University of Cádiz
Repositorio de Objetos de Docencia e Investigación de la Universidad de CádizNot a member yet
32404 research outputs found
Sort by
External Validation of a Predictive Model for Thyroid Cancer Risk with Decision Curve Analysis
No full textThyroid cancer ranks among the most prevalent endocrine neoplasms, with a significant rise in incidence observed in recent decades, particularly in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). This increase is largely attributed to the
enhanced detection of subclinical cancers through advanced imaging techniques and fineneedle aspiration biopsies. The present study aims to externally validate a predictive model
previously developed by our group, designed to assess the risk of a thyroid nodule being
malignant. Methods: By utilizing clinical, analytical, ultrasound, and histological data
from patients treated at the Puerto Real University Hospital, this study seeks to evaluate
the performance of the predictive model in a distinct dataset and perform a decision curve
analysis to ascertain its clinical utility. Results: A total of 455 patients with thyroid nodular
pathology were studied. Benign nodular pathology was diagnosed in 357 patients (78.46%),
while 98 patients (21.54%) presented with a malignant tumor. The most frequent histological type of malignant tumor was papillary cancer (71.4%), followed by follicular cancer
(6.1%). Malignant nodules were predominantly solid (95.9%), hypoechogenic (72.4%), with
irregular or microlobed borders (36.7%), and associated with suspicious lymph nodes
(24.5%). The decision curve analysis confirmed the model’s accuracy and its potential
impact on clinical decision-making. Conclusions: The external validation of our predictive
model demonstrates its robustness and generalizability across different populations and
clinical settings. The integration of advanced diagnostic tools, such as AI and ML models,
improves the accuracy in distinguishing between benign and malignant nodules, thereby
optimizing treatment strategies and minimizing invasive procedures. This approach not
only facilitates the early detection of cancer but also helps to avoid unnecessary surgeries
and biopsies, ultimately reducing patient morbidity and healthcare costs
El escenario atlántico durante la primera trata global: vida y muerte a bordo de los barcos negreros entre los siglos XVI y XIX
No full textLa experiencia transoceánica sufrida por millones de personas durante la mayor diáspora forzosa de la historia de la humanidad, tuvo por escenario uno de los espacios que más respeto y miedo a suscitado en el hombre: el océano Atlántico. El propósito del presente artículo es aproximar al lector tanto a las ideas preconcebidas con las que marineros y esclavos encaraban semejante odisea, como a la traumática experiencia colectiva a bordo y sus consecuencias socioculturales en el devenir histórico del Nuevo Mundo
Microgrid Cluster Energy Management with a PLC
No full textMicrogrid clusters (MGCs) provide an opportunity for system operators to enhance efficiency, resilience, and reliability of energy systems. MGCs can combine direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) technologies by integrating different power generation, consumption and storage technologies, thus offering flexibility and resilience to individual microgrids (MGs). However, verification of practical control systems for MGCs is required to ensure robustness and efficiency of the power dispatch. This work contributes to this effort by presenting, implementing and verifying a control system for an MGC. This MGC comprises separate DC and AC MGs interconnected to a local grid: the DC MG incorporates DC loads, a wind turbine, a fuel cell, an electrolyzer, and an ultracapacitor; and the AC MG comprises AC loads, an electrical battery bank, and a photovoltaic power plant. The control system uses a dynamic centralized energy management system (EMS) that coordinates power dispatch and energy distribution between all energy storage systems and local device controllers. The control system, specifically the EMS, is evaluated across different operating scenarios in an experimental validation environment composed of an OPAL-RT unit and a SIMATIC ET 200SP Open Controller PLC. The results show that the implemented EMS exhibits robust real-time behavior across different operating scenarios.This work was partially supported by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Agencia Estatal de Investigación, FEDER, UE (Grant PID2021-123633OBC32 supported by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDER, UE)
Microdynamic flowability for early API characterisation: A case study on Palbociclib
No full textThis study explores microdynamic flowability as an innovative approach for early active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) characterisation, when compounds are often scarce and/or expensive. By incorporating small-scale f low measurements during the pre-formulation stage, we aim to support strategic decision-making in formulation development and process design. Laboratory-scale micronisation of the poorly water-soluble drug Palbociclib, while enhancing dissolution, was found to adversely affect flowability. Agglomeration driven by cohesive forces was quantitatively described for the first time via image analysis using sample quantities of less than 200 mg. Our findings demonstrate that microdynamic flow studies provide critical insights into the processability of APIs under low-stress conditions, such as those relevant to research and development (R&D) tablet presses. These results highlight the value of advanced flowability analysis in early-stage development, enabling improved understanding and control of powder processing in pharmaceutical manufacturing and particle engineering
Protocol to improve quality of life, functionality, and exercise capacity in patients with axillary web syndrome after breast cancer: a randomized clinical trial
No full textObjectives To improve functionality, quality of life, and exercise capacity in women who underwent breast cancer surgery
and suffered axillary web syndrome (AWS) as a sequela.
