Evaluation of VLEs for Binaries of Five Compounds Involved in the Production Processes of Cyclohexanone

In an attempt to evaluate the separation of certain impurities that arise in some stages of the production of cyclohexanone, this work analyzed the possibility of removing five of these substances via rectification. Due to the scarcity of experimental vapor–liquid equilibrium data for most of the solutions in the effluent of the global process, prior knowledge of their behavior is required. In this work, two predictive models, UNIFAC and COSMO-RS, were used to determine a priori the possibility of obtaining, by distillation, the individual components of seven of the binaries formed by the combination of these five compounds. Since both procedures described quasi-ideal behavior for all the chosen solutions, the results are considered as an approximation, owing to the special nature of the studied systems. The results and characteristics of each system are discussed separately.Depto. de Ingeniería Química y de MaterialesFac. de Ciencias QuímicasTRUEpu

Optimización y mejora en Ampliación de Estructura de Computadores

En este trabajo se describen varios cambios relacionados con los contenidos teóricos y prácticos, la evaluación y la mejora de varias actividades de innovación que se han llevado a cabo en la asignatura de “Ampliación de Estructura de Computadores” durante el curso 2017/18. Dicha asignatura se imparte en el segundo curso del Grado de Ingeniería Informática de la Universidad de Murcia y se compone de seis créditos ECTS (3 créditos para teoría y prácticas) en los que el alumno dispone de 150 horas para asistir a las clases teóricas y a las sesiones de prácticas, realizar su trabajo autónomo y llevar a cabo la evaluación correspondiente. El estudio y análisis pormenorizado de los contenidos que se estudian en la asignatura para realizar una mejor planificación y adaptación al tiempo disponible desde el punto de vista teórico y práctico, el establecimiento de una evaluación continua y diversa, así como la optimización de la utilización del Aula Virtual de la Universidad de Murcia han contribuido a mejorar los resultados académicos de los alumnos en el curso 2017/18.This paper describes several changes related to the theoretical and practical contents, the course evaluation, and the improvement of several innovation activities that have been carried out for the subject “Advanced Computer Structure” during the 2017/18 academic year. This course is taught in the second year of the Computer Engineering Degree at the University of Murcia and consists of six ECTS credits in which the students have 150 hours (3 credits for theory and practices) to attend lectures and lab classes, perform their personal work, and carry out the corresponding evaluation. Overall, the detailed analysis of the contents that are studied in the subject to carry out a better planning and adaptation to the time available from the theoretical and practical point of view, along with the establishment of a continuous and diverse evaluation, in addition to a more optimized use of the Virtual Classroom (based on Sakai) of the University of Murcia have all contributed to improve the academic results of students in the 2017/18 academic year

Using Two Group-Contribution Methods to Calculate Properties of Liquid Compounds Involved in the Cyclohexanone Production Operations

A numerical application has been carried out to determine the thermophysical properties of more than fifty pure liquid compounds involved in the production process of cyclohexanone, whose real values are unknown, in many cases. Two group-contribution methods, the Joback and the Marrero–Gani methods, both used in the fields of physicochemistry and engineering, are employed. Both methods were implemented to evaluate critical properties, phase transition properties, and others, which are required for their use in industrial process simulation/design. The quality of the estimates is evaluated by comparing them with those from the literature, where available. In general, both models provide acceptable predictions, although each of them shows improvement for some of the properties considered, recommending their use, when required.Depto. de Ingeniería Química y de MaterialesFac. de Ciencias QuímicasTRUEpu

Pain Science Education Plus Exercise Therapy in Chronic Nonspecific Spinal Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analyses of Randomized Clinical Trials

