Probabilistic Inference from Arbitrary Uncertainty using Mixtures of Factorized Generalized Gaussians

This paper presents a general and efficient framework for probabilistic inference and learning from arbitrary uncertain information. It exploits the calculation properties of finite mixture models, conjugate families and factorization. Both the joint probability density of the variables and the likelihood function of the (objective or subjective) observation are approximated by a special mixture model, in such a way that any desired conditional distribution can be directly obtained without numerical integration. We have developed an extended version of the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm to estimate the parameters of mixture models from uncertain training examples (indirect observations). As a consequence, any piece of exact or uncertain information about both input and output values is consistently handled in the inference and learning stages. This ability, extremely useful in certain situations, is not found in most alternative methods. The proposed framework is formally justified from standard probabilistic principles and illustrative examples are provided in the fields of nonparametric pattern classification, nonlinear regression and pattern completion. Finally, experiments on a real application and comparative results over standard databases provide empirical evidence of the utility of the method in a wide range of applications

The molecular architecture of engulfment during Bacillus subtilis sporulation.

The study of bacterial cell biology is limited by difficulties in visualizing cellular structures at high spatial resolution within their native milieu. Here, we visualize Bacillus subtilis sporulation using cryo-electron tomography coupled with cryo-focused ion beam milling, allowing the reconstruction of native-state cellular sections at molecular resolution. During sporulation, an asymmetrically-positioned septum generates a larger mother cell and a smaller forespore. Subsequently, the mother cell engulfs the forespore. We show that the septal peptidoglycan is not completely degraded at the onset of engulfment. Instead, the septum is uniformly and only slightly thinned as it curves towards the mother cell. Then, the mother cell membrane migrates around the forespore in tiny finger-like projections, whose formation requires the mother cell SpoIIDMP protein complex. We propose that a limited number of SpoIIDMP complexes tether to and degrade the peptidoglycan ahead of the engulfing membrane, generating an irregular membrane front

Barça-Madrid: una rivalidad global. Análisis del derbi a través de la prensa escrita española

La relación entre fútbol y medios de comunicación exhibe señales claras de interdependencia. La presente investigación se planteó determinar el tratamiento que los principales medios impresos españoles dieron a la información durante la cobertura de cuatro derbis Barça-Madrid en abril y mayo de 2011. Se realizó un análisis de contenido de los diarios El País, Marca, Sport y La Vanguardia, estudiando la caracterización del mensaje elaborado por cada uno de ellos y las influencias que sobre el discurso periodístico tienen factores extradeportivos, principalmente económicos y sociopolíticos. El estudio muestra los cambios que está experimentando la prensa escrita para cubrir un fenómeno de impacto global

STEP-NC-compliant implementation to support mixed-control technologies applied to stone-processing machines based on industrial automation standards

STEP-NC (Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data–Numerical Control) for metal milling and turning is not implemented by industrial computer numerical controllers. Solutions reported are prototypes based on post-processing in G-code. Moreover, minority machining processes, such as stone cutting, have not yet been contemplated in the STEP-NC standard. This article takes that sector as a use case. An extended STEP-NC model for circular saw stone-cutting operations is proposed, and a prototype automation implementation is developed to work with this extended model. This article shows how modern technological resources for coordinated axes control provided by many industrial controllers for the automation of general-purpose machines can speed up the processes of implementing STEP-NC numerical controllers. This article proposes a mixed and flexible approach for STEP-NC-based machine automation, where different strategies can coexist when it comes to executing STEP-NC machining files, so controllers do not need to implement the standard in an exhaustive way for all the possible features, but only at selected ones when convenient. This is demonstrated in a prototype implementation which is able to process STEP-NC product files with mixed-feature types: standard milling and non-standard sawblade features for stone processing

La naturaleza bifronte del estado de alarma y el dilema limitación-suspensión de derechos

