High-performance functional renormalization group calculations for interacting fermions

We derive a novel computational scheme for functional Renormalization Group (fRG) calculations for interacting fermions on 2D lattices. The scheme is based on the exchange parametrization fRG for the two-fermion interaction, with additional insertions of truncated partitions of unity. These insertions decouple the fermionic propagators from the exchange propagators and lead to a separation of the underlying equations. We demonstrate that this separation is numerically advantageous and may pave the way for refined, large-scale computational investigations even in the case of complex multiband systems. Furthermore, on the basis of speedup data gained from our implementation, it is shown that this new variant facilitates efficient calculations on a large number of multi-core CPUs. We apply the scheme to the $t$,$t'$ Hubbard model on a square lattice to analyze the convergence of the results with the bond length of the truncation of the partition of unity. In most parameter areas, a fast convergence can be observed. Finally, we compare to previous results in order to relate our approach to other fRG studies.Comment: 26 pages, 9 figure

The mediator role of hierarchical distance on social processes-HRM practices: An empirical analysis of Spanish firms

The literature pays little attention to non-linear models, especially regarding dimensions such as organizational culture. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to test the role of hierarchical distance in the relationship between HRM practices and social processes. With a sample of 102 Spanish firms and using partial least squares structural equation modeling assessed this relationship. Results suggested mediation of hierarchical distance between HRM practices and social processes. Such results recommend that HR managers should consider hierarchical distance more carefully especially when creating HRM practices to improve relationships among employees. Thus, the politics of commitment function better when organizations are more horizontal and when tasks are commonly delegated, managers question employees frequently prior to making decisions, discussions are encouraged, and social relationships – both in and out of work – are valued, appear to provide the most benefit regarding competitive advantages generated through HRM practices

Inkjet printing of functional materials for optical and photonic applications

Inkjet printing, traditionally used in graphics, has been widely investigated as a valuable tool in the preparation of functional surfaces and devices. This review focuses on the use of inkjet printing technology for the manufacturing of different optical elements and photonic devices. The presented overview mainly surveys work done in the fabrication of micro-optical components such as microlenses, waveguides and integrated lasers; the manufacturing of large area light emitting diodes displays, liquid crystal displays and solar cells; as well as the preparation of liquid crystal and colloidal crystal based photonic devices working as lasers or optical sensors. Special emphasis is placed on reviewing the materials employed as well as in the relevance of inkjet in the manufacturing of the different devices showing in each of the revised technologies, main achievements, applications and challenges

Effect of zinc intake on growth in infants: A meta-analysis

A systematic review and meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to evaluate the effect of zinc (Zn) intake on growth in infants. Out of 5500 studies identified through electronic searches and reference lists, 19 RCTs were selected after applying the exclusion/inclusion criteria. The influence of Zn intake on growth was considered in the overall meta-analysis. Other variables were also taken into account as possible effect modifiers: doses of Zn intake, intervention duration, nutritional status, and risk of bias. From each select growth study, final measures of weight, length, mid upper arm circumference (MUAC), head circumference, weight for age z-score (WAZ), length for age z-score (LAZ), and weight for length z-score (WLZ) were assessed. Pooled β and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Additionally, we carried out a sensitivity analysis. Zn intake was not associated with weight, length, MUAC, head circumference, and LAZ in the pooled analyses. However, Zn intake had a positive and statistically effect on WAZ (β = 0.06; 95%CI 0.02 to 0.10) and WLZ (β = 0.05; 95%CI 0.01 to 0.08). The dose–response relationship between Zn intake and these parameters indicated that a doubling of Zn intake increased WAZ and WLZ by approximately 4%. Substantial heterogeneity was present only in length analyses (I2 = 45%; p = 0.03). Zn intake was positively associated with length values at short time (four to 20 weeks) (β = 0.01; CI 95% 0 to 0.02) and at medium doses of Zn (4.1 to 8 mg/day) (β = 0.003; CI 95% 0 to 0.01). Nevertheless, the effect magnitude was small. Our results indicate that Zn intake increases growth parameters of infants. Nonetheless, interpretation of these results should be carefully considered

Bartenders and Customers' Interactions. Influence on Sexual Assaults in Nightlife

Nightlife establishments are meeting points for what the scientific literature has called "hookups" or "one-night stands" that is, uncommitted sexual relationships that can sometimes result in unwanted or even violent experiences. The scientific literature has identified that sexual assault has usually been connected with alcohol abuse. Other studies have found that nightlife staff can be an active or passive party to violent events (sexual or otherwise), especially bouncers. However, less attention has been paid to bartenders, and their involvement in such events has not been analyzed in depth. This article presents an exploration of how some male bartenders interact with some male customers in the nightlife context to promote sexual relationships and how their interactions might influence possible sexual assault situations. The results of this study shed light on and help us to understand why sexual assault occurs in these spaces

