B-LOG: A branch and bound methodology for the parallel execution of logic programs

We propose a computational methodology -"B-LOG"-, which offers the potential for an effective implementation of Logic Programming in a parallel computer. We also propose a weighting scheme to guide the search process through the graph and we apply the concepts of parallel "branch and bound" algorithms in order to perform a "best-first" search using an information theoretic bound. The concept of "session" is used to speed up the search process in a succession of similar queries. Within a session, we strongly modify the bounds in a local database, while bounds kept in a global database are weakly modified to provide a better initial condition for other sessions. We also propose an implementation scheme based on a database machine using "semantic paging", and the "B-LOG processor" based on a scoreboard driven controller.

Discriminant Analysis of Geographical Origin of Cork Planks and Stoppers by Near Infrared Spectroscopy

The objective of this study was to assess the potential of visible and near infrared spectroscopy (VIS+NIRS) combined with multivariate analysis for identifying the geographical origin of cork. The study was carried out on cork planks and natural cork stoppers from the most representative cork-producing areas in the world. Two training sets of international and national cork planks were studied. The first set comprised a total of 479 samples from Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, while the second set comprised a total of 179 samples from the Spanish regions of Andalusia, Catalonia, and Extremadura. A training set of 90 cork stoppers from Andalusia and Catalonia was also studied. Original spectroscopic data were obtained for the transverse sections of the cork planks and for the body and top of the cork stoppers by means of a 6500 Foss-NIRSystems SY II spectrophotometer using a fiber optic probe. Remote reflectance was employed in the wavelength range of 400 to 2500 nm. After analyzing the spectroscopic data, discriminant models were obtained by means of partial least square (PLS) with 70% of the samples. The best models were then validated using 30% of the remaining samples. At least 98% of the international cork plank samples and 95% of the national samples were correctly classified in the calibration and validation stage. The best model for the cork stoppers was obtained for the top of the stoppers, with at least 90% of the samples being correctly classified. The results demonstrate the potential of VIS + NIRS technology as a rapid and accurate method for predicting the geographical origin of cork plank and stoppers

Gas discharges for continental Spain: geochemical and isotopic features

In this work the results of a geochemical and isotopic survey of 37 gas discharges was carried out in continental Spain are presented and discussed. On the basis of the gas chemical composition, four different areas can be distinguished, as follows: 1) Selva-Emborda (SE) region; 2) Guadalentin Valley (GV); 3) Campo de Calatrava (CC) and 3) the inner part of Spain (IS). The SE, GV and CC areas are characterized by CO2-rich gases, while IS has N2 as main gas compound. The CO2-rich gases can be distinguished at their turn on the basis on the helium and carbon isotopic composition. The SE and CC areas have a strong mantle signature (up to 3 Ra). Nevertheless, the carbon isotopic composition of CC is within the mantle range and that of SE is slightly more negative (down to -8‰ PDB). The GV gases have a lower mantle signature (61 Ra) with respect to SE and CC and more negative carbon isotopes (6-10‰ PDB). It is worth to mention that the SE, GV and CC areas are related to the youngest volcanic activity in continental Spain, for example the Garrotxa Volcanic Field in Catalonia records the latest event dated at 10,000 years, and the isotopic features, particularly those of helium, are suggesting the presence of magmatic bodies still cooling at depth. The N2-rich gases, i.e. those from the IS area, has an atmospheric origin, as highlighted by the N2/Ar ratio that ranges between those of air and ASW (Air Saturated Water). The isotopic composition of carbon is distinctly negative (down to -21‰ PDB) and that of helium is typically crustal (0.02-0.08 Ra), confirming that these gas discharges are related to a relatively shallow source.

Comparison of linear and non-linear 2D+T registration methods for DE-MRI cardiac perfusion studies

A series of motion compensation algorithms is run on the challenge data including methods that optimize only a linear transformation, or a non-linear transformation, or both – first a linear and then a non-linear transformation. Methods that optimize a linear transformation run an initial segmentation of the area of interest around the left myocardium by means of an independent component analysis (ICA) (ICA-*). Methods that optimize non-linear transformations may run directly on the full images, or after linear registration. Non-linear motion compensation approaches applied include one method that only registers pairs of images in temporal succession (SERIAL), one method that registers all image to one common reference (AllToOne), one method that was designed to exploit quasi-periodicity in free breathing acquired image data and was adapted to also be usable to image data acquired with initial breath-hold (QUASI-P), a method that uses ICA to identify the motion and eliminate it (ICA-SP), and a method that relies on the estimation of a pseudo ground truth (PG) to guide the motion compensation.

