A metamodel to integrate business processes time perspective in BPMN 2.0

Context: Business Process Management (BPM) is becoming a strategic advantage for organizations tostreamline their operations. Most business experts are betting for OMG Business Process Model and No- tation (BPMN) as de-facto standard (ISO/IEC 19510:2013) and selected technology to model processes. Thetemporal dimension underlies in any kind of process however, technicians need to shape this perspectivethat must also coexist with task control flow aspects, as well as resource and case perspectives. BPMNpoorly gathers temporary rules. This is why there are contributions that extend the standard to coversuch dimension. BPMN is mainly an imperative language. There are research contributions showing timeconstraints in BPMN, such as (i) BPMN patterns to express each rule with a combination of artifacts, thusthese approaches increase the use of imperative BPMN style, and (ii) new decorators to capture timerules semantics giving clearer and simpler comprehensible specifications. Nevertheless, these extensionscannot yet be found in the present standard.Objective: To define a time rule taxonomy easily found in most business processes and look for an ap- proach that applies each rule with current BPMN 2.0 standard in a declarative way.Method: A model-driven approach is used to propose a BPMN metamodel extension to address time- perspective.Results: We look at a declarative approach where new time specifications may overlie the main controlflow of a BPMN process. This proposal is totally supported with current BPMN standard, giving a BPMNmetamodel extension with OCL constraints. We also use AQUA-WS as a software project case study whichis planned and managed with MS Project. We illustrate business process extraction from project plans.Conclusion: This paper suggests to handle business temporal rules with current BPMN standard, alongwith other business perspectives like resources and cases. This approach can be applied to reverse engi- neering processes from legacy databases.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad TIN2013-46928-C3-3-RMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad TIN2015- 71938-RED

A proposal for Wide-Coverage Spanish Named Entity Recognition

This paper presents a proposal for wide--coverage Named Entity Recognition for Spanish. First, a linguistic description of the typology of Named Entities is proposed. Following this definition an architecture of sequential processes is described for addressing the recognition and classification of strong and weak Named Entities. The former are treated using Machine Learning techniques (AdaBoost) and simple attributes requiring non tagged corpora complemented with external information sources (a list of trigger words and a gazetteer). The latter are approached through a context free grammar for recognizing syntactic patterns. A deep evaluation of the first task on real corpora to validate the appropriateness of the approach is presented. A preliminar version of the context free grammar is qualitatively evaluated with also good results on a small hand--tagged corpus

A retrospective study of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in dogs and cats in the Community of Madrid, Spain

To date, susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection in domestic animals including cats and dogs has been described. However, it is important to carry out passive surveillance of these animals to be aware of any changes in the outcomes of the disease in these species that may occur. In this study, we have performed a retrospective study in which we analyzed sera (n = 1,640) from random animals: dogs (n = 1,381) and cats (n = 259) belonging to both homes (n = 1,533) and animal protection centers (n = 107) in the Community of Madrid, Spain. Neutralizing antibodies were evaluated between November 2021 and May 2022 using a surrogate ELISA kit to determine the seroprevalence. Based on the results obtained, a few animals (both cats and dogs) presented neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 (2.3%), all of them from private owners. However, the seroprevalence in cats (4.6%) resulted to be almost twice as much as in dogs (1.9%) which reinforces that cats’ susceptibility to the infection seems higher than in the case of dogs, maybe due to the lower ACE2 expression of the dogs in the respiratory tract. These findings also confirm that the probability of infection is considerably higher in domestic animals in close contact with infected owners, compared to animals living in animal shelters whose contact with humans is markedly lower

Student mentoring program at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville (2006/07 - present): SWOT analysis carried out by mentor students

El “Programa de Alumnos Tutores” (LCC, Facultad de Farmacia US) se viene realizando ininterrumpidamente desde 2006/07 hasta la actualidad. Propósito: tutela de alumnos de nuevo ingreso por parte de alumnos de cursos superiores (AATT) bajo la supervisión de Profesores Tutores. Pretende generar una actitud responsable en los AATT y favorecerles el desarrollo de habilidades sociales. El objetivo de este trabajo es recoger las opiniones de los AATT (algunos comenzaron en ediciones anteriores y continúan desinteresadamente). Se aborda mediante un análisis DAFO. Conclusión: se han detectado factores estratégicos críticos, para una vez identificados, usarlos y apoyar en ellos la marcha del “Programa de Alumnos Tutores”, consolidando las fortalezas, minimizando las debilidades, aprovechando las ventajas de las oportunidades, y eliminando o reduciendo las amenazas.The "Student Mentor Program" (Faculty of Pharmacy, US) has been running since 2006/07 – to present. Purpose: to mentor new students by senior students (Mentor Students) under the supervision of mentor professors. It aims to generate a responsible attitude in students and tutors to encourage the development of social skills. Objective: To collect the views of mentor students (some started in previous years and continue to selflessly), through a SWOT analysis. Conclusion: it has been found critical strategic factors. It intends to use these factors for strengthening the "Student Mentor Program"

