Teaching based on challenges for the subject steel structures

[EN] The evolution of information and communication technologies has changed the way in which agents involved in teaching have access to information. The classic concept of transmission of knowledge, valid 30 years ago, of a lecture (message) in a physical classroom (space) at a certain time (time) has now become obsolete. There are many disciplines taught in universities that can adapt their teaching model to hybrid face-to-face and online systems, where class time is used in the application and discovery of knowledge by the student. In this paper, a learning methodology based on challenges is proposed for the subject of Steel Structures of the Degree in Mechanical Engineering of the Universitat Politècnica de València. The organization of the contents and didactic tools used: tele-training platforms, flipped teaching, commercial software for steel structures ..., allows the teaching of the subject to be carried out face-to-face or online without changes and brings the student closer to the professional reality of steel structures. The results obtained during the last 5 years show a high percentage of passes and a high degree of student satisfaction based on surveys.Segura Alcaraz, JG.; Juliá Sanchis, E.; Montava-Belda, I.; Gadea Borrell, JM. (2021). Teaching based on challenges for the subject steel structures. EDULEARN Proceedings (Internet). 812-815. https://doi.org/10.21125/edulearn.2021.0219S81281

Sustainable multiple resonator sound absorbers made from fruit stones and air gap

[EN] This article investigates the sound absorption coefficient of materials manufactured from natural wastes. Fruit stones from some crops are one of the most available natural wastes in the Mediterranean Region. Recycled and vegetable products are becoming an interesting alternative to traditional materials to be used as sound-absorbing panels. Fruit stones can be profitable for a number of applications, such as biomass to produce energy. This research work intends to demonstrate that one of their applications can be ecological sound absorbers in building acoustics. Different four fruit stone samples, with different air gap volume percentages, display similar behaviour to multiple Helmholtz resonators (MHRs). By adding a 40 mm-thick rockwool layer, the sound absorption coefficients are compared for each sample. The experimental results allow establishing some analogies between MHRs and the new absorbing materials according to thickness, fruit type and the air gap volume. These fruit stones have been demonstrated as a good choice from acoustic and sustainable points of view.Juliá Sanchis, E.; Segura Alcaraz, JG.; Montava-Belda, I.; Gadea Borrell, JM. (2022). Sustainable multiple resonator sound absorbers made from fruit stones and air gap. Alexandria Engineering Journal. 61(12):10219-10231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2022.03.0631021910231611

Learning mechanics of materials by doing models

[EN] Mechanics of Materials is a discipline taught to the second-year students in the Bachelor Degree of Mechanical Engineering at Universitat Politècnica de València, Alcoi Campus. The teaching-learning process is focused on three main aspects: theory, practice, and numerical simulations. There are several experiments designed to better understand the mechanical behaviour of the materials that are present in buildings and machines. This paper explains the application of another hands-on methodology that has been included in the course. It consists of completing the process by constructing or prototyping scale models which help the students to understand how the structures work in real life. The results of the experience allow us to consider that learning by doing has supposed a significant step in the comprehension of the Mechanics of Materials and the students have showed a positive attitude towards this activity. Not only by constructing models, but the fact that their construction is blended with other active methodologies, contribute to enhance the motivation in learning the subject.Montava-Belda, I.; Juliá Sanchis, E.; Gadea Borrell, JM.; Segura Alcaraz, JG. (2021). Learning mechanics of materials by doing models. EDULEARN Proceedings (Internet). 806-811. https://doi.org/10.21125/edulearn.2021.0218S80681

The current role of surgery and SBRT in early stage of small cell lung cancer

Early stage small cell lung cancer (T1-2N0M0SCLC) represents 7% of all SCLC. The standard treatment in patients with intrathoracic SCLC disease is the use of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Nowadays, the recommended management of this highly selected group is surgical resection due to favorable survival outcomes. For medically inoperable patients or those who refuse surgery, there is an increasing interest in evaluating the role of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) for T1-2N0SCLC, transferring the favorable experience obtained on inoperable NSCLC (Non-Small-cell Lung Cancer). In the era of multimodality treatment, adjuvant systemic therapy plays an important role even in the management of early SCLC, increasing the disease-free survival (DFS) and Overall Survival (OS). The benefit of Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation (PCI), that currently has a Category I recommendation for localized stage SLCL, remains controversial in this selected subgroup of patients due to the lower risk of brain metastasis. This review summarizes the most relevant data on the local management of T1-2N0M0SCLC (surgery and radiotherapy), and evaluates the relevance of adjuvant treatment. Provides a critical evaluation of best current clinical management options for T1-2N0M0 SCLC