Determination of selected pharmaceutical compounds in biosolids bysupported liquid extraction and gas chromatography?tandem massspectrometry

In this work, an analytical method was developed for the determination of pharmaceutical drugs inbiosolids. Samples were extracted with an acidic mixture of water and acetone (1:2, v/v) and supportedliquid extraction was used for the clean-up of extracts, eluting with ethyl acetate:methanol (90:10, v/v).The compounds were determined by gas chromatography?tandem mass spectrometry using matrix-match calibration after silylation to form their t-butyldimethylsilyl derivatives. This method presentsvarious advantages, such as a fairly simple operation for the analysis of complex matrices, the use ofinexpensive glassware and low solvent volumes. Satisfactory mean recoveries were obtained with thedeveloped method ranging from 70 to 120% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) ? 13%, and limitsof detection between 0.5 and 3.6 ng g?1. The method was then successfully applied to biosolids samplescollected in Madrid and Catalonia (Spain). Eleven of the sixteen target compounds were detected in thestudied samples, at levels up to 1.1 ?g g?1(salicylic acid). Ibuprofen, caffeine, paracetamol and fenofibratewere detected in all of the samples analyzed.

Scaling the universe: Gravitational lenses and the Hubble constant

Gravitational lenses, besides being interesting in their own right, have been demonstrated to be suitable as “gravitational standard rulers” for the measurement of the rate of expansion of the Universe (Ho), as well as to constrain the values of the cosmological parameters such as Ωo and Λo that control the evolution of the volume of the Universe with cosmic time.

Neoplastic development: paradoxical relation between impaired cell growth at low population density and excessive growth at high density.

The role of heritable, population-wide cell damage in neoplastic development was studied in the 28 L subline of NIH 3T3 cells. These cells differ from the 17(3c) subline used previously for such studies in their lower frequency of "spontaneous" transformation at high population density and their greater capacity to produce large, dense transformed foci. Three cultures of the 28 L subline of NIH 3T3 cells were held under the constraint of confluence for 5 wk (5 wk 1 degree assay) and then assayed twice in succession (2 degrees and 3 degrees assays) for transformed foci and saturation density. After the 2 degrees assay, the cells were also passaged at low density to determine their exponential growth rates and cloned to determine the size and morphological features of the colonies. Concurrent measurements were made in each case with control cells that had been kept only in frequent low-density passages and cells that had been kept at confluence for only 2 wk (2 wk 1 degree). Two of the three cultures transferred from the 2 degrees assay of the 5 wk 1 degree cultures produced light transformed foci, and the third produced dense foci. The light focus-forming cultures grew to twice the control saturation density in their 2 degrees assay and 6-8 times the control density in the 3 degrees assay; saturation densities for the dense focus formers were about 10 times the control values in both assays. All three of the cultures transferred from the 2 degrees assay of the 5 wk 1 degree cultures multiplied at lower rates than controls at low densities, but the dense focus formers multiplied faster than the light focus formers. The reduced rates of multiplication of the light focus formers persisted for > 50 generations of exponential multiplication at low densities. Isolated colonies formed from single cells of the light focus formers were of a lower population density than controls; colonies formed by the dense focus formers were slightly denser than the controls but occupied only half the area. A much higher proportion of the colonies from the 5 wk 1 degree cultures than the controls consisted of giant cells or mixtures of giant and normal-appearing cells. The results reinforce the previous conclusion that the early increases in saturation density and light focus formation are associated with, and perhaps caused by, heritable, population-wide damage to cells that is essentially epigenetic in nature. The more advanced transformation characterized by large increases in saturation density and dense focus formation could have originated from rare genetic changes, such as chromosome rearrangements, known to occur at an elevated frequency in cells destabilized by antecedent cellular damage.

