Engineering a QoS Provider Mechanism for Edge Computing with Deep Reinforcement Learning

With the development of new system solutions that integrate traditional cloud computing with the edge/fog computing paradigm, dynamic optimization of service execution has become a challenge due to the edge computing resources being more distributed and dynamic. How to optimize the execution to provide Quality of Service (QoS) in edge computing depends on both the system architecture and the resource allocation algorithms in place. We design and develop a QoS provider mechanism, as an integral component of a fog-to-cloud system, to work in dynamic scenarios by using deep reinforcement learning. We choose reinforcement learning since it is particularly well suited for solving problems in dynamic and adaptive environments where the decision process needs to be frequently updated. We specifically use a Deep Q-learning algorithm that optimizes QoS by identifying and blocking devices that potentially cause service disruption due to dynamicity. We compare the reinforcement learning based solution with state-of-the-art heuristics that use telemetry data, and analyze pros and cons

Cytochrome c 6-like protein as a putative donor of electrons to photosystem I in the cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. PCC 7119

Most organisms performing oxygenic photosynthesis contain either cytochrome c 6 or plastocyanin, or both, to transfer electrons from cytochrome b 6-f to photosystem I. Even though plastocyanin has superseded cytochrome c 6 along evolution, plants contain a modified cytochrome c 6, the so called cytochrome c 6A, whose function still remains unknown. In this article, we describe a second cytochrome c 6 (the so called cytochrome c 6-like protein), which is found in some cyanobacteria but is phylogenetically more related to plant cytochrome c 6A than to cyanobacterial cytochrome c 6. In this article, we conclude that the cytochrome c 6-like protein is a putative electron donor to photosystem I, but does play a role different to that of cytochrome c 6 and plastocyanin as it cannot accept electrons from cytochrome f. The existence of this third electron donor to PSI could explain why some cyanobacteria are able to grow photoautotrophically in the absence of both cytochrome c 6 and plastocyanin. In any way, the Cyt c 6-like protein from Nostoc sp. PCC 7119 would be potentially utilized for the biohydrogen production, using cell-free photosystem I catalytic nanoparticles.Dirección General de Investigación Científica y Técnica BFU2006-01361/BMCJunta de Andalucía PAI BIO022 BIO19

Faustino Martínez Martínez, De responsabilitate. Una breve historia de la responsabilidad pública

Sin resume

Origins of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in the Context of United States Strategic Interests in the Caribbean (1938-1950)

The purpose of this paper is to explore the political and military considerations that provided the frame of reference for the promulgation of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in 1952. Since 1492 possession of this island has been coveted by nations with vital interest in the Caribbean region. To the United States, who conquered the island in 1898, Puerto Rico formed the backbone of the defense perimeter for the Panama Canal and adjacent shipping lanes. Experience during World War 11 and the subsequent threat from the Soviet Union reinforced the military value of the island. The importance of the geostrategic location of the island to the United States was the crucial factor that determined the type of political system that substituted fifty years of U.S. colonial rule with a measure of self-government. The leadership of Luis Munoz Marin and the moderate ideology of his Partido Popular Democratico (Popular Democratic Party) proved to be the best vehicle for the implementation of the reforms that would guarantee both the preservation of U.S. sovereignty over Puerto Rico and the improvement of the welfare of the people of the island

Trombocitopenia como factor pronóstico de mortalidad en pacientes cirróticos con hemorragia digestiva variceal en el hospital Belén MINSA Trujillo período 2010 – 2014.

