Application of simulations to thermodynamic properties of materials for magnetic refrigeration: A calorimetric approach to material’s magnetocaloric parameters

A magnetic refrigeration system is a complex system that involves the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) and the heat transfer problems working in a coupled manner. For this purpose, characterization of materials showing MCE is needed. Calorimetric characterization allows the obtention of thermodynamic variables needed for a precise quantification of this effect. More specifically, in systems with continuous magnetic field variation, in order to calculate the heat generation due to MCE, the knowledge of their magnetocaloric parameters—adiabatic temperature change (Formula presented.) and isothermal entropy change (Formula presented.)—and the heat capacity (Formula presented.), for every temperature and magnetic field present is needed. In this work, (Formula presented.) family materials have been either characterized or interpolated and used in numerical simulations in COMSOL Multiphysics™ software. The characterization was carried out with measurements of (Formula presented.), (Formula presented.) and (Formula presented.) and the calculation of other derived parameters, at different temperatures and magnetic fields

Identificación y chequeo de parentesco en la especie canina mediante análisis de ADN

Este trabajo presenta los primeros resultados en España de un estudio de identificación y chequeo de parentesco en la especie canina mediante microsatélites (polimorfismos del ADN). Para este trabajo se han utilizado 79 animales, 48 de los cuales no están emparentados y 31 que pertenecen a 3 familias, en los que Se han analizado 11 microsatélites. Los resultados indican la posibilidad de utilizar estos marcadores en test de paternidad con resultados altamente fiables (99%), si se utilizan más de 7 microsatélites.This work presents the first results in Spain of an study concerning identity and parentage test in dogs by microsatellites (ONA polymorphisms). 79 animals have been used for this work, (48 unrelated dogs and 31 dogs from 3 families). Our main conclusion is the necessity of using more than 7 microsatellites in arder to obtain results with 99% of garanty

Heatmaps in soccer: event vs tracking datasets

We investigate how similar heatmaps of soccer players are when constructed from (i) event datasets and (ii) tracking datasets. When using event datasets, we show that the scale at which the events are grouped strongly influences the correlation with the tracking heatmaps. Furthermore, there is an optimal scale at which the correlation between event and tracking heatmaps is the highest. However, even at the optimal scale, correlations between both approaches are moderate. Furthermore, there is high heterogeneity in the players' correlation, ranging from negative values to correlations close to the unity. We show that the number of events performed by a player does not crucially determine the level of correlation between both heatmaps. Finally, we analyzed the influence of the player position, showing that defenders are the players with the highest correlations while forwards have the lowest.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

Measuring Spatial Subdivisions in Urban Mobility with Mobile Phone Data

Urban population grows constantly. By 2050 two thirds of the world population will reside in urban areas. This growth is faster and more complex than the ability of cities to measure and plan for their sustainability. To understand what makes a city inclusive for all, we define a methodology to identify and characterize spatial subdivisions: areas with over- and under-representation of specific population groups, named hot and cold spots respectively. Using aggregated mobile phone data, we apply this methodology to the city of Barcelona to assess the mobility of three groups of people: women, elders, and tourists. We find that, within the three groups, cold spots have a lower diversity of amenities and services than hot spots. Also, cold spots of women and tourists tend to have lower population income. These insights apply to the floating population of Barcelona, thus augmenting the scope of how inclusiveness can be analyzed in the city.Comment: 10 pages, 10 figures. To be presented at the Data Science for Social Good workshop at The Web Conference 202

Impacto del género y la responsabilidad social en la rentabilidad empresarial cuando se controlan los recursos estructurales e intangibles

El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar los factores explicativos de la rentabilidad empresarial, considerando nuevas perspectivas respecto a las que tradicionalmente han sido constatadas como explicativas del rendimiento empresarial. En concreto, estudiamos en qué medida el género y la responsabilidad social de una empresa puede tener efectos positivos sobre la rentabilidad cuando se consideran simultáneamente los recursos estructurales e intangibles de la empresa. Utilizando la metodología de datos de panel para una serie temporal de seis años, en la que se combina información económica e información obtenida a través de un cuestionario, los resultados constatan que ni el género de los empresarios ni las prácticas de responsabilidad social son estadísticamente significativos para explicar las diferencias en la rentabilidad pero sí lo es la aplicación de medidas de igualdad, de modo que aquellas empresas que muestran mayor preocupación por las políticas de igualdad pueden tener un efecto positivo sobre su rendimiento

Necesidades de orientación profesional de los estudiantes y titulados de la Universidad Jaume I