Primeros resultados sobre la aplicación de la técnica de racemización de aminoácidos en la Región de Murcia (SE de la Península Ibérica) y su interés en estudios de paleosismología

Geochronology is a critical issue in paleoseismological research. The aminoacid racemization technique shows important advantages respect to more traditional dating methods; not just for the lower costs and promptness, also because the object to analyze is relatively frequent, in this study: terrestrial gastropods. Furthermore, the costs of the analysis are by far faster and cheaper compared to other dating techniques. Racemization results allow comparing the relative age from different sedimentary units from one trench to another.Additionally, the racemization technique can also be used as a geochronological tool, provided a calibration curve has been first obtained for the particular climate for the area and, ideally, for a particular genus. In this study we show the results obtained from the analysis of 40 samples of terrestrial gastropods from 7 different trenches located in the Murcia Region (SE Spain). Making use of the D/L ratio of aspartic acid we show the coherence found between relative stratigraphic ages and the racemization age. Finally, we show a provisional conversion equation between age of racemization, obtained from Torres et al. (1997) algorithm, and the likely age of the samples. RESUMEN: El control geocronológico es una cuestión crítica en los estudios de paleosismología. La técnica de racemización de aminoácidos ofrece importantes ventajas respecto a otros métodos de datación, tanto en los costes y rapidez, como en la facilidad de encontrar el objeto de análisis; en este estudio, gasterópodos terrestres. Los resultados permiten comparar la edad relativa entre unidades sedimentarias diferentes de unas zanjas a otras. La técnica de racemización también es una herramienta geocronológica, si bien es necesario primero establecer una curva de calibración para el ambiente climático de la zona e, idealmente, para un género concreto. En este estudio se muestran los resultados obtenidos en 40 muestras de gasterópodos terrestres recogidas en 7 zanjas de investigación paleosismológica en la Región de Murcia. Haciendo uso de la relación D/L del ácido aspártico mostramos la coherencia entre las edades relativas estratigráficas y su edad de racemización. Finalmente, proponemos una relación provisional de conversión entre las edades de racemización obtenidas por el algoritmo de Torres et al. (1997) para gasterópodos de la zona central de la Península Ibérica y la edad probable de las muestras

Power distribution in a 13 kW three-phase rectifier system: impact on weight, volume and efficiency

This paper addresses the power delivery strategy on an aircraft application consisting on seven isolated DC loads to be supplied from the AC grid. Distributed or centralized power processing is evaluated taking into account weight and efficiency. Additionally, the rectifier switching frequency has to be synchronized with an external frequency clock to minimize the interference of the converter harmonics with the loads

Early biomarkers of diabetic kidney disease. A focus on albuminuria and a new combination of antidiabetic agents

Aims: We aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists to prevent worsening urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio as an early biomarker of diabetes kidney disease. Methods: A total of 178 patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity received combination treatment with SGLT2i added to GLP1ra (n = 76), GLP1ra added to SGLT2i (n = 50) or GLP1ra plus SGLT2i from start (n = 52), according to investigators´ best clinical judgement. Major outcomes assessed at 26 weeks were changes in urine albumintocreatinine-ratio (UACR), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), glycated haemoglobin, body weight and systolic blood pressure. Results: All patients (58.6% men, mean age 61.9 ± 10.0 years) completed the study. Baseline HbA1c, weight and eGFR levels were 8.2 ± 0.9%, 109.9 ± 19 kg and 83.3 ± 19.6 mL/min/m2 , respectively. At 26 weeks, we found significant reductions in HbA1c (1.16%), weight (5.17 kg) and systolic blood pressure (8.13 mmHg). The reduction in UACR was 15.14 mg/g (95% CI 8.50-22.4) (-24.6 ± 64.7%), which was greatest in the group of patients with SGLT2i added on to GLP1ra therapy (116.7 mg/g; 95% CI: 54-296.5 mg/g; P < .001. Patients with urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥30 mg/g, showed a higher declines (63.18 mg/g [95% CI 44.5-104.99]) (-56 ± 65.9%). The greatest reduction in urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio was obtained when SGLT2i was added to GLP1ra (116.7 mg/g). The eGFR did not significantly change along the study period. Conclusion: Our results show the beneficial effect of GLP1ra and SGLT2i combination therapy on early biomarkers of diabetes kidney disease such as albuminuria and in other significant outcomes for diabetes control

