A block algorithm for the algebraic path problem and its execution on a systolic array

The solution of the algebraic path problem (APP) for arbitrarily sized graphs by a fixed-size systolic array processor (SAP) is addressed. The APP is decomposed into two subproblems, and SAP is designed for each one. Both SAPs combined produce a highly implementable versatile SAP. The proposed SAP has p*p processing elements (PEs) solving the APP of an N-vertex graph in N/sup 3//p/sup 2/+N/sup 2//p+3p-2 cycles. With slight modifications in the operations performed by the PEs, the problem is optimally solved in N/sup 3//p/sup 2/+3p-2 cycles.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Buenas prácticas de innovación docente en la Universidad de Córdoba

Acercar el mundo empresarial de la provincia a la Universidad de Córdoba es el principal reto de esta iniciativa. Para ello, los docentes del área de Organización de Empresas han elaborado cuatro casos de empresas – Covap, Faasa Aviación, Esparta Desing y Cruzber- que por su cercanía despiertan la curiosidad del alumnado y ofrecen la posibilidad de conocer sus instalaciones. La difusión de los casos –la elaboración de cada uno de ellos tiene un coste de unos 2.000 euros– se ha realizado en formato papel, a través libros y revistas, y también vía Internet

Evaluation of the capability of the PCV2 genome to encode miRNAs : lack of viral miRNA expression in an experimental infection

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is a ssDNA virus causing PCV2-systemic disease (PCV2-SD), one of the most important diseases in swine. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a new class of small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. Viral miRNAs have recently been described and the number of viral miRNAs has been increasing in the past few years. In this study, small RNA libraries were constructed from two tissues of subclinically PCV2 infected pigs to explore if PCV2 can encode viral miRNAs. The deep sequencing data revealed that PCV2 does not express miRNAs in an in vivo subclinical infection

The use of physical restraints in long-term care in Spain: a multi-center cross-sectional study

Background Physical restraint is a procedure used frequently in long-term care. It is a controversial practice because its use is associated with numerous complications and also affects freedom and individual autonomy. The objective of this study was to examine the use of physical restraint of long-term care residents with the ability to move voluntarily. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional observational and correlational multi-center study. Nine centers agreed to participate. Of the 1,200 people present at the time of data collection, those without voluntary movement or in the facility for less than a month were excluded. Thus, the final sample was 920 residents. Data on the use of restraints was collected by direct observation. Information about the age, gender, length of stay, falls, mobility, cognition and functional status of residents was gathered by reviewing clinical records and interviewing nursing staff. A descriptive analysis of the data obtained was conducted. The generalized linear model was used, considering only the principal effects of each variable and using the logit link function. The model has been adjusted for clusters and for other possibly confounding factors. For all analyses, a confidence interval (CI) of 95% was estimated. Results The prevalence of residents with at least one physical restraint was 84.9% (95% CI: 81.7–88.1), with variability between centers of 70.3 to 96.6% (p-value Kruskal Wallis test <0.001). Full-enclosure side rails were most often used (84.5; 95% CI: 81.1–87.9), but other types of restraints were also used frequently. Multivariate analysis showed that the degree of functional impairment increased the probability of the use of restraint. A significant association was also found between restraint use and the impaired cognitive status of residents. Conclusions The prevalence was higher than in studies from other countries. The results emphasize the need to improve the training of nursing staff in the care of residents with impairments in functional and cognitive status. The use of alternative devices and nurse consultants need to be evaluated, and the introduction of specific laws considered.Sociedad Canaria de Geriatría y Gerontología and the Fundación Canaria de Investigación Sanitaria financed this study.S

Determination of the angular momentum of the Kerr black hole from equatorial geodesic motion

We present a method to determine the angular momentum of a black hole, based on observations of the trajectories of the bodies in the Kerr space-time. We use the Hamilton equations to describe the dynamics of a particle and present results for equatorial trajectories, obtaining an algebraic equation for the magnitude of the black hole's angular momentum. We tailor a numerical code to solve the dynamical equations and use it to generate synthetic data. We apply the method in some representative examples, obtaining the parameters of the trajectories as well as the black hole's angular momentum in good agreement with the input data.Comment: 24 page

Risk of Dengue Incidence in Children and Adolescents in Zulia, Venezuela, using a Negative Binomial Generalized Linear Mixed Model

Introduction: Dengue is the most important arboviral disease. Its incidence has increased 30-fold over the last 50 years, causing global concerns. Studies have showed children to be the most vulnerable. Methods: Observational study using dengue cases from Zulia state, Venezuela, modelling through a Negative Binomial Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) accounting for heterogeneity in the variance via a hierarchical Bayesian framework, was done. We assessed risk factors such as age and sex. The Bayesian framework enabled the estimation of Relative Risk (RR) and a Binomial regression was run using the WinBUGS software. Results: During 2002-2008, there were 49,330 cases of dengue in Zulia state, Venezuela. Most of them (18.71%) in 2007. The model revealed that children aged from 5 to 14 y-old had 1.59-higher risk (95%CI 1.41-1.79) compared with those aged from 0-4 y-old. Those aged 25-44 years old and ≥45, have significantly less RR than the baseline category, RR 0.5228 (95%CI 0.46-0.59) and 0.3069 (95%CI 0.27-0.34). Conclusions: The findings confirmed that groups most at risk were children aged 5 to 14 years. Modelling and predicting dengue epidemiology are still a need in multiple countries, especially those at risk of newer epidemics, as is the case of Zulia and Venezuela

Risk of Dengue Incidence in Children and Adolescents in Zulia, Venezuela, using a Negative Binomial Generalized Linear Mixed Model

