CHARMS: A Charter Management System. Automating the Integration of Electronic Institutions and Humans

The execution of process models is usually presented through a graphical user interface, especially when users¿ input is required. Existing mechanisms, such as Electronic Institutions (EIs), provide means to easily specify and automatically execute process models. However, every time the specification is modified, the graphical user interface (GUI) needed during the execution stage should be manually modified accordingly. This paper proposes a system that helps maintain such GUIs in an efficient and automated manner. We present and test Charms, a system built on top of EIs that allows the automatic creation and update of GUIs based on the provided process model specification. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.This work has been supported by: the LiquidPublications project (project.LiquidPub.org), funded by the Seventh Framework Programme for Research of the European Commission under fet-open grant number 213360; the Agreement Technologies project (www.agreement-technologies.org), funded by consolider csd 2007-0022, ingenio 2010; and the cbit project on community-building information technology, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under grant number TIN2010-16306.Peer Reviewe

Global constraints in distributed constraint satisfaction and optimization

Global constraints are an essential component in the efficiency of centralized constraint programming. We propose to include global constraints in distributed constraint satisfaction problem (DisCSP) and distributed constraint optimization problem (DCOP). We detail how this inclusion can be done, considering different representations for global constraints (direct, nested, binary). We explore the relation of global constraints with local consistency (both in the hard and soft cases), in particular, for generalized arc consistency (GAC). We provide experimental evidence of the benefits of global constraints on several benchmarks, both for distributed constraint satisfaction and for distributed constraint optimization. © 2013 The Author.2009-SGR-1434; Generalitat de CatalunyaPeer Reviewe

EL JUEGO DE LA VIDA Y BÚSQUEDA LOCAL

En este artículo se desarrolla e implementa un autómata celular conocido como el juego de la vida. Se define su estructura básica y se programa utilizando técnicas de búsqueda local, para hallar una solución

Collaborative Peer Assessment using PeerLearn

In this chapter we introduce the PeerLearn methodology and its associated tools. We base the design of pedagogical workflows for students on the definition of rubrics (using PeerAssess) as the starting element that drives the creation of lesson plans (using LessonEditor). These plans run over our web platform (Peer-Flow). Students can evaluate one another following given rubrics and teachers can accept (or not) marks produced by a collaborative assessment tool (COMAS). Experimental results show that PeerLearn provide students with a highly satisfying new pedagogical experience and increased learning outcomes. © 2015 The authors and IOS Press.Peer reviewe

Music Learning with Massive Open Online Courses

Steels, Luc et al.-- Editors: Luc SteelsMassive Open Online Courses, known as MOOCs, have arisen as the logical consequence of marrying long-distance education with the web and social media. MOOCs were confidently predicted by advanced thinkers decades ago. They are undoubtedly here to stay, and provide a valuable resource for learners and teachers alike. This book focuses on music as a domain of knowledge, and has three objectives: to introduce the phenomenon of MOOCs; to present ongoing research into making MOOCs more effective and better adapted to the needs of teachers and learners; and finally to present the first steps towards 'social MOOCs’, which support the creation of learning communities in which interactions between learners go beyond correcting each other's assignments. Social MOOCs try to mimic settings for humanistic learning, such as workshops, small choirs, or groups participating in a Hackathon, in which students aided by somebody acting as a tutor learn by solving problems and helping each other. The papers in this book all discuss steps towards social MOOCs; their foundational pedagogy, platforms to create learning communities, methods for assessment and social feedback and concrete experiments. These papers are organized into five sections: background; the role of feedback; platforms for learning communities; experiences with social MOOCs; and looking backwards and looking forward. Technology is not a panacea for the enormous challenges facing today's educators and learners, but this book will be of interest to all those striving to find more effective and humane learning opportunities for a larger group of students.Funded by the European Commission's OpenAIRE2020 project.Peer reviewe

The G protein-coupled receptor heterodimer network (GPCR-HetNet) and its hub components

