Development and experimental evaluation of the control system of a hybrid fuel cell vehicle

This work presents the development and experimental evaluation of a Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle, focusing on the control system. The main objective of this paper is to present a real vehicle which has been designed in order to demonstrate the feasibility of the use of hydrogen as an energy source for automotive applications. The paper describes the components that are integrated in the vehicle and presents several experimental results obtained during normal operation. A control system is designed and tested in order to perform all the operations related to the coordinated operation of the fuel cell, the intermediate electrical storage and the power train. Its main task is to compute the power that must be demanded to the fuel cell in real time. This computation is done in order to satisfy the power demand of the electric motor taking into account the state of charge of the batteries and the operating regime of the fuel cell. This is accomplished by manipulating the electronic converter which regulate the current that the fuel cell supplies to the batteries.Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología DPI2007-66718-C04-0

Estrategia de paso y frecuencia de ciclo en piragüismo en los JJ.OO. de Pekín

The objective of this study was to analyze the performance patterns from the world�s best paddlers who took part in the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. The pacing strategy and the evolution of the cycle frequency were analysed from the official results and films recorded from broadcast TV. The analysis database included the 12 Olympics finals (500 and 1000 m). Evolution was similar in all events. The speed decreased through out both distances. There were no differences in pacing strategy between heats or semi-finals and finals. The cycle frequency had their higher values at the beginning of the finals, remained stable in 1000 m events, and decreased along the distance in 500 m events. In conclusion, pacing strategies and cycle frequency evolution followed a negative trend in all the Olympic races, and there were no significant differences in pacing strategy between heats or semi-finals and finals.El objetivo del estudio fue analizar la estrategia de paso y frecuencia de ciclo de los mejores palistas del mundo que participaron en los Juegos Olímpicos de Pekín 2008. Se analizó la estrategia de paso y la evolución de la frecuencia de ciclo de las doce pruebas incluidas en el programa olímpico (500 y 1000 m). La evolución de las variables analizadas fue similar en todas las pruebas. La velocidad disminuyó a lo largo de ambas distancias. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en la estrategia de paso entre eliminatorias y finales. La frecuencia de ciclo obtuvo sus mayores valores al inicio de las finales, permaneciendo estable en las pruebas de 1000 m y disminuyendo en las de 500 m. En conclusión, la estrategia de paso y la evolución de la frecuencia de ciclo respondieron a un patrón decreciente en todas las pruebas, sin diferencias significativas entre pruebas clasificatorias y finales

Sagittal spinal curvatures and pelvic inclination in kayakers

El objetivo del estudio fue comparar la disposición sagital del raquis e inclinación pélvica en diferentes posiciones en kayakistas. A ciento treinta kayakistas entre 15 y 20 años (62 varones y 68 mujeres) se les evaluó, mediante un Spinal Mouse, la disposición angular del raquis torácico, lumbar e inclinación pélvica en bipedestación, sedentación relajada, máxima flexión del tronco en sedentación, test sit-and-reach, posición de base y de ataque en un kayak-ergómetro. La cifosis torácica en la piragua fue menor (p<0,001) que en bipedestación y sedentación relajada. El raquis lumbar se dispuso en inversión lumbar en las posturas de flexión del tronco y sedentación, favorecido por una posición de retroversión pélvica. Las mujeres adoptaron posturas de menor flexión lumbar y pélvica en el kayak-ergómetro. En conclusión, la posición de las mujeres en el kayak-ergómetro se caracteriza por posturas más alineadas del raquis y pelvisThe aim of this study was to compare the sagittal spinal curvatures and pelvic tilt in different positions on kayakers. One hundred and thirty kayakers between 15 and 20 years (62 males and 68 females) participated in this study. Thoracic and lumbar curvatures and pelvic position were evaluated with a Spinal Mouse system in standing position, slumped sitting, maximal trunk bending with knees flexed, sit-and-reach test, base position right entry position and left entry position in a kayak ergometer. Thoracic kyphosis in the kayak-ergometer was more reduced (p<0,001) than standing and slumped sitting. Lumbar spine adopted kyphotic postures when maximal trunk flexion was performed and in the kayak ergometer. This posture was related to posterior pelvic tilt. Females showed lower lumbar and pelvic flexion than males in the kayak ergometer. In conclusion, females adopt more aligned spinal and pelvic postures in the kayak ergometer than malesEste estudio se realizó en el marco de las ayudas de la Fundación Séneca-Agencia de Ciencia y Tecnología de la Región de Murcia (II PCTRM 2007-2010) al proyecto nº 11951/PI/09, titulado “Evolution of sagittal spinal curvatures, hamstring extensibility, low back pain, and anthropometric characteristics in elite paddlers