Abstract: Exercise therapy and education are recommended from several guidelines for managing symptoms in chronic nonspecific spinal pain (CNSP) patients. However, no systematic reviews have previously analyzed the effectiveness of pain science education (PSE) plus exercise therapy for man- aging CNSP related symptoms. Systematic searches were conducted on 10 databases looking for ran- domized control trials (RCTs) aimed to evaluate the effectiveness on pain, disability, kinesiophobia, and catastrophizing. Data were analyzed using random-effects meta-analyses and studies were appraised using the Cochrane ROB tool and GRADE. A total of eight RCTs (n = 622) were included in the qualitative-analysis and five were selected for meta-analysis. PSE plus exercise therapy showed improvements in pain (5RCTs: short-term: SMD: -0.53 [-0.86,-0.2]; 4RCTs: intermediate- term: SMD: -0.57 [-1.01,-0.14]; low quality), disability (4RCTs: short-term: SMD: -0.24 [-0.53,0.05]; 4RCTs: intermediate-term: SMD: -0.93 [-1.08,-0.03]; low-to-very-low quality), kinesiophobia (3RCTs: short-term: SMD: -0.7 [-1.51,0.11]; 4RCTs: intermediate-term: SMD: -0.93 [-1.57,-0.30]; mod- erate-to-very-low quality), and catastrophizing (2RCTs: short-term: MD: -3.26 points [-6.15,-0.37]; 3RCTs: intermediate-term: MD: -4.94 points [-8.08,-1.81]; low-to-very-low quality) compared to exercise alone. A qualitative-analysis showed improvements in the experimental group compared to multimodal physiotherapy (1RCT; low-to-very-low quality), whereas no clear benefits were reported compared to PSE alone (1RCT; very-low quality) or no intervention (1RCT; very-low qual- ity). There is low to very-low certainty of the evidence suggesting that PSE plus exercise therapy reduces CNSP related-symptoms. Perspective: Based on low-quality data from small samples, PSE plus exercise therapy reduces CNSP related symptoms. The evidence requires further investigation due to the limited number of studies with short follow-up periods (CRD42020168968).Terapia y Rehabilitació

Gestión de indicadores para evaluar la preparación de directivos en la rama de la construcción

Many authors from Cuba and the world have addressed the subject of the preparation and improvement of managers through the evaluation of indicators, which has allowed to achieve greater depth, precision and abstraction of the object of study, enabling the contribution of various improvement actions to improve it. This is a major concern for the country, for the province and for the construction branch. The objective of the research was to evaluate a groupof indicators that determined the level of preparation of the managers in the Construction and Assembly Company of Pinar del Rio, to contribute througha group of actions to improve their continuous improvement. The dialectical-materialist approach was assumed, supported by research methods at the theoretical level, the empirical level, statistical techniques and methodological triangulation to process information. To assess the validity of the indicators and actions, the expert consultation and the preexperiment were used. As a result, a positive transformation was achieved, evidenced by greater and betterplanning, organization, execution and control of management processes; greater knowledge and skills for the proper use of management methods and techniques, to interpret and analyze financial statements, to apply the established normative documents, for the good use of information and communication in decision-making and in greater compliance with what is established in the Code of Ethics.Muchos autores de Cuba y del mundo han abordado el tema de la preparación y superación de directivos mediante la evaluación de indicadores, lo que ha permitido lograr mayor profundidad, precisión y abstracción del objeto de estudio, posibilitando el aporte de variadas acciones de superación paraperfeccionarla. Es esta una preocupación de primer orden para el país, para la provincia y para la rama de la construcción. El objetivo de la investigación consistió en evaluar un grupo de indicadores que determinaron el nivel de preparación de los directivos en la Empresa de Construcción y Montaje de Pinar delRío, para contribuir mediante un grupo de acciones de superación a su mejora continua. Se asumió el enfoque dialéctico-materialista, apoyado por métodos de investigación del nivel teórico, del nivel empírico, técnicas estadísticas y la triangulación metodológica para procesar la información. Para evaluar la validezde los indicadores y de las acciones se empleó la consulta a expertos y el pre-experimento. Como resultado se logró una transformación positiva, evidenciada en mayor y mejor planificación, organización, ejecución y control de los procesos de dirección; mayores conocimientos y habilidades para el uso adecuado de métodos y técnicas de dirección, para interpretar y analizar estados financieros, para aplicar los documentos normativos establecidos, para la buena utilización de la información y la comunicación en la toma de decisiones y en un mayor cumplimiento de lo establecido en el Código de Ética

