Games-Based Learning Framework

This work presents the authors’ experience in the field of mobile technologies, from which several initiatives have emerged. As result of this, a games-based framework for learning has been developed in these last years. This framework is composed by a competition called Mobigame, which has as main aim to stimulate the participation of the students. By participating in this competition participants learn to develop for mobile devices. A game to practice Japanese is also presented in this article, which was presented in the above mentioned competition. This game has been developed for mobile phones or PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) based on the JME (Java Mobile Edition) technology. Finally, another initiative is also presented: A free download platform of digital contents for mobile devices based on info-educational games

Traffic monitoring for assuring quality of advanced services in future internet

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-21560-5_16Services based on packet switched networks are becoming dominant in telecommunication business and both operators and service providers must evolve in order to guarantee the required quality. Increasing bandwidth is no longer a viable solution because of the business erosion for network operators which cannot expect revenues due to the large investments required to satisfy new applications demand of bandwidth. This paper presents devices and a specific architecture of services monitoring platform that allows network operators and service providers to analyze the perceived quality of service and check their service level agreements. Thus, a cost-effective service management, based on direct IP traffic measuring, can be supported on integrated monitoring systems to provide network-centric mechanisms for differentiated quality of service, security and other advanced services.This work has been partially developed in the framework of the Celtic and EUREKA initiative IPNQSIS (IP Network Monitoring for Quality of Service Intelligent Support)

Parabolic reflectarray antenna to generate multiple beams for geostationary high throughput satellites in Ka-band

This contribution describes the design and simulations of a multibeam 1.8 m parabolic reflectarray antenna for geostationary high throughput satellites (HTS) in Ka-band. The parabolic reflectarray generates two orthogonal circularly polarized beams per feed simultaneously at 19.7 and 29.5 GHz, by the variable rotation technique. The antenna is made of 62 654 reflectarray cells, which include two types of printed elements independently rotated and adjusted. The elements have been optimized one by one to ensure the required phase-shift at each frequency. A novel design approach has made it possible to promptly obtain an initial layout of every element with a very low computational cost. The simulated radiation patterns show that the parabolic reflectarray, illuminated by 27 dual-circularly polarized feeds, can generate 54 spot-beams in two orthogonal polarizations, with a beam spacing of 0.56° between adjacent beams. The design and simulation tools have been validated by a parabolic reflectarray scaled in a factor of 0.5, which has been manufactured and tested. The proposed reflectarray would allow to generate a complete multi-spot coverage from a geostationary HTS with only two parabolic reflectarrays, instead of four reflector antennas, also reducing the number of feeds by half, since every feed generates two beams.Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. PID2020-113979RB-C22Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. PID2020-114172RB-C21-2Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. PDC2021-120959-C2

Advanced multibeam antenna configurations based on reflectarrays: providing multispot coverage with a smaller number of apertures for satellite communications in the K- and Ka-bands

This article presents some recent developments in multiplebeam antennas (MBAs) based on reflectarrays for communication satellites in the Kurz (K) and Kurz-above (Ka) bands. The existing high-throughput satellites commonly employ four reflector antennas to provide cellular coverage that is formed by multiple spot beams in a four-color scheme. Reflectarray antennas are proposed as an attractive solution for the design of novel MBA configurations to produce multispot coverage, with a smaller number of apertures than conventional MBA systems based on reflector technology. Single and dual reflectarray configurations have been considered for the purpose of exploiting their ability to produce independent beams in different polarizations and frequencies.Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. TEC2016-75103-C2-1-RMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad | Ref. TEC2015-65353-RXunta de Galicia | Ref. GRC2015/018European Space Agency | Ref. 4000117113/16/NL/A

Incidence of chromosome numerical changes in multiple myeloma: fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis using 15 chromosome-specific probes

