Overview of the current situation relating to chemical engineering degree courses

In 2020, the Conference of Chemical Engineering Directors and Deans (CODDIQ) proposed the creation of an observatory to monitor chemical engineering degrees in Spain. This representative radiography of Chemical Engineering studies offers an initial point to observe the future changes when Royal Decree 822/2021 and proposed challenges in the last Ministerial Conference on the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) will be implanted. The survey data from CODDIQ partners allow us to know important data such as (i) the 24 international quality accreditations at Spanish universities, (ii) the high demand and the required marks, an average of 7.25, for the Chemical Engineering Bachelor’s degree, (iii) 9560 undergraduate students in this degree in Spain and their gender profile which is around 43% of women, similar than women lectures, (iv) the difficulty of this Bachelor’s degree through some indicators like duration of studies (5.25 years), graduation rate (41%) and drop-out rate (26%), (v) the employability after obtaining the Bachelor's degree is very high (>70%). In addition, Chemical engineering undergraduate and graduate students indicate their expectations are covered. In this paper, some consequences of the pandemic on students' performance (lower than before COVID-19) are analyzed, despite lectures tried to innovate in their classes and the university provided adequate tools for online teaching

DeepP: Deep Learning Multi-Program Prefetch Configuration for the IBM POWER 8

[EN] Current multi-core processors implement sophisticated hardware prefetchers, that can be configured by application (PID),to improve the system performance. When running multiple applications, each application can present different prefetch requirements,hence different configurations can be used. Setting the optimal prefetch configuration for each application is a complex task since itdoes not only depend on the application characteristics but also on the interference at the shared memory resources (e.g. memorybandwidth). In his paper, we proposeDeepP, a deep learning approach for the IBM POWER8 that identifies at run-time the bestprefetch configuration for each application in a workload. To this end, the neural network predicts the performance of each applicationunder the studied prefetch configurations by using a set of performance events. The prediction accuracy of the network is improvedthanks to a dynamic training methodology that allows learning the impact of dynamic changes of the prefetch configuration onperformance. At run-time, the devised network infers the best prefetch configuration for each application and adjusts it dynamically.Experimental results show that the proposed approach improves performance, on average, by 5,8%, 6,7%, and 15,8% compared tothe default prefetch configuration across different 6-, 8-, and 10-application workloads, respectively.This work was supported in part by Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades and the European ERDF under Grant RTI2018-098156-B-C51, in part by Generalitat Valenciana under Grant AICO/2021/266, and in part by Ayudas Contratos predoctorales UPV -subprograma 1 (PAID-01-20). The work of Josue Feliu was supported by a Juan de la Cierva Formacion Contract under Grant FJC2018-036021-I.Lurbe-Sempere, M.; Feliu-Pérez, J.; Petit Martí, SV.; Gómez Requena, ME.; Sahuquillo Borrás, J. (2022). DeepP: Deep Learning Multi-Program Prefetch Configuration for the IBM POWER 8. IEEE Transactions on Computers. 71(10):2646-2658. https://doi.org/10.1109/TC.2021.313999726462658711

Association between Body Mass Index and Sensory Processing in Childhood: InProS Study

We assessed the association between body mass index (BMI) and sensory processing in 445 Spanish children aged 3-7 from the InProS project. Child sensory processing was measured using the short sensory profile (SSP); an atypical sensory performance was defined as an SSP total score <155 and scores of tactile sensitivity <30; taste/smell sensitivity <15; movement sensitivity <13; under-responsive/seeks sensation <27; auditory filtering <23; low energy/weak <26; and visual/auditory sensitivity <19. The BMI was calculated according to the cutoffs by the World Health Organization for children aged 0-5 and 5-19 years. We used multiple Poisson regression models with robust variance to obtain prevalence ratios (PR). No associations between children's overweight and obesity and the prevalence of atypical sensory outcomes were observed. A one-point increase in BMI was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of atypical tactile sensitivity (PR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02; 1.12). A statistically marginal association was also observed for atypical total SSP (PR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.00; 1.07) and atypical movement sensitivity (PR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00; 1.10). To our knowledge, this is the first time the association between children's BMI and sensory processing has been reported. Our findings suggest that sensory processing issues may play a part in the complex context of childhood obesity. Further research is required to confirm these findings

