Investigación

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https://hdl.handle.net/10201/51

Investigación contiene los documentos generados por los docentes e investigadores de la Universidad en su labor de investigación. Este depósito tiene como objetivos el almacenamiento, la gestión, la preservación y la difusión de estos documentos, y pretende contribuir al aumento de la visibilidad del trabajo desarrollado por los miembros de la comunidad universitaria.

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Now showing 1 - 20 of 60

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2030 Agenda of sustainable transport: Can current progress lead towards carbon neutrality?
(Elsevier, 2023-09) Khurshid, Adnan; Khan, Khalid; Cifuentes Faura, Javier; Ciencia Política, Antropología Social y Hacienda Pública; Facultad de Economía y Empresa
The sustainable development goal of combating climate change highlights the importance of the transportation sector. This study analyzes the impact of eco-innovations in transportation along with traffic-TRF (road, rail, air), infrastructure development, green finances, trade globalization on demand, transport emissions, and greenhouse gas emissions from 1994 to 2020 in EU25 economies. Furthermore, the policy impact of innovation and taxes and renewables are estimated using their interactions. We employed second-generation approaches, PMG-ARDL, Panel Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE) and Granger causality. The results reveal that green transport neutralizes pollutant emissions, and traffic increases emissions by 17.5%, while green taxes limit them to 15.3% and 39.3% in the long and short run. Green taxes are a short-run tool; however, long-run sustainable targets depend on green transport, renewables, and R&D. European economies must revisit their transport and environmental policies, as current progress may not lead toward sustainable transportation.
Open Access
Algunas reflexiones acerca de la respuesta jurisprudencial al Dieselgate
(Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, 2024-10-11) Carlos Manuel Díez Soto; Derecho Civil
La extraordinaria repercusión que, desde muy diversos puntos de vista (económico, medioambiental, político, etc.) ha tenido en los últimos años el famoso escándalo conocido como Dieselgate ha alcanzado también al terreno jurídico, dando lugar a un gran número de procedimientos admi-nistrativos y judiciales en el ámbito nacional, europeo e internacional. El desarrollo del asunto ante las instancias judiciales está poniendo a prueba la capacidad de los mecanismos tradicionales del Derecho privado -singularmente, los relacionados con el Derecho de contratos y el Derecho de daños- para dar una respuesta satisfactoria a los particulares afectados; y plantea la conveniencia de abordar este tipo de problemas, de cara al futuro, con instrumentos parcialmente distintos, como los que hoy en día ofrecen las normas sobre competencia desleal.
Embargo
Aplicación del índice estandarizado de vulnerabilidad de sequía (SDVI) en la Demarcación Hidrográfica del Segura y Mancomunidad de los Canales del Taibilla (Sureste de España)
(C&A Alfa Comunicação (Brasil), 2021-01) Ruiz Álvarez, Víctor; Giménez García, Rubén; García Marín, Ramón; Geografía; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Letras
En este trabajo se efectúa una evaluación preliminar de la vulnerabilidad de sequía en el ámbito territorial de la Demarcación Hidrográfica del Segura y Mancomunidad de los Canales del Taibilla, encuadrados en el sureste de España. Este territorio posee una marcada aridez con una precipitación media anual de 375 mm y un notable déficit hídrico estructural. Para la evaluación de la vulnerabilidad de sequía ha sido seleccionado el Índice Estandarizado de Vulnerabilidad de Sequía (SDVI), que cuenta para su aplicación con un total de cinco componentes (SPI12, suministro, demanda, infraestructura e impactos). Se han obtenido un total de tres categorías de vulnerabilidad: Vulnerabilidad Baja, Vulnerabilidad Media y Vulnerabilidad Alta. Las subzonas con vulnerabilidad alta se encuadran en la franja costera y valles prelitorales. Estas zonas son las que cuentan con una mayor presión humana y han experimentado una fuerte transformación de los usos de suelo en las tres últimas décadas. El mapa de vulnerabilidad de sequía resultante puede constituir una herramienta de ayuda en la gestión y la planificación del riesgo de sequía por parte de los diferentes organismos públicos. --------------
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Can green finance policy reduce corporate carbon emissions? Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment in China
(Elsevier, 2024-12-04) Liu, Xiaoqian; Wan, Chang’an; Wan, Long; Cifuentes Faura, Javier; Ciencia Política, Antropología Social y Hacienda Pública; Facultad de Economía y Empresa
