Lesion, and haematologic and serum characteristics of Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) sampled in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica

We examined and collected biomedical samples from Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) during studies of post-breeding-season foraging behaviour of adults and movements of weaned pups as a complement to ongoing studies on the ecology and population dynamics of the McMurdo seals (Stewart et al. 2000, 2003). Here we report on Weddell seal health assessments conducted during the 1996/97, 1997/98 and 1998/99 breeding seasons at the Delbridge Islands (77.68°S, 166.50°E), McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Our objectives were to compile baseline biomedical data for Weddell seals in McMurdo Sound, and to identify infectious and non-infectious diseases affecting the population. Development of such a database, including information on normal background morbidity and mortality, is an important first step in evaluating natural versus anthropogenic impacts on population health (Geraci et al. 1999; Reddy et al. 2001). These data will be integral to international studies of southern ocean pinnipeds that seek to evaluate the influence of biotic and abiotic factors on the ecology of these apex predators.

Kernel bandwidth estimation for moving object detection in non-stabilized cameras

The evolution of the television market is led by 3DTV technology, and this tendency can accelerate during the next years according to expert forecasts. However, 3DTV delivery by broadcast networks is not currently developed enough, and acts as a bottleneck for the complete deployment of the technology. Thus, increasing interest is dedicated to ste-reo 3DTV formats compatible with current HDTV video equipment and infrastructure, as they may greatly encourage 3D acceptance. In this paper, different subsampling schemes for HDTV compatible transmission of both progressive and interlaced stereo 3DTV are studied and compared. The frequency characteristics and preserved frequency content of each scheme are analyzed, and a simple interpolation filter is specially designed. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of the different schemes and filters are evaluated through quality testing on several progressive and interlaced video sequences.

Estudio de la variación del contenido de humedad en el Pinus pinaster Ait. por medio de la técnica no destructiva del georradar / Assessment of the variation of the moisture content in the Pinus pinaster Ait using the non destructive gpr technique

La variación en el contenido de humedad (CH) tiene una influencia significativa tanto en las propiedades físico- químicas de la madera, como en sus propiedades electromagnéticas y por tanto afecta a las características de la propagación de las ondas. En concreto, en este trabajo se estudia la capacidad del georradar (GR) empleando una antena de 1.6GHz de frecuencia central para registrar las variaciones que se producen en la velocidad y en la amplitud de las ondas electromagnéticas cuando se propagan en unas viguetas de madera de Pinus pinaster Ait de uso estructural cuyo CH va disminuyendo. Se ha comprobado como cuando el CH descendía la velocidad de propagación y las amplitudes, tanto de la onda directa como de la reflejada aumentaba. Los altos factores de correlación encontrados demuestran que el GR es una técnica capaz de evaluar, de forma no destructiva, el CH de la madera de uso estructural. The moisture content variations in wood have a significant influence in wood?s physicochemical properties, as well as in its electromagnetic properties and to specific effects upon waves? characteristics. In particular, this paper focuses on the analysis of the Ground-penetrating Radar?s (GPR) using an antenna of 1.6 GHz central frequency capacity to register the velocity and the amplitude of the electromagnetic waves? variation during the drying process of Pinus pinaster Ait timber joists. The results showed that when timber MC descended, the propagation velocity and amplitude of both the direct and the reflected wave increased. The high correlation found between the variables studied demonstrates GPR efficiency and the innovative application of this technique as a non-destructive evaluation tool for timber structures, particularly when studying its moisture content.

Non-linear gain - look-up table based approach for modeling a family of DC to DC converters based on transient response analysis

The purpose of this work is to propose a structure for simulating power systems using behavioral models of nonlinear DC to DC converters implemented through a look-up table of gains. This structure is specially designed for converters whose output impedance depends on the load current level, e.g. quasi-resonant converters. The proposed model is a generic one whose parameters can be obtained by direct measuring the transient response at different operating points. It also includes optional functionalities for modeling converters with current limitation and current sharing in paralleling characteristics. The pusposed structured also allows including aditional characteristics of the DC to DC converter as the efficency as a function of the input voltage and the output current or overvoltage and undervoltage protections. In addition, this proposed model is valid for overdamped and underdamped situations.

