Cooperación en innovación tecnológica: un análisis comparado

El objetivo de este trabajo consiste en analizar la cooperación en Investigación, Desarrollo e innovación tecnológica que realizan las empresas que forman parte de uno de los instrumentos de apoyo a la innovación más empleados por la política tecnológica en los últimos años, los Parques Científicos y Tecnológicos. En dichos parques se ubican empresas innovadoras y de base tecnológica, Centros e Institutos Tecnológicos, por tanto, en este espacio se da el caldo de cultivo idóneo para que surjan sinergias y se produzca dicha cooperación. Para lograr nuestro objetivo, primero caracterizamos a las empresas de los parques seleccionados, y posteriormente realizamos un análisis de la cooperación en Investigación, Desarrollo e innovación tecnológica que realizan dichas empresas con el fin de extraer conclusiones sobre la situación en la que se encuentra dicha cooperación.The aim of this paper consists of analyzing the cooperation in Investigation, Development and technological innovation that make the companies that in the last comprise of one of the instruments of support to the innovation more used by the technological policy years, the Science and Technology Parks. In these parks innovating companies are located and of technological base, Technological Centers and Institutes, therefore, in this space the broth of suitable culture occurs so this cooperation takes place. In order to obtain our objective, first we characterized to the companies of the selected parks, and later we made an analysis of the cooperation in Investigation, Development and technological innovation that make these companies with the purpose of drawing conclusions on the situation in which is this cooperation

Grasp modelling with a biomechanical model of the hand

The use of a biomechanical model for human grasp modelling is presented. A previously validated biomechanical model of the hand has been used. The equilibrium of the grasped object was added to the model through the consideration of a soft contact model. A grasping posture generation algorithm was also incorporated into the model. All the geometry was represented using a spherical extension of polytopes (s-topes) for efficient collision detection. The model was used to simulate an experiment in which a subject was asked to grasp two cylinders of different diameters and weights. Different objective functions were checked to solve the indeterminate problem. The normal finger forces estimated by the model were compared to those experimentally measured. The popular objective function sum of the squared muscle stresses was shown not suitable for the grasping simulation, requiring at least being complemented by task-dependent grasp quality measures

Chapter Towards a Realistic and Self-Contained Biomechanical Model of the Hand

Computer modelling & simulatio

Blunted Reducing Power Generation in Erythrocytes Contributes to Oxidative Stress in Prepubertal Obese Children with Insulin Resistance

Childhood obesity, and specifically its metabolic complications, are related to deficient antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress. Erythrocytes are constantly exposed to multiple sources of oxidative stress; hence, they are equipped with powerful antioxidant mechanisms requiring permanent reducing power generation and turnover. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH) are two key enzymes on the pentose phosphate pathway. Both enzymes supply reducing power by generating NADPH, which is essential for maintaining the redox balance within the cell and the activity of other antioxidant enzymes. We hypothesized that obese children with insulin resistance would exhibit blunted G6PDH and 6PGDH activities, contributing to their erythrocytes' redox status imbalances. We studied 15 control and 24 obese prepubertal children, 12 of whom were insulin-resistant according to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). We analyzed erythroid malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonyl group levels as oxidative stress markers. NADP+/NADPH and GSH/GSSG were measured to determine redox status, and NADPH production by both G6PDH and 6PGDH was assayed spectrophotometrically to characterize pentose phosphate pathway activity. Finally, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities were also assessed. As expected, MDA and carbonyl groups levels were higher at baseline and along the OGTT in insulin-resistant children. Both redox indicators showed an imbalance in favor of the oxidized forms along the OGTT in the insulin-resistant obese group. Additionally, the NADPH synthesis, as well as GR activity, were decreased. H2O2 removing enzyme activities were depleted at baseline in both obese groups, although after sugar intake only metabolically healthy obese participants were able to maintain their catalase activity. No change was detected in SOD activity between groups. Our results show that obese children with insulin resistance present higher levels of oxidative damage, blunted capacity to generate reducing power, and hampered function of key NADPH-dependent antioxidant enzymes.This research was funded by Spanish Government through the Carlos III Health Institute (Sanitary Research Fund (FIS)), code PI18/01316. A.G.-D. is supported by an intramural grant from the Biomedical Research and Innovation Institute of Cadiz (INiBICA), code LII19/16IN-CO24

Aplicación de la fotogrametría con drones al control deformacional de estructuras y terreno

