Diseño y optimización de un dispositivo de frenado para vías terminales

En el presente proyecto se completará el estudio de dos estructuras tubulares, una situada en el tren y otra en la topera, que colisionan entre ellas. El proyecto constará del diseño y optimización de las estructuras teniendo en cuenta unos parámetros de interés como las desaceleraciones, las deformaciones o la masa de los elementos. Es muy importante que la masa utilizada no comprometa la comodidad y la seguridad de los pasajeros que se encuentran dentro del vehículo; que la velocidad esté controlada con una desaceleración constante; que se produzca una disipación total de la energía siendo la velocidad final de la estructura igual a cero y, por último, que el espacio interior se mantenga constante. Para que estos parámetros se cumplan, se estudiarán diferentes modelos, sometidos a unas condiciones de contorno idénticas y se compararán entre sí hasta completar un diseño final apropiado y eficaz. El proyecto pretende partir de un prototipo y recoger el proceso de mejora a partir del análisis de los resultados de las simulaciones, estudiando los motivos por los que se producen comportamientos no deseables.Ingeniería Mecánic

Shifts in marine invertebrate bacterial assemblages associated with tissue necrosis during a heat wave

Marine heat waves (MHWs) are periods of extremely high seawater temperature that affect marine ecosystems in several ways. Anthozoans (corals and gorgonians) and Porifera (sponges) are usually among the taxa most affected by MHWs. Both are holobiont entities that form complex interactions with a wide range of microbes, which are an essential part of these organisms and play key roles in their health status. Here, we determine microbial community changes suffered in two corals (Cladocora caespitosa and Oculina patagonica), one gorgonian (Leptogorgia sarmentosa) and one sponge (Sarcotragus fasciculatus) during the 2015 MHW. The microbial communities were different among hosts and displayed shifts related to host health status, with a higher abundance in necrosed tissues of Ruegeria species or of potential pathogens like Vibrio. We also carry out a meta-analysis using 93 publicly accessible 16S rRNA gene libraries from O. patagonica, C. caespitosa and L. sarmentosa to establish a Mediterranean core microbiome in these species. We have identified one Ruegeria OTU that maintained a stable and consistent association with these species, which was also related to tissue necrosis in their hosts. Therefore, Ruegeria sp. could play an important and still underexplored role in the health status of its hosts.This work has been carried out within the CIESM project “Tropical Signals” and it was funded by the European Union’s framework program Horizon 2020 (LEIT-BIO-2015-685474, Metafluidics, to JA)

Sipuncula inhabiting the coral Oculina patagonica in the western Mediterranean Sea

Background: We analyzed the sipunculan fauna inhabiting the scleractinian coral Oculina patagonica in the Marine Reserve of Tabarca Island (western Mediterranean). Results: Five sipunculan species were collected from 2011 to 2014: Phascolosoma stephensoni, P. granulatum, P. cf. agassizii, Aspidosiphon misakiensis, and Golfingia vulgaris. All five species were reported for the first time inhabiting O. patagonica; with P. cf. agassizii being a new record for the Iberian Peninsula. The average abundance of sipunculans inhabiting the coral was 468.75 ± 158.04 ind m−2, representing the second most abundant taxonomic group, in biomass, after Mollusca. Conclusions: Sipunculan diversity was low comparing with tropical reefs, but species abundances were higher than in soft-bottom nearby areas and community structure appears to be more homogeneous. There may be a considerable contribution to the erosion of the coral skeleton by sipunculans

Diversity and distribution of blackflies (Diptera: Simuliidae) of the Tormes river basin (western Spain)

To enhance the partial knowledge on blackfly (Diptera: Simuliidae) fauna in Spain it is crucial to collect all the available data on this group to better understand their ecology and distribution over the years. This study presents data from samples collected along the Tormes river basin (western Spain) during the years 1988, 1989 and 1996 and then stored at the University of Salamanca. As a result of a research stay, a total of 19 species belonging to 3 genera (Prosimulium, Metacnephia and Simulium) and 5 Simulium subgenera (Boophthora, Eusimulium, Nevermannia, Simulium and Wilhelmia) were identified after examining 64% of the stored material, representing 35% of the species known from Spain. In addition, 14 species are reported for the first time in 3 provinces in the study area. Further sampling of blackflies is foreseen in the near future in order to check if the blackfly fauna composition determined in samples collected during the last two decades of the 20th century has changed. This aim gains in importance as a consequence of haematophagous species having been found, relevant for both public health and animal welfare, not only because of the discomfort caused by their bites but also because of their potential as vectors of disease-causing agents in animals and humans

Exploring changes in bacterial communities to assess the influence of fish farming on marine sediments

Changes in bacterial assemblages along an environmental gradient determined by the distance to aquaculture installations were analysed, using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis to assess the influence of fish farming on marine sediments. Our findings show that changes in the structure of the bacterial community are a useful indicator for determining the environmental impact of aquaculture farms, due to the rapid response to changes in nutrient load, and could be an alternative strategy for monitoring programmes. Delta and Epsilonproteobacteria linked to the sulphur cycle were detected in the sediments beneath the cages. Since these groups were not found in the sediments at control stations, they serve as indicators for assessing the impact of the organic load from fish farming on marine sediments.This study forms part of the ‘Selección de indicadores, determinación de valores de referencia, diseño de programas y protocolos de métodos y medidas para estudios ambientales en acuicultura marina’ project funded by the ‘Spanish National Plans of Aquaculture’ (JACUMAR). The research was supported by Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness project CLG2015_66686-C3-3 (JA), which was also supported by financing from the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). ERP thanks the Generalitat Valenciana for a postdoctoral grant (APOSTD-2016-091)

Introducing ethical, social and environmental issues in ICT engineering degrees

This paper describes the experience of introducing ethical, social and environmental issues in undergraduate ICT engineering degrees at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. The experience before the Bologna Process was concentrated on developing elective courses related mainly on the field of the International Development Cooperation. The integration of those topics within the current ICT engineering curricula, adapted to the European Higher Education Area framework, has significantly improved. It reaches all of our students, as the programs include compulsory courses which focus on ethical and social issues, and these topics have to be considered when carrying out the Final Year Project. A holistic and comprehensive approach is being implemented, with a broad view of professional responsibility and sustainability. Appropriate contents, teaching methodologies and assessment methods have been aligned in order to make our students? training more effective. The result is an example of both bottom-up and top-down approach. It has been positively influenced by the European Higher Education Area framework and some external recommendations. However, the significant contribution regarding motivation, drive and previous experience of the teachers involved has been essential

Biogeographic Differences in the Microbiome and Pathobiome of the Coral Cladocora caespitosa in the Western Mediterranean Sea.

The endemic Mediterranean zooxanthellate scleractinian reef-builder Cladocora caespitosa is among the organisms most affected by warming-related mass mortality events in the Mediterranean Sea. Corals are known to contain a diverse microbiota that plays a key role in their physiology and health. Here we report the first study that examines the microbiome and pathobiome associated with C. caespitosa in three different Mediterranean locations (i.e., Genova, Columbretes Islands, and Tabarca Island). The microbial communities associated with this species showed biogeographical differences, but shared a common core microbiome that probably plays a key role in the coral holobiont. The putatively pathogenic microbial assemblage (i.e., pathobiome) of C. caespitosa also seemed to depend on geographic location and the human footprint. In locations near the coast and with higher human influence, the pathobiome was entirely constituted by Vibrio species, including the well-known coral pathogens Vibrio coralliilyticus and V. mediterranei. However, in the Columbretes Islands, located off the coast and the most pristine of the analyzed locations, no changes among microbial communities associated to healthy and necrosed samples were detected. Hence, our results provide new insights into the microbiome of the temperate corals and its role in coral health status, highlighting its dependence on the local environmental conditions and the human footprint

Facilitators and barriers to participation in population-based colorectal cancer screening programme from the perspective of healthcare professionals: Qualitative research study