Sleep duration and quality and sensory reactivity in school -aged children. The Spanis cross-sectional InProS study

Background: The relationship between children’s sleep and health has been widely examined; however, research focused on the link between sleep and sensory reactivity in children without medical conditions is relatively new and based on studies with small samples. Hence, we aimed at exploring the association between sleep duration and quality and prevalence of sensory reactivity in a population-based sample of children aged 3–7. Methods: We examined data on 579 school-age children from the InProS project, a cross-sectional population-based study. Children’s sleep duration was classified as <10 vs. ≥10 h/day, and sleep quality was measured using the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire, defining poor quality sleep as a score of ≥0.33. The Short Sensory Profile (SSP) was used to classify children with or without sensory reactivity using the cut-off points proposed by W. Dunn for SSP total score and each SSP subscale. Prevalence ratios (PR) using Poisson multiple regression models with robust variance were estimated to examine main associations. Results: Around a third (32.6%; n = 189) slept <10 h/day and 10.4% presented poor sleep quality. The prevalence of sensory reactivity was 29.5%for total SSP (<155), 11.4% for tactile sensitivity (<30), 15% for taste/smell sensitivity (<15), 22.5% for movement sensitivity (<13), 49.1% for under-responsive/seeks sensation (<27), 44.4% for auditory filtering (<23), 12.4%for low energy/weak (<26), and 25.4%for visual/auditory sensitivity (<19). Main findings indicated that poor sleep quality was significantly associated with a greater prevalence of sensory reactivity for SSP total score (PR = 1.27; IC 95%: 1.18; 1.38), tactile sensitivity (PR = 1.09, IC95%: 1.00–1.19), taste/smell sensitivity (PR = 1.18, IC95%: 1.08–1.30), under-responsive/seeks sensation (PR = 1.28, IC95%: 1.20–1.37), auditory filtering (PR = 1.31, IC95%: 1.23–1.39), low energy/weak (PR = 1.14, IC95%: 1.04–1.25) and audiovisual sensitivity (PR = 1.15, IC95%: 1.05–1.26) scores after adjusting for potential confounders. Conclusions: In this study, we observed that poor sleep quality was statistically significantly associated with a higher prevalence of sensory reactivity as measured by the total SSP and almost all SSP subscales. To our knowledge, this is the first time that this association has been explored and reported. Further research from prospective studies is required to confirm these findings

Una forma más equitativa de medir el desarrollo de género en España y sus comunidades autónomas

Antecedentes/Objetivos: Además del desarrollo de género, la equidad de género es un determinante estructural de la salud, importante para las políticas de salud pública. El índice de equidad de género (IEG) mide la distancia entre ambos sexos en las dimensiones empoderamiento, actividad económica y educación. Objetivo: Explorar la variabilidad en la inequidad de género en las comunidades autónomas (CC.AA.) de España en el año 2006, mediante la descripción del IEG modificado. Métodos: Estudio transversal ecológico. Dado que el IEG sólo hace visible la inequidad cuando es desfavorable a las mujeres, se calcula el IEG modificado que puede hacer visibles aquellos casos, de haberlos actualmente o en el futuro, en los que las mujeres están, en términos relativos, mejor que los hombres. Para ello, en lugar de calcular las diferencias de género en las dimensiones del IEG mediante un cociente de proporciones, estas se comparan en términos absolutos (diferencias en las proporciones). IEGm oscila entre –1 (inequidad hacia las mujeres), 0 (equidad) y 1 (inequidad hacia los hombres). Resultados: La inequidad desfavorable a las mujeres está presente en todas las CC.AA. de España (IEGm de España = –0,162). La más equitativa: País Vasco (–0,086). La menos, Navarra (–0,184). En actividad económica, todas las CC.AA. presentan inequidad desfavorable a las mujeres. Baleares es la más equitativa (–0,221). Castilla-La Mancha la menos (–0,355). Inversamente, en actividad económica, todas las CC.AA. presentan valores de inequidad desfavorables a los hombres. Castilla-La Mancha es la única CA donde el valor de la dimensión de empoderamiento es desfavorable a los hombres (0,033). Conclusiones: No contando el índice de equidad de género con dimensión de salud/esperanza de vida, su uso es útil en la búsqueda de asociaciones con la mortalidad. Dadas las diferencias interregionales en la equidad de género en España, la Ley de Igualdad y los Planes de Igualdad en las CC.AA. deben trabajar para asegurar la equidad entre mujeres y hombres en todas sus dimensiones. En España persisten las desigualdades interregionales este-oeste en el desarrollo de género, principalmente debido al peso del empoderamiento político en el IEGm

