A bounded positive nonlinear PI controller for double-pipe heat exchangers

"In this work, temperature regulation of double-pipe heat exchangers is considered. The positive (unidirectional) and bounded features of the flow rate input variable are taken into account in the analysis. As a result, a bounded positive PI-type control scheme, which achieves the regulation objective avoiding input saturation, is proposed. It turns out to be a simple algorithm that does not need to feed back the whole state vector, that does not depend on the exact value of the system parameters, and whose stabilization character is global in the closed-loop system state-space domain. Moreover, it may be applied to both flow configuration cases, i.e., countercurrent and parallel-flow heat exchangers. The analytical developments are corroborated through experimental and simulation results.

Evolutionary history and diversity in the ball roller beetle Canthon cyanellus

To understand the evolutionary history of species, it is necessary to know the mechanisms for reproductive isolation, divergence-time between populations, and the relative action of the evolutionary forces (e.g., mutation, genetic drift, gene flow) within and between populations of the same, or closely related species. Although Canthon is one of the more diverse genera of neotropical beetles, insufficient research has been done to comprehend the divergent patterns that explain its speciation process. The absence of diagnostic morphological characters and the wide geographic variation of qualitative traits in Scarabaeinae obscures species delimitation, genealogical limits between populations, and its taxonomy. Canthon cyanellus is one of the best-known species in ecological and evolutionary aspects. It is a widely distributed species in the tropical forests of America. Also, the current deforestation has facilitated its incursion into open areas. Individuals from different populations have similar morphological characters but show wide variation in body color throughout their distribution, which makes it difficult to delimit the subspecies that comprise it. Recently, studies have been carried out to elucidate the pre-and postzygotic isolation mechanisms between populations and the historical biogeographical processes favoring cladogenesis events during the Pleistocene. Morphological variation of the male genitalia does not correspond to the phylogeographic structure. However, the morphological differences in one of the pieces of the endophallic sclerites have allowed a preliminary delimitation of some genetically differentiated clades. Finally, we consider that the joint analysis of traditional morphological taxonomy and phylogeography is important to understand the speciation process in the C. cyanellus complex

Graphical Framework for Categorizing Data Capabilities and Properties of Objects in the Internet of Things

Things are the core of the Internet of Things (IoT) and must be properly characterized according to the different functions they accomplish. Identifying their capabilities and combining them as sets provides a view on the single or joint properties of existing things and guide in properly designing and building new things while maximizing their potential benefits within an IoT system or application. Building on five essential but independent capabilities of things (Identification, Localization, Sensing, Actuation, and Processing), four categories or groups of things are defined. These groups comprise a particular view of the diversity of objects found in the IoT, as trackable, data, interactive, or smart objects. In this paper, a description of the aforementioned capabilities is presented, stating how each of the groups of objects includes them. Then, given that data are the most important assets for both organizations and individuals a further description of the data objects group is made, proposing a graphical categorization framework that thoroughly describes and measures the level in which each of these capabilities is contained and how it contributes to the performance and data properties of any data object

Phylogeographic structure of Canthon cyanellus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), a Neotropical dung beetle in the Mexican Transition Zone: Insights on its origin and the impacts of Pleistocene climatic fluctuations on population dynamics

Canthon cyanellus is a roller dung beetle with a wide distribution range in the tropical forests of the New World. In Mexico, it inhabits the Pacific and the Gulf coasts, the Yucatan Peninsula and the south mainly in the State of Chiapas. This species shows a wide geographical variation in cuticle color, which has been used as defining trait for subspecies. In this study we analyzed the phylogeographic and demographic history of the Mexican populations of C. cyanellus using DNA sequences of the nuclear ITS2, and the mitochondrial COI and 16S genes. We found that not all the current valid subspecies are supported by the molecular analysis. The populations are genetically and geographically structured in five lineages. The diversification events that gave origin to the main lineages within this species complex occurred during the Pleistocine in a time range of 1.63–0.91 Myr. The demographic history of these lineages suggests post-glacial expansions toward the middle and the end of the Pleistocene. The combined data of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA suggest that the phylogeographic structure and demographic history of the C. cyanellus populations are the result of: the geological and volcanic activity that occurred from the end of the Pliocene to the Pleistocene; and the contraction and expansion of tropical forests due to the glacial and inter-glacial cycles during the Pleistocene. Landscape changes derived from historical events have affected the demographic history of the populations of this species. The results presented here point to the need to review the taxonomic status and delimitation of the lineages encompassed in the Canthon cyanellus complex.This work was financial supported by the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, México (CONACyT, grant number CB-168373, 257039). This paper constitutes a partial fulfilment of the Graduate Program in Biodiversidad: Conservación y Gestión de las Especies y sus Hábitat of the Centro Iberoamericano de la Biodiversidad (CIBIO), Universidad de Alicante, España

