A technological acceptance of e-learning tools used in practical and laboratory teaching, according to the European higher education area

The application of scientific tools to analyse the use of Internet-based e-learning tools in academic settings is in general an ignored area. E-learning tools are actually an emergent topic as a result of the new ideas introduced by the European Higher Education Area. Lifelong learning, or the promotion of student initiative, is the new paradigm of a learner-centred education. In this context, e-learning tools can represent an effective way of supporting this new trend in education. Assuming the premise that successful use of these web-based tools depends primarily on a user’s behaviour, the objective of this research is to examine the technology acceptance model (TAM) of web-based elearning tools used in practical and laboratory teaching. The research hypotheses derived from this model have empirically been validated using the responses to a survey on e-learning usage among 220 users. These responses have been examined through partial least square. The obtained results strongly support the extended TAM in predicting a student’s intention to use e-learning and define a set of external variables with a significant influence in the original TAM variables. Surprisingly, perceived ease of use did not posit a significant impact on student attitude or intention towards e-learning tool usage. Therefore, early evaluation of e-learning material is considered essential to providing a framework for further improvements of the too

Infección con el virus de la inmunodeficiencia felina: desarrollo y aplicación de una técnica de doble reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PRC) para el diagnóstico

A Nested PCR technique for direct identification of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) was developed. Two methods for proviral DNA extraction and two pairs of primers were evaluated. The method for amplification was standardized and its specificity was determined by the restriction endonucleases digestion of PCR products. Antibodies specific to FIV were determined using a commercial kit. Thirty heparinized blood samples obtained from cats with and without clinical signs consistent with FIV infection were analyzed. In 17 of the samples antibodies specific to FIV and proviral DNA were detected. The PCR technique proved sensitive and specific. It could be useful in the presence of doubtful serologic results and to detect provirus in cats with recent infections.Se desarrolló una técnica de doble reacción en cadena de la polimerasa ( Nested PCR ) para la detección directa del virus de la Inmunodeficiencia Felina (VIF). Se evaluaron dos métodos de extracción de DNA proviral y cuatro pares de cebadores. Se estandarizó el método de amplificación y la especificidad fue determinada por digestión de los productos de PCR con enzimas de restricción. La determinación de anticuerpos se realizó con un equipo comercial. Se trabajó con 30 muestras de sangre heparinizada provenientes de gatos con y sin signos clínicos compatibles con la infección con VIF. En 17 de las muestras examinadas se detectaron anticuerpos específicos contra VIF y DNA proviral. La técnica de PCR desarrollada resultó sensible y específica y podría ser utilizada cuando se presentaran resultados serológicos dudosos o para la detección del provirus en gatos con infecciones recientes

Asymptotically Lifshitz wormholes and black holes for Lovelock gravity in vacuum

Static asymptotically Lifshitz wormholes and black holes in vacuum are shown to exist for a class of Lovelock theories in d=2n+1>7 dimensions, selected by requiring that all but one of their n maximally symmetric vacua are AdS of radius l and degenerate. The wormhole geometry is regular everywhere and connects two Lifshitz spacetimes with a nontrivial geometry at the boundary. The dynamical exponent z is determined by the quotient of the curvature radii of the maximally symmetric vacua according to n(z^2-1)+1=(l/L)^2, where L corresponds to the curvature radius of the nondegenerate vacuum. Light signals are able to connect both asymptotic regions in finite time, and the gravitational field pulls towards a fixed surface located at some arbitrary proper distance to the neck. The asymptotically Lifshitz black hole possesses the same dynamical exponent and a fixed Hawking temperature given by T=z/(2^z pi l). Further analytic solutions, including pure Lifshitz spacetimes with a nontrivial geometry at the spacelike boundary, and wormholes that interpolate between asymptotically Lifshitz spacetimes with different dynamical exponents are also found.Comment: 19 pages, 1 figur

Identification of Designing Variable of an Elearning Tool

En este artículo se muestran, a través de mapas bidimensionales, los resultados procedentes de un proyecto de investigación mediante el cual se han identificado las variables externas a tener en cuenta en el diseño de una herramienta de eLearning para conseguir evaluar, posteriormente, su uso real. La técnica empleada para ello es la "Elaboración de mapas conceptuales". Asimismo, se observa la necesidad de tener en cuenta cómo llevar a cabo la gestión de la herramienta por parte del usuario. Finalmente, se ha analizado la fiabilidad de nuestros mapasIn this paper the results from a research project1 are shown. A scientific technique called "Concept Mapping Process" has been used to identify the external variables to be kept in mind in the design of an eLearning tool, in order to evaluate its true usage later. Results are shown through two-dimensional maps. Another important result is the necessity of designing tools to carry out the management of the tool on the part of the user. Finally, there has been analysed the reliability of our mapsMinisterio de Educación y Ciencia EA2005-017

La Cova de l'Avi (Vallirana, Barcelona) y el inicio del Neolítico final en el Nordeste de la Península Ibérica. Inhumaciones colectivas y nuevas redes de intercambio

