Accommodating Students Different Learning Styles with the Use of Technology

The understanding of different learning styles is crucial for student academic success. The area of concentration pertaining to this topic includes the cognitive development during the adolescent age group selected. To create a good academic foundation, the teacher must exhibit different forms of learning styles to the students to create awareness and a good academic foundation. With the mass inclusion of technology in our society and education system, this research will attempt to understand the positive and negative effects of technology on effecting the students’ ability to use their effective learning style. Through the use of literature reviews and interviews with three teachers, this senior capstone examines the availability and access to technology and the effects of incorporating technology in the classroom to accommodate the students’ different learning styles

Role of beta-adrenergic modulation in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. Mechanisms underlyning cardioprotection

The β-adrenergic system plays an important role in the regulation of heart function. The early intravenous administration of ß1-adrenergic receptor (ADRB1)-antagonist, metoprolol, in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (AMI) reduces the extent of infarct size. The prevailing view has been that metoprolol acts mainly on cardiomyocytes function, reducing cardiac output. This work presents evidence that metoprolol reduces ischemia/reperfusion injury by targeting the hematopoietic compartment, specifically by inhibiting neutrophil function through an ADRB1 signallingdependent manner. Metoprolol acts during early phases of neutrophil recruitment, impairing structural and functional rearrangements necessary for effective interactions with circulating platelets to occur. Metoprolol, “stuns” neutrophils that cannot engage the structural conformation necessary to infiltrate tissues, triggering erratic intravascular dynamics and overall blunted inflammation. The in vitro functional assays confirm direct effect on neutrophils through an ADRB1-dependent mechanism. The depletion of circulating neutrophils, the lack of the Adrb1 in hematopoietic cells and the blockade of P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1, the receptor involved in neutrophil-platelet interactions, result in a complete abrogation of metoprolol´s infarct-limiting effect. Moreover, the association between neutrophil count and microvascular obstruction is abolished in early metoprolol-treated AMI patients. Metoprolol has no direct effect on platelet function, but inhibits neutrophil-platelet interactions in AMI patients by targeting neutrophils directly. Identification of the relevant role of ADRB1 in hematopoietic cells during acute injury and the protective role upon its modulation offers potential for developing new therapeutic strategies.This work was supported by a competitive grant from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) through the Carlos III Institute of Health-Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria FIS-ISCIII (PI13/01979) and FISISCIII (PI10/02268), Fundacion Mutua Madrileña (AP8695-2011), from the competitive ‘‘CNIC translational 01/2009’’ and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF/FEDER) funds (PI10/02268 & PI13/01979). The CNIC is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) and the Pro-CNIC Foundation, and is a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence (MINECO award SEV-2015-0505)

Loss tolerant speech decoder for telecommunications

A method and device for extrapolating past signal-history data for insertion into missing data segments in order to conceal digital speech frame errors. The extrapolation method uses past-signal history that is stored in a buffer. The method is implemented with a device that utilizes a finite-impulse response (FIR) multi-layer feed-forward artificial neural network that is trained by back-propagation for one-step extrapolation of speech compression algorithm (SCA) parameters. Once a speech connection has been established, the speech compression algorithm device begins sending encoded speech frames. As the speech frames are received, they are decoded and converted back into speech signal voltages. During the normal decoding process, pre-processing of the required SCA parameters will occur and the results stored in the past-history buffer. If a speech frame is detected to be lost or in error, then extrapolation modules are executed and replacement SCA parameters are generated and sent as the parameters required by the SCA. In this way, the information transfer to the SCA is transparent, and the SCA processing continues as usual. The listener will not normally notice that a speech frame has been lost because of the smooth transition between the last-received, lost, and next-received speech frames

Accurate and efficient, multiscale simulations of newtonian and non-newtonian free-surface flows

The purpose of this presentation is to outline the main features of a new numerical method under development for the simulation of complex, Newtonian and non- Newtonian free-surface flows. The method makes use of a Particle Level Set (PLS) ap- proach along with Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR) techniques to retrieve, accurately and efficiently, the fluid interface at each time step as the zero isocontour of a level set function. The convective terms are dealt with by means of a semi-Lagrangian formulation of the Navier-Stokes equations within a Finite Element framework, leveraging isotropic as well as anisotropic AMR techniques developed via error estimation to produce spatially- adapted “optimal” triangulations. Multiscale simulations of non-Newtonian flows are re- alized through the kinetic modelling of ensembles of dumbbells scattered over the domain, their internal configurations providing the extra-stress tensor representing the viscoelastic contribution to the Newtonian solvent. The capabilities of the method are illustrated in a series of 2D simulations of pure- advection and complex free-surface flows, showing surface tension and viscoelastic effects

El efecto de marcar primero y la ventaja de jugar en casa en la liga de fútbol y en la liga de fútbol sala de España

The aim of this research was to study the effect of scoring first and its relationship with home advantage in professional Spanish football and indoor soccer leagues, in order to analyse the effect of scoring first on game outcome in relation to home advantage, whether home or away team scores first. Each league was first studied individually, and then results were compared between them. For this purpose, two new metrics were introduced : 'home advantage in scoring the first goal' and 'scoring first advantage'. Results showed a significantly lower advantage for local teams to score the first goal than home advantage in both football and indoor soccer leagues. Likewise, advantage in game outcome after scoring the first goal is found in the two leagues, both for local and away teams, with significant differences in favour of teams playing at home and higher values in football than in indoor soccer league. Distinct football and indoor soccer rules and game features must be considered to explain the observed differences

Adaptation of the Electric Machines Learning Process to the European Higher, Education Area

In this paper the basic lines of a complete teaching methodology that has been developed to adaptthe electric machines learning process to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) arepresented. New teaching materials that are specific to Electric Machines have been created(textbooks, self-learning e-books, guidelines for achieving teamwork research, etc.). Working ingroups has been promoted, as well as problem solving and self-learning exercises, all of which areevaluated in a way that encourages students' participation. Finally, the students' learning process inthe lab has been improved by the development both of a new methodology to follow in the lab andnew workbenches with industrial machines that are easier to use and also enable the labexperiments to be automated. Finally, the first results obtained as a result of applying the proposedmethodology are presented

Análisis de sistemas dinámicos y complejos en la Liga Profesional de Balonmano de España = Complex and dynamical systems analysis in Spanish Professional Handball League

