What is essential? – a pilot survey on views about the requirements metamodel of reqT.org

[Context & motivation] This research preview paper presents ongoing work on the metamodel of a free software requirements modeling tool called reqT that is developed in an educational context. The work aims to make an initial validation of a survey instrument that elicits views on the metamodel of the reqT tool, which aims to engage computer science students in Requirements Engineering (RE) through an open source DSL embedded in the Scala programming language. [Question] The research question is: Which RE concepts are essential to include in the metamodel for a requirements engineering tool in an educational context? [Principal ideas] A survey instrument is developed, with a list of 92 concepts (49 entities, 15 relations and 28 attributes) and a set of questions for each concept, to elicit the respondents’ views on the usage and interpretation of each concept. [Contribution] The survey is initially validated in a pilot study involving 14 Swedish RE scholars as subjects. The survey results indicate that the survey is feasible. The analysis of the responses suggest that many of the concepts in the metamodel are used frequently by the respondents and there is a large degree of agreement among the respondents about the meaning of the concepts. The results are encouraging for future work on empirical validation of the relevance of the reqT metamodel

Automation of product packaging for industrial applications

[EN] This work presents a robotic-based solution devised to automate the product packaging in industrial environments. Although the proposed approach is illustrated for the case of the shoe industry, it applies to many other products requiring similar packaging processes. The main advantage obtained with the automated task is that productivity could be significantly increased. The key algorithms for the developed robot system are: object detection using a computer vision system; object grasping; trajectory planning with collision avoidance; and operator interaction using a force/torque sensor. All these algorithms have been experimentally tested in the laboratory to show the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed approach.This work has been partly supported by Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad of the Spanish Government [Grant No. RTC201654086 and PRI-AIBDE-2011-1219], by the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) of the German Government (Projekt-ID 54368155) and by ROBOFOOT project [Grant No. 260159] of the European Commission.Perez-Vidal, C.; Gracia, L.; De Paco, J.; Wirkus, M.; Azorin, J.; De Gea, J. (2018). Automation of product packaging for industrial applications. International Journal of Computer Integrated Manufacturing. 31(2):129-137. https://doi.org/10.1080/0951192X.2017.1369165S12913731

Overriding Plate Thickness as a Controlling Factor for Trench Retreat Rates in Narrow Subduction Zones

Slab width is a significant factor in controlling subduction zone dynamics, particularly the retreat velocities, which tend to decrease with wider slabs. However, observations of natural narrow subduction zones reveal no correlation between slab width and trench velocities. This suggests that other factors may exert a greater influence. In this study, we employ 3D numerical subduction models to systematically assess the impact of slab width, strength of slab coupling to the lateral plate (LP), and overriding plate (OP) thickness on trench kinematics and geometry. Our models focus on narrow slabs (400–1,200 km), and the results demonstrate that, in the case of narrow subduction zones, the slab width has little effect on trench migration rates and the viscous coupling at the lateral slab edge is only important for very narrow subduction zones (≤800 km). Conversely, the OP thickness emerges as a crucial factor, with increasing plate thickness leading to a strong decrease in trench velocities. These findings provide an explanation for the observed trench velocities in natural narrow subduction zones, where an inverse relationship with OP thickness is evident. Furthermore, our study reveals that not only slab width, but also the OP thickness and the slab coupling to the LP, significantly influence trench geometry. Strong lateral coupling promotes the formation of concave trench geometries, while thick overriding plates favor the development of “w”‐shaped geometries. Overall, a comprehensive understanding of subduction processes necessitates considering the interplay between slab width, OP thickness, and slab coupling to the LP

Diagnostic performance of preoperative CT in differentiating between benign and malignant origin of suspicious gallbladder lesions

Purpose: To determine diagnostic performance of preoperative CT in differentiating between benign and malignant suspicious gallbladder lesions and to develop a preoperative risk score. Method: All patients referred between January 2007 and September 2018 for suspicion of gallbladder cancer (GBC) or incidentally found GBC were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were excluded when preoperative CT or histopathologic examination was lacking. Two radiologists, blinded to histopathology results, independently reviewed CT images to differentiate benign disease from GBC. Multivariable analysis and internal validation were used to develop a risk score for GBC. Model discrimination, calibration, and diagnostic performance were assessed. Results: In total, 118 patients with 39 malignant (33 %) and 79 benign (67 %) lesions were included. Sensitivity of CT for diagnosing GBC was 90 % (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 76?97). Specificity rates were 61 % (95 % CI: 49?72) and 59 % (95 % CI: 48?70). Three predictors of GBC (irregular lesion aspect, absence of fat stranding, and locoregional lymphadenopathy) were included in the risk score ranging from -1 to 4. Adequate performance was found (AUC: 0.79, calibration slope: 0.89). In patients allocated >0 points, the model showed higher performance in excluding GBC than the radiologists (sensitivity 92 % [95 % CI: 79?98]). Moreover, when allocated >3 points, the risk score was superior in diagnosing GBC (specificity 99 % [95 % CI: 93?100]). Conclusions: Sensitivity rates of CT for differentiation between benign and malignant gallbladder lesions are high, however specificity rates are relatively low. The proposed risk score may facilitate differentiation between benign and malignant suspicious gallbladder lesions

Phytotoxicity of sewage sludge biochars prepared at different pyrolysis conditions

