for IaaS providers that is able to support preemptible instances, that can be stopped by higher priority requests without introducing large modifications in the current cloud schedulers. This scheduler enables the implementation of new cloud usage and payment models that allow more efficient usage of the resources and potential new revenue sources for commercial providers. We also study the correctness and the performace overhead of the proposed scheduler agains existing solutions

Enhancing adolescent reasoning skills through a video game program

Much research has been done on the benefits of video games in a physical education context (Camunas-Vega & Alcaide-Risoto, 2020; Fang et al., 2020). However, little attention has so far been paid to the effectiveness of commercial video games combined with actual basketball practice in helping students improve their reasoning skills (Chuang et al., 2021; Rogers et al., 2020). The study presents a quasiexperimental pre-post design with a control group in order to evaluate the impact of a specific training program in reasoning with the video game NBA 2K16. A convenience sample of 215 high school students participated in the study. Three reasoning subscales of the Evalua-9 psycho-pedagogical test (inductive alfa=0.88; deductive alfa=0.85; spatial alfa=0.89) were used for data collection. Our findings show a significant moderate effect in the students who participated in the training program. An additional outcome was that sex differences in spatial and deductive reasoning in the pre-test disappeared in the post-test. We discuss the educational implications of the use of the video game as the main learning tool to enhance the reasoning process of Secondary Education students in Physical Education

Scientific workflow orchestration interoperating HTC and HPC resources

8 páginas, 7 figuras.-- El Pdf del artículo es la versión pre-print.In this work we describe our developments towards the provision of a unified access method to different types of computing infrastructures at the interop- eration level. For that, we have developed a middleware suite which bridges not interoperable middleware stacks used for building distributed computing infrastructues, UNICORE and gLite. Our solution allows to transparently access and operate on HPC and HTC resources from a single interface. Using Kepler as workflow manager, we provide users with the needed integration of codes to create scientific workflows accessing both types of infrastructures.Peer reviewe

Scientific workflow orchestration interoperating HTC and HPC resources

8 páginas, 7 figuras.-- El Pdf del artículo es la versión pre-print.In this work we describe our developments towards the provision of a unified access method to different types of computing infrastructures at the interop- eration level. For that, we have developed a middleware suite which bridges not interoperable middleware stacks used for building distributed computing infrastructues, UNICORE and gLite. Our solution allows to transparently access and operate on HPC and HTC resources from a single interface. Using Kepler as workflow manager, we provide users with the needed integration of codes to create scientific workflows accessing both types of infrastructures.Peer reviewe

Potential interactions in a cohort of elderly hiv-positive patients

Abstract: Objective: The increase of HIV-patients life expectancy leads to a new model of patient with chronic diseases and polymedicated. For this reason we ought to know in clinical practice the prevalence of polypharmacy and drug-drug interactions between the antiretroviral drugs and comedication in our patients in order to identify and prevent them. Method: A retrospective, descriptive study carried out in > 50 years old patients on antiretroviral treatment. Results: We included 242 patients of whom 148 (61%) were receiving concomitant treatment. 243 potential interactions were detected, where 197 are considered moderate and 46 severe, affecting 110 patients. 35 (76%) interactions were related to boosted protease inhibitors. The main consequence of these interactions was the increase in plasma concentrations of comedication (48%). Statins were the comedication most involved in severe drug-druginteractions (24%), followed by inhaled corticosteroids (15%). Conclusions: Polypharmacy was found in about half of our study population and the prevalence of drug-drug interactions was high. Hospital pharmacists may play a crucial role in their detection, management and early communication

Innovative learning and teaching methodology in electronic technology area: A case of study in computer science university degrees

This paper describes an experience that has been carried out by several professors in different subjects. Our experience is framed within the First Plan in Teaching of the University of Seville. All involved subjects belong to the electronic technology area and from three Computer Science degrees. We propose to use, in a combined way, some learning techniques: cooperative learning as complement to traditional learning, role-playing technique and jigsaw technique. We have considered a base methodology but in each subject a variant of it has been accomplished. We have used several evaluation techniques, such as reciprocal evaluation, electronic portfolio and check lists. Applying our methodology helps us to detect learning problems before the term ends. Also, in tune with the framework of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), our methology gives a boost to develop transversal competences as important as work (or study) management, empathy and understanding of other members in a workgroup, conflict resolution, capacity to make decisions as well as coordinate and communicate with other members in a workgroup and also with the professor

