Design of an Efficient Interconnection Network of Temperature Sensors

Temperature has become a first class design constraint because high temperatures adversely affect circuit reliability, static power and degrade the performance. In this scenario, thermal characterization of ICs and on-chip temperature monitoring represent fundamental tasks in electronic design. In this work, we analyze the features that an interconnection network of temperature sensors must fulfill. Departing from the network topology, we continue with the proposal of a very light-weight network architecture based on digitalization resource sharing. Our proposal supposes a 16% improvement in area and power consumption compared to traditional approache

Quality of life and demographic growth in the Santa Fe Metropolitan Area

Las desiguales condiciones de vida en que se desenvuelve un conjunto poblacional urbano potencia problemas sociales y según sea la dinámica demográfica, requiere diferentes demandas y desafíos a las administraciones gubernamentales fundamentalmente de orden local a fin de reducir desigualdades. El Aglomerado Gran Santa Fe (AGSF) se caracteriza por desbalances en términos de calidad de vida y al mismo tiempo si bien presenta un crecimiento general bajo, éste no es homogéneo en toda la extensión del aglomerado. El presente artículo describe las etapas de elaboración de un índice de calidad de vida del AGSF mediante el cruce de datos aportados por variables socioeconómicas y ambientales que emanan de diversas fuentes de información y que fueron agrupadas en dimensiones ‘publicas’ y ‘privadas’ de los hogares, a fin de evaluar la incidencia específica de estos dos aspectos en la determinación de la calidad de vida. Otra cuestión destacada del trabajo radica en el análisis del vínculo entre crecimiento demográfico y calidad de vida, sin ánimo de establecer una relación directa causaefecto, a fin de cotejar tendencias generales de expansión o retracción de los grupos poblacionales con diferente calidad de vida, y su correspondiente implantación espacial. Los resultados demuestran aspectos positivos de la propuesta metodológica seguida, pudiendo ser de utilidad la estrategia de tratar por separado las ‘dimensiones’ de la calidad de vida para el estudio de ámbitos urbanos.The unequal living conditions in an urban population generate social problems, and according to demographic dynamics, requires different demands and challenges to government administrations, mainly municipal, to reduce imbalances. The Santa Fe Metropolitan Area (AGSF) is characterized by imbalances in terms of quality of life and at the same time while having a low overall growth, this is not uniform throughout the all the metropolitan area. This article describes the stages of elaboration of an index of quality of life for the AGSF by crossing data provided by socioeconomic and environmental variables that emanate from various sources of information and were grouped into 'public' dimensions and 'private' of homes, in order to assess the specific effect of these two aspects in determining the quality of life. Another issue of the work lies in the analysis of the link between population growth and quality of life, without seeking to establish a relation direct cause – effect, to compare general trends of expansion or contraction of population groups with different quality of life, and its corresponding spatial implementation. The results show positive aspects of the methodology used, and may be useful the strategy to deal separately with the "dimensions" of the quality of life in order to further knowledge of the behavior of these aspects and their interrelations, in the study of urban spaces.Fil: Gomez, Nestor Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias; ArgentinaFil: Velázquez, Guillermo Ángel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Instituto de Geografía, Historia y Ciencias Sociales. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Geografía, Historia y Ciencias Sociales; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentin

SimulCity: Planning Communications in Smart Cities

[EN] Communication networks have become a critical element in the development of smart cities. The information flows generated by thousands of sensors and systems must be managed to assure the adequate guarantees of quality, availability, and security. This paper introduces the SimulCity tool, which assists in the design of a smart city's communications convergent network. SimulCity allows a flexible simulation of different scenarios where multiple heterogeneous sources of human type communications (HTCs) and machine type communications (MTCs) compete for limited bandwidth resources. SimulCity evaluates the impact of new services on the performance of a municipal communications network and, consequently, assists the modification of network values to optimize bandwidth and reduce costs. Several network characteristics can be easily configured in SimulCity, such as the definition of traffic sources, the parametrization of different network mechanisms, access admission control, quality of service (QoS), and traffic in the multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) network. SimulCity was used to simulate different projects in the smart city of Valencia (Spain). Specifically, SimulCity was used to study the impact on the Valencia City Council's communications network of several new services: the solid waste collection supervision, the street lighting management, the control of regulated parking areas, and the upgrade of voice and video communications systems of the city government buildings. The results obtained have allowed the analysis of the impact that these new services have on the existing network and to perform an adequate dimensioning of the future municipal communications network.This work was supported in part by the Spanish Government under Project TIN2013-47272-C2-1-R and Project TEC2015-71932-REDT, and in part by the ITACA Institute Ayudas 2019Rodríguez-Hernández, MA.; Gomez-Sacristan, Á.; Gomez-Cuadrado, D. (2019). SimulCity: Planning Communications in Smart Cities. IEEE Access. 7:46870-46884. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2019.2909322S4687046884