Epidemiological characteristics and diagnostic approach in patients admitted to the emergency room for transient loos of consciousness: Group for Syncope Study in the Emergency Room (GESINUR) study

Aims: To assess the clinical presentation and acute management of patients with transient loss of consciousness (T-LOC) in the emergency department (ED). Methods and results: A multi-centre prospective observational study was carried out in 19 Spanish hospitals over 1 month. The patients included were 14 years old and were admitted to the ED because of an episode of T-LOC. Questionnaires and corresponding electrocardiograms (ECGs) were reviewed by a Steering Committee (SC) to unify diagnostic criteria, evaluate adherence to guidelines, and diagnose correctly the ECGs. We included 1419 patients (prevalence, 1.14%).ECG was performed in 1335 patients (94%) in the ED: 498 (37.3%) ECGs were classified as abnormal. The positive diagnostic yield ranged from 0% for the chest X-ray to 12% for the orthostatic test. In the ED, 1217 (86%) patients received a final diagnosis of syncope, whereas the remaining 202 (14%) were diagnosed of non-syncopal transient lossof consciousness (NST-LOC). After final review by the SC, 1080 patients (76%) were diagnosed of syncope, whereas 339 (24%) were diagnosed of NST-LOC (P , 0.001). Syncope was diagnosed correctly in 84% of patients. Only 25% of patients with T-LOC were admitted to hospitals. Conclusion Adherence to clinical guidelines for syncope management was low; many diagnostic tests were performed with low diagnostic yield. Important differences were observed between syncope diagnoses at the ED and by SC decision.

Hybrid Contribution of JPEG200 Video Files for Professional Production Centers Reliability and Non-Reliability Transmission File Based in Image Quality Needed

ATM, SDH or satellite have been used in the last century as the contribution network of Broadcasters. However the attractive price of IP networks is changing the infrastructure of these networks in the last decade. Nowadays, IP networks are widely used, but their characteristics do not offer the level of performance required to carry high quality video under certain circumstances. Data transmission is always subject to errors on line. In the case of streaming, correction is attempted at destination, while on transfer of files, retransmissions of information are conducted and a reliable copy of the file is obtained. In the latter case, reception time is penalized because of the low priority this type of traffic on the networks usually has. While in streaming, image quality is adapted to line speed, and line errors result in a decrease of quality at destination, in the file copy the difference between coding speed vs line speed and errors in transmission are reflected in an increase of transmission time. The way news or audiovisual programs are transferred from a remote office to the production centre depends on the time window and the type of line available; in many cases, it must be done in real time (streaming), with the resulting image degradation. The main purpose of this work is the workflow optimization and the image quality maximization, for that reason a transmission model for multimedia files adapted to JPEG2000, is described based on the combination of advantages of file transmission and those of streaming transmission, putting aside the disadvantages that these models have. The method is based on two patents and consists of the safe transfer of the headers and data considered to be vital for reproduction. Aside, the rest of the data is sent by streaming, being able to carry out recuperation operations and error concealment. Using this model, image quality is maximized according to the time window. In this paper, we will first give a briefest overview of the broadcasters requirements and the solutions with IP networks. We will then focus on a different solution for video file transfer. We will take the example of a broadcast center with mobile units (unidirectional video link) and regional headends (bidirectional link), and we will also present a video file transfer file method that satisfies the broadcaster requirements.

Woolliness assessment in peaches (Cv. Springcrest) by sensory and instrumental means.

