Diseño e implementación de persistencia en bases de datos basadas en Google App Engine

El mundo de la web admite actualmente los productos desarrollados tanto por desarrolladores profesionales como por usuarios finales con un conocimiento más limitado. A pesar de la diferencia que se puede suponer de calidad entre los productos de ambos, las dos soluciones pueden ser reconocidas y empleadas en una aplicación. En la Web 2.0, este comportamiento se observa en el desarrollo de componentes web. Lo que se persigue en el trabajo es desarrollar un modelo de persistencia que, apoyado por un lado servidor y por uno cliente, recoja las métricas de calidad de los componentes cuando los usuarios interaccionan con ellos. A partir de estas métricas, es posible mejorar la calidad de estos componentes. La forma en la que se van a recoger las métricas es a través de PicBit, la aplicación desarrollada para que los usuarios puedan interconectar diferentes componentes entre ellos sin restricciones, de forma que tras interactuar con ellos puedan expresar su grado de satisfacción, que se recoge para la evaluación de la calidad. Se definen también unas métricas intrínsecas al componente, no determinadas por el usuario y que sirven como referencia de la evaluación. Cuando se tienen tanto las métricas intrínsecas como procedentes del usuario, se realiza una correlación entre ellas que permite analizar las posibles desviaciones entre ellas y determinar la calidad propia del componente. Las conclusiones que se pueden obtener del trabajo es que cuando los usuarios pueden realizar pruebas de usabilidad de forma libre, sin restricciones, es mayor la posibilidad de obtener resultados favorables porque estos resultados muestran cómo usará un usuario final la aplicación. Este método de trabajo se ve favorecido por el número de herramientas que se pueden utilizar hoy para monitorizar el flujo de usuario en el servicio.---ABSTRACT---Nowadays, the web world deals with products developed both by professional developers and by end-users with some limited knowledge. Although the difference between both can be important in quality terms, both are accepted and included in web applications. In web 2.0, this behavior can be recognized in the web components development. The goal pursued in the work presented is to create a persistent model that, supported by an end and a back side, will pick the quality measures of the components when the users interact with them. These measures are the starting point for improving the components. The way in which the measures are going to be picked is through PicBit, the application we have developed in order to allow the users playing with the components without restrictions or rules, so after the interaction they can give their satisfaction mark with the application. This will be the value used to evaluate the quality. Some own measures are also defined, which does not depend on the user and which will be used as a reference point of the evaluation. When the measures from users and own ones are got, their correlation is analyzed to study the differences between them and to establish the quality of the component. The conclusion that can be gained from the project is the importance of giving freedom for users when doing usability tests because it increases the chance to get positive results, in the way the users execute the operations they want with the application. This method is fortunate for having such a number of tools to monitor the user flow when using the service.

Diseño y desarrollo del backend para la explotación de componentes web empleando Google App Engine

