Wireless body area network platform utilizing energy-efficient routing of physiological data

Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs) consist of several wireless sensors located around a human body. These sensors may measure several biological signals, movement, and temperature. Due to major improvements in power consumption and constantly shrinking devices, WBANs are becoming ubiquitous. As a side effect present because of the small form factor of these devices, the battery size is limited. While the sensors themselves may be extremely power efficient, all of the measured data must be transmitted over a much less efficient wireless link. One benefit of WBANs is that they rarely include more than a dozen wireless devices over a small area. This constraint allows for the use of routing techniques not suitable for larger wireless sensor networks(WSNs). Presented in this work is a novel global routing algorithm link-cost function to maximize network lifetime in WBANs. Also included are a basic software framework for developing WBANs, a sample Wireless Electrocardiogram (ECG) application, and a simple link cost algorithm development platform

Can accelerated aging procedures predict the long term behavior of polymers exposed to different environments?

none2siDuring their useful life, polymers are subject to degradation processes due to exposure to specific environmental conditions over long times. These processes generally lead to changes, almost always irreversible, of properties and performances of polymers, changes which would be useful to be able to predict in advance. To meet this need, numerous investigations have been focused on the possibility to predict the long-term performance of polymers, if exposed to specific environments, by the so called “accelerated aging” tests. In such procedures, the long-term behavior of polymeric materials is typically predicted by subjecting them to cycles of radiations, temperatures, vapor condensation, and other external agents, at levels well above those found in true conditions in order to accelerate the degradation of polymers: this can produce effects that substantially deviate from those observable under natural exposure. Even following the standard codes, different environmental parameters are often used in the diverse studies, making it difficult to compare different investigations. The correlation of results from accelerated procedures with data collected after natural exposure is still a debated matter. Furthermore, since the environmental conditions are a function of the season and the geographical position, and are also characteristic of the type of exposure area, the environmental parameters to be used in accelerated aging tests should also consider these variables. These and other issues concerning accelerated aging tests applied to polymers are analyzed in the present work. However, bearing in mind the limitations of these practices, they can find useful applications for rating the durability of polymeric materials.openM. Frigione, A. Rodríguez-PrietoFrigione, M.; Rodríguez-Prieto, A

Lithic raw material in the Cantabrian region: Dialectical relationship between flint and quartzite in the Palaeolithic record

The increase, in quantitative and qualitative terms, of research attending to the geological nature of rocks found in archaeological contexts is changing our perspectives about social and economic territories articulated by Palaeolithic societies in the Cantabrian Region. Practically the only raw material researched in a solid geoarchaeological approach in this area is flint. This paper addresses how the near absence of in-depth geoarchaeological research into raw materials other than flint is modifying our perception of the procurement and management mechanism of raw material in the Cantabrian Region during the Palaeolithic. To consider this matter in depth, we present the bibliographic and quantitative analysis of 30 representative archaeological sites from the Cantabrian Region whose assemblages were described lithologically using basic and primary categories. The state of play depicts a geographic distribution of raw material in the Cantabrian Region where quartzite is associated with the western sector and flint with the east. Interconnected with this axis, there is a chronological tendency that promotes standardisation in the use of flint by Palaeolithic societies following a chronological order, from the older to the more recent periods. This information, and its contextualisation with the new perspectives resulting from the application of the geoarchaeological proposal used to understand flint procurement, allows us to understand the general tendencies of raw material distribution of the region. Especially, we can detect how the absence of geoarchaeological methodologies of other raw materials than flint has modified the perception of the economic and social dynamics articulated around raw material by Palaeolithic people. This bias does not only affect the geographical and chronological axes, emphasising information from the regions and periods where flint is represented, but also promotes the over-interpretation of long-distance procurement, therefore, building up narratives exclusively based on human mobility. This situation has generated an incomplete and unbalanced picture of the procurement and management strategies followed by Palaeolithic societies because quartzite, the second most-often used lithic raw material, and other raw materials have only been studied using geoarchaeological methods within the last few years. This research finally points to the continuation of in-depth research of quartzite and other raw materials as the next steps to re-interpret the current paradigms about procurement and management of raw material by Palaeolithic societies, and, therefore, modify our perspectives of social and economic territories

