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

Assessment of biowaste composting process for industrial support tool development through macro data approach

This study aims to assess composting efficiency and quality of compost through the study of the parameters of the Catalan Waste Agency (ARC) data-base by developing indicators useful for industrial sector. The study includes 17 composting plants for an 8-years period (2010–2017), the quantities of materials treated and generated in these plants: biowaste, yard trimmings, refuse and compost, as well as chemical characterization of compost: moisture, total organic matter, organic nitrogen, pH, electrical conductivity, self-heating test, pollutants and ammonium. Plant were sorted into 4 size classes depending on size capacity and into 4 technologies employed during thermophilic phasePostprint (updated version

Avances en la caracterización de las redes de regulación mediadas por proteínas FUR en Anabaena sp. PCC 7120: análisis de la corregulación por NtcA y estudio de la participación de factores sigma

Las cianobacterias son organismos fotosintéticos que desempeñan un papel importante como productores primarios y contribuyen notablemente al mantenimiento de los ciclos de carbono, oxígeno y nitrógeno de la biosfera. Algunas cianobacterias como Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 son capaces de fijar nitrógeno, un proceso muy complejo y altamente regulado por diversos reguladores transcripcionales. Entre ellos destaca NtcA, un regulador global esencial para el desarrollo de células especializadas en el proceso de fijación de nitrógeno, denominadas heterocistos. En la regulación de esta fijación de nitrógeno también parecen estar implicadas proteínas de la familia FUR, que está formada por tres parálogos (FurA, FurB y FurC). FurA y FurC regulan directamente genes implicados en el desarrollo de heterocistos, algunos de los cuales están también regulados por NtcA. Además de intervenir en el metabolismo del nitrógeno, las proteínas FUR están implicadas en otros procesos como el metabolismo del hierro y zinc, la fotosíntesis o la respuesta a estreses.Estudios anteriores definieron una red de regulación mediada por proteínas FUR y, en este trabajo, se quiso determinar si esta red podía estar corregulada por NtcA. Los resultados de este trabajo indican que varios reguladores transcripcionales y sistemas de dos componentes de esta red de regulación están corregulados por proteínas FUR y NtcA. Además, también se ha analizado la participación de los factores sigma en esta red de regulación, habiéndose encontrado que varios factores sigma forman parte de estas redes. Estos resultados sugieren que las redes de regulación mediadas por las proteínas FUR podrían estar implicadas en la respuesta de las cianobacterias a la deficiencia de nitrógeno y que, dada la estrecha relación de los factores sigma con la respuesta a estreses en cianobacterias, también podrían jugar un papel importante en la respuesta a diversos estreses.<br /

SHP-1 Regulates Antigen Cross-Presentation and Is Exploited by Leishmania to Evade Immunity.

Intracellular pathogens have evolved strategies to evade detection by cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes (CTLs). Here, we ask whether Leishmania parasites trigger the SHP-1-FcRγ chain inhibitory axis to dampen antigen cross-presentation in dendritic cells expressing the C-type lectin receptor Mincle. We find increased cross-priming of CTLs in Leishmania-infected mice deficient for Mincle or with a selective loss of SHP-1 in CD11c+ cells. The latter also shows improved cross-presentation of cell-associated viral antigens. CTL activation in vitro reveals increased MHC class I-peptide complex expression in Mincle- or SHP-1-deficient CD11c+ cells. Neuraminidase treatment also boosts cross-presentation, suggesting that Leishmania triggers SHP-1-associated sialic-acid-binding receptors. Mechanistically, enhanced antigen processing correlates with reduced endosomal acidification in the absence of SHP-1. Finally, we demonstrate that SHP-1 inhibition improves CD11c+ cell-based vaccination against the parasite. Thus, SHP-1-mediated impairment of cross-presentation can be exploited by pathogens to evade CTLs, and SHP-1 inhibition improves CTL responses during vaccination.Work in the S.I. laboratory is funded by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN), Agencia Estatal de Investigación, and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (RTI2018-094484-B-I00 and RYC-2016-19463). S.C.K. is a recipient of a FPU fellowship (FPU16/03142) from the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports. M.M.-L. is a recipient of an EMBO Long-Term Fellowship (EMBO LTF 463-2019).S

Perceived social support and self-regulated learning: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Self-regulated learning (SRL) is conceived as an active, constructive process aimed at the attainment of personal learning goals. It is considered essential for academic achievement and life-long learning. Distal and proximal social influences, among which perceived social support (PSS) has been receiving increasing attention, are thought to play a key role in the development and display of SRL. In this paper, we aim to summarize the available data on the relationship between PSS and SRL by reviewing published studies that include samples comprising students at different stages of education, ranging from elementary school to university. We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis, seeking to examine the association between PSS and SRL, by considering the possible moderating effects of different support provisions and sources. In addition, we tentatively propose explanations for the relationship based on broadly supported theoretical models of PSS and SRLThis publication is part of Project PID2021–126981OB-I00, funded by MCIN/ AEI/10.13039/501100011033/, by “ERDF A way of making Europe”, and by Xunta de Galicia (ED431C 2022/17)S

A systematic review and narrative synthesis of the relationship between social support and binge drinking among adolescents and emerging adults

Binge drinking (BD) is a high-risk pattern of alcohol consumption that is remarkably prevalent among teenagers and emerging adults. This pattern is thought to alter social networks, affecting access to social support (SS), which is considered essential for adjustment during transitional periods and may in turn play a proactive role against risk behaviors. In this review, we aim to synthesize the available data on the relationship between BD and SS in teenagers and emerging adults. Therefore, a search on three electronic databases was conducted (Web of Science, PsycInfo and PubMed). Articles were screened using eligibility criteria in line with the investigation question and the methodological quality of the studies were reported. Data were analyzed using a narrative synthesis approach. Cross-sectional and longitudinal data suggested that SS is associated with the onset, frequency, and intensity of BD; this relation varies with age, gender, and source of support (family or peers). From developmental and socio-cognitive points of view, the following conclusions were reached: (a) effects beyond the detrimental consequences of BD must be considered in order to interpret the data, and (b) social support should be taken into consideration in intervention strategiesThis research was funded by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación–Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento (Award Number: PID2021-126981OB-I00), co-funded by the European Regional Developmental Fund (FEDER) and by Axudas á Consolidación e Estruturación de Unidades de Investigación Competitivas (GRC, ED431C 2022/17)S

Climate services focused on water: quantity and quality

Ponencia presentada en: XII Congreso de la Asociación Española de Climatología celebrado en Santiago de Compostela entre el 19 y el 21 de octubre de 2022.This work was co-funded by the EIT Climate-KIC, financing the CRISI-ADAP-II project (EIT-CKIC-TC_2.13.7_190799), as well as by the Agència Valenciana de la Innovació, through the study “Aplicación de los servicios climáticos para el desarrollo de una estrategia de adaptación al cambio climático de los sistemas urbanos de abastecimiento” (INNTA3/2020/14), and supported by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) of the Spanish Government under the “IMpacts of climate change on wetlands Affected by GroUndwAter (IMAGUA)” project, Phase I and II (2021-2023)

Towards an OSS adoption business impact assessment

Nowadays, the adoption of Open Source Software (OSS) by organizations is becoming a strategic need in a wide variety of application areas. Organizations adopt OSS in very diverse ways. The way in which they adopt OSS affects and shapes their businesses. Therefore, knowing the impact of different OSS adoption strategies in the context of an organization may help improving the processes undertaken inside this organization and ultimately pave the road to strategic moves. However, there is a lack of support for assessing the impact of the OSS adoption over the business of the adopter organizations. Based on the goal-oriented characterization of some OSS adoption strategies, in this paper, we propose a preliminary approach to assess the business impact of the OSS adoption strategies over the adopter organizations. The proposal is based on the Business Model Canvas and graph theory notions to support the elicitation and assessment of the impact of each goal over the adopter organization. We illustrate the application of the approach in the context of a telecommunications company.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Los extranjeros en Puerto Rico: diferencias en las características sociodemográficas de los ciudadanos y los no ciudadanos

Background/Objective. Citizenship establishes a form of membership between an individual and the Nation State. It also extends certain rights to which non-citizens have no claim. In the case of Puerto Rico and the U.S., non-citizens cannot vote, are not eligible to receive state and federal aid and cannot work in the public sector. The main objective of this study is to describe the sociodemographic characteristics of the foreign born non-citizen population (FBNCP) residing in Puerto Rico. Method. This is a cross sectional study that utilizes secondary data obtained from United States Census Bureau PUMS (Public Use Microdata Sample) for Puerto Rico 2011-2015. Results. There are close to 100,000 foreign born people, born outside of Puerto Rico and the United States, currently residing in Puerto Rico. Of which 57% are non-citizens and 93% originate from Latin America. The municipalities with the highest percentage of FBNCP were: Maricao (100%), Camuy (87%), Maunabo (87%) and Florida (86%). About 58% are men. Compared to foreign born citizens, non-citizens tend to be younger (median age 44), and a high percentage of them are of working and reproductive age. In terms of marital status, divorced/separated and never married prevail among other categories. They have a higher unemployment rate (54%), lower income (median $11,800) and a higher poverty rate (49.4$11,800) y mayor pobreza (49.4%). Conclusión: Los migrantes no ciudadanos representan un sector de la población al cual el Estado tiene el deber de atender. Las características que estos poseen no solo indican que los mismos, además de no tener igualdad de derechos, se encuentran en una situación sociodemográfica que aumenta su vulnerabilidad

The hidden microbial ecosystem in the perennial ice from a Pyrenean ice cave.

Over the last years, perennial ice deposits located within caves have awakened interest as places to study microbial communities since they represent unique cryospheric archives of climate change. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the temperature has gradually increased, and it is estimated that by the end of this century the increase in average temperature could be around 4.0°C. In this context of global warming the ice deposits of the Pyrenean caves are undergoing a significant regression. Among this type of caves, that on the Cotiella Massif in the Southern Pyrenees is one of the southernmost studied in Europe. These types of caves house microbial communities which have so far been barely explored, and therefore their study is necessary. In this work, the microbial communities of the Pyrenean ice cave A294 were identified using metabarcoding techniques. In addition, research work was carried out to analyze how the age and composition of the ice affect the composition of the bacterial and microeukaryotic populations. Finally, the in vivo effect of climate change on the cellular machinery that allow microorganisms to live with increasing temperatures has been studied using proteomic techniques