Discovering frequent user-environment interactions in intelligent environments

Intelligent Environments are expected to act proactively, anticipating the user's needs and preferences. To do that, the environment must somehow obtain knowledge of those need and preferences, but unlike current computing systems, in Intelligent Environments the user ideally should be released from the burden of providing information or programming any device as much as possible. Therefore, automated learning of a user's most common behaviors becomes an important step towards allowing an environment to provide highly personalized services. In this paper we present a system that takes information collected by sensors as a starting point, and then discovers frequent relationships between actions carried out by the user. The algorithm developed to discover such patterns is supported by a language to represent those patterns and a system of interaction which provides the user the option to fine tune their preferences in a natural way, just by speaking to the system

Effective dynamics using conditional expectations

The question of coarse-graining is ubiquitous in molecular dynamics. In this article, we are interested in deriving effective properties for the dynamics of a coarse-grained variable $\xi(x)$, where $x$ describes the configuration of the system in a high-dimensional space $\R^n$, and $\xi$ is a smooth function with value in $\R$ (typically a reaction coordinate). It is well known that, given a Boltzmann-Gibbs distribution on $x \in \R^n$, the equilibrium properties on $\xi(x)$ are completely determined by the free energy. On the other hand, the question of the effective dynamics on $\xi(x)$ is much more difficult to address. Starting from an overdamped Langevin equation on $x \in \R^n$, we propose an effective dynamics for $\xi(x) \in \R$ using conditional expectations. Using entropy methods, we give sufficient conditions for the time marginals of the effective dynamics to be close to the original ones. We check numerically on some toy examples that these sufficient conditions yield an effective dynamics which accurately reproduces the residence times in the potential energy wells. We also discuss the accuracy of the effective dynamics in a pathwise sense, and the relevance of the free energy to build a coarse-grained dynamics

Identification of animal species housed and herding practices in ancient sediments from the Vallone Inferno rock-shelter (Scillato, Sicily, Italy) using faecal biomarkers, hormones, and their metabolites

The interest in the identification of animal species housed in caves or rock-shelters used as livestock pen and herding management along prehistoric and historic ages, is increasing to understand better the development of pastoral activities. In this manuscript, a method for the quantification of β-sterol/phytosterols, bile acids, hormones and hormones metabolites has been developed to determine the main pastoral activities carried out in Vallone Inferno rock-shelter (Scillato, Sicily, Italy) from Middle Neolithic to Early Middle Age. According to the result obtained, the main animals housed in the rock-shelter went gradually changing from ovicaprids in Middle Neolithic to pigs in Early Middle Age. Additionally, new proxies (progesterone/Ʃbile acids and metabolites of progesterone/Ʃbile acids) were used to detect a high hormonal activity at Early Middle Age samples related with female pig management

Numerical and experimental development of cupronickel filler brazed joints for divertor and first wall components in DEMO fusion reactor

The brazeability of a cupronickel commercial alloy (Cu10Ni) was evaluated for its use as a filler alloy for high- temperature joining of tungsten to the reduced activation ferritic/martensitic steel EUROFER 97 (W-E) and between tungsten base materials (W-W) for its application at the first wall and divertor of future fusion reactors. In addition, given the importance of the residual stresses in these heterogenous joints, a study of the brazing conditions and the impact of the selected filler has been conducted using numerical software to understand its impact on the quality of the joint. Two thermal cycles were evaluated (1165 $^◦$C and 1190$^◦$C) and selected based on the thermal characterization of the filler alloy. The microstructural examination revealed that, in W-E joints, nickel acts as an activator element, reacting and forming interfacial layers at the EUROFER 97 - Cu10Ni interface. In the case of the W-W joints, a lower level of diffusion phenomenon and metallurgical interaction between Cu10Ni and base materials were observed. The hardness profile indicated that the hardening process of EUROFER 97 was associated with the formation of untempered martensite. On the other hand, tungsten kept the received hardness. The me- chanical characterization by shear test reported similar values between both types of joints carried out at 1190$^◦$C but different when the temperature was increased (1165 $^°$C), associated with the brittle character of tungsten and its lower metallurgical interaction. The numerical analysis of the brazing process carried out with ANSYS software shows that residual stresses are accumulated mainly at the interfaces. The information provided by the simulation shows, for a 50 μm filler thickness, the importance of mitigating the residual stress by selecting a filler with an intermediate Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) that alleviates mechanical stresses relative to the base materials

In Vitro

Purpose. To evaluate the dose effect of vitamin K3 on wound healing mechanisms. Methods. Conjunctival fibroblasts were incubated for 24 hours. An artificial wound was made and the cells were incubated with fresh medium plus doses of vitamin K3 to be tested. Wound repair was monitored at 0, 18, 24, and 48 hours. Proliferation was measured in actively dividing cells by [3H]thymidine uptake. Six different groups were tested: group 1/no drugs added, group 2/ethanol 0.1%, group 3/vitamin K3 1 mg/L, group 4/vitamin K3 2 mg/L, group 5/vitamin K3 4 mg/L, and group 6/vitamin K3 6 mg/L. Each experiment was carried out in triplicate and 4 times. Results. There were no differences among groups at the initial time. In vitro wound repair was slower in groups 4, 5, and 6. There were no differences between control and ethanol groups and between control and vitamin K3 1 mg/L groups. Fibroblast mitogenic activity was statistically decreased in all vitamin K groups; statistical differences were found among vitamin K3 1 mg/mL and higher doses too. In groups 5 and 6, cellular toxicity was presented. Conclusions. Vitamin K3 is able to inhibit fibroblast proliferation. Vitamin K3 2 mg/L or higher doses inhibit wound healing repair, exhibiting cellular toxicity at 4 and 6 mg/L

