Encuesta sobre la percepción de barreras y apoyos en la elección de estudios STEM dirigida a estudiantes de secundaria

Este cuestionario se enmarca en un estudio de investigación que estudia la percepción que tienen los estudiantes de enseñanza media sobre las carreras y disciplinas científico-tecnológicas. El objetivo de este cuestionario es detectar barreras y apoyos para iniciar estudios en carreras STEM y cómo éstos difieren por género u otras variables. El estudio está enmarcado en el Proyecto de Innovación Docente "InGenias: Fomentando vocaciones tecnológicas y la divulgación científica".Teoría de la Señal y Comunicaciones e Ingeniería TelemáticaEl objetivo de este cuestionario es ayudar a detectar barreras y apoyos para iniciar estudios en carreras STEM y cómo éstos difieren por género u otras variables. Este cuestionario se enmarca en un proyecto de investigación que estudia la percepción que tienen los estudiantes de enseñanza media sobre las carreras y disciplinas científico-tecnológicas. Este estudio se enmarca en el Proyecto de Innovación Docente "InGenias: Fomentando vocaciones tecnológicas y la divulgación científica"Cuestionari

Analysis of barriers, supports and gender gap in the choice of STEM studies in secondary education

Producción CientíficaSociety is more digitised than ever and there is an urgent need to train people in these sec- tors, where women are still under-represented. A quantitative descriptive, correlational and explanatory descriptive design was used to identify barriers, supports and gender gaps in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in Secondary Education by analysing the interest and perception of 1562 students and 432 teachers. Descriptive statistics, Chi- square and Lambda test and Crame’s V or Phi test were performed together with a qualita- tive analysis. The results show that fewer female students want to pursue STEM studies, with girls preferring health and education professions and boys preferring engineering and computer science. Indeed, their motivation is different since we found correlations between being a girl and choosing STEM for helping people and society, while earning money is important for boys. Girls believe more necessary than boys to have qualities to study STEM and less often perceive themselves as intelligent and courageous. Our study revealed that families and teachers encourage more boys than girls towards STEM activities. Teachers believe that girls are influence by preconceived ideas, lack of STEM knowledge and lower self-esteem. Regarding gender equality, almost half state that no objectives are included in the curricula, 43.85% do not include it in subjects and only 30% received training. Consequently, female vocations need to be promoted by teaching how STEM solves real-life problems, fostering creativity, increasing self-confidence, promot- ing STEM activities and making female role models visible. Teachers should receive more gender training and promote gender-sensitive STEM education.Publicación en abierto financiada por el Consorcio de Bibliotecas Universitarias de Castilla y León (BUCLE), con cargo al Programa Operativo 2014ES16RFOP009 FEDER 2014-2020 DE CASTILLA Y LEÓN, Actuación:20007-CL - Apoyo Consorcio BUCL

Dieta informativa de universitarios en aplicaciones : estudio de caso de UVaNow como app interdisciplinaria entre las áreas de Periodismo y Telecomunicación