The Potential of Seaweeds as a Source of Functional Ingredients of Prebiotic and Antioxidant Value

Two thirds of the world is covered by oceans, whose upper layer is inhabited by algae. This means that there is a large extension to obtain these photoautotrophic organisms. Algae have undergone a boom in recent years, with consequent discoveries and advances in this field. Algae are not only of high ecological value but also of great economic importance. Possible applications of algae are very diverse and include anti-biofilm activity, production of biofuels, bioremediation, as fertilizer, as fish feed, as food or food ingredients, in pharmacology (since they show antioxidant or contraceptive activities), in cosmeceutical formulation, and in such other applications as filters or for obtaining minerals. In this context, algae as food can be of help to maintain or even improve human health, and there is a growing interest in new products called functional foods, which can promote such a healthy state. Therefore, in this search, one of the main areas of research is the extraction and characterization of new natural ingredients with biological activity (e.g., prebiotic and antioxidant) that can contribute to consumers? well-being. The present review shows the results of a bibliographic survey on the chemical composition of macroalgae, together with a critical discussion about their potential as natural sources of new functional ingredients.Fil: Gomez Zavaglia, Andrea. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Prieto Lage, Miguel Ángel. Universidad de Vigo; EspañaFil: Jiménez López, Cecilia. Universidad de Vigo.; EspañaFil: Mejuto, Juan Carlos. Universidad de Vigo. Facultad de Ciencias de Ourense; EspañaFil: Simal Gándara, Jesús. Universidad de Vigo; Españ

Advanced synchrotron studies of ye'elimite-based cement pastes

Synchrotron characterization techniques [1] are being used to study Portland-based cements and recently also CSA and related cements. A key property of these techniques is that they do not require sample preparation, so the microstructures of the pastes can be preserved. The classical application of synchrotron tools is powder diffraction used to determine the crystalline phase content evolution with hydration including the overall amorphous fraction. Furthermore, other most advanced techniques are being applied to ye'elimite-containing pastes such as i) Total Scattering Synchrotron Powder Diffraction (TS-SXPD), and ii) Ptychographic Synchrotron X-ray Computed Tomography (PSXCT). All these applications will be reviewed here. TS-SXPD data coupled with the Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis methodology [2] allows having a better insight about the nanocrystalline/amorphous atomic arrangements in the gels. It has been very recently shown that nanogibbsite with very small particles, 3nm, is the main constituent of ye'elimite-gypsum hydration paste [2]. Nanogibbsite particles being smaller than those originated from the hydration of monocalcium aluminate. In addition, PSXCT is a tomographic technique that profits from the partly coherent nature of the synchrotron beam to provide better (smaller) resolution, which can be lower than 100 nm. It also provides the mass densities if the chemical stoichiometries are known. This technique has been applied to ye'elimite hydration to determine the microstructure and chiefly the bulk densities of nanogibbsite [3]. The microstructure evolution at early age was also followed [4]. Figure 1 shows an example of a slide of the electron density tomogram for a ye'elimite paste at 8 days of hydration and the corresponding histogram for the full volume with all phases identified.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech.This work has been supported by Spanish MINECO through BIA2014-57658-C2 and BIA2017-82391-R, which are co-funded by FEDER

In-situ hydration studies of ye’elemite at early ages for understanding eco-cement performances'

Póster; ALBA User Meeting and VI AUSE Conferenc

Diferencias de género en los estilos de vida de los adolescentes

En este estudio se analizan las diferencias de género que se observan en la adolescencia con respecto a di-ferentes aspectos de los estilos de vida relacionados con la práctica de actividades físicas y deportivas, im-plicación en actividades extraescolares, utilización de las TIC, tiempo destinado a estar con los amigos y a estudiar, consumo de sustancias y rutinas relacionadas con el sueño. Para ello se han estudiado las diferen-cias por curso y sexo, en una muestra de 2400 adolescentes, 55.5% de chicas y 44.5% de chicos, con edades comprendidas entre los 12 y 17 años (media de 14.73 y deviación típica de 1.24) pertenecientes a 20 cen-tros educativos de Andalucía. Los resultados obtenidos, mediante la realización de análisis de correlaciones, ANOVA y prueba de Tukey, confirman que existen correlaciones significativas entre la mayoría de las varia-bles que conforman los estilos de vida, casi todas de tipo positivo a excepción de las relacionadas con con-sumo de sustancias en donde la mayoría fueron negativas. También se encontraron grandes diferencias de género en los estilos de vida ya que de las 15 variables analizadas 10 de ellas presentan diferencias signifi-cativas con respecto al género y una disminución significativa, con el aumento de la edad, en una serie de variables que conforman los estilos de vida saludables: práctica de la actividad física y deportiva, participa-ción en actividades extraescolares y horas de sueñoThis research analyzes gender differences observed in different aspects of adolescent lifestyles, such as physical activities and sports, involvement in extracurricular activities, use of ICT’s, time spent with friends and time spent studying, substance use, and sleep-related routines. Bearing this in mind, we analyzed differences by year and gender in a sample of 2400 adolescents, 55.5 percent girls and 44.5 percent of boys, aged between 12 and 17 (mean age =14.73 and SD = 1.24) in 20 schools from Andalusia. The results from correlation analysis, ANOVA, and Tukey test confirm significant correlations between most variables making up lifestyle, most of them positive except those related to substance use (most correlations were negative). We also found significant gender differences in lifestyles: 10 out of the 15 variables analyzed have significant gender differences. A significant negative correlation with age was found in a number of variables making up healthy lifestyles, such as the practice of sport and physical activity, participation in extracurricular activities and slee