Evidencia Empírica de la Minería de Procesos en la Implantación de CMMI-DEV

Resumen: La minería de procesos tiene como objetivo descubrir, monitorear y mejorar procesos a través del análisis de los diversos registros de eventos generados por los procesos de la organización. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar la evidencia empírica de la inclusión estratégica de la disciplina de minería de procesos en proyectos de mejora de procesos de software implementados con CMMI. En el proceso de mapeo sistemático de la revisión de la literatura, se establecieron cuatro categorías para clasificar los hallazgos encontrados (Fundamentos teóricos, propuestas, herramientas y sistemas de información y algoritmos) para presentar los estudios que cumplen con el objetivo. Se concluye que la interdisciplinariedad de la minería de procesos con un modelo de referencia de procesos como CMMI-DEV apoya la implementación y evaluación de las áreas de procesos, al aplicar técnicas y algoritmos de minería de procesos que faciliten la exploración y explotación de los registros de eventos relacionados a la ejecución de las actividades almacenados en un repositorio. Palabras clave: Minería de Procesos, Mejora de Procesos de Software, Registro de Eventos

Análisis del aprendizaje asociativo humano desde la perspectiva de la primacía

102 p.La presente tesis doctoral describe los hallazgos reportados en cuatro artículos científicos que investigaron procedimientos de condicionamiento clásico (Artículos I, II y III) y aprendizaje causal (Artículo IV) en humanos. La explicación predominante del resultado de estos procedimientos es que los animales forman una asociación entre un estímulo neutro, llamado estímulo condicionado, y un estímulo biológicamente significativo, llamado estímulo incondicionado, resultando en la adquisición por parte del estímulo condicionado de la capacidad para producir una respuesta similar a aquella producida por el estímulo incondicionado. Dentro de esta perspectiva asociativa, una de las propuestas más connotadas es la teoría de la primacía de Allan Wagner, la cual postula que el resultado de la asociación no solo consiste en la adquisición de la capacidad del estímulo condicionado para generar una respuesta condicionada, sino que también para influir de manera global en el procesamiento del estímulo incondicionado. Específicamente, la teoría señala que, dependiendo de ciertas condiciones, la presencia del estímulo condicionado puede aumentar o disminuir la respuesta incondicionada en sí misma y a su vez reducir la capacidad del estímulo incondicionado para asociarse con otros potenciales estímulos condicionados. En los cuatro artículos que componen esta tesis, se examinó cada una de estas influencias asociativas del estímulo condicionado sobre el procesamiento del estímulo incondicionado. Los resultados sugieren que estas influencias interactúan de manera compleja y que tanto la investigación empírica como las teorías deben abordar necesariamente esta complejidad. Palabras clave: Primacía; condicionamiento; aprendizaje causal; disminución condicionada; competencia de estímulos./ABSTRACT:The present doctoral thesis describes the findings reported in four papers that investigated procedures of classical conditioning (papers I, II and III) and causal learning (paper IV) in humans. The predominant explanation of the result of these procedures is that the animals form an association between a neutral stimulus, called conditioned stimulus, and a biologically significant stimulus, called unconditioned stimulus, resulting in the acquisition by the conditioned stimulus of the ability to produce a response similar to that produced by the unconditioned stimulus. Within this associative perspective, one of the most connoted proposals is Allan Wagner's priming theory, which postulates that the result of the association is not only the acquisition of the capacity of the conditioned stimulus to generate a conditioned response, but also to influence globally in the processing of the unconditioned stimulus. Specifically, the theory points out that, depending on certain conditions, the presence of the conditioned stimulus can increase or decrease the unconditioned response itself and in turn reduce the ability of the unconditioned stimulus to associate with other potential conditioned stimuli. In four articles that make up this thesis, each of these associative influences of the conditioned stimulus on the processing of the unconditioned stimulus was examined. The results suggest that these influences interact in a sophisticated way and that both empirical research and theories must necessarily address this complexity. Keywords: Priming; conditioning; causal learning; conditioned diminution; cue competition

Effect of Life-History Traits and Habitat Condition on Genetic Diversity between Invasive and Native Plant Populations

