A slag prediction model in an electric arc furnace process for special steel production

In the steel industry, there are some parameters that are difficult to measure online due to technical difficulties. In these scenarios, soft-sensors, which are online tools that aim forecasting of certain variables, play an indispensable role for quality control. In this investigation, different soft sensors are developed to address the problem of predicting the slag quantity and composition in an electric arc furnace process. The results provide evidence that the models perform better for simulated data than for real data. They also reveal higher accuracy in predicting the composition of the slag than the measured quantity of the slag.The project leading to this research work has received funding from the European Unions Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 820670

Impact of polyphenols and polyphenol-rich dietary sources on gut microbiota composition

Gut microbiota plays a key role in host physiology and metabolism. Indeed, the relevance of a well-balanced gut microbiota composition to an individual´s health status is essential for the person's well-being. Currently, investigations are focused on analyzing the effects of pre- and probiotics as new therapeutic tools to counteract the disruption of intestinal bacterial balance occurring in several diseases. Polyphenols exert a wide range of beneficial health effects. However, although specific attention has been paid in recent years to the function of this “biological entity” in the metabolism of polyphenols, less is known about the modulatory capacity of these bioactive compounds on gut microbiota composition. This review provides an overview of the latest investigations carried out with pure polyphenols, extracts rich in polyphenols and polyphenol-rich dietary sources (such as cocoa, tea, wine, soy products and fruits), and critically discusses the consequences to gut microbiota composition which are produced

Impact of polyphenols and polyphenol-rich dietary sources on gut microbiota composition

Gut microbiota plays a key role in host physiology and metabolism. Indeed, the relevance of a well-balanced gut microbiota composition to an individual´s health status is essential for the person's well-being. Currently, investigations are focused on analyzing the effects of pre- and probiotics as new therapeutic tools to counteract the disruption of intestinal bacterial balance occurring in several diseases. Polyphenols exert a wide range of beneficial health effects. However, although specific attention has been paid in recent years to the function of this “biological entity” in the metabolism of polyphenols, less is known about the modulatory capacity of these bioactive compounds on gut microbiota composition. This review provides an overview of the latest investigations carried out with pure polyphenols, extracts rich in polyphenols and polyphenol-rich dietary sources (such as cocoa, tea, wine, soy products and fruits), and critically discusses the consequences to gut microbiota composition which are produced

"Abordaje multidisciplinar y difusión social de un problema sanitario"

La Universidad, como institución académica de enseñanza superior e investigación, debe ser capaz de formar profesionales competentes en diferentes ámbitos de aplicación, preparados para afrontar problemas complejos que requieran un abordaje multidisciplinar. Así mismo, el conocimiento adquirido durante la fase de formación universitaria debe transmitirse de una forma clara y comprensible a la sociedad. En este sentido, las redes sociales pueden representar una interesante herramienta de divulgación para mejorar la comunicación y el acercamiento entre la universidad y la sociedad. Este trabajo planteó un escenario complejo dentro del ámbito sanitario, como es el aumento en la aparición de resistencias a los antibióticos, para que los equipos multidisciplinares formados por alumnado de distintos grados lo trabajasen desarrollando las competencias transversales y específicas de cada grado, estableciendo de esta manera sinergias de colaboración. Posteriormente, se desarrolló un blog en el aula, donde los diferentes equipos de trabajo multidisciplinar reflejaban sus soluciones a los escenarios planteados, utilizando un lenguaje divulgativo para acercar su conocimiento a la sociedad preocupada por el uso adecuado de los antibióticos. De esta manera, mediante la utilización de metodologías activas, el alumnado tomó conciencia de la importancia del trabajo multidisciplinar, así como de la difusión del conocimiento adquirido