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Models of the Graphic Essay in "The Museum, by Carrión and Sagar": The comic as a pedagogical intermediary
No full textEste artículo pretende plantear una lectura de El museo de Carrión y Sagar a partir del concepto de ensayo gráfico. Este género gráfico-narrativo no ha llamado la atención de la crítica si lo comparamos con un término como novela gráfica; sin embargo, tiene una importante tradición que se remonta a un doble modelo: el trabajo de Pajak y McCloud publicado en los años 90. En este ensayo gráfico emerge una nueva gramática visual que evita el uso sistemático de paneles y diálogos. A lo largo de este libro se sostiene un proceso dialéctico entre el concepto de museo, la noción de ensayo y la importancia del arte considerado como archivo cultural.This paper aims to set a reading of Carrion and Sagar´s El museo based on the concept of graphic essay. This graphic-narrative genre has not drawn attention of critics if we compare it with a term such as graphic novel; however, it has an important tradition that can be traced back to a double model: the Pajak and McCloud´s work that has been published in 90´s. In this graphic-essay emerges a new visual grammar that avoids the systematic use of panels and dialogues. A dialectic process among the concept of museum, the notion of the essay and the importance of art considered as cultural archive is held throughout this book.peerReviewe
El advenimiento de la robótica a escalas nano y micro
No full textUno de los empeños de la robótica ha sido imitar a la naturaleza animada, en sus acciones, en sus funciones y en sus capacidades. El descubrimiento de la vida a escala muy pequeña, de los microorganismos o de las llamadas máquinas moleculares, unido a un enfoque cibernético para entender la vida misma, han hecho que, una vez desarrollada la capacidad de miniaturización en dispositivos electrónicos y mecánicos, el campo de la robótica se haya ampliado así como el de sus aplicaciones. En este trabajo se recoge un breve recorrido por los hitos que marcaron el nacimiento de la robótica a escalas nano y micro.One of the efforts of robotics has been to imitate animated nature, in its actions, its functions and its capabilities. The discovery of life on a very small scale, of microorganisms or the so-called molecular machines, together with a cybernetic approach to understanding life itself, has meant that, once the capacity for miniaturization in electronic and mechanical devices has been developed, the field of robotics has expanded as well as its applications. This work provides a brief overview of the milestones that marked the birth of robotics at nano and micro scales.Este trabajo se enmarca en el proyecto de referencia PID2022-141409OB-C22, financiado por MCIN/ AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDER, EU
Applying multivariate curve resolution modelling combined with discriminant tools on near-infrared spectra for distinguishing between cheese varieties and stages of ripening
No full textIn this study, near-infrared (NIR) spectra were employed to monitor the ripening process of two kinds of soft cheese produced in the Extremadura region of Spain, manufactured by two different producers, “Torta del Casar” and “Queso de la Serena”. Spectra were collected from the interior of the cheeses and the rind and analysed using appropriate chemometric techniques to distinguish between the two varieties and among different weeks of the maturation process. Different chemometric tools, including multivariate curve resolution with alternating least-squares (MCR-ALS), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA), and feed-forward artificial neural networks (FF-ANN), were utilised, resulting in outstanding discrimination outcomes with sensitivity, precision, specificity, and accuracy reaching values c.a. 1.00 in optimal scenarios. More comprehensive information was acquired from the rind spectra analysis, indicating that the sampling process can be performed without disturbing the cheese in a non-destructive way. Remarkably, the capability to distinguish between various weeks of ripening for both cheeses could enable manufacturers to produce market-ready products earlier than the typically established timeline.Financial support was provided by the Ministerio de Ciencia e
Innovaci´on of Spain (Project PID2020-112996 GB-I00 financed by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033) and Junta de Extremadura (Project IB20016) co-financed by Fondos Europeos de Desarrollo Regional. H.C.G. and M.R.A thank to program María Zambrano (Ministerio de Universidades of Spain)peerReviewe
Analysis and prediction of unforced errors in men’s and women’s professional padel
No full textPublicado en: Biol Sport. 2024;41(4):3–9, con DOI https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2024.134763The aims were to I. assess the differences in unforced errors between men’s and women’s professional padel players, II. assess the differences in unforced errors between winners and losers of the set in professional padel players, III. analyse the evolution of unforced errors in professional padel. To do this, the unforced errors (which are provided by World Padel Tour (WPT)) were collected from 2,567 sets (1,476 men’s sets and 1,091 women’s sets) corresponding to matches from the final draw (round of 32, round of 16, quarterfinals, semi finals and finals) of tournaments on the WPT men’s and women’s circuits during 2016 to 2022 seasons, which are available on the WPT YouTube channel and on the WPT TV website. The results with respect to the first aim indicate that the number of unforced errors was higher in women’s padel than in men’s, regardless of the set number, tournament round, season and court. With respect to the second aim, not committing unforced errors is a fundamental factor in professional padel to win the sets. Finally, regarding the third aim, the number of unforced errors decreased as the seasons progressed; therefore, to win, players should not only have to pass the ball without missing, but they might have to hit winners or generate forced errors of the opponent