El propósito de esta tesis fue estudiar el rendimiento ofensivo de los equipos de balonmano de élite cuando se considera el balonmano como un sistema dinámico complejo no lineal. La perspectiva de análisis dinámica dependiente del tiempo fue adoptada para evaluar el rendimiento de los equipos durante el partido. La muestra general comprendió los 240 partidos jugados en la temporada 2011-2012 de la liga profesional masculina de balonmano de España (Liga ASOBAL). En el análisis posterior solo se consideraron los partidos ajustados (diferencia final de goles ≤ 5; n = 142). El estado del marcador, la localización del partido, el nivel de los oponentes y el periodo de juego fueron incorporados al análisis como variables situacionales. Tres estudios compusieron el núcleo de la tesis. En el primer estudio, analizamos la coordinación entre las series temporales que representan el proceso goleador a lo largo del partido de cada uno de los dos equipos que se enfrentan. Autocorrelaciones, correlaciones cruzadas, doble media móvil y transformada de Hilbert fueron usadas para el análisis. El proceso goleador de los equipos presentó una alta consistencia a lo largo de todos los partidos, así como fuertes modos de coordinación en fase en todos los contextos de juego. Las únicas diferencias se encontraron en relación al periodo de juego. La coordinación en los procesos goleadores de los equipos fue significativamente menor en el 1er y 2º periodo (0–10 min y 10–20 min), mostrando una clara coordinación creciente a medida que el partido avanzaba. Esto sugiere que son los 20 primeros minutos aquellos que rompen los partidos. En el segundo estudio, analizamos los efectos temporales (efecto inmediato, a corto y a medio plazo) de los tiempos muertos en el rendimiento goleador de los equipos. Modelos de regresión lineal múltiple fueron empleados para el análisis. Los resultados mostraron incrementos de 0.59, 1.40 y 1.85 goles para los periodos que comprenden la primera, tercera y quinta posesión de los equipos que pidieron el tiempo muerto. Inversamente, se encontraron efectos significativamente negativos para los equipos rivales, con decrementos de 0.50, 1.43 y 2.05 goles en los mismos periodos respectivamente. La influencia de las variables situacionales solo se registró en ciertos periodos de juego. Finalmente, en el tercer estudio, analizamos los efectos temporales de las exclusiones de los jugadores sobre el rendimiento goleador de los equipos, tanto para los equipos que sufren la exclusión (inferioridad numérica) como para los rivales (superioridad numérica). Se emplearon modelos de regresión lineal múltiple para el análisis. Los resultados mostraron efectos negativos significativos en el número de goles marcados por los equipos con un jugador menos, con decrementos de 0.25, 0.40, 0.61, 0.62 y 0.57 goles para los periodos que comprenden el primer, segundo, tercer, cuarto y quinto minutos previos y posteriores a la exclusión. Para los rivales, los resultados mostraron efectos positivos significativos, con incrementos de la misma magnitud en los mismos periodos. Esta tendencia no se vio afectada por el estado del marcador, localización del partido, nivel de los oponentes o periodo de juego. Los incrementos goleadores fueron menores de lo que se podría esperar de una superioridad numérica de 2 minutos. Diferentes teorías psicológicas como la paralización ante situaciones de presión donde se espera un gran rendimiento pueden ayudar a explicar este hecho. Los últimos capítulos de la tesis enumeran las conclusiones principales y presentan diferentes aplicaciones prácticas que surgen de los tres estudios. Por último, se presentan las limitaciones y futuras líneas de investigación. ABSTRACT The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the offensive performance of elite handball teams when considering handball as a complex non-linear dynamical system. The time-dependent dynamic approach was adopted to assess teams’ performance during the game. The overall sample comprised the 240 games played in the season 2011-2012 of men’s Spanish Professional Handball League (ASOBAL League). In the subsequent analyses, only close games (final goal-difference ≤ 5; n = 142) were considered. Match status, game location, quality of opposition, and game period situational variables were incorporated into the analysis. Three studies composed the core of the thesis. In the first study, we analyzed the game-scoring coordination between the time series representing the scoring processes of the two opposing teams throughout the game. Autocorrelation, cross-correlation, double moving average, and Hilbert transform were used for analysis. The scoring processes of the teams presented a high consistency across all the games as well as strong in-phase modes of coordination in all the game contexts. The only differences were found when controlling for the game period. The coordination in the scoring processes of the teams was significantly lower for the 1st and 2nd period (0–10 min and 10–20 min), showing a clear increasing coordination behavior as the game progressed. This suggests that the first 20 minutes are those that break the game-scoring. In the second study, we analyzed the temporal effects (immediate effect, short-term effect, and medium-term effect) of team timeouts on teams’ scoring performance. Multiple linear regression models were used for the analysis. The results showed increments of 0.59, 1.40 and 1.85 goals for the periods within the first, third and fifth timeout ball possessions for the teams that requested the timeout. Conversely, significant negative effects on goals scored were found for the opponent teams, with decrements of 0.59, 1.43 and 2.04 goals for the same periods, respectively. The influence of situational variables on the scoring performance was only registered in certain game periods. Finally, in the third study, we analyzed the players’ exclusions temporal effects on teams’ scoring performance, for the teams that suffer the exclusion (numerical inferiority) and for the opponents (numerical superiority). Multiple linear regression models were used for the analysis. The results showed significant negative effects on the number of goals scored for the teams with one less player, with decrements of 0.25, 0.40, 0.61, 0.62, and 0.57 goals for the periods within the previous and post one, two, three, four and five minutes of play. For the opponent teams, the results showed positive effects, with increments of the same magnitude in the same game periods. This trend was not affected by match status, game location, quality of opposition, or game period. The scoring increments were smaller than might be expected from a 2-minute numerical playing superiority. Psychological theories such as choking under pressure situations where good performance is expected could contribute to explain this finding. The final chapters of the thesis enumerate the main conclusions and underline the main practical applications that arise from the three studies. Lastly, limitations and future research directions are described

Diseño de una red de acceso mediante fibra óptica

Con el objetivo de consolidar los conocimientos en Sistemas de Telecomunicación, se pretende diseñar una red para la distribución de servicios avanzados, como televisión, internet de banda ancha y telefonía, mediante el uso de la tecnología FTTH. La red será totalmente pasiva, óptica, y de gran ancho de banda, Tipo PON (Passive Optical Network), de manera que el haz de luz del emisor se distribuye hacia múltiples fibras siguiendo diferentes direcciones, o las confina en el sentido opuesto usando técnicas WDM y TDMA. En primer lugar, es preciso realizar un estudio teórico sobre las características de la fibra óptica, junto con las propiedades de los elementos activos y pasivos que interactúan con ella, para poder comprender la tecnología en la que se basa y así ofrecer una solución final acorde a las necesidades que se presenten. Tras un vistazo general a la tecnología de fibra óptica, se procede a estudiar las características y topologías de las redes de acceso basadas en la misma, junto con los requisitos de cara al diseño de la redes y a la gestión de proyectos. Se definirán los objetivos de la red, ya que la complejidad de la red depende de factores como la extensión y cobertura de la misma, o el ancho de banda. Posteriormente se irá diseñando la red en una arquitectura descendente hasta destinar una única fibra óptica para cada hogar dentro de la cobertura de la red. Se detallarán todas las especificaciones necesarias para definir la red, (potencias, modulaciones y tipos de fibra) así como el instrumental y demás medios necesarios para operar con la misma. Aunque el diseño de una red FTTH contempla muchos más aspectos de los estudiados en el presente proyecto, se tomó como objetivo el diseño y planificación correspondientes a una sección de un área de escasa población donde la instalación se tomó como viable, obviando así pequeños detalles y centrándose en el despliegue de fibra óptica. Se pretende así ofrecer una solución de infraestructura doméstica de telecomunicaciones, apta para las futuras necesidades que implican la creciente demanda de servicios como internet de banda ancha o almacenamiento y procesado de aplicaciones en nube. La fibra óptica tiene mucho que ofrecer a las telecomunicaciones, y cada vez es más frecuente encontrar redes de fibra óptica como parte de un servicio de telecomunicaciones, tanto como para particulares como empresas. ABSTRACT. Aiming to strengthen knowledge in Telecommunications Systems, is intended to design a network for advanced services broadcasting, including digital TV, broadband internet and telephony, by using FTTH technology. This network will be entirely passive optic, and high bandwidth, PON type (Passive Optical Network) so that the transmitter beam is broadcasting to multiple optical fibers, branching out in different ways or joining them in the opposite. First, it is necessary to perform a theoretical study on the characteristics of the optical fiber, along with the properties of the active and passive elements that interact with it, to understand the technology that is based and offer a final solution according needs that arise. After an overview of the optical fiber technology, we proceed to study the characteristics and topologies access networks based on that, together with the requirements to face the network design and project management. System objectives will be determined, since the complexity of the network depends on factors such as the size and scope of it, or bandwidth. Later, the network will be designing in downstream architecture to deliver a single optical fiber to each household within the network area. All necessary specifications to define the network (power, modulation and fiber types) will be determined, as instruments and other means to operate it. Although FTTH network design includes many more aspects of those studied in this project, it was taken as objective the network design and planning corresponding to a section of a sparsely populated area where the facility was taken as feasible thus obviating small details and focus on the deployment of optical fiber. This is intended to provide a solution of household telecommunications infrastructure suitable for future needs involving the growing demand for services such as broadband internet or processing storage and cloud applications. The optical fiber has much to offer to telecommunications, and it is increasingly common to find fiber optic networks as part of a telecommunications service, both to individuals and businesses

Diseño de un acondicionador activo de potencia basado en la combinación de filtro activo serie y filtro activo paralelo para la compensación de cargas trifásicas no lineales

