Valoraciones de estudiantes de las especialidades de ciencias del Máster en Profesorado de Educación Secundaria sobre el uso de actividades de juego de rol

Se analizan las valoraciones de profesorado de ciencias en formación inicial (PFI) sobre el uso de actividades de juego de rol, después de un programa formativo en el que se incluía este tipo de actividades. Los datos, aportados por 28 PFI de las especialidades de Biología y Geología y de Física y Química, se analizaron utilizando la metodología de análisis del contenido. Los resultados muestran una acogida muy positiva al uso de juegos de rol en la enseñanza de las ciencias y un amplio repertorio de valoraciones categorizadas en siete tipos, destancando las ventajas educativas, la importancia y dificultad del diseño, así como las limitaciones, inconvenientes y exigencias que conlleva su uso

Spectrum-Based Fault Localization in Model Transformations

Model transformations play a cornerstone role in Model-Driven Engineering (MDE), as they provide the essential mechanisms for manipulating and transforming models. The correctness of software built using MDE techniques greatly relies on the correctness of model transformations. However, it is challenging and error prone to debug them, and the situation gets more critical as the size and complexity of model transformations grow, where manual debugging is no longer possible. Spectrum-Based Fault Localization (SBFL) uses the results of test cases and their corresponding code coverage information to estimate the likelihood of each program component (e.g., statements) of being faulty. In this article we present an approach to apply SBFL for locating the faulty rules in model transformations. We evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of the approach by comparing the effectiveness of 18 different stateof- the-art SBFL techniques at locating faults in model transformations. Evaluation results revealed that the best techniques, namely Kulcynski2, Mountford, Ochiai, and Zoltar, lead the debugger to inspect a maximum of three rules to locate the bug in around 74% of the cases. Furthermore, we compare our approach with a static approach for fault localization in model transformations, observing a clear superiority of the proposed SBFL-based method.Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología TIN2015-70560-RJunta de Andalucía P12-TIC-186

Experimental investigation of non linear flame dynamics

The main goal of this project is to develop a method to analyze and characterize the evolution of a combustion process by means of image processing. In order to do it some experimental data is required. Analyzing the flame dynamics by means of the evolution of the instabilities, length and motion ease and improve the characterization of the flame behavior simplifying its further analysis. By implementing elliptical coordinates, "Block Matching" and image mapping the process attemps to clarify the motion and development of the combustion in a 2D channel. All the work was made using the software Matlab, creating a code and implementing several algorithms on it. Prior to all the study, an experimental procedure was carried out in the laboratories inside Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, in which several mixtures of propane were ignited inside a Hele-Shaw cell and followed by a high speed camera. Finally, it can be observed how the reaction is more stable and controllable inside the stoichiometric regime, how the curvilinear analysis eases the computations over the instabilities and how the Block Matching algorithm has a perfect implementation into the fluid dynamics field as it becomes so useful to obtain motion.El principal objetivo de este proyecto es el desarrollo de un método de análisis para caracterizar la evolución de un proceso de combustión mediante el procesado de imágenes. Para llevarlo a cabo, algunos datos experimentales son necesarios. Analizando la dinámica de la llama mediante la evolución de sus inestabilidades, longitud y movimiento facilita y mejora la caracterización del comportamiento de la llama simplificando asi su análisis posterior. Implementando coordenadas elípticas, "Block Matching" y mapeado de imágenes, el proceso intenta esclarecer el movimiento y desarrollo de la combustión en un canal 2D. Todo el trabajo fue realizado mediante el software Matlab, creando un código e implementando varios algoritmos en él. Antes de todo este estudio, un experimento fue realizado en los laboratorios de la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, en el cual varias mezclas de propano con aire fueron encendidas y seguidas por una cámara de alta velocidad dentro de una célula de Hele-Shaw. Finalmente, se puede observar como la reacción es más estable y controlable sobre el régimen estequiométrico, como el análisis curvilíneo de las inestabilidades favorece su procesado y como la herramienta de Block Matching tiene una adaptación perfecta al campo de la dinámica de fluidos ya que es muy útil en la obtención de movimiento.Ingeniería Aeroespacia

