Photonic molecules for improving the optical response of macroporous silicon photonic crystals for gas sensing purposes

In this paper, we report the benefits of working with photonic molecules in macroporous silicon photonic crystals. In particular, we theoretically and experimentally demonstrate that the optical properties of a resonant peak produced by a single photonic atom of 2.6 µm wide can be sequentially improved if a second and a third cavity of the same length are introduced in the structure. As a consequence of that, the base of the peak is reduced from 500 nm to 100 nm, while its amplitude remains constant, increasing its Q-factor from its initial value of 25 up to 175. In addition, the bandgap is enlarged almost twice and the noise within it is mostly eliminated. In this study we also provide a way of reducing the amplitude of one or two peaks, depending whether we are in the two- or three-cavity case, by modifying the length of the involved photonic molecules so that the remainder can be used to measure gas by spectroscopic methods.Postprint (published version

The UPC digital campus and the project based learning: a compatibility effort

The Digital Campus is a project developed in the Technical University of Catalonia (Spain) to build an asynchronous collaboration platform in a educational environment. The Digital Campus is a set of applications with a unique and simple interface that helps to improve the interaction between professor and students beyond the limited relationship in classroom. These applications are developed in Lotus Domino (a documental database) and the user can access them through a web browser or a Lotus Notes client. Since 2001, one of its school, the Polytechnic School of Castelldefels, offers a Master's degree in Telecommunication Engineering using the Project Based Learning (PBL) methodology, where the student as an individual become a student as a member of a group. The aim of this paper is to explain the overall functionalities of the Digital Campus and the experience of the adaptation of this collaboration tool to this new learning methodology.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Study of resonant modes in a 700 nm pitch macroporous silicon photonic crystal

In this study the modes produced by a defect inserted in a macroporous silicon (MP) photonic crystal (PC) have been studied theoretical and experimentally. In particular, the transmitted and reflected spectra have been analyzed for variations in the defect’s length and width. The performed simulations show that the resonant frequency is more easily adjusted for the fabricated samples by length tuning rather than width. The optimum resonance peak results when centered in the PC bandgap. The changes in the defect geometry result in small variations of the optical response of the PC. The resonance frequency is most sensitive to length variations, while the mode linewidth shows greater change with the defect width variation. Several MPS photonic crystals were fabricated by the electrochemical etching (EE) process with optical response in the range of 5.8 µm to 6.5 µm. Results of the characterization are in good agreement with simulations. Further samples were fabricated consisting of ordered modulated pores with a pitch of 700 nm. This allowed to reduce the vertical periodicity and therefore to have the optical response in the range of 4.4 µm to 4.8 µm. To our knowledge, modes working in this range of wavelengths have not been previously reported in 3-d MPS structures. Experimental results match with simulations, showing a linear relationship between the defect’s length and working frequency inside the bandgap. We demonstrate the possibility of tailoring the resonance peak in both ranges of wavelengths, where the principal absorption lines of different gases in the mid infrared are placed. This makes these structures very promising for their application to compact gas sensors.Postprint (author's final draft

“ANÁLISIS DEL FENÓMENO BULLYING EN LOS ADOLESCENTES DEL 5º y 6º AÑO DE LA ESCUELA PRIMARIA MIGUEL HIDALGO y COSTILLA, TURNO MATUTINO, DEL CICLO ESCOLAR 2012-2013, EN SAN FERNANDO HUIXQUILUCAN, ESTADO DE MÉXICO”

La presente investigación fue el resultado de un estudio analítico, descriptivo, observacional y exploratorio del fenómeno bullying en los adolescentes del 5to y 6to año de la Escuela Primaria “Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla”, Turno Matutino, del ciclo escolar 2012-2013, en San Fernando Huixquilucan, Estado de México, con la finalidad de identificar, distinguir y determinar mediante un análisis la conducta y comportamiento de los adolescentes. Entre los hallazgos más importantes, destaca la agresión psicológica que incluye amenazar, ridiculizar, excluir, insultar y rechazar a las víctimas, y es la presentada con mayor frecuencia en un 75.71% del total de la población afectada por este fenómeno, mientras que la agresión física es en menor proporción. En comparación con otros estudios se observa que, en esta población, la agresividad psicológica no es diaria; sin embargo, es semanal, factor preocupante por la conducta que se proyecta de acuerdo con la personalidad de cada individuo, lo cual tiene que ver con su entorno y forma de vida. Del total de los alumnos que han recibido agresión física o psicológica (48.60%) y refieren que ha sido cuando se encuentran en compañía (58.33%), lo que nos indica que el victimario lo hace con la perspectiva de ejercer poder y amedrentar a sus iguales para propiciar bullying sobre ellos. Para mayor certeza sobre los porcentajes expuestos, ante esta problemática, se toman como referencia distintas gráficas, las cuales arrojan datos y porcentajes precisos, como resultado de una encuesta aplicada a los alumnos de la institución ya mencionada

