Revisión: tecnologia de agentes de software

Los agentes de software en la era de las redes globales son una herramienta vital para superar el fenómeno llamado "sobrecarga de información". El grado de madurez alcanzado en esta tecnología permite que hoy se puedan ver aplicaciones concretas funcionado en organizaciones, como así también en el escritorio del usuario hogareño. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar una revisión bibliográfica sobre la tecnología de agentes de software, con orientación a los modelos que permiten gerenciar la sobrecarga de información.

Ultra high throughput sequencing excludes MDH1 as candidate gene for RP28-linked retinitis pigmentosa.

PURPOSE: Mutations in IDH3B, an enzyme participating in the Krebs cycle, have recently been found to cause autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (arRP). The MDH1 gene maps within the RP28 arRP linkage interval and encodes cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase, an enzyme functionally related to IDH3B. As a proof of concept for candidate gene screening to be routinely performed by ultra high throughput sequencing (UHTs), we analyzed MDH1 in a patient from each of the two families described so far to show linkage between arRP and RP28. METHODS: With genomic long-range PCR, we amplified all introns and exons of the MDH1 gene (23.4 kb). PCR products were then sequenced by short-read UHTs with no further processing. Computer-based mapping of the reads and mutation detection were performed by three independent software packages. RESULTS: Despite the intrinsic complexity of human genome sequences, reads were easily mapped and analyzed, and all algorithms used provided the same results. The two patients were homozygous for all DNA variants identified in the region, which confirms previous linkage and homozygosity mapping results, but had different haplotypes, indicating genetic or allelic heterogeneity. None of the DNA changes detected could be associated with the disease. CONCLUSIONS: The MDH1 gene is not the cause of RP28-linked arRP. Our experimental strategy shows that long-range genomic PCR followed by UHTs provides an excellent system to perform a thorough screening of candidate genes for hereditary retinal degeneration.

Proposta de um método para escolha de software de automação de bibliotecas

Apresenta um método para avaliação e seleção de softwares de automação de bibliotecas. Consiste na atribuição de critérios e cálculos estatísticos em uma lista elaborada para a seleção e avaliação deste tipo de software. Este método pretender servir como instrumento de apoio à tomada de decisão no processo de escolha do software mais adequado às necessidades de cada instituição. Este trabalho foi motivado por uma demanda do Instituto Brasileiro de Informação em Ciência e Tecnologia (IBICT) para automatizar a sua biblioteca.

Case complexity and clinical outcome in diabetes mellitus. A prospective study using the INTERMED.

The aim of this study was to assess a population of patients with diabetes mellitus by means of the INTERMED, a classification system for case complexity integrating biological, psychosocial and health care related aspects of disease. The main hypothesis was that the INTERMED would identify distinct clusters of patients with different degrees of case complexity and different clinical outcomes. Patients (n=61) referred to a tertiary reference care centre were evaluated with the INTERMED and followed 9 months for HbA1c values and 6 months for health care utilisation. Cluster analysis revealed two clusters: cluster 1 (62%) consisting of complex patients with high INTERMED scores and cluster 2 (38%) consisting of less complex patients with lower INTERMED. Cluster 1 patients showed significantly higher HbA1c values and a tendency for increased health care utilisation. Total INTERMED scores were significantly related to HbA1c and explained 21% of its variance. In conclusion, different clusters of patients with different degrees of case complexity were identified by the INTERMED, allowing the detection of highly complex patients at risk for poor diabetes control. The INTERMED therefore provides an objective basis for clinical and scientific progress in diabetes mellitus. Ongoing intervention studies will have to confirm these preliminary data and to evaluate if management strategies based on the INTERMED profiles will improve outcomes.

Open access and connectedness: stimulating unexpected innovation through the use of institutional open archives

The author reviews past work with Ibict and the global progress made by the Open Access Movement. He postulates a theory of open access being an example of a complex adaptive system created by Internet-based scholarly publishing. Open access could be the cause of a cascade of increasing complexity and opportunities that will reshape this system. He has chosen the pervasive and global "Connectedness" created by the internet and the content spaces it provides for open access collections as a "simple disruptive agent". He discusses how connectedness influences infinite variety, creativity, work, change, knowledge, and the information economy. Case studies from the University of New Mexico Libraries are used where appropriate.

Social reciprocity measures based on dyadic discrepancies: Methodological review and software development

This paper examines statistical analysis of social reciprocity at group, dyadic, and individual levels. Given that testing statistical hypotheses regarding social reciprocity can be also of interest, a statistical procedure based on Monte Carlo sampling has been developed and implemented in R in order to allow social researchers to describe groups and make statistical decisions.

Modelling hydrodynamics in the Rio Parana, Argentina : an evaluation and inter-comparison of reduced-complexity and physics based models applied to a large sand-bed river

Depth-averaged velocities and unit discharges within a 30 km reach of one of the world's largest rivers, the Rio Parana, Argentina, were simulated using three hydrodynamic models with different process representations: a reduced complexity (RC) model that neglects most of the physics governing fluid flow, a two-dimensional model based on the shallow water equations, and a three-dimensional model based on the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. Row characteristics simulated using all three models were compared with data obtained by acoustic Doppler current profiler surveys at four cross sections within the study reach. This analysis demonstrates that, surprisingly, the performance of the RC model is generally equal to, and in some instances better than, that of the physics based models in terms of the statistical agreement between simulated and measured flow properties. In addition, in contrast to previous applications of RC models, the present study demonstrates that the RC model can successfully predict measured flow velocities. The strong performance of the RC model reflects, in part, the simplicity of the depth-averaged mean flow patterns within the study reach and the dominant role of channel-scale topographic features in controlling the flow dynamics. Moreover, the very low water surface slopes that typify large sand-bed rivers enable flow depths to be estimated reliably in the RC model using a simple fixed-lid planar water surface approximation. This approach overcomes a major problem encountered in the application of RC models in environments characterised by shallow flows and steep bed gradients. The RC model is four orders of magnitude faster than the physics based models when performing steady-state hydrodynamic calculations. However, the iterative nature of the RC model calculations implies a reduction in computational efficiency relative to some other RC models. A further implication of this is that, if used to simulate channel morphodynamics, the present RC model may offer only a marginal advantage in terms of computational efficiency over approaches based on the shallow water equations. These observations illustrate the trade off between model realism and efficiency that is a key consideration in RC modelling. Moreover, this outcome highlights a need to rethink the use of RC morphodynamic models in fluvial geomorphology and to move away from existing grid-based approaches, such as the popular cellular automata (CA) models, that remain essentially reductionist in nature. In the case of the world's largest sand-bed rivers, this might be achieved by implementing the RC model outlined here as one element within a hierarchical modelling framework that would enable computationally efficient simulation of the morphodynamics of large rivers over millennial time scales. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Calculation of wood volume and stem taper using terrestrial single-image close-range photogrammetry and contemporary software tools

Abstract

Cellular source and mechanisms of high transcriptome complexity in the Mammalian testis.

Understanding the extent of genomic transcription and its functional relevance is a central goal in genomics research. However, detailed genome-wide investigations of transcriptome complexity in major mammalian organs have been scarce. Here, using extensive RNA-seq data, we show that transcription of the genome is substantially more widespread in the testis than in other organs across representative mammals. Furthermore, we reveal that meiotic spermatocytes and especially postmeiotic round spermatids have remarkably diverse transcriptomes, which explains the high transcriptome complexity of the testis as a whole. The widespread transcriptional activity in spermatocytes and spermatids encompasses protein-coding and long noncoding RNA genes but also poorly conserves intergenic sequences, suggesting that it may not be of immediate functional relevance. Rather, our analyses of genome-wide epigenetic data suggest that this prevalent transcription, which most likely promoted the birth of new genes during evolution, is facilitated by an overall permissive chromatin in these germ cells that results from extensive chromatin remodeling.

Dissecting the role of low-complexity regions in the evolution of vertebrate proteins

Low-complexity regions (LCRs) in proteins are tracts that are highly enriched in one or a few aminoacids. Given their high abundance, and their capacity to expand in relatively short periods of time through replication slippage, they can greatly contribute to increase protein sequence space and generate novel protein functions. However, little is known about the global impact of LCRs on protein evolution. We have traced back the evolutionary history of 2,802 LCRs from a large set of homologous protein families from H.sapiens, M.musculus, G.gallus, D.rerio and C.intestinalis. Transcriptional factors and other regulatory functions are overrepresented in proteins containing LCRs. We have found that the gain of novel LCRs is frequently associated with repeat expansion whereas the loss of LCRs is more often due to accumulation of amino acid substitutions as opposed to deletions. This dichotomy results in net protein sequence gain over time. We have detected a significant increase in the rate of accumulation of novel LCRs in the ancestral Amniota and mammalian branches, and a reduction in the chicken branch. Alanine and/or glycine-rich LCRs are overrepresented in recently emerged LCR sets from all branches, suggesting that their expansion is better tolerated than for other LCR types. LCRs enriched in positively charged amino acids show the contrary pattern, indicating an important effect of purifying selection in their maintenance. We have performed the first large-scale study on the evolutionary dynamics of LCRs in protein families. The study has shown that the composition of an LCR is an important determinant of its evolutionary pattern.

Machine learning for spatial environmental data. Theory, applications and software

The book presents the state of the art in machine learning algorithms (artificial neural networks of different architectures, support vector machines, etc.) as applied to the classification and mapping of spatially distributed environmental data. Basic geostatistical algorithms are presented as well. New trends in machine learning and their application to spatial data are given, and real case studies based on environmental and pollution data are carried out. The book provides a CD-ROM with the Machine Learning Office software, including sample sets of data, that will allow both students and researchers to put the concepts rapidly to practice.

Open source software in translator training

La formació de traductors implica l´ús de procediments i eines que permetin els estudiants familiaritzar-se amb contextos professionals. El software lliure especialitzat inclou eines de qualitat professional i procediments accessibles per a les institucions acadèmiques i els estudiants a distància que treballen a casa seva. Els projectes reals que utilitzen software lliure i traducció col·laborativa (crowdsourcing) constitueixen recursos indispensables en la formació de traductors.

