Hardware Reuse Improvement through the Domain Specific Language dHDL.

The dHDL language has been defined to improve hardware design productivity. This is achieved through the definition of a better reuse interface (including parameters, attributes and macroports) and the creation of control structures that help the designer in the hardware generation process

Measuring the desire for control: a Spanish version of Burger and Cooper's Scale

The following study will present findings on the validity of the adaptation of the Burger and Cooper’s Desirability of Control Scale into Spanish. Two samples are present: the first involving 1,999 people to study their psychometric properties. In the second sample, 111 people were included to estimate test/ retest reliability. Cultural adaptation was performed using the translation & back-translation method. Item analysis, internal consistency and test/retest reliability were assessed, then evidence of the validity of the internal structure was determined by using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Subject recruitment was performed to gather the 1,999 subjects stratified by age, gender quotas as designed in the sampling plan. Of the subjects, 51% were female, average age of 45 years old (SD = 17.5). All items from the original scale were understood correctly, while five items presented ceiling effect. Cronbach’s alpha = .736 and a test-retest correlation r = .713 were obtained. The factor structure indicated the presence of four dimensions: forecast, autonomy, power and influence and reactance which were reassured in the confirmatory analysis (χ2/df = 4.805, CFI =.932, TLI =.954, RMSEA = .062). The basic dimensions of the scale have shown to be stable and well-defined, though not perfect. The scope, possible applications of the scale and further research are later proposed and discussed.Se presenta la adaptación y validación al español de la Escala de Deseo de Control de Burger y Cooper. Se emplearon dos muestras. Para estudiar las propiedades psicométricas de la escala se contó con una primera muestra de 1999 (Medad = 45 años, DS = 17,5; 51% mujeres). Para estimar la fiabilidad test-retest se contó con una segunda muestra de 111 personas. La adaptación cultural se llevó a cabo mediante el procedimiento de traducción–retrotraducción. Se presentan las evidencias de validez de la estructura interna de la escala mediante los resultados de sendos análisis factoriales, exploratorio y confirmatorio. El análisis de ítems reveló que todos los elementos presentaron unos valores aceptables, aunque cinco de ellos mostraron efecto techo. El Alfa de Cronbach fue de .736 y la Fiabilidad test–retest fue de .713. La estructura factorial indicó la presencia de cuatro dimensiones: previsión, autonomía, poder e influencia y reactancia. La estructura fue corroborada en el análisis confirmatorio (χ2/df = 4.805, CFI = .932, TLI = .954, RMSEA = .062). Las dimensiones de la escala son estables y específicas, aunque no perfectas. Se discute el alcance y posibles aplicaciones de la escala y se proponen futuras investigaciones

El sistema de ventas y régimen de arrendamientos de tierras en Cáceres en el siglo XVI

Las escasas ventas de tierra que se producen en el siglo XVI, se refieren a tierras de pequeña extensión —una, dos o cuatro fanegas— las hemos considerado motivadas por una necesidad acuciante del vendedor. El estudio de la relación contractual entre comprador y vendedor, nos ha permitido comprobar que las ventas de tierra se realizan, por regla general, libres de carga pero, la modificación del léxico empleado por el escribano a partir de 1557, parece indicar la existencia de préstamos hipotecarios sobre la propiedad territorial. La sistematización de los precios nos hizo detectar las variables influyentes que actúan como elementos en la composición del precio total. En relación con los arrendamientos, pudimos extraer una tipología que ordenamos en cuatro grupos distribuidos en dos grandes apartados: arrendamientos de dehesas enteras y arrendamientos de tierras parceladas. El estudio evolutivo de los precios lo hemos agrupado en décadas. Salvo excepciones como los de arrendamientos del aprovechamiento del granillo, experimentan un alza a lo largo del siglo XVI. Esta elevación es más acusada en la primera mitad del siglo que en la segunda. El examen nominal de los contratos de arrendamiento nos ha permitido señalar el fenómeno del subarriendo. En general, es la nobleza cacereña la que arrienda las dehesas a grandes ganaderos que provienen del exterior extremeño y, éstos, son quienes las subarriendan a los pequeños ganaderos o agricultores cacereños. Un segundo tipo de subarriendo es el que se produce en los arrendamientos de tierras de labor: el propietario, casi siempre un noble, arrienda una dehesa a un arrendatario que a su vez la parcela y subarrienda a convecinos. En este proceso únicamente intervienen cacereños