The construction of pilot zones for green finance reform and innovation (PZGFRI) is China's regional exploration aimed at increasing financial support for green transformation and development. However, its impact on corporate carbon emission governance is uncertain. This paper examines the impact of the PZGFRI policy on corporate carbon emissions (CCEs) and its mechanisms based on the difference-in-differences model. The results indicate that this PZGFRI policy notably reduces the carbon emissions of enterprises in the pilot regions. Mechanism analysis reveals that this green finance policy reduces CCEs via alleviating corporate financing constraints, promoting corporate green innovation and corporate ESG performance. Heterogeneity results show that this negative impact is more pronounced for non-SOEs than SOEs. Furthermore, the PZGFRI policy dramatically reduces the carbon emissions of enterprises with short-sighted managers, while having insignificant performance on those with long-sighted management. Moreover, carbon reduction effect is notable for high-carbon industry enterprises, and this impact is insignificant for non-high carbon emission industry enterprises. Additionally, this policy has a prominent carbon reduction influence on enterprises in eastern and central regions, but its effect is minimal for those in western regions. This paper provides empirical evidence for other countries to implement green finance policies to promote low-carbon transformation development.
Open Access
Characterization of machine learning compilers for LLM inference on NVIDIA GPUs
(Springer, 0015-05-15) Alejandro Carmona-Martínez,; Bernabé García, Gregorio; José Manuel García; Ingeniería y Tecnología de Computadores; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Informática
AI inference is conflicted between Performance, developer Productivity, and device Portability–the P3 problem. Machine learning compilers (MLCs) aim to address this, but their ecosystem is fragmented, with tools that each prioritize a different issue. This paper evaluates the deployment trade-offs of PyTorch-based LLMs on NVIDIA GPUs using four intertwined prominent MLC tools: torch.compile, TensorRT, XLA, and ONNX Runtime. A dual methodology is used, leveraging synthetic PyTorch models to isolate optimizations and end-to-end benchmarks with State-of-the-Art (SOTA) models (TinyLlama-1.1B, Llama-2-7B) to measure realworld performance. Findings reveal that the peak performance of Ahead-Of-Time (AOT) compilation requires architecture-specific tools such as TensorRT-LLM, which are necessary for SOTA LLMs but are unusable for PyTorch models. As for Just-In-Time (JIT) solutions such as torch.compile and its backends, they are flexible and portable, compatible with all tested models, but they do not consistently accelerate LLMs; therefore, the choice of MLC depends on P3 considerations and model architecture.
Open Access
Comparative analysis of kinetic parameters of sustainable branched esters obtained from lauric acid
(American Chemical Society, 2026-02-03) Gómez Gómez, María; Murcia Almagro, María Dolores; Gómez Gómez, Elisa; Hidalgo Montesinos, Asunción María; Máximo, María Fuensanta; Montiel Morte, María Claudia; Ingeniería Química; Facultad de Química
A comparison between four esterification reaction systems to obtain new sustainable branched esters using Novozym 435 as a biocatalyst, the same acid (lauric acid), and four alcohols with different chain lengths and side chains (2-hexyl-1-decanol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, 2-butyl-1-octanol, and 3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol) has been carried out. The parameters of the reaction have been optimized in 0.5 g of biocatalyst, temperature of 70 °C, and the stoichiometric molar ratio (1:1). Under these conditions, conversion values of >90% are obtained in the four reactions. Using a kinetic model developed by the authors and based on a Bisubstrate Ping-Pong mechanism, where internal diffusional limitations are considered, the kinetic parameters for each reaction system were determined and the theoretical conversion values closely matched the experimental results, validating the model for this wide range of substrates. Attending at the conversion values obtained, where both the reaction rate and transport rate are considered, the esterification with 3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol leads to the highest average rate, followed by the reactions with 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, 2-butyl-1-octanol, and, finally, 2-hexyl-1-decanol. In the first two systems, the ones with alcohols of shorter side chain and chain length, respectively, the kcat values are very high (49.526 and 90.13 Mh–1 g–1, respectively) and so is the reaction rate, leading to a high average rate. However, when 3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol is used, the conversion values decrease at long reaction times, due to the high volatility of this alcohol. In the reaction system with 2-butyl-1-octanol, there is mixed control of the reaction and transport stages with higher values of the effectiveness factor (above 0.5 in most cases). Finally, in the reaction with 2-hexyl-1-decanol, the alcohol with the longest chain length and side chain, and the highest molecular weight and viscosity, internal diffusional limitations are very high (with low values of the effectiveness factors as expected, around 0.2 for all conditions tested), and the reaction rate is quite low as well, which explains the low average rates obtained. The obtained branched esters are of interest in the biolubricant sector, and the kinetic parameters calculated in this study can be useful to allow simulation, further optimization, and scale up of the esterification process.
