The dynamical strength of social ties in information spreading

We investigate the temporal patterns of human communication and its influence on the spreading of information in social networks. The analysis of mobile phone calls of 20 million people in one country shows that human communication is bursty and happens in group conversations. These features have opposite effects in information reach: while bursts hinder propagation at large scales, conversations favor local rapid cascades. To explain these phenomena we define the dynamical strength of social ties, a quantity that encompasses both the topological and temporal patterns of human communication

A flexible model for Web service discovery

Also published online by CEUR Workshop Proceedings (CEUR-WS.org, ISSN 1613-0073) Proceedings of the 1st International Workshop on Semantic Matchmaking and Resource Retrieval, SMR 06The advent of the SOA paradigm is expected to cause an increase in the number of available Web services. In this setting, advanced facilities for the discovery of Web services that provide a given functionality are required so that this increase does not create a bottleneck for the exploitation of services in an SOA. In this paper, we present a model for the discovery of Web services which relies on alternative views of Web service functional capabilities, allowing for different trade-offs between the accuracy of discovery results and the efficiency of the discovery process. Up to three filtering steps, with increasing complexity, can be successively applied in order to refine discovery results. Furthermore, the use of taxonomies of functional categories, close to the intuition of average users, is introduced by our model with a two-fold purpose: a) supporting the user in the description of goals and Web services, and b) allowing for a coarse-grained but highly efficient discovery. Due to its flexibility, the model proposed is expected to cover a wide range of use cases

Towards Automating the Construction of Augmented Reality Interfaces for Information Systems

Information systems typically provide a graphical user interface running on the desktop, web clients or mobile devices. However, we are witnessing a steady increase in the capabilities of mobile phones and tablets, and the proposal of sophisticated head-mounted devices. All these devices enable the construction of augmented reality (AR) applications, where virtual objects are overlayed over real ones using the device camera. AR-based user interfaces can be beneficial for many applications in domotics, smart factories, emergency management, or transportation, to name a few. However, they are difficult to build as they require specialized knowledge. To alleviate this problem, we propose a model-driven engineering approach to automate the construction of AR-based user interfaces for information systems accessible via REST APIs. The feasibility of the proposal is demonstrated on a prototype implementation atop iOS/ARKit, and a case study of an inventory information system

La divinidad celeste/solar en el panteón céltico peninsular

En la Hispania prerromana existió una divinidad suprema con carácter celeste y solar de tipo similar a la que se rindió culto en el resto de la Europa indoeuropea. El análisis de algunas piezas del arte celtibérico, nos revela que esa divinidad principal era representada bajo la forma de un jinete a caballo con lanza. La iconografía muestra que ese dios, uno de cuyos nombres pudo ser Lugus, tomó parte de numerosos mitos que le relacionaban con la guerra, la fertilidad y el mundo funerarioIn preroman Spain there was a supreme divinity with solar and heavenly roles, very similar to the divinities worshiped in the rest of the indoeuropean Europe. The analysis of some celtiberian pieces of art, revealed to us that this principal divinity was depicted in the form of a horseman on his horse and holding a spear. The iconography shows that this God, one of his names could be Lugus, took part in many myths which linked him to war, fertility and the funerary world

A flexible model for the semi-automatic location of services

Tesis doctoral inédita. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Escuela Politécnica Superior, julio de 200

Impacto de la pandemia COVID-19 en la salud física y mental de pacientes con enfermedades crónicas