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) oligomerization has emerged as a vital characteristic of receptor structure. Substantial experimental evidence supports the existence of GPCR-GPCR interactions in a coordinated and cooperative manner. However, despite the current development of experimental techniques for large-scale detection of GPCR heteromers, in order to understand their connectivity it is necessary to develop novel tools to study the global heteroreceptor networks. To provide insight into the overall topology of the GPCR heteromers and identify key players, a collective interaction network was constructed. Experimental interaction data for each of the individual human GPCR protomers was obtained manually from the STRING and SCOPUS databases. The interaction data were used to build and analyze the network using Cytoscape software. The network was treated as undirected throughout the study. It is comprised of 156 nodes, 260 edges and has a scale-free topology. Connectivity analysis reveals a significant dominance of intrafamily versus interfamily connections. Most of the receptors within the network are linked to each other by a small number of edges. DRD2, OPRM, ADRB2, AA2AR, AA1R, OPRK, OPRD and GHSR are identified as hubs. In a network representation 10 modules/clusters also appear as a highly interconnected group of nodes. Information on this GPCR network can improve our understanding of molecular integration. GPCR-HetNet has been implemented in Java and is freely available at http://www.iiia.csic.es/similar to ismel/GPCR-Nets/index.html

The G protein-coupled receptor heterodimer network (GPCR-HetNet) and its hub components

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) oligomerization has emerged as a vital characteristic of receptor structure. Substantial experimental evidence supports the existence of GPCR-GPCR interactions in a coordinated and cooperative manner. However, despite the current development of experimental techniques for large-scale detection of GPCR heteromers, in order to understand their connectivity it is necessary to develop novel tools to study the global heteroreceptor networks. To provide insight into the overall topology of the GPCR heteromers and identify key players, a collective interaction network was constructed. Experimental interaction data for each of the individual human GPCR protomers was obtained manually from the STRING and SCOPUS databases. The interaction data were used to build and analyze the network using Cytoscape software. The network was treated as undirected throughout the study. It is comprised of 156 nodes, 260 edges and has a scale-free topology. Connectivity analysis reveals a significant dominance of intrafamily versus interfamily connections. Most of the receptors within the network are linked to each other by a small number of edges. DRD2, OPRM, ADRB2, AA2AR, AA1R, OPRK, OPRD and GHSR are identified as hubs. In a network representation 10 modules/clusters also appear as a highly interconnected group of nodes. Information on this GPCR network can improve our understanding of molecular integration. GPCR-HetNet has been implemented in Java and is freely available at http://www.iiia.csic.es/~ismel/GPCR-Nets/index.html. © 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.This work has been supported by the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences (Stiftelsen B. von Beskows Fond and Stiftelsen Hierta-Retzius stipendiefond) and Karolinska Institutets Forskningsstiftelser 2011 and 2012 to D.O.B.-E., by grants from the Swedish Medical Research Council (04X-715), Telethon TV3’s La Marató Foundation 2008 and Hjärnfonden to K.F., D.O.B.-E., I.B. and W.R.-F. belong to the “Academia de Biólogos Cubanos” group. Feliciano Calvo and Carmelo Million are acknowledged for their support during the GPCR heterodimer list preparation.Peer Reviewe

Unveiling the Synergistic Interplay of Neuropeptides for Novel Therapeutic Approaches in Neurodegenerative and Depressive Disorders.