Magnetic resonance simulation in education: Quantitative evaluation of an actual classroom experience

Producción CientíficaMagnetic resonance is an imaging modality that implies a high complexity for radiographers. Despite some simulators having been developed for training purposes, we are not aware of any attempt to quantitatively measure their educational performance. The present study gives an answer to the question: Does an MRI simulator built on specific functional and non-functional requirements help radiographers learn MRI theoretical and practical concepts better than traditional educational method based on lectures? Our study was carried out in a single day by a total of 60 students of a main hospital in Madrid, Spain. The experiment followed a randomized pre-test post-test design with a control group that used a traditional educational method, and an experimental group that used our simulator. Knowledge level was assessed by means of an instrument with evidence of validity in its format and content, while its reliability was analyzed after the experiment. Statistical differences between both groups were measured. Significant statistical differences were found in favor of the participants who used the simulator for both the post-test score and the gain (difference between post-test and pre-test scores). The effect size turned out to be significant as well. In this work we evaluated a magnetic resonance simulation paradigm as a tool to help in the training of radiographers. The study shows that a simulator built on specific design requirements is a valuable complement to traditional education procedures, backed up with significant quantitative results.Agencia Estatal de Investigación (TEC2017-82408-R and TIN2017-85179-C3-2-R

Parathormone levels add prognostic ability to N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in stable coronary patients

Aims: There are controversial data on the ability of the components of mineral metabolism (vitamin D, phosphate, parathormone [PTH], fibroblast growth factor-23 [FGF23], and klotho) to predict cardiovascular events. In addition, it is unknown whether they add any prognostic value to other well-known biomarkers. Methods and results: In 969 stable coronary patients, we determined plasma levels of all the aforementioned components of mineral metabolism with a complete set of clinical and biochemical variables, including N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), high-sensitivity troponin I (hs-TnI), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Secondary outcomes were ischaemic events (any acute coronary syndrome, stroke, or transient ischaemic attack) and heart failure or death. The primary outcome was a composite of the secondary outcomes. Median follow-up was 5.39 years. Age was 60 (52–72) years. Median glomerular filtration rate was 80.4 (65.3–93.1) mL/min/1.73 m2. One-hundred and eighty-five patients developed the primary outcome. FGF23, PTH, hs-TnI, and NT-proBNP were directly related with the primary outcome on univariate Cox analysis, while Klotho and calcidiol were inversely related. On multivariate analysis, only PTH (HR 1.058 [CI 1.021–1.097]; P = 0.002) and NT-proBNP (HR 1.020 [CI 1.012–1.028]; P 85.5 RU/mL) (P < 0.001) but not in patients with low FGF23 levels (P = 0.551). There was a significant interaction between FGF23 and PTH (P = 0.002). However, there was no significant interaction between PTH and both klotho and calcidiol levels. Conclusions: Parathormone is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events in coronary patients, adding complimentary prognostic information to NT-proBNP plasma levels. This predictive value is restricted to patients with high FGF23 plasma levels. This should be considered in the design of future studies in this field.This work was supported by grants from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and Fondos FEDER (Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional) European Union (PI05/0451, PI14/1567, PI17/01615, and PI17/01495); Spanish Society of Cardiology; Spanish Society of Arteriosclerosis; RECAVA (Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Cardiovasculares) (RD06/0014/0035); and Instituto de Salud Carlos III FEDER (FJD biobank: RD09/0076/00101). The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Millimeter-wave channel measurements and path loss characterization in a typical indoor office environment

