Antonio Hervás

Progressive transmission of images: PC-based computations, using orthogonal matrix polynomials

Two methods for reconstructing a 3-D image as its 2-D parallel slices are transmitted progressively, in some order, are presented and analyzed. In the originating data base, an ordered set of 2-D slices could represent computer tomography (CT), magnetic resonance images (MRI), or cryosection cross-sections of a 3-D object, for example. With this digital formulation, matrix interpolating polynomial machinery renders a progressively-improving image as slices are received. A piecewise matrix polynomial reconstruction is also considered for reducing computational needs.

A Structural Equation Model for Analysis of Factors Associated with the Choice of Engineering Degrees in a Technical University

Many different factors are taken into account by students when choosing a degree and university. Some of these are general considerations, such as the quality of the degree course (ratio of available places/places in first choice, cut-off mark, etc.), while others are subjective factors (e.g., friends doing the same course). This paper presents a partial multivariate model that considers the weight of the different variables linked to this decision, as identified in the bibliography. We analyzed four samples of first-year students (total ) from different engineering degree courses at the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (UPV) in the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 academic years. All the students involved in the study had chosen this university and their courses as their first option. The overall effect shows that the structural model adjusts reasonably well to the different engineering courses analyzed. Similarly, the individual models for each engineering degree manage to identify the different effects involved. In the case of the engineering degree based on new technologies (ICT), the statistical effects are much greater and more statistically significant than in the other three branches of engineering considered. Social and individual factors were seen to have more impact on the choice of ICT degrees at the UPV.

Psychometric study of a questionnaire for the assessment of factors associated with the choice of degrees and universities in the Spanish public system

Many different factors are taken into account by students when choosing a degree and University. Some of these are general considerations, such as the quality of the degree course, ratio of available places and places in the degree course chosen as first choice, cut-off mark, etc. Others are subjective factors, such as friends studying the same degree or studying in the same university, etc. Knowledge of these factors and the importance given to them by students can provide a competitive advantage when carrying out activities aimed at advertising and attracting students. This paper presents a psychometric study of a questionnaire that has been developed to assess variables relating to social and personal aspects involved in the selection process and accessing the Spanish public university system. The questionnaire was evaluated by means of a pilot test, the results of which were used to generate a final scale, which was administered to a total of 1532 students from eight Spanish universities. These students can be divided into six major areas of training and courses from 2009--10 up to 2012--2013. All the students had recently graduated from high school and were in their first year at the university. The results showed that the reliability of the both the six factors taken into consideration (Consideration of the University; Perceived Utility; Social Impact; Vocational Aspects; Influence of Surroundings and Geographic Location) and an adjustment of the Confirmatory Factor Analysis used to estimate construct validity was high. Likewise, the results show high discrimination validity between groups defined by relevant variables such as gender or academic area of the university studies.

Approximate Numerical Solutions of Autonomous Second-Order Matrix Models Using Cubic Matrix Splines

This work discusses the construction of approximate solutions for the initial matrix problem Y′(x) = f(Y (x), Y′(x)) using cubic matrix splines.