Asociación obesidad e hiperplasia nodular focal (HNF) telangiectásica. Reevaluación de 24 casos.

La hiperplasia nodular focal no es una verdadera neo plasia. Es una respuesta regenerativa de los hepatocitos a una anomalía vascular. Se reevaluaron 24 casos diagnosticados y confirmados en el estudio anatomopatológico como hiperplasia nodular focal. Tres de los 24 casos fueron reclasificados como adenomas inflamatorios telangiectásico, vinculado con antecedentes de síndromes metabolicos y con imnumorreactividad frente a la Amiloide A. La presencia de ectasia vascular, dilatación sinusoidal, áreas de peliosis con signos inflamatorios focales o difusos asociados a inmunorreactividad frente al Amiloide A son signos histológicos que nos indican la presencia de adenomas hepatocelulares inflamatorios telangiectásicos antiguamente clasificados como hiperplasia nodular focal atípica. El antecedentes de obesidad u hígado graso, unido al incremento en la reactividad frente al Amiloide A caracteriza a los adenomas inflamatorios telan giec - tásicos

The Infancia y Procesamiento Sensorial (InProS—Childhood and Sensory Processing) Project: Study Protocol for a Cross-Sectional Analysis of Parental and Children’s Sociodemographic and Lifestyle Features and Children’s Sensory Processing

Sensory processing difficulties may have potential detrimental consequences on the physical, social and intellectual development of children. It includes serious disturbances affecting emotional regulation, motor performance, social behavior and daily life functioning, among others factors. Since these symptoms are more frequent among children with disabilities, most research has been carried out in clinical populations. However, recent studies have suggested that sensory problems may be prevalent in around 20% of children without clinical conditions. To date, epidemiological research on sensory dysfunctions in normally developing children is lacking; therefore, it is unknown whether or not sensory processing difficulties are significant factors that affect child's development. Hence, this study has a double general purpose: (1) to determine the sensory profile of school-aged children; (2) to examine the associations between atypical sensory processing patterns and socio-demographic, health and lifestyle features of these children and their parents. The Infancia y Procesamiento Sensorial (InProS, Childhood and Sensory Processing in English) project is a population-based cross-sectional study of Spanish children aged 3-7 years. Data were gathered from different ad hoc questionnaires and several standardized tests. We propose an objective and reliable methodology using statistical and research procedures to describe and determine associations with sensory processing outcomes. We believe that this project will contribute to filling the gap in epidemiological research on sensory issues by providing more convincing evidence. Nevertheless, the potential results should be corroborated in other larger samples

Hacia un Campus Inclusivo: El Proyecto Campus Accesible, Campus Igualitario de la Universidad de Alicante

