Serializing the Parallelism in Parallel Communicating Pushdown Automata Systems

We consider parallel communicating pushdown automata systems (PCPA) and define a property called known communication for it. We use this property to prove that the power of a variant of PCPA, called returning centralized parallel communicating pushdown automata (RCPCPA), is equivalent to that of multi-head pushdown automata. The above result presents a new sub-class of returning parallel communicating pushdown automata systems (RPCPA) called simple-RPCPA and we show that it can be written as a finite intersection of multi-head pushdown automata systems

Modelling of Multi-Agent Systems: Experiences with Membrane Computing and Future Challenges

Formal modelling of Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) is a challenging task due to high complexity, interaction, parallelism and continuous change of roles and organisation between agents. In this paper we record our research experience on formal modelling of MAS. We review our research throughout the last decade, by describing the problems we have encountered and the decisions we have made towards resolving them and providing solutions. Much of this work involved membrane computing and classes of P Systems, such as Tissue and Population P Systems, targeted to the modelling of MAS whose dynamic structure is a prominent characteristic. More particularly, social insects (such as colonies of ants, bees, etc.), biology inspired swarms and systems with emergent behaviour are indicative examples for which we developed formal MAS models. Here, we aim to review our work and disseminate our findings to fellow researchers who might face similar challenges and, furthermore, to discuss important issues for advancing research on the application of membrane computing in MAS modelling.Comment: In Proceedings AMCA-POP 2010, arXiv:1008.314

Analysis of Y-chromosomal haplotypes and haplogroups distribution in a population sample from Portugal (central area)

Abstract. The aim of this study was to analyse the distribution of Y-chromosomal haplotypes and haplogroups found in central Portugal. In this work, we analysed 102 unrelated individuals of central Portugal. Combining the allelic state of 10 biallelic markers (YAP, SRY-8299, 92R7, 12f2, SRY-1532, SRY-2627, Tat, SY81, M9, LLY22g), we defined the haplogroup to which each sample belonged. Y-chromosomal haplotypes were defined by 16 Y-Short Tandem Repeats (STR) (DYS19, DYS385 a/b, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, DYS460, DYS461, GATA A10, GATA C4 and GATA H4). This population study defined 8 different haplogroups and 101 different haplotypes, where 100 haplotypes were unique and 1 was found in two apparently unrelated individuals, both belonging to the same haplogroup.

Definition of a temporal distribution index for high temporal resolution precipitation data over Peninsular Spain and the Balearic Islands: the fractal dimension; and its synoptic implications

Precipitation on the Spanish mainland and in the Balearic archipelago exhibits a high degree of spatial and temporal variability, regardless of the temporal resolution of the data considered. The fractal dimension indicates the property of self-similarity, and in the case of this study, wherein it is applied to the temporal behaviour of rainfall at a fine (10-min) resolution from a total of 48 observatories, it provides insights into its more or less convective nature. The methodology of Jenkinson & Collison which automatically classifies synoptic situations at the surface, as well as an adaptation of this methodology at 500 hPa, was applied in order to gain insights into the synoptic implications of extreme values of the fractal dimension. The highest fractal dimension values in the study area were observed in places with precipitation that has a more random behaviour over time with generally high totals. Four different regions in which the atmospheric mechanisms giving rise to precipitation at the surface differ from the corresponding above-ground mechanisms have been identified in the study area based on the fractal dimension. In the north of the Iberian Peninsula, high fractal dimension values are linked to a lower frequency of anticyclonic situations, whereas the opposite occurs in the central region. In the Mediterranean, higher fractal dimension values are associated with a higher frequency of the anticyclonic type and a lower frequency of the advective type from the east. In the south, lower fractal dimension values indicate higher frequency with respect to the anticyclonic type from the east and lower frequency with respect to the cyclonic type

Visceral dissemination of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis in a kidney transplant recipient

Intracellular protozoan of the genus Leishmania, endemic in the Mediterranean basin, are the cause of cutaneous (CL), mucocutaneous (MCL), and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). A 75-year-old woman was admitted nine years after a second kidney transplant (KT), due to persistent pancytopenia and fever. She presented edema and erythema of the nose in the last two years and an exophytic nodular lesion located on the left arm, with areas of peripheral necrosis and central ulceration in the last 18 months. A bone marrow biopsy revealed features compatible with Leishmania amastigotes, and polymerase chain reaction test (PCR) for Leishmania infantum was positive. Moreover, biopsy and PCR for L. infantum of the cutaneous lesion on the patient’s left arm and nose and PCR from peripheral blood were positive. Thus, a diagnosis of CL, MCL, and VL was made, and liposomal amphotericin B was initiated, but the patient had an unfavorable outcome and died. This is the first report of a KT recipient presenting with the entire spectrum of leishmaniasis. In Portugal, this infection is rare—so a high degree of clinical suspicion is required for its diagnosis, especially in endemic regions, as visceral leishmaniasis is a potentially life-threatening infection

Testing MOS precipitation downscaling for ENSEMBLES regional climate models over Spain

Model Output Statistics (MOS) has been recently proposed as an alternative to the standard perfect prognosis statistical downscaling approach for Regional Climate Model (RCM) outputs. In this case, the model output for the variable of interest (e.g. precipitation) is directly downscaled using observations. In this paper we test the performance of a MOS implementation of the popular analog methodology (referred to as MOS analog) applied to downscale daily precipitation outputs over Spain. To this aim, we consider the state‐of‐the‐art ERA40‐driven RCMs provided by the EU‐funded ENSEMBLES project and the Spain02 gridded observations data set, using the common period 1961–2000. The MOS analog method improves the representation of the mean regimes, the annual cycle, the frequency and the extremes of precipitation for all RCMs, regardless of the region and the model reliability (including relatively low‐performing models), while preserving the daily accuracy. The good performance of the method in this complex climatic region suggests its potential transferability to other regions. Furthermore, in order to test the robustness of the method in changing climate conditions, a cross‐validation in driest or wettest years was performed. The method improves the RCM results in both cases, especially in the former

A scoping review and thematic analysis of social and behavioural research among HIV-serodiscordant couples in high-income settings.

CAPRISA, 2015.Abstract available in pdf

Y-chromosome STRs DYS385, DYS19, DYS389-I and II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392 and DYS393 in five African populations

Background: The Y chromosome has been used to compare the relationship between populations, representing a rich source of potential information to trace paternal lineages and providing a record of our relatedness. Among different population groups, African populations seem to be very interesting to study, considering the theory of the origin of modern humans and the ethnic variability usually existing. Methods: Five male populations from Angola (n=48), Cap Verde (n=47), Guinea-Bissau (n=32), Mozambique (n=36) and S. Tome and Prince (n=30) were studied for Y-chromosome Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) DYS385, in addition to DYS19, DYS389-I and II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392 and DYS393 previously searched. Results: The high DYS385 polymorphism confers a considerable variability to the Y-chromosome haplotype. Conclusions: The comparisons between the African populations and other data, namely from a Portuguese population, showed an interesting location of insular populations, with an intermediate position between Caucasoid and African continental populations, probably due to the European presence in the colonization of those islands.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B7581-47W664D-1J2/1/2978df1edb06f8f730190d2224a1950