6 Pags.- 8 Figs.- 3 Tabls. Creative Commons License Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).Pyrolysis of sewage sludge was carried out at three different lab-scale reactors and conditions: an Auger reactor for sewage sludge pyrolysis at low temperature (300ºC), a stirred batch reactor (530ºC) and a fluidised bed reactor (530ºC). The starting material is anaerobically digested and thermally dried sewage sludge from a wastewater treatment plant located in Spain. A preliminary study to assess the feasibility of application to soil of the three biochars was performed using two germination tests and a greenhouse experiment. Water soluble compounds from biochar did not affect seed germination, but volatile compounds reduced germination of more sensitive seeds. Biochar applied to soil at agricultural rates (20 t/ha) reduced growth and development of a corn crop. No differential effects of the three pyrolysis conditions were found.The Authors are grateful to the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) for the Project CTQ2013-47260-R.Peer reviewe

Course of uncomplicated acute gastroenteritis in children presenting to out-of-hours primary care

Background The aim of this article is to describe the courses of vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and clinical deterioration, in children with uncomplicated gastroenteritis at presentation. This study was performed as a 7-day prospective follow-up study in an out-of-hours primary care service. The course of vomiting, diarrhea, and fever was analyzed by generalized linear mixed modeling. Because young children ( 90%). Vomiting and fever decreased rapidly, but diarrhea decreased at a somewhat slower pace, especially among children aged 6-12 months. Children who deteriorated during follow-up had a higher frequency of vomiting at presentation and higher frequencies of vomiting and fever during follow-up. Conclusions The frequency of vomiting, not its duration, appears to be the more important predictor of deterioration. When advising parents, it is important to explain the typical symptom duration and to focus on alarm symptoms. Clinicians should be vigilant for children with higher vomiting frequencies at presentation and during follow-up because these children are more likely to deteriorate

Incidencia de los juegos deportivos de oposición sobre los estados de ánimo en universitarios

Este estudio pretende identificar la intensidad de los estados de ánimo durante la práctica de juegos deportivos de oposición y comprobar la relación existente con el historial deportivo de los participantes. Participaron 147 estudiantes universitarios los cuales cumplimentaron el cuestionario POMS (Profile of Mood State). Los resultados indican como las dimensiones tensión y vigor se vivieron con mayor intensidad en los juegos, mientras que depresión y rabia menores. Contar con experiencia deportiva fue determinante. Los jugadores con historial deportivo puntuaron más para la dimensión vigor. Los resultados permiten orientar las intervenciones de futuros profesionales gracias a las experiencias prácticas vivenciadas dentro del ámbito educativo y deportivo.This study intends to identify the intensity of mood states whilst playing competitive sports games and verify the existing relationship with the participants' sporting record. 147 college students took part in the research, who completed the POMS (Profile of Mood State) questionnaire. Analysis showed that the tension and vigour dimensions were experienced with greater intensity in sports games, while the depression and anger dimensions decreased in intensity. Having experience playing sports was an important factor, showing that players with a record of playing sports scored higher levels in the vigour dimension. The results help to guide interventions by future professionals due to practical experience gained in the field of education and sports.Os objetivos deste estudo são identificar a intensidade de Estados de humor para a prática de jogos de esportes de oposição e verificar a relação existente com rastreamento de esporte dos participantes. Partiparam um total de 147 estudantes universitários que completaram o questionário POMS (Perfil do Estado de Humor) adaptado para o espanhol por Balaguer, Fuentes, Meliá e García-Merita (1993). Os resultados indicam que o dimensões de vigor e tensão eram experientes com maior intensidade nos jogos de esportes, durante a depressão e raiva dimensões diminuíram de intensidade. A presença de experiência anterior de esportes foi um fator importante, mostrando os jogadores com os jogadores registro de rastreamento esporte níveis mais elevados para a dimensão de vigor. Resultados ajudam a orientar futuras intervenções por profissionais devido a experiência prática experiente no educativo e o campo de esporte

The coherent interaction between matter and radiation - A tutorial on the Jaynes-Cummings model

The Jaynes-Cummings (JC) model is a milestone in the theory of coherent interaction between a two-level system and a single bosonic field mode. This tutorial aims to give a complete description of the model, analyzing the Hamiltonian of the system, its eigenvalues and eigestates, in order to characterize the dynamics of system and subsystems. The Rabi oscillations, together with the collapse and revival effects, are distinguishing features of the JC model and are important for applications in Quantum Information theory. The framework of cavity quantum electrodynamics (cQED) is chosen and two fundamental experiments on the coherent interaction between Rydberg atoms and a single cavity field mode are described.Comment: 22 pages, 7 figures. Tutorial. Submitted to a special issue of EPJ - ST devoted to the memory of Federico Casagrand

NCN–Pincer–Pd Complex as Catalyst for the Hiyama Reaction in Biomass-Derived Solvents

A NCN–pincer–Pd complex has been synthesized and applied to Hiyama-type cross-coupling reactions between aryl halides and different types of organosilanes using neoteric solvents. This report constitutes a green approach to cross-coupling reactions since the reagents employed are stable and nontoxic. The solvents used (deep eutectic solvents based on choline chloride or glycerol) are also biodegradable, nontoxic, nonflammable, and biorenewable. Furthermore, the catalytic system can be recycled, allowing us to perform the reaction for at least three cycles without adding more catalyst or solvent, increasing the value of the process from an economical and environmental point of view. The effect of these solvents on the catalytic activity has been studied. Finally, a gram-scale reaction has also been tested affording biaryl products in high yields and purity by a simple liquid–liquid extraction, without the need of aqueous workup or chromatographic steps, proving the applicability of this approach in a sustainable industrial scale.This work was supported by the University of Alicante (VIGROB-173) and the Spanish Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (CTQ2015-66624-P). X.M. thanks Generalitat Valenciana (ACIF/2016/057) for a fellowship