The intricate relationship between hippocampal neurogenesis dysregulation and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, as well as depression, has sparked an urgent call for innovative therapeutic strategies. Our groundbreaking study delves into the interaction of Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and galanin (GAL) agonists, two neuromodulatory systems with a substantial presence in the limbic system, and their potential neurogenic impact on both the dorsal and ventral hippocampus. Through meticulous examination of the subchronic e"ects of NPY Y1 (Y1R) and GAL2 (GALR2) agonists on hippocampal cell proliferation, survival, and neuroprotective factor expression, we reveal a fascinating cascade of cellular responses. These include increased cell proliferation (PCNA), enhanced hippocampal cell survival (BrdU), and induction of neuroprotective factors (BDNF). Our functional assessment showcases the resulting improvements in spatial memory performance in the object-in-place task and antidepressant-like e"ects in the forced swimming test. These outcomes are attributed to the synergistic interaction between Y1R and GALR2 receptors, which promote neuronal survival and neurite outgrowth in hippocampal cells. This pioneering research paves the way for the development of heterobivalent agonist pharmacophores that target Y1R-GALR2 heterocomplexes. By acting on neuronal precursor cells in the dentate gyrus of the dorsal hippocampus, these novel compounds hold immense promise as transformative therapies for cognitive and a"ective impairments in neurodegenerative and depressive diseases.Supported by the Proy_Excel_2021_0613 (Junta de Andalucía) and Proyecto Puente (B4-2021) (UMA), Spain to MN. Swedish Medical Research Council, Sweden (62X-00715-50-3), to KF, by Stiftelsen Olle Engkvist Byggmästare to KF, and by Hjärnfonden, Sweden (F02018-0286), Hjärnfonden, Sweden (F02019-0296) and EMERGIA2020 (Junta de Andalucía), to DOBE. Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

On the Role of the Balance of GPCR Homo/ Heteroreceptor Complexes in the Brain

The early work on neuropeptide-monoamine receptor-receptor interactions in the Central Nervous System gave the first indications of the existence of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) heteroreceptor complexes and the GPCR field began to expand from monomers into heteromers and higher order heteromers, including also GPCR-ion channel, Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTK)-GPCR and Receptor activity-modifying proteins-GPCR heteroreceptor complexes. The existence of heteroreceptor complexes with allosteric receptor-receptor interactions increases the diversity of receptor function including recognition, trafficking and signalling. We have proposed the molecular phenomenon of receptor-receptor interactions as a good way to understand of how brain function can increase through molecular integration of signals. An alteration in specific receptor-receptor interactions or their balance/equilibrium (with the corresponding monomers-homomers) are indeed considered to have a role in the pathogenic mechanisms that lead to various diseases, including drug addiction, depression, Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. Therefore, targeting protomer-protomer interactions in heteroreceptor complexes or the balance with their corresponding homoreceptor complexes in discrete brain regions may become an important field for developing novel drugs, including heterobivalent drugs and optimal types of combined treatments. Increasing our understanding of molecular integration of signals via allosteric receptor-receptor interactions in the heteroreceptor complexes will have a major impact on the molecular medicine, leading to novel strategies for drug discovery and treatment of diseases

On the Role of the Balance of GPCR Homo/ Heteroreceptor Complexes in the Brain

The early work on neuropeptide-monoamine receptor-receptor interactions in the Central Nervous System gave the first indications of the existence of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) heteroreceptor complexes and the GPCR field began to expand from monomers into heteromers and higher order heteromers, including also GPCR-ion channel, Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTK)-GPCR and Receptor activity-modifying proteins-GPCR heteroreceptor complexes. The existence of heteroreceptor complexes with allosteric receptor-receptor interactions increases the diversity of receptor function including recognition, trafficking and signalling. We have proposed the molecular phenomenon of receptor-receptor interactions as a good way to understand of how brain function can increase through molecular integration of signals. An alteration in specific receptor-receptor interactions or their balance/equilibrium (with the corresponding monomers-homomers) are indeed considered to have a role in the pathogenic mechanisms that lead to various diseases, including drug addiction, depression, Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. Therefore, targeting protomer-protomer interactions in heteroreceptor complexes or the balance with their corresponding homoreceptor complexes in discrete brain regions may become an important field for developing novel drugs, including heterobivalent drugs and optimal types of combined treatments. Increasing our understanding of molecular integration of signals via allosteric receptor-receptor interactions in the heteroreceptor complexes will have a major impact on the molecular medicine, leading to novel strategies for drug discovery and treatment of diseases