A Circuit Implementing Massive Parallelism in Transition P Systems

ransition P-systems are based on biological membranes and try to emulate cell behavior and its evolution due to the presence of chemical elements. These systems perform computation through transition between two consecutive configurations, which consist in a m-tuple of multisets present at any moment in the existing m regions of the system. Transition between two configurations is performed by using evolution rules also present in each region. Among main Transition P-systems characteristics are massive parallelism and non determinism. This work is part of a very large project and tries to determine the design of a hardware circuit that can improve remarkably the process involved in the evolution of a membrane. Process in biological cells has two different levels of parallelism: the first one, obviously, is the evolution of each cell inside the whole set, and the second one is the application of the rules inside one membrane. This paper presents an evolution of the work done previously and includes an improvement that uses massive parallelism to do transition between two states. To achieve this, the initial set of rules is transformed into a new set that consists in all their possible combinations, and each of them is treated like a new rule (participant antecedents are added to generate a new multiset), converting an unique rule application in a way of parallelism in the means that several rules are applied at the same time. In this paper, we present a circuit that is able to process this kind of rules and to decode the result, taking advantage of all the potential that hardware has to implement P Systems versus previously proposed sequential solutions

Análisis empírico del papel de las competencias generales en el marco de los estudios superiores

En plena implantación de los nuevos planes de estudio de acuerdo al EEES, las universidades se enfrentan a un nuevo modelo educativo basado en competencias: competencias específicas y competencias generales. Las competencias específicas están asociadas a la adquisición y desarrollo de conocimientos de un área en particular, mientras que las competencias generales son transversales al plan de estudios y definen capacidades, habilidades y/o aptitudes que el alumno debe desarrollar para aplicarlas a lo largo de su carrera profesional. El objetivo de este trabajo es proporcionar una guía al docente sobre las posibles mejoras para tratar el mayor número de competencias generales satisfactoriamente. Concretamente, se ha analizado la manera en la que los docentes están promoviendo y desarrollando las competencias generales con el objetivo de detectar carencias, mejoras y necesidades. El análisis se ha realizado sobre el profesorado de la Titulación de Graduado en Ingeniería del Software de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.Peer Reviewe

Computational design-of-experiment unveils the conformational reaction coordinate of GH125 α-mannosidases

Conformational analysis of enzyme-catalyzed mannoside hydrolysis has revealed two predominant conformational itineraries through B 2,5 or 3H 4 transitionstate (TS) conformations. A prominent unassigned catalytic itinerary is that of exo-1,6-α-mannosidases belonging to CAZy family 125. A published complex of Clostridium perfringens GH125 enzyme with a nonhydrolyzable 1,6-α-thiomannoside substrate mimic bound across the active site revealed an undistorted 4 C 1 conformation and provided no insight into the catalytic pathway of this enzyme. We show through a purely computational approach (QM/MM metadynamics) that sulfur-for-oxygen substitution in the glycosidic linkage fundamentally alters the energetically accessible conformational space of a thiomannoside when bound within the GH12S active site. Modeling of the conformational free energy landscape (FEL) of a thioglycoside strongly favors a mechanistically uninformative 4 C 1 conformation within the GH125 enzyme active site, but the FEL of corresponding O-glycoside substrate reveals a preference for a Michaelis complex in an oS 2 conformation (consistent with catalysis through a B 2,5 TS). This prediction was tested experimentally by determination of the 3D X-ray structure of the pseudo-Michaelis complex of an inactive (D220N) variant of C. perfringens GH125 enzyme in complex with 1,6-α-mannobiose. This complex revealed unambiguous distortion of the -1 subsite mannoside to an oS 2 conformation, matching that predicted by theory and supporting an oS 2 → B 2,5 → 1S 5 conformational itinerary for GH125 α-mannosidases. This work highlights the power of the QM/MM approach and identified shortcomings in the use of nonhydrolyzable substrate analogues for conformational analysis of enzymebound species

Análisis Empírico del Papel de las Competencias Generales en el Marco de los Estudios Superiores.

En plena implantación de los nuevos planes de estudio de acuerdo al EEES, las universidades se enfrentan a un nuevo modelo educativo basado en competencias: competencias específicas y competencias generales. Las competencias específicas están asociadas a la adquisición y desarrollo de conocimientos de un área en particular, mientras que las competencias generales son transversales al plan de estudios y definen capacidades, habilidades y/o aptitudes que el alumno debe desarrollar para aplicarlas a lo largo de su carrera profesional. El objetivo de este trabajo es proporcionar una guía al docente sobre las posibles mejoras para tratar el mayor número de competencias generales satisfactoriamente. Concretamente, se ha analizado la manera en la que los docentes están promoviendo y desarrollando las competencias generales con el objetivo de detectar carencias, mejoras y necesidades. El análisis se ha realizado sobre el profesorado de la Titulación de Graduado en Ingeniería del Software de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