Evaluación y optimización de los servicios de un taller de mantenimiento mediante el software de simulación ARENA

Debido a la necesidad de diferenciarse y hacer frente a la competencia, las empresas han apostado por desarrollar operaciones que den valor al cliente, por eso muchas de ellas han visto en las herramientas lean la oportunidad para mejorar sus operaciones. Esta mejora implica la reducción de dinero, personas, equipos grandes, inventario y espacio, con dos objetivos: eliminar despilfarro y reducir la variabilidad. Para conseguir los objetivos estratégicos de la empresa es imprescindible qué éstos estén alineados con los planes de la gerencia a nivel medio y a su vez con el trabajo realizado por los empleados para asegurar que cada persona está alineada en la misma dirección y al mismo tiempo. Ésta es la filosofía de la planificación estratégica. Por ello uno de los objetivos de este proyecto será el desarrollar una herramienta que facilite la exposición de los objetivos de la empresa y la comunicación de los mismos a todos los niveles de la organización para a partir de ellos y tomando como referencia la necesidad de reducir inventarios en la cadena de suministro se realizará un estudio de la producción de un componente de control del aerogenerador para conseguir nivelarla y reducir su inventario de producto terminado. Los objetivos particulares en este apartado serán reducir el inventario en un 28%, nivelar la producción reduciendo la variabilidad del 31% al 24%, mantener un stock máximo de 24 unidades garantizando el suministro ante una demanda variable, incrementar la rotación del inventario en un 10% y establecer un plan de acción para reducir el lead time entre un 40-50%. Todo ello será posible gracias a la realización del mapa de valor presente y futuro para eliminar desperdicios y crear un flujo continuo y el cálculo de un supermercado que mantenga el stock en un nivel óptimo.

Las TIC como instrumento para la colaboración en red, en el ámbito de la Formación Profesional: Una aplicación de Software Libre para colaboración entre centro-empresa en el I.E.S El Palau.

En la era digital actual, Internet forma parte de nuestras vidas, y ha aportado cambios a lasociedad globalizada. Algunos de estos cambios nos permiten nuevas formas de relacionarnos y degestionar el conocimiento, dando sentido al término que hoy entendemos como sociedad-red.Por eso, en el entorno que nos envuelve existen continuamente acciones colaborativas globales quefomentan la comunicación y se comparte información de diversos tipos, con la finalidad deaprender y mantenerse constantemente informado. Específicamente, los centros educativos no sequedan al margen ya que requiere preparar estudiantes para esta sociedad.Estos cambios en la sociedad presentan grandes desafíos para el centro educativo, que nopermiten ser afrontados solamente desde el aula. Los centros requieren adaptarse a un modelocompatible con la sociedad-red, y por ello, se sugieren un modelo centro-red, que presente unaestructura de una organización compatible con la era en el que estamos inmersos.Las redes de colaboración en los centros permite intercambiar información y aportar valor a laeducación con el objetivo de la mejora educativa. En este sentido, los centros educativos debendisponer de características que permitan ser flexibles, adaptarse a los agentes y organizaciones quele envuelven. Pero la estructura actual de un centro educativo es rígida y por tanto esta evoluciónrepresenta uno de los mayores desafíos para el sistema educativo.En esta linea, en los centros de Formación Profesional existe una tendencia hacia modeloscolaborativos con el tejido empresarial, entre otros agentes, y es en este punto donde este proyectopretende centrar el foco de la investigación. Con más exactitud, en la creación de una red decolaboración con el agente que el centro educativo seleccione.Específicamente las TIC forman un papel esencial, y se deben poner al servicio del problemaque apuntábamos para ayudar a solventarlo. En este sentido, es adecuado un diseño del artefactocon Software Libre que tiene múltiples beneficios para este objetivo, pero que destacamos el que ami parecer es el más importante; la vinculación con la filosofía de compartir el conocimiento, quegarantiza la simbiosis con la red colaborativa y es por esta razón que el tema de la investigación esrelevante para el centro educativo.Tal y como se mencionaba previamente, las TIC pueden ayudar a fomentar la red colaborativa,pero no sólo el artefacto TIC generado en este proyecto debe cumplir características como laflexibilidad, también es crítico que el centro educativo y los agentes de la red interioricen la culturacolaborativa en sus acciones con la implicación y compromiso que se requiere. Pero como podemosPágina 6Universitat Oberta de Catalunya Trabajo Final de Máster - Software Libreimaginar, ese cambio de cultura, no es una tarea sencilla y presenta problemas. Para mitigarlos yfomentar la cultura en red, se requieren procesos específicos que permitan incorporarla en la medidade lo posible. Para ello, la combinación de la innovación sistémica y el diseño de la investigación eneducación resultan metodologías apropiadas.Por eso, investigaremos durante este proceso cómo las redes de colaboración y el SoftwareLibre permiten adaptar el centro al entorno, cómo pueden ayudar al centro a potenciar la FormaciónProfesional y garantizar la durabilidad de las acciones, con el objetivo que perdure el conocimientoy la propia red de colaboración para una mejora educativa.