A software service supporting software quality forecasting

Software repositories such as source control, defect tracking systems and project management tools, are used to support the progress of software projects. The exploitation of such data with techniques like forecasting is becoming an increasing need in several domains to support decision-making processes. However, although there exist several statistical tools and languages supporting forecasting, there is a lack of friendly approaches that enable practitioners to exploit the advantages of creating and using such models in their dashboard tools. Therefore, we have developed a modular and flexible forecasting service allowing the interconnection with different kinds of databases/data repositories for creating and exploiting forecasting models based on methods like ARIMA or ETS. The service is open source software, has been developed in Java and R and exposes its functionalities through a REST API. Architecture details are provided, along with functionalities’ description and an example of its use for software quality forecasting.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

A mechanism of carbapenem resistance due to a new insertion element (ISPa133) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

This study explored the evolutionary mechanism by which the clinical isolate PA110514 yields the imipenemresistantderivative PA116136. Both isolates were examined by PFGE and SDS-PAGE, which led to the identification of a new insertion sequence, ISPa133. This element was shown to have distinct chromosomal locations in each of the original isolatesthat appeared to explain the differences in imipenem susceptibilty. In strain PA110514, ISPa133 is located 56 nucleotides upstream of the translational start codon, which has no effect on expression of the porin OprD. However, in strain PA116136 ISPa133 it is located in front of nucleotide 696 and, by interrupting the coding region, causes a loss of OprD expression, thus conferring imipenem resistance. In vitro experiments mimicking the natural conditions of selective pressure yielded imipenem- resistant strains in which ISPa133 similarly interrupted oprD. Amechanism is proposed whereby ISPa133 acts as a mobile switch, with its position in oprD depending on the degree of selective pressure exerted by imipenem. [Int Microbiol 2011; 14(1):51-58

Dealing with goal models complexity using topological metrics and algorithms

The inherent complexity of business goal-models is a challenge for organizations that has to analyze and maintaining them. Several approaches are developed to reduce the complexity into manageable limits, either by providing support to the modularization or designing metrics to monitor the complexity levels. These approaches are designed to identify an unusual complexity comparing it among models. In the present work, we expose two approaches based on structural characteristics of goal-model, which do not require these comparisons. The first one ranksthe importance of goalsto identify a manageable set of them that can be considered as a priority; the second one modularizes the model to reduce the effort to understand, analyze and maintain the model.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Application of Human Stem Cells to Model Genetic Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Meniere Disease

Genetic sensorineural hearing loss and Meniere disease have been associated with rare variations in the coding and non-coding region of the human genome. Most of these variants were classified as likely pathogenic or variants of unknown significance and require functional validation in cellular or animal models. Given the difficulties to obtain human samples and the raising concerns about animal experimentation, human-induced pluripotent stem cells emerged as cellular models to investigate the interaction of genetic and environmental factors in the pathogenesis of inner ear disorders. The generation of human sensory epithelia and neuron-like cells carrying the variants of interest may facilitate a better understanding of their role during differentiation. These cellular models will allow us to explore new strategies for restoring hearing and vestibular sensory epithelia as well as neurons. This review summarized the use of human-induced pluripotent stem cells in sensorineural hearing loss and Meniere disease and proposed some strategies for its application in clinical practiceGrant RH-0073-2021 from Andalusian Health Department. L.F. has received funds from Sara Borrell’s postdoctoral Fellowship (ISCIII; grant code: CD20/00153).Postdoctoral grant from Economic Change, Industry, Knowledge and Universities Department (DOC_01677).Stem cell research from ibs.GRANADA (INTRAIBS-2021-07)

Cooperative Learning and Perception in Future Graduates of Business Administration and Management

The objective of this paper is to analyze the perception of future graduates in Business Administration and Management on the conceptualization, constitution and regulation of the work groups in the university classrooms. To achieve this objective, the Questionnaire for the Analysis of Cooperative Work in Higher Education (ACOES) will be used. The results show that the respondents consider that cooperative learning helps them to develop their social skills and is as an opportunity to get to know their peers. In addition, cooperative learning gives them the ability to reach agreements with different opinions and the ability to understand the ideas of other colleagues. Likewise, the main problem is the lack of coordination between the different subjects. Regarding the formation of the groups, the respondents prefer to form them by applying friendship criteria. Finally, the respondents consider that the groups should be permanents and formed by 4 or 5 members

Root and aerial growth in early-maturing peach trees under two crop load treatments

 The objectives of the paper were to study the pattern of root growth (measured by minirhizotrons) in relation to trunk, fruit and shoot growth and the effects of crop load on tree growth and yield in peach trees. Two crop load (commercial and low) treatments were applied in a mature early-maturing peach tree orchard growing in Mediterranean conditions. Root growth dynamics were measured using minirhizotrons during one growing season. Shoot, trunk and fruit growth were also measured. At harvest, all fruits were weighed, counted and sized. Roots grew throughout the year but at lower rates during the active fruit growth phase. Root growth was asynchronous with shoot growth, while root and trunk growth rates were highest after harvest, when the canopy was big enough to allocate the photo-assimilates to organs that would ensure the following season’s yield. Shoot and fruit growth was greater in the low crop load treatment and was accompanied by a non-significant increase in root growth. High level of fruit thinning decreased the current yield but the fruits were more marketable because of their greater size