Mealiness is a negative attribute of sensory texture, characterised by the lack of juiciness without variation of total water content in the tissues. In peaches, mealiness is also known as "woolliness" and "leatheriness". This internal disorder is characterised by the lack of juiciness and flavour. In peaches, it is associated with interna browning near the stone and the incapacity of ripening although there is externa ripe appearance. Woolliness is associated with inadequate cold storage and is considered as a physiological disorder that appears in stone fruits when an unbalanced pectolitic enzyme activity during storage occurs (Kailasapathy and Melton, 1992). Many attempts have been carried out to identify and measure mealiness and woolliness in fruits. The texture of a food product is composed by a wide spectrum of sensory attributes. Consumer defines the texture integrating simultaneously all the sensory attributes. However, an instrument assesses one or several parameters related to a fraction of the texture spectrum (Kramer, 1973). The complexity of sensory analysis by means of trained panels to assess the quality of some producing processes, supports the attempt to estimate texture characteristics by instrumental means. Some studies have been carried out comparing sensory and instrumental methods to assess mealiness and woolliness. The current study is centered on analysis and evaluation of woolliness in peaches and is part of the European project FAIR CT95 0302 "Mealiness in fruits: consumer perception and means for detection". The main objective of this study was to develop procedures to detect woolly peaches by sensory and by instrumental means, as well as to compare both measuring procedures.

Evaluation of cover crops based on characteristics of nitrogen use, and aerial and root growth