Architecture of a Bench-Type Carbonate Lake Margin and Its Relation to Fluvially Dominated Deltas, Las Minas Basin, Upper Miocene, Spain

The Upper Miocene stratigraphic succession of the Las Minas Basin, located at the external zone of the Betic Chain in SE Spain, preserves several examples of lake carbonate bench deposits. Excellent exposures of the carbonate benches allow detailed observation of the architecture of these sediments and provide new insights for the ‘‘steep-gradient bench margin–low energy’’ model proposed by Platt and Wright (1991). The lake carbonate benches developed in close association with fluvially dominated shallow deltas that exhibit typical Gilbert-type profiles. The delta sequences comprise bottomset prodelta marl facies, distal to proximal foreset facies, deposited mainly in a delta-front environment, and topset facies, the latter reflecting both subaqueous delta-front and subaerial delta-plain environments. The development of the carbonate benches was constrained by the convexupward morphology of the deltaic deposits, which led to the available accommodation space for the growth of the steep-gradient platforms. The benches display a progradational pattern characterized by sigmoid-oblique internal geometries and offlap upper boundary relationships, which suggests that the carbonate benches developed under slow though continuous lake-level rise. Both the dimensions of the benches and the dominant carbonate components (i.e., encrusted charophyte stems and calcified cyanobaterial remains), allow comparisons with the progradational marl benches recognized in modern temperate hardwater lakes. Accordingly, the case study presented here provides a good ancient sedimentary analog for low-energy lake carbonate benches. Moreover, the evolutionary trend inferred from the fossil example offers new insights into the depositional conditions of this type of sediment and allows recognition of the transitional pattern from bench to ramp carbonate lake margins.

Understanding the Leadership Capacity and Practice of Assistant Principals

The purpose of this study was to explore the leadership capacities and practices of assistant principals. The research also sought to determine what relationships existed between capacity and practice and to see if there was a difference based on experience, context and personal characteristics. Since the majority of principals first serve as assistant principals, their work and experiences as assistant principals will have significant consequences (Kwan, 2009). The literature has long held and continues to challenge the notion that the role of assistant principal is adequate preparation for the principalship (Chan, Webb, & Bowen, 2003; Harris, Muijs, & Crawford, 2003; Kwan, 2009; Mertz, 2000; Webb & Vulliamy, 1995). Based on empirical findings, this study has affirmed the need to further research and refine the role of the assistant principal. The results indicate that in addition to strengths, there are explicit gaps and missed opportunities in the leadership practices of assistant principals that impact the potential for building a leadership pipeline within schools. The work of the assistant principal is characterized by a proliferation of duties rather than a strategic set of practices that support distributed leadership and sustainability.

The Role of Succession Planning in Leadership Development

In progressive companies succession planning plays a vital role in leadership development. Some companies have neither succession planning nor ways to fill leadership gaps. On the academic side of research, this Capstone Project focuses on the role of succession planning in leadership development through various approaches and theories. The purpose of this Capstone Project is to provide HR professionals with solid mechanisms for identifying and preparing leaders for leadership roles through proper succession mapping within a company. Through the analysis of case studies and research, recommendations are made on the formulation of a decision tree so that succession planning may take a new place in leadership development in an organization.

Triassic redbeds in the Malaguide Complex (Betic Cordillera — Spain): petrography, geochemistry and geodynamic implications

Sandstone petrography and mudstone mineralogy and geochemistry of Triassic mudstones and sandstones from continental redbeds of the Malaguide Complex (Betic Cordillera, southern Spain) provide useful information on provenance, palaeoclimate and geodynamics during the early stages of the Pangea break-up, and on their diagenetic evolution. The sandstones are quartzarenites to sub-litharenites, with minor lithic fragments and rare feldspars. The mudstone samples show a PAAS like elemental distribution. The samples likely record recycling processes from their metasedimentary basement rocks that significantly affected the weathering indices, and monitors cumulative effects, including a first cycle of weathering at the source rocks. Sandstone composition and chemical–mineralogical features of mudstones record a provenance derived from continental block and recycled orogen that were weathered under warm and episodically wet climate. Source areas were located towards the east of the present-day Malaguide outcrops, and were formed by fairly silicic rock types, made up mainly of Palaezoic metasedimentary rocks, similar to those of the Paleozoic underlying series, with subordinate contributions from magmatic–metamorphic sources, and a rare supply from mafic metavolcanic rocks. Clay-mineral distribution of mudstones is dominated by illite and illite/smectite mixed-layer that result from differences in provenance, weathering, and burial/temperature history. Illite crystallinity values, illitization of kaolinite, occurrence of typical authigenic minerals and apatite fission-track studies, coupled with a subsidence analysis of the whole Malaguide succession suggest burial depths of at least 4–6 km with temperatures of 140–160 °C, typical of the burial diagenetic stage, and confirm the Middle Miocene exhumation of the Betic Internal Domain tectonic stack topped by the Malaguide Complex.

