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The present study aimed to merge expertise from evidence-based practice and user-centered design to develop a rating scale for considering user input and other sources of information about end-users in studies reporting on the design of technology-based support for autism. We conducted a systematic review of the relevant literature to test the reliability and validity of the scale. The scale demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity based on a randomized sample of 211 studies extracted from the output of the systematic review. The scale can help provide a more complete assessment of the quality of the design process of technology-based supports for autism and be beneficial to autistic people, their families, and related professionals in making informed decisions regarding such supports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we employ a general relativistic formalism and develop new theoretical tools that allow us to analytically express the mass and electric charge of the Reissner–Nordström black hole as well as its distance to a distant observer in terms of few directly observable quantities, such as the total frequency shift, aperture angle of the telescope, and redshift rapidity. Our analytic and concise formulas are valid on the midline, and the redshift rapidity is a relativistic invariant observable that represents the evolution of the frequency shift with respect to the proper time in the Reissner–Nordström spacetime. This procedure is applicable for particles undergoing circular motion around a spherically symmetric and electrically charged black hole, which is the case for accretion disks orbiting supermassive black holes hosted at the core of active galactic nuclei. Although this type of black hole is expected to be electrically neutral, our results provide a novel method to measure the electric charge of the Reissner–Nordström black hole, hence can shed some light on this claim. Besides, these results allow us to measure the mass of the black hole and its distance from the Earth, and we can employ the general formulas in black hole parameter estimation studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floods greatly impact human settlements in flood risk areas, such as floodplains and coastal lowlands, following heavy rainfall. The Alto Guadalentin valley, an orogenic tectonic depression, experiences extreme flash floods and land subsidence due to groundwater withdrawal, rendering it one of Europe's fastest subsiding regions. In this study, we compared two 2D flood event models representing different land subsidence scenarios for 1992 and 2016. To determine the flooded area and water depth variations due to land subsidence, the Hydrologic Engineering Centre River Analysis System 2D (HEC-RAS 2D) model was used to simulate flood inundation by the Alto Guadalentin River and its tributaries. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite (ERS, ENVISAT, and Cosmo-SkyMED) images were employed, along with the interferometric SAR (InSAR) technique, to calculate the magnitude and spatial distribution of land subsidence. By analysing the accumulated subsidence distributions obtained from InSAR, the original topography of the valley in 1992 and 2016 was reconstructed. These digital surface models (DSMs) were then used to generate 2D hydraulic models, simulating flood scenarios in the unsteady mode. The results demonstrated significant changes in the water surface elevation over the 14-year period, with a 2.04 km2 increase in areas with water depths exceeding 0.7 m. These findings were utilized to create a flood risk map and assess the economic flood risk. The data highlight the crucial role of land subsidence in determining the inundation risk in the Alto Guadalentin valley, providing valuable insights for emergency management and civil protection against future potential flooding events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased availability of low-cost, standalone and immersive virtual reality (VR) can facilitate adoption in autism education. An immersive VR implementation of the individual work system (IWS) from the TEACCH® approach has the potential to be a safe and predictable environment for autistic learners with or without intellectual disability. This study is a multi-site usability and safety trial examining an immersive VR implementation of the IWS co-designed with autistic pupils and their teachers from three educational centers in the UK, Spain, and Turkey. Twenty-one autistic students aged between 6 and 17 years were involved in the study, six of whom had an intellectual disability. The students tested a total of 164 customized tasks. All participants were able to finish all the tasks. No significant safety issues were identified. The student’s average score on the SUS Usability Scale was 85.36 points. A linear regression analysis showed that autistic children with intellectual disability scored significantly lower on feasibility than children without intellectual disability (p < 0.01) across all locations. This study concluded that an immersive VR-IWS proved usable and safe for the 21 students. However, our findings highlight the need for further adaptations and further research on those with an intellectual disability before recommending universal use. Our findings also have implications for game design for learners with special educational needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slope