The Virtual Museum of Zoology of the University of Granada and the acquisition of practical knowledge by students

Durante los cursos académicos 2008-2012, en el Departamento de Zoología de la Universidad de Granada (UGR), se implantó una nueva herramienta didáctica: se llevó a cabo la creación de un Museo Virtual de Zoología, que consistió en la digitalización del material para prácticas ya existente en el citado Departamento, perteneciente a una colección histórica de animales naturalizados y conservados. El material digitalizado incluyó tanto imágenes de animales de la colección, como al natural, así como información básica de los mismos (p. ej.: encuadre taxonómico, hábitats y modos de vida). Esta información se puso a disposición de los alumnos de las asignaturas de Zoología, tanto de Ciencias Ambientales como de Biología, a través de una página Web gratuita. Este museo complementa la colección de animales existente previamente en el Departamento, y que también está a disposición de los alumnos para su consulta. Para conocer la efectividad de esta nueva herramienta, hemos encuestado al profesorado de varias universidades españolas y al alumnado de la Universidad de Granada sobre el grado de utilización e idoneidad del museo, y comparado los porcentajes de alumnos presentados al examen de prácticas y resultados de las notas entre el último curso sin museo (2008-2009) y el primero que lo tuvo a su disposición (2011-2012). Presentamos los resultados en este estudio. El Museo Virtual de Zoología es gratuito y está disposición de cualquier Centro/personal docente que quiera hacer uso del mismo, además del público en general. Ponemos de manifiesto la importancia de la creación de herramientas virtuales de este tipo para la mejora de la docencia práctica en las asignaturas sobre Historia Natural de los seres vivos.The Department of Zoology of the University of Granada (UGR) introduced a new educational tool between 2008-2012: the Virtual Museum of Zoology. This tool was created mainly with the digitalization of the historical collection of naturalized and preserved animals of the department. The tool also included images of animals in their natural habitats and basic information (e.g. taxonomical classification, habitat and feeding habits). This information was included in a free webpage for its use by the students of Zoology of Environmental Sciences and Biology Degrees. To evaluate the effectiveness of this new tool, we poll for the opinion of Zoology teachers of Spanish universities and for the level of utilization and suitability of the museum by Zoology students of the University of Granada. In addition, we compared the percentage of students presented to the tests and their results between the previous and subsequent year to the introduction of this tool. We present these results in this study. The Virtual Museum of Zoology is free to use by any student, teacher or institution. We highlight the importance of these virtual tools for the improvement of Natural History practical teaching

Graph states in phase space

The phase space for a system of $n$ qubits is a discrete grid of $2^{n} \times 2^{n}$ points, whose axes are labeled in terms of the elements of the finite field \Gal{2^n} to endow it with proper geometrical properties. We analyze the representation of graph states in that phase space, showing that these states can be identified with a class of non-singular curves. We provide an algebraic representation of the most relevant quantum operations acting on these states and discuss the advantages of this approach.Comment: 14 pages. 2 figures. Published in Journal of Physics