XII Jornades de Foment de la Investigació de la FCHS (Any 2006-2007)Cuando hablamos de la situación actual del mercado laboral, uno de los temas de preocupación es el referido a cómo logramos introducirnos por primera vez en el mercado laboral y cómo reinsertarnos en él a lo largo de la vida. El modo de encontrar empleo va a depender no sólo de las habilidades y estratégias que poseamos, sino del conocimiento del que dispongamos acerca de la búsqueda de empleo. Siguiendo esta línea en orientación profesional, uno de los objetivos del área de Inserción Profesional de la Oficina de Cooperación Internacional y Educativa (OCIE) es la potenciación de los recursos propios del usuario y la adquisición de nuevas competencias para la búsqueda de empleo. El objetivo de este trabajo es explorar, mediante un análisis cluster, los diferentes patrones de necesidades de orientación profesional que existen, a partir de las necesidades que estos usuarios comunican en el servicio y teniendo en cuenta ciertas variables. La muestra está compuesta por 386 sujetos asistentes a las acciones de Orientación para el Empleo y el Autoempleo (OPEA) durante los meses de julio a diciembre 2006 y enero y febrero de 2007. Estos usuarios transmiten a los técnicos encargados de su orintación sus necesidades de formación (ya sea currículum vitae, carta de presentación, recursos...etc), a partir de aquí y teniendo en cuenta variables como el sexo, el tipo de acceso al servicio, experiencia laboral previa...etc se lleva a cabo el anàlisis. Los resultados indican que existen patrones diferenciados dependiendo de las necesidades de formación emitidas. Las aplicaciones prácticas y limitaciones de este estudio también son expuestas

Empty Urbanism: the bursting of the Spanish housing bubble

The depth of the Spanish housing crisis manifests itself in the collapse of construction activity and in the amount of housing and land stocks. The geography of the crisis shows its widespread nature, and the intensity of the previous bubble explains spatial differences. Resulting from this collapse are some problematic areas of 'empty urbanism'. An enormous land bubble, emerging from the peculiar Spanish urban development model, was a key factor in the impacts - caused by the crisis - on the territory and land-use plans. The crisis has demonstrated the unsustainability of this and the urgency of change in the existing land-use plans

The challenges and possibilities of reflective learning in higher education. Research focused from the perspective of university students on four different degree courses

Despite an increase in university teaching practices based on reflective learning methodology (RL), only very few studies are found in the context of higher education aimed at determining students? perception of this approach to teaching and learning. The aim of this research was to ascertain the opinions of students on different university degree courses regarding the challenges, difficulties and contributions arising from the application of reflective learning methodology in their learning process so as to propose strategies for improving education. The study was carried out on four Bachelor degree courses at the University of Girona: Social Education, Environmental Sciences, Nursing and Psychology. The research was conducted in two stages. In the first (2011-12 academic year), a questionnaire was administered to 162 students (43 from Social Education; 33 from Environmental Sciences; 31 from Nursing; and 55 from Psychology). One section of the questionnaire was specifically devoted to studying the perceptions of students participating in various RL experiences regarding the main difficulties they faced and the contributions of the RL to their learning process. Among the highlighted difficulties was the fact that RL requires a work process they are not used to and their lack of reflective writing skills. Among the contributions, the students felt that RL results in more complex and selfregulated knowledge, develops greater dynamic capabilities and increases the degree of reflection on learning processes and areas for improvement. In the second stage of the study (2012-13 academic year), four focus groups were held with students who had participated in the previous years? experience with the aim of gaining further insight into their perceptions regarding the challenges and contributions of RL. A total of 20 students participated, all of whom gave informed written consent. The sessions were recorded and transcribed in full and a thematic content analysis was performed. In all four groups the students stated that the experience had allowed them to improve their learning and become aware of their current situation and areas for improvement. As for the challenges, they cited difficulties in understanding the aims and purpose of RL, particularly at the beginning of the experience, together with problems experienced in writing about it, doubts about the level of openness required and uncertainty about how they would be assessed. The research conducted suggested that RL has significant potential to connect academic activity with professional action. It also provided working guidelines for improving experiences carried out on the basis of RL. These include the need to clarify the methodology and present arguments for its use, so that students understand the type of work it will mean for them and the objectives they pursued. Students should also be provided with sufficiently clear guidelines regarding how they will be assessed (in relation to both activities and level of reflection). There is a need to build a group climate based on mutual trust, continuous feedback and the establishment of a support process that maintains this trust throughout the learning process