ANÁLISIS DE LA ACÚSTICA DE SALAS MEDIANTE LA UTILIZACIÓN DE ARRAYS DE MICRÓFONOS CIRCULARES

Esta tesis doctoral aborda el estudio y análisis de la acústica de salas mediante un proceso de descomposición del campo sonoro muestreado con arrays circulares de micrófonos. El comportamiento acústico de una sala teniendo en cuenta todos los factores espaciales no es algo trivial. Este problema es conocido desde la antigüedad: griegos y romanos comenzaron a cuidar las cualidades acústicas en sus construcciones arquitectónicas basándose principalmente en diseños puramente prácticos. Más tarde sería el físico Sabine y su modelo estadístico para la medida del tiempo de reverberación de salas en que daría lugar al análisis moderno de la acústica arquitectónica. En la actualidad existen múltiples y avanzados métodos de análisis basados en el estudio de las respuestas al impulso de las salas capturadas mediante la utilización de fuentes de sonido y micrófonos de precisión que han contribuido a nuevos avances y mejoras dentro de este campo de la acústica. Los métodos mas modernos propuestos recientemente utlizan arrays de micrófonos para intentar capturar el campo de forma más precisa y con todas sus características espaciales, sin embargo todavía no han sido explotados convenientemente para obtener conclusiones significativas y relevantes sobre la acústica final de salas y sus aspectos geométricos. En esta tesis se lleva a cabo una metodología de análisis de salas basada en técnicas de descomposición de onda plana y de beamforming modal. Mediante la construcción de un array circular con micrófonos cardioides, así como de la implementación de un algoritmo de deteccion de máximos locales en ecogramas basado en morfología de imagen, se obtienen, analizan y comparan la acústica de las salas (reflexiones, absorciones, etc) permitiendo extrapolar una serie de conclusiones sobre sus características, comportamiento y calidad. Los resultados obtenidos por ambos métodos de análisis se comparan para identificar las reflexiones más significativas de las salas extrayendo informaciTorres Aranda, AM. (2012). ANÁLISIS DE LA ACÚSTICA DE SALAS MEDIANTE LA UTILIZACIÓN DE ARRAYS DE MICRÓFONOS CIRCULARES [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/1822

Logros, dificultades y retos de la docencia e investigación en Didáctica de las Ciencias Sociales

El artículo expone los resultados de un estudio sobre la situación actual del profesorado del área de Didáctica de las Ciencias Sociales en las Universidades españolas. A partir de los datos obtenidos a través de cuestionarios, individuales y colectivos, dirigidos al profesorado que, durante el curso 2014-2015, impartía docencia en esta área, y utilizando además los resultados obtenidos en otros estudios anteriores (Aguirre, 1988; Liceras, 2004) así como los datos publicados por el Ministerio de Educación y las propias Universidades, este estudio revela que, si bien es evidente el importante crecimiento que ha experimentado el área en aspectos como el número de docentes que la integran, la cualificación de éstos o las líneas de investigación desarrolladas, ese crecimiento ha ido acompañado de una progresiva precariedad laboral que, segúnconcluyen las autoras, podría estar repercutiendo negativamente en la calidad de su actividad investigadora, y explicaría, al menos en parte, las dificultades que está teniendo para alcanzar su plena madurez científica. Recordando los orígenes del área, y el papel que la Asociación Universitaria del Profesorado de Didáctica de las Ciencias Sociales ha tenido en su evolución y en los muchos logros conseguidos, el área tiene ahora que afrontar nuevos retos que afectan tanto a la docencia como a la investigación, y que pasan por exigir una mayor estabilidad laboral para este profesorado, así como una revisión de los criterios establecidos para su acreditación, más acordes a la realidad y más justos con su especificidad: la Didáctica de las Ciencias Sociales

Systemic lupus erythematosus: how machine learning can help distinguish between infections and flares