failures occur in open-pit mining areas worldwide, producing considerable damage in addition to economic loss. Identifying the triggering factors and detecting unstable slopes and precursory displacements —which can be achieved by exploiting remote sensing data— are critical for reducing their impact. Here we present a methodology that combines digital photogrammetry, satellite radar interferometry, and geo-mechanical modeling, to perform remote analyses of slope instabilities in open-pit mining areas. We illustrate this approach through the back analysis of a massive landslide that occurred in an active open-pit mine in southwest Spain in January 2019. Based on pre- and post-event high-resolution digital elevation models derived from digital photogrammetry, we estimate an entire sliding mass volume of around 14 million m3. Radar interferometry reveals that during the year preceding the landslide, the line of sight accumulated displacement in the slope reached − 5.7 and 4.6 cm in ascending and descending geometry, respectively, showing two acceleration events clearly correlated with rainfall in descending geometry. By means of 3D and 2D stability analyses we located the slope instability, and remote sensing monitoring led us to identify the likely triggers of failure. Las Cruces event can be attributed to delayed and progressive failure mechanisms triggered by two factors: (i) the loss of historical suction due to a pore-water pressure increase driven by rainfall and (ii) the strain-softening behavior of the sliding material. Finally, we discuss the potential of this methodological approach either to remotely perform post-event analyses of mining-related landslides and evaluate potential triggering factors or to remotely identify critical slopes in mining areas and provide pre-alert warning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mosasaurs were a cosmopolitan group of marine squamate reptiles that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. Tylosaurinae mosasaurs were characterized for having an edentulous rostrum anterior to the premaxillary teeth. External morphology of the snout of the tylosaurine Taniwhasaurus antarcticus from the Upper Cretaceous beds at James Ross Island (Antarctic Peninsula) shows a complex anatomy with diverse large foramina and bone sculpture. A computed tomography scan of the Taniwhasaurus rostrum revealed a complex internal neurovascular system of branched channels in the anteriormost part of the snout. Systems like this are present in extant aquatic vertebrates such as cetaceans and crocodiles to aid them with prey detection, and are inferred to have functioned in a similar manner for several extinct reptile clades such as plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs. Thus, it is probable that Taniwhasaurus also was able to detect prey with an enhanced neural system located in its rostrum. This condition may be more widespread than previously thought among mosasaurs and other marine reptiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biosynthesis of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) has been previously reported using a variety of organic molecules produced by microalgae. However, the results obtained could vary due to the metabolic responses that microalgae have to different culture conditions which could affect the characteristics of the produced nanoparticles. In the present report, copper nanoparticle formation was evaluated by the microalgae Chlorella kessleri, Dunaliella tertiolecta, and Tetraselmis suecica, developed under combined conditions of low (L−) and high (L+) illumination, with low (S−) and high salinity (S+). The illumination was 12 h:12 h light/dark. NP formation was evaluated 72 h after exposure to copper salt. Cupric oxide (CuO) NPs were detected spectrophotometrically in both the culture media (extracellular NPs) and cells (intracellular NPs) of Ch. kessleri with absorbance in the range of 200 to 235 nm. Metallic copper NPs (Cun) were detected with an absorbance between 540 and 560 nm in treatments with cells of C. kessleri and D. tertiolecta which were grown in L+S−, while T. suecica cells showed Cun NPs formations in L−S−, L−S+, and L+S−. The size difference of the NPs was measured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in treatments with cells of C. kessleri, ranging in size from 15 to 25 nm (L−S−) and 55 to 65 nm (L+S−). In treatments with culture media, sizes from 35 to 45 nm (L−S−) of NPs were obtained. Differences in the biosynthesis of Cu-based NPs are possible, depending on the culture conditions and the strain of microalgae to be utilized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bàlitx area is located on the steep coastal side of the Tramuntana Range (Majorca), a mountainous region which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2011 in the cultural landscape category. The Bàlitx site was occupied by farming areas with dry stone constructions and water storing systems of both Roman and Islamic origin. The coastal landscape is characterised by a large fault escarpment of up to 260 m in height. Lateral spreading processes are favoured by local stratigraphy and tectonics in an energetic coastal dynamics scenario. Block spreading morphologies are identified along the escarpment, with large, rocky blocks of volumes up to 60 × 103 m3 moving very slowly until their collapse. Consequently, a thick and highly karstified breccia deposit is accumulated at the base of the scarp. The lowest, oldest