La transformación constante del perfil de la audiencia y sus hábitos informativos obliga a mantener un estudio actualizado para conocer nuevos usos y segmentos de mercado, un aspecto más destacado en las generaciones jóvenes debido a su dieta informativa cambiante, lo que afecta a la enseñanza periodística. Esta investigación ofrece una aproximación sobre el uso informativo de aplicaciones móviles que realizan los estudiantes universitarios. A su vez, se vincula con un estudio de caso de la aplicación universitaria UVaNow, en el marco de aplicación hiperlocal y de aprendizaje electrónico móvil. Esta aplicación ha sido impulsada desde el proyecto de innovación docente LabcomUva, con un desarrollo tecnológico interdisciplinario entre las áreas de Periodismo y Telecomunicación de la Universidad de Valladolid. El estudio recurre a una doble metodología cuantitativa y cualitativa mediante la utilización de una encuesta (N = 294) y un grupo focal. Los resultados confirman que los universitarios descargan una media de 20 aplicaciones y que, pese a que su principal fuente de noticias son las redes sociales, se siguen informando a través de las aplicaciones mediáticas debido a la profesionalidad, la veracidad y la reputación de estas. Respecto al análisis empírico sobre nuevas aplicaciones en el aula, este indica que prefieren hacer un uso utilitario de las aplicaciones universitarias antes que informativo y que ofrezcan información multimedia y servicios personalizables.La transformació constant del perfil de l'audiència i els seus hàbits informatius obliga a mantenir un estudi actualitzat per conèixer nous usos i segments de mercat, un aspecte més destacat en les generacions joves a causa de la seva dieta informativa canviant, la qual cosa afecta l'ensenyament periodístic. Aquesta recerca ofereix una aproximació sobre l'ús informatiu d'aplicacions mòbils que realitzen els estudiants universitaris. Alhora, es vincula amb un estudi de cas de l'aplicació universitària UVaNow, en el marc de l'aplicació hiperlocal i de l'aprenentatge electrònic mòbil. Aquesta aplicació ha estat impulsada des del projecte d'innovació docent LabcomUva, amb un desenvolupament tecnològic interdisciplinari entre les àrees de Periodisme i Telecomunicació de la Universitat de Valladolid. L'estudi recorre a una doble metodologia quantitativa i qualitativa mitjançant la utilització d'una enquesta (N = 294) i un grup de discussió. Els resultats confirmen que els universitaris descarreguen una mitjana de 20 aplicacions i que, malgrat que la seva principal font de notícies són les xarxes socials, es continuen informant a través de les aplicacions mediàtiques a causa de la professionalitat, la veracitat i la reputació d'aquestes. Respecte de l'anàlisi empírica sobre noves aplicacions a l'aula, aquesta indica que prefereixen fer un ús utilitari de les aplicacions universitàries abans que informatiu i que ofereixin informació multimèdia i serveis personalitzables.The constantly changing profile of audiences and their information consumption habits makes updated analysis necessary in order to learn about new uses and market segments. It is particularly necessary for younger generations, given their changing diet of information sources, something which affects journalism teaching. This research looks at the use of smartphone news apps among university students. It focuses on a case study of the university app UVaNow, in its context as a hyperlocal and m-learning app. The app is the fruit of twas developed by the LabcomUva project for innovative teaching, an interdisciplinary initiative which brings together the areas of journalism and telecommunications at the University of Valladolid. The analysis uses a mixed quantitative and qualitative methodology, combining a survey of students at the University of Valladolid (N = 294) and a focus group. The results show that university students download an average of 20 apps, and although their main source of news is social media, they continue to read digital newspapers for their professionalism, reliability and reputation. Empirical analysis of news apps in the classroom indicates that students prefer to use university apps for utilitarian reasons, rather than news apps, as they offer multimedia information and services that can be personalised

The application of advanced oxidation technologies to the treatment of effluents from the pulp and paper industry: a review

Producción CientíficaPaper industry is adopting zero liquid effluent technologies to reduce fresh water use and meet environmental regulations, which implies water circuits closure and the progressive accumulation of pollutants that must be removed before water re-use and final wastewater discharge. The traditional water treatment technologies that are used in paper mills (such as dissolve air flotation or biological treatment) are not able to remove recalcitrant contaminants. Therefore, advanced water treatment technologies, such as advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), are being included in industrial wastewater treatment chains aiming to either improve water biodegradability or its final quality. A comprehensive review of the current state of the art regarding the use of AOPs for the treatment of the organic load of effluents from the paper industry is herein addressed considering mature and emerging treatments for a sustainable water use in this sector. Wastewater composition, which is highly dependent of the raw materials being used in the mills, the selected AOP itself, and its combination with other technologies, will determine the viability of the treatment. In general, all AOPs have been reported to achieve good organics removal efficiencies (COD removal >40%; and about an extra 20% if AOPs are combined with biological stages). Particularly, ozonation has been the most extensively reported and successfully implemented AOP at an industrial scale for effluent treatment or reuse within pulp and paper mills; although Fenton processes (photo-Fenton particularly) have actually addressed better oxidative results (COD removal ≈65-75%) at lab scale, but still need further development at large scale.Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid - (Proyecto P-2009/AMB/1480)Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación - (Proyecto CIT-310000-2008-15

Programa de orientación entre iguales en educación superior para la adquisición de competencias instrumentales

