Teamwork, motivational profiles and academic performance in computer science engineering

The present work is aimed at discussing several issues related to the teamwork generic competence, motivational profiles and academic performance. In particular, we study the improvement of teamwork attitude, the predominant types of motivation in different contexts and some correlations among these three components of the learning process. The above-mentioned aspects are of great importance. Currently, the professional profile of engineers has a strong teamwork component and the motivational profile of students determines both their tendencies when they come to work as part of a team, as well as their performance at work. Taking these issues into consideration, we suggest four hypotheses: (H1) students improve their teamwork capacity through specific training and carrying out of a set of activities integrated into an active learning process; (H2) students with higher mastery motivation have a better attitude towards teamwork; (H3) students with different types of motivations reach different levels of academic performance; and (H4) students show different motivation profiles in different circumstances: type of courses, teaching methodologies, different times of the learning process. This study was carried out with Computer Science Engineering students from two Spanish universities. The first results point to an improvement in teamwork competence of students if they have previously received specific training in facets of that competence. Other results indicate that there is a correlation between the motivational profiles of students and their perception of teamwork competence. Finally, results point to a clear relationship between some kind of motivation and academic performance. In particular, four kinds of motivation are analyzed and students are classified into two groups according to them. After analyzing several marks obtained in compulsory courses, we perceive that those students that show higher motivation for avoiding failure obtain, in general, worse academic performance.

Evaluation of the influence of visual parameters on wave transmission velocity in sawn chestnut timber

Non-destructive, visual evaluation and mechanical testing techniques were used to assess the structural properties of 374 samples of chestnut (Castanea sativa). The principal components method was applied to establish and interpret correlations between variables obtained of modulus of elasticity, bending strength and density. The static modulus of elasticity presented higher correlation values than those obtained using non-destructive methods. Bending strength presented low correlations with the non-destructive parameters, but there was some relation to the different knot ratios defined. The relationship was stronger with the most widely used ratio, CKDR. No significant correlations were observed between any of the variables and density.

Calidad poscosecha del tomate (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cultivado en sistemas ecológicos de fertilización

Se condujeron cuatro experimentos unifactoriales en condiciones de campo en áreas agrícolas de la Universidad de Granma, en el período comprendido de septiembre/2007 a enero/2010 para determinar el efecto de la aplicación de micorrizas arbusculares, Azotobacter chroococcum y ácidos húmicos sobre la productividad y la calidad poscosecha del tomate (Solanum lycopersicum L.) cv. “Vyta”, sobre un suelo de tipo Fluvisol. La aplicación simple y combinada de las micorrizas arbusculares, el Azotobacter chroococcum y los ácidos húmicos mostró un efecto positivo sobre la productividad de la variedad de tomate estudiada, al obtenerse incrementos significativos de este indicador en comparación con el control (sin aplicación), lográndose los mejores resultados con la combinación Glomus fasciculatum (0,3 kg m-2) + Azotobacter chroococcum (30 L ha-1) + ácidos húmicos (500 mg L-1) con valores de 54,57 t ha-1. Se comprobó además, que los tratamientos con estos bioproductos presentaron contenidos de sólidos solubles totales (SST), carbohidratos solubles totales (CST), vitamina C, porcentaje de materia seca (PMS), firmeza, longitud y anchura de los frutos superiores al control (sin aplicación). Las plantas controles (sin aplicación) significativamente incrementaron la acidez titulable (contenido de ácido cítrico) y la pérdida de peso y redujeron el pH de los frutos del tomate. Los análisis de correlación realizados revelan que existieron correlaciones positivas y significativas entre el contenido de vitamina C, materia seca, sólidos solubles totales, carbohidratos solubles totales, y el pH de los frutos, mientras que la acidez titulable presentó correlaciones negativas y significativas con todas las variables mencionadas anteriormente. Se encontró a su vez un efecto sinérgico en las plantas con la aplicación combinada de estos productos con respecto al control (sin aplicación), expresado en los mayores valores de los parámetros micorrízicos estudiados. ABSTRACT Four unifactorial experiments under field conditions in an agricultural area belonging to the University of Granma from September/2007 to January/2010 aiming to evaluate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizas, Azotobacter and humic acids on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L) cv. “Vyta” crop yield and postharvest quality in a Typic Fluvent soil were conducted. The simple and mixed application of arbuscular mycorrhizas, Azotobacter chroococcum and humic acids showed a positive effect on yield and internal postharvest parameters evaluated for the studied tomato variety, achieving significant increases with respect to the control treatment ones. The best results related to crop yield were achieved by combining Glomus fasciculatum (0.3 kg m-2) + Azotobacter chroococcum (30 L ha-1) + humic acids (500 mg L-1) that lead to 54.57 t ha-1. In addition, it was also demonstrated that the treatments under effect of biofertilizers and biostimulants resulted in higher total soluble solids (TSS), total soluble carbohydrates (TSC), vitamin C, dry matter contents (DMC), firmness, length and width of the fruits than the control treatment. The control plants showed significantly increased titrable acidity (citric acid content) and weight loss and reduced pH on the tomato fruits. The conducted correlation analyses revealed that there were significant and positive correlations between vitamin C content, dry matter, total soluble solids, total soluble carbohydrates, and pH of the fruit, while titratable acidity showed significant negative correlations with all variables mentioned above. At the same time, a synergic effect by mixed utilization of these biological products on tomato plants, with respect to control treatment (non-treated), was found regarding the increase of studied mycorrhizal parameters.

Four-injector variability modeling of FinFET predictive technology models

The usual way of modeling variability using threshold voltage shift and drain current amplification is becoming inaccurate as new sources of variability appear in sub-22nm devices. In this work we apply the four-injector approach for variability modeling to the simulation of SRAMs with predictive technology models from 20nm down to 7nm nodes. We show that the SRAMs, designed following ITRS roadmap, present stability metrics higher by at least 20% compared to a classical variability modeling approach. Speed estimation is also pessimistic, whereas leakage is underestimated if sub-threshold slope and DIBL mismatch and their correlations with threshold voltage are not considered.

Automatic fault detection on BIPV systems without solar irradiation data

BIPV systems are small PV generation units spread out over the territory, and whose characteristics are very diverse. This makes difficult a cost-effective procedure for monitoring, fault detection, performance analyses, operation and maintenance. As a result, many problems affecting BIPV systems go undetected. In order to carry out effective automatic fault detection procedures, we need a performance indicator that is reliable and that can be applied on many PV systems at a very low cost. The existing approaches for analyzing the performance of PV systems are often based on the Performance Ratio (PR), whose accuracy depends on good solar irradiation data, which in turn can be very difficult to obtain or cost-prohibitive for the BIPV owner. We present an alternative fault detection procedure based on a performance indicator that can be constructed on the sole basis of the energy production data measured at the BIPV systems. This procedure does not require the input of operating conditions data, such as solar irradiation, air temperature, or wind speed. The performance indicator, called Performance to Peers (P2P), is constructed from spatial and temporal correlations between the energy output of neighboring and similar PV systems. This method was developed from the analysis of the energy production data of approximately 10,000 BIPV systems located in Europe. The results of our procedure are illustrated on the hourly, daily and monthly data monitored during one year at one BIPV system located in the South of Belgium. Our results confirm that it is possible to carry out automatic fault detection procedures without solar irradiation data. P2P proves to be more stable than PR most of the time, and thus constitutes a more reliable performance indicator for fault detection procedures. We also discuss the main limitations of this novel methodology, and we suggest several future lines of research that seem promising to improve on these procedures.

Scalable high-order UWB pulse generation employing an FBG-based photonic superstructure

In this letter, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a compact, flexible, and scalable ultrawideband (UWB) generator based on the merge of phase-to-intensity conversion and pulse shaping employing an fiber Bragg Grating-based superstructure. Our approach offers the capacity for generating high-order UWB pulses by means of the combination of various low-order derivatives. Moreover, the scheme permits the implementation of binary and multilevel modulation formats. Experimental measurements of the generated UWB pulses, in both time and frequency domain, are presented revealing efficiency and a proper fit in terms of Federal Communications Commission settled standards.

Efectos territoriales de las denominaciones de origen protegidas de aceite de oliva en España

