Evaluating the more suitable ISM frequency band for iot-based smart grids: a quantitative study of 915 MHz vs. 2400 MHz

IoT has begun to be employed pervasively in industrial environments and critical infrastructures thanks to its positive impact on performance and efficiency. Among these environments, the Smart Grid (SG) excels as the perfect host for this technology, mainly due to its potential to become the motor of the rest of electrically-dependent infrastructures. To make this SG-oriented IoT cost-effective, most deployments employ unlicensed ISM bands, specifically the 2400 MHz one, due to its extended communication bandwidth in comparison with lower bands. This band has been extensively used for years by Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) and Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANET), from which the IoT technologically inherits. However, this work questions and evaluates the suitability of such a "default" communication band in SG environments, compared with the 915 MHz ISM band. A comprehensive quantitative comparison of these bands has been accomplished in terms of: power consumption, average network delay, and packet reception rate. To allow such a study, a dual-band propagation model specifically designed for the SG has been derived, tested, and incorporated into the well-known TOSSIM simulator. Simulation results reveal that only in the absence of other 2400 MHz interfering devices (such as WiFi or Bluetooth) or in small networks, is the 2400 MHz band the best option. In any other case, SG-oriented IoT quantitatively perform better if operating in the 915 MHz band.This research was supported by the MINECO/FEDER project grants TEC2013-47016-C2-2-R (COINS) and TEC2016-76465-C2-1-R (AIM). The authors would like to thank Juan Salvador Perez Madrid nd Domingo Meca (part of the Iberdrola staff) for the support provided during the realization of this work. Ruben M. Sandoval also thanks the Spanish MICINN for an FPU (REF FPU14/03424) pre-doctoral fellowship

Sociología

Voz Sociología. Gran Enciclopedia de la Comunitat Valenciana. Se define el concepto de Sociología situando sus orígenes, proceso de institucionalización, análisis de la situación actual, herramientas y finalidad de esta Ciencia Social prestando una especial atención al caso valenciano (España).Sociology. Gran Enciclopedia de la Comunitat Valenciana. The concept of Sociology is defined by placing its origins, institutionalization process, analysis of the current situation, tools and purpose of this Social Science with special attention to the case of Valencia (Spain)

Analysis of Sustainability Activities in Spanish Elementary Education Textbooks

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sets up education as a fundamental tool to educate and raise awareness of the importance of sustainable development; thus, education in schools must fulfill this purpose. Regarding to Primary Education in Spain, legislation establishes that sustainability must be addressed in a transversal manner, although it is explicitly mentioned in the curriculum as content to be addressed by the social sciences subject. Given that, in practice, textbooks are one of the most used tools by teachers, in this paper, we analyse the treatment given to sustainability by the activities of the textbooks of social sciences in Primary Education of the main Spanish publishers, from two perspectives: analysis of cognitive complexity and study of the subtopic regarding sustainability addressed in each activity. For the analysis of cognitive complexity of activities, Bloom’s taxonomy (six cognitive categories) and Costa’s questioning levels (three levels of questioning) were used. The results reveal an abundance of cognitively simple activities, along with a shortage of cognitively complex activities. The most addressed subtopics are environmental problems and recycling

Profiling Spanish Prospective Buyers of Electric Vehicles Based on Demographics

p. 1-22As traffic congestion and air pollution rise at alarming rates in many cities worldwide, new smart technologies are emerging to meet the urban mobility challenge. In addition, utomotive firms have transformed their business models to make them more sustainable and to adjust to demand response. Electric vehicles (EVs) represent a viable option to reduce ecological damage and improve public health. However, in the previous literature, no consensus has been reached on the profile of prospective buyers of EVs. Based on a large-scale sample of Spanish citizens and using cluster analysis, our study provides a better understanding of the demographics of such prospective buyers. We identified four types of EV prospective buyers. Our results show that although men have a strong preference for EVs, low-income older women prove to be the most EV-aware group; their automotive driving experience and concern for sustainability could be among the underlying causes of this particular interest. Another valuable insight is the greater partiality of older people for EVs. These findings have many implications for managers, especially in the automotive industry, policymakers, and sustainability strategists. They show that EV prospective buyers should not be approached as a homogeneous group but as a heterogeneous group with different socio-demographic characteristics that might help decision-makers make better business decision.S

Efecto de la temperatura del suelo durante el periodo de llenado de la semilla sobre la relación oleico/linoleico, tocoferoles y contenido de azúcares en el grano de maní