Design Prospective, randomized, single-blind clinical trial.
Setting.
Single-center study.
Participants.
Forty-six post-breast cancer surgery patients with AWS had restricted functionality, quality of life, and exercise capacity.
Interventions.
Stretching combined with manual therapy and scar massage to release adhesion and lymphatic cord during 15 physiotherapy
sessions of 30–40 min each.
Main outcome measures.
Functionality was evaluated with DASH and Constant Scale, exercise capacity with IPAQ, and quality of life with EORTC
QLQ-BR23.
Participants were allocated to either intervention or control group using the Excel randomization tool. Blinding of the therapist
was not possible due to the study’s nature.
Results Twenty-five patients were assigned to the intervention group and twenty-three to the control group, becoming
twenty-four and twenty-two, respectively, for analysis.
Significant differences were detected in functionality and quality of life. The intervention effect varied over time with a 95%
confidence interval (alpha 0.05) and a statistical power of 90% (beta 0.1). Comparisons between groups showed significant
differences in favor of the intervention group at 30, 60, and 90 days of follow-up.
Conclusion Stretching combined with scar massage and manipulative tissue release techniques improved functionality and
quality of life in AWS patients. This physiotherapy technique could be considered the treatment of choice for this surgical
sequela.
Trial registration.
ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT05115799) on June 10, 2021, and the approval of the Andalucía Ethics Committee (PEIBA
code 1909-N1-21, reg. number 171.21)
Análisis del aprendizaje, emociones y percepciones de maestros en formación inicial al jugar con Conoce a tus polinizadores
No full textLa biodiversidad y, en particular, los polinizadores se encuentran gravemente amenazados debido
al cambio climático. Los estudiantes, como agentes activos de nuestra sociedad, deben ser conocedores de
dichos problemas sociocientíficos logrando así un aprendizaje significativo. El Aprendizaje Basado en
Juegos favorece la adquisición de contenidos, competencias y habilidades científicas. El objetivo de este
estudio es analizar los aprendizajes, las emociones y las percepciones de maestros en formación inicial del
Grado en Educación Infantil y del Grado en Educación Primaria, de la Universidad de Málaga, al jugar con
Conoce a tus polinizadores, creado y publicado por la Comisión Europea en el 2020. Para ello, los
participantes cumplimentaron un cuestionario de conocimientos y percepciones del aprendizaje antes,
después y al mes de la implementación del juego; un cuestionario de valoraciones de emociones; y otro sobre
valoración del juego, tras su realización. Las respuestas fueron analizadas y se realizaron diferentes pruebas
estadísticas. Aunque el juego presenta aspectos positivos como la reflexión sobre la importancia de trabajar
esta cuestión en el aula, siendo sencillo, útil, atractivo e interesante; se señalan aspectos de mejora, como
adaptar el juego a edades tempranas y enriquecer la variedad de especies polinizadoras
Analizando la Inmersión Emergente de los ARG a través del Concepto de Transinmersión
No full textEl elemento inmersivo en los juegos de realidad alternativa (ARG) es considerado ingrediente fundamental del género, algo problemático a tenor de la confusión entre ficción y realidad que lo caracteriza. El presente trabajo pretende analizar el régimen inmersivo de los ARG, conceptualizando sus peculiaridades a través de un nuevo término, transinmersión. Las condiciones necesarias para considerar la inmersión y su particular adaptación a las formas ARG dan lugar a un contexto único. Las hipótesis que planteaban una naturaleza inmersiva de los ARG mutante en sus manifestaciones y variable en sus niveles, son corroboradas mostrando un nuevo escenario conceptual
Development of whole-soil microbial inoculants based on solid-phase fermentation for the regeneration of the functioning of vineyard soils
