General Descriptors Research Articles

FISIONOMIA E ESTRUTURA DE VEGETAÇÃO DE CAATINGA EM DIFERENTES AMBIENTES EM SERRA TALHADA - PERNAMBUCO

Este estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de investigar a influência da heterogeneidade espacial dos fatores abióticos sobre os padrões espaciais da estrutura da vegetação do componente lenhoso e sua regeneração em uma área de caatinga, no sertão de Pernambuco. O estudo foi realizado em uma área de caatinga localizada no Parque Estadual da Mata da Pimenteira, município de Serra Talhada, Pernambuco. A amostragem foi dividida em dois ambientes, um próximo ao curso d’água com vegetação mais densa (I) e outro a 100 m do curso d’água com vegetação mais aberta (II). Em cada ambiente foram instaladas quatro parcelas permanentes de 20 × 50 m subdivididas em 10 parcelas de 10 × 10 m, nas quais foram medidos os indivíduos vivos com diâmetro do caule ao nível do solo (DNS) ≥ 3 cm e altura total ≥ 1 m. Em um dos vértices de cada parcela foi plotada uma subparcela de 2 × 2 m para medir a altura e o diâmetro dos indivíduos das espécies amostradas no componente lenhoso com DNS entre 0,5 e 2,9 cm (regeneração). Foram calculados os descritores fitossociológicos gerais da comunidade dos diferentes ambientes e avaliada a distribuição de indivíduos em histogramas, tanto do componente lenhoso como para a regeneração. Após verificação da normalidade pelo teste Kolmogorov-Smirnov, os valores dos descritores fitossociológicos por parcela foram comparados entre os ambientes. Nos dados com distribuição normal, foi empregada a análise de variância (ANOVA) de um critério. Dados sem distribuição normal foram analisados pelo teste não paramétrico de Mann-Whitney. Os ambientes apresentaram diferenças significativas quanto ao número de indivíduos (4047,5 versus 3332,5 ind.ha-1) e área basal (23,6 versus 17,6 m2. ha-1), com valores significativamente superiores no ambiente I, padrão oposto ao da regeneração em que o número de indivíduos e a área basal foram maiores no ambiente II (9187,5 versus 10937,5 ind.ha-1) e (1,9 versus 2,5 m2. ha-1), respectivamente. No total foram amostradas 50 espécies (incluindo o componente arbóreo e regenerante), havendo diferenças significativas em termos de diversidade entre os ambientes nos diferentes estratos, embora a similaridade seja superior a 80%. A maioria das variáveis químicas e texturais dos solos não diferiram estatisticamente, com exceção dos teores de Al3+ que apresentou teores superiores no ambiente I. Das demais variáveis edáficas, apenas a pedregosidade diferiu entre os ambientes I e II (3,87 versus 1,47%). A distinção fisionômica da vegetação entre os ambientes é resultado da presença de populações com indivíduos de maiores alturas e diâmetros no ambiente I. A heterogeneidade espacial das variáveis ambientais encontrada nos ambientes estudados, explicou parte das variações das características florístico-estrutural da vegetação.

Mechanism of CO2 reduction by H2 on Ru(0 0 0 1) and general selectivity descriptors for late-transition metal catalysts

The mechanism of CO2 reduction by H2 at atmospheric pressure was investigated on Ru(0001) by coupling density functional theory (DFT) calculations with mean-field microkinetic modeling. The initial CO2 hydrogenation step leading to CH4 production was shown to occur through CO2 dissociation and subsequent hydrogenation of CO∗ to CHO∗. The dissociation of CHO∗ to form CH∗ and O∗ was identified as the rate limiting step for CH4 formation, while the rate limiting step for CO production through the reverse water gas shift reaction was identified as CO∗ desorption. Based on a scaling relations analysis of competing CHO∗ dissociation and CO∗ desorption, O∗ adsorption energy was found to be an effective descriptor of differences in selectivity between CO and CH4 production previously observed on late-transition metal catalysts. These mechanistic insights provide critical information to guide the design of catalysts with tunable selectivity for CO2 reduction by H2 at atmospheric pressure.

Average vs. extreme salinity conditions: Do they equally affect the distribution of macroinvertebrates in estuarine environments?