Análisis Empírico del Papel de las Competencias Generales en el Marco de los Estudios Superiores

En plena implantación de los nuevos planes de estudio de acuerdo al EEES, las universidades se enfrentan a un nuevo modelo educativo basado en competencias: competencias específicas y competencias generales. Las competencias específicas están asociadas a la adquisición y desarrollo de conocimientos de un área en particular, mientras que las competencias generales son transversales al plan de estudios y definen capacidades, habilidades y/o aptitudes que el alumno debe desarrollar para aplicarlas a lo largo de su carrera profesional. El objetivo de este trabajo es proporcionar una guía al docente sobre las posibles mejoras para tratar el mayor número de competencias generales satisfactoriamente. Concretamente, se ha analizado la manera en la que los docentes están promoviendo y desarrollando las competencias generales con el objetivo de detectar carencias, mejoras y necesidades. El análisis se ha realizado sobre el profesorado de la Titulación de Graduado en Ingeniería del Software de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.Parcialmente financiado por el Programa de Innovación Educativa 2010/2011 de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (proyecto Aprendizaje Ágil, Agile Learning) y por el programa de Personal Investigador en Formación de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

Role of Ethanolamine on the Stability of a Sol-Gel ZnO ink

This work presents a detailed structural and chemical characterization of the system formed by zinc acetate dihydrate (ZAD) and ethanolamine (EA) with methoxyethanol (ME), in order to describe its stability. The origin of the mixture degradation during storage at room conditions is analyzed. Complementary computational (or theoretical) DFT calculations on the precursor formed in this reaction in ME and those of EA (free or in the same solvent) and in the presence or absence of CO2, light or both simultaneously are also reported in order to clarify the relative weight of these factors in the degradation process. In all cases, the models were tested as potential energy minimum and their photo-absorption spectra were simulated. The calculations show that the monomeric species formed in this process tend to assembly into dimers, which are more photosensitive and reactive than the monomer. Our results explain the experimental observations and provide a better understanding of the role played by EA, ME and CO2 in the formation of ZnO and, consequently, allow optimizing the technological processes to prepare these films

Study of a sol-gel precursor and its evolution towards ZnO

The processes involved in the assembly of zinc acetate dihydrate {Zn(CH3COO)2·2H2O} and ethanolamine (H2NCH2CH2OH), with or without 2-methoxyethanol as solvent, have been analysed by infrared spectra, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, powder X-ray diffraction and computational studies. Thermal evolution of the mixtures was characterized by thermoanalytical and structural techniques (thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy). Computational studies together with experiments served to thoroughly describe the precursor and its decomposition. The thermal decomposition of the mixture and its transformation into crystalline ZnO take place in a temperature range between 50 and 450 °C through different processes. With solvent, the processes need temperatures 90 oC higher with respect to the mixture without solvent, and ZnO arises at 250 ºC

Conformational Itinerary of Sucrose During Hydrolysis by Retaining Amylosucrase

By means of QM(DFT)/MM metadynamics we have unraveled the hydrolytic reaction mechanism of Neisseria polysaccharea amylosucrase (NpAS), a member of GH13 family. Our results provide an atomistic picture of the active site reorganization along the catalytic double-displacement reaction, clarifying whether the glycosyl-enzyme reaction intermediate features an α-glucosyl unit in an undistorted 4C1 conformation, as inferred from structural studies, or a distorted 1S3-like conformation, as expected from mechanistic analysis of glycoside hydrolases (GHs). We show that, even though the first step of the reaction (glycosylation) results in a 4C1 conformation, the α-glucosyl unit undergoes an easy conformational change toward a distorted conformation as the active site preorganizes for the forthcoming reaction step (deglycosylation), in which an acceptor molecule, i.e., a water molecule for the hydrolytic reaction, performs a nucleophilic attack on the anomeric carbon. The two conformations (4C1 ad E3) can be viewed as two different states of the glycosyl-enzyme intermediate (GEI), but only the E3 state is preactivated for catalysis. These results are consistent with the general conformational itinerary observed for α-glucosidases

Agroecological training center

El proyecto se basa en un nuevo modelo pedagógico FORMATIVO EN AGRICULTURA, BILINGÜISMO Y PROMOCIÓN DEL TURISMO, enfoques planteados por la Fundación Nuluka con el fin de generar un equipamiento educativo que complemente la educación formal existente, por medio de espacios que promuevan el desarrollo de la IDENTIDAD CULTURAL propia del lugar en donde estará localizado y actualmente se encuentra la Fundación. La resultante urbana y arquitectónica corresponde a la reinterpretación del crecimiento morfológico de las estructuras ramificadas de los árboles con origen en la arquitectura biomorfica, generando un módulo flexible y replicable con facilidades de ampliación según las necesidades, y siendo delimitado por elementos naturales planeados desde conceptos bioclimáticos y de ARQUITECTURA DEL PAISAJE como estructurantes del espacio público. ABSTRACT. The Project is based in a new pedagogical model in formation of agriculture, bilingualism and turism promotion, approaches raised by Nuluka Fundation, who wants to create an educational equipment that complements the formal education that exist, through spaces that promote the development of the cultural identity own of the place where will be located and where is actualy ubicated the foundation. The urban and architectonic result of the agroecological center respond to an interpretation of the morphological growing that the ramificated structure of the trees gives, with origin on the biomorphical architecture, generating a flexible and repicable module with expansion facilities according to the needs and, be delimited for natural elements planed since bioclimatic concepts and landscape architecture to conform the public space

Utilización de chamota posconsumo en la formulación de una pasta refractaria como sustitución de la alúmina

O desenvolvimento de materiais cerâmicos refratários é derivado de indústrias que utilizam altas temperaturas em seus processos. O uso de material pós-consumo para a formulação de pastas refratárias é de interesse para o desenvolvimento sustentável com impacto econômico e ambiental. O objetivo deste trabalho é estudar o efeito da adição de chamotte pós-consumo em uma pasta refratária como substituição de alumina. A chamotte foi obtida a partir de tijolos isolantes refratários porosos que cumpriram seu ciclo de vida na indústria cerâmica. Estes foram submetidos a um processo de trituração usando um moinho de bolas até passar pela malha 50. A chamotte foi caracterizada por difração de raios X. Quatro misturas foram formuladas e sinterizadas a 1600 °C. Foram avaliados cone cromático (ASTM C-24), densidade e porosidade (ASTM C-20), contração linear e dilatometria. Os resultados indicam que a adição de chamotte pós-consumo reduz o cone pirrométrico do refratário obtido, a amostra que não contém chamotte tem um cone maior que 36 e a amostra de maior conteúdo possui um cone de 32, adequado para uso como tijolo refratário Com a adição de chamotte, a densidade das amostrasaumentou e a porosidade e contração diminuíram. Finalmente, no teste de dilatometria, são evidenciadas alterações na curva dilatométrica, atribuídas a uma maior formação de fase  líquida e finas devido à contribuição da sílica e do K2O presente na chamotte.El desarrollo de los materiales cerámicos refractarios ha sido derivado de las industrias que utilizan altas temperaturas en sus procesos. El uso de material posconsumo para la formulación de pastas refractarias es de interés para el desarrollo sostenible con impacto económico y ambiental. El objetivo de este trabajo es estudiar el efecto de la adición de chamota posconsumo en una pasta refractaria como reemplazo de alúmina. La chamota fue obtenida a partir de ladrillos aislantes refractarios porosos que cumplieron su ciclo de vida en la industria cerámica. Estos fueron sometidos a un proceso de conminución utilizando un molino de bolas hasta llevarlo a pasante malla 50. La chamota se caracterizó mediante Fluorecencia de rayos X. Se formularon cuatro mezclas y se sinterizaron a 1600 ºC. Se evaluó el cono pirométrico (ASTM C-24), la densidad y la porosidad (ASTM C-20), la contracción lineal y dilatometría. Los resultados indican que la adición de chamota posconsumo disminuye el cono pirométrico del refractario obtenido; la muestra que no contiene chamota tiene un cono superior a 36 y la muestra de mayor contenido tiene un cono de 32, los cuales son adecuados para el uso como ladrillo refractario. Con la adición de chamota se aumentó la densidad de las muestras y se disminuyó la porosidad y la contracción. Finalmente, en el ensayo de dilatometría se evidencian cambios en la curva dilatometría que se atribuyen a una mayor formación de fase líquida y mulita, debido al aporte que hace la sílice y el K2O presentes en la chamota.The development of refractory ceramic materials has been derived from industries that use high temperatures in their processes. The use of post-consumer material for the formulation of refractory pastes is of interest for sustainable development with economic and environmental impact. The objective of this work is to study the effect of the addition of post-consumption chamotte in a refractory paste as an alumina replacement. The chamotte was obtained from porous refractory insulating bricks that fulfilled their life cycle in the ceramic industry. These were subjected to a comminution process using a ball mill until it was passed through 50 mesh. The chamotte was characterized by X-ray diffraction. Four mixtures were formulated and sintered at 1600 °C. Pyrometric cone (ASTM C-24), density and porosity (ASTMC-20), linear contraction and dilatometry were evaluated. The results indicate that the addition of postconsumption chamotte reduces the pyrometric cone of the refractory obtained, the sample that does not contain chamotte has a cone over 36 and the sample of higher content has a cone 32, which are suitable for use as a refractory brick. With the addition of chamotte, the density of the samples was increased and the porosity and contraction decreased. Finally, in the dilatometry test, changes in the dilatometric curve are evidenced, which are attributed to a greater formation of liquid phase and fines due to the contribution made by silica and K2O present in the chamotte