No full textAchieving the sustainability of modern agriculture will require, among other actions, an improvement of the soil and its associated microbiota. One way to achieve this is through the inoculation with beneficial soil microbial communities. In this study, we used solid-phase fermentations to produce 25 distinct microbial inoculants based on complex communities obtained from the rhizosphere of 23 European vineyards. For this purpose, we mixed 0.1 g of donor rhizosphere soil and 25 g of ground and sterilized growing substrate composed of winemaking byproducts in 15-cm Petri dishes. Aerobic fermentations were carried out for a period of 56 days and the activity of microbial enzymes linked to the biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur was evaluated every two weeks. We then carried out a common garden experiment where the inoculants were tested in pots containing vineyard soil and planted with Tempranillo vines. During the fermentation, the enzyme activity of the inoculants evolved from no activity to high-activity values. Carbon- and phosphorus-linked enzymes tended to show higher activity after 14 days of incubation and then decreased or remained constant, while nitrogen-linked enzymes tended to show their highest values after 28 days of incubation. Despite these general patterns, inoculants developed from different rhizosphere communities followed different trajectories in terms of activity. In addition, we observed significant relationships between the enzyme activity of donor rhizosphere soils and the enzyme activity of inoculants, especially after 28 days of incubation. We also found a significant relationship between the enzyme activity of the inoculants and the enzyme activity measured in the soil of pots containing vines. Our results suggest the possibility of predicting the metabolic potential of the inoculants from the metabolic potential of their donor soil sample, as well as the possibility of transferring these metabolic capabilities to soils, with likely applications for the regeneration of the functioning of vineyards
Climaticpark-py - A python framework for the climatic simulation of vehicular parking lots
No full textPrivate vehicles are the dominant mode of commuting worldwide, accounting for a significant share of energy
use and CO2 emissions. Urban growth has led to the expansion of surface parking lots, where vehicles are often
exposed to intense solar radiation, raising cabin temperatures above 60 ◦C and increasing air-conditioning
energy demand. Installing sunshades can mitigate this issue, but their effective deployment requires detailed
analysis. This paper presents climaticpark-py, a Python library that simulates parking lots considering geographic
and ambient conditions along with mobility patterns, enabling evaluation of sunshade configurations
to optimize thermal comfort and energy efficiency even before physical implementation. The present software
intends to contribute to the United Nation’s sustainable goal Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe,
resilient and sustainable
Influence of manufacturing process in pores, fibre distribution and mechanical properties of ASA-CF for 3D large format additive manufacturing pieces
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate parts manufactured by fused granular fabrication (FGF) using two different acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA) compounds reinforced with carbon fiber (CF) and compared them with those produced by injection molding (IM). Design/methodology/approach: The difference in both ASA_CF composites is the mixing process, achieved using twin-screw extruders with different mixing shear rates. The porosity proportion and distribution, and the CF length and alignment, have been carefully quantified and compared using X-ray computerised tomography (CT). Also, the correlation with mechanical properties has been evaluated for FGF and for IM parts in both materials. Findings: Reinforcement of polymeric matrices with different fibres is a common strategy to improve the mechanical properties of 3D printing pieces, especially relevant in FGF. The manufacturing process of these composites needs to be carefully designed to optimise the structural and mechanical characteristics of the material. CT analyses show that the use of higher shear mixing rates increases the amount of pores within the polymeric pellets and produces a smaller fibre size distribution in the composites, which negatively affects the mechanical performance of the final part. Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time that a global study of the complete fabrication process has been carried out, providing detailed information of every step of the process