Application-layer Performance Analysis of PRIME in Smart Metering Networks

This paper assesses the performance of actual PRIME v1.3.6 and PRIME v1.4 systems when used for Smart Metering applications. The analysis is performed at the application level using the DLMS/COSEM stack. Hence, it considers performance indicators that are of practical interest for distribution system operators, such as the availability and the average time needed to read the energy load profile of all the meters. To this end, two test networks with 112 smart meters have been deployed in the laboratory (to ensure the stability of the network). In one of them all the Service Nodes communicate directly with the Base Node, while there exist up to 5 switching levels in the other tested network. First, the PRIME v1.3.6 system is evaluated, stressing the significant performance gain that can be obtained by implementing some MAC layer strategies, which are compatible with the specification but not specifically defined on it. Then,the improvement offered by the PRIME v1.4 system is assessed.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Atazanavir-Based Therapy Is Associated with Higher Hepatitis C Viral Load in HIV Type 1-Infected Subjects with Untreated Hepatitis C

Comunicación cortaWe assessed the relationship between atazanavir (ATV)-based antiretroviral treatment (ART) and plasma hepatitis C virus (HCV) viral load in a population of HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. HIV/HCV-coinfected patients who received ART based on a protease inhibitor (PI) or nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) were included. Patients were stratified by ART drug [ATV/rtv, lopinavir (LPV/rtv), efavirenz (EFV), nevirapine (NVP), and other PIs], HCV genotype (1/4 and 2/3), and IL28B genotype (CC and non-CC). The Kruskal-Wallis test and chi-squared test were used to compare continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Multivariate analysis consisted of a stepwise linear regression analysis. Six hundred and forty-nine HIV/HCV-coinfected patients were included. HCV genotype 1/4 patients who received ATV had higher HCV RNA levels [6.57 (5.9-6.8) log IU/ml] than those who received LPV [6.1 (5.5-6.5) log IU/ml], EFV [6.1 (5.6-6.4) log IU/ml], NVP [5.8 (5.5-5.9) log IU/ml], or other PIs [6.1 (5.7-6.4) log IU/ml] (p=0.014). This association held for the IL28B genotype (CC versus non-CC). The association was not found in patients carrying HCV genotypes 2/3. The linear regression model identified the IL28B genotype and ATV use as independent factors associated with HCV RNA levels. ATV-based therapy may be associated with a higher HCV RNA viral load in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients

Cyanobacterial diversity in extreme environments in Baja California, Mexico: a polyphasic study

Cyanobacterial diversity from two geographical areas of Baja California Sur, Mexico, were studied: Bahia Concepcion, and Ensenada de Aripez. The sites included hypersaline ecosystems, sea bottom, hydrothermal springs, and a shrimp farm. In this report we describe four new morphotypes, two are marine epilithic from Bahia Concepcion, Dermocarpa sp. and Hyella sp. The third, Geitlerinema sp., occurs in thermal springs and in shrimp ponds, and the fourth, Tychonema sp., is from a shrimp pond. The partial sequences of the 16S rRNA genes and the phylogenetic relationship of four cyanobacterial strains (Synechococcus cf. elongatus, Leptolyngbya cf. thermalis, Leptolyngbya sp., and Geitlerinema sp.) are alsopresented. Polyphasic studies that include the combination of light microscopy, cultures and the comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences provide the most powerful approach currently available to establish the diversity of these oxygenic photosynthetic microorganisms in culture and in nature

Vástagos cementados y no cementados en artroplastias totales de cadera por coxopatías mecánicas

En la controversia sobre la cementación o no del componente femoral se presenta el análisis clínico, radiológico y de supervivencia de los vástagos de una serie de 121 artoplastias totales de cadera (61 cementadas y 60 sin cementar). El estudio no evidencia diferencias significativas a los 5 años de seguimiento, aunque es destacable una mayor incidencia de dolor en el muslo entre los vástagos no cementados (35%) (p < 0,1) y una tasa de reabsorción ósea proximal más elevada (70%) que en los cementados (23%). Estos fenómenos son diseño dependientes. Un mayor número de cirugías de revisión por aflojamiento aséptico entre las prótesis cementadas nos hacen preferir la fijación sin cemento del componente femoral.We discuss the cemented or non-cement fixation of the femoral components in total hip arthroplasty on a serie of 121 femoral stem (61 cemented stem and 60 non-cemented stem). Survival analysis, clinical and radiographic data showed no significant differences between the two groups at 5 years follow-up. However the incidence of pain thigh phenomenon was higher for the non-cemented stem (35%) (p < 0.1). Stress schielding was evidently higher between the non-cemented implants (70%) too, as compared with cemented stem (23%). These findings are design-dependent. The cemented arthroplasties had a higher rate of revision procedures because of aseptic loosening (13%). In this way we prefer the non-cement fixation of the femoral implant