New data on the Vrancea Nappe (Moldavidian Basin, Outer Carpathian Domain, Romania): paleogeographic and geodynamic reconstructions

A study has been performed on the Cretaceous to Early Miocene succession of the Vrancea Nappe (Outer Carpathians, Romania), based on field reconstruction of the stratigraphic record, mineralogical-petrographic and geochemical analyses. Extra-basinal clastic supply and intra-basinal autochthonous deposits have been differentiated, appearing laterally inter-fingered and/or interbedded. The main clastic petrofacies consist of calcarenites, sub-litharenites, quartzarenites, sub-arkoses, and polygenic conglomerates derived from extra-basinal margins. An alternate internal and external provenance of the different supplies is the result of the paleogeographic re-organization of the basin/margins system due to tectonic activation and exhumation of rising areas. The intra-basinal deposits consist of black shales and siliceous sediments (silexites and cherty beds), evidencing major environmental changes in the Moldavidian Basin. Organic-matter-rich black shales were deposited during anoxic episodes related to sediment starvation and high nutrient influx due to paleogeographic isolation of the basin caused by plate drifting. The black shales display relatively high contents in sub-mature to mature, Type II lipidic organic matter (good oil and gas-prone source rocks) constituting a potentially active petroleum system. The intra-basinal siliceous sediments are related to oxic pelagic or hemipelagic environments under tectonic quiescence conditions although its increase in the Oligocene part of the succession can be correlated with volcanic supplies. The integration of all the data in the “progressive reorientation of convergence direction” Carpathian model, and their consideration in the framework of a foreland basin, led to propose some constrains on the paleogeographic-geodynamic evolutionary model of the Moldavidian Basin from the Late Cretaceous to the Burdigalian.

Stratigraphic update of the Cenozoic Sub-Numidian formations of the Tunisian Tell (North Africa): Tectonic/sedimentary evolution and correlations along the Maghrebian Chain

The Sub-Numidian Tertiary stratigraphic record of the Tunisian Tell has been updated by means of 11 stratigraphic successions belonging to the Maghrebian Flysch Basin (N-African Margin) reconstructed in the Tunisian Numidian Zone and the Triassic Dome Zone. The Sub-Numidian successions studied range from the Paleocene to the Priabonian, representing a major change in the sedimentation from the latest Cretaceous onwards. The Sub-Numidian succession and the Numidian Formation are separated by an Intermediate interval located between two erosive surfaces (local paraconformities). The stratigraphic analysis has revealed diachronous contacts between distal slope to basinal sedimentary formation, allowing the identification of an Early Eocene Chouabine marker bed. The integrated biostratigraphic analysis made by means of planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nannoplankton updates the ages of the formations studied, proving younger than previously thought. The new definition of the Sub-Numidian stratigraphy enables a better correlation with equivalent successions widely outcropping along the Maghrebian, Betic, and southern Apennine Chains. The study proposes a new evolutionary tectonic/sedimentary model for this Tunisian sector of the Maghrebian Chain during the Paleogene after the Triassic–Cretaceous extensional regime. This paleogeographic reorganization is considered a consequence of the beginning of the tectonic inversion (from extensional to compressional), leading to the end of the preorogenic sedimentation. Our results suggest a non-tabular stratigraphy (marked by lateral changes of lithofacies, variable thicknesses, and the presence of diachronous boundaries) providing significant elements for a re-evaluation of active petroleum systems on the quality, volume, distribution, timing of oil generation, and on the migration and accumulation of the oil.

Sexual health and socioeconomic-related factors in Spain

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to describe sexual health in Spain according to three important indicators of the World Health Organization definition and explore the influence of socioeconomic factors. Methods: We performed a population-based cross-sectional study of sexually active people aged 16-44 years residing in Spain in 2009 (2365 women and 2532 men). Three main aspects of sexual health were explored: sexual satisfaction, safe sex, and sexual abuse. The independent variables explored were age, age at first intercourse, reason for first intercourse, type of partner, level of education, country of origin, religiousness, parity, and social class. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were fitted. Results: Both men and women were quite satisfied with their sexual life, their first sexual intercourse, and their sexual relationships during the previous year. Most participants had practiced safe sex both at first intercourse and during the previous year. Levels of sexual abuse were similar to those in other developed countries. People of disadvantaged socioeconomic position have less satisfying, more unsafe, and more abusive sexual relationships. Women experienced more sexual abuse and had less satisfaction at their first intercourse. Conclusions: The state of sexual health in Spain is relatively good. However, we observed inequalities according to gender and socioeconomic position.