La web vive un proceso de cambio constante, basado en una interacción mayor del usuario. A partir de la actual corriente de paradigmas y tecnologías asociadas a la web 2.0, han surgido una serie de estándares de gran utilidad, que cubre la necesidad de los desarrollos actuales de la red. Entre estos se incluyen los componentes web, etiquetas HTML definidas por el usuario que cubren una función concreta dentro de una página. Existe una necesidad de medir la calidad de dichos desarrollos, para discernir si el concepto de componente web supone un cambio revolucionario en el desarrollo de la web 2.0. Para ello, es necesario realizar una explotación de componentes web, considerada como la medición de calidad basada en métricas y definición de un modelo de interconexión de componentes. La plataforma PicBit surge como respuesta a estas cuestiones. Consiste en una plataforma social de construcción de perfiles basada en estos elementos. Desde la perspectiva del usuario final se trata de una herramienta para crear perfiles y comunidades sociales, mientras que desde una perspectiva académica, la plataforma consiste en un entorno de pruebas o sandbox de componentes web. Para ello, será necesario implementar el extremo servidor de dicha plataforma, enfocado a la labor de explotación, por medio de la definición de una interfaz REST de operaciones y un sistema para la recolección de eventos de usuario en la plataforma. Gracias a esta plataforma se podrán discernir qué parámetros influyen positivamente en la experiencia de uso de un componente, así como descubrir el futuro potencial de este tipo de desarrollos.---ABSTRACT---The web evolves into a more interactive platform. From the actual version of the web, named as web 2.0, many paradigms and standards have arisen. One of those standards is web components, a set of concepts to define new HTML tags that covers a specific function inside a web page. It is necessary to measure the quality of this kind of software development, and the aim behind this approach is to determine if this new set of concepts would survive in the actual web paradigm. To achieve this, it is described a model to analyse components, in the terms of quality measure and interconnection model description. PicBit consists of a social platform to use web components. From the point of view of the final user, this platform is a tool to create social profiles using components, whereas from the point of view of technicians, it consists of a sandbox of web components. Thanks to this platform, we will be able to discover those parameters that have a positive effect in the user experience and to discover the potential of this new set of standards into the web 2.0.

Aplicación lectora de datos públicos sobre DNIE

Con la llegada de la era de la información, viendo esta era como la necesidad de informatizar, registrar y tratar una gran cantidad de datos mediante la tecnología, se está dando el paso de diversos procesos burocráticos a medios tecnológicos cambiando el papel por los datos almacenados en las computadoras. El DNI electrónico permite a un individuo identificarse mediante un dispositivo donde se almacenan los datos de éste para poder identificarse unívocamente ante aquellos trámites que antaño costaban largos procesos burocráticos en papel. Sabemos que las aplicaciones software son aquellos módulos formado por un conjunto de programas y rutinas que permiten a los diferentes tipos de computadores realizar tareas de manera parcial o totalmente automáticas. Por ello este proyecto demuestra todo el proceso de creación de un módulo software, que cómo comentamos en el primer párrafo, permitiría sobrellevar otros tantos procesos burocráticos como sería la petición del DNI y posterior escritura a mano en distintas situaciones. Todo ello orientado desde un estricto análisis desde el punto de vista de la ingeniería del software. ABSTRACT Due to the fact that we’re in the era of information technology, and from the perspective that this era means to computerize register and treat a big quantity of data through technologic means, we are stepping into a process where all the bureaucracy is being transferred from paper to digital storage models. Hence, the electronic DNI allows the citizen to identify himself univocally against processes that back in time where made through tedious and heavy-paper-work processes. We know that software apps are modules conformed by a set of instructions and programs that make possible the execution of partially or totally automated tasks. That’s why this project shows the process of the creation of a software module (app) that, as we stated before, would allow overcoming many other bureaucratic processes like the request to write down the national identification number. All of it focused to a strict analysis from software engineering’s point of view.

Unusual phenotypic alteration of β amyloid precursor protein (βAPP) maturation by a new Val-715 → Met βAPP-770 mutation responsible for probable early-onset Alzheimer’s disease

We have identified a novel β amyloid precursor protein (βAPP) mutation (V715M-βAPP770) that cosegregates with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in a pedigree. Unlike other familial AD-linked βAPP mutations reported to date, overexpression of V715M-βAPP in human HEK293 cells and murine neurons reduces total Aβ production and increases the recovery of the physiologically secreted product, APPα. V715M-βAPP significantly reduces Aβ40 secretion without affecting Aβ42 production in HEK293 cells. However, a marked increase in N-terminally truncated Aβ ending at position 42 (x-42Aβ) is observed, whereas its counterpart x-40Aβ is not affected. These results suggest that, in some cases, familial AD may be associated with a reduction in the overall production of Aβ but may be caused by increased production of truncated forms of Aβ ending at the 42 position.