A new BiofilmChip device for testing biofilm formation and antibiotic susceptibility

Biofilms; Microbiologia clínica; Diagnòstic de malalties infecciosesBiofilms; Microbiología clínica; Diagnóstico de enfermedades infecciosasBiofilms; Clinical microbiology; Infectious-disease diagnosticsCurrently, three major circumstances threaten the management of bacterial infections: increasing antimicrobial resistance, expansion of chronic biofilm-associated infections, and lack of an appropriate approach to treat them. To date, the development of accelerated drug susceptibility testing of biofilms and of new antibiofouling systems has not been achieved despite the availability of different methodologies. There is a need for easy-to-use methods of testing the antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria that form biofilms and for screening new possible antibiofilm strategies. Herein, we present a microfluidic platform with an integrated interdigitated sensor (BiofilmChip). This new device allows an irreversible and homogeneous attachment of bacterial cells of clinical origin, even directly from clinical specimens, and the biofilms grown can be monitored by confocal microscopy or electrical impedance spectroscopy. The device proved to be suitable to study polymicrobial communities, as well as to measure the effect of antimicrobials on biofilms without introducing disturbances due to manipulation, thus better mimicking real-life clinical situations. Our results demonstrate that BiofilmChip is a straightforward tool for antimicrobial biofilm susceptibility testing that could be easily implemented in routine clinical laboratories.We thank Prof. Tim Tolker-Nielsen from Costerton Biofilm Center, University of Copenhagen, for providing the P. aeruginosa MK171 strain. This work was supported in part through grants to ET from the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (BIO2015-63557-R and RTI2018-098573-B-100) (MINECO/FEDER), the Generalitat de Catalunya (2017 SGR1079 and CERCA program), and the Spanish Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and La Caixa Foundation. The authors want to acknowledge MicroFabSpace and the Microscopy Characterization Facility, Unit 7 of ICTS “NANBIOSIS” from CIBER-BBN at IBEC. This research was supported by the Networking Biomedical Research Center (CIBER), Spain. CIBER is an initiative funded by the VI National R&D&i Plan 2008–2011, Iniciativa Ingenio 2010, Consolider Program, CIBER Actions, and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (RD16/0006/0012), with the support of the European Regional Development Fund. This work was funded by the CERCA Programme and by the Commission for Universities and Research of the Department of Innovation, Universities, and Enterprise of the Generalitat de Catalunya (2017 SGR 1079). This work was developed in the context of AdvanceCat and Base3D with the support of ACCIÓ (Catalonia Trade and Investment; Generalitat de Catalunya) under the Catalonian ERDF operational program (European Regional Development Fund) 2014–2020. This work was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) through the projects MINDS (Proyectos I+D Excelencia + FEDER): TEC2015-70104-P, CTQ2016-75870-P

Anti-double stranded DNA antibodies: Electrochemical isotyping in autoimmune and neurological diseases

This work reports the first amperometric biosensor for the simultaneous determination of the single or total content of the most relevant human immunoglobulin isotypes (hIgs) of anti-dsDNA antibodies, dsDNA-hIgG, dsDNA-hIgM, dsDNA-hIgA and dsDNA-three hIgs, which are considered relevant biomarkers in prevalent autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as well as of interest in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The bioplatform involves the use of neutravidin-functionalized magnetic microparticles (NA-MBs) modified with a laboratory-prepared biotinylated human double-stranded DNA (b-dsDNA) for the efficient capture of specific autoantibodies that are enzymatically labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme using specific secondary antibodies for each isotype or a mixture of secondary antibodies for the total content of the three isotypes. Transduction was performed by amperometry (− 0.20 V vs. the Ag pseudo-reference electrode) using the H2O2/hydroquinone (HQ) system after trapping the resulting magnetic bioconjugates on each of the four working electrodes of a disposable quadruple transduction platform (SP4CEs). The bioplatform demonstrated attractive operational characteristics for clinical application and was employed to determine the individual or total hIgs classes in serum from healthy individuals and from patients diagnosed with SLE and AD. The target concentrations in AD patients are provided for the first time in this work. In addition, the results for SLE patients and control individuals agree with those obtained by applying ELISA tests as well as with the clinical ranges reported by other authors, using individual detection methodologies restricted to centralized settings or clinical laboratories.Depto. de Química AnalíticaFac. de Ciencias QuímicasTRUESpanish Ministerio de Ciencia e InnovaciónAES-ISCIIIComunidad de Madridpu