RESUMENLas necesidades detectadas en los estudiantes de nuevo ingreso de las Escuelas Técnicas Superiores de Ingenieros de Telecomunicación han llevado a plantear iniciativas de mentoría formal en sus grados. Estas carencias están relacionadas con una escasa orientación previa a la Universidad, gran heterogeneidad del alumnado, alto índice de fracaso académico en el primer curso y falta de información acerca de la inserción laboral. Este artículo pretende dar a conocer el programa MENTUm cuya finalidad es que estudiantes de últimos cursos ofrezcan apoyo e incentiven el aprendizaje e integración de estudiantes de primero con el objetivo de detectar las dificultades personales y académicas que presentan y desarrollar competencias instrumentales. La metodología de investigación empleada consiste en un Estudio de Caso desde un enfoque mixto, empleando técnicas tanto cuantitativas como cualitativas con la finalidad de alcanzar la mayor comprensión del programa en una de sus cuatro dimensiones: dar respuesta a las necesidades del alumnado de nuevo ingreso. Para la recogida de información, se han empleado tres técnicas de recogida de datos: cuestionarios, observaciones y entrevistas. Los resultados muestran que las dificultades personales tienen que ver con la falta de concentración, planificación y organización del tiempo, mientras que las dificultades académicas tienen que ver más con la falta de conocimientos previos ante los contenidos de las asignaturas. Como conclusiones hemos constatado que los estudiantes son conscientes desde su ingreso a la Universidad de la importancia de desarrollar competencias instrumentales de aprendizaje autónomo y planificación a medida que transcurre el año académico.ABSTRACT The needs detected in the new students of the Higher Technical Schools of Telecommunication Engineers have led to propose initiatives of formal mentoring in their grades. These shortcomings are related to a poor orientation prior to the University, great heterogeneity of the students, high rate of academic failure in the first year and lack of information about the labor insertion. This article describes the MENTUm program, whose purpose is for senior students to support and encourage the learning and integration of first-year students with the aim of detecting the personal and academic difficulties they present and developing some instrumental skills. The research methodology used consists of a Case Study from a mixed approach, using both quantitative and qualitative techniques in order to achieve a greater understanding of the program in one of its four dimensions: respond to the needs of new students. For the collection of information, three data collection techniques have been used: questionnaires, observations and interviews. The results show that personal difficulties have to do with the lack of concentration, planning and organization of time, while academic difficulties have more to do with the lack of prior knowledge regarding the contents of the subjects. As conclusions, we have verified that the students are aware from their beginning at the University of the importance of developing instrumental skills of autonomous learning and planning as the academic year progresses

NFV and SDN-based differentiated traffic treatment for residential networks

Producción CientíficaResidential networks play a critical role in assuring that services or applications such as tele-work, tele-education, medical care, entertainment, home automation, among others, have the required resources to obtain an optimal performance. Although current residential gateways try to meet the Quality of Service (QoS) demands, the traditional networking paradigm does not have the appropriate mechanisms to address the heterogeneous and dynamic nature of the services running at home. In this context, a feasible solution consists of leveraging the flexibility and adaptability of the Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) paradigms to provide a differentiated traffic treatment intended to improve the QoS support of residential networks. The proposal takes advantage of the Service Function Chaining (SFC) concept intrinsic to NFV as well as the capacity of an SDN-based residential gateway to differentiate the traffic of a certain application. Thus, an association between an SFC and the differentiated traffic is stablished to apply a specific treatment. Besides, a comprehensive architecture composed of the software defined residential network (SDRN), the software defined access network (SDOAN) and the NFV-compliant ISP's edge cloud infrastructure is envisioned. This architecture would allow dramatically improving the life cycle management of the residential network from a centralized point which follows a user-centric approach.Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (grants TEC2015-67834-R, TEC2017-84423-C3-1-P, RED2018-102585-T and 0677_DISRUPTIVE_2_E

The possibility of removal of endocrine disrupters from paper mill waste waters using anaerobic and aerobic biological treatment, membrane bioreactor, ultra-filtration, reverse osmosis and advanced oxidation processes