La caracterización de los cultivos cubierta (cover crops) puede permitir comparar la idoneidad de diferentes especies para proporcionar servicios ecológicos como el control de la erosión, el reciclado de nutrientes o la producción de forrajes. En este trabajo se estudiaron bajo condiciones de campo diferentes técnicas para caracterizar el dosel vegetal con objeto de establecer una metodología para medir y comparar las arquitecturas de los cultivos cubierta más comunes. Se estableció un ensayo de campo en Madrid (España central) para determinar la relación entre el índice de área foliar (LAI) y la cobertura del suelo (GC) para un cultivo de gramínea, uno de leguminosa y uno de crucífera. Para ello se sembraron doce parcelas con cebada (Hordeum vulgare L.), veza (Vicia sativa L.), y colza (Brassica napus L.). En 10 fechas de muestreo se midieron el LAI (con estimaciones directas y del LAI-2000), la fracción interceptada de la radiación fotosintéticamente activa (FIPAR) y la GC. Un experimento de campo de dos años (Octubre-Abril) se estableció en la misma localización para evaluar diferentes especies (Hordeum vulgare L., Secale cereale L., x Triticosecale Whim, Sinapis alba L., Vicia sativa L.) y cultivares (20) en relación con su idoneidad para ser usadas como cultivos cubierta. La GC se monitorizó mediante análisis de imágenes digitales con 21 y 22 muestreos, y la biomasa se midió 8 y 10 veces, respectivamente para cada año. Un modelo de Gompertz caracterizó la cobertura del suelo hasta el decaimiento observado tras las heladas, mientras que la biomasa se ajustó a ecuaciones de Gompertz, logísticas y lineales-exponenciales. Al final del experimento se determinaron el C, el N y el contenido en fibra (neutrodetergente, ácidodetergente y lignina), así como el N fijado por las leguminosas. Se aplicó el análisis de decisión multicriterio (MCDA) con objeto de obtener un ranking de especies y cultivares de acuerdo con su idoneidad para actuar como cultivos cubierta en cuatro modalidades diferentes: cultivo de cobertura, cultivo captura, abono verde y forraje. Las asociaciones de cultivos leguminosas con no leguminosas pueden afectar al crecimiento radicular y a la absorción de N de ambos componentes de la mezcla. El conocimiento de cómo los sistemas radiculares específicos afectan al crecimiento individual de las especies es útil para entender las interacciones en las asociaciones, así como para planificar estrategias de cultivos cubierta. En un tercer ensayo se combinaron estudios en rhizotrones con extracción de raíces e identificación de especies por microscopía, así como con estudios de crecimiento, absorción de N y 15N en capas profundas del suelo. Las interacciones entre raíces en su crecimiento y en el aprovisionamiento de N se estudiaron para dos de los cultivares mejor valorados en el estudio previo: uno de cebada (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Hispanic) y otro de veza (Vicia sativa L. cv. Aitana). Se añadió N en dosis de 0 (N0), 50 (N1) y 150 (N2) kg N ha-1. Como resultados del primer estudio, se ajustaron correctamente modelos lineales y cuadráticos a la relación entre la GC y el LAI para todos los cultivos, pero en la gramínea alcanzaron una meseta para un LAI>4. Antes de alcanzar la cobertura total, la pendiente de la relación lineal entre ambas variables se situó en un rango entre 0.025 y 0.030. Las lecturas del LAI-2000 estuvieron correlacionadas linealmente con el LAI, aunque con tendencia a la sobreestimación. Las correcciones basadas en el efecto de aglutinación redujeron el error cuadrático medio del LAI estimado por el LAI-2000 desde 1.2 hasta 0.5 para la crucífera y la leguminosa, no siendo efectivas para la cebada. Esto determinó que para los siguientes estudios se midieran únicamente la GC y la biomasa. En el segundo experimento, las gramíneas alcanzaron la mayor cobertura del suelo (83-99%) y la mayor biomasa (1226-1928 g m-2) al final del mismo. Con la mayor relación C/N (27-39) y contenido en fibra digestible (53-60%) y la menor calidad de residuo (~68%). La mostaza presentó elevadas GC, biomasa y absorción de N en el año más templado en similitud con las gramíneas, aunque escasa calidad como forraje en ambos años. La veza presentó la menor absorción de N (2.4-0.7 g N m-2) debido a la fijación de N (9.8-1.6 g N m-2) y escasa acumulación de N. El tiempo térmico hasta alcanzar el 30% de GC constituyó un buen indicador de especies de rápida cubrición. La cuantificación de las variables permitió hallar variabilidad entre las especies y proporcionó información para posteriores decisiones sobre la selección y manejo de los cultivos cubierta. La agregación de dichas variables a través de funciones de utilidad permitió confeccionar rankings de especies y cultivares para cada uso. Las gramíneas fueron las más indicadas para los usos de cultivo de cobertura, cultivo captura y forraje, mientras que las vezas fueron las mejor como abono verde. La mostaza alcanzó altos valores como cultivo de cobertura y captura en el primer año, pero el segundo decayó debido a su pobre actuación en los inviernos fríos. Hispanic fue el mejor cultivar de cebada como cultivo de cobertura y captura, mientras que Albacete como forraje. El triticale Titania alcanzó la posición más alta como cultiva de cobertura, captura y forraje. Las vezas Aitana y BGE014897 mostraron buenas aptitudes como abono verde y cultivo captura. El MCDA permitió la comparación entre especies y cultivares proporcionando información relevante para la selección y manejo de cultivos cubierta. En el estudio en rhizotrones tanto la mezcla de especies como la cebada alcanzaron mayor intensidad de raíces (RI) y profundidad (RD) que la veza, con valores alrededor de 150 cruces m-1 y 1.4 m respectivamente, comparados con 50 cruces m-1 y 0.9 m para la veza. En las capas más profundas del suelo, la asociación de cultivos mostró valores de RI ligeramente mayores que la cebada en monocultivo. La cebada y la asociación obtuvieron mayores valores de densidad de raíces (RLD) (200-600 m m-3) que la veza (25-130) entre 0.8 y 1.2 m de profundidad. Los niveles de N no mostraron efectos claros en RI, RD ó RLD, sin embargo, el incremento de N favoreció la proliferación de raíces de veza en