Need for standardization in scientific illustration

El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar las nociones o conceptos transmitidos habitualmente mediante símbolos en las ciencias de la vida, así como determinar cuáles son las combinaciones de signos más utilizadas actualmente para expresar dichos conceptos y establecer cuáles de ellas se podrían considerar consolidadas por el uso repetido. Con dicho fin, se analizó una muestra de 3894 figuras extraídas de aquellos tratados científicos de carácter generalista que habían sido objeto de préstamo más frecuente en las bibliotecas de las facultades de Medicina, Biología y Veterinaria. Para cada una de las ilustraciones contenidas en ellos se identificaron los diferentes conceptos que habían sido representados mediante símbolos y se organizaron en una tabla. Posteriormente se analizaron para cada uno de estos conceptos los símbolos y recursos gráficos empleados para su representación, determinando las combinaciones más prevalentes. Entre las conclusiones de este estudio cabe destacar la falta de homogeneidad en los símbolos utilizados para expresar un determinado concepto, existiendo notables diferencias entre ellos incluso dentro de un mismo tratado, lo que podría disminuir su efectividad. Por otra parte, también se detectó un uso abusivo de algunos símbolos para representar conceptos muy distintos entre sí, lo que puede conducir a una mayor ambigüedad en su interpretación. Por estas razones se hace aconsejable establecer unas normas en la utilización de símbolos en el dibujo científico.The aim of this study was to identify ideas or concepts usually transmitted through images in the life sciences and also identify the most commonly used combinations of signs to express these concepts and establish which of them might be considered consolidated by continued use. For this purpose, a sample of 3894 figures was analyzed. These images were extracted from the most provided scientific books in the libraries of the faculties of Medicine, Biology and Veterinary. In each illustration different concepts that had been represented by symbols were identified and organized in a table. Then we analyzed for each of these concepts graphic symbols and resources used for their representation and we determining the most prevalent combinations. Later, for each of these concepts we analyzed the symbols and graphic resources used for its representation, and the most prevalent combinations were determined. Among the conclusions of this study include the lack of homogeneity in the symbols used to express a given concept. There are notable differences between them even within a single treaty, which could reduce its effectiveness. Furthermore, overuse of some symbols to represent concepts very different was also detected, which can produce a greater ambiguity in interpretation. For these reasons it is advisable to establish rules on the use of symbols in scientific drawing

De la reflexión personal a la reflexión crítica en equipo : Aprendizaje Permanente en Equipo, un modelo para una práctica reflexiva y democrática en la primera infancia

The model Permanent Learning in Teams -as professional learning communities- is a practical approach that early childhood professionals and their coaches support to develop a critical reflective attitude on their knowledge and praxis. The model was developed during a two years action research project conducted by Bureau MUTANT (2007-2008) and co-constructed with four childcare-providing organizations. The project focused on the development of a reflexion process at all levels in these organizations - educators, team leaders and management and staff at central level - to improve professional quality. The coconstruction of the model contributed to strengthening the individual and team learning processes. It also led to more pleasure, enthusiasm and increased commitment towards the work of educators. However, two important conditions have to be in place within early childhood organizations: Structural time to facilitate the reflection process and team coaching.  El modelo Aprendizaje Permanente en Equipo apoya a los profesionales y equipos directivos de la primera infancia a desarrollar una actitud crítica y reflexiva sobre el conocimiento y la práctica. El modelo, desarrollado durante un proyecto de dos años de investigación práctica, fue llevado a cabo por Bureau MUTANT (2007-2008) y coconstruido con cuatro centros de atención y educación a la primera infancia. El proyecto puso énfasis en el desarrollo de un proceso de reflexión, a distintos niveles en estos centros, para mejorar la calidad profesional. La coconstrucción del modelo ha contribuido al fortalecimiento de los procesos de aprendizaje individuales y de equipo. También dio lugar a una mayor satisfacción y compromiso hacia el trabajo entre los educadores. Sin embargo, dos condiciones se hacen imprescindibles para obtener resultados positivos: la necesidad de crear tiempo estructural para facilitar la práctica reflexiva y la supervisión sistemática de los equipos de educadores.The model Permanent Learning in Teams -as professional learning communities- is a practical approach that early childhood professionals and their coaches support to develop a critical reflective attitude on their knowledge and praxis. The model was developed during a two years action research project conducted by Bureau MUTANT (2007-2008) and co-constructed with four childcare-providing organizations. The project focused on the development of a reflexion process at all levels in these organizations - educators, team leaders and management and staff at central level - to improve professional quality. The coconstruction of the model contributed to strengthening the individual and team learning processes. It also led to more pleasure, enthusiasm and increased commitment towards the work of educators. However, two important conditions have to be in place within early childhood organizations: Structural time to facilitate the reflection process and team coaching