[spa] Entre el Neolítico medio y el Neolítico final en el Nordeste de la Península Ibérica se producen cambios destacados en las pautas funerarias y en la cultura material de los grupos humanos, especialmente en los ajuares y lugares de enterramiento. Durante el Neolítico medio-reciente son típicas las inhumaciones primarias individuales en fosas con ajuares de cuentas de variscita, sílex melado, vasos cerámicos y puntualmente obsidiana. Por el contrario, durante el Neolítico final se generalizan las inhumaciones colectivas y sucesivas en cuevas y abrigos con ajuares que se caracterizan por la gran disminución de la variscita, sustituida por una gran variedad de colgantes y cuentas en piedra, concha y hueso. Ahora también aparecen las grandes láminas y los puñales de sílex, en ocasiones de procedencia extrapeninsular. La Cova de l'Avi representa en la actualidad el yacimiento cronológicamente más antiguo (c. 4700 BP) en el que se documentan estos nuevos comportamientos funerarios. [eng]The Middle to Late Neolithic transition in NE of Iberian Peninsula is characterized by changes on the mortuary behaviour and archaeological artifacts recorded in the luxury items in grave goods and inhumations cemeteries. Single or double primary burials associated with grave goods of variscite beads, honey flint and obsidian blades during Late Middle Neolithic are replaced for collective inhumations in cave and rock-shelters with grave goods composed mainly by shell, bone and stone beads and pendants, large flint blades and flint daggers coming outside de Iberian Peninsula. Cova de l'Avi represents the earlier site (c. 4700 BP) where these cultural changes and mortuary practices have been documented in NE of Iberi

In vitro activities of natural products against oral Candida isolates from denture wearers

Background: Candida-associated denture stomatitis is a frequent infectious disease. Treatment of this oral condition is difficult because failures and recurrences are common. The aim of this study was to test the in vitro antifungal activity of pure constituents of essentials oils. -- Methods: Eight terpenic derivatives (carvacrol, farnesol, geraniol, linalool, menthol, menthone, terpinen-4-ol, and aterpineol), a phenylpropanoid (eugenol), a phenethyl alcohol (tyrosol) and fluconazole were evaluated against 38 Candida isolated from denture-wearers and 10 collection Candida strains by the CLSI M27-A3 broth microdilution method. -- Results: Almost all the tested compounds showed antifungal activity with MIC ranges of 0.03-0.25% for eugenol and linalool, 0.03-0.12% for geraniol, 0.06-0.5% for menthol, a-terpineol and terpinen-4-ol, 0.03-0.5% for carvacrol, and 0.06-4% for menthone. These compounds, with the exception of farnesol, menthone and tyrosol, showed important in vitro activities against the fluconazole-resistant and susceptible-dose dependent Candida isolates. -- Conclusions: Carvacrol, eugenol, geraniol, linalool and terpinen-4-ol were very active in vitro against oral Candida isolates. Their fungistatic and fungicidal activities might convert them into promising alternatives for the topic treatment of oral candidiasis and denture stomatitis.Funding: this work has been funded in part by projects GIC07 123-IT-222-07 (Departamento de Educacion, Universidades e Investigacion, Gobierno Vasco), S-PR09UN01 and S-PR10UN03 (Saiotek 2009 and 2010, Departamento de Industria, Comercio y Turismo, Gobierno Vasco)

RECOMENDAÇÕES ESTRATÉGICAS PARA A GESTÃO TRANSNACIONAL DE LAGOSTINS E CARANGUEJOS EXÓTICOS INVASORES NAS ÁGUAS INTERIORES DA PENÍNSULA IBÉRICA

Um objetivo importante do LIFE INVASAQUA é desenvolver ferramentas que melhorem a gestão e aumentem a eficácia no Alerta Precoce e Resposta Rápida para Espécies Exóticas Invasoras (EEI) na Península Ibérica. Desenvolvemos um processo participativo com especialistas para obter recomendações estratégicas para a gestão transnacional de lagostins e caranguejos exóticos invasores em águas continentais de Espanha e Portugal. As recomendações foram concebidas para servir de instrumento orientador para identificar uma direção estratégica seguindo a governação espanhola e portuguesa que já está a ser desenvolvida. As recomendações resultantes são uma ferramenta importante para apoiar a implementação do Regulamento EEI da UE. Em última análise, as informações incluídas podem ser utilizadas para atingir a meta da Estratégia de Biodiversidade da UE para 2030 de combate às espécies exóticas invasoras, e também para a implementação de outras políticas da UE com requisitos relativos a espécies exóticas, como as Diretiva Aves e Habitats, Diretiva-Quadro da Estatégia Marinha (DQEM) e Diretiva-Quadro da Água (DQA)

Strategic Recommendations for the Transnational Management of Invasive Alien Crayfish and Crabs in Iberian Inland Waters

An important goal of LIFE INVASAQUA is to develop tools that will improve management and increase the efficiency of the Early Warning and Rapid Response framework for Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in the Iberian Peninsula. We developed a participative process with experts in order to obtain Strategic Recommendations for the transnational management of invasive alien crayfish and crabs in inland waters of Spain and Portugal. They promote the coordinated management between Spain and Portugal, in order to facilitate implementation of international commitments and best practices and to support development of policies and targets on IAS management at Iberian scale. They were designed to serve as a guiding tool seeking to identify a strategic direction for the Spanish and Portuguese governance that is already being developed. The resulting Strategic Recommendations are important tools supporting the implementation of the IAS EU Regulation. Ultimately, the information included can be used for achieving the target of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030 for combatting IAS, and also for implementing of other EU policies with requirements on alien species, such as the Birds and Habitats Directives, and the Marine Strategy and Water Framework Directives