Reflexiones metodológicas en torno a la Semántica: el caso de la ambigüedad y la sinonimia

La Semántica sigue siendo una disciplina que queda en un segundo plano en la clase de Lengua y Literatura. En algunos libros de texto, se establecen ejercicios sistemáticos que tienden a la repetición de las definiciones y dejan a un lado el aprendizaje significativo del alumnado. Sin embargo, los fenómenos semánticos son una oportunidad perfecta para convertir a los alumnos en los protagonistas de la reflexión metalingüística. En este trabajo se presenta una reflexión sobre dos de los fenómenos semánticos estudiados a lo largo de toda la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria: la ambigüedad léxica y la sinonimia. El objetivo que se persigue es doble: por un lado, actualizar la base teórica relativa a estos fenómenos y, por otro lado, mostrar cómo es posible enriquecer los materiales y actividades de los que disponemos en el aula. De esta manera, se establecen pautas para la mejora del estudio del significado. Semantics is still a field that is normally upstaged in the classroom. Repetitive exercises, that leave no room for significant learning, can be found in many textbooks. However, semantic phenomena represent the perfect opportunity for the students to be at the fore and to activate their metalinguistic abilities. In this paper a reflection on two semantic phenomena is presented: lexical ambiguity and synonymy. The aim of this paper is double: on the one hand, to update the theoretical background regarding these phenomena; on the other hand, to show how to enrichen the materials and activities that are already available in the classrooms. By doing so, guidelines to improve the study of meaning will be established

Entropy production and fluctuation theorems for monitored quantum systems under imperfect detection

The thermodynamic behavior of Markovian open quantum systems can be described at the level of fluctuations by using continuous monitoring approaches. However, practical applications require assessing imperfect detection schemes, where the definition of main thermodynamic quantities becomes subtle and universal fluctuation relations are unknown. Here we fill this gap by deriving a universal fluctuation relation that links entropy production in ideal and in inefficient monitoring setups. This provides a suitable estimator of dissipation using imperfect detection records that lower bounds the underlying entropy production at the level of single trajectories. We illustrate our findings with a driven-dissipative two-level system following quantum jump trajectories.Comment: 5 + 10 pages, 2 figures. The two first authors contributed equally to this wor

Impacto de las características de la red eléctrica en canales MIMO PLC domésticos

The recent release of indoor Power Line Communications (PLC) specifications with Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) capabilities has significantly increased the bit rates achieved in these channels. However, the performance reached by the use of these methods may differ from one location to another due to the heterogeneous nature of the domestic power grid. In this work, a closer look at the relation between channel performance and the power grid cabling is taken. To that end, some channel features like attenuation, spatial correlation and capacity are analyzed by means of a set of 50 simulated channel topologies in the frequency band from 1 to 80 MHz.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Uses of Native Plant Species of a Communal Rangeland within ‘Sierra de Huautla’ Protected Area, México

Sustainability of communal rangelands has become a major concern at national and international levels because land use conflicts and associated social conflicts allows for over-utilization of selected species making a high pressure on them and given away their places to species with no use at all becoming lands degraded and unproductive. The objective of the study was to determine floristic composition and native plant uses by local peasants. The range surface is of 4262 ha, belongs to the communal land ‘El Limon’, in Tepalcingo, Morelos, Mexico, and it is within the Natural Reserve Area “Sierra de Huautla”. Native vegetation is mainly of deciduous shrubs, high temperatures year round and a rainy season of 4 months. Local peasants were surveyed on uses of the collected and previously identified plants. Number of species was 456, distributed in 266 and 76 botanical genders and families, respectively. Of the species identified 66, 22 and 12% had one, two or more than two uses according to local peasants. Among uses: 59% of the species were used as forage, 8% eatable, 7% firewood or ornamental, 6% medical herb, lumber or other use 4 %, construction material 3 % and for resin or handcraft 1%. The range showed a very high plant biodiversity, this feature allows for a high resiliency toward human activities

Vortex solitons of the discrete Ginzburg-Landau Equation

We have found several families of vortex soliton solutions in two-dimensional discrete dissipative systems governed by the cubic-quintic complex Ginzburg-Landau equation. There are symmetric and asymmetric solutions, and some of them have simultaneously two different topological charges. Their regions of existence and stability are determined. Additionally, we have analyzed the relation- ship between dissipation and stability for a number of solutions. We have obtained that dissipation favours the stability of the solutions.Comment: 7 pages, 11 figure