AbstractSalinity is a key variable used to explain the distribution of species within estuaries and the functioning of estuarine ecosystems. Despite the relevance of average conditions and extreme events, the existing schemes of zonation are only based on average values; the extreme values obtained through high‐resolution long‐term data have not been still integrated in an appropriate methodology capable of recognizing salinity types. Therefore, the background variability of salinity has been frequently underestimated in ecological studies. The primary goal of this research is the identification of ecologically significant salinity zones capable of encompassing the entire estuarine regime. A two‐step methodological approach was developed: (1) the reconstruction of long‐term salinity series using the Deflt3D hydrodynamic model, the analog method and a subset of short‐term representative states of river flow and tidal level and (2) the identification of different zones using eight descriptors of the salinity regime (i.e., the median, the range and the intensity, duration and frequency of extreme events) and the application of a combination of two clustering techniques of unsupervised learning (Self‐Organizing Maps (SOM) and K‐Means). Thus, five ecologically significant salinity types that are representative of estuarine variability were identified based on a salinity series reconstructed using a validated method. Differences in the mean values of salinity among typologies allow explaining patterns in the general descriptors of benthic macroinvertebrates assemblages (i.e., richness and diversity). If extreme salinity conditions are also considered, typologies increase their ecological significance and they are able to recognize differences in species composition.

Advances in Charge Displacement Analysis.

We define new general density-based descriptors for the quantification of charge transfer and polarization effects associated with the interaction between two fragments and the formation of a chemical bond. Our aim is to provide a simple yet accurate picture of a chemical interaction by condensing the information on the charge rearrangement accompanying it into a few chemically meaningful parameters. These charge displacement (CD) parameters quantify the total charge displaced upon bond formation and decompose it into a charge transfer component between the fragments and charge rearrangements taking place within the fragments. We then show how the new parameters can be easily calculated using the well-known CD function, which describes the charge flow along a chosen axis accompanying the formation of a bond. The approach presented here can be useful in a wide variety of contexts, ranging from weak interactions to electronic excitations to coordination chemistry. In particular, we discuss here how the scheme can be used for the characterization of the donation and back-donation components of metal-ligand bonds, in combination with the natural orbitals for chemical valence (NOCV) theory. In doing so, we discuss the interesting relationship between the proposed parameters and the corresponding NOCV eigenvalues, commonly used as a measure of the electron charge displacement associated with a given bonding contribution. As a prototype case study, we investigate the bond between a N-heterocyclic carbene and different metallic fragments. Finally, we show that our approach can be used in combination with the energy decomposition of the extended transition state method, providing an estimate of both charge transfer and polarization contributions to the interaction energy.

Benchmarks of graph invariants for hydrogen-bond networks in water clusters of different topology

The diversity of the various forms of water stems from systems of hydrogen bonds. Cooperative behaviour of hydrogen-bond networks gives rise to unique properties of water systems. A number of approaches to understand and model the collective behaviour of hydrogen bonds and predict their properties on the basis of a small number of calculations have been put forward. Among them, the concept of graph invariants provides most general descriptors for hydrogen-bond networks, which are routinely used to predict properties of water systems. In the present work, we examine the formalism of graph invariants and propose its modification which may be beneficial for water structures with defects. To benchmark graph invariants, we carried out quantum-chemical calculations of more than 107 water clusters with different hydrogenbond configurations. The quality of the approximation is studied as a function of the type of graph invariant and its order. The results demonstrate that the method is applicable only to cage-like structures without significant strains.

Feature matching for illumination variation images

Illumination variability is one of the most important issues affecting imagery matching performances and still remains a critical problem in the literature, although different levels of improvement have been reported in recent years. This study proposes an illumination robust image matching method. There are three steps in the proposed method: first, local regions are extracted and matched from the input images by using a multiresolution region detector and an illumination robust shape descriptor; second, an algorithm is proposed to estimate the overlapping areas of images and enhance them based on the region matches; finally, general feature detectors and descriptors are combined to process the previous results for illumination robust matching. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed matching method provides significant improvement in robustness for illumination change images compared with traditional methods.

Better than SIFT?