Màquines de moviment perpetu i generació d’energia lliure: impossibles

Aquest treball de fi de grau aborda el tema dels mòbils perpetus, una idea que ha estat perseguida al llarg de la història de la física com el que podria ser l'equivalent a la panacea per a la generació d'energia. Tot i que el concepte d'un mòbil perpetu sembla tenir una atracció intrínseca per a molts, la física demostra que aquests dispositius no poden funcionar. L'objectiu d'aquest TFG és proporcionar una anàlisi de la història i la contribució dels mòbils perpetus a la ciència, així com fer una anàlisi de certes màquines de moviment perpetu concretes utilitzant coneixements i eines apreses durant els estudis per demostrar que no funcionen. El treball comença amb una anàlisi històrica dels mòbils perpetus, des de l'origen i l'evolució fins a la situació actual, s'examinen els mòbils perpetus naturals. Tot seguit, s'aborda la demostració que els mòbils perpetus són impossibles. Per fer-ho, s'analitzen els principis de la termodinàmica, que estableixen que l'energia no pot ser creada ni destruïda, només transformada. A més, s'explican diversos principis físics que seran utilitzats més endavant per analitzar diverses màquines de moviment perpetu. Finalment, es fa una anàlisi física de diversos mòbils perpetus que han estat proposats al llarg de la història per demostrar per què no poden funcionar. S'examinen dispositius que fan ús de la gravetat, el magnetisme i altres efectes físics per intentar generar moviment perpetu, però es mostra que cap d'ells pot funcionar doncs violen algun dels conceptes físics que s'han explicat amb anterioritat. En conclusió, aquest TFG proporciona una anàlisi completa dels mòbils perpetus, la seva història, així com una demostració física de per què aquests dispositius són impossibles. Tot i que la idea d'un mòbil perpetu pot continuar sent atractiva per a alguns, la física demostra que aquests dispositius són un ideal inassolible i que l'energia ha de ser generada a partir de fonts externes, com el sol, el vent, l'aigua o els combusEste trabajo de fin de grado aborda el tema de los móviles perpetuos, una idea que ha sido perseguida a lo largo de la historia de la física como el que podría ser el equivalente a la panacea para la generación de energía. A pesar de que el concepto de un móvil perpetuo parece tener una atracción intrínseca para muchos, la física demuestra que estos dispositivos no pueden funcionar. El objetivo de este TFG es proporcionar un análisis de la historia y la contribución de los móviles perpetuos a la ciencia, así como hacer un análisis de ciertas máquinas de movimiento perpetuo concretas utilizando conocimientos y herramientas aprendidas durante los estudios para demostrar que no funcionan. El trabajo empieza con un análisis histórico de los móviles perpetuos, desde el origen y la evolución hasta la situación actual, se examinan los móviles perpetuos naturales. A continuación, se aborda la demostración que los móviles perpetuos son imposibles. Para hacerlo, se analizan los principios de la termodinámica, que establecen que la energía no puede ser creada ni destruida, solo transformada. Además, se explican varios principios físicos que serán utilizados más adelante para analizar varias máquinas de movimiento perpetuo. Finalmente, se hace un análisis físico de varios móviles perpetuos que han sido propuestos a lo largo de la historia para demostrar por qué no pueden funcionar. Se examinan dispositivos que hacen uso de la gravedad, el magnetismo y otros efectos físicos para intentar generar movimiento perpetuo, pero se muestra que cabe de ellos puede funcionar pues violan alguno de los conceptos físicos que se han explicado con anterioridad. En conclusión, este TFG proporciona un análisis completo de los móviles perpetuos, su historia, así como una demostración física de por qué estos dispositivos son imposibles. A pesar de que la idea de un móvil perpetuo puede continuar siendo atractiva para algunos, la física demuestra que estos dispositivos son un ideal inalcanzable yThis bachelor's thesis addresses the topic of perpetual motion machines, an idea that has been pursued throughout the history of physics as what could be the equivalent of a panacea for energy generation. Although the concept of a perpetual motion machine seems to have an intrinsic attraction for many, physics demonstrates that these devices cannot function. The objective of this thesis is to provide an analysis of the history and contribution of perpetual motion machines to science, as well as to analyze certain specific perpetual motion machines using knowledge and tools learned during the studies to demonstrate that they do not work. The work begins with a historical analysis of perpetual motion machines, from their origin and evolution to the current situation, examining natural perpetual motion machines. Next, the impossibility of perpetual motion machines is addressed. To do this, the principles of thermodynamics are analyzed, which establish that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. In addition, various physical principles are explained that will be used later to analyze various perpetual motion machines. Finally, a physical analysis is conducted on several perpetual motion machines that have been proposed throughout history to demonstrate why they cannot function. Devices that use gravity, magnetism, and other physical effects to try to generate perpetual motion are examined, but it is shown that none of them can work because they violate some of the previously explained physical concepts. In conclusion, this thesis provides a comprehensive analysis of perpetual motion machines, their history, as well as a physical demonstration of why these devices are impossible. Although the idea of a perpetual motion machine may continue to be attractive to some, physics demonstrates that these devices are an unattainable ideal and that energy must be generated from external sources such as the sun, wind, water, or fossil fuels