Rheological and hydration characterization of calcium sulfoaluminate cement pastes

Calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cements are currently receiving a lot of attention because their manufacture produces less CO2 than ordinary Portland cement (OPC). However, it is essential to understand all parameters which may affect the hydration processes. This work deals with the study of the effect of several parameters, such as superplasticizer (SP), gypsum contents (10, 20 and 30 wt%) and w/c ratio (0.4 and 0.5), on the properties of CSA pastes during early hydration. This characterization has been performed through rheological studies, Rietveld quantitative phase analysis of measured x-ray diffraction patterns, thermal analysis and mercury porosimetry for pastes, and by compressive strength measurements for mortars. The effect of the used SP on the rheological properties has been established. Its addition makes little difference to the amount of ettringite formed but strongly decreases the large pore fraction in the pastes. Furthermore, the SP role on compressive strength is variable, as it increases the values for mortars containing 30 wt% gypsum but decreases the strengths for mortars containing 10 wt% gypsum.This work has been supported by Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through MAT2010- 16213 research grant, which is co-funded by FEDER, and Ramón y Cajal Fellowship (RYC-2008- 03523)

Design and optimisation of new formulations of Belite-Alite Calcium Sulfoaluminate (BACSA) eco-cements

Belite Calcium SulfoAluminate (BCSA) eco-cements were developed as OPC substitutes since in their production release 22% less CO2 than OPC. BCSA eco-cements contain belite as main phase (>50 wt%) and ye'elimite as secondary main phase (~30 wt%). However, these materials develop low mechanical strengths at intermediate hydration ages (3, 7 and 28 days). A solution to this problem may involve the design and preparation of clinker/cement with the highest percentage of coexisting alite and ye'elimite. These materials are known as Belite-Alite Calcium SulfoAluminate (BACSA) clinkers/cements. Their manufacture may produce 15% less CO2 than OPC. Alite is the main component of OPC and is responsible for early mechanical strengths. The reaction of alite and ye´elimite with water will develop cements with high mechanical strengths at early ages, while belite will contribute to later curing times. This work is focused on the design and optimisation of all the parameters evolved in the preparation of BACSA eco-clinkers that develop mechanical strengths comparable to those of OPC with a reduction in CO2 emissions of at least 15% when compared to OPC production. These parameters include the selection of the raw materials (lime, gypsum, kaolin and sand), milling conditions of the crude, clinkering temperature (from 1280 to 1300ºC) and holding time at every temperature, and final composition. The clinker with the targeted composition (belite ~ 60 wt%, alite ~ 13 wt% and ye'elimite ~ 10 wt%) was chosen to perform the scaling-up (2 kg). BACSA eco-clinkers were chemically and mineralogically characterised through X-ray fluorescence and laboratory X-ray powder diffraction (LXRPD), the latter in combination with the Rietveld methodology to obtain the full phase assemblage including Amorphous and Crystalline non-quantified, ACn, contents. Finally, the hydration of the selected BACSA cement paste (prepared with the scaled-up clinker and anhydrite) was studied mainly through rheological measurements (at very early hydration time) and LXRPD in combination with the Rietveld methodology and G-factor method. The compressive strengths were also measured at different hydration times and were compared with OPC.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech.Societ

Hydration study of Belite-Alite Calcium Sulfoaluminate (BACSA) cement blended with fly ash

The main objective of this work is to understand the effect of the addition of fly ash (0, 15 and 30 wt%) in the hydration of a BACSA cement paste (water/cement=0.4) prepared with 12 wt% of anhydrite. The pastes were characterized, at different hydration ages, through laboratory X-ray powder diffraction (LXRPD) (using an internal standard) combined with the Rietveld methodology and thermal analyses. Details about the phase developments including pozzolanic reactivity will be reported and discussed.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech