High-Frequency Electrinic Design Optimization Using Simulated Annealing

This thesis presents a methodology for improving the performance of the Simulated Annealing (SA) algorithm to optimize high-frequency electronic circuits. It starts by introducing the algorithm together with the fundamental concepts that support its functionality. Then, a set of new features are added to the SA algorithm to control its behavior, which include: knobs for controlling the step-size, search-space limits, and the functions that govern the evolution of the algorithm. The introduction of such features is accompanied by a set of experiments to demonstrate the functionality of the modified SA, and compare its performance against Nelder-Mead and Conjugated Gradients Fletcher-Reeves methods. This is followed by the definition and application of a methodology to configure the algorithm and improve its consistency and efficiency, accompanied by a test (optimization of a simple high-frequency filter) to verify its effectivity. Next, SA is configured to optimize a more complex circuit, consisting of a microstrip low-pass filter implemented in the full-wave electromagnetic simulator Sonnet. Finally, such optimization problem is solved by using other optimization algorithms (Nelder-Mead, Sequential Quadratic Programming, and Genetic Algorithm) to make an overall assessment of the proposed SA algorithm, identifying what kind of problems may take advantage of the features and improvements added to SA, or may expose its caveats

High-Frequency Electronic Design Optimization Using Simulated Annealing

This thesis presents a methodology for improving the performance of the Simulated Annealing (SA) algorithm to optimize high-frequency electronic circuits. It starts by introducing the algorithm together with the fundamental concepts that support its functionality. Then, a set of new features are added to the SA algorithm to control its behavior, which include: knobs for controlling the step-size, search-space limits, and the functions that govern the evolution of the algorithm. The introduction of such features is accompanied by a set of experiments to demonstrate the functionality of the modified SA, and compare its performance against Nelder-Mead and Conjugated Gradients Fletcher-Reeves methods. This is followed by the definition and application of a methodology to configure the algorithm and improve its consistency and efficiency, accompanied by a test (optimization of a simple high-frequency filter) to verify its effectivity. Next, SA is configured to optimize a more complex circuit, consisting of a microstrip low-pass filter implemented in the full-wave electromagnetic simulator Sonnet. Finally, such optimization problem is solved by using other optimization algorithms (Nelder-Mead, Sequential Quadratic Programming, and Genetic Algorithm) to make an overall assessment of the proposed SA algorithm, identifying what kind of problems may take advantage of the features and improvements added to SA, or may expose its caveats

Study of the magnetic disaccommodation in La doped YIG

The relaxation of the initial magnetic permeability of La doped yttrium iron garnet (YIG) samples with nominal composition Y3-xLaxFe5O12 (0< x <0.6) is analysed in this work. The results show a very different behaviour depending on the sintering atmosphere used for the fabrication of the samples. Concretely, for the samples sintered in air, it just have been detected the usual relaxation peak found in YIG at 130 K. However, a new relaxation peak appears around room temperature for the samples sintered in CO2 atmosphere when the La content is at least of 0.3. These results have been interpreted in terms of the formation of a secondary perovskite phase when the La solubility limit is reached. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Camptocormia como principal manifestación de mutación en el gen POLG

El término camptocormia hace referencia a la flexión marcada de la columna toraco- lumbar que desaparece en posición supina, sin existencia de deformidad fija1. Su presencia se ha asociado con diversas etiologías como síndromes parkinsonianos, miopatías paraespinales, distonías, enfermedades de neurona motora y trastornos funcionales1, 2, 3. De un modo excepcional puede verse asociada a mutaciones del gen POLG. Varón de 52 años, con antecedente de retraso psicomotor leve desde la infancia e historia familiar de padre con enfermedad de Parkinson de inicio tardío y madre con temblor esencial. Tiene dos hermanos mayores asintomáticos. Fue remitido por un cuadro de cuatro años de evolución de antero-flexión progresiva del tronco, que le dificulta a la marcha, asociado a torpeza y lentitud de movimientos de predominio en extremidades derechas, llegando a ser muy incapacitante. No presentaba disautonomía, salvo estreñimiento..

