Nuevas herramientas software para el diseño de dispositivos pasivos de microondas basadas en elementos finitos 3D y redes neuronales

El diseño de dispositivos pasivos de microondas arbitrarios es, por lo general, un problema complejo donde se necesitan combinar diferentes técnicas y/o métodos para conseguir los resultados deseados. En este trabajo se aborda la obtención eficiente de esos diseños mediante la utilización conjunta de: algoritmos de optimización global, redes neuronales artificiales, segmentaci ón, el método de los elementos finitos, y la información sobre la respuesta en frecuencia de los dispositivos que se obtiene de modelos de orden reducido. Dadas las especificaciones de un diseño, los algoritmos de optimización global permiten realizar una búsqueda exhaustiva del mejor dispositivo que cumple con esas especificaciones. Sin embargo, para ello se necesitan analizar con precisión las respuestas de un número muy elevado de dispositivos diferentes. Las redes neuronales artificiales permiten determinar entonces esas respuestas, de manera muy rápida y precisa, a partir únicamente de los resultados de un conjunto pequeño de análisis de los dispositivos con métodos numéricos de onda completa, llamado conjunto de datos de entrenamiento. Pero la obtención de modelos neuronales se hace cada vez más difícil, a medida que se consideran dispositivos más complicados con un número de parámetros de diseño mayor. Es por ello que el uso de la técnica de segmentación hace mucho más sencilla la obtención de los modelos de redes neuronales de los dispositivos. Los dispositivos más complejos se dividen en regiones más pequeñas y sencillas, donde el número de parámetros de diseño es menor, que se modelan por separado muy eficientemente. Además, no se necesitan modelar aquellas regiones de las que ya se dispone de modelos analíticos con anterioridad. Aquí, el método de elementos finitos y segmentación resulta muy útil para la obtención de los conjuntos de datos de entrenamiento que se necesitan. Este método, al estar basado en elementos finitos, permite analizar con precisión regiones de forma y materiales arbitrarios, y da lugar a sistemas algebraicos dispersos cuyo tamaño se reduce muy rápidamente con el tamaño de las regiones que se analizan. Además, la formulación de que se dispone permite que las regiones que se consideran se sitúen arbitrariamente próximas entre si, sin que ello aumente apenas el esfuerzo de cálculo que se debe de realizar. Para el caso de dispositivos sin pérdidas, la determinación de los modelos neuronales se mejora explotando el conocimiento que se tiene sobre la respuesta en frecuencia de los mismos. En primer lugar, los modos en los puertos de conexión de las regiones se incluyen analíticamente en la expresión de los modelos. A continuación, la dependencia con la frecuencia se modela usando un modelo de orden reducido, en donde se incluye únicamente un número pequeño de polos, que son reales por ser el dispositivo sin pérdidas. Esto se consigue fácilmente porque, al usar segmentación y reducir el tamaño de las regiones, la mayoría de los polos se sitúan a frecuencias elevadas, y sólo unos pocos se sitúan en la banda de frecuencias de interés o en sus proximidades. De esta manera, sólo queda por modelar la variación con los parámetros de diseño de las respuestas en frecuencia de las regiones, que es un comportamiento mucho más sencillo de modelar que el original. Entonces, se utilizan redes neuronales artificiales que dependen sólo de los parámetros de diseño y no de la frecuencia. En este caso, los datos de entrenamiento que se necesitan se obtienen con facilidad a partir de modelos de Padé de orden reducido, que se consiguen eficientemente aplicando el algoritmo de Lanczos al modelo de elementos finitos de las regiones. Finalmente, se presentan diversos ejemplos en los que se ilustran las capacidades de los métodos que se presentan. Primero se obtienen modelos de regiones pequeñas de dispositivos pasivos de microondas. Después se utilizan esos modelos junto con optimización global para conseguir diseños de dispositivos más complejos. Finalmente, los resultados de los procesos de diseño se validad mediante el análisis de onda completa y/o la construcción de los dispositivos resultantes. ABSTRACT Design of arbitrary microwave passive devices is, in general, a complex problem where different techniques and/or methods must be combined in order to achieve the desired results. This work is about efficiently obtaining those designs by using together: global optimization, artificial neural networks, segmentation, finite elements method, and information of the frequency response of the devices which is obtained from reduced order models. Starting from the design specifications, global optimization algorithms allows us to carry out an exhaustive search of the best device which fulfills those specifications. However, these algorithms require us to accurately analyze the responses of a very high number of devices. Then, artificial neural networks allows us to compute those responses, very fast and accurately, starting only from the results of a small set of analysis of the devices with full wave numerical methods. This is called the training data set. But the computation of neural models is increasingly difficult as more complex and with higher number of design parameters devices are considered. Consequently, the computation of neural models of the devices is significantly improved by using the segmentation technique. More complex devices are divided into small and simple regions, where the number of design parameters is low, which are separately modeled very efficiently. Moreover, it is nor necessary to model the behavior of a region if it can be computed analytically. Here, the segmentation and finite elements method is very helpful in order to compute the needed training data sets. Because of being based on finite elements, this method allows us to accurately analyze arbitrarily shaped regions including any materials, and originates disperse algebraic systems whose size decreases quickly as the volume and complexity of the regions is reduced. In addition, the formulation of the method which is used allows the regions of the complete device to be arbitrarily close, without significantly increasing the computation effort which is needed to analyze them. In the case of lossless devices, the computation of neural models is improved by exploiting the knowledge of the frequency response of those devices. In the first place, information arriving from the modes in the connections ports of the regions to be modeled are included analytically in the neural models. Next, the frequency variation of the response of the regions is modeled by using a reduced order model, where there are only a small number of poles, which are real because of the devices are lossless. This is achieved without difficulty as a result of using segmentation and reducing the size of the regions. By doing this, most poles are placed at high frequency and only a few of them are placed into or near the frequency band of interest. Thus, it only remains to be modeled the variation with the design parameters of the frequency responses of the regions, which is modeled far easier than the original one. Then, we use artificial neural networks to model this variation, which are function now only of the design parameters and not of the frequency. This time, the needed training data are easily obtained from reduced order Padé models, which are efficiently computed by applying the Lanczos algorithm to the finite elements models of the regions. Finally, several examples that illustrate the capacities of the methods are presented. Small regions of passive microwave devices are modeled first. Later, the resulting models of the regions and global optimization are used together in order to design more complex devices. Then, the results of the design processes are validated through full wave analysis and device manufacturing

Occurrence of tetracyclines and sulfonamides in manures, agricultural soils and crops from different areas in Galicia (NW Spain)

Antibiotics released to the environment are causing public health and sustainability concerns. Taking that into account, we studied the presence of tetracyclines (Tetracycline, Oxytetracycline, Chlortetracycline and Doxycycline) and sulfonamides (Sulfadiazine, Sulfamethazine, Sulfachlorpyridazine and Sulfamethoxypyridazine) in manures, soils and crops from Galicia (Spain), where a high number of cattle, pig and poultry farms exist. We used the HPLC-MS/MS technique to analyze 40 samples of cattle, pig and poultry manure, as well as 65 soil samples, and 27 vegetation samples. The presence of antibiotics was detected in 42% of the manures, 17% of the soils and 44% of crop samples, with maximum concentrations of 106.0 mg kg−1 for individual antibiotics in manures and 0.6 mg kg−1 in soils and plants. The simultaneous presence of several antibiotics was infrequent in soils (only three soils presented two or three antibiotics), and more common in manures and plants, some of them with up to five antibiotics. Pig slurries showed the highest antibiotic concentrations, as well as the highest number of different antibiotics. Crops fertilized with these slurries also showed the highest number of different antibiotics. Antibiotics were detected in 71% of grass and corn samples, and in 33% of wheat grain samples, while they were not detected in potato samples. These results can be very relevant taking into account potential environmental and public health repercussions of antibiotics in soil and water, as well as antibiotics uptake and accumulation in plants, and subsequent incorporation to the food chain.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness [grant numbers CGL2015-67333-C2-1-R and CGL2015-67333-C2-2-R]. M. Conde-Cid holds a pre-doctoral contract (FPU15/0280, Spanish Government). The sponsor had not involvement in study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report, and in the decision to submit the article for publication.S

Occurrence of tetracyclines and sulfonamides in manures, agricultural soils and crops from different areas in Galicia (NW Spain)