Debito indebito? Regole per il mercato globale

Inclui notas bibliográficas

Le imprese uscite dal mercato nel corso della crisi

Questo lavoro analizza le imprese italiane uscite dal mercato tra il 2008 e il 2012 a seguito di una procedura fallimentare o di una liquidazione volontaria e individua le principali caratteristiche aziendali correlate a tale fenomeno. L’analisi econometrica condotta sui bilanci delle società di capitali indica che la probabilità di cessazione dell’attività produttiva è stata maggiore per le aziende più piccole e per quelle di più recente costituzione. A parità di altre caratteristiche delle imprese, come la dimensione, il settore produttivo o l’area in cui esse sono localizzate, l’apertura di una procedura fallimentare è risultata maggiormente correlata a squilibri nella struttura finanziaria, come un elevato leverage, mentre la probabilità di liquidazione è stata influenzata in misura superiore dai bassi livelli di redditività.

Developing a Citizen Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program for the Flathead Basin in Northwestern Montana for the early Detection and Prevention of the Introduction of Zebra Mussels and other Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

Preventing the introduction of aquatic invasive species (AIS) like zebra and quagga mussels in the U.S. is a high priority. This Capstone demonstrates zebra and quagga mussels are of concern as aquatic invasive species and a volunteer monitoring and intervention program is an effective means for early detection of AIS. This Capstone developed an AIS citizen volunteer lake monitoring program consistent with other programs concerned about AIS prevention and early detection. This Capstone concludes implementing such a voluntary program will help reduce the spread of zebra and quagga mussels and will provide early detection information to appropriate agencies empowered with response actions if species are found.

The Role of Citizen Participation in Wildlife-Sensitive Transportation Projects

An extensive and growing road system in the United States bisects vital wildlife habitat and is causing deleterious ecological effects on many wildlife species. The primary impacts include collisions between wildlife and vehicles, altered movement patterns within habitat, and/or the complete blockage of movements between vital habitats. The increasing size of the road network and number of vehicles will only intensify the problem unless proactive wildlife mitigation measures are developed to minimize these adverse effects. Therefore, this capstone project examines the role of citizen advocacy for promoting wildlife protection in the planning and development of wildlife-sensitive transportation projects in the United States. Based upon a data analysis of 21 questionnaires from qualified participants, it was determined that citizen participation is an important component associated with the development of wildlife-sensitive transportation projects. However, four major barriers to facilitating effective citizen participation processes were identified. 1) A lack of awareness. Citizens are only minimally aware of wildlife and transportation issues, including: a) the ecological impacts of roads, b) the solutions available to mitigate these impacts, and c) the opportunities to advocate for the protection of wildlife during transportation planning processes; 2) Public apathy or a lack of citizen interest in wildlife and transportation issues; 3) Ineffective citizen participation techniques and processes; and 4) Poor communication with citizens. Four recommendations were provided to assist in overcoming these barriers and to help define a better role for citizen advocacy in protecting wildlife from the growing road network.

A new low magnetic field magnetar: the 2011 outburst of Swift J1822.3–1606

We report on the long-term X-ray monitoring with Swift, RXTE, Suzaku, Chandra, and XMM-Newton of the outburst of the newly discovered magnetar Swift J1822.3–1606 (SGR 1822–1606), from the first observations soon after the detection of the short X-ray bursts which led to its discovery, through the first stages of its outburst decay (covering the time span from 2011 July until the end of 2012 April). We also report on archival ROSAT observations which detected the source during its likely quiescent state, and on upper limits on Swift J1822.3–1606's radio-pulsed and optical emission during outburst, with the Green Bank Telescope and the Gran Telescopio Canarias, respectively. Our X-ray timing analysis finds the source rotating with a period of P = 8.43772016(2) s and a period derivative P = 8.3(2)×10−14 s s−1, which implies an inferred dipolar surface magnetic field of B sime 2.7 × 1013 G at the equator. This measurement makes Swift J1822.3–1606 the second lowest magnetic field magnetar (after SGR 0418+5729). Following the flux and spectral evolution from the beginning of the outburst, we find that the flux decreased by about an order of magnitude, with a subtle softening of the spectrum, both typical of the outburst decay of magnetars. By modeling the secular thermal evolution of Swift J1822.3–1606, we find that the observed timing properties of the source, as well as its quiescent X-ray luminosity, can be reproduced if it was born with a poloidal and crustal toroidal fields of Bp ~ 1.5 × 1014 G and B tor ~ 7 × 1014 G, respectively, and if its current age is ~550 kyr.