Extremely Metal-Poor Galaxies: The HI Content

Extremely metal-poor (XMP) galaxies are chemically, and possibly dynamically, primordial objects in the local Universe. Our objective is to characterize the HI content of the XMP galaxies as a class, using as a reference the list of 140 known local XMPs compiled by Morales-Luis et al. (2011). We have observed 29 XMPs, which had not been observed before at 21 cm, using the Effelsberg radio telescope. This information was complemented with HI data published in literature for a further 53 XMPs. In addition, optical data from the literature provided morphologies, stellar masses, star-formation rates and metallicities. Effelsberg HI integrated flux densities are between 1 and 15 Jy km/s, while line widths are between 20 and 120 km/s. HI integrated flux densities and line widths from literature are in the range 0.1 - 200 Jy km/s and 15 - 150 km/s, respectively. Of the 10 new Effelsberg detections, two sources show an asymmetric double-horn profile, while the remaining sources show either asymmetric (7 sources) or symmetric (1 source) single-peak 21 cm line profiles. An asymmetry in the HI line profile is systematically accompanied by an asymmetry in the optical morphology. Typically, the g-band stellar mass-to-light ratios are ~0.1, whereas the HI gas mass-to-light ratios may be up to 2 orders of magnitude larger. Moreover, HI gas-to-stellar mass ratios fall typically between 10 and 20, denoting that XMPs are extremely gas-rich. We find an anti-correlation between the HI gas mass-to-light ratio and the luminosity, whereby fainter XMPs are more gas-rich than brighter XMPs, suggesting that brighter sources have converted a larger fraction of their HI gas into stars. The dynamical masses inferred from the HI line widths imply that the stellar mass does not exceed 5% of the dynamical mass, while the \ion{H}{i} mass constitutes between 20 and 60% of the dynamical mass. (abridged)Comment: 30 pages, accepted for A&

Real time leak detection system in earth dams using distributed sensors based on optic fiber

[EN] The present paper examines the use of optic fiber as a distributed temperature sensor to leakage detection on earth dams. This technique allows complement the current auscultation systems improving the way of monitoring of this kind of critical infrastructures. This type of real time monitoring system has been implemented on two real cases (Soto-Terroba and Yesa earth dams). The aim of this work is to provide a practical vision about this novel and promising technique, and particularly on the criteria to select the adequate materials and the precautions to be taken into account in order to deploy correctly the sensor element.[ES] El presente trabajo pretende analizar el uso de fibra óptica como sensor de temperatura distribuido para la detección de posibles fugas en presas de materiales sueltos. El uso de esta técnica permite complementar los sistemas de auscultación normalmente utilizados mejorando la monitorización de las zonas críticas de la infraestructura. Este tipo de sistema de monitorización en tiempo real ha sido implementado en dos casos reales, (presa de Soto-Terroba y recrecimiento de la presa de Yesa). Finalmente este trabajo quiere proporcionar una visión práctica sobre esta nueva técnica implementada y en particular sobre los criterios de selección de materiales y las precauciones necesarias a la hora del despliegue del elemento sensor.Muñoz, O.; Gómez, R.; Russo, B.; Sánchez, J. (2016). Sistema de detección de fugas en tiempo real en presas de materiales sueltos mediante sensores distribuidos en fibra óptica. Ingeniería del Agua. 20(2):103-114. doi:10.4995/ia.2016.4450.SWORD103114202Aufleger M., Conrad M., Goltz M., Perzlmaier S., Pablo Porras. (2007). Innovative Dam Monitoring Tools Based on Distributed Temperature Measurement . Jordan Journal of Civil Engineering, 1(1), 29-37.Colegio de Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos (CICCP) 2004. Auscultación de las presas y sus cimientos. Guías Técnicas de Seguridad de Presas. Comité Español de Grandes Presas. Servicios de Publicaciones del CICCP. ISBN 84-380-0277-3.Khan A. A., Cunat P., Beck Y. L., Mars J. I., Vraibe V., Fabre J-P. (2010). Distributed fiber optic temperature sensors for leakage detection in hydraulic structures. Proceedings 5th World Conference on Structural Control and Monitoring. Shinjuku, Tokio, Japón.Muñoz O., Gómez R., Russo B., Sánchez J. C. (2013). Detección de fugas en presas de materiales sueltos mediante sensores distribuidos en fibra óptica. III Jornadas de Ingeniería del Agua. Valencia, octubre 2013.Nikles M., Vogel B. Briffod F., Grosswig S., Sauser F., Luebbecke S., Bals A., Pfeiffer T. (2004). Proceeding of the 11th SPIE Annual International Conference Symposium on Smart Structures and Materials. San Diego, California, EE.UU

Predicting the onset and persistence of episodes of depression in primary health care. The predictD-Spain study: Methodology