Roman frequentation of the Los Toriles cave (Carrizosa, Ciudad Real): first testimonies and implications

Agradecemos la colaboración del propietario de la finca, del Ayuntamiento de Carrizosa y de cuantos trabajaron en la cueva o nos han brindado apoyo bibliográfico (M. Almagro-Gorbea, J.C. Guisado y J.A. Hierro). También a los mecenas vía Experiment.com y la Sociedad Española de Paleontología. Este trabajo se enmarca en el proyecto Corpus Vasorum Hispanorum. Analisis tipológico, cronológico y prosopográfico de los sigilla en terra sigillata hispánica a partir de los centros consumidores. Parte I: Lusitania (PGC2018-093478-A-I00 – Convocatoria Proyectos de Excelencia – Plan Estatal de Generación de Conocimiento – Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades – España). A. Suárez-Bilbao es receptora de un contrato de doctores recientes hasta su integración en programas de formación postdoctoral en la UPV/ EHU (DOKBERRI), código: DOCREC20/01.Se dan a conocer los primeros testimonios de frecuentación romana de la cueva de Los Toriles (Carrizosa, Ciudad Real), una gruta con una larga ocupación animal y humana, cuanto menos desde el Pleistoceno y hasta nuestros días. Aunque en la primera campaña de excavación de la cueva sólo se han podido constatar algunos fragmentos de cerámica, estos son lo suficientemente relevantes como para confirmar el conocimiento y entrada a la cavidad durante la Antigüedad. Además del análisis tipológico y arqueométrico de las cerámicas, esta novedosa cronología permite reflexionar sobre estos y otros casos similares de época romana, acerca de la infrarrepresentación del fenómeno en la meseta Sur, así como sobre el contexto inmediato del ager laminitanus.This paper presents the first testimonies of Roman frequentation of the Los Toriles cave (Carrizosa, Ciudad Real), a cave with a continued animal and human occupation, at least since the Middle Pleistocene and up to the present day. Although in the first campaign of excavation of the cave only a few ceramic fragments have been found, these are relevant enough to confirm the knowledge and occupation of the cavity during Antiquity. In addition to the typological and archaeological analysis of the ceramics, this unexpected chronology allows us to reflect on these and other similar cases from the Roman period, on the underrepresentation of the phenomenon in the Southern Plateau, as well as on the immediate context of the ager laminitanus.PGC2018-093478-A-I00 – Convocatoria Proyectos de Excelencia – Plan Estatal de Generación de Conocimiento –Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades – EspañaUPV/ EHU (DOKBERRI), código: DOCREC20/0

Monocyte Activation and Ageing Biomarkers in the Development of Cardiovascular Ischaemic Events or Diabetes in People with HIV

We investigated whether blood telomere length (TL), epigenetic age acceleration (EAA), and soluble inflammatory monocyte cytokines are associated with cardiovascular events or diabetes (DM) in people living with HIV (PLHIV). This was a case-control study nested in the Spanish HIV/AIDS Cohort (CoRIS). Cases with myocardial infarction, stroke, sudden death, or diabetes after starting antiretroviral therapy were included with the available samples and controls matched for sex, age, tobacco use, pre-ART CD4 cell count, viral load, and sample time-point. TL (T/S ratio) was analysed by quantitative PCR and EAA with DNA methylation changes by next-generation sequencing using the Weidner formula. Conditional logistic regression was used to explore the association with cardiometabolic events. In total, 180 participants (94 cases (22 myocardial infarction/sudden death, 12 strokes, and 60 DM) and 94 controls) were included. Of these, 84% were male, median (IQR) age 46 years (40-56), 53% were current smokers, and 22% had CD4 count ≤ 200 cells/mm3 and a median (IQR) log viral load of 4.52 (3.77-5.09). TL and EAA were similar in the cases and controls. There were no significant associations between TL, EAA, and monocyte cytokines with cardiometabolic events. TL and EAA were mildly negatively correlated with sCD14 (rho = -0.23; p = 0.01) and CCL2/MCP-1 (rho = -0.17; p = 0.02). We found no associations between TL, EAA, and monocyte cytokines with cardiovascular events or diabetes. Further studies are needed to elucidate the clinical value of epigenetic biomarkers and TL in PLHIV.This study was funded by an unrestricted and competitive grant from “The Fellowship Program” of Gilead Sciences (Exp. GLD16/00133). CoRIS is supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III through the Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Sida (RD06/006, RD12/0017/0018 and RD16/0002/0006) as part of the Plan Nacional I + D + i and co-financed by Instituto de Salud Carlos III-Subdirección General de Evaluación and the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER). The integrated HIV BioBank is supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III RD12/0017/0037.S