Plant invasions have a huge impact on the health of ecosystems and human well-being. The invasion risk varies with the introduction pathway, the propagule pressure, and the genetic diversity of the founding population. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of 30 studies reporting the genetic diversity of 31 plant species in their invasive and native ranges. We evaluated if patterns of genetic diversity differ between ranges and whether these responses are influenced by life-history traits, hybridization, polyploidization, and habitat condition. We found that invasive populations had significantly lower genetic diversity and higher inbreeding than native populations. In fragmented and degraded habitats, the genetic diversity of invaders was lower, but inbreeding was not affected. Polyploid invaders with hybrid capacity also showed lower genetic diversity. Invasive herbs with vegetative propagation were more sensitive to the loss of genetic diversity and had higher levels of inbreeding. Our synthesis showed that the genetic response in the invaded range could result from historical processes, such as founder and bottleneck events. Traits such as selfing are more likely to preserve the signatures of founder events and influence the genetic diversity in invasive populations. Additionally, clonality seems to be the predominant reproduction system in the invaded range

Perspectivas sistemáticas de Zamia (Zamiaceae) en Megaméxico: de la taxonomía alfa a los códigos de barras genéticos Systematic perspectives on Zamia (Zamiaceae) in Megamexico: from alpha taxonomy to genetic barcodes

El género Zamia en Megaméxico cuenta con 22 especies descritas y una entidad en el estatus de species dubium (Z. verschaffeltii). En las últimas décadas, el género Zamia ha recibido atención en tratamientos florísticos regionales, y de manera sobresaliente en una monografía especializada. Además, algunas especies del género han sido objeto de varios estudios recientes en citogenética, ecología y genética de poblaciones. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar información actualizada sobre las especies de Zamia que se distribuyen en Megaméxico, con base en una revisión de ejemplares de herbario y trabajo de campo. Adicionalmente, se hace énfasis en los complejos de especies que aún requieren investigación para el esclarecimiento de sus límites taxonómicos. La discusión plantea la necesidad de realizar investigación en el aspecto poblacional con datos moleculares, mediante códigos de barras de ADN (DNA barcoding). Se concluye que la creación de una base de datos moleculares que funcione como "biblioteca de referencia de códigos de barras" para todas las especies de Zamia en Megaméxico sería de utilidad en aspectos sistemáticos, dentro de los cuales destaca la automatización de la identificación de especies, tanto en el campo como en colecciones biológicas. Dicha base de datos daría servicio a múltiples sectores sociales que son usuarios del conocimiento taxonómico especializado ―por ejemplo, la industria forestal, las aduanas e instancias conservacionistas interesadas en diagnosticar especies de manera rápida y confiable, especialmente ante el tráfico ilegal de ejemplares.The genus Zamia in Megamexico includes 22 described species and one entity in the species dubium category (Z. verschaffeltii). During the last 2 decades, the genus Zamia has received attention in regional floristic treatments and, outstandingly, in a specialized monograph. Besides, some species in the genus have been the focus of several recent cytogenetic, ecological and population genetic studies. The objective of this work is to present updated information on the species of Zamia distributed in Megamexico, on the basis of a revision of herbarium specimens and fieldwork data. In addition, we emphasize that research is needed in some species complexes, in order to clarify their taxonomic limits. We discuss the need to conduct population-level research with molecular data, according to the DNA barcoding approach. We conclude that the creation of a molecular database that functions as a 'DNA barcodes reference library' for all Zamia species will be useful for systematic aspects, particularly automatization of species identifications, both in the field and in biological collections. At the same time, such databases would be helpful for multiple social sectors that employ specialized taxonomic knowledge -for instance, the forestry industry, customs and conservationist bodies interested in the rapid and reliable diagnosis of species, particularly in the face of illegal trade of specimens

Effect of Life-History Traits and Habitat Condition on Genetic Diversity between Invasive and Native Plant Populations

Plant invasions have a huge impact on the health of ecosystems and human well-being. The invasion risk varies with the introduction pathway, the propagule pressure, and the genetic diversity of the founding population. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of 30 studies reporting the genetic diversity of 31 plant species in their invasive and native ranges. We evaluated if patterns of genetic diversity differ between ranges and whether these responses are influenced by life-history traits, hybridization, polyploidization, and habitat condition. We found that invasive populations had significantly lower genetic diversity and higher inbreeding than native populations. In fragmented and degraded habitats, the genetic diversity of invaders was lower, but inbreeding was not affected. Polyploid invaders with hybrid capacity also showed lower genetic diversity. Invasive herbs with vegetative propagation were more sensitive to the loss of genetic diversity and had higher levels of inbreeding. Our synthesis showed that the genetic response in the invaded range could result from historical processes, such as founder and bottleneck events. Traits such as selfing are more likely to preserve the signatures of founder events and influence the genetic diversity in invasive populations. Additionally, clonality seems to be the predominant reproduction system in the invaded range.Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología 2019-000037-02NACF-29365Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad CGL2015-65058-