Determinar si la trombocitopenia es factor pronóstico de mortalidad en cirróticos con hemorragia digestiva variceal en el Hospital Belén de Trujillo. Material y Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio de tipo, analítico, observacional, retrospectivo, de casos y controles. La población de estudio estuvo constituida por 105 cirróticos con HDA variceal según criterios de inclusión y exclusión establecidos distribuidos en dos grupos: fallecidos y sobrevivientes. Resultados: La frecuencia de trombocitopenia en los pacientes con HDA variceal fallecidos y sobrevivientes fue de 40% y 17% respectivamente. El odds ratio de trombocitopenia en relación a mortalidad fue de 3.2 (p<0.05). Los promedios de recuento plaquetario en el grupo con y sin mortalidad fueron de 96540 y 114360 respectivamente (p<0.05). Conclusiones: La trombocitopenia es factor pronóstico de mortalidad en pacientes cirróticos con hemorragia digestiva alta variceal. El promedio de recuento plaquetario de los pacientes con HDA variceal fallecidos es signicativamente menor que el promedio de los pacientes sobrevivientes.Determine if thrombocytopenia is prognostic factor to mortality in cirrhotic with variceal digestive hemorrhage at Trujillo Belen Hospital. Methods: Was conduced a analitic, observational, retrospective, cases and controls investigation. The study population was conformed for 105 cirrhotic with variceal digestive hemorrhage inclusion and exclusion criteries distributed in 2 groups: with or without mortality. Results: The frequency of thrombocytopenia between with and without mortality were 40% y 17% respectively. Thrombocytopenia odds ratio related to mortality in cirrhotic with variceal digestive hemorrhage was 3.2 (p<0.05). The averages of plaquetary count in the group with and without mortality were 96540 y 114360 respectively (p<0.05). Conclusions: Thrombocytopenia is prognostic factor to mortality in cirrhotic with variceal digestive hemorrhage The average of plaquetary count in cirrhotic with variceal digestive hemorrhage is significatively minor than death patients.Tesi

¿CÓMO SER NEGRO EN UN MUNDO SIN NEGROS? CATEGORÍAS RACIALES E IDENTIDADES POLÍTICAS ENTRE AFRODESCENDIENTES DE LA CIUDAD DE SANTA FE (ARGENTINA)

En el presente trabajo analizamos el modo en que un grupo de mujeres santafesinas, articulando identidades políticas globales y categorías raciales locales, construyen una identidad afrodescendiente en la actualidad. Teniendo en cuenta el proceso de invisibilización social al que han sido sometidos los afroargentinos en nuestro país desde finales del siglo XIX, indagamos en el potencial contra-discursivo que supone identificarse como “negro” de Argentina. Por otro lado, atendemos a sus experiencias de vida, advirtiendo los múltiples sentidos que acarrea la portación de identidades racializadas, y las complejas imbricaciones con una forma de negritud asociada a una “forma de ser” propia de las clases populares argentinas

Evaluación de la erosión lateral y de fondo del río Chamaya en las progresivas KM 553+120, KM 587+750 y KM 592+070 del Oleoducto Nor Peruano

