The Epistemic Control Loop

In the ICEA project we are concerned with the extraction of general designs from rat brains

An Integrated Semantic Web Service Discovery and Composition Framework

In this paper we present a theoretical analysis of graph-based service composition in terms of its dependency with service discovery. Driven by this analysis we define a composition framework by means of integration with fine-grained I/O service discovery that enables the generation of a graph-based composition which contains the set of services that are semantically relevant for an input-output request. The proposed framework also includes an optimal composition search algorithm to extract the best composition from the graph minimising the length and the number of services, and different graph optimisations to improve the scalability of the system. A practical implementation used for the empirical analysis is also provided. This analysis proves the scalability and flexibility of our proposal and provides insights on how integrated composition systems can be designed in order to achieve good performance in real scenarios for the Web.Comment: Accepted to appear in IEEE Transactions on Services Computing 201

Principles for Consciousness in Integrated Cognitive Control

In this article we will argue that given certain conditions for the evolution of bi- \ud ological controllers, these will necessarily evolve in the direction of incorporating \ud consciousness capabilities. We will also see what are the necessary mechanics for \ud the provision of these capabilities and extrapolate this vision to the world of artifi- \ud cial systems postulating seven design principles for conscious systems. This article \ud was published in the journal Neural Networks special issue on brain and conscious- \ud ness

Psychosocial Predictors of Metabolic Syndrome among Latino Groups in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

ObjectiveWe sought to determine the contribution of psychological variables to risk for metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Latinos enrolled in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), and to investigate whether social support moderates these associations, and whether inflammatory markers mediate the association between psychological variables and MetS.Research design and methodsCross-sectional analyses at study baseline were conducted with a national Latino cohort (n = 1,388) that included Mexican Americans, Dominican Americans, Puerto Rican Americans and Central/South Americans. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses were conducted to test the effects of psychosocial variables (chronic stress, depressive symptoms, and social support) on MetS. In addition, separate subgroup-specific models, controlling for nationality, age, gender, socioeconomic position, language spoken at home, exercise, smoking and drinking status, and testing for the effects of chronic stress, depressive symptoms and inflammation (IL-6, CRP, fibrinogen) in predicting risk for MetS were conducted.ResultsIn the overall sample, high chronic stress independently predicted risk for MetS, however this association was found to be significant only in Mexican Americans and Puerto Rican Americans. Social support did not moderate the associations between chronic stress and MetS for any group. Chronic stress was not associated with inflammatory markers in either the overall sample or in each group.ConclusionsOur results suggest a differential contribution of chronic stress to the prevalence of MetS by national groups

Effect of the axial jet on the optimal response in Batchelor vortex

En este póster se estudia la respuesta óptima del torbellino de Batchelor para distintos números de onda. Se demuestra que incluso teniendo la velocidad axial, un torbellino es capaz de tener grandes amplificaciones de energía.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Wingtip vortex in a NACA0012 airfoil and its active control

Contribución mediante sesión pósterWe conduct experiments in a towing-tank to analyse the flow patterns of wingtip vortices in a NACA 0012 airfoil. In this experimental research, we provide PIV measurements and flow visualisations. Without active control, several parameters are given experimentally as function of the Reynolds number, so we compare these data with the theoretical models of Batchelor, and Moore and Saffman together with DNS. Secondly, we analyse the effect of a continuous injection in the spanwise direction. The continuous jet has a strong influence on the wing-tip vortex formation. We explore this effect at low chord based Reynolds number ranging from 7000 up to 20000. We change the aspect ratio of the injection, R, defined as the ratio of the velocities between the jet (Uj) and free-stream (U). For R=1, we find that the jet strongly affects the wingtip vortex formation with a sudden decrement of the axial vorticity and the azimuthal velocity. This technique is a challenge and a promising tool to reduce the intensity of the vortex core.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Revisiting the dynamics of interacting vector-like dark energy

We revise the dynamics of interacting vector-like dark energy, a theoretical framework proposed to explain the accelerated expansion of the universe. By investigating the interaction between vector-like dark energy and dark matter, we analyze its effects on the cosmic expansion history and the thermodynamics of the accelerating universe. Our results demonstrate that the presence of interaction significantly influences the evolution of vector-like dark energy, leading to distinct features in its equation of state and energy density. We compare our findings with observational data and highlight the importance of considering interactions in future cosmological studies.Comment: 15 pages, 19 figure

La calidad del servicio educativo resultados preliminares en la Universidad Fidélitas

The investigation addressed the quality of the educational service at the Fidélitas University, during the year 2017, perceived by undergraduate students. The object of study was analyzed in the two venues of the University, and in the different class schedules. The objective on the one hand was to construct in a participatory way the quality assessment instrument, and on the other to determine the factors that explain the quality of the service received. To this end, the Student Teaching Evaluation Questionnaire was built collaboratively with students, academic and administrative directors through focus groups and in-depth interviews. Subsequently, a stratified probabilistic sampling of the questionnaires was carried out. The instrument was validated according to Alpha de Cronbach. The Kruskall-Wallis test was used to find differences in campus and schedules, and the Spearman Rho correlation to identify the variables associated with the teacher's performance. A Teacher's Net Promote Score of 51,42 % was found, with small differences per campus, and a better recommendation during daytime hours. Seven key factors were identified, that explain largely the student's satisfaction with their teacher, emphasizing attitudinal as the key to the perception of quality.La investigación abordó la calidad del servicio educativo en la Universidad Fidélitas, durante el año 2017, percibido por los estudiantes de grado. El objeto de estudio fue analizado en las dos sedes de la Universidad, y en los diferentes horarios de clase. El objetivo por un lado fue construir de manera participativa el instrumento de evaluación de la calidad, y por otro determinar los factores que explican la calidad del servicio percibido. Para ello se construyó el Cuestionario de Evaluación Docente Estudiantil de manera colaborativa con estudiantes, directivos académicos y administrativos mediante grupos focales y entrevistas en profundidad. Posteriormente se realizó un muestreo probabilístico estratificado de los cuestionarios. El instrumento se validó según Alpha de Cronbach. Se utilizó la prueba de Kruskall-Wallis pare encontrar diferencias entre sedes y horarios y la correlación de Spearman Rho, para identificar las variables asociadas al desempeño del profesor. Se encontró un Net Promote Score del profesor de 51,42 %, con pequeñas diferencias entre sedes y una mejor recomendación en horarios diurnos. Se identificaron siete factores clave que explican en mayor medida la satisfacción del estudiante con su profesor, destacándose los actitudinales como claves de la percepción de la calidad

Thermorresponsive magnetic nanoparticles as target drug delivery for cancer treatment

In this research, temperature sensitive microgels with magnetic core for controlled release of 5-fluoruracil was synthesized. Magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4) were prepared by coprecipitation method and the surface was functionalized by acrylic acid. Polymer poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) were grown by free radical polymerization in presence of cross-liker and initiator. The size of the polymer was manipulated by changing the mole percent of the crosslinker and evaluated for their morphology (TEM), particle size, zeta potential, loading efficiency, drug content and drug release. Furthermore, microgels were tagged with FITC, a fluorochrome which could be applied for cell imaging. Cytotoxicity studies revealed that the microgels were not toxic. These complex nanoparticles (Fe3O4/pNIPAM/FITC/5-Fu) appear to be a great promise to be used in controlled drug delivery and tumor targeting.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech