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Compact metaplate with bound state in the continuum : from quasisymmetry to symmetry
No full textBuilding localized states with high quality factors in compact dynamic systems could enhance the performance of wave control devices such as elastic filters and high-precision sensing devices. Here, we report on the theoretical and experimental investigation of symmetry-protected bound states in the continuum (BICs) in a compressed metaplate. The proposed theory establishes a Bessel-zero-directed multipolarization design that enables precise modulation for the frequencies and modes of BICs. Experimental results reveal a critical threshold for symmetric protection, beyond which the polarization mode of BICs still exists despite leakage modes. The measured quality factor of BICs in the cylindrical-shelled metaplate rises to 720 via symmetry translation. The metaplate shows an enhanced performance over conventional defect and topological modes. This work opens a route toward compact elastic devices for applications in fields like on-chip communication, elastic wave filtering, and high-precision sensing within tight environments
Under the Sign of Trauma: An Analysis of William Faulkner’s 1929-1932 Novels
No full textDoctorat internacionalThis dissertation explores the dimensions of trauma in William Faulkner’s most experimental body of work written between 1929 and 1932. Interrogating trauma as a thematic concern and a formal strategy, I devise a tripartite structure to synchronically analyze its psychological, social, and aesthetic manifestations in the novelist's major novels. Specifically, this interdisciplinary analysis foregrounds the psychological expressions of suffering in Faulkner’s protagonists; situates individual distress within institutional frameworks; and locates the novelist’s strategies close to the formal mechanisms structuring traumatization. In its conclusions, this project identifies a poetics of trauma in Faulkner’s fiction. My reading brings into focus the author’s psychological intuition and considers new motivations behind his formal experimentation. Ultimately, by approaching trauma as both a clinical and formal entity, I establish a continuum between polarized views of trauma as either a biological reality or an aesthetic construct.Programa de Doctorat en Llengües Aplicades, Literatura i Traducci
Novel neutral and ionic metal-organic frameworks for sustainable catalytic processes
No full textThis thesis explores new strategies for designing and enhancing the chemical reactivity of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to convert waste into valuable chemical products. MOFs were synthesized in combination with 3D-printed polymers and ionic liquids, forming composite materials with improved catalytic performance due to the high dispersion of active sites. Functionalization was achieved by anchoring amino acids to the MOFs, creating multifunctional materials under mild, environmentally friendly conditions using non-toxic, abundant metals and bio-based ligands. Various synthesis methods based on classical, solvent-assisted, and rapid green, onepot approaches were used to develop and characterize these materials. The resulting MOFs were effective in reactions relevant to waste valorization, such as CO₂ fixation and carbonyl activation, operating under mild conditions without additives. The materials demonstrated superior activity, stability, and reusability, aligning with principles of green and circular chemistry, and contributing to the development of advanced heterogeneous catalysts for sustainable chemical processes.Programa de Doctorat en Química Sostenibl
Simple and Effective HPLC Method for Elucidating Glycerol Oxidation Products
No full textThe glycerol electrooxidation reaction (GEOR) has been gaining increasing attention as a substitute for the oxygen evolution reaction to improve H2 production while producing high-value-added products. During GEOR, several C3, C2, and C1 species can be generated, making the detection and quantification of all these products a complex challenge that has not been fully addressed yet. Our study describes the development and optimization of a simple high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method, capable not only of detecting but also simultaneously quantifying eight different GEOR products using a single diode array detector (DAD). To address possible overlapping signals, an indirect quantification approach is also proposed. The optimized method has been applied to real electrochemical GEOR systems, employing a Ni foil in alkaline media or a Pt foil in acidic media as oxidation electrocatalysts. Results show how product distributions varied significantly along with the pH, with formate being the main product in alkaline conditions (∼68% selectivity), whereas glyceraldehyde and dihydroxyacetone were the major products in acidic conditions (∼40% and ∼26%, respectively).This work was supported by the European Innovation Council (EIC) via OHPERA project (grant agreement 101071010). The authors also thank support from the MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/, by “ERDF A way of making Europe” and by the “European Union”, through project PID2023-152771OB-I00. Funding from the Generalitat Valenciana through project CIPROM/2023/057 and APOSTD/2021/251 fellowship is also acknowledged.Funding for open access charge: CRUE-Universitat Jaume
Effectiveness of the AI using different typologies of design methods
No full textArtificial Intelligence is emerging as a powerful tool within the field of product design. As such, its creative potential is the subject of numerous studies, as well as the advantages it provides to designers. In this context, the present study analyzes the use of different types of design methodologies by AI to generate creative product concepts. The objective of this study is to understand how designers can leverage AI as an assistant in the design process and help them select the most appropriate methodologies to work with AI according to their purpose. For this purpose, a GPT-4 based AI has been required to solve three problems with different degrees of difficulty using different typologies of design methodologies. The results show differences between the creativity values of the results when using different methodologies, as well as a difference when varying the complexity of the problem. The findings of the study may contribute in future for the development of AI assistants for designers or to develop AI-based tools to assist in conceptual design in a collaborative way.Funding for open access charge: CRUE-Universitat Jaume
Chemical tools targeting proteases: design, synthesis, and biological evaluation for therapeutic use
No full textDoctorat internacionalThis PhD thesis focuses on the design, synthesis, and evaluation of chemical compounds that inhibit proteases and degrade proteins essential for cellular recycling. It is divided into two parts: the first explores protein degradation in lysosomes, while the second examines the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System (UPS). The first part investigates cysteine proteases, their inhibition, and the use of activity-based probes (ABPs). Enzyme inhibitors are developed and converted into probes applied to cellular models related to neuroinflammation. The second part introduces the UPS, its role in protein degradation, and its therapeutic potential. Proteasome inhibitors are designed and synthesized, and PROTACs—molecules that target specific proteins for degradation—are explored. A case study investigates their application in signaling regulation in plants. This research opens new avenues for disease treatment and biotechnology.Programa de Doctorat en Cièncie
Diseño de un sistema de depuración de emisiones ácidas provenientes de un horno de cocción de baldosas de revestimiento poroso de pasta blanca
No full textTreball final de grau del Grau en Enginyeria Química. Codi: EQ1044. Curs: 2024-2025Recientemente, la industria cerámica española ha experimentado un cambio significativo respecto a los procesos de producción, particularmente en la fabricación de baldosas cerámicas, afectando así al transporte y la disponibilidad de uno de los componentes clave para la formulación de composiciones de gres porcelánico: la arcilla ucraniana. Durante el proceso de sustitución de la arcilla ucraniana, se presenta una gran dificultad para encontrar materias primas de calidad, así como la necesidad de aplicar diversos cambios en los parámetros del proceso productivo. Como consecuencia, se ha detectado un aumento en la presencia de contaminantes ácidos tras la etapa de cocción de las piezas. Este aumento de emisiones supone una situación crítica, especialmente si se tiene en cuenta la última actualización del documento BREF para la industria cerámica (borrador de noviembre de 2024), ya que, según las Mejores Técnicas Disponibles (MTD), se espera una disminución de los Valores Límite de Emisión (VLE). Así pues, la finalidad del presente proyecto es el diseño de un sistema de depuración de emisiones ocasionadas por la presencia de compuestos ácidos procedentes de un horno de fabricación de baldosas de revestimiento poroso de pasta blanca, con el objetivo principal de mantener un equilibrio entre los estándares de calidad, costes y sostenibilidad previos al cambio. Dicho sistema se basa en un filtro de mangas con adición de reactivo. Con el objetivo de analizar la viabilidad técnica y medioambiental del proyecto, se realiza una comparación entre los sistemas de depuración más habituales en la industria cerámica, así como aquellos cálculos ingenieriles necesarios para determinar las condiciones de operación óptimas del equipo seleccionado, tales como la dosis de reactivo, la resistencia química del equipo o la temperatura de operación. Finalmente, se lleva a cabo el estudio de viabilidad económica para analizar la rentabilidad asociada a la instalación de dicho equipo. Además, se realiza un estudio de seguridad y salud para identificar los posibles riesgos y garantizar el cumplimiento de la normativa relacionada con la prevención de riesgos laborales
Exploring the Use of Eye Tracking to Evaluate Usability Affordances: A Case Study on Assistive Device Design
No full textThis study explores the application of Eye-Tracking technology for the ergonomic evaluation of assistive device usability. Sixty-four participants evaluated six jar-opening devices in a two-phase study. First, the participants’ gaze was recorded while they viewed six rendered pictures of assistive devices, each shown in two different versions: with and without rubber in the grip area. Second, the participants physically interacted with the devices in a hands-on usability task. In both phases, participants rated the devices according to six usability affordances: robustness, comfort, easiness to grip, lid slippery, effort level, and easiness to use. Eye-Tracking metrics (fixation duration, number of fixations, and visit duration) correlated with the on-screen ratings, which aligned with ratings after using the physical devices. High ratings in comfort and effort level correlated with more visual attention to the grip area, where the rubber acted as key signifier. Heatmaps revealed the grip area as important for comfort and easiness to use and the lid area for robustness and slipperiness. These findings demonstrate the potential of Eye Tracking in usability studies, providing valuable insights for the ergonomic evaluation of assistive devices. Moreover, they highlight the suitability of Eye Tracking for early-stage design evaluation, offering objective metrics to guide design decisions and improve user experience.This research was funded by Universitat Jaume I, grant number UJI-2024-19
Desafíos bioéticos en el pronóstico, diagnóstico y tratamiento de la esclerosis lateral amiotrófica: discriminación por enfermedad avanzada.