The relationship of chemical quality of peanut seed with the soil temperature (ST) has received little attention. The aim of this work was to determine the effects of ST in the seed growth environment, during the seed filling period, on the oleic/linoleic acid (O/L) ratio, alpha, beta, gamma, delta tocopherols and the sum of them (TT), fructose, glucose and sucrose and the sum of them (FGS), contents in peanut kernels. Field experiments included cultivars (Florman and ASEM), water regimes (irrigated and water stress), sowing dates and alteration of ST. The response of O/L ratio to ST fitted a linear model, where the O/L ratio increased while ST increased. Mean O/L ratios were 1.31 for ASEM and 1.20 for Florman. The TT mean concentration was similar for both genotypes (478 ppm). A positive association between α-tocopherol (the main source of vitamin E) and ST, and a negative association between δ and α tocopherols were detected. The responses of FGS and sucrose to ST fitted linear models, where increments in ST showed decreases in FGS and sucrose concentrations. However, the decrease rates of FGS and sucrose in ASEM were three times lower than in Florman. The results showed that ST affected the chemical composition of peanut kernels, which mainly determines the shelf life and flavor of both genotypes differentially.La relación entre la composición química de los granos de maní con la temperatura del suelo (ST) ha recibido poca atención. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar los efectos de la temperatura del suelo en la zona de crecimiento de la vaina, durante el período de llenado de grano, sobre la relación oleico/linoleico (O/L), alpha, beta, gamma, delta tocoferoles y la suma de estos (TT), fructosa, glucosa y sacarosa y la suma de estas (FGS), contenidos en el grano de maní. Los experimentos incluyeron cultivares (Florman y ASEM), regímenes hídricos (riego y estrés hídrico), fechas de siembra y variaciones de ST. La respuesta de la relación O/L a ST se ajustó a un modelo lineal, donde aumentos de la temperatura del suelo implicaron incrementos de la relación O/L. La proporción media de O/L fue 1.31 para ASEM y 1.20 para Florman. La concentración de TT fue similar entre genotipos (478 ppm). Se observaron asociaciones positivas entre el contenido de α-tocoferol y negativas entre los contenidos de δ y α tocoferoles respecto del ST. Las relaciones entre FGS y sacarosa con la ST ajustaron a modelos lineales, donde incrementos de la ST implicaron disminuciones en las concentraciones de FGS y sacarosa. Sin embargo, las tasas de disminución de FGS y sacarosa en ASEM fueron tres veces menor que en Florman. Los resultados evidenciaron que la ST afectó la composición química del grano de maní que determina principalmente su vida útil y el sabor, diferencialmente en ambos genotipos

The Journalistic Professionalization in Ecuador: the Experience on the Streets or the Knowledge of the Classrooms?

El artículo analiza el estado actual del ejercicio periodístico en el Ecuador y las tendencias académicas predominantes dentro de las escuelas y facultades de Comunicación Social en el país, espacios en los cuales se consolida un perfil profesional cuyo rol ha sido puesto en duda. Concluye con un análisis sobre la capacitación, actualización y profesionalización del periodismo ecuatoriano, tomando como referencia una encuesta aplicada al personal con funciones directivas y periodísticas de 2.944 medios de comunicación del Ecuador, dentro de un proyecto de investigación nacional denominado: “Mapa de la comunicación de Ecuador”, desarrollado por la Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja.This article discusses the current state of journalism in Ecuador and the predominant academic trends within schools and faculties of Social Communication in the country, spaces in which consolidates a professional profile whose role has been questioned. Concludes with an analysis of the need for training, updating and professionalization of the Ecuadorian journalism, taking as reference a survey applied to personnel with directives and journalistic functions of 2,944 media of Ecuador, within a national research project called: “Map of the communication of Ecuador”, developed by the Technical University of Loja

Does swimming styles specialization influence the hamstring muscle extensibility?

El objetivo de este estudio es comprobar si el estilo de natación en el que están especializados los nadadores, influye sobre la extensibilidad isquiosural de los deportistas que han participado en esta investigación. El test empleado para este trabajo es el test “sit and reach”. Se ha medido la extensibilidad isquiosural de todos los nadadores (N=36) de ambos sexos, que entrenan en un centro de tecnificación acuático español. La edad de los participantes del estudio oscila entre los 13 y los 17 años. Esta población de nadadores ha sido dividida en cuatro grupos diferentes, dependiendo del estilo de natación en el que están especializados (crol, espalda, braza y mariposa). Para conocer la influencia del estilo natación sobre los resultados obtenidos en el test “sit and reach”, se ha aplicado un test inicial y nueve meses más tarde un test final, lo que ha permitido conocer también la evolución de las mediciones Como conclusión, la extensibilidad isquiosural y su evolución, no está condicionada por el estilo de natación en el que están especializados los nadadores que han participado en este estudioThe aim of this research is to verify the swimming style in which swimmers are specialized, have has influences hamstring extensibility athletes who have had participated in this research. The employed test for this work was the “sits and reach" test. It was measured hamstring extensibility of all swimmers (N = 36) of both sexes, who train in Spanish aquatic center modernization. The age of the study participants is between 13 and 17 years. This population of swimmers has been divided into four different groups, depending on the style of swimming in which they are specialized (crawl, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly). To determine the influence of swimming style on the results obtained in the test "sit and reach", it having had applied an initial test before, and a final test nine months later, which have had permitted also know the measurements evolution. In conclusion, the hamstring muscle extensibility and its evolution have had being not conditioned by swimming style of the swimmer

Physical Education and eoretical knowledege: a cross-cultural study in Argentina, Brazil and Spain

Desde hace unos años, instituciones públicas educativas de diferentes países promueven la inclusión de contenidos teórico-conceptuales en los currículos de Educación Física. La formación de un ciudadano autónomo y con un estilo de vida activo constituye el objetivo central de esa inclusión. Sin embargo, se desconoce el efecto de estas recomendaciones, siendo esta cuestión, como se recoge en la cuarta edición del Research on Teaching in Physical Education, la menos investigada en la enseñanza de la Educación Física. En ese contexto, este estudio pretende conocer el resultado de la inclusión de conceptos en la enseñanza de la Educación Física en Argentina, Brasil y España, y analizar la posible relación existente entre el conocimiento teórico-conceptual y la frecuencia de actividad física (faf). Participaron 4.304 adolescentes de entre 12 y 17 años (14,2 ± 1,7), a los que se aplicó un cuestionario sobre conceptos (cacef-r) y escalas de faf. Los resultados indican que en ningún país se alcanza la puntuación media (aprobado) en conocimiento teórico-conceptual, encontrándose diferencias significativas entre ellos (p <0.000). En el mejor caso (población española), solo un 30% alcanza dicha media. Con respecto a la FAF, cerca del 50% de escolares no realiza suficiente actividad física para obtener beneficios sobre la salud, configurando una población con tendencia sedentaria y con diferencias significativas en función del género (anova: Argentina, F = 74.366, p<0.000; Brasil, F=169.024, p<0.000; España, F=248.616, p<0.000). El análisis de correlación (r = 0.198, p<0.01) y de regresión (R² = 0.039) revela una relación significativa entre conocimientos teórico-conceptuales y la faf. En definitiva, existe un bajo nivel de conocimientos teórico-conceptuales y un alto porcentaje de escolares con estilo de vida sedentario. Dada la necesidad de analizar los factores que puedan influir en un estilo de vida saludable, es oportuno señalar la relación significativa existente entre conocimiento y faf.For some years public educational institutions of different countries have been encouraging the inclusion of theoretical/conceptual knowledge in physical education curricula. The central objective of so doing is to teach students to become independent citizens who engage in an active lifestyle. However, the effect of these recommendations is unknown. As noted in the fourth edition of Research on Teaching in Physical Education, this is the least-researched topic in physical education teaching. This study attempts to ascertain the outcome of including concepts in physical education in Argentina, Brazil and Spain and to analyze the potential link between this theoretical/ conceptual knowledge and the frequency of physical activity (fpa). The participants are 4,304 teenagers between 12 and 17 years old (14.2 ± 1.7). A concept questionnaire (cacef-r) and fpa scales are applied. The results show that no country reaches the average score (“pass”) in theoretical/ conceptual knowledge. Significant differences are found between them (p<0.000). In the best case (the Spanish population), only 30% reach the average score. Findings on fpa show that close to 50% of students do not engage in sufficient physical activity to obtain health benefits. These students form a population with a sedentary trend and significant gender differences Revista de Educación, 356. Septiembre-diciembre 2011, pp. 653-675 Fecha de entrada: 07-01-2009 Fecha de aceptación: 17-06-2009 655 Velázquez Buendía, R., Hernández Álvarez, J. L., Martínez Gorroño, M. E. y Martínez de Haro, V. Educación Física y conocimiento teórico-conceptual: estudio trans-cultural en Argentina, Brasil y España (anova: Argentina, F=74.366, p <0.000; Brazil, F=169.024, p<0.000; Spain, F=248.616, p<0.000). The correlation analysis (r = 0.198, p<0.01) and regression analysis (R² = 0.039) show a significant relationship between theoretical/conceptual knowledge and fpa. In short, there is a low level of theoretical/conceptual knowledge and a high percentage of students with a sedentary lifestyle. Given the need to analyze the factors that could influence a healthy lifestyle, it is advisable to note the significant relationship between knowledge and fpa.Este artículo es producto (parcial) de los resultados obtenidos en dos proyectos de investigación, uno financiado por el Banco Santander Central Hispano en el marco de la cuarta convocatoria de Proyectos de Investigación uaM-bsch para la cooperación con América Latina (investigación realizada en Argentina y Brasil); y otro financiado por el Ministerio de Educación, Política Social y Deporte en el marco del Programa Nacional de i+d+i (código seJ2007-67267/edu) (investigación realizada en España)