Improving Hardware Reuse through XML-based Interface Encapsulation

This work proposes an encapsulation scheme aimed at simplifying the reuse process of hardware cores. This hardware encapsulation approach has been conceived with a twofold objective. First, we look for the improvement of the reuse interface associated with the hardware core description. This is carried out in a first encapsulation level by improving the limited types and configuration options available in the conventional HDLs interface, and also providing information related to the implementation itself. Second, we have devised a more generic interface focused on describing the function avoiding details from a particular implementation, what corresponds to a second encapsulation level. This encapsulation allows the designer to define how to configure and use the design to implement a given functionality. The proposed encapsulation schemes help improving the amount of information that can be supplied with the design, and also allow to automate the process of searching, configuring and implementing diverse alternatives

Sexual abuse vs. sexual freedom? A legal Approach to the Age of Sexual Consent in Adolescents in Spanish-Speaking Countries

Child and adolescent sexual abuse (CSA) is an international public health problem. Despite the importance of CSA, there is no consensus definition, and the lack of consensus is related to difficulties in conducting prevalence studies as well as research in other areas. To establish a consensual definition, legal aspects such as the age of sexual consent and the difference in age or power between victim and aggressor as well as aspects related to sexual freedom and sexual indemnity must be considered. Therefore, the main goal of this research was to analyze the age of sexual consent in the legal systems of Spanish-speaking countries and to examine whether the Romeo and Juliet clause is established. To achieve the proposed aims, we employed the legal interpretation method, and we analyzed the current Criminal Codes of the 21 Spanish-speaking countries. From the results, it is found that the age of sexual consent varies between countries, establishing valid sexual consent between 13 and 18 years. In addition, only six countries have the Romeo and Juliet clause that protects sexual freedom in adolescents. Finally, we discussed the lack of consensus on the age of sexual consent and the limitations presented by the Romeo and Juliet clause

Physical activity, emotional adaptability and intrinsic regulation: A predictive study in adolescents

OBJETIVOS: El presente estudio analizó el papel de la adaptabilidad en relación con la motivación como precursora de los niveles de actividad física. Para ello, este trabajo se ha desarrollado desde dos marcos conceptuales distintos: la Teoría de la Autodeterminación (Deci y Ryan, 2000); y el modelo de Inteligencia Emocional de Bar-On (2000). Participaron un total de 431 sujetos (12-16 años) de distintos centros educativos, y se emplearon los cuestionarios BREQ-2, EQ-i: YV y PAQ-A para la valoración de los niveles de motivación, la dimensión adaptabilidad y los niveles de actividad física respectivamente. Los resultados mostraron relaciones significativas y diferencias respecto al género entre la adaptabilidad, los niveles de motivación y la actividad física. A modo de conclusión se destaca el papel de la adaptabilidad como elemento significativo en la práctica de la actividad física.OBJETIVES: The present research analyzed the rol of adaptability regarding motivation as an antecedent of physical activity levels. Hence, this study has been developed from two differents conceptuals frameworks: The Self-Determination Theory (Deci y Ryan, 2000); and the emotional intelligence model (Bar-On, 2000). A sample size of 431 individuals (12-16 years old) from different schools participated in the study, and questionnaires for the evaluation of motivation levels, adaptability dimension, and physical activity, were used. The results showed relationships and significant differences among adaptability, motivation and physical activity levels. To conclude, it is highlighted the role of adaptability as a significant element in the practice of physical activity.peerReviewe

Prognostic Score and Benefit from Abiraterone in First-line Metastatic, Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer.