Framework for Prioritization of Open Data Publication: An Application to Smart Cities

Public Sector Information is considered to play a fundamental role in the growth of the knowledge economy and improvements in society. Given the difficulty in publishing and maintaining all available data, due to budget constraints, institutions need to select which data to publish, giving priority to data most likely to generate social and economic impact. Priority of publication could become an even more significant problem in Smart Cities: as huge amounts of information are generated from different domains, the way data is prioritized and thus reused, could be a determining factor in promoting, among others, new and sustainable business opportunities for local entrepreneurs, and to improve citizen quality of life. However, people in charge of prioritizing which data to publish through open data portals (such as Chief Data Officers, or CDOs) do not have available any specific support in their decision-making process. In this work, a proposal of a framework for prioritization of open data publication as well as its application to Smart Cities is presented. This specific application of the framework relies on OSS (Open Source Software) indicators to help making decisions on the most relevant data to publish focused on developers and businesses operating within the Smart City context.This work was funded by (i) Ministerio de Economía e Innovación (Spain) TIN2015-69957-R (MINECO/ERDF, EU) project and TIN2016-78103-C2-2-R (MINECO/ERDF, EU) project, (ii) POCTEP 4IE project (0045-4IE-4-P), and (iii) Consejería de Economía e Infraestructuras/Junta de Extremadura (Spain) - European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)- GR18112 project and IB16055 project

Proceso de Licenciamiento en la Actividad Académica de los Docentes de las Facultades de Antropología y Ciencias de la Comunicación de la UNCP, Huancayo – 2018

La presente investigación denominada “Proceso de licenciamiento en la actividad académica de los docentes de las facultades de antropología y ciencias de la comunicación de la Universidad Nacional del Centro del Perú, Huancayo – 2018”, tiene como objetivo describir como se encuentra el proceso de licenciamiento con la actividad académica de los docentes de las facultades de Antropología y Ciencias de la Comunicación. El diseño de investigación es descriptivo de tipo no experimental, y nos permite contestar a la pregunta: ¿Cómo se encuentra el proceso de licenciamiento en las actividades académicas de los docentes de las facultades de antropología y ciencias de la comunicación de la Universidad Nacional del Centro del Perú, Huancayo – 2018?, el trabajo trata de describir el proceso de licenciamiento en las actividades académicas de los docentes de las facultades de antropología y ciencias de la comunicación de la UNCP, todo esto enmarcado en las siguientes dimensiones: objetivos académicos, infraestructura y equipamiento, investigación y disponibilidad de personal docente a tiempo completo

Reliability Prediction of Acrylonitrile O-Ring for Nuclear Power Applications Based on Shore Hardness Measurements

none4siThe degradation of polymeric components is of considerable interest to the nuclear industry and its regulatory bodies. The objective of this work was the development of a methodology to determine the useful life—based on the storage temperature—of acrylonitrile O-rings used as mechanical sealing elements to prevent leakages in nuclear equipment. To this aim, a reliability-based approach that allows prediction of the use-suitability of different storage scenarios (that involve different storage times and temperatures) considering the further required in-service performance, is presented. Thus, experimental measurements of Shore A hardness have been correlated with storage variables (temperature and storage time). The storage (and its associated hardening) was proved to have a direct effect on in-service durability, reducing this by up to 60.40%. Based on this model, the in-service performance was predicted; after the first three years of operation the increase in probability of failure (POF) was practically insignificant. Nevertheless, from this point on, and especially, from 5 years of operation, the POF increased from 10% to 20% at approximately 6 years (for new and stored). From the study, it was verified that for any of the analysis scenarios, the limit established criterion was above that of the storage time premise considered in usual nuclear industry practices. The novelty of this work is that from a non-destructive test, like a Shore A hardness measurement, the useful life and reliability of O-rings can be estimated and be, accordingly, a decision tool that allows for improvement in the management of maintenance of safety-related equipment. Finally, it was proved that the storage strategies of our nuclear power plants are successful, perfectly meeting the expectations of suitability and functionality of the components when they are installed after storage.openAlvaro Rodríguez-Prieto; Ernesto Primera; Mariaenrica Frigione; Ana María CamachoRodríguez-Prieto, Alvaro; Primera, Ernesto; Frigione, Mariaenrica; María Camacho, An

Quartzite procurement, not only in fluvial deposits: raw material characterisation of the lithic assemblage from Level XXII-R at El Esquilleu, Cantabrian Region, Spain.

The consideration of quartzite as a secondary raw material has relegated in-depth research of this raw material in favour of such other rocks as flint or obsidian. The latter two are the most researched raw materials because of the information derived from their study: long-distance transport of rocks and mobility of people. In contrast, information obtained from research into quartzite generally supported near-site procurement areas mainly related to secondary river deposits. Together with the wide range of rocks called quartzite by archaeologists, this has influenced the poverty of research on the second most-often used raw material during the Palaeolithic. To overcome this narrow perspective, it is necessary to put quartzite in the centre of the debate as a raw material, using an inductive proposal based on geoarchaeological methodologies. This issue is approached by the application of a geoarchaeological methodology that combines thin section analysis, stereomicroscope observation, and X-ray Fluorescence compositional analysis of the quartzite from Level-XXII-R at El Esquilleu. Potential areas where quartzite could be procured, especially river beaches, are also characterised here. The results show complex mechanisms of quartzite acquisition based on intensive and selective searching, not only in proximate river deposits, but also in more distant fluvial deposits and conglomerate formations. Finally, in combination with techno-typological criteria, complex mechanisms of exploitation are proposed. These depended on each quartzite type, which promoted not only lithological but also technological variability. All these data open new perspectives for the characterisation of the second best represented raw material in Europe, as well as for understanding acquisition mechanisms in fluvial deposits and conglomerate formations

Effects of Façades on Urban Acoustic Environment and Soundscape: A Systematic Review

Façades cover a significant amount of surfaces in cities and are in constant interaction with the acoustic environment. Noise pollution is one of the most concerning burdens for public health and wellbeing; however, façade acoustic performance is generally not considered in outdoor spaces, in contrast to indoor spaces. This study presents a systematic literature review examining 40 peer-reviewed papers regarding the effects of façades on the urban acoustic environment and the soundscape. Façades affect sound pressure levels and reverberation time in urban spaces and can affect people’s perception of the acoustic environment. The effects are classified into three groups: Effects of façades on the urban acoustic environment, including sound-reflecting, sound-absorbing and sound-producing effects; Effects of façades on the urban soundscape, including auditory and non-auditory effects; Effects of the context on the acoustic environment around façades, including boundary effects and atmospheric effects