In this paper, a path loss characterization at millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequencies is performed in a typical indoor office environment. Path loss results were derived from propagation channel measurements collected in the 25–40 GHz frequency band, in both line-of-sight (LOS) and obstructed-LOS (OLOS) propagation conditions. The channel measurements were performed using a frequency-domain channel sounder, which integrates an amplified radio over fiber (RoF) link to avoid the high losses at mmWave. The path loss was analyzed in the 26 GHz, 28 GHz, 33 GHz and 38 GHz frequency bands through the close-in free space reference distance (CI) and the floating-intercept (FI) models. These models take into account the distance dependence of the path loss for a single frequency. Nevertheless, to jointly study the distance and frequency dependence of the path loss, multi-frequency models were considered. The parameters of the ABG (A-alpha, B-beta and G-gamma) and the close-in free space reference distance with frequency path loss exponent (CIF) models were derived from the channel measurements in the whole 25–40 GHz band under the minimum mean square error (MMSE) approach. The results show that, in general, there is some relationship between the model parameters and the frequency. Path loss exponent (PLE) values smaller than the theoretical free space propagation were obtained, showing that there are a waveguide effect and a constructive interference of multipath components (MPCs). Since the measurements were obtained in the same environment and with the same configuration and measurement setup, it is possible to establish realistic comparisons between the model parameters and the propagation behavior at the different frequencies considered. The results provided here allow us to have a better knowledge of the propagation at mmWave frequencies and may be of interest to other researchers in the simulation and performance evaluation of future wireless communication systems in indoor hotspot environments.This work has been funded in part by the MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/ through the I+D+i Project under Grant PID2020-119173RB-C21 and Grant PID2020-119173RB-C22, and by COLCIENCIAS in Colombia

A cryptic splice-altering KCNQ1 variant in trans with R259L leading to Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome

[Abstract] Here we report an infant with clinical findings suggestive of Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome (JLNS), including a prolonged QT interval (LQTS) and chronic bilateral sensorineural deafness. NGS analysis revealed one known heterozygous pathogenic missense variant, KCNQ1 p.R259L, previously associated with LQTS but insufficient to explain the cardioauditory disorder. In a screening of proximal intronic regions, we found a heterozygous variant, KCNQ1 c.1686-9 T > C, absent from controls and previously undescribed. Several splicing prediction tools returned low scores for this intronic variant. Driven by the proband's phenotype rather than the neutral predictions, we have characterized this rare intronic variant. Family analysis has shown that the proband inherited the missense and the intronic variants from his mother and father, respectively. A minigene splicing assay revealed that the intronic variant induced an additional transcript, arising from skipping of exon 14, which was translated into a truncated protein in transfected cells. The splice-out of exon 14 creates a frameshift in exon 15 and a stop codon in exon 16, which is the last exon of KCNQ1. This mis-spliced transcript is expected to escape nonsense-mediated decay and predicted to encode a truncated loss-of-function protein, KCNQ1 p.L563Kfs*73. The analysis of endogenous KCNQ1 expression in the blood of the proband's parents detected the aberrant transcript only in the patient's father. Taken together, these analyses confirmed the proband's diagnosis of JLNS1 and indicated that c.1686-9 T > C is a cryptic splice-altering variant, expanding the known genetic spectrum of biallelic KCNQ1 variant combinations leading to JLNS1.Xunta de Galicia; GRC ED431C 2018/3

Empirical modeling of diffuse scattering at millimeter wave frequencies

[EN] Propagation channel models based on ray-tracing techniques can estimate the specular multipath components (MPCs) reaching the receiver antenna, but have difficulties to estimate the diffuse components. In this work, an empirical model to include the diffuse scattering in ray-tracing channel models, or channel simulators, is presented. The diffuse scattering model has been developed from channel measurements at millimeter wave (mmWave) frequencies collected from 25 to 40 GHz in the frequency domain in an office environment.This work has been funded in part by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion under the projects PID2020-119173RB-C21 and PID2020-119173RB-C22, and by COLCIENCIAS in Colombia.Andani, FJ.; Rubio Arjona, L.; Fernández González, HA.; Bernardo-Clemente, B.; Rodrigo Peñarrocha, VM.; Reig, J.; Pérez, J.... (2022). Empirical modeling of diffuse scattering at millimeter wave frequencies. IEEE. 1908-1909. https://doi.org/10.1109/ap-s/usnc-ursi47032.2022.98869871908190