Fue el primer trabajo precursor de los estudios con FISH en pacientes con Mieloma múltiple continuando la exitosa línea de investigación en mieloma del grupo de Salamanca, y por añadidura, del Grupo español de mieloma. La metodología FISH es hoy en día la principal herramienta de pronóstico en mieloma múltiple en todo el mundo.[EN]The presence of complex karotypes with frequent numerical and structural abnormalities has been reported in 20 to 50% of multiple myeloma (MM) patients. This variability is mainly due to the difficulty of conventional cytogenetics to obtain tumor metaphases representative of all possible neoplastic clones in MM. To gain insight into the real incidence of numerical chromosome changes in MM we have studied by fluorescence in situ hybridization technique 15 different human chromosomes, 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 18, X, and Y, in a series of 52 MM patients. In all cases, the DNA index assessed by a propidium iodide/CD38 double-staining technique with flow cytometry was simultaneously investigated for correlation, with fluorescence in situ hybridization results. Additional aims of this study were 1) to analyze whether the abnormalities detected were common to all plasma cells or were present in only a subpopulation of tumor cells, 2) to explore changes caused by disease progression, and 3) to establish possible associations among the altered chromosomes. Although the overall incidence of numerical abnormalities was 67%, this frequency increased to 80% in the 41 cases in which 7 or more chromosomes were analyzed. Trisomies were significantly more common than monosomies (84% versus 16%). Chromosomes 9 and 15 were the most frequently altered (52% and 48% of cases, respectively), with all of their abnormalities corresponding to trisomies. The most frequent losses involved chromosomes 13 (26%) and X in females (32%). Other common numerical changes corresponded to chromosomes 1 (39%), 11 (37%), 6 (32%), 3 (31%), 18 (29%), 7 (28%), and 17 (22%). By contrast, chromosomes 8(13%), 10(8%), and 12(3%) were rarely altered. DNA aneuploidy by flow cytometry was detected in 67% of patients, and a high degree of correlation was observed between the DNA index obtained by flow cytometry and the chromosome index derived from fluorescence in situ hybridization studies, calculated according to two mathematical formulas (coefficient of correlation of 0.82 and 0.91 when at least 7 or 12 chromosomes were considered, respectively). The frequency of numeric chromosome aberrations was higher in those patients with progressive disease and, interestingly, trisomy of chromosome 8 was exclusively detected in this latter group of patients. Our study shows that, with the exception of chromosome 8, a possible marker of clonal evolution, the numeric chromosome changes are present in nearly all malignant plasma cells (r > 0.84). Finally, frequent associations between chromosomal aberrations were observed (ie, chromosomes 6, 7, 9, and 17; 7 and 15; and 11 and 17). By excluding them, it was found that two triple combinations of chromosome-specific probes, chromosomes 1 and 9 together with either chromosome 13 or 15, could be a useful marker for detection of residual disease, as it permits the identification of most MM patients displaying numerical changes.University Hosptial of Salamanca Universidad de SalamancaHospital Universitario de Salamanc

Transmittance and optical constants of ca films in the 4-1000 eV spectral range

8 págs.; 8 figs.; OCIS codes: (260.7200) Ultraviolet, extreme; (120.4530) Optical constants; (350.2450) Filters, absorption; (230.4170) Multilayers; (310.6860) Thin films, optical properties.© 2015 Optical Society of America. The low expected absorption of Ca in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) makes it an attractive material for multilayers and filters because most materials in nature strongly absorb the EUV. Few optical constant data had been reported for Ca. In this research, Ca films of various thicknesses were deposited on gridsupported C films and their transmittance measured in situ from the visible to the soft x-rays. The measurement range contains M2,3 and L2,3 absorption edges. Transmittance measurements were used to obtain the Ca extinction coefficient k. A minimum k of 0.017 was obtained at ∼23 eV, which makes Ca a promising low-absorption material for EUV coatings. A second spectral range of interest for its low absorption is below the Ca L3 edge at ∼343 eV. Measured k data and extrapolations were used to calculate the refractive index n using Kramers.Kronig relations. This is the first self-consistent data set on Ca covering a wide spectral range including the EUV.We acknowledge support by the European Community—Research Infrastructure Action under the FP6 “Structuring the European Research Area” Programme (through the Integrated Infrastructure Initiative “Integrating Activity on Synchrotron and Free Electron Laser Science”) through proposal number Ref. 2007655. This work was also supported by the National Programme for Space Research, Subdirección General de Proyectos de Investigación, Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología, project numbers AYA2010-22032 and AYA2013-42590-P. L. Rodrí- guez-de Marcos and S. García-Cortés are thankful to Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) for funding under the Programa JAE, partially supported by the European Social Fund. M. Vidal-Dasilva acknowledges financial support from an FPI fellowship number BES-2006-14047Peer Reviewe

Effect of metal loading on the CO2 methanation: A comparison between alumina supported Ni and Ru catalysts