Producción CientíficaAn endocrine disrupter is an exogenous agent that interferes with the synthesis, binding, secretion, transport, action or elimination of natural hormones in the body that are responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis, reproduction, development, and behaviour. Some of them are suspected of causing abnormalities in sperm and increasing hormone-related cancers in humans. Studies have also been published on the estrogen-like responses of endocrine disrupters in wildlife, such as birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish. Endocrine disrupters include a wide variety of pollutants such as alkylphenols, bisphenol A, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates, heavy metals, and natural or synthetic hormones. They may be released into the environment in different ways. One of the most important sources of endocrine disrupters are industrial waste waters. The conventional waste water treatment processes are not specifically designed to remove traces of dangerous organic contaminants (except for heavy metals) so the latter are consequently consumed by aquatic organisms and through them may also enter human food chain. In the presented research the following treatments for removing of organic endocrine disrupting compounds from paper mill waste waters were compared: anaerobic biological treatment, membrane bioreactor, and reverse osmosis (pilot plant A), and combined (anaerobic and aerobic) biological treatment, ultra-filtration and reverse osmosis (pilot plant B) at pilot scale and advanced oxidation processes (Fenton, photo-Fenton, photo-catalysis with TiO2 and ozonation) at laboratory scale. The results indicated that the concentrations of organic endocrine compounds from paper mill waste waters were efficiently reduced (100%) by both combinations of pilot plants, photo-Fenton oxidation (95%) while the ozonation, photo-catalysis with TiO2 reagent and Fenton reaction was less effective (70–80%).Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid - (Proyecto S-0505/AMB-0100)Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación - (Proyecto CTM2008-06886-C02- 01)Unión Europea - (Project 211534

Artificial intelligence (AI) methods in optical networks: A comprehensive survey

Producción CientíficaArtificial intelligence (AI) is an extensive scientific discipline which enables computer systems to solve problems by emulating complex biological processes such as learning, reasoning and self-correction. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the application of AI techniques for improving performance of optical communication systems and networks. The use of AI-based techniques is first studied in applications related to optical transmission, ranging from the characterization and operation of network components to performance monitoring, mitigation of nonlinearities, and quality of transmission estimation. Then, applications related to optical network control and management are also reviewed, including topics like optical network planning and operation in both transport and access networks. Finally, the paper also presents a summary of opportunities and challenges in optical networking where AI is expected to play a key role in the near future.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (Project EC2014-53071-C3-2-P, TEC2015-71932-REDT

IWQoS 2017

Producción CientíficaThe promises of SDN and NFV technologies to boost innovation and to reduce the time-to-market of new services is changing the way in which residential networks will be deployed, managed and maintained in the near future. New user-centric management models for residential networks combining SDN-based residential gateways and cloud technologies have already been proposed, providing flexibility and ease of deployment. Extending the scope of SDN technologies to optical access networks and bringing cloud technologies to the edge of the network enable the creation of advanced residential networks in which complex service function chains can be established to provide traffic differentiation. In this context, this paper defines a novel network management model based on a user-centric approach that allows residential users to define and control access network resources and the dynamic provision of traffic differentiation to fulfill QoS requirements.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (context of GREDOS project TEC2015 -67834- R, TEC2014-53071- C3 -2P and Elastic Networks TEC2015-71932- REDT

Hexavalent Chromium Removal from Industrial Wastewater by Adsorption and Reduction onto Cationic Cellulose Nanocrystals

Cationic cellulose nanocrystals (CCNC) are lignocellulosic bio-nanomaterials that present large, specific areas rich with active surface cationic groups. This study shows the adsorption removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from industrial wastewaters by the CCNC. The CCNC were synthetized through periodate oxidation and Girard’s reagent-T cationization. The high value of CCNCs cationic groups and anionic demand reveal probable nanocrystal-Cr(VI) attraction. Adsorption was performed with synthetic Cr(VI) water at different pH, dosage, Cr(VI) concentration and temperature. Fast removal of Cr(VI) was found while operating at pH 3 and 100 mg·L −1 of dosage. Nevertheless, a first slower complete removal of chromium was achieved by a lower CCNC dosage (40 mg·L −1 ). Cr(VI) was fully converted by CCNC into less-toxic trivalent species, kept mainly attached to the material surface. The maximum adsorption capacity was 44 mg·g −1 . Two mechanisms were found for low chromium concentrations (Pseudo-first and pseudo-second kinetic models and continuous growth multi-step intraparticle) and for high concentrations (Elovich model and sequential fast growth-plateau-slow growth intraparticle steps). The Sips model was the best-fitting isotherm. Isotherm thermodynamic analysis indicated a dominant physical sorption. The Arrhenius equation revealed an activation energy between physical and chemical adsorption. CCNC application at selected conditions in industrial wastewater achieved a legal discharge limit of 40 min.Depto. de Ingeniería Química y de MaterialesFac. de Ciencias QuímicasTRUEComunidad de Madrid y Ministerio de Economía y CompetitividadMinisterio de Economía y Competitividadpu