Este trabajo de Tesis presenta el diseño de un filtro activo de potencia combinado serie – paralelo para el acondicionamiento completo de la carga, tanto en las tensiones con las que trabaja como en las intensidades que requiere de la red de suministro, según una estrategia de compensación diseñada al efecto. El acondicionador, denominado Acondicionador Activo para la Compensación de la Carga (Load Compensation Active Conditioner, LCAC), está constituido por dos filtros activos de potencia, uno en serie con la red de suministro y otro en paralelo con el lado de carga, mediante la utilización de un bus de continua común. El filtro activo serie equilibra y regula las tensiones aplicadas, aislando a la carga de las distorsiones de la tensión de red. Por otro lado, el filtro activo paralelo se encarga de eliminar los armónicos de la intensidad de carga, así como las intensidades reactivas y de desequilibrio. La estrategia de compensación seleccionada permite a los convertidores actuar de forma coordinada, según un comportamiento dinámico rápido y robusto, con mínima dependencia de los valores precisos de los componentes utilizados. Esto ha permitido dotar al LCAC de una respuesta de alta estabilidad frente a las distintas condiciones de operación. La configuración establecida ha resultado adecuada para su aplicación a un amplio rango de tipos de carga y la implementación del control, expresada en variables en el dominio del tiempo, ha conducido a un diseño intuitivo y flexible de rápida respuesta dinámica. En concreto, en el capítulo II, se revisan los criterios utilizados para la evaluación de la mejora de la calidad de la potencia conseguida con equipos de compensación activa. Se profundiza en la aplicación de los índices de calidad basados en los planteamientos del IEEE Std. 1459, analizando en detalle la interpretación de los distintos indicadores. El estudio de la contribución de las componentes armónicas al desequilibrio ha llevado a la definición de un método mejorado, tanto en el esfuerzo de cálculo como en la interpretación de los índices correspondientes. Este nuevo procedimiento se ha aplicado sistemáticamente a todos los casos analizados para la valoración de sus resultados. En el capítulo III se describe el diseño del acondicionador activo. Sobre la base de las propuestas existentes, se establece la estrategia de compensación más adecuada para el LCAC según los objetivos propuestos. Posteriormente, se determina el procedimiento para la obtención de las señales de referencia de tensión e intensidad. Se analiza después el comportamiento de los elementos pasivos auxiliares con su modelo en el espacio de estados para determinar su respuesta dinámica y su capacidad de filtrado en altas frecuencias, así como para la sintonización de los parámetros de control. El dimensionamiento de los componentes del equipo se calcula en función de las tensiones e intensidades que tenga que suministrar según los objetivos generales planteados. Este análisis teórico se particulariza en la selección de los elementos para un prototipo de referencia, con vistas a su comprobación en una plataforma de simulación y su posterior validación con un prototipo experimental de laboratorio. En el capítulo IV se desarrollan las plataformas de simulación y de laboratorio utilizadas, así como los distintos casos prácticos seleccionados. La plataforma de simulación se ha desarrollado en el entorno MATLAB-Simulink e incorpora un nivel considerable de detalle en su modelado, con objeto de que sus resultados sean representativos de los obtenidos con el prototipo de laboratorio. A continuación, se presentan y analizan los casos prácticos de simulación que permiten validar en un primer nivel el comportamiento del diseño propuesto, así como el método de caracterización e interpretación de los resultados. Finalmente, se describen la plataforma de laboratorio y los correspondientes casos prácticos, para la validación experimental del diseño realizado y el análisis de los resultados obtenidos.This thesis presents the design of a combined series – parallel active power filter for a complete conditioning of the load, both in the voltages with which it works and in the currents that it requires from the supply network, with a dedicated compensation strategy. The equipment, called Load Compensation Active Conditioner, LCAC, consists of two active power filters, one in series with the supply network and another in parallel with the load side, with a common DC bus. The series active filter balances and regulates the applied voltages, isolating the load from mains voltage distortions. On the other hand, the parallel active filter compensates the harmonics of the load current, as well as the reactive and unbalance components. The selected compensation strategy allows the converters to act in a coordinated manner, with a robust and fast dynamic behavior, with a reduced dependence of the precise values of the components used, as well as a high stability response to the different operating conditions. It makes it suitable for application to a wide range of load types and the control implementation, expressed in time domain variables, allows an intuitive and flexible design with a fast dynamic response. On the other side, chapter II studies the criteria used for the evaluation of the improvement of the power quality achieved with active compensation equipment. The determination of quality indices based on the IEEE Std. 1459 approach is analyzed, as well as the interpretation of the diverse indicators. The study of the contribution of the harmonic components to the unbalance has led to the definition of an improved method, both in calculation requirements and in the interpretation of the corresponding indices. This new procedure has been systematically applied to all the cases analyzed for the evaluation of its results. Chapter III describes the design stage of the active conditioner. After the review of the existing proposals, the most appropriate compensation strategy for the LCAC is established according to the proposed objectives. Subsequently, the procedure for obtaining the voltage and intensity reference signals is determined. The behavior of the auxiliary passive elements is then analyzed with their state space model to evaluate their dynamic response and their high frequency filtering capacity, as well as for tuning the control parameters. The dimensioning of the components of the equipment is also calculated based on the voltages and currents that it has to supply according to the general objectives. This theoretical analysis is particularized in the selection of the elements for a reference prototype, for the purpose of verification with a simulation platform and its subsequent validation with an experimental laboratory prototype Chapter IV presents the simulation and laboratory platforms developed, as well as the different practical cases selected. The simulation platform has been developed in the MATLAB-Simulink environment and incorporates a considerable level of detail in its modeling, in order that its results are representative of those obtained with the laboratory prototype. Next, the simulation case studies that allow a first validation of the behavior of the proposed design are presented and analyzed, as well as the method of characterization and interpretation of the results. Finally, the laboratory platform and the corresponding case studies are described, for the experimental validation of the proposed design and the evaluation procedure