Introduction: Dengue is the most important arboviral disease. Its incidence has increased 30-fold over the last 50 years, causing global concerns. Studies have showed children to be the most vulnerable. Methods: Observational study using dengue cases from Zulia state, Venezuela, modelling through a Negative Binomial Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) accounting for heterogeneity in the variance via a hierarchical Bayesian framework, was done. We assessed risk factors such as age and sex. The Bayesian framework enabled the estimation of Relative Risk (RR) and a Binomial regression was run using the WinBUGS software. Results: During 2002-2008, there were 49,330 cases of dengue in Zulia state, Venezuela. Most of them (18.71%) in 2007. The model revealed that children aged from 5 to 14 y-old had 1.59-higher risk (95%CI 1.41-1.79) compared with those aged from 0-4 y-old. Those aged 25-44 years old and ≥45, have significantly less RR than the baseline category, RR 0.5228 (95%CI 0.46-0.59) and 0.3069 (95%CI 0.27-0.34). Conclusions: The findings confirmed that groups most at risk were children aged 5 to 14 years. Modelling and predicting dengue epidemiology are still a need in multiple countries, especially those at risk of newer epidemics, as is the case of Zulia and Venezuela

Parasites of the reintroduced Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus) and Sympatric Mesocarnivores in Extremadura, Spain

Research Areas: MicrobiologyABSTRACT - The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is one of the most endangered felid species in the world. Conservation efforts have increased its population size and distribution and reinforced their genetic diversity through captive breeding and reintroduction programmes. Among several threats that the Iberian lynx faces, infectious and parasitic diseases have underlined effects on the health of their newly reintroduced populations, being essential to identify the primary sources of these agents and assess populations health status. To achieve this, 79 fresh faecal samples from Iberian lynx and sympatric mesocarnivores were collected in the reintroduction area of Extremadura, Spain. Samples were submitted to copromicroscopic analyses to assess parasite diversity, prevalence, and mean intensity of parasite burden. Overall, 19 (24.1%, ±15.1–35.0) samples were positive for at least one enteric parasite species. Parasite diversity and prevalence were higher in the Iberian lynx (43.8%) compared with the others mesocarnivores under study (e.g., the red fox Vulpes vulpes and the Egyptian mongoose Herpestes ichneumon). Ancylostomatidae and Toxocara cati were the most prevalent (15.6%) parasites. Obtained results revealed that Iberian lynx role as predator control might have reduced parasite cross-transmission between this felid and mesocarnivores due to their decreasing abundances. Surveillance programs must include regular monitoring of this endangered felid, comprising mesocarnivores, but also domestic/feral and wild cat communities.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Parasites of the Reintroduced Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus) and Sympatric Mesocarnivores in Extremadura, Spain.

The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is one of the most endangered felid species in the world. Conservation efforts have increased its population size and distribution and reinforced their genetic diversity through captive breeding and reintroduction programmes. Among several threats that the Iberian lynx faces, infectious and parasitic diseases have underlined effects on the health of their newly reintroduced populations, being essential to identify the primary sources of these agents and assess populations health status. To achieve this, 79 fresh faecal samples from Iberian lynx and sympatric mesocarnivores were collected in the reintroduction area of Extremadura, Spain. Samples were submitted to copromicroscopic analyses to assess parasite diversity, prevalence, and mean intensity of parasite burden. Overall, 19 (24.1%, ±15.1-35.0) samples were positive for at least one enteric parasite species. Parasite diversity and prevalence were higher in the Iberian lynx (43.8%) compared with the others mesocarnivores under study (e.g., the red fox Vulpes vulpes and the Egyptian mongoose Herpestes ichneumon). Ancylostomatidae and Toxocara cati were the most prevalent (15.6%) parasites. Obtained results revealed that Iberian lynx role as predator control might have reduced parasite cross-transmission between this felid and mesocarnivores due to their decreasing abundances. Surveillance programs must include regular monitoring of this endangered felid, comprising mesocarnivores, but also domestic/feral and wild cat communities.This research was funded by the European Union through its LIFE project Life + IBERLINCE (LIFE + 10NAT/ES/570) “Recuperación de la distribución histórica del lince ibérico (Lynx pardinus) en España y Portugal”. R. T. Torres is funded by national funds (OE), through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., in the scope of the framework contract foreseen in the numbers 4, 5, and 6 of the article 23, of the Decree-Law 57/2016, of 29 August, changed by Law 57/2017, of 19 July. Thanks are due to FCT/MCTES for the financial support to CESAM (UIDP/50017/2020 + UIDB/50017/2020) and CIISA Project UIDB/00276/2020 through national funds.S

Enseñanza-aprendizaje por competencias en la Educación Superior. La construcción de casos de empresa

La metodología de casos es un recurso docente ampliamente aplicado en ciencias sociales para desarrollar habilidades de análisis de situaciones complejas donde se mezclan datos cuantitativos, cualitativos, incertidumbre y preferencias de decisores. Este hecho, unido a su capacidad de desarrollar competencias propias de las materias impartidas, explica su gran expansión y el creciente interés en el ámbito académico, particularmente, en las aulas de enseñanzas universitarias y de postgrado. El propósito de este trabajo es doble: por un lado, se analiza la construcción de casos concretos de aprendizaje con una serie de particularidades que hacen más atractivo su uso pedagógico en la adquisición de competencias, así como herramienta conciliadora del plano teórico y práctico; por otro, se presenta una visión de los resultados alcanzados en la satisfacción y desempeño del alumnado y del docente con la aplicación de esta metodología en estudios de postgrado. Los resultados obtenidos han sido muy positivos, lográndose un elevado nivel de participación y debate en las aulas. Asimismo, de la comparativa de los resultados académicos en los cursos más recientes se observa una evolución positiva en cuanto al aumento de satisfacción por parte del alumnado con el desarrollo de las sesiones presenciales y su proceso de aprendizaje