Ni/MCM-41 y Co/MCM-41 como catalizadores Fenton heterogéneos en la degradación de tartrazina

MCM-41 con Ni y Co soportados (a diferentes relaciones Si/metal) se prepararon con la finalidad de estudiar su efecto en la degradación de tartrazina (Amarillo-5) en solución acuosa con ayuda de peróxido de hidrógeno en un proceso Fenton heterogéneo. Los materiales se sintetizaron por medio del método sol gel agregando el metal desde la génesis de la mesofase del MCM-41; la remoción de la plantilla se llevó a cabo por combustión líquida. Los materiales obtenidos, Ni/MCM-41 y bCo/MCM-41, se caracterizaron por las técnicas de difracción de rayos X, espectroscopía electrónica de barrido, análisis termogravimétrico diferencial y fisisorción de nitrógeno. La degradación de Amarillo-5 se monitoreó por absorbancia UV a una λ=428 nm. El catalizador Co/MCM-41 presentó un rendimiento alrededor del 93% con exceso de H₂ O₂, mientras que el catalizador Ni/MCM-41 llegó apenas al 33.8%. Sin embargo, con cantidades bajas de H₂ O₂, el rendimiento de Co/MCM-41 disminuyó por debajo del 34%.Supported Ni and Co on MCM-41 were synthesized (at different Si/metal ratio) with the aim to study their effect in the degradation of aqueous tartrazine (Yellow-5) using hydrogen peroxide in a heterogeneous Fenton process. The materials were prepared by means of a sol-gel method incorporating the Ni and Co metals since the very genesis of the MCM-41 mesophase. The detemplation of the resulting metal/MCM-41 mesophase was carried out using liquid combustion. The so-obtained solids were characterized by means of different techniques, such as: X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, differential thermogravimetric analysis and nitrogen physisorption. The degradation of Yellow-5 was followed by UV absorbance at λ=428 nm. The Co/MCM-41 catalyst shows a yield ca. 93% when using H₂ O₂ in excess, while the Ni/MCM-41 catalyst reaches only 33.8% conversion at the same conditions of the degradation reaction. Nevertheless, at low H₂ O₂ concentrations, the yield of Co/MCM-41 diminishes to ca. 34% conversion

MCM-41 con Fe y Cu como catalizadores heterogéneos Fenton en la degradación de Amarillo 5 en medio acuoso

El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo estudiar el efecto catalítico de los materiales Fe/MCM-41 y Cu-MCM-41 en la degradación de Amarillo-5 (tartrazina) en medio acuoso con la ayuda de peróxido de hidrógeno realizando un proceso Fenton heterogéneo, siguiendo la degradación del colorante por medio de su absorbancia UV a una λ=428 nm. Para ello se sintetizaron catalizadores MCM-41 con Fe o Cu en su estructura por el método sol gel agregando el metal desde la génesis del material y removiendo la plantilla mediante una combustión líquida. Los catalizadores resultantes fueron caracterizados por técnicas de difracción de rayos-X, espectroscopía infrarroja, microscopía electrónica de barrido, análisis termogravimétrico y fisisorción de nitrógeno. El catalizador Cu/MCM-41 presentó un rendimiento mayor al 80% en la degradación del colorante, incluso a bajas concentraciones de H2O2 y en menos de 120 minutos, mientras que el catalizador Fe/MCM-41 tuvo conversiones menores del 10% aún con exceso de peróxido.The aim of this work was to elucidate the catalytic properties of Fe/MCM-41 and Cu-MCM-41in the degradation of aqueous Yellow-5 (tartrazine) by means of a Fenton heterogeneous process using hydrogen peroxide as a source of free radicals. The degradation of the dye was followed by UV spectroscopy at λ=428 nm. The catalysts based on MCM-41, containing either cupper or iron, were obtained by sol-gel, incorporating the metals during the formation of the MCM-41 mesophase. The surfactant template was removed using a liquid combustion approach. The resulting catalysts were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and nitrogen physisorption. The catalytic degradation of the dye was higher than 80% at 120 minutes using the Cu/MCM-41 catalyst, even at low concentrations of H2O2, while the Fe/MCM-41 catalyst showed conversions of less than 10% using H2O2 in excess

Towards an ontology for strategic decision making: The case of quality in rapid software development projects

Strategic decision making is the process of selecting a logical and informed choice from the alternative options based on key strategic indicators determining the success of a specific organization strategy. To support this process and provide a common underlying language, in this work, we present an empirically-grounded ontology to support different strategic decision-making processes and extend the ontology to cover the context of managing quality in Rapid Software Development projects. We illustrate the complete ontology with an example.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Using i* to represent OSS ecosystems for risk assessment

Open Source Software (OSS) is a strategic asset for organisations thanks to its short time-to-market, the opportunity for a reduced development effort and total cost of ownership, and its customization capabilities. OSS-based solutions include projects that are developed and co-evolve within the same organisation, OSS communities, companies, and regulatory bodies, forming an articulated strategic business ecosystem. The adoption of OSS in commercial projects leads to numerous challenges in the wide spectrum of available OSS solutions and risks emerging from the intrinsic structure of an OSS project. In this position paper we devise the use of i* models for understanding the strategic perspective of OSS ecosystems, representing actors, intentional dependencies and responsibilities. We argue that these models can play a crucial role in the analysis of organisational risks inherent to OSS component adoption and in the definition of risk mitigation activities.Postprint (published version