Producción CientíficaSystemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a multifaceted autoimmune ailment that impacts multiple bodily systems and manifests with varied clinical manifestations. Early detection is considered the most effective way to save patients’ lives, but detecting severe SLE activity in its early stages is proving to be a formidable challenge. Consequently, this work advocates the use of Machine Learning (ML) algorithms for the diagnosis of SLE flares in the context of infections. In the pursuit of this research, the Random Forest (RF) method has been employed due to its performance attributes. With RF, our objective is to uncover patterns within the patient data. Multiple ML techniques have been scrutinized within this investigation. The proposed system exhibited around a 7.49% enhancement in accuracy when compared to k-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) algorithm. In contrast, the Support Vector Machine (SVM), Binary Linear Discriminant Analysis (BLDA), Decision Trees (DT) and Linear Regression (LR) methods demonstrated inferior performance, with respective values around 81%, 78%, 84% and 69%. It is noteworthy that the proposed method displayed a superior area under the curve (AUC) and balanced accuracy (both around 94%) in comparison to other ML approaches. These outcomes underscore the feasibility of crafting an automated diagnostic support method for SLE patients grounded in ML systems.Ministerio de Asuntos Económicos y Transformación Digital (MINECO) y Cátedra UCLM-Telefónica - (grant PID2021-125122OB-I00

Mishel’s Model of uncertainty describing categories and subcategories in fibromyalgia patients, a scoping review

Producción CientíficaThe aim of this review was to demonstrate the presence of categories and subcategories of Mishel’s model in the experiences of patients with fibromyalgia by reviewing qualitative studies. Uncertainty is defined as the inability to determine the meaning of disease-related events. A scoping review of qualitative studies was carried out. Twenty articles were included, with sample sizes ranging from 3 to 58 patients. Articles from different countries and continents were included. Three categories of the model and eight subcategories could be shown to be present in the experiences of fibromyalgia patients through the scoping review. The first category, concerning antecedents of uncertainty in patients with fibromyalgia, is constituted by the difficulty in coping with symptoms, uncertainty about the diagnosis and uncertainty about the complexity of the treatment. The second concerns the cognitive process of anxiety, stress, emotional disorder and social stigma. The third category refers to coping with the disease, through the management of social and family support and the relationship with health care professionals

Promotion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (stem). The Precampus Project

There is a reduction of high school students who choose to pursue university careers related to STEM. This article describes an action to promote these disciplines through the PreCampus Project, through the offer of scientific-technical workshops to schools and secondary schools. Using surveys to the participating students, the results of the activity during the academic year 2017-18 have been analyzed. The students value the attendance to this type of activities positively but it has been found that women have less interest in engineering and architecture than men. This type of actions motivates students, providing them with a closer and more applied vision of STEM in general, and of engineering and architecture in particular. Actualmente existe una disminución de los estudiantes de enseñanza secundaria que optan por cursar carreras universitarias relacionadas con las STEM. Este artículo describe una acción de promoción de estas disciplinas a través del Proyecto PreCampus, consistente en la oferta de talleres científico-técnicos a centros educativos de enseñanza secundaria. Por medio de encuestas a los alumnos participantes se han analizado los resultados de la actividad durante el curso académico 2017-18. En estos resultados, los estudiantes han valorado positivamente la asistencia a este tipo de actividades y se ha encontrado que las mujeres tienen menos interés en la ingeniería y arquitectura que los hombres. Este tipo de acciones motivan a los estudiantes, proporcionándoles una visión más cercana y aplicada de las STEM en general, y de la ingeniería y la arquitectura en particular

Highly Efficient and Well-Matched Empty Substrate Integrated Waveguide H-plane Horn Antenna

In this letter, an empty substrate integrated waveguide H-plane sectorial horn antenna is presented. The antenna is integrated within a planar substrate and is fed by means of a microstrip transmission line. It is composed of a partially empty substrate layer stacked between two cover metallic plates. Results obtained for a prototipe designed and fabricated at Ku-band show a measured efficiency close to 90% and matched responses. No extra loading elements are needed in order to reduce reflection at the end of the aperture conversely to previous designs. Moreover, the structure is quite simple, cheap and does not depend on substrate characteristics i.e. dielectric permitivity or loss tangent. This new methodology for manufacturing substrate integrated antennas without dielectric considerably improves the performance of conventional substrate integrated horn antennas

LPS promotes Th2 dependent sensitisation leading to anaphylaxis in a Pru p 3 mouse model