breccia outcrop has been dated (Th/U), and an age of 82.5 ± 5.6 kyr was obtained, reflecting the time span this process has been active. Additionally, numerous geomorphological slope features are identified in the area: landslides, rockfalls, and, more specifically, long and deep cracks in the hanging wall block of the fault, which also reveal active lateral spreading processes. Coastal dynamics have been investigated by interpreting offshore geophysical studies, bathymetry data and borehole information to determine the role of wave energy in the stability of the slope. Additionally, 14 SAR images from the ALOS PALSAR satellite have been exploited for the present work, covering a period spanning from 2007 to 2010, an anomalous rainy period in the region. Images were processed using the Persistent Scattered Interferometry (PSI) technique. PSInSAR results reveal that the rate of movement for the Bàlitx lateral spreading is extremely low (− 5.2 mm/year on average), but major activity has been detected in the NE sector, where velocity rates can reach values of up to − 16 mm/year Coastal dynamics in the area can explain this, as a small island generates wave refraction and reflection determining more intense erosive processes in the NE part, which lead to a greater destabilising effect on the slopes. A simple vulnerability approach has been developed to take the elements of cultural heritage into account. Vulnerability increases from SW to NE, in accordance with landslide activity. The Bàlitx case study could provide a testimony to the effects of mass movements and coastal dynamics in an exceptional example of Mediterranean agricultural landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landslides are one of the most widespread geohazards in Europe, producing significant social and economic impacts. Rapid population growth in urban areas throughout many countries in Europe and extreme climatic scenarios can considerably increase landslide risk in the near future. Variability exists between European countries in both the statutory treatment of landslide risk and the use of official assessment guidelines. This suggests that a European Landslides Directive that provides a common legal framework for dealing with landslides is necessary. With this long-term goal in mind, this work analyzes the landslide databases from the Geological Surveys of Europe focusing on their interoperability and completeness. The same landslide classification could be used for the 849,543 landslide records from the Geological Surveys, from which 36% are slides, 10% are falls, 20% are flows, 11% are complex slides, and 24% either remain unclassified or correspond to another typology. Most of them are mapped with the same symbol at a scale of 1:25,000 or greater, providing the necessary information to elaborate European-scale susceptibility maps for each landslide type. A landslide density map was produced for the available records from the Geological Surveys (LANDEN map) showing, for the first time, 210,544 km2 landslide-prone areas and 23,681 administrative areas where the Geological Surveys from Europe have recorded landslides. The comparison of this map with the European landslide susceptibility map (ELSUS 1000 v1) is successful for most of the territory (69.7%) showing certain variability between countries. This comparison also permitted the identification of 0.98 Mkm2 (28.9%) of landslide-susceptible areas without records from the Geological Surveys, which have been used to evaluate the landslide database completeness. The estimated completeness of the landslide databases (LDBs) from the Geological Surveys is 17%, varying between 1 and 55%. This variability is due to the different landslide strategies adopted by each country. In some of them, landslide mapping is systematic; others only record damaging landslides, whereas in others, landslide maps are only available for certain regions or local areas. Moreover, in most of the countries, LDBs from the Geological Surveys co-exist with others owned by a variety of public institutions producing LDBs at variable scales and formats. Hence, a greater coordination effort should be made by all the institutions working in landslide mapping to increase data integration and harmonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scientific production in E-learning has an average annual growth rate of 16%, which along with the 3.9% annual increase in the number of virtual students worldwide present a very favorable prospect for the category. However, the growth in scientific production is not constant. The objective of this work was to analyze the behavior of scientific production in E-learning from a bibliometric perspective in the 2003–2015 period, to identify its evolution in relation to other areas of knowledge. The methodology used compared production in E-learning versus world production, production by regions and blocks of countries and production of related areas of knowledge. With these results, a visualization was generated in VOSViewer under the overlay mapping technique to identify the dynamics of the 81 existing scientific journals in the category. This analysis determined that the growth in production in E-learning is due to the contribution of the journals in Social Sciences and that the decrease during the years 2013–2015 is mainly due to the fact that Computer Science have decreased their contribution in conference papers and reviews. In conclusion, E-learning is on the decline, since the growth