SAT based Enforcement of Domotic Effects in Smart Environments

The emergence of economically viable and efficient sensor technology provided impetus to the development of smart devices (or appliances). Modern smart environments are equipped with a multitude of smart devices and sensors, aimed at delivering intelligent services to the users of smart environments. The presence of these diverse smart devices has raised a major problem of managing environments. A rising solution to the problem is the modeling of user goals and intentions, and then interacting with the environments using user defined goals. `Domotic Effects' is a user goal modeling framework, which provides Ambient Intelligence (AmI) designers and integrators with an abstract layer that enables the definition of generic goals in a smart environment, in a declarative way, which can be used to design and develop intelligent applications. The high-level nature of domotic effects also allows the residents to program their personal space as they see fit: they can define different achievement criteria for a particular generic goal, e.g., by defining a combination of devices having some particular states, by using domain-specific custom operators. This paper describes an approach for the automatic enforcement of domotic effects in case of the Boolean application domain, suitable for intelligent monitoring and control in domotic environments. Effect enforcement is the ability to determine device configurations that can achieve a set of generic goals (domotic effects). The paper also presents an architecture to implement the enforcement of Boolean domotic effects, and results obtained from carried out experiments prove the feasibility of the proposed approach and highlight the responsiveness of the implemented effect enforcement architectur

A Bayesian method for point source polarization estimation

The estimation of the polarization $P$ of extragalactic compact sources in Cosmic Microwave Background images is a very important task in order to clean these images for cosmological purposes -- as, for example, to constrain the tensor-to-scalar ratio of primordial fluctuations during inflation -- and also to obtain relevant astrophysical information about the compact sources themselves in a frequency range, $\nu \sim 10$--$200$ GHz, where observations have only very recently started to be available. In this paper we propose a Bayesian maximum a posteriori (MAP) approach estimation scheme which incorporates prior information about the distribution of the polarization fraction of extragalactic compact sources between 1 and 100 GHz. We apply this Bayesian scheme to white noise simulations and to more realistic simulations that include CMB intensity, Galactic foregrounds and instrumental noise with the characteristics of the QUIJOTE experiment Wide Survey at 11 GHz. Using these simulations, we also compare our Bayesian method with the frequentist Filtered Fusion method that has been already used in WMAP data and in the \emph{Planck} mission. We find that the Bayesian method allows us to decrease the threshold for a feasible estimation of $P$ to levels below $\sim 100$ mJy (as compared to $\sim 500$ mJy that was the equivalent threshold for the frequentist Filtered Fusion). We compare the bias introduced by the Bayesian method and find it to be small in absolute terms. Finally, we test the robustness of the Bayesian estimator against uncertainties in the prior and in the flux density of the sources. We find that the Bayesian estimator is robust against moderate changes in the parameters of the prior and almost insensitive to realistic errors in the estimated photometry of the sources.Comment: 15 pages, 12 figures, submitted to A&

Formative and shared evaluation in 1st course of childhood education: a successful experience in mathematics area

A lo largo del siguiente trabajo mostramos una experiencia de evaluación formativa y compartida puesta en práctica en la asignatura de matemáticas en el 1º curso de Educación Primaria. Exponemos los resultados obtenidos al aplicar una nueva forma de evaluar, entendiendo la evaluación como una herramienta que permite generar aprendizaje y donde los alumnos cobran un papel destacado. En el estudio se muestran las principales actividades de aprendizaje puestas en práctica durante el curso escolar y los instrumentos empleados tanto por parte de los alumnos en su proceso de evaluación (caras, Óscar, estrellas, etc.) como por el docente (escalas verbales, filmaciones, diario, etc.); además de dar a conocer las principales ventajas e inconvenientes encontradas tras la aplicación de la experiencia. Finalmente, los resultados de la investigación muestran como a través de este sistema de evaluación se produce una mejora significativa en el nivel general de la clase, una mayor motivación, autonomía y compromiso hacia la tarea por parte de los alumnos, además de fortalecerse otros ámbitos del desarrollo; siendo clave la participación de la familia en todo el proceso.Throughout this doctoral thesis, we show a formative and shared evaluation experience and it was implemented during mathematics subject of 1st course of childhood education. We present the obtained results by applying a new evaluating way, in which, evaluation is understood as a tool that allows learning and where students take a prominent role. The doctoral thesis shows the main learning activities implemented during the school year and the tools used by the students in their evaluation process (faces, Oscar, stars, etc.) and by the teacher (verbal scales, filming, diary, etc.); as well as makes publish the main advantages and disadvantages found during the program implementation.Finally, the results of the research show how this evaluation system allow a significant improvement in the general level of the class, a greater motivation, autonomy and commitment to the task by the students, beside to improve other areas of the development where the cooperation of the family in the whole process is key