Serum, Saliva, and Gingival Crevicular Fluid Osteocalcin: Their Relation to Periodontal Status and Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women

Background: Periodontitis and osteoporosis are characterized by the loss of bone mass. Osteocalcin levels have been postulated as a marker of inhibition of bone formation. The aim of the present study was to assess plasma, saliva, and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of osteocalcin and correlate them with periodontitis and osteoporosis. Methods: Seventy-three postmenopausal women, over 35 years old, were recruited for the study. Serum, saliva, and GCF osteocalcin were measured. Vertebral bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Differences between groups were assessed by analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-square test, and non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: Thirty-four (46.6%) were classified in the normal healthy bone group, 11 women (15.1%) in the osteopenic group, and 28 women (38.4%) in the osteoporotic group. No statistically significant differences between these densitometric groups were observed in probing depth (P = 0.24); clinical attachment level (P = 0.11); or mean osteocalcin concentrations in serum, saliva, and GCF. Twenty-seven (37.0%) of the women were classified without periodontitis (NPG) and 63.0% (N = 46) with periodontal disease (PG). There were no statistical differences in serum and saliva osteocalcin concentrations between these two groups. GCF osteocalcin concentrations were significantly higher in the PG women than in the NPG group (P = 0.008). Mean probing depth correlated significantly with GCF osteocalcin concentrations (r = 0.35; P = 0.002). Conclusion: The results further support the concept that osteocalcin levels in GCF correlates with periodontal but not with osteoporosis status

EXTREMO: An Eclipse plugin for modelling and meta-modelling assistance

Modelling is a core activity in software development paradigms like Model-driven Engineering (MDE). Therefore, the quality of (meta-)models is crucial for the success of software projects. However, many times, modelling becomes a purely manual activity, which does not take advantage of information embedded in heterogeneous information sources, such as XML documents, ontologies, or other models and meta-models. In order to improve this situation, we present EXTREMO, an Eclipse plugin aimed at gathering the information stored in heterogeneous sources in a common data model, to facilitate the reuse of information chunks in the model being built. The tool covers the steps needed to incorporate this knowledge within an external modelling tool, supporting the uniform query of the heterogeneous sources and the evaluation of constraints. Flexibility of the main features (e.g., supported data formats, queries)is achieved by means of extensible mechanisms. To illustrate the usefulness of EXTREMO, we describe a practical case study in the financial domain and evaluate its performance and scalabilityThis work was partially supported by the Ministry of Education of Spain (FPU grant FPU13/02698), the Spanish Ministry of Science (RTI2018-095255-B-I00), and the R&D programme of the Madrid Region (S2018/TCS-4314

Guia bàsica de recomanacions pel desenvolupament d’apps de salut i atenció social

Aquesta guia està destinada a totes aquelles persones que desitgin iniciar-se en l’entorn mHealth i vulguin tenir una visió general de quins són els aspectes que cal tenir en compte a l’hora de desenvolupar una aplicació mòbil de l’entorn salut i/o de benestar social.Aquesta guia està destinada a totes aquelles persones que desitgin iniciar-se en l’entorn mHealth i vulguin tenir una visió general de quins són els aspectes que cal tenir en compte a l’hora de desenvolupar una aplicació mòbil de l’entorn salut i/o de benestar social.Postprint (published version

“EFICACIA DE LA INFILTRACIÓN DE ROPIVACAÍNA 0.75% PREINCISIONAL VS POSTINCISIONAL PARA ANALGESIA POSTOPERATORIA EN CIRUGÍA DE COLUMNA BAJO ANESTESIA GENERAL