Most available prognostic nomograms in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) are derived from datasets not representative of the current treatment landscape. A prognostic nomogram for first-line mCRPC treatment was developed from patients treated in the PREVAIL study. To validate the Armstrong model in the COU-AA-302 trial. A post hoc analysis of mCRPC patients treated in the COU-AA-302 trial was carried out (NCT00887198). The Armstrong prognostic model was applied to patients treated in COU-AA-302. A continuous risk score was derived from coefficients from the original model. Time-dependent area under the curve (tAUC) was used to evaluate the overall predictive ability of the model. Patients were categorized according to the number of risk factors present into those at a low (three or fewer risk factors), intermediate (four to six risk factors), and high (seven to ten risk factors) risk. The association with survival was assessed with Cox regression models. Interaction tests were used to assess the impact of treatment arm in each of the prognostic groups. A total of 1088 patients were analyzed. The risk score was associated with overall survival (OS; tAUC 0.733). Most patients were at a low (49%) or intermediate (41%) risk. Risk category was significantly associated with OS (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.9-2.4; p < 0.001), radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS; HR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.5-1.8; p < 0.001), and prostate-specific antigen progression-free survival (HR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.5-1.9; p < 0.001). A significant interaction between risk group and OS (p = 0.007) and rPFS (p = 0.009) was observed. Survival was superior in low-risk patients (HR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.59-0.89; p = 0.009), but similar in intermediate-risk (HR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.79-1.21; p = 0.9) and high-risk (HR: 1.35; 95% CI: 0.80-2.28; p = 0.5) patients. Two-year OS rates in abiraterone versus placebo were 82% versus 74% in low-risk, 55% versus 52% in intermediate-risk, and 28% versus 31% in high-risk patients. We validate the prognostic value of the Armstrong risk model in patients treated with first-line androgen receptor signaling inhibitors. Abiraterone provided a greater benefit in low-risk patients with less aggressive disease. Further research is needed to establish the role of Armstrong risk groups for treatment selection in mCRPC patients. In this report, we validated the Armstrong nomogram in the COU-AA-302 trial population. We found a similar prognostic performance to that of the original model. Good-risk patients received the greatest benefit from abiraterone.Authors acknowledge funding support from Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad de España -Instituto de Salud Carlos III: grants CM17-00221 (Rebeca Lozano), CM19/00234 (Casilda Llacer), JR17/00007 (Nuria Romero-Laorden), and JR18/00011 (Elena Castro); Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación: RYC-2015-18625 (David Olmos); and Prostate Cancer Foundation: Young Investi-gator Award (2014 David Olmos, 2017 Elena Castro).S

Long-term use of somatostatin analogs for chronic gastrointestinal bleeding in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

BackgroundChronic bleeding due to gastrointestinal (GI) involvement in patients with hemorrhagic hereditary telangiectasia (HHT) can provoke severe anemia with high red blood cells (RBC) transfusion requirements. However, the evidence about how to deal with these patients is scarce. We aimed to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of somatostatin analogs (SA) for anemia management in HHT patients with GI involvement. MethodsThis is a prospective observational study including patients with HHT and GI involvement attended at a referral center. SA were considered for those patients with chronic anemia. Anemia-related variables were compared in patients receiving SA before and during treatment. Patients receiving SA were divided into responders (patients with minimal hemoglobin levels improvement >10 g/L and maintaining hemoglobin levels >= 80 g/L during treatment), and non-responders. Adverse effects during follow-up were collected. ResultsAmong 119 HHT patients with GI involvement, 67 (56.3%) received SA. These patients showed lower minimal hemoglobin levels (73 [60-87] vs. 99 [70.2-122.5], p < 0.001), and more RBC transfusion requirements (61.2% vs. 38.5%, p = 0.014) than patients without SA therapy. Median treatment period was 20.9 +/- 15.2 months. During treatment, there was a statistically significant improvement in minimum hemoglobin levels (94.7 +/- 29.8 g/L vs. 74.7 +/- 19.7, p < 0.001) and a reduction of patients with minimal hemoglobin levels <80 g/L (39 vs. 61%, p = 0.007) and RBC transfusions requirement (33.9% vs. 59.3%, p < 0.001). Sixteen (23.9%) patients showed mild adverse effects, mostly diarrhea or abdominal pain, leading to treatment discontinuation in 12 (17.9%) patients. Fifty-nine patients were eligible for efficacy assessment and 32 (54.2%) of them were considered responders. Age was associated with non-responder patients, OR 95% CI; 1.070 (1.014-1.130), p = 0.015. ConclusionSA can be considered a long-term effective and safe option for anemia management in HHT patients with GI bleeding. Older age is associated with poorer response