Evaluación Formativa y Compartida en Educación Infantil. Revisión de una Experiencia Didáctica

This study examines the processes and results of implementing formative and co-assessment with a group of 14 Spanish students in the second cycle of pre-school education (5-6 years of age). The aim is to determine the degree of effectiveness of the project. The teaching methodology used in the experience is predominantly experiential, engaging a wide range of the students’ senses and based on their interests and motivations. A qualitative research methodology is used including; teacher’s journal, photos, video recordings and observation sheets. The analysis is conducted through an emerging process of categorization. The results show that formative and co-assessment increase student motivation, autonomy, commitment to the task and self-improvement. They also encourage the teacher’s professional development by providing a processes of reflection and improvement on their own practice. In conclusion, we maintain that it is viable to develop formative and co-assessment processes in early childhood education and that they have a positive influence on the learning and autonomy of students, as well improving the climate in the classroom, provided that the assessment system implemented is consistent with the rest of didactic methodology.Este estudio analiza los procesos y resultados de una propuesta de evaluación formativa y compartida puesta en práctica con un grupo de 14 alumnos de Segundo Ciclo de Educación Infantil (5-6 años), estudiando el grado de eficacia del proyecto. La metodología didáctica utilizada en la experiencia es predominantemente vivencial, implicando el mayor números de sentidos del alumno y partiendo de sus intereses y motivaciones. Se utiliza una metodología de investigación cualitativa: diario de la profesora, fotografías, grabación de vídeos y fichas de observación. El análisis de datos se lleva a cabo a través de un proceso emergente de categorización. Los resultados muestran que la evaluación formativa y compartida genera en el alumnado motivación, autonomía, compromiso hacia las tareas y superación personal; mientras que ayuda al desarrollo profesional del profesorado, al generar procesos de reflexión y mejora sobre su propia práctica. Como conclusión podemos señalar que es viable realizar procesos de evaluación formativa y compartida en educación infantil. Procesos que influyen positivamente en el aprendizaje y la autonomía del alumnado, así como en la mejora del clima del aula, siempre que el sistema de evaluación sea coherente con el resto de metodología didáctica utilizada

Revealing hidden clonal complexity in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection by qualitative and quantitative improvement of sampling

AbstractThe analysis of microevolution events, its functional relevance and impact on molecular epidemiology strategies, constitutes one of the most challenging aspects of the study of clonal complexity in infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated whether two improved sampling schemes could provide access to the clonal complexity that is undetected by the current standards (analysis of one isolate from one sputum). We evaluated in 48 patients the analysis by mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit–variable number tandem repeat of M. tuberculosis isolates cultured from bronchial aspirate (BAS) or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and, in another 16 cases, the analysis of a higher number of isolates from independent sputum samples. Analysis of the isolates from BAS/BAL specimens revealed clonal complexity in a very high proportion of cases (5/48); in most of these cases, complexity was not detected when the isolates from sputum samples were analysed. Systematic analysis of isolates from multiple sputum samples also improved the detection of clonal complexity. We found coexisting clonal variants in two of 16 cases that would have gone undetected in the analysis of the isolate from a single sputum specimen. Our results suggest that analysis of isolates from BAS/BAL specimens is highly efficient for recording the true clonal composition of M. tuberculosis in the lungs. When these samples are not available, we recommend increasing the number of isolates from independent sputum specimens, because they might not harbour the same pool of bacteria. Our data suggest that the degree of clonal complexity in tuberculosis has been underestimated because of the deficiencies inherent in a simplified procedure