Ontogeny of the circadian system during embryogenesis in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and the effect of prolonged exposure to continuous illumination on daily rhythms of per1, clock, and aanat2 expression

It is widely held that the development of the circadian system during embryogenesis is important for future survival of an organism. Work in teleosts has been, to date, limited to zebrafish, which provides little insight into the diversity of this system within such a large vertebrate class. In this study, we analyzed the diel expression of per1, clock, and aanat2 in unfertilized rainbow trout oocytes and embryos maintained under either a 12:12 light:dark (LD) cycle or continuous illumination (LL) from fertilization. 24-h profiles in expression were measured at fertilization as well as 8, 21 42, and 57 days postfertilization (dpf). Both per1 and clock were expressed in unfertilized oocytes and all embryonic stages, while aanat2 expression was only measureable from 8 dpf. A reduction in both per1 and clock mean expression level between unfertilized oocytes/0-1dpf embryos and 8-9dpf embryos was suggestive of a transition from maternal RNA to endogenous mRNA expression. While aanat2 expression was not clearly associated with photic conditions, photoperiod treatment did alter the expression of per1 and clock expression/rhythmicity from as early as 8 dpf (per1), which could suggest the presence and functionality of an as yet unidentified “photoreceptor”. As a whole, this work demonstrates that clock systems are present and functional during embryonic development in rainbow trout. Further studies of their expression and regulation will help understand how the environment interacts with embryonic development in the species

Monitorización del consumo de sustancias de abuso legales e ilegales en España a través de las aguas residuales en el marco de la red ESAR-Net

Trabajo presentado en el 4th Congreso Internacional y XLIX Jornadas Nacionales de Socidrogalcohol - VIII Congreso Nacional Patología Bio-Psicosocial, celebrado en Tenerife del 06 al 08 de octubre de 2022

USANDO MENTIMETER EN EDUCACIÓN SUPERIOR: HERRAMIENTA DIGITAL EN LÍNEA PARA INCENTIVAR Y POTENCIAR LA ADQUISICIÓN DE CONOCIMIENTO DE MANERA LÚDICA

With the emergence of COVID-19, the educational community has needed to incorporate new methodological approaches to face the new forms of teaching required by the pandemic scenario. One of these approaches is gamification, which implies introducing educational content in a playful way. In Higher Education, gamification must have a level of complexity that the most popular programs can't provide. Mentimeter is a program that is based on an online audience software and allows a wide range of questions and questionnaires significantly suitable for the educational level analysed. It facilitates the active learning of students, increasing their attention, commitment and motivation, thus allowing the student to be the centre of the teaching-learning process. This article analyses the use of Mentimeter in a wide range of classes of various university disciplines and reviews its theoretical and practical potential for the improvement of teaching-learning processes, the acquisition of knowledge by students and the use of new teaching methodologies.Con la irrupción de la COVID-19, la comunidad educativa necesitado incorporar nuevos enfoques metodológicos para enfrentarse a las formas de docencia que ha requerido el escenario de pandemia. Uno de estos enfoques es la gamificación (introducir contenidos educativos de manera lúdica). En la Educación Superior, la gamificación ha de tener un nivel de complejidad que los programas más conocidos no tienen. Mentimeter es un programa que parte de un software de audiencia en línea y permite elaborar preguntas y cuestionarios muy adecuados para los niveles de educación analizados. Facilita el aprendizaje activo del alumnado, aumentando su atención, compromiso y motivación, permitiendo con ello que el/la estudiante sea el centro del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje. El presente artículo analiza el uso de Mentimeter en un conjunto amplio de clases de diversas disciplinas universitarias y revisa su potencialidad teórico-práctica para la mejora de los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje, la adquisición de conocimiento por parte del alumnado y el uso de nuevas metodologías docentes.Com o surgimento do COVID-19, a comunidade educacional precisou incorporar novas abordagens metodológicas para enfrentar as formas de ensino que o cenário pandêmico tem exigido. Uma dessas abordagens é a gamificação (introdução de conteúdo educacional de forma lúdica). No Ensino Superior, a gamificação deve ter um nível de complexidade que os programas mais populares não possuem. O Mentimeter é um programa que parte de um software de audiência online e permite a elaboração de questões e questionários muito adequados aos níveis de ensino analisados. Facilita a aprendizagem ativa dos alunos, aumentando sua atenção, comprometimento e motivação, permitindo assim que o aluno seja o centro do processo ensino-aprendizagem. Este artigo analisa a utilização do Mentimeter em um amplo conjunto de turmas de diversas disciplinas universitárias e revisa seu potencial teórico-prático para a melhoria dos processos de ensino-aprendizagem, a aquisição de conhecimentos pelos alunos e a utilização de novas metodologias docentes