Antibiotics released to the environment are causing public health and sustainability concerns. Taking that into account, we studied the presence of tetracyclines (Tetracycline, Oxytetracycline, Chlortetracycline and Doxycycline) and sulfonamides (Sulfadiazine, Sulfamethazine, Sulfachlorpyridazine and Sulfamethoxypyridazine) in manures, soils and crops from Galicia (Spain), where a high number of cattle, pig and poultry farms exist. We used the HPLC-MS/MS technique to analyze 40 samples of cattle, pig and poultry manure, as well as 65 soil samples, and 27 vegetation samples. The presence of antibiotics was detected in 42% of the manures, 17% of the soils and 44% of crop samples, with maximum concentrations of 106.0 mg kg−1 for individual antibiotics in manures and 0.6 mg kg−1 in soils and plants. The simultaneous presence of several antibiotics was infrequent in soils (only three soils presented two or three antibiotics), and more common in manures and plants, some of them with up to five antibiotics. Pig slurries showed the highest antibiotic concentrations, as well as the highest number of different antibiotics. Crops fertilized with these slurries also showed the highest number of different antibiotics. Antibiotics were detected in 71% of grass and corn samples, and in 33% of wheat grain samples, while they were not detected in potato samples. These results can be very relevant taking into account potential environmental and public health repercussions of antibiotics in soil and water, as well as antibiotics uptake and accumulation in plants, and subsequent incorporation to the food chain.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad | Ref. CGL2015-67333-C2-1-RMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad | Ref. CGL2015-67333-C2-2-

Revista de Vertebrados de la Estación Biológica de Doñana

Página 298 con error de impresiónEstudio cariológico en dos especies de Serránidos del Mediterráneo (Peces: PerciformesRelaciones morfométricas de Atherina boyeri Risso (Pisces: Atherinidae) de la laguna de Zoñar (Córdoba, España)Contribución al conocimiento de la biometríay osteología de Barbus barbus bocagei, Steindachner, 1866 (Pisces: CyprinidaeLa actividad de la salamandra, Salamandra salamandra (L.), en Galicia.Estudios sobre el sapo corredor (Bufo calamita) en el Sur de España.1. BiometríaEstudios sobre el sapo corredor (Bufo calamita) en el Sur de España. II. AlimentaciónBiología de la reproducción de Rana iberica Boulenger 1879 en zonas simpátridas con Rana temporaria Linneo, 1758Nuevos datos sobre la distribución geográfica de Lacerta monticola cantabrica Mertens, 1929. (Sauria, lacertidae).Datos sobre Lacerta monticola Boulenger, 1905 (Saurio: lacertidae)en el oeste del Sistema Central.Nueva especie de Anolis (lacertilia, Iguanidae) para CubaEtograma cuantificado del cortejo en Falco naumannOntogénesis del comportamiento predador en Falco naumanniContaminación xenobiótica del Parque Nacional de Doñana. 1. Residuos de insecticidas organoclorados, bifenilos policlorados y mercurio en anseriformes y gruiformesReproducción del críalo (Clamator glandarius) en Sierra Morena CentraNidificación de Picus viridis en taludes de arcilla en Ramblas de Guadix (Granada)Comportamiento del calamón Porphyrio porphyrio (Linnaeus, 1758) en Doñana, Marismas del GuadalquiviBiología y ecología de la malvasía (Oxyura leucocephala) en Andalucía.On the differential diet of Carnivora in islands:a method for analysing it and a particular case.Notas sobre la distribución pasada y actual del meloncillo Herpestes ichneumon (L.) en la Península IbéricaEstructuración de las interacciones en una camada de lobos (Canís lupus)Nuevos datos sobre la distribución del Cottus gobio L. (pisces, cottidae) en EspañaSobre la alimentación de Callopistes maculatus (Reptilia,teiidaeObservación de Lacerta lepida depredando un nido de Alectoris rufaNueva cita del galápago leproso Mauremys leprosa (Scheigger, 1812) en los pirineosPrimera cita de Psammodromus hispanicus (Fitzinger) para GaliciaSobre la presencia de Gallotia (=Lacerta) atlantica (Peters y Doria, 1882) en Gran CanariaNota sobre las Lacerta monticola Boulenger, 1905 de las zonas del norte de GaliciaPrimeras notas herpetológicas de la provincia de Soria.Datos sobre selección de hábitat y ecología alimenticia del porrón pardo (Aythya nyroca)Probable nueva área de cría del pechiazul (Luscinia svecica cyanecula) en el sistema central. PerisPredación de Falco peregrinus y Falco subbuteo sobre quirópterosResultados de la producción de Oxyura leucocephala en el año 1981 en las lagunas de Zóñar y el rincónAnálisis de la dieta de Tyto alba en un medio árido antropógeno de los alrededores de Almería¿Son Eudocimus ruber y E. albus distintas especies?EL Estornino pinto (Sturnus vulgaris) en Canarias: nueva especie nidifiante en el archipiélagoDatos sobre la alimentación otoñal del cárabo (Strix aluco) en la sierra de CádizObservación primaveral de rapaces y otras aves en el páramo del estado de Mérida (Venezuela).Murciélago hematófago (Desmodus rotundus) parasitando a un chigüire (Hidrochoerus hydrochaeris)Observaciones sobre la reproducción del zacatuche o teporinho Romerolagus diazi (Mammalia: lagomorpha)Estudio electroforético de hemoglobinas y esterasas sanguíneas en Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (Chiroptera: rhinolophidae) y de hemoglobinas en Tadaria taeniotis (chiroptera: molossidae)Peer reviewe

