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Tesi amb menció internacional, A la portada: Centre for Sensors, Instruments and Systems Development (CD6-UPC). Faculty of Optics and Optometry of Terrassa (FOOT), (English) Polarization is one of the properties of light and it is often put aside. Human beings receive light beams and process only the intensity and wavelength information. Our optical system lacks the capability of ’seeing’ polarization in comparison to other animals. The vectorial nature of polarization is uncorrelated to the intensity and colour information and this can unveil additional information for improving the current technology. This Thesis aims to develop a camera capable of measuring the full polarization in a 2D scene. In particular, it focuses on the design and construction of a prototype that measures in the visible waveband the full-Stokes vector in a snapshot such that the acquisition time and noise equalization are balanced while reducing movement and registration artefacts. The Thesis starts with the revision of the current state of the art in the polarimetric imaging field. Based on this, the optomechanical design of the polarimetric camera is developed ensuring a faster acquisition of polarization since it integrates optimum states to immunize the system from Gaussian and Poisson noise. Accordingly, this Thesis proposes a general calibration methodology addressed to the radiometry of the sensor, the geometrical aberrations from optics and the polarization elements in the system to transform the intensity measurements into polarization information. Besides, this Thesis studies two imaging modes of polarization, Stokes imaging and Mueller matrix imaging, for different applications. The novelty of this system consists of the use of optimal polarization states in a division of aperture architecture for noise immunization. Finally, this Thesis studies the application of the system to improve detection in the real-world problem of seeing through the fog. Polarization information can improve the range of detection due to the polarization memory effect. This system could be employed inside a multimodal system to ensure detection when others are hamp, (Català) La polarització és una de les propietats de la llum i que sovint es prescindeix d’ella. Els éssers humans reben els raigs de llum i únicament processen la informació provinent de la intensitat i la longitud d’ona de la llum. El nostre sistema òptic no té la capacitat de "veure" la polarització en comparació a altres animals. La natura vectorial de la polarització està no correlada amb la informació donada per la intensitat i el color, i això pot revelar informació addicional per millorar la tecnologia actual. Aquesta Tesi té com a objectiu desenvolupar una càmera per mesurar la polarització d’una escena 2D. En particular, es centra en el disseny i construcció d’un prototip que mesuri a l’espectre visible el vector de Stokes complert en un sol tret de manera que el temps d’adquisició i la equalització del soroll siguin compensats a la vegada que es redueixen els artefactes causats pel moviment i pel registre. La Tesi comença revisant l’actual estat de l’art en el camp de la imatge polarimètrica. Arran d’això, es realitza el disseny optomecànic de la càmera polarimètrica garantint una adquisició ràpida, ja que el disseny implementa uns estats òptims de polarització per immunitzar el sistema de soroll gaussià i de Poisson. Per tant, aquesta Tesi proposa una metodologia general de calibratge dirigida a la radiometria del sensor, a les aberracions geomètriques de l’òptica i als elements de polarització en el sistema per transformar les mesures d’intensitat en informació polarimétrica. A més, aquesta Tesi estudia dos maneres d’imatge de la polarització, imatge de Stokes i imatge de la matriu de Mueller, per diferents aplicacions. La novetat d’aquest sistema radica en la utilització d’estats de polarització òptims basant-se en una arquitectura de divisió d’apertura per la immunització al soroll. Finalment, aquesta tesi estudia les aplicacions del sistema per millorar la detecció en un problema del món real com és veure a través de la boira. La informació de la pol, (Español) La polarización es una de las propiedades de la luz y de la que a menudo se prescinde. Los seres humanos percibimos los rayos de luz y solo procesamos la información proveniente de la intensidad y de las longitudes de onda de la luz. Nuestro sistema óptico carece de la capacidad de "ver" la polarización en comparación con otros animales. La naturaleza vectorial de la polarización está no correlacionada con la información aportada por la intensidad y el color, y esto puede desvelar información adicional para mejorar la tecnología actual. Esta Tesis tiene como objetivo desarrollar una cámara para medir la polarización en una escena 2D. En particular, se centra en el diseño y construcción de un prototipo que mida en el espectro visible el vector de Stokes completo en un solo disparo de manera que el tiempo de adquisición y la ecualización del ruido estén compensados a la vez que se reduzcan los artefactos debidos al movimiento y al registro. La Tesis comienza revisando el actual estado del arte en el campo de imagen polarimétrica. A partir de esto, se realiza el diseño optomecánico de la cámara polarimétrica garantizando una adquisición rápida ya que el diseño implementa unos estados óptimos de polarización para inmunizar el sistema del ruido de gaussiano y de Poisson. Por consiguiente, esta Tesis propone una metodología general de calibración dirigida a la radiometría del sensor, a las aberraciones geométricas de la óptica y a los elementos de polarización en el sistema para transformar las medidas de intensidad en información polarimétrica. Además, esta Tesis estudia dos modos de imagen de la polarización, imagen de Stokes e imagen de la matriz de Mueller, para diferentes aplicaciones. La novedad de este sistema radica en la utilización de estados de polarización óptimos basándose en una arquitectura de división de apertura para la inmunización al ruido. Finalmente, esta Tesis estudia las aplicaciones del sistema para mejorar la detección en un problema del, Postprint (published version)