la asociación en capas profundas del suelo, con un ratio cebada/veza situado entre 25 a N0 y 5 a N2. La absorción de N de la cebada se incrementó en la asociación a expensas de la veza (de ~100 a 200 mg planta-1). Las raíces de cebada en la asociación absorbieron también más nitrógeno marcado de las capas profundas del suelo (0.6 mg 15N planta-1) que en el monocultivo (0.3 mg 15N planta-1). ABSTRACT Cover crop characterization may allow comparing the suitability of different species to provide ecological services such as erosion control, nutrient recycling or fodder production. Different techniques to characterize plant canopy were studied under field conditions in order to establish a methodology for measuring and comparing cover crops canopies. A field trial was established in Madrid (central Spain) to determine the relationship between leaf area index (LAI) and ground cover (GC) in a grass, a legume and a crucifer crop. Twelve plots were sown with either barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), vetch (Vicia sativa L.), or rape (Brassica napus L.). On 10 sampling dates the LAI (both direct and LAI-2000 estimations), fraction intercepted of photosynthetically active radiation (FIPAR) and GC were measured. A two-year field experiment (October-April) was established in the same location to evaluate different species (Hordeum vulgare L., Secale cereale L., x Triticosecale Whim, Sinapis alba L., Vicia sativa L.) and cultivars (20) according to their suitability to be used as cover crops. GC was monitored through digital image analysis with 21 and 22 samples, and biomass measured 8 and 10 times, respectively for each season. A Gompertz model characterized ground cover until the decay observed after frosts, while biomass was fitted to Gompertz, logistic and linear-exponential equations. At the end of the experiment C, N, and fiber (neutral detergent, acid and lignin) contents, and the N fixed by the legumes were determined. Multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) was applied in order to rank the species and cultivars according to their suitability to perform as cover crops in four different modalities: cover crop, catch crop, green manure and fodder. Intercropping legumes and non-legumes may affect the root growth and N uptake of both components in the mixture. The knowledge of how specific root systems affect the growth of the individual species is useful for understanding the interactions in intercrops as well as for planning cover cropping strategies. In a third trial rhizotron studies were combined with root extraction and species identification by microscopy and with studies of growth, N uptake and 15N uptake from deeper soil layers. The root interactions of root growth and N foraging were studied for two of the best ranked cultivars in the previous study: a barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Hispanic) and a vetch (Vicia sativa L. cv. Aitana). N was added at 0 (N0), 50 (N1) and 150 (N2) kg N ha-1. As a result, linear and quadratic models fitted to the relationship between the GC and LAI for all of the crops, but they reached a plateau in the grass when the LAI > 4. Before reaching full cover, the slope of the linear relationship between both variables was within the range of 0.025 to 0.030. The LAI-2000 readings were linearly correlated with the LAI but they tended to overestimation. Corrections based on the clumping effect reduced the root mean square error of the estimated LAI from the LAI-2000 readings from 1.2 to less than 0.50 for the crucifer and the legume, but were not effective for barley. This determined that in the following studies only the GC and biomass were measured. In the second experiment, the grasses reached the highest ground cover (83- 99%) and biomass (1226-1928 g/m2) at the end of the experiment. The grasses had the highest C/N ratio (27-39) and dietary fiber (53-60%) and the lowest residue quality (~68%). The mustard presented high GC, biomass and N uptake in the warmer year with similarity to grasses, but low fodder capability in both years. The vetch presented the lowest N uptake (2.4-0.7 g N/m2) due to N fixation (9.8-1.6 g N/m2) and low biomass accumulation. The thermal time until reaching 30% ground cover was a good indicator of early coverage species. Variable quantification allowed finding variability among the species and provided information for further decisions involving cover crops selection and management. Aggregation of these variables through utility functions allowed ranking species and cultivars for each usage. Grasses were the most suitable for the cover crop, catch crop and fodder uses, while the vetches were the best as green manures. The mustard attained high ranks as cover and catch crop the first season, but the second decayed due to low performance in cold winters. Hispanic was the most suitable barley cultivar as cover and catch crop, and Albacete as fodder. The triticale Titania attained the highest rank as cover and catch crop and fodder. Vetches Aitana and BGE014897 showed good aptitudes as green manures and catch crops. MCDA allowed comparison among species and cultivars and might provide relevant information for cover crops selection and management. In the rhizotron study the intercrop and the barley attained slightly higher root intensity (RI) and root depth (RD) than the vetch, with values around 150 crosses m-1 and 1.4 m respectively, compared to 50 crosses m-1 and 0.9 m for the vetch. At deep soil layers, intercropping showed slightly larger RI values compared to the sole cropped barley. The barley and the intercropping had larger root length density (RLD) values (200-600 m m-3) than the vetch (25-130) at 0.8-1.2 m depth. The topsoil N supply did not show a clear effect on the RI, RD or RLD; however increasing topsoil N favored the proliferation of vetch roots in the intercropping at deep soil layers, with the barley/vetch root ratio ranging from 25 at N0 to 5 at N2. The N uptake of the barley was enhanced in the intercropping at the expense of the vetch (from ~100 mg plant-1 to 200). The intercropped barley roots took up more labeled nitrogen (0.6 mg 15N plant-1) than the sole-cropped barley roots (0.3 mg 15N plant-1) from deep layers.