The X-ray quiescence of Swift J195509.6+261406 (GRB 070610): an optical bursting X-ray binary?

We report on an ~63 ks Chandra observation of the X-ray transient Swift J195509.6+261406 discovered as the afterglow of what was first believed to be a long-duration gamma-ray burst (GRB 070610). The outburst of this source was characterized by unique optical flares on timescales of second or less, morphologically similar to the short X-ray bursts usually observed from magnetars. Our Chandra observation was performed ~2 years after the discovery of the optical and X-ray flaring activity of this source, catching it in its quiescent state. We derive stringent upper limits on the quiescent emission of Swift J195509.6+261406, which argues against the possibility of this object being a typical magnetar. Our limits show that the most viable interpretation on the nature of this peculiar bursting source is a binary system hosting a black hole or a neutron star with a low-mass companion star (<0.12 M ☉) and with an orbital period smaller than a few hours.

Selective SWIFT-R. A Flexible Software-Based Technique for Soft Error Mitigation in Low-Cost Embedded Systems

Commercial off-the-shelf microprocessors are the core of low-cost embedded systems due to their programmability and cost-effectiveness. Recent advances in electronic technologies have allowed remarkable improvements in their performance. However, they have also made microprocessors more susceptible to transient faults induced by radiation. These non-destructive events (soft errors), may cause a microprocessor to produce a wrong computation result or lose control of a system with catastrophic consequences. Therefore, soft error mitigation has become a compulsory requirement for an increasing number of applications, which operate from the space to the ground level. In this context, this paper uses the concept of selective hardening, which is aimed to design reduced-overhead and flexible mitigation techniques. Following this concept, a novel flexible version of the software-based fault recovery technique known as SWIFT-R is proposed. Our approach makes possible to select different registers subsets from the microprocessor register file to be protected on software. Thus, design space is enriched with a wide spectrum of new partially protected versions, which offer more flexibility to designers. This permits to find the best trade-offs between performance, code size, and fault coverage. Three case studies have been developed to show the applicability and flexibility of the proposal.

GPLSI Compendium App

GPLSI Compendium App se trata de una aplicación móvil que hará las veces de un sistema de gestión y difusión de contenidos digitales, en la que el usuario podrá realizar resúmenes de textos de diferentes webs, tales como artículos o noticias, y posteriormente compartir esos resúmenes en sus redes sociales o a través del correo. Se le proporcionarán varios métodos de resumen, así como las descripciones y un pequeño tutorial de cómo utilizar la aplicación.

The outburst decay of the low magnetic field magnetar SWIFT J1822.3−1606: phase-resolved analysis and evidence for a variable cyclotron feature

We study the timing and spectral properties of the low-magnetic field, transient magnetar SWIFT J1822.3−1606 as it approached quiescence. We coherently phase-connect the observations over a time-span of ∼500 d since the discovery of SWIFT J1822.3−1606 following the Swift-Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) trigger on 2011 July 14, and carried out a detailed pulse phase spectroscopy along the outburst decay. We follow the spectral evolution of different pulse phase intervals and find a phase and energy-variable spectral feature, which we interpret as proton cyclotron resonant scattering of soft photon from currents circulating in a strong (≳1014 G) small-scale component of the magnetic field near the neutron star surface, superimposed to the much weaker (∼3 × 1013 G) magnetic field. We discuss also the implications of the pulse-resolved spectral analysis for the emission regions on the surface of the cooling magnetar.