La implementación de indicaciones geográficas, generan distintos efectos socio-económicos, tecnológicos y ambientales, no sólo a nivel de los productores directamente involucrados, sino también en el marco del sistema agroalimentario local (SIAL). Entre estos últimos, se destaca la organización colectiva de los productores y el desarrollo de una gobernanza, a partir del conjunto de actividades desarrolladas por el Consejo Regulador (CR), en torno al control de calidad y la promoción del producto. El concepto de gobernanza territorial implica llevar a cabo procesos de organización colectiva en red en los que tienen lugar procesos de coordinación multi-nivel entre los agentes, las empresas y las instituciones locales, en un contexto de asimetría en la información y de la existencia de numerosos decisores. El objetivo de esta Tesis Doctoral es realizar un aporte metodológico para el estudio de la gobernanza territorial en sistemas agroalimentarios localizados, a partir de la construcción de indicadores (de calidad, innovación, efectos económicos y prácticas ambientales) y el análisis de las redes de colaboración en materia de difusión del conocimiento e innovaciones técnicas, organizativas y comerciales en la Comarca de Sierra Mágina. Para responder el objetivo se aplica análisis de redes sociales y se construyen indicadores sintéticos para valorizar los efectos. Se realizan encuestas a la totalidad de almazaras presentes en la Comarca de Sierra Mágina, tanto a las que poseen el signo de calidad como a las que no cuentan con dicha marca territorial y entrevistas a testigos privilegiados. En las mismas se consulta sobre las actividades y proyectos que realizan en forma conjunta con otras almazaras e instituciones, así como los actores o referentes a quiénes consultan en temas relacionados con la calidad en la producción olivícola y la obtención de aceite, así como aquellos actores a quienes consultan en aspectos referidos a la Comercialización y gestión. A partir de la información recabada, se obtienen cuatro indicadores sintéticos de efectos de la implantación de una DOP en las almazaras adheridas, referidos a la adopción de innovaciones productivas y organizativas, a la calidad en producto y procesos, a las rentas de diferenciación y a las prácticas ambientales. Asimismo se generan las matrices bi-narias y valuadas para las redes de colaboración en la difusión del conocimiento y se calculan los indicadores particulares. Esto nos permite estudiar las características de las redes que se generan (tamaño, conectividad), el papel del CR en la gobernanza territorial y de otras instituciones del medio, así como identificar actores centrales y grupos en el proceso de difusión de conocimientos. Los resultados muestran que los SIAL pueden beneficiarse de la organización interprofesional y de cooperación interinstitucional a escala local que se producen tras la implantación de una DOP. Se desarrolla un proceso de articulación y un fuerte intercambio de conocimientos entre actores ligados al propio proceso de control de la calidad diferencial. Pero, junto con ello, se desarrollan actividades de formación y de promoción del patrimonio comarcal y se consolidan redes locales de innovación y colaboración mutua en distintas actividades, tanto entre actores de la propia cadena de producción, como entre éstos y las instituciones del medio. Estas actividades, junto con la presencia de un entramado institucional denso, permiten el desarrollo de una gobernanza territorial alrededor del sistema agroalimentario del aceite de oliva. ABSTRACT The implementation of geographical indications has different socio-economic, technological and environmental effects not only for the producers involved but also for the local agro food system (LAFS). Among the latter, we can highlight the collective organization of producers and the development of territorial governance through a series of tasks developed by the Regulatory Board (RB) as regards quality control and product marketing. The concept of territorial governance involves processes of collective organization in networks, where processes of multi-level coordination among agents, enterprises and local institutions take place within a context of asymmetry of information and numerous decision makers. The objective of this Doctoral Thesis is to contribute with methodological tools for the study of territorial governance in local agro food systems by constructing indicators (of quality, innovation, economic effects and environmental practices) and by analyzing networks of collaboration in terms of dissemination of technical, organizational and commercial innovation and knowledge in Comarca de Sierra Mágina. To achieve that objective, social network analysis is applied and synthetic indicators are elaborated to valorize the effects. Interviews to key actors and surveys to every oil mill in Comarca de Sierra Mágina are carried out, not only in those oil mills that host a label of quality but also in the ones that do not hold it. These interviews inquire about tasks and projects performed together with other oil mills and institutions and about actors or referents consulted in topics related to quality in olive production and oil extraction as well as in management and marketing. From all the information collected, four synthetic indicators of the effects of establishing Protected Designations of Origen (PDOs) in the associate oil mills are obtained, in terms of adoption of productive and organizational innovations, process and product quality, income differentiation and environmental practices. In the same way, binary and valorized matrixes are generated for those networks collaborating in the dissemination of knowledge and specific indicators are calculated. This allows to study networks (size, connectivity), the role of RB in territorial governance and other institutions involved and to identify main actors and groups in the process of knowledge dissemination. The results show that the LAFS can benefit from inter-professional organizations and inter- institutional cooperation at local levels by implementing PDOs. A process of articulation and strong exchange of knowledge is developed among those actors involved in controlling differential quality. But, at the same time, activities for the formation and promotion of the “comarca” patrimony are developed and local networks of innovation and mutual collaboration are built for different activities, not only among actors in the production process itself, but between these actors and local institutions as well. These tasks, together with the existence of a dense spatial entrepreneurial network, allow the development of territorial governance on the olive oil agro food system.