La depresión infantojuvenil: prevención en un Instituto de Enseñanza Secundaria

La infancia se acorta por la actividad a que los adultos someten a los niños/as, y la adolescencia se prolonga artificialmente, porque el período de dependencia económica y psicosocial no coincide con el de autonomía física que se consolida en la pubertad. La sociedad, las familias, la escolaridad, las circunstancias... en muchas ocasiones hacen que los niños/as y adolescentes tengan dificultades de adaptación que se manifiestan en conductas de depresión, que se prolongan o surgen en la adultez. Se proponen las bases de un Programa de (Intervención desde la) Prevención, en un Instituto de Enseñanza Secundaria, desde el Departamento de Orientación, con la colaboración de los tutores del centro, las familias, y con la implicación de toda la comunidad educativa.Childhood is shortened by the activity that adults subject children and adolescence is extended artificially, because the period of psychological and economic dependency does not coincide with the physical autonomy which is consolidated at puberty. The society, families, schooling, the circumstances... on many occasions make that children and adolescents have difficulties of adaptation that is manifested in behavior of depression, which extend or arise in adulthood. We propose the bases of a program of (intervention from the) prevention, in an Institute of secondary education, from the guidance Department, with the collaboration of the Center, families, tutors and with the involvement of the entire educational communityEste trabajo pretende dar a conocer la importancia de la prevención de la depresión infantojuvenil en un Instituto de Enseñanza Secundaria, mediante la elaboración de las bases de un Programa de intervención desde el Departamento de Orientación, con la colaboración de los tutores del centro, las familias, y con la implicación de toda la comunidad educativa

Infectious agents associated with schizophrenia: a meta-analysis

Schizophrenia is a highly disabling and limiting disorder for patients and the possibility that infections by some microorganisms may be associated to its development may allow prevention and recovery. In the current study we have done a meta-analysis of studies that have assessed the possible association between detection of different infectious agents and schizophrenia. We report results that support the idea that there is a statistically significant association between schizophrenia and infection by Human Herpesvirus 2 (OR=1.34; CI 95%: 1.09-1.70; p=0.05), Borna Disease Virus (OR=2.03; CI 95%: 1.35-3.06; p<0.01), Human Endogenous Retrovirus W (OR=19.31; CI 95%: 6.74-55.29; p<0.001), Chlamydophila pneumoniae (OR=6.34; CI 95%: 2.83-14.19; p<0.001), Chlamydophila psittaci (OR=29.05; CI 95%: 8.91-94.70; p<0.001) and Toxoplasma gondii (OR=2.70; CI 95%: 1.34-4.42; p=0.005). The implications of these findings are discussed and further research options are also explicated

AN-VR-BE. A randomized controlled trial for reducing fear of gaining weight and other eating disorder symptoms in anorexia nervosa through virtual reality-based body exposure

In vivo body exposure therapy is considered an effective and suitable intervention to help patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) reduce their body image disturbances (BIDs). However, these interventions have notable limitations and cannot effectively reproduce certain fears usually found in AN, such as the fear of gaining weight (FGW). The latest developments in virtual reality (VR) technology and embodiment-based procedures could overcome these limitations and allow AN patients to confront their FGW and BIDs. This study aimed to provide further evidence of the efficacy of an enhanced (by means of embodiment) VR-based body exposure therapy for the treatment of AN. Thirty-five AN patients (16 in the experimental group, 19 in the control group) participated in the study. FGW, BIDs, and other body-related and ED measures were assessed before and after the intervention and three months later. The experimental group received treatment as usual (TAU) and five additional sessions of VR-based body exposure therapy, while the control group received only TAU. After the intervention, ED symptoms were clearly reduced in both groups, with most of the changes being more noticeable in the experimental group. Specifically, after the intervention and at follow-up, significant group differences were found in the FGW and BIDs, with the experimental group showing significantly lower values than the control group. The current study provides new insights and encouraging findings in the field of exposure-based therapies in AN. VR technology might improve research and clinical practice in AN by providing new tools to help patients confront their core fears (i.e., food- or weight-related cues) and improve their emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses to their body image