Synthesis of a new vanadyl(IV) complex with trehalose (TreVO): insulin-mimetic activities in osteoblast-like cells in culture

Vanadium compounds show interesting biological and pharmacological properties. Some of them display insulin-mimetic effects and others produce antitumor actions. The bioactivity of vanadium is present in inorganic species like the vanadyl(IV) cation or vanadate( V) anion. Nevertheless, the development of new vanadium derivatives with organic ligands which improve the beneficial actions and decrease the toxic effects is of great interest. On the other hand, the mechanisms involved in vanadium bioactivity are still poorly understood. A new vanadium complex of the vanadyl(IV) cation with the disaccharide trehalose (TreVO), Na6 [VO(Tre)2].4H2O, here reported, shows interesting insulin- mimetic properties in two osteoblast cell lines, a normal one (MC3T3E1) and a tumoral one (UMR106). The complex affected the proliferation of both cell lines in a different manner. On tumoral cells, TreVO caused a weak stimulation of growth at 5 lM but it inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-response manner between 50 and 100 lM. TreVO significantly inhibited UMR106 differentiation (15–25% of basal) in the range 5–100 lM. On normal osteoblasts, TreVO behaved as a mitogen at 5–25 lM. Different inhibitors of the MAPK pathway blocked this effect. At higher concentrations (75–100 lM), the complex was a weak inhibitor of the MC3T3E1 proliferation. Besides, TreVO enhanced glucose consumption by a mechanism independent of the PI3-kinase activation. In both cell lines, TreVO stimulated the ERK phosphorylation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Different inhibitors (PD98059, wortmannin, vitamins C and E) partially decreased this effect, which was totally inhibited by their combination. These results suggest that TreVO could be a potential candidate for therapeutic treatments.Facultad de Ciencias Exacta

Determination of Hemicellulose, Cellulose, and Lignin Content in Different Types of Biomasses by Thermogravimetric Analysis and Pseudocomponent Kinetic Model (TGA-PKM Method)

The standard method for determining the biomass composition, in terms of main lignocellulosic fraction (hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin) contents, is by chemical method; however, it is a slow and expensive methodology, which requires complex techniques and the use of multiple chemical reagents. The main objective of this article is to provide a new efficient, low-cost and fast method for the determination of the main lignocellulosic fraction contents of different types of biomasses from agricultural by-products to softwoods and hardwoods. The method is based on applying deconvolution techniques on the derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) pyrolysis curves obtained by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) through a kinetic approach based on a pseudocomponent kinetic model (PKM). As a result, the new method (TGA-PKM) provides additional information regarding the ease of carrying out their degradation in comparison with other biomasses. The results obtained show a good agreement between experimental data from analytical procedures and the TGA-PKM method (±7%). This indicates that the TGA-PKM method can be used to have a good estimation of the content of the main lignocellulosic fractions without the need to carry out complex extraction and purification chemical treatments. In addition, the good quality of the fit obtained between the model and experimental DTG curves (R2Adj = 0.99) allows to obtain the characteristic kinetic parameters of each fraction

Modificación química de biopolímeros tipo elastina para recubrimiento de membranas porosas de PVDF de aplicación biomédica

En este trabajo fin de grado se han funcionalizado superficies de vidrio de 30mm de diámetro llevando a cabo el correspondiente escalado del método, el cual fue descrito previamente para superficies de menor tamaño. Para conseguir dicho recubrimiento se ha utilizado la tecnología de los silanoles y la unión covalente de los ELRs por vía click a las superficies de vidrio. Tras las distintas etapas del proceso, se realizaron las correspondientes medidas del ángulo de contacto evaluando así el recubrimiento. El recubrimiento de dichas superficies tiene como objetivo su posterior uso como soportes en recolección celular. Por otro lado, se ha llevado a cabo un recubrimiento LbL (Layer by Layer) de membranas porosas piezoeléctricas de PVDF con biopolímeros modificados químicamente. Dichas membranas se utilizarán en cultivos en cultivos celulares con el objetivo de conseguir una diferenciación osteogénica de células madre. Para dicho recubrimiento polimérico fue necesario la optimización de las condiciones de reacción, la bioproducción de los polímeros VKVx24 y RGD, y la modificación química de dichos ELRs con grupos azido y ciclooctinilo. Los polímeros modificados fueron caracterizados por espectroscopia de infrarrojo con transformada de Fourier (FT-IR), por resonancia magnética nuclear (RMN) y por espectroscopia de masas. Así, las membranas porosas piezoeléctricas de PVDF recubiertas se han caracterizado mediante FT-IR, medida del ángulo de contacto, variación de masas y microscopía electrónica de barrido (SEM).Grado en Químic