Caracterización genómica de la integración in vitro del VIH-1 en células mononucleares de sangre periférica, macrófagos y células T de Jurkat

ResumenIntroducciónLa mayor parte del genoma celular es accesible a la integración retroviral; sin embargo, se propone que este proceso no es aleatorio y es dependiente de cada retrovirus.ObjetivosIdentificar y caracterizar las regiones del genoma humano en donde ocurre la integración del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana de tipo 1 (VIH-1) en células mononucleares de sangre periférica, macrófagos y células T de Jurkat infectadas.Materiales y métodosSe seleccionaron 300 secuencias de ADN humano obtenidas por el método de ligación mediada por PCR, previamente depositadas en el GenBank. Utilizando el programa BLAST, sólo 264 de ellas se incluyeron en el estudio, pues se pudo obtener información sobre localización cromosómica, genes anotados, secuencias repetidas, número de islas CpG y tiempo medio de replicación, entre otras variables genómicas. Estas secuencias se exportaron a otras bases de datos.ResultadosEl 53% (140/264) de las integraciones se registraron en bandas G. El 70,45% de los provirus se localizaron en los genes humanos anotados, mientras que el restante lo hizo en elementos repetidos. En general, la selección del sitio de integración se relacionó con las características locales genómicas y estructurales de la cromatina, entre las que se incluyen secuencias Alu-Sx y L1, densidad génica y de islas CpG, remodelación de la cromatina y tiempo de replicación. Éstas influenciarían la interacción eficiente del complejo de preintegración con los genomas celulares.ConclusiónSe determinó que la integración del VIH-1 en los genomas celulares estudiados estaría condicionada por características diferenciales de la cromatina y por procesos epigenéticos que influirían la selección del sitio blanco de integración.AbstractIntroductionMost of the infected host cell genome is available for retroviral integration; however, it has been proposed that this process does not occur at random and depends upon each type of retrovirus.ObjectiveThe objective is to identify and characterize differences in human genome regions of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, macrophages and Jurkat T cells in which integration of HIV-1 occurs.Material and MethodsThree hundred human DNA genome sequences, previously deposited in the GenBank, were selected at random. Using program BLAST, only 264 of them were included in the study because relevant information about chromosomal position, associated genes, repetitive sequences, number of CpG islands and average replication time was available; these sequences were exported to other data bases for analysis.Results53% (140/264) of integrations were located on G bands. 70.45% of provirus was located in human genes and the rest was located in repetitive elements. In general the integration site selection was correlated with genomics and structural characteristics of cell chromatin including Alu-Sx and L1 sequences, gene and CpG island densities, remodeling of chromatin, and replication time. All of them would influence the efficient interaction between the pre-integration complex and target cell genomes.ConclusionIt was determined that HIV-1 integration in target cellular genomes would be conditioned by differential characteristics of associated chromatin and by epigenetic processes that would influence the selection of integration sites

Cognitive and functional differences in aging with and without intellectual disabilities: Observational study

The lifespan of people with cognitive disabilities (ID) has increased significantly, but the cognitive aspects together with the functional ones comparing normal aging and those with intellectual disabilities had not been previously studied. Objective: This study analyzed the cognitive and functional differences in older adults aging with ID (and with DS), compared with their peers without disabilities, in order to identify the most adapted interventions. Methodology: This study evaluated the outcome variables of MEC, Set-Test, Barthel, Lawton–Brody, and Tinetti with 247 participants: 146 without ID and 101 ID (29 with DS and 72 without DS). Results: At the cognitive level, older people with ID presented lower scores both in MEC (p < 0.01), globally and in each cognitive domain (except in short-term memory), and in verbal fluency (Set-Test) than older people without ID; however, the diagnosis of cognitive impairment and dementia is higher in people without ID. At the functional level, there are no differences in ABDL, but there are in AIDL and Tinetti (p < 0.01), where participants without ID obtain higher scores. The most frequent pathologies in people with ID were obesity and epilepsy. Conclusions: The lower cognitive and functional performance in ID is associated with the disability itself, the low educational level, the neurocognitive underdiagnosis, and the use of poorly adapted assessment tools. The cognitive and functional results indicated the importance of interventions adapted to the characteristics of this population, in their aging process. © 2021 by the author. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Una revisión a la formación posgradual de los profesionales de la Contaduría Pública en la ciudad de Villavicencio