Respiratory and mental health effects of wildfires: an ecological study in Galician municipalities (north-west Spain)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>During the summer of 2006, a wave of wildfires struck Galicia (north-west Spain), giving rise to a disaster situation in which a great deal of the territory was destroyed. Unlike other occasions, the wildfires in this case also threatened farms, houses and even human lives, with the result that the perception of disaster and helplessness was the most acute experienced in recent years. This study sought to analyse the respiratory and mental health effects of the August-2006 fires, using consumption of anxiolytics-hypnotics and drugs for obstructive airway diseases as indicators.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted an analytical, ecological geographical- and temporal-cluster study, using municipality-month as the study unit. The independent variable was exposure to wildfires in August 2006, with municipalities thus being classified into the following three categories: no exposure; medium exposure; and high exposure. Dependent variables were: (1) anxiolytics-hypnotics; and (2) drugs for obstructive airway diseases consumption. These variables were calculated for the two 12-month periods before and after August 2006. Additive models for time series were used for statistical analysis purposes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results revealed a higher consumption of drugs for obstructive airway diseases among pensioners during the months following the wildfires, in municipalities affected versus those unaffected by fire. In terms of consumption of anxiolytics-hypnotics, the results showed a significant increase among men among men overall -pensioners and non-pensioners- in fire-affected municipalities.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our study indicates that wildfires have a significant effect on population health. The coherence of these results suggests that drug utilisation research is a useful tool for studying morbidity associated with environmental incidents.</p

Adaptation of pineal expressed teleost exo-rod opsin to non-image forming photoreception through enhanced Meta II decay

Photoreception by vertebrates enables both image-forming vision and non-image-forming responses such as circadian photoentrainment. Over the recent years, distinct non-rod non-cone photopigments have been found to support circadian photoreception in diverse species. By allowing specialization to this sensory task a selective advantage is implied, but the nature of that specialization remains elusive. We have used the presence of distinct rod opsin genes specialized to either image-forming (retinal rod opsin) or non-image-forming (pineal exo-rod opsin) photoreception in ray-finned fish (Actinopterygii) to gain a unique insight into this problem. A comparison of biochemical features for these paralogous opsins in two model teleosts, Fugu pufferfish (Takifugu rubripes) and zebrafish (Danio rerio), reveals striking differences. While spectral sensitivity is largely unaltered by specialization to the pineal environment, in other aspects exo-rod opsins exhibit a behavior that is quite distinct from the cardinal features of the rod opsin family. While they display a similar thermal stability, they show a greater than tenfold reduction in the lifetime of the signaling active Meta II photoproduct. We show that these features reflect structural changes in retinal association domains of helices 3 and 5 but, interestingly, not at either of the two residues known to define these characteristics in cone opsins. Our findings suggest that the requirements of non-image-forming photoreception have lead exo-rod opsin to adopt a characteristic that seemingly favors efficient bleach recovery but not at the expense of absolute sensitivity