Desarrollo de una herramienta de planificación para redes WiMAX

Las comunidades que habitan en las áreas rurales de países con bajos o medios ingresos se encuentran muchas veces aisladas de los procesos de desarrollo del país debido a las deficiencias en las comunicaciones con los núcleos urbanos. En este escenario las Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones (TIC) han demostrado tener un efecto multiplicador en el desarrollo humano dotando de conectividad a escuelas, centros de salud, ayuntamientos o telecentros, y mejorando así la calidad de vida de esas comunidades. Actualmente se está investigando en soluciones tecnológicas apropiadas y con un coste reducido que permitan ofrecer la mencionada conectividad. En esta línea, la tecnología WiMAX, basada en el estándar 802.16-2009, permite desplegar redes inalámbricas punto-multipunto de largo alcance empleando bandas libres o licenciadas. Sin embargo, el diseño y planificación de este tipo de redes requiere de un conocimiento detallado del estándar o disponer de herramientas de diseño que tienen un coste alto en el mercado. En este estudio se ha desarrollado una herramienta de planificación de redes WiMAX para bandas libres y de bajo coste. El objetivo ha sido reducir el coste del diseño y planificación de este tipo de redes, facilitando así su despliegue en países en desarrollo. En primer lugar se ha efectuado un estudio del estándar 802.16-2009 y una revisión bibliográfica sobre el problema del cálculo del throughput y la latencia de un flujo. A partir de este estudio se ha propuesto un modelo para el cálculo del throughput basado en el estudio del estándar. También se ha desarrollado un modelo para el cálculo de la latencia basado en el funcionamiento de los sistemas TDMA y en el análisis de medidas empíricas mediante un estimador MMSE. Después se ha llevado a cabo una revisión de herramientas gratuitas de análisis de radioenlaces que calcularan la SNR y la longitud de los enlaces usando datos sobre el terreno. Tras comparar estas herramientas, se ha decidido trabajar con Radio Mobile en este proyecto porque dispone de un interfaz gráfico y soporta redes inalámbricas con decenas de usuarios. Empleando el lenguaje JAVA se ha implementado la herramienta de planificación de redes WiMAX que aplica los modelos propuestos de cálculo de throughput y latencia. Esta herramienta lee los datos sobre el enlace (SNR y longitud) de un fichero exportado de Radio Mobile y distribuye los recursos que ofrece la tecnología WiMAX en función de los flujos definidos por el usuario. Finalmente se ha validado el funcionamiento de la herramienta y los resultados que proporciona a través de medidas empíricas sobre escenarios de pruebas. El análisis de estas medidas demuestra que la herramienta desarrollada permite diseñar y planificar redes WiMAX con un error bajo y acotado.Ingeniería de Telecomunicació

The TUCAN3G project: wireless technologies for isolated rural communities in developing countries based on 3G small-cell deployments

Recent years have witnessed a massive penetration of cellular systems in developing countries. However, isolated rural areas (sparsely inhabited by low-income population) have been disregarded because classical access and backhaul technologies do not ensure the return on investment. This article presents innovative techno-economical solutions to provide these areas with cellular voice and data services. We first analyze the general characteristics of isolated rural communities, and based on this information, low-cost solutions are designed for both access (using 3G access points) and backhaul networks (using non-carrier grade equipment as WiFi for long distances or WiMAX in non-licensed bands). Subsequently, a study of population-dependent income vs. costs is presented, and a new business model is proposed involving mobile network operators, rural operators, and infrastructure providers. In order to test these solutions, we have built two demonstration platforms in the Peruvian jungle that have allowed validation of the technical feasibility of the solution, verifying the business model assumptions and the scalability of the initiative.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

SOCS1-derived peptide administered by eye drops prevents retinal neuroinflammation and vascular leakage in experimental diabetes

Diabetic retinopathy; Neuroinflammation; Suppressors of cytokine signalingRetinopatía diabética; Neuroinflamación; Supresores de señalizadores de citoquinasRetinopatia diabètica; Neuroinflamació; Supressors de senyalitzadors de citoquinesCurrent treatments for diabetic retinopathy (DR) target late stages when vision has already been significantly affected. Accumulating evidence suggests that neuroinflammation plays a major role in the pathogenesis of DR, resulting in the disruption of the blood-retinal barrier. Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) are cytokine-inducible proteins that function as a negative feedback loop regulating cytokine responses. On this basis, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a SOCS1-derived peptide administered by eye drops (2 weeks) on retinal neuroinflammation and early microvascular abnormalities in a db/db mouse model. In brief, we found that SOCS1-derived peptide significantly reduced glial activation and neural apoptosis induced by diabetes, as well as retinal levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Moreover, a significant improvement of electroretinogram parameters was observed, thus revealing a clear impact of the histological findings on global retinal function. Finally, SOCS1-derived peptide prevented the disruption of the blood-retinal barrier. Overall, our results suggest that topical administration of SOCS1-derived peptide is effective in preventing retinal neuroinflammation and early microvascular impairment. These findings could open up a new strategy for the treatment of early stages of DR.This study was supported by grants from the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (PI16/00541, SAF2015-63696-R, PI14/00386, PI17/01495 and DTS-2017/00203). Cristina Sola-Adell is a recipient of a Predoctoral Research Grant from MINECO (BES-2013-064944). Joel Sampedro is a recipient of a Predoctoral Research Grant from AGAUR

Desarrollo de estrategias para la proyección profesional del perfil docente musicológico: investigación y educación en torno a la música incidental y el montaje escenográfico

Memoria ID-0088. Ayudas de la Universidad de Salamanca para la innovación docente, curso 2016-2017