This article presents partial results of an investigation that is supported in a qualitative methodological process and a type of descriptive study, the information gathered reveals the status of the offer in advanced training for professional Universidad de los Llanos 39 accountants in the city of Villavicencio, which is the purpose of the article, accompanied by a few theoretical for study and understanding elements. With the clustering of data obtained from the universities tried to interpret the current situation of public accountants in relation to its advanced training taking account of the different factors that influence it, at the end the authors posit the object of reflection on the shortcomings presented by the environment of this type of training.Este articulo plantea resultados parciales de una investigación que está soportada en un proceso metodológico de carácter cualitativo y tipo de estudio descriptivo, la información recolectada devela el estado de la oferta en formación avanzada para los profesionales contables en la ciudad de Villavicencio, que se constituye en el propósito del artículo, acompañado de unos elementos teóricos para su estudio y comprensión. Con el agrupamiento de datos obtenidos de las universidades se intentó interpretar la actual situación posgradual de los contadores públicos, atendiendo los diferentes factores que influyen en ella. Al final las autoras postulan el objeto de la reflexión con base en las falencias que presenta el entorno de este tipo de formació

Implementation of an Artificial Neural Network on the Test Barcelona Workstation As a Predictive Model for the Classification of Normal, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease Subjects Using the Neuronorma Battery

Objective: To develop and implement an online Artificial Neural Network (ANN) that provides the probability of a subject having mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Method: Different ANNs were trained using a sample of 350 controls (CONT), 75 MCI and 93 AD subjects. The ANN structure chosen was the following: (1) an input layer of 33 cognitive variables from the Neuronorma battery plus two sociodemographic variables, age and education. This layer was reduced to a 15 features input vector using Multiple Discriminant Analysis method, (2) one hidden layer with 8 neurons, and (3) three output neurons corresponding to the 3 expected cognitive states. This ANN was defined in a previous study [28]. The ANN was implemented on the web site www.test-barcelona.com (Test Barcelona Workstation) [9]. Results: When comparing CONT, MCI and AD participants, the best ANN correctly classifies up to 94,87% of the study participants. Conclusions: The online implemented ANN, delivers the probabilities (%) of belonging to the CONT, MCI and AD groups of a subject assessed using the 35 characteristics (variables) of the Neuronorma profile. This tool is a good complement for the interpretation of cognitive profiles. This technology improves clinical decision making. Keywords: Artificial Neural Network, Probability, Alzheimer disease, Test Barcelona Workstation

Automated generation of control design benchmark problems for computer-assessed education with Doctus

[ES] En este trabajo se presenta una aplicación que permite a un profesor generar de forma automática ejercicios de diseño de controladores para sistemas lineales para la plataforma de e-learning Doctus. Doctus es una aplicación que permite automatizar la recogida, almacenamiento y evaluación de ejercicios de contenido científico-técnico. En general, para utilizar Doctus es necesario escribir scripts de MATLAB, tanto para la evaluación automàtica de la respuesta de los alumnos como para la generación de enunciados personalizados. La aplicación que se presenta es una extensión de Doctus destinada a simplificar este trabajo, permitiendo generar ejercicios personalizados mediante la aplicación de un escalado temporal y de ganancia a partir de un problema semilla que proporciona el profesor. La aplicación presentada resuelve, por lo tanto, dos problemas: primero el de facilitar el uso de Doctus a profesores no expertos, y segundo el de proporcionar a cada estudiante un ejercicio individualizado[EN] This paper presents an application that enables the teacher to automatically generate control design exercises for linear systems for the Doctus e-learning platform. Doctus is an application that automates the collection, storage and evaluation of scientific and technical education exercises. In general, the use of Doctus requires writing MATLAB scripts, both for the automatic evaluation of student responses and for the generation of personalized wordings. The application presented is an extension of Doctus designed to simplify this work, allowing the generation of personalized exercises by applying time and gain scalings based on a seed problem provided by the teacher. As a consequence, the application presented solves two problems: first, to facilitate the use of Doctus to non-expert teachers, and second, to provide each student with an individualized exercise with guaranteed solution and equal diffculty.Asimismo desean agradecer la ayuda otorgada por el Vicerrectorado de investigación de la Universidad Loyola Andalucía. Este trabajo se ha financiado parcialmente con los proyectos DPI2016-75294-C2-2-R y DPI2016-76493-C3-1-R.Sánchez, C.; Muñoz De La Peña, D.; Gómez-Estern, F. (2020). Generación automática de problemas de diseño de controladores para sistemas lineales autoevaluables con Doctus. Revista Iberoamericana de Automática e Informática industrial. 17(1):1-9. https://doi.org/10.4995/riai.2019.11243OJS19171Ala-Mutka, K. M., 2005. A survey of automated assessment approaches for programming assignments. Computer Science Education 15 (2), 83-102. https://doi.org/10.1080/08993400500150747Ayas, M. S., Altas, I. H., 2016. 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