Open Access
Comparison of 2D and 3D convolutional neural networks in hyperspectral image analysis of fruits applied to orange bruise detection
(Wiley, 2023-10-25) Pourdarbani, Raziyeh; Sabzi, Sajad; Zohrabi, Reihaneh; García Mateos, Ginés; Fernández Beltrán, Rubén; Molina Martínez, José Miguel; Rohban, Mohammad H.; Informática y Sistemas; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Informática
Recent advances in hyperspectral imaging (HSI) have demonstrated its ability to detect defects in fruit that may not be visible in RGB images. HSIs can be considered 3D images containing two spatial dimensions and one spectral dimension. Therefore, the first question that arises is how to process this type of information, either using 2D or 3D models. In this study, HSI in the 550–900 nm spectral range was used to detect bruising in oranges. Sixty samples of Thompson oranges were subjected to a mechanical bruising process, and HSIs were taken at different time intervals: before bruising, and 8 and 16 h after bruising. The samples were then classified using two convolutional neural network (CNN) models, a shallow 7-layer network (CNN-7) and a deep 18-layer network (CNN-18). In addition, two different input processing approaches are used: using 2D information from each band, and using the full 3D data from each HSI. The 3D models were the most accurate, with 94% correct classification for 3D-CNN-18, compared to 90% for 3D-CNN-7, and less than 83% for the 2D models. Our study suggests that 3D HSI may be a more effective technique for detecting fruit bruising, allowing the development of a fast, accurate, and nondestructive method for fruit sorting.
Open Access
Continuity and change in the Ricote Valley Region (Southeastern Spain): an integrated analysis of socio-demographic, territorial and landscape transformations
(MDPI, 2024-11-20) Giménez García, Rubén; García Marín, Ramón; Molina Ruiz, José; Geografía
Historically, the Ricote Valley Region (Region of Murcia) has based its economic development on traditional agriculture based on the exploitation of water resources for the cultivation of citrus and fruit trees. Since the middle of the last century, industrial and service development, urban attraction and agricultural policies have generated a multitude of social, population and territorial transformations in this geographical area. The Ricote Valley Region has suffered an unprecedented demographic decline, making it one of the areas with the greatest depopulation problem in SE Spain. The demographic emptying of this region brings with it other associated problems, such as the abandonment of the land and traditional farming systems, with the consequent change in land use. This work aims to analyse both the demographic transition experienced by this Murcian region, the changes in land use/land cover generated and the possible relationship between both phenomena. In order to address these objectives, the methodology and sources used have been diverse. In this regard, population dynamics have been assessed by analysing the evolution experienced by different demographic indicators whose information has been obtained from the National Institute of Statistics (NIS) and the Murcia Regional Statistics Centre (MRSC). In turn, the transformations of the territorial surface have been obtained by comparing the representation of land cover/use present in the years 1990 and 2018 by means of georeferenced spatial information elaborated by the Corine Land Cover project (CLC). The results obtained show that, despite the fact that the region as a whole has experienced a positive population evolution, three of the seven municipalities that comprise it have been suffering the most significant depopulation process in their history for decades. In addition, the analysis of changes in land cover/land use revealed that 27.5% of the territory of the region has been transformed over the last 30 years, with a significant increase in permanently irrigated land. Finally, the correlation of information derived from the two proposed objectives shows a significant relationship between demographic evolution and the degree of territorial transformation suffered by each of the municipalities studied.
Open Access
Convolutional neural networks for estimating the ripening state of fuji apples using visible and near-infrared spectroscopy
(Springer , 2022-07-18) Benmouna, Brahim; García Mateos, Ginés; Sabzi, Sajad; Fernández Beltrán, Rubén; Parras Burgos, Dolores; Molina Martínez, José Miguel; Informática y Sistemas; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Informática
The quality of fresh apple fruits is a major concern for consumers and manufacturers. Classification of these fruits according to their ripening stage is one of the most decisive factors in determining their quality. In this regard, the aim of this work is to develop a new method for non-destructive classification of the ripening state of Fuji apples using hyperspectral information in the visible and near-infrared (Vis/NIR) regions. Spectra of 172 apple samples in the range from 450 to 1000 nm were studied, which were selected from four different ripening stages. A convolutional neural network (CNN) model was proposed to perform the classification of the samples. The proposed method was compared with three alternative methods based on artificial neural networks (ANN), support vector machines (SVM), and k-nearest neighbors (KNN). The results revealed that the CNN method outperformed the alternative methods, achieving a correct classification rate (CCR) of 96.5%, compared with an average of 89.5%, 95.93%, and 91.68% for ANN, SVM, and KNN, respectively. These results will help in the development of a new device for fast and accurate estimation of the quality of apples.
Open Access
Corporate social responsibility and financial performance: Does country sustainability matter?
(WILEY, 2023-06-07) Vargas Santander, Karen Gloria; Álvarez Díez, Susana; Baixauli Soler, Juan Samuel; Belda Ruiz, María; Organización de Empresas y Finanzas
Drawing on stakeholder and institutional theoretical frameworks, this study aims to examine how corporate social performance (CSP) impacts corporate financial performance (CFP) and the moderating role of country sustainability and its environmental (ENV), social (SOC) and governance (GOV) dimensions. Using a broad international sample with firms from 47 countries―and through multilevel and panel data analysis―results show a positive and significant influence of CSP on CFP, while country sustainability negatively moderates the CSP–CFP relationship. This is consistent with the idea that in countries with a high level of sustainability, firms have greater difficulty obtaining competitive advantages through actions related to corporate social responsibility. Results also indicate that country sustainability has a direct and positive impact on CFP (Tobin's-Q), regardless of CSP. Additionally, applying country sustainability in a disaggregated manner, we find that social and governance dimensions influence the CSP–CFP relationship, while the environmental dimension does not. Evidence thus confirms that the effect of CSP on CFP varies depending on the institutional context in which the firm is located.
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Cortezas. La experiencia del árbol como cuerpo.
(Universidad de Valencia, 2025-09-01) Alarcón Luna, Julia; Historia del Arte; Universitat de València
Open Access
Derechos humanos y RSE en el sector del agua
(Thomson Reuters Aranzadi, 2016) Gómez Navarro, Carmen María; Albacete Balaguer, Rafael Enrique; Trabajo Social y Servicios Sociales
El agua potable es un recurso esencial e imprescindible para la vida y así lo recoge las Naciones Unidas como un Derecho Humano universal, indivisible e imprescindible junto al saneamiento. En este capítulo exploraremos el papel que juegan las empresas en relación a este Derecho y de qué manera se está garantizando por parte de las empresas concesionarias de la gestión del suministro público del agua. Analizaremos el derecho al agua potable y el saneamiento como uno de los derechos de «tercera generación» vinculados a nuevas necesidades surgidas de la evolución de la sociedad, reclamados internacionalmente por distintos actores y movimientos sociales de base. Tras un recorrido histórico de la desregularización de mercados y la privatización de los servicios públicos locales y de la normativa española a este respecto, se alcanzan una serie de conclusiones y se estudian distintas respuestas que desde la RSC han dado empresas de distintos puntos de la geografía internacional. ----------
Open Access
Developing a country’s sustainability indicator: an analysis of the effect on trade openness
(Elsevier, 2023-07-13) Vargas Santander, Karen Gloria; Álvarez Díez, Susana; Baixauli Soler, Juan Samuel; Belda Ruiz, María; Organización de Empresas y Finanzas
Several proposals have been put forward for measuring sustainability performance at the country-level, in addition to the considerable debate surrounding which pillars (or dimensions) should form part of this sustainability and which variables should make up these pillars. To date, no clear consensus has been reached regarding which sustainability measures are the most appropriate when seeking to reflect not only a country’s economic development but also its environmental, social, and governance aspects. To provide an alternative to the existing indicators developed by private agencies, this study proposes an index to measure sustainability at the country-level, considering the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) pillars. In addition, this indicator will serve as a counterpoint to the majority of current sustainability indicators, some of which involve a strong component in per capita income, or which are over-represented in economic terms. In a second stage –and in order to apply the indicator– this study analyses how sustainability at the country-level, and its ESG pillars, influence trade openness through a study of panel data from 47 countries. The results indicate that applying a disaggregated index in its dimensions (pillars) shows both the positive and negative effects that sustainability can have on the variable studied. A non-disaggregated index only reflects the joint effect, which might be insignificant in certain cases. This study contributes to the existing literature as well as to current understanding of how to measure national sustainability and its implications for macroeconomic variables, and it also provides a clear method for future research.
Open Access
Do financial constraints lead to environmental, social and governance controversies? The role of country context
(WILEY, 2024-10-31) Vargas-Santander, Karen Gloria; Álvarez Díez, Susana; Baixauli Soler, Juan Samuel; Belda Ruiz, María; Organización de Empresas y Finanzas
The term sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria has gained greater importance globally in recent decades. As social and environmental issues increase, firms are advocating the need to be more sustainable. However, in this scenario, corporate controversies still persist, and an analysis of their causes is required. This study focuses on establishing the relationship between financial constraints (FC) and ESG controversies and on determining whether the country context might modify the controversial behaviours of financially constrained firms. Through a Tobit analysis for panel data—and using a sample of firms with headquarters in 47 countries—our results show a positive and significant influence of FC on ESG controversies. In addition, our evidence confirms that country context impacts relationships within the firm, and that opting for controversial activities is increasingly less viable for firms located in countries where there is institutionalized sustainability.
Open Access
Dynamic Lysine Acetylation Disrupts Isocitrate Lyase Function and Enables Metabolic Optimisation
(Wiley, 2026-03-30) Martínez Vivancos, Adrián; Gomariz-Turpin, Beatriz; Ortega Retuerta, Álvaro; Lozano Terol, Gema; Sola Martínez, Rosa Alba; Gallego Jara, Julia; Diego Puente, Teresa de; Bioquímica y Biología Molecular B e Inmunología
Proteomic studies have suggested that Escherichia coli isocitrate lyase (ICL) undergoes multiple acetylation events, partially inhibiting its activity. However, the molecular basis of this regulation and the contribution of individual lysine residues had not been defined. This study demonstrates that acetylation of ICL in E. coli is acetyl-phosphate–dependent and reversible by the CobB deacetylase, establishing a key post-translational regulatory mechanism within the glyoxylate shunt. Site-specific acetylation at K13 and K308 inhibits ICL activity by destabilising the tetrameric assembly and rendering the protein more prone to degradation, whereas lysine-to-arginine substitutions at these positions alleviate this inhibition, enhancing carbon flux distribution, metabolic flexibility and biomass yield without the burden of plasmid-based overexpression. Leveraging this regulatory insight, a KR mutant bearing lysine-to-arginine substitutions at residues 13 and 308, engineered directly into the chromosomal aceA gene, maintained wild-type growth rates while reducing acetate overflow and improving metabolic balance during glucose depletion and acetate assimilation, leading to a 61% increase in lycopene production. These findings highlight regulatory-based metabolic engineering as a powerful strategy to optimise bioproduction and pave the way for extending this approach to other central metabolic enzymes to develop robust microbial cell factories for the sustainable synthesis of biofuels, biochemicals and high-value compounds.
Open Access
El Acueducto Tajo-Segura: conflictos y guerras del agua en el sureste de España
(Editora Zion, 2022) García Marín, Ramón; Ruiz Álvarez, Víctor; Giménez García, Rubén; Geografía; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Letras
Open Access
El cordero Segureño, una carne genuina y excelente.
(Universidad de Murcia, 2025) Bañón Arias, Sancho José; Tecnología de Alimentos, Nutrición y Bromatología
Open Access
El papel de la RSC en la defensa de los Derechos Humanos
(Thomson Reuters Aranzadi, 2016) Gómez Navarro, Carmen María; Avilés Hernández, Manuela; Trabajo Social y Servicios Sociales
Open Access
Energy efficiency in software: a case study on sustainability in personal health records
(Elsevier, 2021-02-01) García Berná, José Alberto; Fernández Alemán, José Luis; Carrillo de Gea, Juan Manuel; Toval Álvarez, Jose Ambrosio; Mancebo, Javier; Calero, Coral; García, Félix; Informática y Sistemas
A personal health record is an eHealth technology in which users can observe their progress over time for a given condition. A research gap was identified in the literature concerning the study of the amount of energy that these systems need for their operation, and the energy efficiency that may be attained depending on their design. After the selection of five representative personal health records, a total of 20 tasks commonly done, and based on previous work, were performed with regard to two proposed scenarios, namely patient use and health personnel usage. The power consumption of the main components of a host machine was measured during the performance of the proposed duties. To that end, a hardware tool called the Energy Efficiency Tester was employed. The data collected were analyzed statistically, and significant differences were found in the respective consumption of the display (χ2 (4) = 23.782, p = 0.000), the processor (χ2 (4) = 29.018, p = 0.000) and the whole PC (χ2 (4) = 28.582, p = 0.000). For all of these components, NoMoreClipBoard was the personal health record that required the least energy (57.699 W for the display, 3.162 W for the processor and 181.113 W for the whole PC). A total of two strong correlations were found in the energy consumption between the hard disk and the graphics card (r = 0.791, p < 0.001), and the processor and the PC (r = 0.950, p < 0.001). Some features generated special amounts of power consumption, such as the news wall found on PatientsLikeMe, or the use of load icons that had an impact on most PC components. In addition, an in-depth analysis of the user interfaces was performed. A discussion was carried out on the design of the user interfaces, also taking into account recommendations drawn from the literature, checking for their implementation in the personal health records selected. With the aim of promoting sustainability among software developers, a best practice guideline on sustainable software design was proposed. Basic sustainability recommendations were collected for professionals to consider when developing a software system in general, and a personal health record in particular.
Open Access
¿Es la Educación para el Desarrollo Sostenible (EDS) la respuesta a la crisis socio-ambiental?: Una reflexión desde la sospecha
(Servicio de Publicaciones, Universidad de la Laguna, 2018-11-11) Luque, David; Meira Cartes, Pablo Ángel; Romero Sánchez, Eduardo; Teoría e Historia de la Educación
Una de las líneas discursivas de esta ponencia parte de la siguiente convicción: es posible que ya hayamos entrado en una fase de colapso o, cuando menos, de sobrepasamiento de la biosfera para suministrar los recursos vitales que nuestra subsistencia, y la de otras especies, requiere. Una situación crítica que deriva de nuestra incapacidad para equilibrar deseos y necesidades, producción y consumo, en consonancia con la capacidad natural de regeneración del planeta. En esta situación crítica cabe cuestionarse, desde el campo de la Teoría de la Educación, si las respuestas que se articulan en torno al concepto (hay quien hablaría de precepto) del Desarrollo Sostenible son las que la situación requiere y si la Educación para el Desarrollo Sostenible es el enfoque o modelo educativo que esta coyuntura excepcional exige. Para ello, comenzamos realizando, en una primea parte, con un análisis crítico del mismo concepto de Desarrollo Sostenible como eje de la política de desarrollo y enfoque aceptado de la respuesta educativa a la crisis socio-ambiental. Y finalizamos, con una segunda parte más extensa, en la que abordamos, ya desde un planteamiento más constructivo, las implicaciones prácticas que plantea la Educación Ambiental en la actualidad desde tres ámbitos: la dimensión ética, la teoría curricular y los desplazamientos necesarios o propuestas alternativas que pueden plantearse en el modo actual de entender la Educación Ambiental.