Background: The effects of putative risk factors on the onset and/or persistence of depression remain unclear. We aim to develop comprehensive models to predict the onset and persistence of episodes of depression in primary care. Here we explain the general methodology of the predictD-Spain study and evaluate the reliability of the questionnaires used. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study. A systematic random sample of general practice attendees aged 18 to 75 has been recruited in seven Spanish provinces. Depression is being measured with the CIDI at baseline, and at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months. A set of individual, environmental, genetic, professional and organizational risk factors are to be assessed at each follow-up point. In a separate reliability study, a proportional random sample of 401 participants completed the test-retest (251 researcher-administered and 150 self-administered) between October 2005 and February 2006. We have also checked 118,398 items for data entry from a random sample of 480 patients stratified by province. Results: All items and questionnaires had good test-retest reliability for both methods of administration, except for the use of recreational drugs over the previous six months. Cronbach's alphas were good and their factorial analyses coherent for the three scales evaluated (social support from family and friends, dissatisfaction with paid work, and dissatisfaction with unpaid work). There were 191 (0.16%) data entry errors. Conclusion: The items and questionnaires were reliable and data quality control was excellent. When we eventually obtain our risk index for the onset and persistence of depression, we will be able to determine the individual risk of each patient evaluated in primary health car

Search for Blue Compact Dwarf Galaxies During Quiescence

Blue Compact Dwarf (BCD) galaxies are metal poor systems going through a major starburst that cannot last for long. We have identified galaxies which may be BCDs during quiescence (QBCD), i.e., before the characteristic starburst sets in or when it has faded away. These QBCD galaxies are assumed to be like the BCD host galaxies. The SDSS/DR6 database provides ~21500 QBCD candidates. We also select from SDSS/DR6 a complete sample of BCD galaxies to serve as reference. The properties of these two galaxy sets have been computed and compared. The QBCD candidates are thirty times more abundant than the BCDs, with their luminosity functions being very similar except for the scaling factor, and the expected luminosity dimming associated with the end of the starburst. QBCDs are redder than BCDs, and they have larger HII region based oxygen abundance. QBCDs also have lower surface brightness. The BCD candidates turn out to be the QBCD candidates with the largest specific star formation rate (actually, with the largest H_alpha equivalent width). One out of each three dwarf galaxies in the local universe may be a QBCD. The properties of the selected BCDs and QBCDs are consistent with a single sequence in galactic evolution, with the quiescent phase lasting thirty times longer than the starburst phase. The resulting time-averaged star formation rate is low enough to allow this cadence of BCD -- QBCD phases during the Hubble time.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ. 17 pages. 13 Fig

SHARDS: Constraints on the dust attenuation law of star-forming galaxies at z~2

We make use of SHARDS, an ultra-deep (<26.5AB) galaxy survey that provides optical photo-spectra at resolution R~50, via medium band filters (FWHM~150A). This dataset is combined with ancillary optical and NIR fluxes to constrain the dust attenuation law in the rest-frame NUV region of star-forming galaxies within the redshift window 1.5<z<3. We focus on the NUV bump strength (B) and the total-to-selective extinction ratio (Rv), targeting a sample of 1,753 galaxies. By comparing the data with a set of population synthesis models coupled to a parametric dust attenuation law, we constrain Rv and B, as well as the colour excess, E(B-V). We find a correlation between Rv and B, that can be interpreted either as a result of the grain size distribution, or a variation of the dust geometry among galaxies. According to the former, small dust grains are associated with a stronger NUV bump. The latter would lead to a range of clumpiness in the distribution of dust within the interstellar medium of star-forming galaxies. The observed wide range of NUV bump strengths can lead to a systematic in the interpretation of the UV slope ($\beta$) typically used to characterize the dust content. In this study we quantify these variations, concluding that the effects are $\Delta\beta$~0.4.Comment: 13 pages, 11+2 figures, 3 tables. MNRAS, in pres