No full textDoctorat industrialLa ELA es una patología neurológica degenerativa de etiología desconocida, que afecta a la vía piramidal a lo largo de la primera motoneurona y segunda motoneurona. Produce una degeneración progresiva de las neuronas motoras situadas en la corteza cerebral, tronco del encéfalo y médula espinal, que conduce a una debilidad y a una atrofia progresiva de la musculatura de inervación bulbar, torácica, abdominal y de las extremidades. Produce debilidad muscular, espasticidad, labilidad emocional, atrofia muscular, fasciculaciones, pérdida gradual de la función motora, tetraparesia, tetraplejia, disartria, disfagia e insuficiencia respiratoria. Tiene carácter progresivo y pronóstico nefasto, sin tratamiento y que genera una dependencia absoluta. La ELA es una enfermedad avanzada puesto que genera un daño irreversible, sin tratamiento curativo, múltiples e intensos síntomas, pérdida de la autonomía o fragilidad progresiva y un pronóstico de vida limitado. La ELA genera múltiples y complejos conflictos éticos destacando la discriminación por enfermedad avanzada.Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative neurological disease of unknown origin that affects upper and lower motor neurons, causing progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. In Spain, it affects around 4,000 people. Neuronal degeneration leads to loss of motor function, spasticity, fasciculations, dysarthria, dysphagia, and respiratory failure, eventually progressing to tetraplegia and complete dependence. Its prognosis is unfavorable: only 20% of patients survive beyond 3–5 years after diagnosis. There is no curative treatment, so care must begin early through a multidisciplinary approach aimed at alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life. ALS is considered an advanced disease from the time of diagnosis, given its irreversible progression, emotional impact, and high demand on healthcare resources. In addition, it raises important ethical dilemmas related to communication, autonomy, assisted dying, and discrimination due to advanced disease—a challenge that the upcoming ALS Law seeks to address.Programa de Doctorat en Ètica i Democràci
Filosofía para hacer las paces en diálogo con la Filosofía con niños y niñas: ¿Estamos preparados para escuchar lo que piensan sobre la paz?
No full textDoctorat internacionalLa presente tesis doctoral propone un diálogo entre la Filosofía para hacer las paces y la Filosofía con niños y niñas como una vía para fomentar prácticas educativas orientadas a la paz en las escuelas. Inicialmente, se abordan los fundamentos de la Filosofía para hacer las paces y los principios de la Educación para la paz, destacando sus características y medios pacíficos. Asimismo, se realiza un recorrido por los orígenes y la evolución generacional del programa de Filosofía para niños y niñas, explorando sus fundamentos prácticos. La investigación también plantea una reflexión crítica sobre nuestra disposición para escuchar las voces de la infancia en temas de paz, considerando los valores predominantes en la actualidad. Finalmente, se presenta el proyecto FiloPaz como ejemplo concreto de esta confluencia, ilustrando cómo ambos enfoques filosóficos pueden dialogar y enriquecer la práctica educativa para construir comunidades escolares más pacíficas.This doctoral thesis proposes a dialogue between Philosophy for Making Peace and Philosophy with Children as a way to promote educational practices oriented toward peace in schools. Initially, it addresses the foundations of Philosophy for Making Peace and the principles of Peace Education, highlighting their characteristics and peaceful means. Likewise, it explores the origins and generational evolution of the Philosophy for Children program, examining its practical foundations. The research also offers a critical reflection on our willingness to listen to children's voices on issues of peace, considering the predominant values in today's society. Finally, the FiloPaz project is presented as a concrete example of this convergence, illustrating how both philosophical approaches can engage in dialogue and enrich educational practice to build more peaceful school communities.Programa de Doctorat en Estudis Internacionals de Pau, Conflictes i Desenvolupamen