Easing the smart home: Translating human hierarchies to intelligent environments

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-02478-8_137Proceedings of 10th International Work-Conference on Artificial Neural Networks, IWANN 2009, Salamanca, Spain.Ubiquitous computing research have extended traditional environments in the so–called Intelligent Environments. All of them use their capabilities for pursuing their inhabitants’s satisfaction, but the ways of getting it are most of the times unclear and frequently unshared among different users. This last problem becomes patent in shared environments in which users with different preferences live together. This article presents a solution translating human hierarchies to the Ubicomp domain, in a continuing effort for leveraging the control capabilities of the inhabitants in their on–growing capable environments. This mechanism, as a natural ubicomp extension of the coordination mechanism used daily by humans, has been implemented over a real environment: a iving room equipped with ambient intelligence capabilities, and installed in two more: an intelligent classroom and an intelligent secure room.This work was partially funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology through the HADA project(TIN2007-64718) and by the chair UAM–Indra of Ambient Intelligenc

Ultrastructural characterization of human oligodendrocytes and their progenitor cells by pre-embedding immunogold.

Oligodendrocytes are the myelinating cells of the central nervous system. They provide trophic, metabolic, and structural support to neurons. In several pathologies such as multiple sclerosis (MS), these cells are severely affected and fail to remyelinate, thereby leading to neuronal death. The gold standard for studying remyelination is the g-ratio, which is measured by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Therefore, studying the fine structure of the oligodendrocyte population in the human brain at different stages through TEM is a key feature in this field of study. Here we study the ultrastructure of oligodendrocytes, its progenitors, and myelin in 10 samples of human white matter using nine different markers of the oligodendrocyte lineage (NG2, PDGFRα, A2B5, Sox10, Olig2, BCAS1, APC-(CC1), MAG, and MBP). Our findings show that human oligodendrocytes constitute a very heterogeneous population within the human white matter and that its stages of differentiation present characteristic features that can be used to identify them by TEM. This study sheds light on how these cells interact with other cells within the human brain and clarify their fine characteristics from other glial cell types

Tracking homogeneous reactions during electrodialysis of organic acids via EIS

[EN] Organic acids are highly valuable platform chemicals that can be obtained from bioresources and subsequently transformed into a wide spectrum of profitable consumer goods. After their synthesis, organic acids need to be separated from other by-products and conveniently upconcentrated. Based on the ionic nature of organic acids, electromembrane processes are viable technologies for their recovery. Transport of weak acids through ion- exchange membranes is a complex process influenced by multiple phenomena, i.e. concentration polarization, water dissociation and counterion-membrane interactions. In the present study, the transport of two different organic acids (citric and oxalic acid) through anion-exchange membranes is investigated by means of using linear sweep voltammetry, chronopotentiometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Results have shown that, at pH values where multivalent acid anions predominate in solution, a first limiting current density is registered in the current-voltage curves, followed by an increase in membrane resistance. A further increase in current leads to a second limiting current density and a steeper increase in membrane resistance associated with an intensified ion depletion. A strong correlation between polarization curves and electrochemical impedance measurements reveals that such increase in resistance is prompted by generation of Hþ and OH? ions and the concomitant onset of homogeneous reactions in very thin solution layers. The generation of Hþ and OH? ions is tracked by a Gerischer arc in the impedance spectra. As the polarization level increases, the subsequent reaction of multivalent anions into lower-charge acid anions involves the evolution of additional Gerischer arcs. Furthermore, the lower conductivity of the reaction products correlates with the increased system resistance. The characteristic times of these reactions are in the order of milliseconds, thus being only directly accessible with the use of frequency response analysis techniques, such as EIS.M.C. Marti-Calatayud acknowledges the support of Generalitat Valenciana through the funding APOSTD/2017/059.Martí Calatayud, MC.; Evdochenko, E.; Bär, J.; García Gabaldón, M.; Wessling, M.; Pérez-Herranz, V. (2020). Tracking homogeneous reactions during electrodialysis of organic acids via EIS. Journal of Membrane Science. 595:1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2019.117592S110595Kiss, A. A., Lange, J.-P., Schuur, B., Brilman, D. W. F., van der Ham, A. G. J., & Kersten, S. R. A. (2016). Separation technology–Making a difference in biorefineries. Biomass and Bioenergy, 95, 296-309. doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2016.05.021Abels, C., Carstensen, F., & Wessling, M. (2013). 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