El Campus de la Universidad de Alicante es un espacio de una enorme calidad tanto por sus arquitecturas construidas, la mayoría notables y algunas de ellas magníficas, como por sus espacios libres, zonas verdes e hitos que lo dotan de identidad y llenan de significados varios. Pero, además, es el espacio de trabajo, de relación y encuentro, de vida en definitiva, de toda la comunidad universitaria, razón por la cual, el proyecto institucional Campus Accesible, Campus Igualitario, promovido por el Vicerrectorado de Campus y Sostenibilidad en colaboración con la Unidad de Igualdad y el Vicerrectorado de Estudiantes, se plantea como objetivo primordial alcanzar la misma excelencia como espacio modelo de integración de todas las personas, sea cual fuere su situación o condición. Para ello atiende a dos aspectos básicos: uno, la consecución de accesibilidad universal y, dos, la incorporación de la perspectiva de género a su construcción, mantenimiento y gestión como generadora de nuevas miradas que enriquecen los espacios y la vida desde la bienvenida a los mismos de la complejidad y la diversidad. El presente trabajo recoge tanto las reflexiones como las acciones que, en esta dirección y con carácter transversal y pionero, se han desarrollado

Hypothalamic mTOR signaling mediates the orexigenic action of ghrelin

Current evidence suggests that ghrelin, a stomach derived peptide, exerts its orexigenic action through specific modulation of Sirtuin1 (SIRT1)/p53 and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathways, which ultimately increase the expression of agouti-related protein (AgRP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARC). However, there is a paucity of data about the possible action of ghrelin on alternative metabolic pathways at this level. Here, we demonstrate that ghrelin elicits a marked upregulation of the hypothalamic mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. Of note, central inhibition of mTOR signaling with rapamycin decreased ghrelin’s orexigenic action and normalized the mRNA expression of AgRP and NPY, as well as their key downstream transcription factors, namely cAMP response-element binding protein (pCREB) and forkhead box O1 (FoxO1, total and phosphorylated). Taken together, these data indicate that, in addition to previous reported mechanisms, ghrelin also promotes feeding through modulation of hypothalamic mTOR pathway.The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007–2013) under grant agreement n° 281854 - the ObERStress project (ML) and 245009 - the Neurofast project (RN, CD and ML), Xunta de Galicia (ML: 10PXIB208164PR; RN: 2010/14), Junta de Andalucía (MTS: P08-CVI-03788), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) (ML: PS09/01880), MINECO co-funded by the FEDER Program of EU (MTS: BFU2011-25021; RN: RyC-2008-02219 and SAF2009-07049; ML: RyC-2007-00211; CD: BFU2011-29102). LM is a recipient of a fellowship from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal (SFRH/BD/65379/2009). CIBER de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición is an initiative of ISCIIIS

Psychometric Properties of the SymptoMScreen Questionnaire in a Mild Disability Population of Patients with Relapsing–Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: Quantifying the Patient’s Perspective

Crucial elements for achieving optimal long-term outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS) are patient confidence and effective physician-patient communication. Patient-reported instruments may provide the means to fill the gap in currently available clinician-rated measures. The SymptoMScreen (SMSS) is a brief self-assessment tool for measuring symptom severity in 12 neurologic domains commonly affected by MS. We conducted a non-interventional study to assess the dimensional structure and item characteristics of the SMSS. A total of 218 patients with relapsing-remitting MS and mild disability (median Expanded Disability Status Scale score 2.0) were studied. Symptom severity was low (SMSS score 13.5, interquartile range 4.2-27), fatigue being the domain with the highest impact. A non-parametric item response theory, i.e., Mokken analysis, found that the SMSS is a robust one-dimensional scale (overall scalability index H 0.60) with high reliability (Cronbach's alpha 0.94). The confirmatory factor analysis model confirmed the unidimensional structure (comparative fit index 1.0, root-mean-square error of approximation 0.001). Samejima's model fitted well an unconstrained model with different item difficulties. The SMSS shows appropriate psychometric characteristics and may constitute a valuable and easy-to-implement addition to measure the symptom severity in clinical practice.This study was funded by the Medical Department of Roche Farma Spain. The sponsor also funded the journals Rapid Service fe