Simulating FRSN P Systems with Real Numbers in P-Lingua on sequential and CUDA platforms

Fuzzy Reasoning Spiking Neural P systems (FRSN P systems, for short) is a variant of Spiking Neural P systems incorporating fuzzy logic elements that make it suitable to model fuzzy diagnosis knowledge and reasoning required for fault diagnosis applications. In this sense, several FRSN P system variants have been proposed, dealing with real numbers, trapezoidal numbers, weights, etc. The model incorporating real numbers was the first introduced [13], presenting promising applications in the field of fault diagnosis of electrical systems. For this variant, a matrix-based algorithm was provided which, when executed on parallel computing platforms, fully exploits the model maximally parallel capacities. In this paper we introduce a P-Lingua framework extension to parse and simulate FRSN P systems with real numbers. Two simulators, implementing a variant of the original matrix-based simulation algorithm, are provided: a sequential one (written in Java), intended to run on traditional CPUs, and a parallel one, intended to run on CUDAenabled devices.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad TIN2012-3743

On a property of Lorenz curves with monotone elasticity and its application to the study of inequality by using tax data

The Lorenz curve is the most widely used graphical tool for describing and comparing inequality of income distributions. In this paper, we show that the elasticity of this curve is an indicator of the effect, in terms of inequality, of a truncation of the income distribution. As an application, we consider tax returns as equivalent to the truncation from below of a hypothetical income distribution. Then, we replace this hypothetical distribution by the income distribution obtained from a general household survey and use the dual Lorenz curve to anticipate this effect

Cochlear Implant in Single-Sided Deafness Children and Adults

Binaural hearing in humans ensures our effective communication as it improves the sound localization, the speech understanding in noise, the spatial awareness, the listening easiness, and the development of spoken language. The majority of the literature on patients with single-sided deafness and cochlear implantation involves adult patients; the cochlear implant is a viable and cost-effective treatment option for this population. So in this chapter, we will emphasize the importance of early treatment of unilateral hearing loss in the pediatric age and the emerging indication of the cochlear implant as a treatment

Parallel simulation of Population Dynamics P systems: updates and roadmap

Population Dynamics P systems are a type of multienvironment P systems that serve as a formal modeling framework for real ecosystems. The accurate simulation of these probabilisticmodels, e.g. with Direct distribution based on Consistent Blocks Algorithm, entails large run times. Hence, parallel platforms such as GPUs have been employed to speedup the simulation. In 2012, the first GPU simulator of PDP systems was presented. However, it was able to run only randomly generated PDP systems. In this paper, we present current updates made on this simulator, involving an input modu le for binary files and an output module for CSV files. Finally, the simulator has been experimentally validated with a real ecosystem model, and its performance has been tested with two high-end GPUs: Tesla C1060 and K40.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad TIN2012-37434Junta de Andalucía P08-TIC-0420

Parallel Simulation of PDP Systems: Updates and Roadmap

PDP systems are a type of multienvironment P systems, which serve as a formal modeling framework for Population Dynamics. The accurate simulation of these probabilistic models entails large run times. Hence, parallel platforms such as GPUs has been employed to speedup the simulation. In 2012 [14], the rst GPU simulator of PDP systems was presented. In this paper, we present current updates made on this simulator, and future developments to consider.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad TIN2012-3743

Disfagia progresiva en un adulto mayor por hiperostosis esquelética idiopática difusa. Caso clínico y revisión bibliográfica

[ES] Introducción y objetivo: La hiperostosis esquelética idiopática difusa o enfermedad de Forestier Rotes Querol en una enfermedad no inflamatoria producida por la calcificación y osificación del ligamento vertebral común anterior generalmente a nivel torácico, siendo su aparición a nivel cervical extremadamente rara. Presentamos un caso de disfagia progresiva producida por esta enfermdad a nivel cervical. Descripción del caso: Varón de 70 años con parestesias hipofaríngeas, disfagia progresiva y tos de larga evolución. La laringoscopia indirecta objetiva una neoformación submucosa en línea media de pared faríngea posterior a nivel de supraglotis que ocupa el 50% de la luz de la hipofaringe. El estudio de imagen revela osificación del ligamento vertebral común anterior. Discusión: La hiperostosis esquelética idiopática difusa, descrita por primera vez en 1950 por Forestier et al, es una enfermedad no inflamatoria producida por la calcificación del ligamento vertebral común anterior. Aunque es idiopática, se han descrito como predisponentes factores mecánicos, metabólico- dietéticos y la herencia. Típicamente afecta a la región dorsal baja, siendo la afectación cervical, como en este caso, excepcional. Suele diagnosticarse como un hallazgo casual. En el área ORL se ha descrito su presentación como disfagia progresiva en la mayoría de los casos, aunque existen otras formas de presentación como la disnea, apnea obstructiva del sueño o neumonías aspirativas. El tratamiento es en principio conservador, reservando el tratamiento quirúrgico en el área ORL para los casos de disfagia extrema. Conclusión: La enfermedad de Forestier debe considerarse dentro del diagnóstico diferencial ante un paciente de edad avanzada con una tumoración submucosa. [EN] Introduction and objective: Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis or Forestier Rotes Querol disease is a non inflammatory disease caused by ossification and calcification of cervical anterior longitudinal ligament. It usually affects thoracic region, being cervical affectation extremely rare. It is presented the case of progressive dysphagia due to cervical affection by this entity. Case description: 70 years male with hypopharyngeal paresthesias, progressive dysphagia and cough of long duration. Indirect laryngoscopy shown a submucosal neoformation in posterior pharyngeal wall at supraglottic level that occupies 50% of the lumen. The imaging study revealed ossification of common anterior vertebral ligament. Discussion: Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hiperostosis, first described in 1950 by Forestier et al, is a non inflammatory disease caused by cervical anterior longitudinal ligament calcification. Although idiopathic, it has been described as predisposing mechanical, metabolic, dietetic and heredity factors. Typically affects the lower dorsal region, being cervical involvement, as in this case, outstanding. It is usually diagnosed as an incidental finding. In the ENT area it is typically presented as progressive dysphagia, although there are other symptoms such as dyspnea, obstructive sleep apnea or aspiration pneumonia. Treatment is conservative, leaving surgery for extreme dysphagia cases. Conclusion: Forestier 's disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis in a patient of advanced age with a submucosal tumor of firm consistency that mark on the posterior pharyngeal wall

A citizen experience of media reform. The framed/ unframed awards to journalism in Spain

Los Premios Enfocados/Desenfocados al Periodismo en España son una iniciativa orientada a que la ciudadanía evalúe qué medios, periodistas y programas/secciones desarrollan una cobertura informativa adecuada o inadecuada en relación con los derechos humanos, el bienestar de las poblaciones, el cuidado del medio ambiente, o la lucha contra la desigualdad en todos los órdenes (género, etnia, clase social, etc.). El artículo detalla las principales características de la propuesta e incide en la descripción de su ideario, metodologías, resultados y desafíos tras las dos primeras ediciones (2013, 2014). Promovidos por una coalición de ONGD, sindicatos de periodistas y grupos de investigación de universidades públicas, los galardones suponen un proyecto de fiscalización ciudadana del sistema de medios desde ideales como el derecho a la comunicación y el fomento de un periodismo equitativo, plural y responsable.The Framed/Unframed Journalism Awards to Journalism in Spain allow citizens evaluate which media, journalists and programs/sections offer a fair or an unfair coverage regarding human rights, the welfare of populations, environmental protection and the fight against inequality in all spheres (gender, ethnicity, social class, etc.). The paper describes the main features of this project, as well as approaches its philosophy, methodology, results and main challenges after its first two editions (2013, 2014). Promoted by a coalition of NGOs for development, journalistic unions, and research groups from public universities, the awards remain a citizen accountability project towards the improvement of the media system, from such ideals as the right to communicate and the enhancement of a rigorous, plural and responsible journalism

The role of the direction in tissue P systems with cell separation

Tissue P systems with cell separation where the communication among cells is performed by means of symport and antiport rules are able to efficiently solve computationally hard problems in a feasible time by a space-time trade off. Symport and antiport rules formally capture the cases where a number of chemical substances pass through a membrane at the same time, with the help of each other, either in the same direction (symport) or in opposite directions (antiport). The present paper investigates the role of the direction in communication rules from a computational complexity point of view. More precisely, the efficiency of tissue P systems with cell separation is analyzed in the case when their communication rules are all of the same type: either symport rules or antiport rules. The main result is that in the framework of tissue P systems with cell separation, passing from using only symport rules to using only antiport rules amounts to passing from non-efficiency to efficiency, assuming that P ≠ NP.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad TIN2012-37434Junta de Andalucía P08 – TIC 0420

Bone metabolism and clinical study of 44 patients with bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws

Osteonecrosis of the jaws is a clinical entity described and linked to treatment with bisphosphonates in 2003. Its real incidence is unknown and it could increase due to the large number of patients treated with these drugs, and its cumulative effect on the bone. State of the art knowledge regarding its etiopathogeny, clinical course and suitable treatments is limited. Objectives: To study the clinical characteristics of 44 patients with bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws and the state of their bone mineral metabolism: bone remodeling state, prevalence of fractures, bone mineral density study, and assessment of the different treatment strategies. Design of the Study: Observational. Information was gathered prospectively through interviews, clinical examinations, additional tests and review of medical records. Results: We studied 16 men and 28 women with a mean age of 64.7 years. Breast cancer was the most frequent underlying disease. Zoledronate was used in 82% of the cases and in the non-oncology group of patients; alendronate was the most frequently used bisphosphonate. The mean duration of the zoledronate and alendronate treatments was 25 months and 88 months respectively. The lower jaw was the most frequent location, and previous exodontias- among the triggering factors known-were the most closely linked to its onset. We found considerable osteoblastic activity in patients suffering from neoplasia, with artifacts present in their bone densitometry and a high percentage of vertebral fractures. Conclusions: According to our results, osteonecrosis of the jaws affects elderly patients. We found a direct relationship between the duration of exposure and the accumulated dose. Other relevant factors are: Poor oral and dental health, corticoids, diabetes and teeth extractions. In essence, it is a clinical diagnosis. Prevention is the best strategy to handle this clinical entity

Implementation of an improvement cycle in the classroom of German as a foreign language (DaF )

Este artículo presenta un Ciclo de Mejora en el Aula (CIMA), con una duración de 8 horas, aplicado a la asignatura Idioma Moderno II (alemán), obligatoria de segundo curso en los Grados en Estudios Ingleses y en Filología Hispánica durante el segundo cuatrimestre del presente curso académico 2020/21.This article presents an eight-hour-long Improvement Cycle in Classroom (ICIC), which was put into practice in the compulsory subject Modern Language II, taught during the second semester of the current academic year 2020/21 to second year students of bacherlor’s degrees in English Studies and Hispanic Philolog