Natural equilibrium states for multimodal maps

This paper is devoted to the study of the thermodynamic formalism for a class of real multimodal maps. This class contains, but it is larger than, Collet-Eckmann. For a map in this class, we prove existence and uniqueness of equilibrium states for the geometric potentials $-t \log|Df|$, for the largest possible interval of parameters $t$. We also study the regularity and convexity properties of the pressure function, completely characterising the first order phase transitions. Results concerning the existence of absolutely continuous invariant measures with respect to the Lebesgue measure are also obtained

The internal structure of the WRISc

Abstract: Personality-based integrity tests are used in selection procedures to reduce the chance of hiring employees who are likely to engage in counterproductive work behaviour. The present study reports the internal psychometric properties of a new personality-based measure developed for this purpose. Data collected from 1353 working adults were used to investigate internal consistency reliability, and to examine construct validity with confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis. Results showed that the reliability estimates for all the scales of the assessment were satisfactory. For the confirmatory factor analysis, inspection of the incremental (CFI and TLI) and absolute (RMSEA) goodness-of fit values found strong support for the construct validity of all the scales. Infit statistics from Rasch analysis provided further support for construct validity, with items from all the scales fitting the Rasch model. Combined the confirmatory and Rasch analysis demonstrated that unidimensional, coherent and meaningful latent constructs are being measured on the WRISc. Overall, results found excellent support for the internal psychometric properties of the instrument in a culturally diverse context

A multidimensional control architecture for combined fog-to-cloud systems

The fog/edge computing concept has set the foundations for the deployment of new services leveraging resources deployed at the edge paving the way for an innovative collaborative model, where end-users may collaborate with service providers by sharing idle resources at the edge of the network. Combined Fog-to-Cloud (F2C) systems have been recently proposed as a control strategy for managing fog and cloud resources in a coordinated way, aimed at optimally allocating resources within the fog-to-cloud resources stack for an optimal service execution. In this work, we discuss the unfeasibility of the deployment of a single control topology able to optimally manage a plethora of edge devices in future networks, respecting established SLAs according to distinct service requirements and end-user profiles. Instead, a multidimensional architecture, where distinct control plane instances coexist, is then introduced. By means of distinct scenarios, we describe the benefits of the proposed architecture including how users may collaborate with the deployment of novel services by selectively sharing resources according to their profile, as well as how distinct service providers may benefit from shared resources reducing deployment costs. The novel architecture proposed in this paper opens several opportunities for research, which are presented and discussed at the final section.This work was supported by the H2020 EU mF2C project, ref. 730929 and for UPC authors, also by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and the European Regional Development Fund under contract RTI2018-094532-B-I00.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Grid tool integration within the eMinerals Project

In this article we describe the eMinerals mini grid, which is now running in production mode. Thisis an integration of both compute and data components, the former build upon Condor, PBS and thefunctionality of Globus v2, and the latter being based on the combined use of the Storage ResourceBroker and the CCLRC data portal. We describe how we have integrated the middleware components,and the different facilities provided to the users for submitting jobs within such an environment. We willalso describe additional functionality we found it necessary to provide ourselves

The factor structure of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression scale in a South African peri-urban settlement

The factor structure of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression scale (EPDS) and similar instruments have received little attention in the literature. The researchers set out to investigate the construct validity and reliability of the EPDS amongst impoverished South African women. The EPDS was translated into isiXhosa (using Brislin's back translation method) and administered by trained interviewers to 147 women in Khayelitsha, South Africa. Responses were subjected to maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analysis. A single factor structure was found, consistent with the theory on which the EPDS was based. Internal consistency was satisfactory (a =0.89)

Identification of gene clusters differentially expressed during the cellular injury responses (CIR) to cisplatin

The goal of this study was to identify changes in mRNA levels in tumour cells after a toxic exposure to cisplatin (IC99dose). Using suppression-subtractive hybridization (SSH) 2 cDNA libraries were created, an UP library (202 cDNA fragments) and a DOWN library (153 cDNA fragments). Using reversed Northern hybridization 16 and 30 fragments were truly differentially expressed in the UP and DOWN libraries, respectively. Most prominent in the UP library were the mitochondrial and injury response clusters and in the DOWN library the cytoskeletal, protein synthesis and signalling clusters. These distinct clusters potentially represent an expression profile of the cisplatin-induced cellular injury response. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign  http://www.bjcancer.co

Synthesis agrobiodiversity - conservation and functionality

Biodiversity, including that of insects, should be preserve or even enhanced for its own sake, sometimes encouraged by international organizations. In agricultural areas an additional reason for its conservation is the ecological services it can provide to agriculture, including the natural control of crop pests. In this special issue of Entomologische Berichten studies focusing on each of the two aims are discussed. With special attention for the anthropod groups that play a role in pest control. Both aims can partly rely on conserving and improving the network of non-productive landscape elements, but for certain goals and insect groups specific measures will be require