Atrasentan and renal events in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (SONAR): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Short-term treatment for people with type 2 diabetes using a low dose of the selective endothelin A receptor antagonist atrasentan reduces albuminuria without causing significant sodium retention. We report the long-term effects of treatment with atrasentan on major renal outcomes. Methods: We did this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial at 689 sites in 41 countries. We enrolled adults aged 18–85 years with type 2 diabetes, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)25–75 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 of body surface area, and a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR)of 300–5000 mg/g who had received maximum labelled or tolerated renin–angiotensin system inhibition for at least 4 weeks. Participants were given atrasentan 0·75 mg orally daily during an enrichment period before random group assignment. Those with a UACR decrease of at least 30% with no substantial fluid retention during the enrichment period (responders)were included in the double-blind treatment period. Responders were randomly assigned to receive either atrasentan 0·75 mg orally daily or placebo. All patients and investigators were masked to treatment assignment. The primary endpoint was a composite of doubling of serum creatinine (sustained for ≥30 days)or end-stage kidney disease (eGFR <15 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 sustained for ≥90 days, chronic dialysis for ≥90 days, kidney transplantation, or death from kidney failure)in the intention-to-treat population of all responders. Safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of their assigned study treatment. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01858532. Findings: Between May 17, 2013, and July 13, 2017, 11 087 patients were screened; 5117 entered the enrichment period, and 4711 completed the enrichment period. Of these, 2648 patients were responders and were randomly assigned to the atrasentan group (n=1325)or placebo group (n=1323). Median follow-up was 2·2 years (IQR 1·4–2·9). 79 (6·0%)of 1325 patients in the atrasentan group and 105 (7·9%)of 1323 in the placebo group had a primary composite renal endpoint event (hazard ratio [HR]0·65 [95% CI 0·49–0·88]; p=0·0047). Fluid retention and anaemia adverse events, which have been previously attributed to endothelin receptor antagonists, were more frequent in the atrasentan group than in the placebo group. Hospital admission for heart failure occurred in 47 (3·5%)of 1325 patients in the atrasentan group and 34 (2·6%)of 1323 patients in the placebo group (HR 1·33 [95% CI 0·85–2·07]; p=0·208). 58 (4·4%)patients in the atrasentan group and 52 (3·9%)in the placebo group died (HR 1·09 [95% CI 0·75–1·59]; p=0·65). Interpretation: Atrasentan reduced the risk of renal events in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease who were selected to optimise efficacy and safety. These data support a potential role for selective endothelin receptor antagonists in protecting renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk of developing end-stage kidney disease. Funding: AbbVie

Interdisciplinary Alliances to Deploy Telemedicine Services in Isolated Communities: The Napo Project Case

Rural telecommunications projects in developing regions have a long history of unsuccessful experiences due to the complexity of such projects: Practically none of the dimensions of integral sustainability are straight forward in such projects. When sustainability becomes a priority, it is difficult for traditional alliances of development to account for all critical success factors. In the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest, some institutions have developed rural telecommunications projects along the Napo River during the last 10 years. The experience has shown at each stage what aspects of sustainability were not taken into account because the partners involved did not have all the needed capacities, and this has made the alliances of partners evolve in a sustainability-driven manner. This paper analyzes these cases and assesses how sustainability has evolved in relation to the structure of such alliances

Telemedicine Networks of EHAS Foundation in Latin America

Rural areas in developing countries are characterized by lack of resources, low population density and scarcity of communications infrastructure. These circumstances make it difficult to provide appropriate healthcare services. This paper explains research results achieved by EHAS (Enlace Hispano Americano de Salud - Hispano American Health Link) and how they have contributed to improve healthcare in isolated areas of developing countries through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). As the first step, EHAS always collaborates with public health systems to identify its communication and information needs. Based on the analysis of needs, EHAS does research on appropriate technologies to provide communication in each context and on information systems suited to needs of health personnel. In parallel, EHAS has worked to provide applications that, making use of the communications services installed, could improve the healthcare services in these remote areas. In this line, solutions to improve epidemiological surveillance or to provide telemedicine services (like a digital stethoscope or a tele-microscopy system) have been developed. EHAS has also performed several researches trying to ensure the sustainability of their solutions and has summarized them in a Management Framework for Sustainable e-Healthcare Provision. Finally, the effort to spread acquired knowledge has crystallized in a book that details all the technologies and procedures previously mentioned

The TUCAN3G project: wireless technologies for isolated rural communities in developing countries based on 3G small-cell deployments

Recent years have witnessed a massive penetration of cellular systems in developing countries. However, isolated rural areas (sparsely inhabited by low-income population) have been disregarded because classical access and backhaul technologies do not ensure the return on investment. This article presents innovative techno-economical solutions to provide these areas with cellular voice and data services. We first analyze the general characteristics of isolated rural communities, and based on this information, low-cost solutions are designed for both access (using 3G access points) and backhaul networks (using non-carrier grade equipment as WiFi for long distances or WiMAX in non-licensed bands). Subsequently, a study of population-dependent income vs. costs is presented, and a new business model is proposed involving mobile network operators, rural operators, and infrastructure providers. In order to test these solutions, we have built two demonstration platforms in the Peruvian jungle that have allowed validation of the technical feasibility of the solution, verifying the business model assumptions and the scalability of the initiative.Peer Reviewe

Deliverable D22 (project TUCAN3G). Operational technical handbook

This document shows a detailed plan for the work required to accomplish the objectives of TUCAN3G. All partners have contributed to this document by defining tasks and subtask, in coordination with the technical coordinator and the leader of each work package. Mechanisms for technical supervision are described, and the organizational chart presented