Independent evaluation of the performance of feature descriptors is an important part of the process of developing better computer vision systems. In this paper, we compare the performance of several state-of-the art image descriptors including several recent binary descriptors. We test the descriptors on an image recognition application and a feature matching application. Our study includes several recently proposed methods and, despite claims to the contrary, we find that SIFT is still the most accurate performer in both application settings. We also find that general purpose binary descriptors are not ideal for image recognition applications but perform adequately in a feature matching application.

Simulated environmental transport distances of Lepeophtheirus salmonis in Loch Linnhe, Scotland, for informing aquaculture area management structures.

In the majority of salmon farming countries, production occurs in zones where practices are coordinated to manage disease agents such as Lepeophtheirus salmonis. To inform the structure of zones in specific systems, models have been developed accounting for parasite biology and system hydrodynamics. These models provide individual system farm relationships, and as such, it may be beneficial to produce more generalized principles for informing structures. Here, we use six different forcing scenarios to provide simulations from a previously described model of the Loch Linnhe system, Scotland, to assess the maximum dispersal distance of lice particles released from 12 sites transported over 19 day. Results indicate that the median distance travelled is 6.1 km from release site with <2.5% transported beyond 15 km, which occurs from particles originating from half of the release sites, with an absolute simulated distance of 36 km observed. This provides information suggesting that the disease management areas developed for infectious salmon anaemia control may also have properties appropriate for salmon lice management in Scottish coastal waters. Additionally, general numerical descriptors of the simulated relative lice abundance reduction with increased distance from release location are proposed.

Comparison between retrograde intrarenal surgery and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in the treatment of lower pole kidney stones up to 15 mm. Prospective, randomized study

IntroductionExtracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is currently the recommended treatment for intra-renal calculi smaller than 2cm. However the low Stone Free Rate (SFR) in lower pole calculi gives rise to new techniques, such us retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), for improve the surgery outcomes. ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of a treatment with ESWL with RIRS, in terms of SFR after surgery, in patients with kidney stones up to 15mm in the lower pole. Materials and methodsA prospective study was carried out in order to assess the results of ESWL and RIRS in patients with lower pole stones less than 15mm. Among a total of 55 patients, 31 were underwent to ESWL (Group 1) and the remaining 24 to RIRS (Group 2). Clinical data recorded, including general characteristics of each patient, were: calculi size, side, operative time, complications according to Clavien scale, SFR and the presence of residual fragments at 2 months post-treatment assessed by a CT scan. STATA 11 was used to perform the statistical analysis. ResultsThere were no differences for general descriptors among groups with the exception of a significantly longer operative time for RIRS. The rates of SFR and residual fragments lesser than 3mm were lower in the RIRS group than in ESWL ones. RIRS also showed a lower rate of clinically significant fragments (0% versus 42.3%. p<0.05). In the subgroup of patients with stones between 10 and 15mm RIRS showed higher SFR (75% versus 41.2%) and a lower rate of stones>3mm (0% versus 58.8%), being statistically significant (p<0.05). Clavien III or higher complications were not reported in any of the groups. ConclusionsIn the treatment of lower pole stone RIRS has the same results than ESWL in terms of SFR. Regarding absence of a clinically significant residual fragment, RIRS was superior to ESWL. A bigger sample size is required in order to confirm this result.

Comparación entre cirugía retrógrada intrarrenal y litotricia extracorpórea para el tratamiento de la litiasis de polo inferior renal de hasta 15 mm. Estudio prospectivo aleatorizado

IntroductionExtracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is currently the recommended treatment for intra-renal calculi smaller than 2cm. However the low Stone Free Rate (SFR) in lower pole calculi gives rise to new techniques, such us retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS), for improve the surgery outcomes. ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of a treatment with ESWL with RIRS, in terms of SFR after surgery, in patients with kidney stones up to 15mm in the lower pole. Material and methodsA prospective study was carried out in order to assess the results of ESWL and RIRS in patients with lower pole stones less than 15mm. Among a total of 55 patients, 31 were underwent to ESWL (Group 1) and the remaining 24 to RIRS (Group 2). Clinical data recorded, including general characteristics of each patient, were: calculi size, side, operative time, complications according to Clavien scale, SFR and the presence of residual fragments at 2 months post-treatment assessed by a CT scan. STATA 11 was used to perform the statistical analysis. ResultsThere were no differences for general descriptors among groups with the exception of a significantly longer operative time for RIRS. The rates of SFR and residual fragments lesser than 3mm. were lower in the RIRS group than in ESWL ones. RIRS also showed a lower rate of clinically significant fragments (0% vs 42.3%. P<.05). In the subgroup of patients with stones between 10/15mm RIRS showed higher SFR (75% vs. 41.2%) and a lower rate of stones>3mm (0% vs. 58.8%), being statistically significant (P<.05). Clavien III or higher complications were not reported in any of the groups. ConclusionsIn the treatment of lower pole stone RIRS has the same results than ESWL in terms of SFR. Regarding absence of a clinically significant residual fragment, RIRS was superior to ESWL. A bigger sample size is required in order to confirm this results.