Objetivos El objetivo de esta tesis doctoral es analizar la prevalencia y los niveles actuales de ansiedad, angustia, estrés y depresión así como los factores relacionados en pacientes con afecciones crónicas durante la pandemia COVID-19. Asimismo, se pretenden analizar los parámetros clínicos de seguimiento habitual de dichos pacientes en centros sanitarios de Atención Primaria del Servicio Andaluz de Salud. Metodología Los dos primeros estudios sobre niveles y prevalencia de ansiedad, angustia, estrés y depresión se basan en dos revisiones sistemáticas y meta-análisis. Para el tercer estudio se realizó un estudio longitudinal prospectivo en centros de atención primaria del Servicio Andaluz de Salud. Los datos se registraron antes de la pandemia (T1), durante la declaración del estado de emergencia (T2) y en la fase de transición (T3). Resultados En el estudio realizado en pacientes diabéticos, la prevalencia de ansiedad fue del 23% (IC 95% = 19–28) para pacientes con DM1 y del 20% (IC 95% = 6–40) en pacientes con DM2. Para la angustia fue del 41 % (95% IC = 24–60) en DM1 y para los pacientes con DM2 del 36% (95% IC = 2–84). Para el estrés, la prevalencia fue del 79% (IC 95% = 49–98) en pacientes con DM1. El segundo estudio analizó la depresión encontrando una prevalencia para pacientes diabéticos del 17% (95% CI = 7–31) al 33% (95% CI = 16–51), en pacientes con obesidad del 48% (95% CI = 26–71) y en pacientes con hipertensión del 18% (95% CI = 13–24). Los factores relacionados con la depresión fueron sexo femenino, estar soltero, parámetros clínicos de diabetes alterados, cambios en los comportamientos de autocuidado, reducción de la actividad física y tiempo de sueño, así como miedo al contagio. El tercer artículo tras analizar variables clínicas de seguimiento habitual informa que durante la declaración del estado de emergencia así como en las sucesivas olas de contagio hubo mejoras significativas en IMC, niveles totales de colesterol y HDL durante el inicio de la pandemia. El índice de Barthel, Pfeiffer, la presión arterial, triglicéridos y LDL empeoraron en T2 y los efectos negativos se mantuvieron en T3. En comparación con los valores prepandémicos, los niveles de HbA1c mejoraron en T3 pero los niveles de HDL empeoraron. Conclusiones Las revisiones sistemáticas y meta-análisis que se han llevado a cabo en esta tesis doctoral muestran que los pacientes con enfermedades crónicas han visto mermada su salud mental, ya que en pacientes diabéticos se observa un aumento significativo de los niveles de ansiedad, angustia y estrés. Por otro lado, se observa que la prevalencia de depresión en pacientes diabéticos, obesos e hipertensos aumentó. Los estudios revisados muestran como factores asociados a un mayor nivel de depresión, el sexo femenino, estar soltero, parámetros clínicos de diabetes alterados, cambios en los comportamientos de autocuidado, reducción de la actividad física y tiempo de sueño, así como miedo al contagio. Por otro lado, en base a los resultados obtenidos en el trabajo empírico a nivel de atención primaria en pacientes crónicos se encuentra una mayor dificultad para la realización de las actividades de la vida diaria así como un empeoramiento en su evaluación cognitiva. Además, a corto plazo durante el confinamiento y las diferentes olas solo se evidencian reduciones en IMC, niveles totales de colesterol y HDL, por lo que los cambios fueron positivos. Sin embargo, la presión arterial, triglicéridos y LDL empeoraron, manteniendo los efectos negativos durante la fase de transición. En comparación con los valores prepandémicos, los niveles de HbA1c mejoraron a largo plazo durante la etapa de transición, pero los niveles de HDL empeoraron.Objective The objective of this doctoral thesis is to analyse the prevalence and current levels of anxiety, distress, stress and depression as well as related factors in patients with chronic conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, this thesis aims to analyse the clinical parameters of the usual follow-up of these patients in Primary Care health Centres of the Andalusian Health Service. Methodology The first two studies about the levels and prevalence of anxiety, distress, stress and depression were based on two systematic reviews and meta-analyses. For the third study, a prospective longitudinal study was carried out in primary care centres of the Andalusian Health Service. The data was recorded before the pandemic (T1), during the declaration of the state of emergency (T2) and in the transition phase (T3). Results In the study carried out in diabetic patients, the prevalence of anxiety was 23% (95% CI = 19–28) for patients with DM1 and 20% (95% CI = 6–40) in patients with DM2. For distress it was 41% (95% CI = 24–60) in DM1 and for patients with DM2 it was 36% (95% CI = 2–84). For stress, the prevalence was 79% (95% CI = 49–98) in patients with DM1. The second study analysed depression, finding a prevalence for diabetic patients of 17% (95% CI = 7–31) to 33% (95% CI = 16–51), in patients with obesity of 48% (95% CI = 26). –71), and in patients with hypertension of 18% (95% CI = 13–24). The factors related to depression were female sex, being single, altered clinical parameters of diabetes, changes in self-care behaviours, reduction in physical activity and sleep time, as well as fear of contagion. The third article, after analysing routine follow-up clinical variables, reported that during the declaration of the state of emergency as well as in the successive waves of contagion, there were significant improvements in BMI, total cholesterol and HDL levels during the beginning of the pandemic. The Barthel and Pfeiffer index, blood pressure, triglycerides and LDL worsened in T2 and the negative effects were maintained in T3. Compared to pre-pandemic values, HbA1c levels improved in T3 but HDL levels worsened. Conclusions The systematic reviews and meta-analyses done in this doctoral thesis showed that patients with chronic diseases have seen their mental health diminished, since a significant increase in levels of anxiety, distress and stress was observed in diabetic patients. On the other hand, it was observed that the prevalence of depression in diabetic, obese and hypertensive patients increased. The studies reviewed showed that factors associated with a higher level of depression include female sex, being single, altered clinical parameters of diabetes, changes in self-care behaviours, reduction in physical activity and sleep time, as well as fear of contagion. On the other hand, based on the results obtained in the empirical study at the primary care level in chronic patients, greater difficulty was found in carrying out activities of daily living as well as a worsening in their cognitive evaluation. Furthermore, in the short term during confinement and the different waves, only reductions in BMI, total cholesterol and HDL levels were evident, so the changes were positive. However, blood pressure, triglycerides and LDL worsened, maintaining the negative effects during the transition phase. Compared to pre-pandemic values, HbA1c levels improved in the long term during the transition phase, but HDL levels worsened

Teoremas en el aula de clase: una propuesta para la formulación didáctica de la enseñanza de las matemáticas a nivel de escuela secundaria

En este trabajo, se analiza si es posible introducir teoremas y demostraciones en el aula de clase en la educación media. Se busca identificar un enfoque para esto y, establecer cuál es la metodología más adecuada. Se intenta mostrar que el estudio de los teoremas y las demostraciones en la educación secundaria favorece el aprendizaje de las matemáticas; sin embargo, es preciso que se definan características para el abordaje de los teoremas en el aula. En efecto, se pretende construir una propuesta didáctica para el uso de las demostraciones como herramienta pedagógica, a partir de la conexión entre generalización, formalización y lógica, los cuales son los elementos centrales a toda demostración. Esto se realiza a través del estudio de varios ejemplos de demostraciones que, se espera constituyan una base para establecer los criterios fundamentales para usar una demostración como herramienta pedagógicaAbstract : In this paper, we examine whether it is possible to introduce theorems and proofs in the classroom in secondary education. It is an approach to identify and to establish what is the most appropriate methodology. It attempts to show that the study of the theorems and demonstrations in secondary education promotes learning of mathematics, however, it is necessary to define features for addressing the theorems in the classroom. Indeed, it aims to build a methodological approach to the use of demonstrations as an educational tool, from the connection between generalization, formalization and logic, which are the core elements to every proof. This is done through the study of several examples of proofs that, we expect to provide a basis for setting the basic criteria to use demonstration as a teaching toolMaestrí