offered by the Social Sciences is not enough to counteract the decline in the contribution of Computer Science. The method used in this study is a contribution to bibliometric techniques to explain the behavior of scientific production in a certain area of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, spectral analysis has been applied to determine the presence and statistical significance of climate cycles in long-term data series from different rainfall and gauging stations located in the Tramuntana Range, in the north-western sector of the island of Majorca. Climate signals recorded previously in the Mediterranean region have been identified: the ENSO, NAO, HALE, QBO and Sun Spot cycles as well as others related to solar activity; the most powerful signals correspond to the annual cycle, followed by the 6-month and NAO cycles. The incorporation of data derived from gauging stations contributes to better climate signal detection as local and exceptional influences are eliminated. Simulations have been performed for each rainfall/gauging station, using the most significant climate cycles obtained by means of the power spectrum. A good correlation between rainfall/flow values and simulated cycles has been obtained. The NAO and ENSO cycles are the most influential in the rainy periods, and specifically the NAO cycle, where a good correlation between episodes of high rainfall/flow and high values of ANAOI can be observed. At a second stage, landslides dated and recorded in the Tramuntana Range since 1954 (174 events) have been correlated with the simulated cycles obtaining good results, as the landslide events match rainfall peaks well. The correlation for the past decade (since 2005), when a detailed landslide inventory is available, also reveals a coincidence between landslide events and climate cycles, and specifically NAO and ENSO cycles. That is the case of the period 2008-2010, when numerous mass movements took place, and when the largest movement of the inventory was recorded. Results show a potential rainy period in the Tramuntana Range for the coming years (with maximum values around year 2021), when conditions similar to those related to the 2008-2010 event could take place again. The methodology presented in this work can contribute to the prediction of temporal, extreme hydrological events in order to design short-/medium-term mitigation strategies on a regional scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tramuntana range, in the northwestern sector of the island of Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain), is frequently affected by rockfalls which have caused significant damage, mainly along the road network. In this work, we present the procedure we have applied to calibrate and validate rockfall modelling in this region, using 103 cases of the available detailed rockfall inventory (630 rockfall events collected since the eighteenth century). We have exploited STONE (Guzzetti et al. 2002), a GIS-based rockfall simulation software which computes 2D and 3D rockfall trajectories starting from a DTM and maps of the dynamic rolling friction coefficient and of the normal and tangential energy restitution coefficients. The appropriate identification of these parameters determines the accuracy of the simulation. To calibrate them, we have selected 40 rockfalls along the range which include a wide variety of outcropping lithologies. Coefficients values have been changed in numerous attempts in order to select those where the extent and shape of the simulation matched the field mapping. Best results were summarized with the average statistical values for each parameter and for each geotechnical unit, determining that mode values represent more precisely the data. Initially, for the validation stage, 10 well-known rockfalls exploited in the calibration phase have been selected. Confidence tests have been applied to their modelling results taking into account not only the success but also the mistakes. The best accuracy is obtained when the rockfall has a preferential trajectory and worse results when the rockfall follows two or more trajectories. Additionally, the greater the rockfall runout length, the less precise the simulation is. We have further validated the calibrated parameters along the Ma-road (111 km), the main transportation corridor in the range, using 63 rockfall events that occurred during the past 18 years along the road. Of the rockfalls where source areas were properly identified, 81.5 % are well represented by STONE modelling, as the travel paths and the depositional areas are successfully ascertained. Results of the analysis have been used by the Road Maintenance Service of Mallorca to assess hazard and risk posed by rockfall at regional scale to design the road management plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in multi-temporal Differential Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Interferometry (DInSAR) have greatly improved our capability to monitor geological processes. Ground motion studies using DInSAR require both the availability of good quality input data and rigorous approaches to exploit the retrieved Time Series (TS) at their full potential. In this work we present a methodology for DInSAR TS analysis, with particular focus on landslides and subsidence phenomena. The proposed methodology consists of three main steps: (1) pre-processing, i.e., assessment of a SAR Dataset Quality Index (SDQI) (2) post-processing, i.e., application of