A Causal Analysis of Life Expectancy at Birth. Evidence from Spain

Background: From a causal point of view, there exists a set of socioeconomic indicators concerning life expectancy. The objective of this paper is to determine the indicators which exhibit a relation of causality with life expectancy at birth. Methods: Our analysis applies the Granger causality test, more specifically its version by Dumitrescu–Hurlin, starting from the information concerning life expectancy at birth and a set of socioeconomic variables corresponding to 17 Spanish regions, throughout the period 2006–2016. To do this, we used the panel data involving the information provided by the Spanish Ministry of Health, Consumer Affairs and Social Welfare (MHCSW) and the National Institute of Statistics (NIS). Results: Per capita income, and the rate of hospital beds, medical staff and nurses Granger-cause the variable “life expectancy at birth”, according to the Granger causality test applied to panel data (Dumitrescu–Hurlin’s version). Conclusions: Life expectancy at birth has become one of the main indicators able to measure the performance of a country’s health system. This analysis facilitates the identification of those factors which exhibit a unidirectional Granger-causality relationship with life expectancy at birth. Therefore, this paper provides useful information for the management of public health resources from the point of view of the maximization of social benefits

Life Expectancy at Birth in Europe: An Econometric Approach Based on Random Forests Methodology

The objective of this work is to identify and classify the relative importance of several socioeconomic factors which explain life expectancy at birth in the European Union (EU) countries in the period 2008–2017, paying special attention to greenhouse gas emissions and public environmental expenditures. Methods: The Random Forests methodology was employed, which allows classification of the socioeconomic variables considered in the analysis according to their relative importance to explain health outcomes. Results: Per capita income, the educational level of the population, and the variable AREA (which reflects the subdivision of Europe into four relatively homogeneous areas), followed by the public expenditures on environmental and social protection, are the variables with the highest relevance in explaining life expectancy at birth in Europe over the perip.1 he peusto el correo e inciod 2008–2017. Conclusions: We have identified seven sectors as the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions: Electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply; manufacturing; transportation and storage; agriculture, forestry, and fishing; construction; wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles; and mining and quarrying. Therefore, any public intervention related to environmental policy should be aimed at these economic sectors. Furthermore, it will be more effective to focus on public programs with higher relevance to the health status of the population, such as environmental and social protection expenditures

Optimization of modular wiring harnesses by means of regression models for temperature prediction of wire bundles

Automotive wiring harnesses have become heavier and more complex due to their increasing number of electrical components. It is now desired to reduce their mass of copper. For this purpose, experimentation can be partially replaced by simulation, but it is still impossible to exhaustively simulate all of the combinations of modular wiring harness. This proposed approach consists of carrying out simulations using the FEM method and using their results to create regression models. Polynomial formulae can give the same information as simulations within a clearly reduced time and satisfying accuracy. An optimization algorithm introduced in this study will use them to assign new cable cross-sections of harnesses considering their currents and the ambient temperature.Postprint (author's final draft

Custom integer optimization method for wire bundle dimensioning

Automotive wiring harnesses have gained weight and complexity through the last decades due to the increasing number of electrical components, which has raised the interest on its weight optimization. For this purpose, it is essential to know at least the maximum amount of steady current that either single wires or bundles can carry. However, the large amount of combinations of the customer-speci¿c wire harnesses makes it impossible to exhaustively simulate all of the combinations that would allow for a reliable analysis and optimization of the network. The proposed approach consists of achieving accurate predictions of the wire thermal behaviour using fast on-line polynomial functions, which have been created as regression models using data from off-line worst-case ¿nite element sim- ulations. These regression models provide good accuracy for the critical dimensions of wire bundles in a much shorter time than simulations, so that they can be used on-line in optimiza- tion algorithms. Two different approaches of optimization are presented here in order to assign discrete values of available wire cross-section to the wire bundles: The ¿rst one uses integer linear programming, and the second one consists of a recently created custom algorithm whose objective is to reduce the computation time of the integer linear programming approach. This latter objective is satisfactorily accomplished. Results of both optimization approaches are validated by means of ¿nal ¿nite element simulations, and they promisingly ful¿ll the objectives of this study.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft