On Z8-linear Hadamard codes : rank and classification

The Z2s -additive codes are subgroups of ℤZn2s, and can be seen as a generalization of linear codes over ℤ2 and ℤ4. A Zs-linear Hadamard code is a binary Hadamard code which is the Gray map image of a ℤs -additive code. It is known that either the rank or the dimension of the kernel can be used to give a complete classification for the ℤ4-linear Hadamard codes. However, when s > 2, the dimension of the kernel of ℤ2s-linear Hadamard codes of length 2t only provides a complete classification for some values of t and s. In this paper, the rank of these codes is computed for s=3. Moreover, it is proved that this invariant, along with the dimension of the kernel, provides a complete classification, once t ≥ 3 is fixed. In this case, the number of nonequivalent such codes is also established

On the linearity and classification of Z_p^s-linear generalized Hadamard codes

Acord transformatiu CRUE-CSICZp^s-additive codes of length n are subgroups of (Zp^s)^n , and can be seen as a generalization of linear codes over Z2, Z4 , or Z2^s in general. A Zp^s-linear generalized Hadamard (GH) code is a GH code over Zp which is the image of a Zp^s-additive code by a generalized Gray map. In this paper, we generalize some known results for Zp^s-linear GH codes with p = 2 to any odd prime p. First, we show some results related to the generalized Carlet's Gray map. Then, by using an iterative construction of Zp^s -additive GH codes of type (n; t 1 , . . . , t s ), we show for which types the corresponding Zp^s-linear GH codes of length p^t are nonlinear over Zp .For these codes, we compute the kernel and its dimension, which allow us to give a partial classification. The obtained results for p ≥ 3 are different from the case with p = 2. Finally, the exact number of non-equivalent such codes is given for an infinite number of values of s, t, and any p ≥ 2; by using also the rank as an invariant in some specific cases

On the constructions of ZpZp2-linear generalized Hadamard codes

Altres ajuts: acord transformatiu CRUE-CSICThe ZZ-additive codes are subgroups of Z ×Z , and can be seen as linear codes over Z when α=0, Z-additive codes when α=0, or ZZ-additive codes when p=2. A ZZ-linear generalized Hadamard (GH) code is a GH code over Z which is the Gray map image of a ZZ-additive code. In this paper, we generalize some known results for ZZ-linear GH codes with p=2 to any p≥3 prime when α≠0. First, we give a recursive construction of ZZ-additive GH codes of type (α,α;t,t) with t,t≥1. We also present many different recursive constructions of ZZ-additive GH codes having the same type, and show that we obtain permutation equivalent codes after applying the Gray map. Finally, according to some computational results, we see that, unlike Z-linear GH codes, when p≥3 prime, the Z-linear GH codes are not included in the family of ZZ-linear GH codes with α≠0. Indeed, we observe that the constructed codes are not equivalent to the Z-linear GH codes for any s≥2

Tutories de comunicacio intercultural per a la mobilitat internacional (alemany)

El projecte d´innovació docent que es presenta es porta a terme a la Facultat d´Economia i Empresa de la UB, i té com a objectiu desenvolupar la competència intercultural dels estudiants de mobilitat internacional (outgoers espanyols/catalans - incomers de païssos de parla alemanya) abans i durant la seva estada. Es presentaran les dues primeres fases del projecte, que consisteix en la realització de dues sessions presencials de tutories entre iguals i sensibilització i el treball en tàndems

Construction and classification of Z₂s-linear Hadamard codes

The Z₂s-additive and Z₂Z₄-additive codes are subgroups of Z₂s^n and Z₂^α × Z₄^β, respectively. Both families can be seen as generalizations of linear codes over Z₂ and Z₄. A Z₂s-linear (resp. Z₂Z₄-linear) Hadamard code is a binary Hadamard code which is the Gray map image of a Z₂s-additive (resp. Z₂Z₄-additive) code. It is known that there are exactly ⌊(t−1)/2⌋ and ⌊t/2⌋ nonequivalent Z₂Z₄-linear Hadamard codes of length 2ᵗ, with α=0 and α≠0, respectively, for all t≥3. In this paper, new Z₂s-linear Hadamard codes are constructed for s>2, which are not equivalent to any Z₂Z₄-linear Hadamard code. Moreover, for each s>2, it is claimed that the new constructed nonlinear Z₂-linear Hadamard codes of length 2ᵗ are pairwise nonequivalent

Phonological fluency norms for Spanish middle-aged and older adults provided by the SCAND initiative (P, M, & R)

Objective: Verbal fluency tests are quick and easy to administer neuropsychological measures and are regularly used in neuropsychological assessment. Additionally, phonological fluency is a widely used paradigm that is sensitive to cognitive impairment. This paper offers normative data of phonological verbal fluency (letters P, M, R) for Spanish middle- and older-aged adults, considering sociodemographic factors, and different measures such as the total number of words, errors (perseveration and intrusions), and 15 sec-segmented scores. Method: A total of 1165 cognitively unimpaired participants aged between 50 and 89 years old, participated in the study. Data for P were obtained for all participants. Letters M and R were also administered to a subsample of participants (852) aged 60 to 89 years. In addition, errors and words produced every 15 seconds were collected in the subsample. To verify the effect of sociodemographic variables, linear regression was used. Adjustments were calculated for variables that explained at least 5% of the variance (R2 ≥ .05). Results: Means and standard deviations by age, scaled scores, and percentiles for all tests across different measures are shown. No determination coefficients equal to or greater than .05 were found for sex or age. The need to establish adjustments for the educational level was only found in some of the measures. Conclusions: The current norms provide clinically useful data to evaluate Spanish-speaking natives from Spain aged from 50 to 89 years. Specific patterns of cognitive impairment can be analyzed using these normative data and may be important in neuropsychological assessmentObjective: Verbal fluency tests are quick and easy to administer neuropsychological measures and are regularly used in neuropsychological assessment. Additionally, phonological fluency is a widely used paradigm that is sensitive to cognitive impairment. This paper offers normative data of phonological verbal fluency (letters P, M, R) for Spanish middle- and older-aged adults, considering sociodemographic factors, and different measures such as the total number of words, errors (perseveration and intrusions), and 15 sec-segmented scores. Method: A total of 1165 cognitively unimpaired participants aged between 50 and 89 years old, participated in the study. Data for P were obtained for all participants. Letters M and R were also administered to a subsample of participants (852) aged 60 to 89 years. In addition, errors and words produced every 15 seconds were collected in the subsample. To verify the effect of sociodemographic variables, linear regression was used. Adjustments were calculated for variables that explained at least 5% of the variance (R2 ≥ .05). Results: Means and standard deviations by age, scaled scores, and percentiles for all tests across different measures are shown. No determination coefficients equal to or greater than .05 were found for sex or age. The need to establish adjustments for the educational level was only found in some of the measures. Conclusions: The current norms provide clinically useful data to evaluate Spanish-speaking natives from Spain aged from 50 to 89 years. Specific patterns of cognitive impairment can be analyzed using these normative data and may be important in neuropsychological assessmentS

Dosis diaria definida de antimicrobianos en la población neonatal

Consumo de antimicrobianos; Prescripción de antimicrobianos en neonatos; NeonatologíaAntimicrobial consumption; Neonatal antimicrobial prescription; NeonatologyConsum d'antimicrobians; Prescripció d'antimicrobians a nounats; NeonatologiaBackground Antimicrobial defined daily dose (DDD), a standardized metric to assess antimicrobial consumption in adult population, has limitations hampering its use in neonatal patients. This study proposes an alternative DDD design applicable for neonates. Methods Neonates (<1 month-old) from 6 Spanish hospitals during a 12-months period were included. Weight and weeks gestational age of each neonate were the variables collected. DDD (g) for each antimicrobial was calculated by multiplying the obtained weight times the recommended dose (mg/kg) of the antimicrobial for the most common infectious indication selected by the Delphi method. Results A total of 4820 neonates were included. Mean age was 36.72 weeks of gestational age and Mean weight was 2.687 kg. Standardized DDD (intravenous; oral route) for representative antimicrobials were: Amoxicillin (0.08; 0.08), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (0.27; 0.08), ampicillin (0.27; x), cloxacillin (0.13; 0.13), penicillin G sodium (0.12), cefazolin (0.13), cefuroxime (0.27; x), cefotaxime (0.27), ceftazidime (0.27), ceftriaxone (0.13), cefepime (0.27) piperacillin-tazobactam (0.54), aztreonam (0.24), azithromycin (0.03; 0.03), clindamycin (0.04; 0.04), amikacin (0.04), gentamicin (0.01), metronidazole (0.04; 0.08), ciprofloxacin (0.04; 0.05), levofloxacin (x;x), fluconazole (0.02; 0.02), itraconazole (0.01; 0.01), fosfomycin (0.27). Restricted antimicrobials: meropenem (0.11), teicoplanin (0.02), vancomycin (0.08; 0.11), linezolid (0.08; 0.08), daptomycin (x), amphotericin B liposomal (0.01). Conclusions A useful method for antimicrobial DDD measurement in neonatology has been designed to monitor antimicrobial consumption in hospital settings. It should be validated in further studies and thereby included in the design for neonatal antimicrobial stewardship programs in the future.Antecedentes La dosis diaria definida de antimicrobianos (DDD), un método estandarizado para evaluar el consumo de antimicrobianos en la población adulta, tiene limitaciones que dificultan su uso en la población neonatal. Este estudio propone un diseño alternativo de la DDD aplicable a los recién nacidos. Métodos Se incluyeron neonatos (< 1 mes) de 6 hospitales españoles durante un período de 12 meses. El peso y las semanas de edad gestacional de cada recién nacido fueron las variables recogidas. Las DDD (g) de cada antimicrobiano se calcularon multiplicando el peso obtenido por la dosis recomendada (mg/kg) del antimicrobiano para la indicación infecciosa más común seleccionada por el método Delphi. Resultados Se incluyeron un total de 4.820 recién nacidos. La edad media fue de 36,72 semanas de edad gestacional y el peso medio fue de 2,687 kg. La DDD estandarizado (intravenoso; oral) para antimicrobianos seleccionados fueron: amoxicilina (0,08; 0,08), amoxicilina-ácido clavulánico (0,27; 0,08), ampicilina (0,27; x), cloxacilina (0,13; 0,13), penicilina G sódica (0,12), cefazolina (0,13), cefuroxima (0,27; x), cefotaxima (0,27), ceftazidima (0,27), ceftriaxona (0,13), cefepima (0,27) piperacilina-tazobactam (0,54), aztreonam (0,24), azitromicina (0,03; 0,03) clindamicina (0,04; 0,04), amikacina (0,04), gentamicina (0,01), metronidazol (0,04; 0,08), ciprofloxacina (0,04; 0,05), levofloxacina (x; x), fluconazol (0,02; 0,02), itraconazol (0,01; 0,01), fosfomicina (0,27). Antimicrobianos restringidos: meropenem (0,11), teicoplanina (0,02), vancomicina (0,08; 0,11), linezolid (0,08; 0,08), daptomicina (x), anfotericina B liposomal (0, 01). Conclusiones Se ha diseñado un método útil para la medición de las DDD de antimicrobianos en neonatología para controlar el consumo de antimicrobianos en entornos hospitalarios. Debería validarse en estudios posteriores para incluirse en el diseño de los programas de administración de antimicrobianos neonatales en el futuro

Evaluation of alpha 1-antitrypsin and the levels of mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase 7, urokinase type plasminogen activator receptor and COX-2 for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of death from cancer in both men and women in the majority of developed countries. Molecular tests of blood could potentially provide this ideal screening tool. Aim Our objective was to assess the usefulness of serum markers and mRNA expression levels in the diagnosis of CRC. Methods In a prospective study, we measured mRNA expression levels of 13 markers (carbonic anhydrase, guanylyl cyclase C, plasminogen activator inhibitor, matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7), urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), urokinase-type plasminogen activator, survivin, tetranectin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cytokeratin 20, thymidylate synthase, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), and CD44) and three proteins in serum (alpha 1 antitrypsin, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and activated C3 in 42 patients with CRC and 33 with normal colonoscopy results. Results Alpha 1-antitrypsin was the serum marker that was most useful for CRC diagnosis (1.79±0.25 in the CRC group vs 1.27±0.25 in the control group, P<0.0005). The area under the ROC curve for alpha 1-antitrypsin was 0.88 (0.79-0.96). The mRNA expression levels of five markers were statistically different between CRC cases and controls: those for which the ROC area was over 75% were MMP7 (0.81) and tetranectin (0.80), COX-2 (0.78), uPAR (0.78) and carbonic anhydrase (0.77). The markers which identified early stage CRC (Stages I and II) were alpha 1-antitrypsin, uPAR, COX-2 and MMP7. Conclusions Serum alpha 1-antitrypsin and the levels of mRNA expression of MMP7, COX-2 and uPAR have good diagnostic accuracy for CRC, even in the early stages