Computing the canonical representation of constructible sets

Constructible sets are needed in many algorithms of Computer Algebra, particularly in the GröbnerCover and other algorithms for parametric polynomial systems. In this paper we review the canonical form ofconstructible sets and give algorithms for computing it.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Approaching Vagueness: Teaching Critical Thinking With Sustainability as Metaphor

Students need to be prepared for a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) world. This paper is situated at the intersection of heuristics and pedagogy to answer the pressing question of how to teach in light of definitional vagueness. We build on Searle’s (1986) Open-ended Metaphorical Utterance Model and demonstrate through a systemic expert analysis that linguistic sense-making is derived via fuzzy logic. We discuss how metaphor can be a tool to teach critical thinking in the class room and apply the sustainability concept as metaphor. We conclude with a discussion for approaching vagueness in the classroom through teaching critical thinking with metaphor

INTERVENING IN COLLECTIVITIES USING PERSUASIVE ARGUMENTATION

Prior research claims that argumentative persuasion, or meaning-making, can be used to successfully intervene in organizational settings. However, it is not clear how persuasive narratives affect individuals and how meaning-making is operationalized. The present study uses linguistics and ethology research to explain how meaning is created and structured. These are alternative disciplines to the rhetoric, narrative and storytelling currently utilized in management. We explain how to reach human sensibility and how, therefore, to transform the original enquiry on focus on superficial argumentative persuasion to a focus on immanent structures of persuasion that are related to axiological choices. This shifted focus allows for the creation of potent narratives which are able to intervene in collectivities

Kernel-PCA data integration with enhanced interpretability

Background Nowadays, combining the different sources of information to improve the biological knowledge available is a challenge in bioinformatics. One of the most powerful methods for integrating heterogeneous data types are kernel-based methods. Kernel-based data integration approaches consist of two basic steps: firstly the right kernel is chosen for each data set; secondly the kernels from the different data sources are combined to give a complete representation of the available data for a given statistical task. Results We analyze the integration of data from several sources of information using kernel PCA, from the point of view of reducing dimensionality. Moreover, we improve the interpretability of kernel PCA by adding to the plot the representation of the input variables that belong to any dataset. In particular, for each input variable or linear combination of input variables, we can represent the direction of maximum growth locally, which allows us to identify those samples with higher/lower values of the variables analyzed. Conclusions The integration of different datasets and the simultaneous representation of samples and variables together give us a better understanding of biological knowledge

Kernel conditional Embeddings for associating omic data types

Computational methods are needed to combine diverse type of genome-wide data in a meaningful manner. Based on the kernel embedding of conditional probability distributions, a new measure for inferring the degree of association between two multivariate data sources is introduced. We analyze the performance of the proposed measure to integrate mRNA expression, DNA methylation and miRNA expression data

Food and Sports Nutrition Trends

This revision intends to provide an overview on the major and emerging trends in food and nutrition. Food scientists and dietitians should keep an eye on the trends shaping the food industry in order to understand consumer changes in preferences, expectations and dietary patterns; and to identify those areas that should be added to the research agenda. In addition, to comprehend the major drivers of change in the food industry, global consumer trends are also reviewed in this article. Global concerns are shaping consumer attitudes, and with an easier access to information and an unprecedented consumer power through social media, the food industry should quickly adapt to meet consumer needs. In order to meet these objectives, this review is organized in three different but interrelated sections: global consumer trends, food and nutrition trends, and trends in sports foods and nutrition. This last one is also included due to its influence over food trends, and its significant relevance as a category and food trend

Propuesta de la aplicación de la clase inversa (flipped class) al aprendizaje de la calidad farmacéutica

Podeu consultar la Vuitena trobada de professorat de Ciències de la Salut completa a: http://hdl.handle.net/2445/66524No obstante los esfuerzos del profesor para interactuar y hacer clases prácticas, las normativas de calidad explicadas en detalle son difíciles de asimilar y poco atrayentes para los alumnos. Los casos prácticos y actividades propuestas hasta ahora al acabar la clase casi nunca son realizados hasta finales de curso o justo antes del examen. Por ello se propone una metodología diferente en el curso 2015/16: la clase inversa para el aprendizaje del bloque teórico de garantía de calidad de la asignatura Farmacia Galènica III i Gestió de la Qualitat, complementada desde 2012 con una sección práctica y visita a laboratorios farmacéuticos, con muy buena acogida por los alumnos. El fin es aumentar la comprensión normativa con el método del caso. Comporta trabajar en clase y no solo leer diapositivas que también se encuentran en el campus virtual. La metodología propuesta sería: - Comunicación de la impartición de la parte de la asignatura correspondiente a garantía de calidad mediante la clase inversa, consistente en realizar en clase los casos prácticos, habiéndo ellos de preparar el temario con los apuntes bibliográficos facilitados por el profesor previamente. Se colgará el material docente de una semana, comprendiendo apuntes, presentación, material de ampliación y actividades. Además, los cuestionarios on-line ayudarán a concretar y retener conceptos. - Resolución de actividades durante la clase. En los últimos 15 minutos se hará un resumen de los principales puntos del tema. - Valoración de las calificaciones finales, entre alumnos con clase inversa respecto a los de clase clásica. Realización de comparativas con las calificaciones del curso previo

Phytosterolemia associated with parenteral nutrition administration in adult patients