empirical/stochastic methods to improve the TS quality, and (3) trend analysis, i.e., comparative implementation of methodologies for automatic TS analysis. Tests were carried out on TS datasets retrieved from processing of SAR imagery acquired by different radar sensors (i.e., ERS-1/2 SAR, RADARSAT-1, ENVISAT ASAR, ALOS PALSAR, TerraSAR-X, COSMO-SkyMed) using advanced DInSAR techniques (i.e., SqueeSAR™, PSInSAR™, SPN and SBAS). The obtained values of SDQI are discussed against the technical parameters of each data stack (e.g., radar band, number of SAR scenes, temporal coverage, revisiting time), the retrieved coverage of the DInSAR results, and the constraints related to the characterization of the investigated geological processes. Empirical and stochastic approaches were used to demonstrate how the quality of the TS can be improved after the SAR processing, and examples are discussed to mitigate phase unwrapping errors, and remove regional trends, noise and anomalies. Performance assessment of recently developed methods of trend analysis (i.e., PS-Time, Deviation Index and velocity TS) was conducted on two selected study areas in Northern Italy affected by land subsidence and landslides. Results show that the automatic detection of motion trends enhances the interpretation of DInSAR data, since it provides an objective picture of the deformation behaviour recorded through TS and therefore contributes to the understanding of the on-going geological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including an analysis of the Great London area in England, detection lof mining subsidence in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, and evaluation of the spatial and temporal movements on landslide.

The Son Poc rockfall took place on the 6th of March 2013 in the municipality of Bunyola, on the southern side of the Tramuntana Range (Mallorca) and after a rainy and cold period on the region. A volume of rock of 4.000 m was detached from the cliff crowning the peak falling down by toppling. The impact of the boulder caused its fragmentation, and numerous boulders bounced and rolled downslope with volumes from 1 to 35 m, following two trajectories: southwest (SW) and southeast (SE). The SE trajectory, with a larger runout (376 m), reached an urban area, where some of the boulders hit the roofs and walls of nearby houses, stopping others in their gardening areas. Fortunately, no fatalities occurred despite of the presence of some people at that moment, but the event caused great concern in a region which lives from and for tourism. The Son Poc rockfall has been simulated using RocPro3D software which uses GIS technology to produce 3D rockfall trajectories lines, estimated velocity and energy of falling blocks, as well as bounce heights, impacts, and stopping points. The results are in agreement with field observations and with a very good accuracy between real and modeled outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we analyse the performance of advanced land observing satellite (ALOS) phased array type L-band syntetic aperture radar (PALSAR) images for mapping and monitoring of very slow landslides using conventional differential interferometry in the Tena Valley (Central Pyrenees, Spain). These results are compared with those retrieved in previous works where multi-band advanced differential interferometric synthetic aperture radar (DInSAR) analysis was performed for the same area using PSI techniques. The study area is largely underlain by slates (ca. 80 %) where large deep-seated very slow earth flows are dominant. The results reveal that DInSAR analysis is able to measure displacements of landslides with a greater spatial coverage than PSI analysis, but for a lower amount of them (nine against 51). Overall, the combination of the DInSAR and multi-band PSI analysis permitted to map and monitor 68 % of the landslides in Tena Valley. From this amount, 63 landslides are considered as active. The main advantage of DInSAR with respect to PSI analysis is the capability to detect faster movements (up to 145 cm year) derived from the 46 days interferograms. That is the case of Sextas and La Selva landslides where an acceleration of the moving mass was measured after intense rainfall periods producing major damages to linear infrastructures. The combination of measured displacement from ALOS interferograms, with the observed damages on the A-136 road, was useful to assess the potential damage that could cause these slow movements. In general, it is demonstrated that even though PSI analysis provides a better performance in terms of landslide mapping, L-band DInSAR analysis provides an added value for landslide hazard assessment through radar remote sensing. For this reason it is necessary to encourage the launch of new satellite missions similar to ALOS PALSAR that could operate with shorter revisiting time periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of investigations of the generalized subsidence occurring in and around the city of Murcia, Spain. Based on this research, this is the first integrated investigation of its type performed in Spain. The phenomenon of ground consolidation in the city of Murcia leads to the appearance of severe cracking and settlement in buildings. Subsidence is the result of two factors: on the one hand, the nature of the ground in this area, as it is made of recent deposits of clay and soft limes filled in with clay-lime backfills in the top layers. On the other hand, the increase in groundwater withdrawal during the 1992-95 drought led to a decrease in the water level of a magnitude never before recorded in the city. The risk prevention management suggested convenience of the installation of a measurement network to study and follow the phenomena of the subsidence to quantify it and to calibrate this theoretical model. This network is composed of extensometers and piezometers, the best devices to measure moderate ground movements, which is the case of Murcia. The first phase (Phase I) of this study of ground settlement in the metropolitan area of Murcia involved the installation of a network with 22 extensometers and taking the first measurement series. In a second phase (Phase II), during a period of 4 years, measurements with extensometers were performed to make the analysis and calibration of the theoretical model. Experience and data analysis showed the convenience of installation of new control points with an incremental extensometer and a piezometer in close position with the aim of precisely correlating piezometric levels with the observed subsidence. The third phase (Phase III) started in 2007, a new control technique, based on radar interferometry (InSAR), is being employed to provide information about subsidence in areas not previously monitored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the use of the Stable Point Network technique, a Persistent Scatterer Interferometry SAR technique, for the analysis of the Portalet landslide area (Central Pyrenees, Spain). For this purpose, different SAR datasets acquired by ERS-1, ERS-2, ENVISAT and TerraSAR-X satellites have been analysed. The use of different SAR images acquired by satellite radar sensors operating at different microwave lengths has allowed for a comparative assessment and illustration of the advantages and disadvantages of these satellites for landslide detection and monitoring. In the introduction, differential interferometry and the study area are briefly described. Then the specifics of the SPN processing and the results of the different datasets are described and compared. In Analysis of the results: the Portalet landslide area, the Portalet landslide area is introduced and the radar displacement measurements are analysed with available geo-information data. Additionally, X-band measurements are compared with those gathered by a ground-based SAR for a previous project. Finally, the most relevant conclusions of this work are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the female reproductive tract, the innate immune system is modulated by two sex steroid hormones, estrogen and progesterone. A cyclical wave of neutrophils in the vaginal lumen is triggered by chemokines and correlates with circulating estrogen levels. Classical estrogen signaling in the female reproductive tract is activated through estrogen receptor α (encoded by the Esr1 gene). To study the role of estrogen action in the vagina, we used a mouse model in which Esr1 was conditionally ablated from the epithelial cells (Wnt7acre/+; Esr1f/f). Histological evidence showed that in response to a physical stress, the lack of ESR1 caused the vaginal epithelium to deteriorate due to the absence of a protective cornified layer and a reduction in keratin production. In the absence of ESR1 in the vaginal epithelial tissue, we also observed an excess of neutrophil infiltration, regardless of the estrous cycle stage. The histological presence of neutrophils was found to correlate with persistent enzymatic activity in the cervical-vaginal fluid. Together, these findings suggest that ESR1 activity in the vaginal epithelial cells is required to maintain proper structural integrity of the vagina and immune response, both of which are necessary for protecting the vagina against physical damage and resetting the vaginal environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

E-learning has been continuously present in current educational discourse, thanks to technological advances, learning methodologies and public or organizational policies, among other factors. However, despite its boom and dominance in various subject areas, this thematic does not yet exist in the world system of publications. Therefore, works in this thematic end up being published under related categories, particularly in education or computer science, thus fragmenting and make invisible the existing knowledge. This work is based on the hypothesis that the scientific communication of e-learning has a sufficient degree of cohesion to be considered as a thematic category in itself. From a bibliometric approach, its scientific production was analyzed, obtaining the bibliographic data of SCOPUS and SCImago Journal & Country Rank, selecting its main descriptors and generating visualizations through VOSViewer with the mapping overlay technique, to represent its set and proximity. As a result, it was determined that a set of 219 publications show a high bibliometric interrelation among its articles and these are presented mainly in the social sciences and transversally between computer science and health professions. This set serves as a channel of scientific communication and structure of knowledge on the thematic and can therefore be considered as the basis for establishing the “e-learning” thematic category in the world system of scientific publications, contributing to the consolidation of the discipline, to its access and development by researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]