Monitoring design for assessing compliance with numeric nutrient standards for rivers and streams using geospatial variables.

Implementation of numeric nutrient standards in Colorado has prompted a need for greater understanding of human impacts on ambient nutrient levels. This study explored the variability of annual nutrient concentrations due to upstream anthropogenic influences and developed a mathematical expression for the number of samples required to estimate median concentrations for standard compliance. A procedure grounded in statistical hypothesis testing was developed to estimate the number of annual samples required at monitoring locations while taking into account the difference between the median concentrations and the water quality standard for a lognormal population. For the Cache La Poudre River in northern Colorado, the relationship between the median and standard deviation of total N (TN) and total P (TP) concentrations and the upstream point and nonpoint concentrations and general hydrologic descriptors was explored using multiple linear regression models. Very strong relationships were evident between the upstream anthropogenic influences and annual medians for TN and TP ( > 0.85, < 0.001) and corresponding standard deviations ( > 0.7, < 0.001). Sample sizes required to demonstrate (non)compliance with the standard depend on the measured water quality conditions. When the median concentration differs from the standard by >20%, few samples are needed to reach a 95% confidence level. When the median is within 20% of the corresponding water quality standard, however, the required sample size increases rapidly, and hundreds of samples may be required.

Socio-dynamic motivating through idealizing classmates

This action research study reports results from students (449 in phase one; 341 in phase two) in conversation-based, EFL classrooms. In phase one, we asked students, “Please describe a group of classmates that you could learn English well with. What would you all do to help each other learn better and more enjoyably?” Then in phase two, we coded their answers into 16 general descriptors and returned these to students, asking them to respond to three Likert questions: (a) this is important, (b) my classmates are doing this, and (c) I am doing this. We found that sharing these descriptors of Ideal L2 Classmates among and across classrooms enabled students to imagine further how they could help their classmates' learning. Quantitative and qualitative results indicate a resonating group-framed motivation effect in which students tend to become more helpful and resourceful for each other. We hypothesize this effect occurs through first formulating ideals about others and then identifying self-reflexively with these ideals, which we call reciprocal idealizing. Findings suggest that pedagogical applications of possible selves theory would do well to include active participation of imaginings within a lived experience, proximal peers and environments, past and present self guides, and possible others.

Pandemic influenza plans in residential care facilities.

To identify characteristics of residential care facilities (RCFs) associated with having a pandemic influenza plan. Nationally representative, cross-sectional survey. RCFs in the United States. Participating facilities in the 2010 National Survey of RCFs (N = 2,294), representing 31,030 assisted living facilities and personal care homes. Facility-level characteristics associated with a pandemic influenza plan, including general organization descriptors, staffing, resident services, and immunization practices. Forty-five percent (95% confidence interval (CI) = 43-47%) had a pandemic plan, 14% (95% CI = 13-16%) had a plan in preparation, and 41% (95% CI = 38-43%) had no plan. In the multivariable model, organization characteristics, staffing, and immunization practices were independently associated with the presence of a pandemic preparedness plan. Organization characteristics were larger size (extra large, OR = 3.27, 95% CI = 1.96-5.46; large, OR = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.81-3.75; medium, OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.21-2.27 vs small), not-for-profit status (OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.31-2.09 vs for profit), and chain affiliation (OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.31-2.09 vs nonaffiliated). Staffing characteristics included number of registered nurse hours (<15 minutes, OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.07-1.74 vs no hours), any licensed practical nurse hours (OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.08-1.99 vs no hours), and at least 75 hours of required training for aides (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.05-1.71 vs <75 hours). RCFs with high staff influenza vaccination rates (81-100%, OR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.27-3.53 vs 0% vaccinated) were also more likely to have a pandemic plan. A majority of RCFs lacked a pandemic influenza plan. These facilities were smaller, for-profit, non-chain-affiliated RCFs and had lower staff vaccination rates. These characteristics may help target facilities that need to develop plans to handle a pandemic, or other disasters.