Objective High participation determines the success of colorectal cancer screening programmes in reducing incidence and mortality. The factors that determine participation must be studied from the perspective of professionals that implement the programme. The aim was to identify factors that facilitate or hinder the participation of the invited people in the bowel cancer screening programme of the Basque Country (Spain) from professional's perspective. Methods Qualitative design based on individual interviews and focus groups. Thirty-eight primary care professionals who implement the programme participated (administrative staff, nurses and general practitioners). Thematic analysis was performed. Results Professionals show high satisfaction with the programme, and they believe firmly in its benefits. Facilitators for participation include professionals' commitment to the programme, their previous positive experiences, their optimistic attitude towards the prognosis of cancer and their trust in the health system and accessibility. Barriers include invitees' lack of independence to make decisions, fear of a positive test result and patient vulnerability and labour mobility of the health professionals. Conclusions Professionals show a high degree of involvement and identify primary care is an appropriate place to carry out disease prevention. They identify the closeness to patients, the personal attitude and the characteristics of the health system as key factors that influence participation.Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea; Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, Grant/Award Number: SEV-2017-0718; Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness MINECO and FEDER, Grant/Award Number: MTM2016-74931-P; Department of Education, Language Policy and Culture from the Basque Government, Grant/Award Numbers: BERC 2018-2021, IT620-1

CO[2] Sequestration by Natural Zeolite for Greenhouse Effect Control

This paper describes the adsorption of CO[2] on pores in natural erionite exchanged with aqueous solutions of Na{+}, Mg{2+}, and Ca{2+} salts at different concentrations, variable time and temperature of treatment. Experimental data of CO[2] adsorption were treated by the Freundlich and Langmuir equations. Complementarily were evaluated standard adsorption energies and the degree of interaction of the gas with the zeolite; the evolution of isosteric heats of adsorption was analyzed. The exchange with Na{+} favors the creation of emergent pores thus causing an increase of the adsorption capacity for CO[2]. The presence of Na{+} at micropore entrances causes an increased adsorption into the nanocavities and on the external area of the ion-exchanged zeolites. The development of nanopores in erionite was evaluated through the Barrett-Joyner-Halenda and NLDFT methods. Depending on the conditions of the exchange treatment, Na{+} was found to be most favorable, well distributed, and accessible for N[2] adsorption

Virulence as a Side Effect of Interspecies Interaction in Vibrio Coral Pathogens

The increase in prevalence and severity of coral disease outbreaks produced by Vibrio pathogens, and related to global warming, has seriously impacted reef-building corals throughout the oceans. The coral Oculina patagonica has been used as a model system to study coral bleaching produced by Vibrio infection. Previous data demonstrated that when two coral pathogens (Vibrio coralliilyticus and Vibrio mediterranei) simultaneously infected the coral O. patagonica, their pathogenicity was greater than when each bacterium was infected separately. Here, to understand the mechanisms underlying this synergistic effect, transcriptomic analyses of monocultures and cocultures as well as experimental infection experiments were performed. Our results revealed that the interaction between the two vibrios under culture conditions overexpressed virulence factor genes (e.g., those encoding siderophores, the type VI secretion system, and toxins, among others). Moreover, under these conditions, vibrios were also more likely to form biofilms or become motile through induction of lateral flagella. All these changes that occur as a physiological response to the presence of a competing species could favor the colonization of the host when they are present in a mixed population. Additionally, during coral experimental infections, we showed that exposure of corals to molecules released during V. coralliilyticus and V. mediterranei coculture induced changes in the coral microbiome that favored damage to coral tissue and increased the production of lyso-platelet activating factor. Therefore, we propose that competition sensing, defined as the physiological response to detection of harm or to the presence of a competing Vibrio species, enhances the ability of Vibrio coral pathogens to invade their host and cause tissue necrosis.This research was supported in part by the EU-H2020 MetaFluidics project with grant agreement number 685474 (to J.A.) and NSF-PIRE grant number OISE1243541 (to F.R.). E.R.-P. was funded by the postdoctoral program Vali+d (GVA) (grant number APOSTD-2016-091). A.M.C.-R. and P.C.D. were supported by the National Sciences Foundation grant IOS-1656481