Intermediate hyperglycaemia and 10-year mortality in resource-constrained settings: the PERU MIGRANT Study.

AIM: To determine whether intermediate hyperglycaemia, defined by fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c criteria, is associated with mortality in a 10-year cohort of people in a Latin American country. METHODS: Analysis of the PERU MIGRANT Study was conducted in three different population groups (rural, rural-to-urban migrant, and urban). The baseline assessment was conducted in 2007/2008, with follow-up assessment in 2018. The outcome was all-cause mortality, and the exposure was intermediate hyperglycaemia, using three definitions: (1) impaired fasting glucose, defined according to American Diabetes Association criteria [fasting plasma glucose 5.6-6.9 mmol/l (100-125 mg/dl)]; (2) intermediate hyperglycaemia defined according to American Diabetes Association criteria [HbA1c levels 39-46 mmol/mol (5.7-6.4%)]; and (3) intermediate hyperglycaemia defined according to the International Expert Committee criteria [HbA1c levels 42-46 mmol/mol (6.0-6.4%)]. Crude and adjusted hazard ratios and 95% CIs were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: At baseline, the mean (sd) age of the study population was 47.8 (11.9) years and 52.5% of the cohort were women. The study cohort was divided into population groups as follows: 207 people (20.0%) in the rural population group, 583 (59.7%) in the rural-to-urban migrant group and 198 (20.3%) in the urban population group. The prevalence of intermediate hyperglycaemia was: 6%, 12.9% and 38.5% according to the American Diabetes Association impaired fasting glucose definition, the International Expert Committee HbA1c -based definition and the American Diabetes Association HbA1c -based definition, respectively, and the mortality rate after 10 years was 63/976 (7%). Intermediate hyperglycaemia was associated with all-cause mortality using the HbA1c -based definitions in the crude models [hazard ratios 2.82 (95% CI 1.59-4.99) according to the American Diabetes Association and 2.92 (95% CI 1.62-5.28) according to the International Expert Committee], whereas American Diabetes Association-defined impaired fasting glucose was not [hazard ratio 0.84 (95% CI 0.26-2.68)]. In the adjusted model, however, only the American Diabetes Association HbA1c -based definition was associated with all-cause mortality [hazard ratio 1.91 (95% CI 1.03-3.53)], whereas the International Expert Committee HbA1c -based and American Diabetes Association impaired fasting glucose-based definitions were not [hazard ratios 1.42 (95% CI 0.75-2.68) and 1.09 (95% CI 0.33-3.63), respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: Intermediate hyperglycaemia defined using the American Diabetes Association HbA1c criteria was associated with an elevated mortality rate after 10 years in a cohort from Peru. HbA1c appears to be a factor associated with mortality in this Peruvian population

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Women, literacy and health: comparing health and education sectoral approaches in Nepal

Functional adult literacy interventions have been regarded for many decades by policy makers as an effective way of imparting health knowledge. Supported by research on the statistical relationships between women’s literacy rates and health indicators, this dominant policy discourse is based on assumptions that non-literate women lack understanding and confidence, and that formal programmes and institutions constitute the main sites of learning. Proposing a broader conceptualisation of literacy as a social practice and of health as connected with social justice, this article draws on policy analysis and the authors’ earlier research in Nepal to re-examine the relationship between gender, literacy and health. By comparing health and literacy approaches used within the education and health sectors and taking account of new and indigenous informal learning practices, the article points to ways of investigating the complex interaction of factors that influence inequalities in gender and health at community level