Cancer Rehabilitation Education During Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency

The purpose of this study was to gather descriptive information from residency program directors regarding characteristics of the education and experiences of resident physicians in oncology rehabilitation. The program directors responded to a 28-question survey. Information collected included general descriptors of residency programs, oncology rehabilitation services lines within the institution, educational and clinical opportunities for trainees, and perceptions of quality for oncology experiences. Thirty-eight responses, with a response rate of 48%, were recorded. Thirty-two percent of the programs did not have any dedicated faculty for cancer rehabilitation. A majority of the respondents felt that cancer rehabilitation should be an important component of the curriculum. Sixty-six percent of the programs admitted only one to two cancer diagnoses to their inpatient units per week, and 26% had outpatient clinics that focused specifically on rehabilitation needs for oncology patients. A majority of the programs felt that experiences were only average and that residents do not receive adequate exposure to cancer rehabilitation during their training. Although cancer rehabilitation is considered an important area of education, quality and quantity of experiences may be improved. Several opportunities may exist to improve such exposure in anticipation of serving the functional needs for a growing population of cancer survivors.

Topological Investigation of Two-Dimensional Amorphous Materials

Abstract Real space image data of two-dimensional amorphous networks have become available in high resolution. We review a number of systems regarding ring size distribution, pair correlation function and characteristic structural clusters. We present similarities and differences that can help identify general descriptors for amorphousness.

Characterisation of the Bahía Blanca estuary by data analysis and numerical modelling

The Bahía Blanca estuary is a complex system of channels and tidal flats where the most important deep water harbour system of Argentina is located. The main goal of the present work was to obtain a hydrodynamic conceptual model for the Bahía Blanca coastal area. For this reason, a combined analysis of observed data and numerical modelling has been performed for the whole area. The gained knowledge on the system hydrodynamics could aid in the decision support for navigation security, waste water discharges management, sediment dredging and rejection operations among other applications.Due to the Bahía Blanca coastal vast area, hydrodynamic observations are scarce and located near the populated areas. In order to describe the hydrodynamics of such a complex and large system, the analysed tidal and current data from different periods have been completed through numerical modelling.Data analysis served to determine the main processes governing the Bahía Blanca hydrodynamics, to characterise the area using general descriptors, to provide inputs for the numerical model and to aid in evaluating its performance. In addition, a 2-dimensional application was set up using the MOHID water modelling system for the Bahía Blanca estuary. This application aimed to gain a better understanding of the system dynamics, to explain and test the consistency of the observed data and to reproduce the processes taking place.Model results were in good agreement with the analysed data and served to confirm an inconsistency found on the sea level observations. The combination of both methodologies served to further describe the hydrodynamic processes governing this coastal area and also to obtain a conceptual model for the water and property circulation in the Bahía Blanca estuary.

Arterial stiffness, body fat compartments, central hemodynamics, renal function and left atrial size

Background. Left atrial (LA) size is an important predictor of stroke, death, and atrial fibrillation. It was demonstrated recently that body fat, arterial stiffness and renal functions are associated with LA diameter. However, data are lacking for comprehensive assessments of all these risk factors in a single population. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the association between LA size and different fat descriptors, central hemodynamics, arterial stiffness, and renal function in healthy subjects. Methods. To this end, body fat percentage, abdominal, subcutaneous fat, and general descriptors of body fat were estimated in 162 healthy subjects (mean age 51 years). Echocardiography was performed to assess LA diameter. Arterial stiffness and peripheral and central hemodynamics were estimated by digital volume pulse analysis and pulse wave analysis. Glomerular filtration rate was estimated by MDRD formula. Results. There were significant (p < 0.05) bivariate correlations between LA diameter and all descriptors of body fat (except subcutaneous fat). Arterial stiffness and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were also significantly correlated with LA size. Multiple regression analysis including all significant confounders, such as sex, mean arterial pressure, arterial stiffness, eGFR and body fat descriptors, explained 35% of variance in LA diameter. Conclusions. In conclusion, the present study reveals significant, independent relationships between body fat, arterial stiffness, and LA size.