Problem-Based Learning and German as a foreign language
No full textPocos dudan hoy en día de que el aprendizaje basado en problemas (ABP) se ha revelado como muy eficaz en la enseñanza y aprendizaje de la mayor parte de las disciplinas y esto también incluye la enseñanza de una lengua extranjera. En este artículo, que se centra en los ejercicios y actividades relacionados con este método, se valoran las ventajas del ABP aplicado a la
enseñanza del alemán como lengua extranjera. Se defiende la hipótesis de que esa innumerable variedad de aspectos y escenarios que se contemplan en la comunicación, junto con el elemento lúdico que puede acompañar a las actividades propias del ABP, hacen que este enfoque resulte especialmente eficaz y atractivo, aunque también pueden presentarse algunas
dificultades con el uso de esta metodología.It is generally accepted that problem-based learning (PBL) has proved to be very efficient in the teaching and learning of most disciplines and this also includes the teaching of a foreign language. In this paper, which is based on the use of exercises and activities related to this methodology, the advantages of PBL applied to German as a foreign language are considered and highlighted.
It is contended that the innumerable variety of aspects
and scenarios encompassed in communication, together
with the entertainment element that PBL activities
always entail, make this approach especially effective
and attractive, although some difficulties may also arise
with the use of this methodology.peerReviewe
Immunoneuroendocrine, Stress, Metabolic, and Behavioural Responses in High Fat Diet Induced Obesity
No full textObesity has reached global epidemic proportions, and even though its effects are welldocumented, studying the interactions among all influencing factors is crucial for a better understanding of its physiopathology. In a high fat diet induced obesity animal model using C57BL/6J mice, behavioural responses were assessed through a battery of tests, while stress biomarkers and systemic inflammatory cytokines were measured using an Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay and a Bio Plex Multiplex System. The peritoneal macrophage microbicide capacity was analysed via flow cytometry, and crown like structures (CLSs) in white adipose tissue (WAT) were evaluated through staining techniques. Results indicated that obese mice exhibited increased body weight, hyperglycaemia, and hyperlipidaemia after 18 weeks on a high fat diet, as well as worse physical conditions, poorer coordination and balance, and anxiety like behaviour. Differences in corticosterone and noradrenaline concentrations were also found in obese animals, revealing a stress response and noradrenergic dysregulation, along with a weakened innate immune response characterized by a lower microbicide capacity, and the presence of an underlying inflammation evidenced by more CLSs in WAT. Altogether, these findings indicate that obesity deteriorates the entire stress, inflammatory, metabolic, sensorimotor and anxiety like behavioural axis. This demonstrates that jointly evaluating all these aspects allows for a deeper and better exploration of this disease and its associated comorbidities, emphasizing the need for individualized and context specific strategies for its management.Esta investigación fue financiada por el Gobierno de Extremadura, Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional, España (GR21079; IB18011)peerReviewe
Exploring the climate and topography of olive orchards in Extremadura, southwestern Spain
No full textThe olive tree is a significant woody crop in the Mediterranean basin, with the primary olive-growing areas located in the south and southwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Climate plays a crucial role in crop distribution, viability, production, and yield. The climatic and topographical conditions of Extremadura in southwestern Spain, were analysed to characterise and group the olive-growing areas. To achieve this, a Geographic Information System (GIS) was developed to locate all registered olive tree plots. The orientations and elevations of these were analysed, along with the average, minimum, and maximum temperatures, precipitation, and frost for the period of 1990–2021. The study reveals that olive groves in Extremadura are primarily situated at elevations ranging from 200 to 600 m above sea level. Additionally, it was found that the least common orientation is towards the north. Temperatures are not a constraint for olive growing, except in the mountainous areas in the north of the region; however, rainfall can be a limiting factor. In fact, 50% of the olive-growing area receives less rainfall than is considered adequate for optimal production. Frost days and the low probability of severe frosts are not a problem for olive growing in this region, except in the highest parts of the region. The scale of this study, at plantation level, will enable the implementation of measures aimed at climate change adaptation and mitigation.This research was funded by the Junta de Extremadura and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the project IB20056 (“Impacto del cambio climático en el cultivo del olivo en Extremadura, Caracterización, zonificación y futuros escenarios”) and GR18088 (Research Group RNM028).peerReviewe