Pru p 3 is the major peach allergen in the Mediterranean area. It frequently elicits severe reactions, limiting its study in humans, raising the need for animal models to investigate the immunological mechanisms involved. However, no anaphylaxis model exists for Pru p 3. We aimed to develop a model of peach anaphylaxis by sensitising mice with Pru p 3 in combination with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as an adjuvant. Four groups of mice were sensitised intranasally: untreated; treated with Pru p 3; treated with LPS; treated with Pru p 3 + LPS. After sensitisation mice were intraperitoneally challenged with Pru p 3 and in vivo and in vitro parameters were evaluated. Only mice in the Pru p 3 + LPS group showed anaphylaxis symptoms, including a decrease in temperature. Determination of in vitro parameters showed a Th2 response with an increase of Pru p 3-specific IgE and IgG1. Moreover, at the cellular level, we found increased levels of IgE and IgG1 secreting Pru p 3-specific cells and a proliferative CD4+ T-cell response. These results demonstrate that Pru p 3-specific anaphylaxis can be generated after nasal sensitisation to Pru p 3 in combination with LPS. This is a promising model for evaluating food allergy immunotherapies.Unión Europea, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Instituto de Salud "Carlos III" PI12 / 02481Unión Europea, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Instituto de Salud "Carlos III" PI15 / 00559Unión Europea, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Instituto de Salud "Carlos III" RD 07/0064Unión Europea, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Instituto de Salud "Carlos III" RD12 / 0013/0001Unión Europea, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Instituto de Salud "Carlos III" RD07 / 0064/0003Unión Europea, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Instituto de Salud "Carlos III" RD12 / 0013/0016Unión Europea, Ministerio de Andalucía Economía y Conocimiento CTS-7433Unión Europea, Ministerio de Andalucía Economía y Conocimiento C-0044-2012 SAS2013Unión Europea, Ministerio de Andalucía Economía y Conocimiento Ref. CD14 / 00242Unión Europea, Ministerio de Andalucía Economía y Conocimiento BIO2013- 41403-

Fluoroquinolone photodegradation influences specific basophil activation

Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are photoreactive drugs, but it is not known whether laboratory light exposure can influence the induction of photoproducts and modify in vitro test results. The basophil activation test (BAT) has proven to be useful for evaluating immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated hypersensitivity to FQs, with a higher percentage of positive responders with ciprofloxacin (CIP) than with moxifloxacin (MOX). We studied the effect of laboratory light on CIP and MOX degradation, and drug-protein conjugate formation, and its influence on the BAT for evaluating IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to FQs. The results showed an important decrease in fluorescence emission intensity under light compared to dark conditions for MOX, and that BAT positivity was lower in light (17.9%) than in dark (35.7%) conditions. No changes were found for CIP in either fluorescence emission intensity or BAT results (46.4% in both conditions). We can conclude that light exposure is a critical factor in BAT results when photolabile drugs like MOX are used. Therefore, light is important when interpreting in vitro results. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, BaselWe thank Ian Johnstone for his help with the English language version of the manuscript, and Jose Luis Rodriguez-Bada and Lidia Melendez for their technical support. This study was funded by the FIS-Thematic Networks and Co-operative Research Centres: RIRAAF (RD07/0064) and the Spanish Health Ministry (FIS PS09/01768, PI11/01416 and M Servet contract CP11/00154 for I.A.), the Andalusia Health Ministry (PI-0545-2010), and the Andalusia Economic Innovation and Science Ministry (CTS 06603).Mayorga, C.; Andreu Ros, MI.; Aranda, A.; Doña, I.; Montañez, MI.; Blanca-López, N.; Ariza, A.... (2013). Fluoroquinolone photodegradation influences specific basophil activation. International Archives of Allergy and Immunology. 160(4):377-382. https://doi.org/10.1159/000343023S3773821604Albini, A., & Monti, S. (2003). Photophysics and photochemistry of fluoroquinolones. Chemical Society Reviews, 32(4), 238. doi:10.1039/b209220bBelvedere, A., Boscá, F., Cuquerella, M. C., de Guidi, G., & Miranda, M. A. (2002). Photoinduced N-Demethylation of Rufloxacin and its Methyl Ester Under Aerobic Conditions¶. Photochemistry and Photobiology, 76(3), 252. doi:10.1562/0031-8655(2002)0762.0.co;2Dawe, R. S., Ibbotson, S. H., Sanderson, J. B., Thomson, E. M., & Ferguson, J. (2003). A randomized controlled trial (volunteer study) of sitafloxacin, enoxacin, levofloxacin and sparfloxacin phototoxicity. British Journal of Dermatology, 149(6), 1232-1241. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2003.05582.xHayashi, N., Nakata, Y., & Yazaki, A. (2004). New Findings on the Structure-Phototoxicity Relationship and Photostability of Fluoroquinolones with Various Substituents at Position 1. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 48(3), 799-803. doi:10.1128/aac.48.3.799-803.2004Van Bambeke, F., & Tulkens, P. M. (2009). Safety Profile of the Respiratory Fluoroquinolone Moxifloxacin. Drug Safety, 32(5), 359-378. doi:10.2165/00002018-200932050-00001Sachs, B., Riegel, S., Seebeck, J., Beier, R., Schichler, D., Barger, A., … Erdmann, S. (2006). Fluoroquinolone-Associated Anaphylaxis in Spontaneous Adverse Drug Reaction Reports in Germany. Drug Safety, 29(11), 1087-1100. doi:10.2165/00002018-200629110-00008Manfredi, M., Severino, M., Testi, S., Macchia, D., Ermini, G., Pichler, W. J., & Campi, P. (2004). Detection of specific IgE to quinolones. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 113(1), 155-160. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2003.09.035Aranda, A., Mayorga, C., Ariza, A., Doña, I., Rosado, A., Blanca-Lopez, N., … Torres, M. J. (2010). In vitro evaluation of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions to quinolones. Allergy, 66(2), 247-254. doi:10.1111/j.1398-9995.2010.02460.xAndreu, I., Mayorga, C., & Miranda, M. A. (2010). Generation of reactive intermediates in photoallergic dermatitis. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 10(4), 303-308. doi:10.1097/aci.0b013e32833bc68cAntunez, C., Fernandez, T., Blanca-Lopez, N., Torres, M. J., Mayorga, C., Canto, G., … Blanca, M. (2006). IgE antibodies to betalactams: relationship between the triggering hapten and the specificity of the immune response. Allergy, 61(8), 940-946. doi:10.1111/j.1398-9995.2006.01120.xTorres, M. J., Ariza, A., Mayorga, C., Doña, I., Blanca-Lopez, N., Rondon, C., & Blanca, M. (2010). Clavulanic acid can be the component in amoxicillin-clavulanic acid responsible for immediate hypersensitivity reactions. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 125(2), 502-505.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2009.11.032Torres, M. J., & Blanca, M. (2010). The Complex Clinical Picture of β-Lactam Hypersensitivity: Penicillins, Cephalosporins, Monobactams, Carbapenems, and Clavams. Medical Clinics of North America, 94(4), 805-820. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2010.04.00

Lentitud de los procesos penales en Málaga

Este artículo presenta un análisis de las causas internas del retraso que sufren los procedimientos penales en nuestra provincia, entendiendo portales causas las que van referidas al propio funcionamiento y estructura de los Juzgados, prescindiendo de las causas externas o generales que afectan también a otras Administraciones

Slotted ESIW Antenna with high efficiency for a MIMO Radar Sensor

[EN] This paper introduces a slotted empty substrate integrated waveguide (ESIW) antenna for a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar sensor. The proposed system is based on the MIMO radar architecture. Orthogonal signals are sent from the transmitters, in such a manner that a MIMO image reconstruction is possible. The presented system application targets the surveillance of strategic areas in gas pipelines and nuclear plants. ESIW technology enables a high-efficiency, low-profile, and compact antenna for these MIMO systems. The fabricated device includes a transition to microstrip line, and, in consequence, the antenna can be integrated with the rest of the system in a standard integrated circuit. The slotted ESIW antenna design and measured results for the targeted application are presented in this paper. The measured results present a gain greater than 15 dBi and return loss below ¿13 dB over the targeted frequency band of operation (16¿16.5 GHz). To the best of the authors¿ knowledge, this is the first slotted ESIW antenna reported in the scientific literature up to now.This work was supported by the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad, Spanish Government, under research projects TEC2016-75934-C4-3-R and TEC2016-75934-C4-1-R.Miralles-Navarro, E.; Belenguer Martinez, A.; Mateo Sotos, J.; Torres Aranda, AM.; Esteban González, H.; Lucas Borja, A.; Boria Esbert, VE. (2018). Slotted ESIW Antenna with high efficiency for a MIMO Radar Sensor. Radio Science. 53(5):605-610. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017RS006461S60561053