Plant β-diversity i in human-altered forest ecosystems: the importance of the structural, spatial, and topographical characteristics of stands in patterning plant species assemblages

An understanding of spatial patterns of plant species diversity and the factors that drive those patterns is critical for the development of appropriate biodiversity management in forest ecosystems. We studied the spatial organization of plants species in human- modified and managed oak forests (primarily, Quercus faginea) in the Central Pre- Pyrenees, Spain. To test whether plant community assemblages varied non-randomly across the spatial scales, we used multiplicative diversity partitioning based on a nested hierarchical design of three increasingly coarser spatial scales (transect, stand, region). To quantify the importance of the structural, spatial, and topographical characteristics of stands in patterning plant species assemblages and identify the determinants of plant diversity patterns, we used canonical ordination. We observed a high contribution of ˟-diversity to total -diversity and found ˟-diversity to be higher and ˞-diversity to be lower than expected by random distributions of individuals at different spatial scales. Results, however, partly depended on the weighting of rare and abundant species. Variables expressing the historical management intensities of the stand such as mean stand age, the abundance of the dominant tree species (Q. faginea), age structure of the stand, and stand size were the main factors that explained the compositional variation in plant communities. The results indicate that (1) the structural, spatial, and topographical characteristics of the forest stands have the greatest effect on diversity patterns, (2) forests in landscapes that have different land use histories are environmentally heterogeneous and, therefore, can experience high levels of compositional differentiation, even at local scales (e.g., within the same stand). Maintaining habitat heterogeneity at multiple spatial scales should be considered in the development of management plans for enhancing plant diversity and related functions in human-altered forests

User experience with immersive and interactive media = Experiencia de usuario en entornos 3D inmersivos e interactivos