RESUMEN Introducción: El dolor postoperatorio es un tipo especial de dolor agudo y se ha reconocido en los últimos años como un factor de retardo en la recuperación del paciente quirúrgico por sus consecuencias fisiopatológicas. El dolor crónico ha sido identificado como una consecuencia de la cirugía y de un dolor agudo pobremente tratado. Los procedimientos quirúrgicos constituyen una forma de daño premeditado. Esto nos da la posibilidad de prevenir la aparición de dolor y actuar sobre sus mecanismos fisiopatológicos, antes que estos se manifiesten plenamente. Objetivo: Conocer la eficacia de la infiltración de ropivacaína 0.75% pre-incisional vs postincisional para disminuir la intensidad del dolor postoperatorio en pacientes sometidos a cirugía de columna. Material y método: Se realizó un estudio de tipo ensayo clínico aleatorizado, prospectivo, comparativo, longitudinal en pacientes sometidos a cirugía de columna lumbar que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión en un periodo de 6 meses en Centro Médico ISSEMyM Ecatepec. Se incluyeron 44 pacientes divididos de manera aleatoria en 2 grupos de 22 pacientes cada uno, Grupo 1 y Grupo 2. En el grupo 1 se infiltró con Ropivacaína al 0.75% 10 minutos previos a realizar la incisión quirúrgica; en el grupo 2 se infiltró con Ropivacaína 0.75% previo al cierre de la herida quirúrgica. Se evaluó la intensidad del dolor mediante la escala de EVA en el postoperatorio a las 0, 1, 3, 6, 9 y 12 hrs en ambos grupos. Se administró rescate con tramadol 100 mcg/Kg en pacientes que presentaron EVA >6. Para el análisis estadístico se realizó una prueba de U-Mann-Whitney, utilizando el programa IBM ®SPSS ® Ver. 20, considerando un 95% de confianza. Resultados: Se observa que la intensidad de dolor en los pacientes a los que se les infiltró Ropivacaína 0.75% antes del procedimiento quirúrgico (Grupo 1) es menor al salir de la cirugía (P=0.001), la hora 3 (P= 0.006) y la hora 6 (P=0.006) post cirugía, en comparación con los pacientes a quienes se les infiltró Ropivacaína 0.75% después del procedimiento quirúrgico (Grupo 2). El uso de rescates fue superior en el grupo 2 postincisional (76%) contra el grupo 1 (23%). El requerimiento de Fentanil fue menor en el Grupo 1 preincisional. Conclusión: De acuerdo al estudio realizado hubo mejor control del dolor agudo postoperatorio en el grupo 1 que fue infiltrado previo a la incisión de la herida quirúrgica con diferencia estadística significativa dentro de las primeras 6 horas, además de que dicho grupo tuvo menos requerimiento de opioide en el transanestésico, y menos uso de rescate con tramadol en el postoperatorio

The digital platform for the Unite! alliance: the metacampus

Nine European technology universities constitute the Unite! Alliance, a network that creates a new model for a virtual and physical European interuniversity campus through close cooperation, physical and virtual mobility of members, joint programmes, communities that support teaching innovation, and open and entrepreneurial innovation networks. The Metacampus virtual campus platform is an important aspect of this framework. All participants in the Unite! Community can join at the Metacampus, which coexists alongside other universities' virtual campuses. It must become a valuable and useful tool for a wide range of users who are used to very different tools and processes, which is only one of the many difficulties it faces. The Moodle platform was chosen as the base for the work, and it was decided to maximise its features while minimising the amount of new innovations required to achieve the goals. After four years, the number of users who have registered and taken part in the activities that have been suggested enables us to draw the conclusion that the path is the right one for handling a challenge like the design and execution of a multi-university virtual campus.This work has been supported by Unite! Alliance that has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101017408, and Co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Selective Boosting of Transcriptional and Behavioral Responses to Drugs of Abuse by Histone Deacetylase Inhibition

Histone acetylation and other modifications of the chromatin are important regulators of gene expression and, consequently, may contribute to drug-induced behaviors and neuroplasticity. Earlier studies have shown that a reduction in histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity results in the enhancement of some psychostimulant-induced behaviors. In this study, we extend those seminal findings by showing that the administration of the HDAC inhibitor sodium butyrate enhances morphine-induced locomotor sensitization and conditioned place preference. In contrast, this compound has no effects on the development of morphine tolerance and dependence. Similar effects were observed for cocaine and ethanol-induced behaviors. These behavioral changes were accompanied by a selective boosting of a component of the transcriptional program activated by chronic morphine administration that included circadian clock genes and other genes relevant to addictive behavior. Our results support a specific function for histone acetylation and the epigenetic modulation of transcription at a reduced number of biologically relevant loci on non-homeostatic, long-lasting, drug-induced behavioral plasticity