El presente trabajo de investigación se desarrolló en las progresivas Km 553+120, Km 587+750 y Km 592+070 del Oleoducto Norperuano, mediante una investigación de tipo descriptiva. El objetivo principal de esta investigación fue determinar la erosión lateral y de fondo producidas por el rio Chamaya en las Progresivas Km 553+120, Km 587+750 y Km 592+070 del ONP, para lo cual recopilamos los datos históricos del SENAMHI y la información que fue proporcionada por PETROPERÚ de levantamiento Lidar y batimetrías. Del análisis hidrológico para cada tramo se determinó que las precipitaciones se ajustaban a la distribución Normal, Log Normal 2 parámetros, Log Normal 3 parámetros, Gumbel, Log Gumbel, Gamma 2 parámetros y Gamma 3 parámetros, obteniéndose diferentes valores de intensidad de lluvia que permitieron calcular los máximos caudales de diseño para cada tramo de estudio, los cuales fueron, para el Km 553+120 de 186.78, 360.47, 482.50, 638.09 y 753.02 m3/s, para el km 587+750 de 129.69; 220.62; 281.26; 356.51 y 411.08 m3/s y para el Km 592+070 de 127.68, 214.85, 272.72, 344.34 y 396.21 m3/s, todos con sus respectivos periodos de retorno de 2, 5, 10, 25 y 50 años. Los resultados obtenidos mediante la simulación hidráulica unidimensional con ayuda del software HEC.RAS V. 5.0.3, nos brindó la información necesaria para poder realizar la estimación de la erosión lateral y de fondo (socavación general) de los tramos de estudio y determinar si la tubería del ONP sería afectada. En la progresiva Km 553+120 se concluye que, la tubería no se verá afectada directamente, puesto que la erosión lateral promedio asociada a un caudal de 753.02 m3/s es de 2.53 m en donde la tubería se encuentra a 8.00 m de la ribera del río, pero si se afectará su derecho de vía la cual está diseñada para salvaguardar su integridad física, realizar mantenimientos y futuras obras de mejoramiento del ONP. En la progresiva Km 587+750 se concluye que, la tubería no se verá afectada, puesto que se encuentra enterrada 2.07 m por debajo del cauce del río y la erosión de fondo (socavación general) alcanza un valor promedio de 0.73 m para un caudal asociado de 411.08 m3/s. En la progresiva Km 592+070 el efecto de la erosión de fondo (socavación general) asociada a un caudal de 127.68 m3/s es 0.37 m, por lo que la tubería se encuentra enterrada a una profundidad de 0.3 m esto la afectaría en 7 cm., si aumentara el caudal la socavación dejaría expuesta en su totalidad la tubería pudiendo colapsar. En la progresiva Km 592+070 se recomienda colocar bolsas de suelo-cemento provisionalmente en el fondo del cauce del río por donde se emplaza la tubería, además de descolmatar el río para que se caja no se vea afectada por las bolsas de suelo – cemento. Finalmente, todas las alternativas de solución que se planteen para salvaguardar la integridad física del Oleoducto Nor Peruano, deberán permitir el fácil acceso hacía la tubería para futuros mantenimientos que esta requiera.This research work was carried out in the progressive Km 553 + 120, Km 587 + 750 and Km 592 + 070 of the Oleoducto Nor Peruano, through a descriptive investigation. The main objective of this investigation was to determine the lateral and bottom erosion produced by the Chamaya river in the Progressive Km 553 + 120, Km 587 + 750 and Km 592 + 070 of the ONP, for which we compile the historical data of the SENAMHI and the information that was provided by PETROPERÚ of Lidar survey and bathymetries. From the hydrological analysis for each section, it was determined that the rainfall was adjusted to the Normal distribution, Normal Log 2 parameters, Normal Log 3 parameters, Gumbel, Log Gumbel, Gamma 2 parameters and Gamma 3 parameters, obtaining different values of rainfall intensity that allowed calculate the maximum design flows for each study section, which were, for Km 553 + 120 of 186.78, 360.47, 482.50, 638.09 and 753.02 m3 / s, for km 587 + 750 of 129.69; 220.62; 281.26; 356.51 and 411.08 m3 / s and for Km 592 + 070 of 127.68, 214.85, 272.72, 344.34 and 396.21 m3/s, all with their respective return periods of 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50 years. The results obtained by means of the one-dimensional hydraulic simulation with the help of the software HEC.RAS V. 5.0.3, provided us with the necessary information to be able to estimate the lateral and bottom erosion (general undermining) of the study sections and determine if ONP pipeline would be affected. In the progressive Km 553 + 120 it is concluded that the pipeline will not be directly affected, since the average lateral erosion associated with a flow of 753.02 m3/s is 2.53 m where the pipeline is 8.00 m from the riverbank of the river, but its right of way will be affected which is designed to safeguard its physical integrity, perform maintenance and future improvement works of the ONP. In the progressive Km 587 + 750 it is concluded that, the pipeline will not be affected, since it is buried 2.07 m below the riverbed and the bottom erosion (general undermining) reaches an average value of 0.73 m for a flow associated of 411.08 m3/s. In the progressive Km 592 + 070 the effect of bottom erosion (general undercutting) associated with a flow of 127.68 m3 / s is 0.37 m, so that the pipeline is buried at a depth of 0.3 m that would affect it in 7 cm., if the flow increases, the undermining would expose the entire pipeline and could collapse. In the progressive Km 592 + 070 it is recommended to place bags of soil-cement provisionally at the bottom of the river bed where the pipeline is located, in addition to decolling the river so that it is boxed it is not affected by the bags of soil - cement. Finally, all the alternative solutions that are proposed to safeguard the physical integrity of the Oleoducto Nor Peruano must allow easy access to the pipe for future maintenance that it requires.Tesi

Los sistemas locales de innovación para la sustentabilidad en la agricultura. El caso del chile habanero en dos comunidades de Yucatán