The hydrogenation of CO2 into CH4 from H2 produced by renewable energy is considered an interesting alternative in order to promote the development of such green energies. In the present work, the effect of Ni and Ru loadings on the catalytic performance of alumina-supported catalysts is studied for CO2 methanation reaction. All catalysts were prepared by wetness incipient impregnation, characterized by several techniques (N2-physisorption, CO2-TPD, XRD, H2-chemisorption, XPS and H2-TPR) and evaluated for CO2 methanation in a fixed bed reactor at GHSV=10,000 h−1 and W/FCO2 0 = 4.7 (g cat.) h mol−1. Characterization results showed that addition of increasing loadings of Ni and Ru lead to the formation of both CO2 adsorption and H2 dissociation active sites, which are necessary to carry out CO2 hydrogenation into methane. Easily reducible ruthenium was dispersed on γ-Al2O3 in form of large agglomerates, whereas Ni was better dispersed presenting a great interaction with the support. 12% Ni and 4% Ru resulted to be the optimal contents providing metal surfaces of 5.1 and 0.6m2 g−1, T50 values of 340 and 310 °C and activity being quite stable for 24 h-on-stream. In terms of turnover frequency (TOF), 4%Ru/Al2O3 catalyst was quite more efficient than 12%Ni/Al2O3, probably due to a greater ability of ruthenium to dissociate hydrogen. The apparent activation energies for alumina supported Ni and Ru were 129 and 84 kJ mol−1, respectively.The support from the Economy and Competitiveness Spanish Ministry (CTQ2015-67597-C2-1-R and CTQ2015-67597-C2-2-R MINECO-FEDER), the Basque Government (IT657-13 and IT1297-19) and the SGIker (Analytical Services) at the University of the Basque Country are acknowledged. One of the authors (AQ) also acknowledges University of the Basque Country by his PhD grant (PIF-15/351)

Severe cardiac and abdominal manifestations without lung involvement in a child With COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a worldwide pandemic, affecting humans of all ages. Clinical features of the pediatric population have been published, but there is not yet enough information to make a definitive description. Fever is typical, as it is respiratory symptom. Rarely are the infection and complications severe, and, when they are, it is almost always in a patient with another underlying disease. However, some otherwise healthy children with COVID-19 do suffer critical organ injury, such as acute myocarditis, heart failure and gastrointestinal inflammation. The mechanism of these organ damages remains unclear. An otherwise normally healthy 13-year-old male was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit with acute abdomen pain, possible myocarditis and a suspected diagnosis of COVID-19. Noteworthy basal findings were ventricular extrasystoles in the electrocardiogram (EKG) and moderate left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Chest X-ray was normal. Blood tests revealed altered levels of inflammation factors (C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, fibrinogen, interleukin 6 (IL-6)), lymphopenia and elevated cardiac enzymes. The first test for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was negative. The patient’s condition worsened, and he entered cardiogenic shock (hypotension, tachycardia and oliguria). He was vomiting continuously, which made pain control difficult; imaging of his abdomen was undertaken. There was no response to fluid resuscitation, and so milrinone and epinephrine were administered. Empiric treatment began with azithromycin, foscarnet, carnitine and immunoglobulins. Hydroxychloroquine was given before the results of repeated SARSCoV-2 and serology tests were available. Tocilizumab was administered once COVID-19 had been confirmed and massive inflammation had been observed. Progressively the clinical situation and the levels of the parameters studied improved. The patient was discharged 8 days after admission. Most children with SARS-CoV-2 infection are asymptomatic or present only mild symptoms. However, physicians should be aware of atypical and severe manifestations that may occur in the hyperinflammatory phase of the illness

Modelo de los determinantes de la actitud hacia la rehidratación

Las políticas de salud suponen que el factor clave de sus programas preventivos está en la participación de la gente respecto a su rehidratación, porque esta se considera un instrumento de prevención de las enfermedades crónicas degenerativas, que han incrementado su tasa de morbilidad recientemente. En tal sentido, el objetivo del presente trabajo es establecer un modelo de las relaciones causales entre factores sociodemográficos y cognitivos relativos al consumo de bebidas. Para tal propósito, se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal y correlacional con una muestra de 100 afiliados a un hospital público. A partir de un modelo estructural (X2 = 163.873, 28 gl, p = .000; GFI = .875; AGFI = .840; PGF = .681; RMSEA = .027; RMR = .066), se estableció que la edad determinó negativamente la actitud hacia la rehidratación (β = -.22) mientras que las creencias de rehidratación grupal (CRG) incidieron de manera positiva (β= ,47.). En el marco de las teorías actitudinales, se discutió la inclusión de las normas y percepciones como sus determinantes

Supplementary Materials for U-Th dating of carbonate crusts reveals Neanderthal origin of Iberian cave art

Materiales suplementarios al artículo de Science 2018 sobre las dataciones de arte rupestre en la Península Ibérica mediante U-TH