This paper focuses on the experimental characterization of the polarization behavior of light backscattered through fog. A polarimetric orthogonal state contrast imager and an active, purely polarized white illuminator system are used to evaluate both linear and circular polarization signals. The experiments are carried out in a macro-scale fog chamber under controlled artificial fog conditions. We explore the effect of backscattering in each imaging channel, and the persistence of both polarization signals as a function of meteorological visibility. We confirm the presence of the polarization memory effect with circularly polarized light, and, as a consequence, the maintenance of helicity in backscattering. Moreover, the circular cross-polarized channel is found to be the imaging channel less affected by fog backscattering. These results are useful and should be taken into account when considering active polarimetric imaging techniques for outdoor applications under foggy conditions., This research was funded by the MICINN (project PID2020-119484RB-I00) and by AGAUR Grant 2021FI_B2 00077, supported by the Secretaria d’Universitats i Recerca de la Generalitat de Catalunya (AGAUR) and the Fons Social Europeu (FSE)., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

In recent times, there has been a surge of interest in LiDAR imaging systems, particularly in outdoor terrestrial applications associated with computer vision. However, a significant hurdle preventing their widespread implementation lies in their limited tolerance for adverse weather conditions, such as fog. To address this challenge, researchers have explored the capability of polarization in improving detection capabilities in such media. This paper explores the potential of LiDAR technology to obtain polarized images through fog and investigates the impact of fog on object detection using digitized temporal signals and point clouds. The study utilizes a LiDAR-polarized imaging system using circular polarization, which has been shown to enhance image contrast in highly-dispersive media. The analysis of the polarimetric information of the backscattered light signal in fog reveals its influence on object detection and evaluates the range difference between orthogonal polarimetric channels: coplanar and cross-configuration. The results demonstrate that cross-configuration detection provides larger range and more detailed point clouds compared to coplanar configuration, particularly benefiting metallic objects, for the same foggy conditions. By utilizing circularly polarized incident light and cross-configuration detection, the LiDAR system can improve the signal-to-noise ratio by filtering out the co-polarized fog responses. However, the range of the system may be reduced compared to nonpolarized detection. Overall, our findings indicate that utilizing a cross-polarization detection setup can effectively reduce the impact of fog backscatter while preserving the return signal from objects of interest in the majority of cases., This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN) under projects PID2020-119484RB-I00, TED2021-132338B-I00, and PDC2021-121038-I00. The first author gratefully acknowledges the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya and Banco Santander for the financial support of her predoctoral research grant., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (author's final draft)