Vegetable lipid emulsions (LE) contain non-declared phytosterols (PS). We aimed to determine PS content depending on the brand and LE batch; and in adult hospitalized patients treated with parenteral nutrition (PN), to establish the association between plasma and administered PS. I. LE study: Totals and fractions of PS in 3-4 non-consecutive batches from 6 LE were analysed. II. Patient study: randomized, double-blind study of patients with at least 7 previous days of PN with 0.8 g/kg/day of an olive/soybean LE, were randomized (Day 0) 1:1 to olive/soybean (O/S) or 100% fish oil (FO) at a dose of 0.4 g/kg/day for 7 days (Day 7). Plasma PS, its fractions, total cholesterol on Days 0 and 7, their clearance, and their association with PS administered by LE were studied. In part I. LE study: differences were found in the total PS, their fractions and cholesterol among different LE brands and batches. Exclusive soybean LE had the highest content of PS (422.36 ± 130.46 μg/mL). II. Patient study: 19 patients were included. In the O/S group, PS levels were maintained (1.11±6.98 μg/mL) from Day 0 to 7, while in the FO group, significant decreases were seen in total PS (-6.21±4.73 μg/mL) and their fractions, except for campesterol and stigmasterol. Plasma PS on Day 7 were significantly associated with PS administered (R2=0.443). PS content in different LE brands had great variability. PS administered during PN resulted in accumulation and could be prevented with the exclusive administration of FO LE

Establecimiento de criterios para la selección y adaptación de objetivos e indicadores en un sistema de calidad ISO9001:2008 en una planta piloto farmacéutica universitaria

Aims: The aim of this work is the correct establishment and follow-up of quality objectives and indicators as the cornerstones of a quality assurance system, in this case focused on ISO9001.Materials and methods: In this work, the authors present the criteria that, in their view, an organization must follow for a better selection and adaptation of the ISO9001:2008 quality system objectives and indicators applied to a university pharmaceutical pilot plant. The evolution of errors in setting objectives and indicators is assessed.Results: Based on the experience of several years at the SDM (Service of Development of Medicines) at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Barcelona, the results show that the establishing of appropriate objectives and indicators is not an easy task. A careful selection of both objectives and indicators must be a compulsory step prior to the establishment of a robust, reliable quality assurance system through years.Conclusions: Experience over time proves to be a powerful tool to end up selecting the right quality objectives and indicators for such quality system. Since this task is not always easy to carry out, is necessary to set a selection of criteria in order to obtain useful information that contributes to the continuous improvement of the quality system.Objetivos: El objetivo de este trabajo es el correcto establecimiento y seguimiento de los objetivos de calidad y sus indicadores, como pilar fundamental de un sistema de garantía de calidad, en este caso centrado en ISO9001.Material y métodos: En este trabajo, los autores presentan los criterios que, a su juicio, una organización debe seguir para una mejor selección y adaptación de objetivos e indicadores en el marco de la norma de calidad ISO9001:2008, aplicada a una planta piloto farmacéutica universitaria. Se realiza una evaluación de los errores en el establecimiento de objetivos e indicadores.Resultados: En base a la experiencia de varios años en SDM (Servicio de Desarrollo del Medicamento) en la Facultad de Farmacia de la Universidad de Barcelona, los resultados muestran que el establecimiento de objetivos e indicadores apropiados no resulta una tarea sencilla. Una cuidadosa selección tanto de objetivos como de indicadores debe ser un paso obligado para el establecimiento de un sistema de aseguramiento de calidad robusto y fiable a lo largo del tiempo.Conclusiones: El aprendizaje basado en la experiencia de años demuestra ser una herramienta poderosa para acabar seleccionando los objetivos e indicadores correctos que se adapten al sistema de calidad en cuestión. Dado que este hecho no siempre resulta fácil, es necesario establecer unos criterios con el objetivo de obtener información útil que contribuya a la mejora continua del sistema de calidad

Determination of stress-induced degradation products of cetirizine dihydrochloride by a stability-indicating RP-HPLC method

A new, simple and accurate stability-indicating reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography method was developed and validated during the early stage of drug development of an oral lyophilizate dosage form of cetirizine dihydrochloride. For RP-HPLC analysis it was used an Eclipse XDB C8 column 150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm (Agilent columns, Barcelona, Spain) as the stationary phase with a mobile phase consisted of a mixture of 0.2 M K2HPO4 pH 7.00 and acetonitrile (65:35, v/v) at a flow rate of 1 mL min −1. Detection was performed at 230 nm using diode array detector. The method was validated in accordance with ICH guidelines with respect to linearity, accuracy, precision, specificity, limit of detection and quantification. The method results in excellent separation between the drug substance and its stress-induced degradation products. The peak purity factor is >950 for the drug substance after all types of stress, which confirms the complete separation of the drug substance peak from its stress induced degradation products. Regression analysis showed r2 > 0.999 for cetirizine dihydrochloride in the concentration range of 650 μg mL −1 to 350 μg mL−1 for drug substance assay and a r2 > 0.999 in the concentration range of 0.25 μg mL−1 to 5 μg mL−1 for degradation products. The method presents a limit of detection of 0.056 μg mL −1 and a limit of quantification of 0.25 μg mL−1. The obtained results for precision and accuracy for drug substance and degradation products are within the specifications established for the validation of the method. The proposed stability-indicating method developed in the early phase of drug development proved to be a simple, sensitive, accurate, precise, reproducible and therefore useful for the following stages of the cetirizine dihydrochloride oral lyophilizate dosage form development