Physical fitness and upper limb asymmetry in young padel players: differences between genders and categories

This study aimed to assess the physical fitness and upper body asymmetries of young padel players aged between 13 and 16 years and to determine the possible differences between genders and categories. A total of 60 padel players were divided into four groups: under-14 male (n = 15; age: 13.75 ± 0.45 years; height: 1.64 ± 0.07 m; weight: 54.7 ± 8.3 kg), under-14 female (n = 15; age: 13.75 ± 0.44 years; height: 1.60 ± 0.05 m; weight: 51.5 ± 6.0 kg), under-16 male (n = 15; age: 15.44 ± 0.51 years; height:1.71 ± 0.04 m; weight: 63.88 ± 6.2 kg) and under-16 female (n = 15; age:15.46 ± 0.52 years; height:1.63 ± 0.05 m; weight: 55.08 ± 3.6 kg). Handgrip strength, ischiosural flexibility, gestural speed of the dominant arm, vertical jump, cardiorespiratory capacity, lateral movement, lateral acceleration and reaction time were measured. Male players showed better results in manual grip strength, vertical jump power, cardiorespiratory capacity and lateral movement (p < 0.05). Moreover, males presented a higher percentage of asymmetry in upper limb strength. Female players showed better reaction time and greater flexibility (p < 0.05). Regarding the differences between categories, the under-16 players showed greater flexibility, gestural speed, vertical jump power, cardiorespiratory capacity and lateral movement compared to the under-14 players. These results can be used as reference values for coaches/physical trainers of younger categories to improve health control and physical performance planning

Resistencia bacteriana a los antibióticos: mecanismos de transferencia

Antimicrobial resistance bacteria have drawn the interest of researches because their adaptive ability has hampered treatment and therefore, the eradication of diseases that stem from their pathogenic action. This was observed soon after the successful beginning of pharmacological therapy around the world that later proved to be inefficient. This is currently a challenge for science. Continuing study of antimicrobial resistance has made it possible to understand how bacteria can overcome therapeutic strategy by means of genetic transference. Diverse mechanisms have been identified for transferring resistance between bacterium of the same species and different species through exchanges of genes that imply the participation of elements such as plasmids, sequence insertion, integrons, transposons and bacteriophages. These permit gene recombination, where genetic elements with two different origins come together in one unit, through such mechanisms as transformation, transduction and conjugation. This review discusses the three transfer mechanisms mentioned above and the participation of genetic exchange elements for the transfer of bacterial resistance to antibiotics with the aim of facilitating understanding of the processes of defense of these microorganisms that directly or indirectly affect animal and human health.La resistencia a los antimicrobianos que han desarrollado las bacterias despertó el interés de los investigadores, ya que esta habilidad adaptativa dificulta el tratamiento y, por ende, la erradicación de enfermedades que se derivan de su acción patógena. Este hecho se comprobó poco tiempo después del inicio exitoso y luego ineficiente de la terapéutica farmacológica en el mundo, situación que actualmente demuestra ser un reto para la ciencia. El continuo estudio sobre este fenómeno ha permitido entender cómo las bacterias pueden superar la estrategia terapéutica mediante intercambio genético. Se han identificado diversos mecanismos para transferir la resistencia entre bacterias de la misma especie y a especies diferentes, gracias al intercambio de genes, que implica la participación de elementos tales como los plásmidos, las secuencias de inserción, los integrones, los transposones y los bacteriófagos, los cuales permiten la recombinación genética, de tal forma que elementos genéticos de dos orígenes diferentes se reúnan en una sola unidad, a través de tres mecanismos: la transformación, la transducción y la conjugación. El presente artículo de revisión aborda los tres mecanismos mencionados y la participación de los elementos de intercambio genético para la transferencia de la resistencia bacteriana a los antibióticos, con el fin de facilitar la comprensión de los procesos de defensa de estos microorganismos que afectan directa o indirectamente la salud de los animales y de las personas. &nbsp