This work studies the viability of the use of drones for deformational control of terrain and structures, analyzing for each case the resolution, precision and validation with other techniques. The Structure From Motion photogrammetric technique is presented in detail, allowing the production of accurate orthophotographs and 3D models without knowing previously positions and angles of incidence. The use of precise control points (Ground Control Points) as well as drones with integrated Real Time Kinetic “RTK” system, are relevant factors for obtaining high precision results. The case study of the monitoring of a large structure is presented, in this case an arch-gravity dam. The initial results show a precision in deformations of ± 2 mm. This paper confirms that drone photogrammetry is applicable to the deformational control of concrete dams, opening the possibilities to the monitoring of other large structures and infrastructures.En este trabajo se estudia la viabilidad del empleo de drones para el control de deformaciones del terreno y las estructuras, analizando para cada caso, la resolución, precisión y validación con otras técnicas. Se presenta con detalle la técnica fotogramétrica Structure From Motion, empleada para elaborar ortofotografías y modelos 3D precisos sin necesidad de conocer previamente las posiciones y ángulos de incidencia. El uso de puntos de control precisos, así como drones con sistema integrado RTK, son factores relevantes para la obtención de resultados con alta precisión. Se presenta el caso de estudio de la monitorización de una gran estructura, en este caso una presa arco-gravedad. Los resultados obtenidos presentan una precisión en deformaciones de ±2 mm para la estructura. Esto confirma que la fotogrametría dron es aplicable al control deformacional de presas de hormigón, abriendo las posibilidades a la monitorización de otras grandes estructuras e infraestructuras

Registro de paisajes de interés cultural de Andalucía: criterios y metodología

La importancia que están adquiriendo los estudios y prácticas sobre el paisaje hacen de este recurso espacial uno de los grandes protagonistas de todas las políticas públicas que tienen incidencia territorial. Por otro lado, los compromisos adquiridos al reconocer el Convenio Europeo del Paisaje obligan a las instancias públicas a dar respuestas a situaciones y problemas que precisan reflexión previa y metodologías de análisis rigurosas al tiempo que flexibles en relación con este objeto de estudio. Además, en los estudios sobre paisaje, la categoría de paisajes culturales o patrimoniales, asimilables a los paisajes protegidos del Convenio, ofrece una nueva escala en la que entender los valores de los bienes culturales. Superados como paradigma de la tutela patrimonial, los conjuntos históricos y los entornos se revelan insuficientes para una responsabilidad de protección que se fija ahora en la escala general del territorio. Esto motiva no sólo un cambio de escala, sino también un cambio en la concepción de la propia protección. Este artículo pretende, a través de la presentación de los paisajes de interés cultural, proporcionar nuevas claves, métodos y temas de debate sobre cómo entender y gestionar el patrimonio cultural y hacer de éste un verdadero factor de calidad de poblaciones y territorios

Promotion of physical activity after hospitalization for COPD exacerbation: A randomized control trial

COPD exacerbation; Hospitalization; Physical activityExacerbació de la MPOC; Hospitalització; Activitat físicaExacerbación de la EPOC; Hospitalización; Actividad físicaBackground and Objective Physical activity worsens during exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and notably after hospitalizations. Pedometer-based interventions are useful to increase physical activity in stable patients with COPD. However, there is little information concerning the implementation of such programs following severe exacerbation. This study assessed the efficacy of a physical activity program after hospitalization for a COPD exacerbation. Methods We performed a prospective, 12-week, parallel group, assessor-blinded, randomized control trial in COPD patients hospitalized for an exacerbation. After discharge, physical activity and other secondary variables were assessed. Patients were allocated (1:1) to a physical activity promotion program (intervention group, IG) or usual care (control group, CG). Based on a motivational interview and accelerometer physical activity assessment, a patient-tailored, pedometer-based, progressive and target-driven program was designed. Linear mixed effect models were used to analyse between-group differences. Results Forty-six out of 61 patients recruited were randomized and 43 (IG = 20, CG = 23) completed the study. In-hospital and baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. After 12 weeks of intervention, the mean steps difference between groups was 2093 steps/day, p = 0.018, 95% CI 376–4012, favouring the IG. Only the IG significantly increased the number of steps/day compared to baseline (mean difference [95% CI] 2932 [1069–4795] steps; p = 0.004). There were no other between-group differences. Conclusion After hospitalization for a COPD exacerbation, a patient-tailored physical activity program based on a motivational interview and the use of pedometers, with progressive and customized targets, improved the number of steps/day.Sociedad Española de Neumología y Cirugía Torácica (SEPAR), Grant/Award Number: 125-2015; Fundació Catalana de Pneumolgia (FUCAP), Grant/Award Number: SILVIA2017-202

Balance y perspectivas del Registro de Paisajes de Interés Cultural de Andalucía

El Convenio Europeo del Paisaje (Consejo de Europa, 2000), en vigor en España desde el 1 de marzo de 2008, detalla en su capítulo II (‘Medidas nacionales’) una serie de obligaciones para los distintos estados firmantes entre las que relacionan (art. 6) la identificación y cualificación de paisajes, mediante el análisis de sus características (caracterización) y la consideración de los valores particulares que les atribuyen las Partes y la población interesadas (en nuestro caso, sus valores como patrimonio cultural).El Registro de Paisajes de Interés Cultural de Andalucía (R-PICA) es un cuerpo de datos homogéneo y normalizado que recoge una completa y diversa información sobre áreas territoriales que han sido seleccionadas por ser depositarias de valores patrimoniales, culturales e históricos, que han participado y son testigos actuales de su formación como un paisaje cultural reconocible y significativo de Andalucía. Con la primera caracterización de cobertura regional de una selección de paisajes culturales, más de 100 por el momento, se habrá consolidado una metodología innovadora con la que se consigue la integración de diferentes fuentes de información y disciplinas científicas