A topological characterization of an almost Boolean algebra
No full textFor any Boolean space X and a discrete almost distributive lattice D, it is proved that the set C(X, D) of all continuous mappings of X into D, when D is equipped with the discrete topology, is an almost Boolean algebra under pointwise operations. Conversely, it is proved that any almost Boolean algebra is a homomorphic image of C(X,D) for a suitable Boolean space X and a discrete almost distributive lattice D.peerReviewe
Sequential Mapping of Game Patterns in Men and Women Professional Padel Players
No full textPurpose: This study analyzed the sequences of actions in professional men and women padel players to identify common game patterns. Methods: The sample comprised 17,557 stroke-by-stroke actions (N = 1640 rallies) of the championship World Padel Tour. Multistep Markov chains were used to calculate the conditional probabilities of occurrence of actions during the rally. Results: Results revealed that men’s and women’s padel is mainly defined by 36 patterns constituting 55% and 63% of all actions in the game, respectively, with the 10 most common sequences accounting for 42% to 45% of the game. There were recurrent technical–tactical actions with specific offensive and defensive functions that were constantly reiterated during the rallies. In men, the use of smash, volley, bandeja, direct, back wall, back-wall lobs, and direct lobs followed a foreseeable pattern up to 8 lags, whereas women described predictable interactions for volley, bandeja, direct, lobs, and direct lobs up to 5 lags and for smash and back wall up to 4 lags. Conclusions: The ability of padel players to recall these patterns and enhance their anticipation skills may potentially improve their performance. These findings contribute to a better knowledge of professional padel game dynamics while providing coaches and players with useful information to optimize training and decision-making strategies.peerReviewe
Histone variant H2A.Z is needed for efficient transcription-coupled NER and genome integrity in UV challenged yeast cells
No full textEl genoma de las células vivas se ve constantemente amenazado por lesiones del ADN que interfieren en procesos celulares como la transcripción y la replicación. Varios mecanismos actúan de forma concertada para garantizar la reparación adecuada del ADN, la expresión génica y la estabilidad del genoma. Las lesiones voluminosas del ADN, como las inducidas por la luz ultravioleta o el óxido de 4-nitroquinolina, que daña el ADN, actúan como obstáculos para la transcripción y la replicación, por lo que representan una grave amenaza para el metabolismo celular. Cuando se localizan en la cadena transcrita de genes activos, estas lesiones son tratadas por la reparación por escisión de nucleótidos acoplada a la transcripción (TC-NER), una subvía NER aún no bien conocida. Mediante un estudio genético en la levadura “Saccharomyces cerevisiae”, hemos identificado la variante de histona H2A.Z como un componente importante para salvaguardar la transcripción y la integridad del ADN tras la irradiación UV. En ausencia de H2A.Z, la reparación por TC-NER se ve gravemente perjudicada y se reduce el aclaramiento de la ARN polimerasa II, lo que conduce a un aumento de las roturas de doble cadena. Así pues, H2A.Z es necesario para la reparación TC-NER y desempeña un papel fundamental en el mantenimiento de la estabilidad del genoma tras la irradiación UV.The genome of living cells is constantly challenged by DNA lesions that interfere with cellular processes such as transcription and replication. A manifold of mechanisms act in concert to ensure adequate DNA repair, gene expression, and genome stability. Bulky DNA lesions, such as those induced by UV light or the DNA-damaging agent 4-nitroquinoline oxide, act as transcriptional and replicational roadblocks and thus represent a major threat to cell metabolism. When located on the transcribed strand of active genes, these lesions are handled by transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER), a yet incompletely understood NER sub-pathway. Here, using a genetic screen in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we identified histone variant H2A.Z as an important component to safeguard transcription and DNA integrity following UV irradiation. In the absence of H2A.Z, repair by TC-NER is severely impaired and RNA polymerase II clearance reduced, leading to an increase in double-strand breaks. Thus, H2A.Z is needed for proficient TC-NER and plays a major role in the maintenance of genome stability upon UV irradiation.Research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (PID2022-140466NB-I00 to HG and RW), the Junta de Andalucía (P20_01220 to RW), the University of Seville (PP2018-10767 and PP2019-13299 to HG), the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (BFU2016-75058-P to AA), the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (BFU2013-42918-P to AA), and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.peerReviewe