Este artículo se deriva de la tesis titulada “Sustentabilidad e Innovación: Una análisis desde una perspectiva de sistema en la agricultura”, y presenta un análisis sobre el nuevo rol que deberían jugar los sistemas de innovación y las instituciones de educación superior (IES) en la prosperidad y sustentabilidad de las comunidades agrícolas locales. Para ello, fue necesario explorar las barreras y oportunidades en la construcción de un sistema de innovación local mediante la identificación de las interacciones de aprendizaje, y el papel de las instituciones de educación superior en el logro de la sustentabilidad. Dado que no ha habido ningún estudio empírico de la innovación y la sostenibilidad en la agricultura desde una perspectiva de abajo hacia arriba, se realizó un estudio de caso cualitativo con enfoque multi-métodos. Los resultados destacan el flujo de conocimientos e interacciones de aprendizaje que se están generando en el sistema producto ‘Chile habanero en Yucatán’, así como, los retos y oportunidades para crear sistemas de innovación locales que puedan alcanzar los principios de sustentabilidad. El estudio sugiere que las interacciones de aprendizaje y redes de conocimiento a nivel local se pueden utilizar para desarrollar y difundir la innovación tecnológica y no tecnológica para la mejora social, económica y ecológica en la agricultura. Estas mejoras deben ser apoyadas por instituciones de educación superior mediante la generación, transferencia y aplicación de ideas, recursos y programas para las comunidades locales. Para ello, la innovación y la transferencia del conocimiento es un elemento necesario en la consecución de dicho impulso. Es decir, científicos, ingenieros, y tecnólogos aportando a mejorar la salud y la calidad de vida de las personas

Population structure of Dioon purpusii Rose in Oaxaca, Mexico

Cycads are currently suffering significant habitat loss from deforestation, agricultural expansion, and illegal harvesting. Dioon purpursii Rose has restricted distribution and small populations, which until now are endemic in the state of Oaxaca in Mexico, and it has been included in the category of threatened and vulnerable. Three sites with D. purpusii plants were located in the state of Oaxaca. Structural and dendrometric characteristics of the population and physiognomic, floristic and environmental characteristics of the forest community at each site were determined. Dendrometric variables were evaluated by an analysis of variance (ANOVA), and a similarity analysis between sites was applied to all characteristics, followed by a cluster analysis to express the relationships between sites. The population structure of the three sites is typical of species in which a great frequency of seedlings and juveniles suggests optimal microhabitat conditions for initial establishment. The results of the ANOVA showed that the most developed plants were found at Site 3, followed by Sites 1 and 2. The floristic composition corresponded to the type of tropical deciduous forest vegetation in the region, where D. purpusii formed part of the tree, shrub and herb layers. The phenogram resulting from the similarity and cluster analyses showed that Sites 1 and 2 are more similar (0.97), and Site 3 less similar to the other two (0.84). Although the population structure of D. purpusii at the three sites is similar to that found for other cycad species, the main threats are the small number of reproductive individuals, harvesting of leaves, and the constant threat of habitat alteration, like construction of roads, contributing to extinction. Key words: cycadas, Dioon purpusii, population structure, physiognomy, conservation, Oaxaca, Mexico.Cycads are currently suffering significant habitat loss from deforestation, agricultural expansion, and illegal harvesting. Dioon purpursii Rose has restricted distribution and small populations, which until now are endemic in the state of Oaxaca in Mexico, and it has been included in the category of threatened and vulnerable. Three sites with D. purpusii plants were located in the state of Oaxaca. Structural and dendrometric characteristics of the population and physiognomic, floristic and environmental characteristics of the forest community at each site were determined. Dendrometric variables were evaluated by an analysis of variance (ANOVA), and a similarity analysis between sites was applied to all characteristics, followed by a cluster analysis to express the relationships between sites. The population structure of the three sites is typical of species in which a great frequency of seedlings and juveniles suggests optimal microhabitat conditions for initial establishment. The results of the ANOVA showed that the most developed plants were found at Site 3, followed by Sites 1 and 2. The floristic composition corresponded to the type of tropical deciduous forest vegetation in the region, where D. purpusii formed part of the tree, shrub and herb layers. The phenogram resulting from the similarity and cluster analyses showed that Sites 1 and 2 are more similar (0.97), and Site 3 less similar to the other two (0.84). Although the population structure of D. purpusii at the three sites is similar to that found for other cycad species, the main threats are the small number of reproductive individuals, harvesting of leaves, and the constant threat of habitat alteration, like construction of roads, contributing to extinction. Key words: cycadas, Dioon purpusii, population structure, physiognomy, conservation, Oaxaca, Mexico