Las adaptaciones españolas de la Escala de Deseabilidad Social de Marlowe-Crowne (M-C SDS) han sido baremadas con estudiantes universitarios y adultos evaluados en contextos de selección/promoción laboral. Dada la influencia de la edad y el contexto en la M-C SDS, estos baremos no son apropiados para adultos voluntarios. Se presentan por primera vez datos normativos y de fiabilidad y una versión breve de la adaptación de la M-C SDS de Ávila Espada y Tomé Rodríguez obtenidos con adultos voluntarios españoles (N = 575). Los índices de consistencia interna de la M-C SDS fueron adecuados (alfa = .72-.80). Las diferencias estandarizadas en sus puntuaciones entre adultos voluntarios y estudiantes universitarios o adultos de selección/promoción alcanzaron tamaños del efecto medianos (d = 0.46 y 0.70), lo que justifica la creación de baremos específicos para adultos voluntarios. En dos submuestras independientes de adultos voluntarios, una versión de 18 ítems obtuvo índices de consistencia interna para sus ítems mejores que los de los 33 ítems de la escala completa y que no implicaba una pérdida significativa de fiabilidad (alfa = .72 y .80) ni de validez nomológica. Se ofrecen baremos globales y separados por grupos de edad para las versiones breve y completa de la M-C SDS., The Spanish adaptations of the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (M-C SDS) were normed on samples of university students or of adults assessed in personnel selection/promotion settings. Given the influence of age and assessment setting on the M-C SDS, these norms are inadequate for adult volunteers. This is the first study that provides normative and reliability data and a short form of Ávila Espada and Tomé Rodríguez’s Spanish adaptation of the M-C SDS with Spanish adult volunteers (N = 575). Internal consistency estimates for the M-C SDS were adequate (alphas = .72-.80). The standardized differences in M-C SDS scores between the adult volunteer sample and university student or personnel selection/promotion samples reached values of medium size (d = 0.46 and 0.70). This result supports the development of specific norms for adult volunteers. In two independent subsamples of adult volunteers, a short form of 18-items showed internal consistency indices for its items that were higher than those for the 33 items of the complete scale. This short form did not involve a significant loss of reliability (alphas = .72 and .80) or nomological validity. Global norms and norms for age groups are provided for the short and complete forms of the M-C SDS., Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia, Depto. de Personalidad, Evaluación y Psicología Clínica, Fac. de Psicología, TRUE, pub

Viral protein nanoparticles (ViP NPs) such as virus-like particles and virosomes are structures halfway between viruses and synthetic nanoparticles. The biological nature of ViP NPs endows them with the biocompatibility, biodegradability, and functional properties that many synthetic nanoparticles lack. At the same time, the absence of a viral genome avoids the safety concerns of viruses. Such characteristics of ViP NPs offer a myriad of opportunities for theirapplication at several points across disease development: from prophylaxis to diagnosis and treatment. ViP NPs present remarkable immunostimulant properties, and thus the vaccination field has benefited the most from these platforms capable of overcoming the limitations of both traditional and subunit vaccines. This was reflected in the marketing authorization of several VLP- and virosome-based vaccines. Besides, ViP NPs inherit the ability of viruses to deliver their cargo to target cells. Because of that, ViP NPs are promising candidates as vectors for drug and gene delivery, and for diagnostic applications. In this review, we analyze the pharmaceutical applications of ViP NPs, describing the products that are commercially available or under clinical evaluation, but also the advances that scientists are making toward the implementation of ViP NPs in other areas of major pharmaceutical interest

This article intends to provide all the experimental insights and analyze the best polarimetric calibration method for a division of aperture polarimetric imager considering the different implications it has on the experimental set-up and its performance. Polarimetric cameras require careful calibration for the correct measurement of polarization information. The calibration methods are introduced, intermediate results are presented, and the ability of the set-up to estimate Stokes vectors and Mueller matrices of the samples in passive and active imaging modes is evaluated. Polarization information recovery achieves accuracy errors below the 10% for all polarization modes when the Data Reduction Matrix or the Eigenvalue Calibration Method are used. Such performance, however, degrades significantly when using the Polarizer Calibration Method. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time such a detailed comparison of calibration methods is presented in the literature, and it is also the first time the Polarizer Calibration Method is applied to a division of aperture polarimeter., Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (PDC2021-121038-I00, PID2020-119484RB-I00); Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca (2020FI_B2 00068); European Social Fund; Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya; Banco Santander., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

34 p. -- Bibliogr.: p. 33-34, Ellipsis is one of the devices contributing to the cohesion of both written and spoken discourse. It is the omission of some elements from a clause whose meaning is understood even though they fail to be phonetically realized. This study aims to analyse the use of ellipsis as a cohesive device in Brendan Behan’s play The Hostage and in James Joyce’s composite novel Dubliners, trying to identify the similarities and differences with respect to this phenomenon in both genres. As a means to understand the results of this research, first it is essential to understand what ellipsis is, how it works and how it functions as a cohesive device. The quantitative analysis carried out in this study presents the number of elliptical structures occurring in The Hostage and Dubliners. These elliptical constructions are classified into three different varieties: nominal, predicate and clausal ellipsis. In the case of predicate and clausal ellipsis, each of their occurrences are further subcategorized. Predicate ellipsis is subcategorized into Verb Phrase Ellipsis (VPE), whereas clausal ellipsis is divided into occurrences of sluicing and fragment answers. This classification will be conducive to understanding similarities and differences between the different categories and subcategories in both literary works. A play and a narrative have been selected since it is expected there to be differences. The expectation is that ellipsis will be more profusely used in the play as the dialogues are closer to spoken language. On the other hand, it is likewise expected that in the composite novel fewer occurrences of ellipsis will be identified, though ellipsis will be more recurrent in the dialogues of the narrative work than in the narrated parts. The results obtained in this research have confirmed the cohesive function of ellipsis in written and spoken discourse, contributing to the uniformity of the text by avoiding repetitions or reducing clauses. Moreover, the results obtained show tha

This paper aims to highlight, as a case study, the encoding of a Spanish traditional music corpus using the MEI standard for the development of an interactive traditional music database focused on preserving and disseminating this type of cultural expression in the field of music education as well as ethnomusicology research. It analyzes the possibilities of the schemas and the guidelines followed to describe cancioneros at the bibliographic level, as an archetypal form of compiling traditional music in Spain, as well as the analytical aspects that highlight paradigmatic elements of this kind of music such as rhythmic patterns, tessituras, modal contexts, phrases, structural forms, etc.

Este estudio se realizó con el objetivo de determinar la viabilidad de crear en el Valle de Aburrá una empresa productora y comercializadora de productos cosméticos a base de ingredientes naturales. Esta idea surgió a partir de la escasa oferta de estos productos en el mercado y de que en los pocos productos que se ofrecen, la cantidad de químicos es mayor que la cantidad de extractos naturales. Para desarrollar este proyecto se utilizó metodología cualitativa y cuantitativa y se hicieron estudios del entorno y del sector que permitieron identificar, mediante la herramienta pestel, los aspectos que influyen en la creación de la empresa. En el estudio de mercado se pudo identificar, mediante una encuesta, la matriz DOFA y las 4P, el nicho de mercado al que irán dirigidos los productos e igualmente se definió la estrategia de difusión y de venta. En el estudio técnico, se identificó la tecnología, la localización e ingeniería que se necesitará para desarrollar los productos y en el estudio administrativo y organizacional se tuvieron en cuenta las características necesarias del personal que llevará a cabo el proyecto, la estructura salarial, la misión, la visión, los valores corporativos, las estrategias y el organigrama. En el estudio legal, se dio a conocer los trámites y documentos que se deben tener en cuenta para la creación de la empresa en Colombia, y finalmente en el estudio financiero, se verificaron los estudios anteriores mediante cifras e indicadores, que permitieron hacer comparaciones, análisis y simulaciones de diferentes escenarios, que arrojaron como conclusión que el proyecto es viable, rentable y factible., This study was carried out with the purpose of determining the viability of creating a company that produces and markets cosmetic products based on natural ingredients in the Valle de Aburrá. This idea arose from the limited supply of these products on the market and the fact that the ones that are offered, the amount of chemicals is greater than the amount of natural extracts. To develop this project, qualitative and quantitative methodology was used, and studies of the environment and the sector were also carried out that made it possible to identify, through the Pestel Tool, the aspects that influence the creation of the company. In the market study, it was possible to identify, through a survey, the SWOT (Strenghs, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Treats) matrix and the 4Ps, the market niche to which the products will be directed, and the dissemination and sales strategy was also defined. In the technical study, the technology, location and engineering that will be needed to develop the products were identified and in the administrative and organizational study the necessary characteristics of the personnel who will carry out the project, the salary structure, and the mission were taken into account, the vision, the corporation values, the strategies and the organization chart. In the legal study, the procedures and documents that must be taken into account for the creation of the company in Colombia were made known, and finally in the financial study, the previous studies were verified using figures and indicators, which allowed making comparisons, analysis and simulations of different scenarios, which concluded that the project is viable, profitable and feasible.

This paper focuses on exploring ways to improve the performance of LiDAR imagers through fog. One of the known weaknesses of LiDAR technology is the lack of tolerance to adverse environmental conditions, such as the presence of fog, which hampers the future development of LiDAR in several markets. Within this paper, a LiDAR unit is designed and constructed to be able to apply temporal and polarimetric discrimination for detecting the number of signal photons received with detailed control of its temporal and spatial distribution under co-polarized and cross-polarized configurations. The system is evaluated using different experiments in a macro-scale fog chamber under controlled fog conditions. Using the complete digitization of the acquired signals, we analyze the natural light media response, to see that due to its characteristics it could be directly filtered out. Moreover, we confirm that there exists a polarization memory effect, which, by using a polarimetric cross-configuration detector, allows improvement of object detection in point clouds. These results are useful for applications related to computer vision, in fields like autonomous vehicles or outdoor surveillance where many variable types of environmental conditions may be present., Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca (2021FI_B2 00068, 2021FI_B2 00077); DSTL (DSTLX1000145661); Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (PDC2021-121038-I00, PID2020-119484RB-I00)., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (author's final draft)

Las inundaciones son uno de los peligros naturales más recurrentes en el tiempo, y que se dan en todo el mundo. Debido a ello, es esencial tener conocimiento de cómo funcionan, analizar qué zonas pueden verse afectadas en caso de que tengan lugar, y qué elementos antrópicos pueden verse afectados o dañados, de modo que se puedan establecer medidas para prevenir los posibles daños resultantes. Teniendo eso en cuenta, en este trabajo se ha seleccionado un área del término municipal de Ponferrada, por la cual discurren los ríos Sil y Boeza, para analizar el nivel de la peligrosidad en caso de que se produzca una avenida con un periodo de retorno de 500 años. En la zona de estudio se encuentra la Iglesia de Santa María de Vizbayo, un edificio histórico considerado BIC (Bien de Interés Cultural), el cual posee un valor tanto económico como también cultural y social, de modo que dentro del análisis se va a considerar si la avenida puede alcanzar o causar daños al edificio o a su recinto. Los valores de caudal para una avenida de 500 años de periodo de retorno, asociada a cada río, se han calculado en base a datos de ajuste de la función de distribución de valores extremos GEV (Generalized Extreme Values) correspondiente, procedentes de la aplicación informática CauMax, haciendo uso de técnicas de Monte Carlo, con las cuales se obtienen también los intervalos de confianza asociados a cada valor, y estimador central del valor de caudal punta asociado a distintas probabilidades de ocurrencia o periodos de retorno. Posteriormente, el análisis del peligro de inundación se ha realizado por medio de modelos en 2D de avenidas simuladas obtenidos mediante el uso del programa Iber. Dentro de los modelos realizados también se ha estudiado el efecto que podría tener la obstrucción del espacio debajo de los puentes localizados sobre los canales de los ríos, un factor importante y que ineludiblemente se debe considerar en zonas urbanas.

Although the COVID-19 disease has developed into a worldwide pandemic, its pathophysiology remains to be fully understood. Insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), a zinc-metalloprotease with a high affinity for insulin, has been found in the interactomes of multiple SARS-CoV-2 proteins. However, the relevance of IDE in the innate and adaptative immune responses elicited by circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells is unknown. Here, we show that IDE is highly expressed on the surface of circulating monocytes, T-cells (both CD4+ and CD4−), and, to a lower extent, in B-cells from healthy controls. Notably, IDE’s surface expression was upregulated on monocytes from COVID-19 patients at diagnosis, and it was increased in more severe patients. However, IDE’s surface expression was downregulated (relative to healthy controls) 3 months after hospital discharge in all the studied immune subsets, with this effect being more pronounced in males than in females, and thus it was sex-dependent. Additionally, IDE levels in monocytes, CD4+ T-cells, and CD4− T-cells were inversely correlated with circulating insulin levels in COVID-19 patients (both at diagnosis and after hospital discharge). Of note, high glucose and insulin levels downregulated IDE surface expression by ~30% in the monocytes isolated from healthy donors, without affecting its expression in CD4+ T-cells and CD4− T-cells. In conclusion, our studies reveal the sex- and metabolism-dependent regulation of IDE in monocytes, suggesting that its regulation might be important for the recruitment of immune cells to the site of infection, as well as for glucometabolic control, in COVID-19 patients.

The polarization behavior of light transmitted through scattering media is studied quantitatively. A division of focal plane (DOFP) imaging polarimeter modified with a wideband quarter-wave plate (QWP) is used to evaluate the linear and circular depolarization signals. This system allows the measurement of the linear and circular co-polarization and cross-polarization channels simultaneously. The experiments are carried out at CEREMA’s 30 m fog chamber under controlled fog density conditions. The polarization memory effect with circularly polarized light is demonstrated to be superior in forward transmission compared to the same phenomena with linearly polarized light when imaging inside a scattering medium. This paves the way for its use in imaging through scattering media for hazard detection in different applications., Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca (2020FI_B1 00185, 2020FI_B2 00068); European Social Fund; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN) (PID2020-119484RB-I00)., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

A día de hoy la sociedad ha ido cambiado su percepción hacia los animales con una mayor preocupación por el bienestar animal, superando los obstáculos de marginación que existían hacia los animales y pasando de ser considerados como bienes materiales o meros objetos a reconocerles una serie de derechos como seres sintientes que son. Este cambio de conciencia surge debido a los numerosos casos de prácticas de maltrato animal en los cuales los animales pueden ser utilizados de manera excesivamente cruel y despiadada en beneficio del ser humano que han despertado la preocupación social y a los avances legislativos no solo en materia penal sino también en normas estatales, comunitarias, civiles y también administrativas que han llevado a cabo una intensa evolución desde la primera norma creada en esta materia hasta la más reciente y actual en nuestros días. En el ámbito penal en concreto, son varias las reformas que la LO 10/1995 de 23 de noviembre ha sufrido en cuanto al precepto que regula el delito de maltrato animal. A día de hoy podemos observar que la redacción de dicho precepto, el art.337 CP, es interpretada desde diferentes perspectivas y lecturas por diversos autores y por la jurisprudencia