Estudios recientes promueven la integración de estímulos multisensoriales en activos multimedia con el fin de mejorar la experiencia de usuario mediante la estimulación de nuevos sentidos, más allá de la tradicional experiencia audiovisual. Del mismo modo, varios trabajos proponen la introducción de componentes de interacción capaces de complementar con nuevas características, funcionalidades y/o información la experiencia multimedia. Efectos sensoriales basados en el uso de nuevas técnicas de audio, olores, viento, vibraciones y control de la iluminación, han demostrado tener un impacto favorable en la sensación de Presencia, en el disfrute de la experiencia multimedia y en la calidad, relevancia y realismo de la misma percibidos por el usuario. Asimismo, los servicios basados en dos pantallas y la manipulación directa de (elementos en) la escena de video tienen el potencial de mejorar la comprensión, la concentración y la implicación proactiva del usuario en la experiencia multimedia. El deporte se encuentra entre los géneros con mayor potencial para integrar y explotar éstas soluciones tecnológicas. Trabajos previos han demostrado asimismo la viabilidad técnica de integrar éstas tecnologías con los estándares actualmente adoptados a lo largo de toda la cadena de transmisión de televisión. De este modo, los sistemas multimedia enriquecidos con efectos sensoriales, los servicios interactivos multiplataforma y un mayor control del usuario sobre la escena de vídeo emergen como nuevas formas de llevar la multimedia immersiva e interactiva al mercado de consumo de forma no disruptiva. Sin embargo, existen numerosas interrogantes relativas a los efectos sensoriales y/o soluciones interactivas más adecuadas para complementar un contenido audiovisual determinado o a la mejor manera de de integrar y combinar dichos componentes para mejorar la experiencia de usuario de un segmento de audiencia objetivo. Además, la evidencia científica sobre el impacto de factores humanos en la experiencia de usuario con estas nuevas formas de immersión e interacción en el contexto multimedia es aún insuficiente y en ocasiones, contradictoria. Así, el papel de éstos factores en el potencial de adopción de éstas tecnologías ha sido amplia-mente ignorado. La presente tesis analiza el impacto del audio binaural, efectos sensoriales (de iluminación y olfativos), interacción con objetos 3D integrados en la escena de vídeo e interacción con contenido adicional utilizando una segunda pantalla en la experiencia de usuario con contenidos de deporte. La posible influencia de dichos componentes en las variables dependientes se explora tanto a nivel global (efecto promedio) como en función de las características de los usuarios (efectos heterogéneos). Para ello, se ha llevado a cabo un experimento con usuarios orientado a explorar la influencia de éstos componentes immersivos e interactivos en dos grandes dimensiones de la experiencia multimedia: calidad y Presencia. La calidad de la experiencia multimedia se analiza en términos de las posibles variaciones asociadas a la calidad global y a la calidad del contenido, la imagen, el audio, los efectos sensoriales, la interacción con objetos 3D y la interacción con la segunda pantalla. El posible impacto en la Presencia considera dos de las dimensiones definidas por el cuestionario ITC-SOPI: Presencia Espacial (Spatial Presence) e Implicación (Engagement). Por último, los individuos son caracterizados teniendo en cuenta los siguientes atributos afectivos, cognitivos y conductuales: preferencias y hábitos en relación con el contenido, grado de conocimiento de las tecnologías integradas en el sistema, tendencia a involucrarse emocionalmente, tendencia a concentrarse en una actividad bloqueando estímulos externos y los cinco grandes rasgos de la personalidad: extroversión, amabilidad, responsabilidad, inestabilidad emocional y apertura a nuevas experiencias. A nivel global, nuestro estudio revela que los participantes prefieren el audio binaural frente al sistema estéreo y que los efectos sensoriales generan un aumento significativo del nivel de Presencia Espacial percibido por los usuarios. Además, las manipulaciones experimentales realizadas permitieron identificar una gran variedad de efectos heterogéneos. Un resultado interesante es que dichos efectos no se encuentran distribuidos de forma equitativa entre las medidas de calidad y Presencia. Nuestros datos revelan un impacto generalizado del audio binaural en la mayoría de las medidas de calidad y Presencia analizadas. En cambio, la influencia de los efectos sensoriales y de la interacción con la segunda pantalla se concentran en las medidas de Presencia y calidad, respectivamente. La magnitud de los efectos heterogéneos identificados está modulada por las siguientes características personales: preferencias en relación con el contenido, frecuencia con la que el usuario suele ver contenido similar, conocimiento de las tecnologías integradas en el demostrador, sexo, tendencia a involucrarse emocionalmente, tendencia a a concentrarse en una actividad bloqueando estímulos externos y niveles de amabilidad, responsabilidad y apertura a nuevas experiencias. Las características personales consideradas en nuestro experimento explicaron la mayor parte de la variación en las variables dependientes, confirmando así el importante (y frecuentemente ignorado) papel de las diferencias individuales en la experiencia multimedia. Entre las características de los usuarios con un impacto más generalizado se encuentran las preferencias en relación con el contenido, el grado de conocimiento de las tecnologías integradas en el sistema