Analysis of naphthoquinone derivatives as topoisomerase I inhibitors using fragment based QSAR

In this study an attempt was made to understand the structural requirements for Topoisomerase I (Topo I) inhibition using a novel Group based QSAR (GQSAR) or fragment based QSAR technique. Here we combined the GQSAR technology with conventional 2D and 3D QSAR to derive GQSAR models for various reported naphthoquinone derivatives. Various regression models such as Multiple Regression (MRA), Partial Least Square (PLS) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) as well as k-Nearest neighbor (k-NN) QSAR were used to develop several combined 2D and 3D GQSAR models. The GQSAR analyses revealed the importance of Geometrical topological indices and Baumann's alignment independent topological descriptors along with dipole moment and other general descriptors like HBonddonor and XYHydrophilic etc for governing the activity variation. Further the GQSAR showed that chemical variation like presence of substituted double bonded C atom separated from oxygen by 6 bonds and HBonddonor count are highly influential for achieving highly potent Topo I inhibitors. The Naphthoquinone derivatives having 2-CH(OX)-(CH2CH=CMe2)-5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone substitutions are most important fragments for the inhibitory activity. In addition the k-nearest neighbor classification model resulted in 3 important descriptors like moment of inertia, quadrapole and hydrogen count. The developed models are interpretable with good statistical and predictive significance and can be used for guiding ligand modification for development of potential new Topo I inhibitors. From the present study it can be seen that the substitutions made on 2-CH(OX)-(CH2CH=CMe2)-5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone position can result in better Topo I inhibitors.

Archaeal Viruses, Not Archaeal Phages: An Archaeological Dig

Viruses infect members of domains Bacteria, Eukarya, and Archaea. While those infecting domain Eukarya are nearly universally described as “Viruses”, those of domain Bacteria, to a substantial extent, instead are called “Bacteriophages,” or “Phages.” Should the viruses of domain Archaea therefore be dubbed “Archaeal phages,” “Archaeal viruses,” or some other construct? Here we provide documentation of published, general descriptors of the viruses of domain Archaea. Though at first the term “Phage” or equivalent was used almost exclusively in the archaeal virus literature, there has been a nearly 30-year trend away from this usage, with some persistence of “Phage” to describe “Head-and-tail” archaeal viruses, “Halophage” to describe viruses of halophilic Archaea, use of “Prophage” rather than “Provirus,” and so forth. We speculate on the root of the early 1980's transition from “Phage” to “Virus” to describe these infectious agents, consider the timing of introduction of “Archaeal virus” (which can be viewed as analogous to “Bacterial virus”), identify numerous proposed alternatives to “Archaeal virus,” and also provide discussion of the general merits of the term, “Phage.” Altogether we identify in excess of one dozen variations on how the viruses of domain Archaea are described, and document the timing of both their introduction and use.

Weaning outcome prediction from heterogeneous time series using Normalized Compression Distance and Multidimensional Scaling

In the Intensive Care Unit of a hospital (ICU), weaning can be defined as the process of gradual reduction in the level of mechanical ventilation support. A failed weaning increases the risk of death in prolonged mechanical ventilation patients. Different methods for weaning outcome prediction have been proposed using variables and time series extracted from the monitoring systems, however, monitored data are often non-regularly sampled, hence limiting its use in conventional automatic prediction systems. In this work, we propose the joint use of two statistical techniques, Normalized Compression Distance (NCD) and Multidimensional Scaling (MDS), to deal with data heterogeneity in monitoring systems for weaning outcome prediction. A total of 104 weanings were selected from 93 patients under mechanical ventilation from the ICU of Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón; for each weaning, time series (TS), clinical laboratory and general descriptors variables were collected during 48h previous to the moment of withdrawal mechanical support (extubation). The TS diastolic blood pressure variable provided the best weaning prediction, with an improvement of 37% in the error rate regarding the physician decision. This result shows that the joint use of the NCD and MDS efficiently discriminates heterogeneous time series.