A Semantic-Based Middleware for Multimedia Collaborative Applications

The Internet growth and the performance increase of desktop computers have enabled large-scale distributed multimedia applications. They are expected to grow in demand and services and their traffic volume will dominate. Real-time delivery, scalability, heterogeneity are some requirements of these applications that have motivated a revision of the traditional Internet services, the operating systems structures, and the software systems for supporting application development. This work proposes a Java-based lightweight middleware for the development of large-scale multimedia applications. The middleware offers four services for multimedia applications. First, it provides two scalable lightweight protocols for floor control. One follows a centralized model that easily integrates with centralized resources such as a shared too], and the other is a distributed protocol targeted to distributed resources such as audio. Scalability is achieved by periodically multicasting a heartbeat that conveys state information used by clients to request the resource via temporary TCP connections. Second, it supports intra- and inter-stream synchronization algorithms and policies. We introduce the concept of virtual observer, which perceives the session as being in the same room with a sender. We avoid the need for globally synchronized clocks by introducing the concept of user\u27s multimedia presence, which defines a new manner for combining streams coming from multiple sites. It includes a novel algorithm for estimation and removal of clock skew. In addition, it supports event-driven asynchronous message reception, quality of service measures, and traffic rate control. Finally, the middleware provides support for data sharing via a resilient and scalable protocol for transmission of images that can dynamically change in content and size. The effectiveness of the middleware components is shown with the implementation of Odust, a prototypical sharing tool application built on top of the middleware

El turismo pesquero como instrumento de apoyo al desarrollo sostenible en zonas litorales: la experiencia del proyecto sagital

La actividad pesquera ha sido históricamente un elemento clave en el desarrollo de las poblaciones litorales, aportando importantes valores culturales, económicos, medioambientales y sociales. En las últimas décadas, el cambio de modelo económico ha provocado que actividades tradicionales como la pesca artesanal (o de bajura) hayan disminuido considerablemente, con las consecuentes repercusiones negativas. En este contexto, las actividades turísticas vinculadas directamente con la actividad pesquera, se plantean, tanto en España como en la Unión Europea, como interesantes alternativas de diversificación para las zonas litorales tradicionalmente dependientes de la pesca. En esta comunicación se expone la experiencia llevada a cabo en el Proyecto SAGITAL (2005-07), que, coordinado por la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid y financiado por el Fondo Social Europeo, ha integrado a veinte socios vinculados directamente con el sector pesquero y ha servido para promover, tanto técnica como jurídicamente, el desarrollo de las actividades de turismo pesquero, de forma específica la Pesca turismo. La metodología de gestión y fomento de la participación aplicada en el Proyecto, ha permitido obtener un consenso entre los profesionales del sector pesquero y las administraciones responsables, a fin de adecuar la actual normativa pesquera para permitir y regular el desarrollo de estas actividade

Study of Thermal Properties on the Different Layers Composing a Commercial Ceramic Tile

In this study the thermal conductivity of a commercial ceramic is determined considering that this property is an essential factor on the building materials. This is the primary indicator of the material suitableness for energy transfer, considering that this kind of construction supplies has many applications as thermal insulations. In this sense, we consider that a commercial tile is usually composed of three layers: substrate, a so-called engine layer, and an enamel layer. Likewise, the thermal properties of the different layers were obtained individually by using two photothermal techniques on the ceramic material; the ceramic tile density was obtained using the Archimedes method. The calculated values show a wide range of thermal conductivity values for the different layers, ranging from1.3 to 4 W m¡1K¡1

Fabrication process of Mo/Au TES at RT

We report on the fabrication details of TES based on Mo/Au bilayers. The Mo layer is deposited by radio frequency (RF) sputtering and capped with a sputter deposited thin Au protection layer. Afterwards, a second Au layer of suitable (lower) resistivity is deposited ex‐situ by e‐beam evaporation, until completion of the total desired Au thickness. The deposition was performed at room temperature (RT) on LPCVD Si3 N4 membranes. Such a deposition procedure is very reproducible and allow controlling the critical temperature (Tc) and normal electrical resistance (RN ) of the Mo/Au bilayer. The process is optimized to achieve low stress bilayers, thus avoiding the undesirable curvature of the membranes. Bilayers are patterned using photolithographic techniques and wet etching procedures. Mo superconducting paths are used to contact the Mo/Au bilayers, thus ensuring good electrical conductivity and thermal isolation. The entire fabrication process let to stable and reproducible sensors with required and tunable functional propertie

Thickness dependence of critical temperature in Mo/Au bilayers

We report on the sensitivity of the superconducting critical temperature (TC) to layer thickness, as well as on TC reproducibility in Mo/Au bilayers. Resistivity measurements on samples with a fixed Au thickness (dAu) and Mo thickness (dMo) ranging from 50 to 250 nm, and with a fixed dMo and different dAu thickness are shown. Experimental data are discussed in the framework of Martinis model, whose application to samples with dAu above their coherence length is analysed in detail. Results show a good coupling between normal and superconducting layers and excellent TC reproducibility, allowing to accurately correlate Mo layer thickness and bilayer TC

Characterization of a Mo/Au thermometer for ATHENA

The first dark characterization of a thermometer fabricated with our Mo/Au bilayers to be used as a transition edge sensor is presented. High-quality, stress-free Mo layers, whose thickness is used to tune the critical temperature (TC ) down to 100 mK, are deposited by sputtering at room temperature (RT ) on Si3N4 bulk and membranes, and protected from degradation with a 15-nm sputtered Au layer. An extra layer of high-quality Au is deposited by ex situ e-beam to ensure low residual resistance. The thermometer is patterned on a membrane using standard photolithographic techniques and wet etching processes, and is contacted through Mo paths, displaying a sharp superconducting transition (α ≈ 600). Results show a good coupling between Mo and Au layers and excellent TC reproducibility, allowing to accurately correlate dM o and TC . Since dAu is bigger than ξM for all analyzed samples, bilayer residual resistance can be modified without affecting TC . Finally, first current to voltage measurements at different temperatures are measured and analyzed, obtaining the corresponding characterization parameters

Electrical analysis of piezoelectric ceramics of BaTiO3 doped with Cu and Ag

En esta investigación se estudia el efecto de la incorporación de partículas metálicas de cobre (Cu) <75μm y plata (Ag) <100nm, ambas de forma esférica de la marca ALDRICH, en la matriz del cerámico de titanito de bario (BaTiO3). La fabricación de estos materiales se realizó mediante la técnica de polvos; a partir de una mezcla, en un molino de giro planetario formando composiciones químicas en polvo como: BaTiO3 + 1% Cu, BaTiO3 + 3% Cu, BaTiO3 + 1% Ag, BaTiO3 + 3% Ag, BaTiO3 + 1% Cu & Ag, BaTiO3 + 3% Cu & Ag, cada muestra fue de 10 g. Los polvos fueron sometidos a un proceso de prensado para su conformación en muestras de forma cilíndricas y finalmente sinterizadas en un horno eléctrico a una temperatura de 1240 °C. A los materiales se le determinaron sus propiedades eléctricas, así como la determinación de la permitividad relativa del material, la capacitancia y la obtención de sus diagramas de magnitud - frecuencia eléctricas usando un generador de funciones. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que la incorporación de partículas de Cobre y Plata como un reforzamiento metálico en una base cerámica de BaTiO3 modifica las propiedades eléctricas - ferroeléctricas y dieléctricas

Results of the implementation of a virtual microscope in a course of histology

[EN] The course of Anatomy and Histology is studied in the first year of Dentistry at the University Cardenal Herrera CEU (Alfara del Patriarca, Spain). Its practices consist on choose freely six different tissue samples and draw their most representative features. These practices were made by optical microscopy until 2014, and in 2015 was introduced the virtual microscope exclusively. The aim of the study is to test whether this new teaching method has improved the quality of exercise and the understanding shown by students. First, the best exercises of both years were chosen, and from them some drawings from the same tissue were compared. Some tissues which samples for optical microscope were hard to obtain, were drawn for the very first time thanks to the virtual microscope. Also, with the virtual microscopy the drawings contained more details and definition. The understanding of the structures improved, shown by a more functional, detailed and defined vision of the tissues. The labels of the virtual microscope helped to the self-study and avoided the loss of unnoticed structures. In conclusion, replacement of optical microscope by the virtual microscope is a teaching improvement and facilitates student learning.Alegre-Martínez, A.; Martínez-Martínez, MI.; Alfonso Sanchez, JL.; Morales Suárez-Varela, MM.; Llopis Gonzalez, A. (2016). Results of the implementation of a virtual microscope in a course of histology. En 2nd. International conference on higher education advances (HEAD'16). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 169-176. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAD16.2015.2626OCS16917

Investigación en matemáticas, economía y ciencias sociales

El resultado de este libro que reune inquietudes académicas en torno a temas tan estudiados como los que están alrededor del maíz, del frijol o del café; y tan contemporáneos como las aplicaciones concretas de las ciencias ya citadas, al estudio de la adopción del comercio electrónico en empresas del sector agroindustrial o, el caso de la generación de biogas o energía eléctrica por medio de biodigestores. Al editar este texto e incorporarlo a la bibliografía de los temas de referencia, se enriquecen opciones de consulta para los estudiosos de esos temas en general; pero también para interesados en aspectos tan específicos como la cadena de suministro del mercado hortofrutícola en Texcoco

Off-label use of rituximab for systemic lupus erythematosus in Europe

Objectives: Rituximab (RTX) is a biological treatment used off-label in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This survey aimed to investigate the off-label use of RTX in Europe and compare the characteristics of patients receiving RTX with those receiving conventional therapy. Methods: Data on patients with SLE receiving RTX were taken from the International Registry for Biologics in SLE retrospective registry and complemented with data on patients with SLE treated with conventional therapy. For nationwide estimates of RTX use in patients with SLE, investigators were asked to provide data through case report forms (CRFs). Countries for which no data were submitted through CRFs, published literature and/or personal communication were used, and for European countries where no data were available, estimates were made on the assumption of similarities with neighbouring countries. Results: The estimated off-label use of RTX in Europe was 0.5%-1.5% of all patients with SLE. In comparison with patients with SLE on conventional therapy, patients treated with RTX had longer disease duration, higher disease activity and were more often treated with immunosuppressives. The most frequent organ manifestations for which either RTX or conventional therapy was initiated were lupus nephritis followed by musculoskeletal and haematological. The reason for treatment was, besides disease control, corticosteroid-sparing for patients treated with conventional therapy. Conclusions: RTX use for SLE in Europe is restrictive and appears to be used as a last resort in patients for whom other reasonable options have been exhausted