El estado de alarma fue considerado un instrumento de dudosa utilidad. Frente a las crisis naturales, sanitarias o tecnológicas, la legislación sectorial ordinaria preveía diversas medidas extraordinarias que, a juicio de la doctrina, hacían innecesario recurrir a dicho estado. Y las prevenciones introducidas en su regulación legal, dificultaban su uso ante situaciones de conflictividad social. El estado de alarma se declaró, sin embargo, en diciembre de 2010, para restablecer el servicio público esencial del trasporte aéreo paralizado por los controladores al servicio de AENA, y en marzo y octubre de 2020, para superar la crisis sanitaria ocasionada por la pandemia de la COVID-19. Ello ha evidenciado la versatilidad de la institución y la funcionalidad que antes se le negaba, pero también han puesto de manifiesto las limitaciones e insuficiencias de su regulación legal, tanto por lo que respecta a las situaciones críticas que permiten declararlo cuanto a las medidas susceptibles de adoptar. En este trabajo se analiza la naturaleza bifronte del estado de alarma, junto a las dificultades interpretativas que suscita su activación frente a conflictos sociales y otras emergencias que desbordan su marco jurídico. Asimismo, se abordan el problema de la distinción entre limitación y suspensión de derechos que subyace bajo el elenco de medidas de este estado, las críticas que desencadenó su declaración en 2010 y el intenso debate doctrinal que han generado las restricciones a la libertad de circulación, la reclusión domiciliaria y la afección de otros derechos conexos, como los de reunión, manifestación y sufragio, durante la gravísima crisis de la COVID-19. The state of alert was considered an instrument of dubious utility. To fight natural, health or technological crises, the sector-specific legislation provided for several extraordinary measures that, according to the doctrine, made it unnecessary to resort to this regime. The preventions set out in its legal regulation hindered its use in situations of social conflict. The state of alert, however, was declared in December 2010, to reestablish the essential public service of air transportation -which had been cut by the strike of the air traffic controllers working for AENA- and in March and October 2020, to control the health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Both situations have evinced the limitations and inadequacies of the legal regulation of this regime, both regarding the critical situations that allow to declare it and the measures that can be adopted. This work delves into the two-faced nature of the state of alert and the interpretation difficulties arising from its activation to tackle social conflicts and other emergencies that go beyond its legal framework. There is also an analysis of the problem of differentiating between limiting and suspending rights that lies behind the catalog of measures of this regime, the criticisms to its declaration in 2010 and the intense doctrinal debate resulting from the restrictions to the freedom of movement, the lockdown and the violation of other connected rights such as the right to reunion, to protest and to vote during the critical COVID-19 crisis

Role of continuous phase and particle properties on the sensory perception of root vegetable pur\ue9es evaluated by an expert panel and na\uefve consumers

Textural properties play an essential role in the development of food products. The complexity of textural attributes has been traditionally overcome with extensive panelist training and the use of generic descriptive analysis. A better understanding on the use of rapid methods with na\uefve consumers to evaluate texture attributes in complex food products is still needed. The present study aimed to investigate the (i) role of different continuous phases and particle properties (i.e., size and hardness) on the mouthfeel perception of root vegetable pur\ue9es and (ii) the effect of panel expertise (sensory experts vs. na\uefve consumers) using Rate-All-That-Apply (RATA). The study included six pur\ue9es made of two different continuous phase (based on Jerusalem artichoke which is rich in inulin and, parsnip which is rich in starch) and three types of beetroot particles (raw, cooked, and comminuted beetroot). Results showed that both panels were able to discriminate and profile in a similar manner. However, sensory experts showed higher ability to discriminate between samples regarding the particle\u27s attributes whereas consumer\u27s sample discrimination was influenced by attributes such as “ease of swallow” and “creaminess.” For the expert panel, the presence of hard particles was a clear factor driving the differences between samples. Our results highlighted the contribution of both continuous and dispersed phases to design the texture profile of particulate semisolid plant-based foods

Annual Report 2018

Memoria Científica del año 2018