Big data en educación II: metodologías adaptativas en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje desde el diagnóstico del estudiante

Fac. de Comercio y TurismoFALSEsubmitte

Effectiveness of an intervention for improving drug prescription in primary care patients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy:Study protocol of a cluster randomized clinical trial (Multi-PAP project)

This study was funded by the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias ISCIII (Grant Numbers PI15/00276, PI15/00572, PI15/00996), REDISSEC (Project Numbers RD12/0001/0012, RD16/0001/0005), and the European Regional Development Fund ("A way to build Europe").Background: Multimorbidity is associated with negative effects both on people's health and on healthcare systems. A key problem linked to multimorbidity is polypharmacy, which in turn is associated with increased risk of partly preventable adverse effects, including mortality. The Ariadne principles describe a model of care based on a thorough assessment of diseases, treatments (and potential interactions), clinical status, context and preferences of patients with multimorbidity, with the aim of prioritizing and sharing realistic treatment goals that guide an individualized management. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a complex intervention that implements the Ariadne principles in a population of young-old patients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy. The intervention seeks to improve the appropriateness of prescribing in primary care (PC), as measured by the medication appropriateness index (MAI) score at 6 and 12months, as compared with usual care. Methods/Design: Design:pragmatic cluster randomized clinical trial. Unit of randomization: family physician (FP). Unit of analysis: patient. Scope: PC health centres in three autonomous communities: Aragon, Madrid, and Andalusia (Spain). Population: patients aged 65-74years with multimorbidity (≥3 chronic diseases) and polypharmacy (≥5 drugs prescribed in ≥3months). Sample size: n=400 (200 per study arm). Intervention: complex intervention based on the implementation of the Ariadne principles with two components: (1) FP training and (2) FP-patient interview. Outcomes: MAI score, health services use, quality of life (Euroqol 5D-5L), pharmacotherapy and adherence to treatment (Morisky-Green, Haynes-Sackett), and clinical and socio-demographic variables. Statistical analysis: primary outcome is the difference in MAI score between T0 and T1 and corresponding 95% confidence interval. Adjustment for confounding factors will be performed by multilevel analysis. All analyses will be carried out in accordance with the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: It is essential to provide evidence concerning interventions on PC patients with polypharmacy and multimorbidity, conducted in the context of routine clinical practice, and involving young-old patients with significant potential for preventing negative health outcomes. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02866799Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Experimental data and model prediction of tetracycline adsorption and desorption in agricultural soils

In this work, tetracycline (TC) adsorption and desorption were studied, and the soil properties that most influenced the process were identified. Batch experiments were carried out on 63 crop soil samples, which showed a wide range of values in their physicochemical characteristics. Adsorption curves fit well to the Freundlich equation, with KF values varying between 901 and 9202 Ln μmol1−n kg−1. Kd values ranged between 53 and 6899 L kg−1 for an initial concentration (Co) of 400 μM, whereas the adsorption capacity (qa) ranged from 8541 to 14,852 μmol kg−1. TC retention on soils was high, with adsorption values always higher than 58%, and desorption values lower than 9%. Bivariate correlations and multiple linear regressions were performed to identify those soil variables having a greater influence on TC adsorption and desorption. The results indicate that organic carbon, clay, exchangeable aluminum, available phosphorus, effective cation exchange capacity content, and pH are the main characteristics affecting TC adsorption and desorption. The models, developed by means of multiple linear regression, gave satisfactory and robust predictions for TC adsorption and desorption, using easily determinable soil characteristics as input.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad | Ref. CGL2015-67333-C2-1-RMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad | Ref. CGL2015-67333-C2-2-