Metodologías educativas para niños sordos apoyadas en tecnología móvil y realidad extendida: un análisis sistemático de literatura

This study aims to identify Teaching-Learning (TL) methodologies applied in conjunction with mobile and extended reality applications developed for the deaf community. A systematic literature review of mixed type, cross-sectional between 2016 and 2020, focused on educational mobile applications for deaf children in basic school age is presented, emphasizing the type of methodology and support strategies used, as well as the type of extended reality. development and use technology. The results show little literature that records TL applications for children, the most used communication system is sign language. There are few applications that record the use of collaborative strategies, but playful ones that combine memory, cognitive, metacognitive, metacognitive and affective techniques. Regarding the type of development technology, Android applications supported by multimedia elements stand out, followed by the use of Augmented Reality and a minority for other XR technologie

Flow climatology for physicochemical properties of dichotomous aerosol over the western North Atlantic Ocean at Bermuda

Dichotomous aerosols (nominal super- and sub-μm-diameter size fractions) in sectored on-shore flow were sampled daily from July 2006 through June 2009, at the Tudor Hill Atmospheric Observatory (THAO) on the western coast of Bermuda (32.27° N, 64.87° W) and analyzed for major chemical and physical properties. FLEXPART retroplumes were calculated for each sampling period and aerosol properties were stratified accordingly based on transport from different regions. Transport from the northeastern United States (NEUS) was associated with significantly higher (factors of 2 to 3 based on median values) concentrations of bulk particulate non-sea-salt (nss) SO42-, NO3-, and NH4+ and associated scattering and absorption at 530 nm, relative to transport from Africa (AFR) and the oceanic background. These differences were driven primarily by higher values associated with the sub-μm size fraction under NEUS flow. We estimate that 75(±3)% of the NEUS nss SO42- was anthropogenic in origin, while only 25(±9)% of the AFR nss SO42- was anthropogenic. Integrating over all transport patterns, the contribution of anthropogenic sulfate has dropped 14.6% from the early 1990s. Bulk scattering was highly correlated with bulk nss SO42- in all flow regimes but the corresponding regression slopes varied significantly reflecting differential contributions to total scattering by associated aerosol components. Absorption by super-μm aerosol in transport from the NEUS versus AFR was similar although the super-μm aerosol size fraction accounted for a relatively greater contribution to total absorption in AFR flow. Significantly greater absorption Ångström exponents (AAEs) for AFR flow reflects the wavelength dependence of absorption by mineral aerosols; lower AAEs for NEUS flow is consistent with the dominance of absorption by combustion-derived aerosols. Higher AOD associated with transport from both the NEUS and AFR relative to oceanic background flow results in a top of atmosphere direct radiative forcing on the order of −1.6 to −2.5 W m−2, respectively, showing these aerosols drive cooling. The dominance of transport from the NEUS on an annual basis coupled with the corresponding decreases in anthropogenic nss SO42- aerosols since the early 1990s implies that emission reductions in the US account for a decline in atmospheric cooling over the western North Atlantic Ocean during this period

HLA Genes in Mayos Population from Northeast Mexico

HLA class I and class II alleles have been studied in 60 unrelated people belonging to Mayos ethnic group, which lives in the Mexican Pacific Sinaloa State. Mayos HLA profile was compared to other Amerindians and worldwide populations’ profile. A total of 14,896 chromosomes were used for comparisons. Genetic distances between populations, Neigbour-Joining dendrograms and correspondence analyses were performed to determine the genetic relationship among population. The new specific Mayo HLA haplotypes found are: HLA-A*02-B*35-DRB1*1406-DQB1*0301; HLA-A*02-B*48-DRB1*0404-DQB1*0302; HLA-A*24-B*51-DRB1*0407-DQB1*0302 and HLA-A*02-B*08-DRB1*0407-DQB1*0302. However, the typical Meso American HLADRB1*0407 represents a 40% of all DRB1 alleles. While common HLA characteristics are found in Amerindian distant ethnic groups, still new group specific HLA haplotypes are being found, suggesting that a common founder effect (i.e. high DRB1*0407) is noticed. Moreover, new HLA haplotypes are almost certainly appearing along time probably due to specific pathogen (?) selection for diversity. Mayo language is close to the Tarahumara one (another geographically close group); notwithstanding both groups are not genetically close according to our results, showing again the different evolution of genes and languages, which do not correlate. Finally, Sinaloa is one of the Mexican States in which more European genes are found. However, the results presented in this paper, where no European HLA genes are seen in Mayos, should have a bearing in establishing transplant programs and in HLA and disease studies

Where the Sidewalk Ends: Jets and Missing Energy Search Strategies for the 7 TeV LHC

This work explores the potential reach of the 7 TeV LHC to new colored states in the context of simplified models and addresses the issue of which search regions are necessary to cover an extensive set of event topologies and kinematic regimes. This article demonstrates that if searches are designed to focus on specific regions of phase space, then new physics may be missed if it lies in unexpected corners. Simple multiregion search strategies can be designed to cover all of kinematic possibilities. A set of benchmark models are created that cover the qualitatively different signatures and a benchmark multiregion search strategy is presented that covers these models.Comment: 30 pages, 8 Figures, 3 Tables. Version accepted at JHEP. Minor changes. Added figur

Adhesion between cells, diffusion of growth factors, and elasticity of the AER produce the paddle shape of the chick limb

This paper has been withdrawnComment: This paper has been withdraw