y la tendencia a involucrarse emocionalmente. En particular, los primeros dos factores parecen generar un conflicto de atención hacia el contenido versus las características/elementos técnicos del sistema, respectivamente. Asimismo, la experiencia multimedia de los fans del fútbol parece estar modulada por procesos emociona-les, mientras que para los no-fans predominan los procesos cognitivos, en particular aquellos directamente relacionados con la percepción de calidad. Abstract Recent studies encourage the integration of multi-sensorial stimuli into multimedia assets to enhance the user experience by stimulating other senses beyond sight and hearing. Similarly, the introduction of multi-modal interaction components complementing with new features, functionalities and/or information the multimedia experience is promoted. Sensory effects as odor, wind, vibration and light effects, as well as an enhanced audio quality, have been found to favour media enjoyment and to have a positive influence on the sense of Presence and on the perceived quality, relevance and reality of a multimedia experience. Two-screen services and a direct manipulation of (elements in) the video scene have the potential to enhance user comprehension, engagement and proactive involvement of/in the media experience. Sports is among the genres that could benefit the most from these solutions. Previous works have demonstrated the technical feasibility of implementing and deploying end-to-end solutions integrating these technologies into legacy systems. Thus, sensorially-enhanced media, two-screen services and an increased user control over the displayed scene emerge as means to deliver a new form of immersive and interactive media experiences to the mass market in a non-disruptive manner. However, many questions remain concerning issues as the specific interactive solutions or sensory effects that can better complement a given audiovisual content or the best way in which to integrate and combine them to enhance the user experience of a target audience segment. Furthermore, scientific evidence on the impact of human factors on the user experience with these new forms of immersive and interactive media is still insufficient and sometimes, contradictory. Thus, the role of these factors on the potential adoption of these technologies has been widely ignored. This thesis analyzes the impact of binaural audio, sensory (light and olfactory) effects, interaction with 3D objects integrated into the video scene and interaction with additional content using a second screen on the sports media experience. The potential influence of these components on the dependent variables is explored both at the overall level (average effect) and as a function of users’ characteristics (heterogeneous effects). To these aims, we conducted an experimental study exploring the influence of these immersive and interactive elements on the quality and Presence dimensions of the media experience. Along the quality dimension, we look for possible variations on the quality scores as-signed to the overall media experience and to the media components content, image, audio, sensory effects, interaction with 3D objects and interaction using the tablet device. The potential impact on Presence is analyzed by looking at two of the four dimensions defined by the ITC-SOPI questionnaire, namely Spatial Presence and Engagement. The users’ characteristics considered encompass the following personal affective, cognitive and behavioral attributes: preferences and habits in relation to the content, knowledge of the involved technologies, tendency to get emotionally involved and tendency to get absorbed in an activity and block out external distractors and the big five personality traits extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism and openness to experience. At the overall level, we found that participants preferred binaural audio than standard stereo audio and that sensory effects increase significantly the level of Spatial Presence. Several heterogeneous effects were also revealed as a result of our experimental manipulations. Interestingly, these effects were not equally distributed across the quality and Presence measures analyzed. Whereas binaural audio was foud to have an influence on the majority of the quality and Presence measures considered, the effects of sensory effects and of interaction with additional content through the tablet device concentrate mainly on the dimensions of Presence and on quality measures, respectively. The magnitude of these effects was modulated by individual’s characteristics, such as: preferences in relation to the content, frequency of viewing similar content, knowledge of involved technologies, gender, tendency to get emotionally involved, tendency to absorption and levels of agreeableness, conscientiousness and openness to experience. The personal characteristics collected in our experiment explained most of the variation in the dependent variables, confirming the frequently neglected role of individual differences on the media experience. Preferences in relation to the content, knowledge of involved technologies and tendency to get emotionally involved were among the user variables with the most generalized influence. In particular, the former two features seem to present a conflict in the allocation of attentional resources towards the media content versus the technical features of the system, respectively. Additionally, football fans’ experience seems to be modulated by emotional processes whereas for not fans, cognitive processes (and in particular those related to quality judgment) prevail.