Vibroacoustics and psychoacoustics investigation of biodegradable composites for musical instruments

[EN] Due to the extinction of some wood species used to manufacture guitars, there is a trend to search new alternative materials with the same acoustic performance. There is a wide range of tonewoods: ebony, rosewood, yellow and red cedar, mongoy and sapelli, among others. These woods have high resonance qualities and the requirements are both acoustical and mechanical. In this work, alternative composite materials have been manufactured to compare dynamic and psychoacoustic parameters with the commonly used woods. This comparison will allow to conclude the possibility of using these materials as substitutive of tonewoods.Segura Alcaraz, JG.; Gadea Borrell, JM.; Juliá Sanchis, E.; Crespo, JE.; Montava-Belda, I.; Rebagliato Torregrosa, S. (2018). Vibroacoustics and psychoacoustics investigation of biodegradable composites for musical instruments. ANNALS of the UNIVERSITY of ORADEA. Fascicle of Management and Technological Engineering. 184:1-4. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201818401005S1418

Src-Homology 2 Domain-Containing Phosphatase 2 in Resected EGFR Mutation-Positive Lung Adenocarcinoma

Funding: supported by a La Caixa Foundation grant and the Spanish Association Against Cancer (PROYE18012ROSE)EGFR mutation-positive lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) displays impaired phosphorylation of ERK and Src-homology 2 domain-containing phosphatase 2 (SHP2) in comparison with EGFR wild-type LUADs. We hypothesize that SHP2 expression could be predictive in patients positive with resected EGFR mutation versus patients with EGFR wild-type LUAD. We examined resected LUAD cases from Japan and Spain. mRNA expression levels of AXL, MET, CDCP1, STAT3, YAP1, and SHP2 were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The activity of SHP2 inhibitors plus erlotinib were tested in EGFR -mutant cell lines and analyzed by cell viability assay, Western blot, and immunofluorescence. A total of 50 of 100 EGFR mutation-positive LUADs relapsed, among them, patients with higher SHP2 mRNA expression revealed shorter progression-free survival, in comparison with those having low SHP2 mRNA (hazard ratio: 1.83; 95% confidence interval: 1.05-3.23; p = 0.0329). However, SHP2 was not associated with prognosis in the remaining 167 patients with wild-type EGFR. In EGFR -mutant cell lines, the combination of SHP099 or RMC-4550 (SHP2 inhibitors) with erlotinib revealed synergism via abrogation of phosphorylated AKT (S473) and ERK1/2 (T202/Y204). Although erlotinib translocates phosphorylated SHP2 (Y542) into the nucleus, either RMC-4550 alone, or in combination with erlotinib, relocates SHP2 into the cytoplasm membrane, limiting AKT and ERK1/2 activation. Elevated SHP2 mRNA levels are associated with recurrence in resected EGFR mutation-positive LUADs, but not in EGFR wild-type. EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors can enhance SHP2 activation, hindering adjuvant therapy. SHP2 inhibitors could improve the benefit of adjuvant therapy in EGFR mutation-positive LUADs

Método para amplificar cultivos primarios de células epiteliales bronquiales

Objetivo: Los cultivos celulares son un buen modelo para el estudio de las enfermedades pulmonares, pero son difíciles de reproducir y producen un número limitado de células. El objetivo de este estudio ha sido desarrollar un método que incrementase la producción de células epiteliales bronquiales (CEB) humanas en cultivos primarios. Material y métodos: Se procesó un total de 12 muestras (9 procedentes de muestras quirúrgicas y 3 de biopsias endoscópicas) en placas recubiertas de colágeno tipo I con medio suplementado para CEB. Al iniciarse la proliferación celular a su alrededor, los explantes se extrajeron y subcultivaron sucesivamente. Las células restantes se dejaron proliferar y se tripsinizaron tras alcanzar más del 50% de confluencia. Se valoraron el número de células obtenidas, la viabilidad y la citoqueratina 7. Resultados: El número total de células obtenidas con este método superó en una media de 3 veces el número de CEB humanas obtenidas en cultivos primarios simples. El número máximo de subcultivos fue de 5, la viabilidad media (± desviación estándar) fue de 91,9 ± 11,7% y el porcentaje de células positivas para la citoqueratina 7 del 30,71 ± 10,68%. Conclusiones: El método descrito para amplificar cultivos primarios de CEB permite incrementar la producción de células obtenidas

Sustainable sound absorbers from fruit stones waste

[EN] Ecological and sustainable materials have a growing interest in the field of construction and buildings where recycled materials are being included as constructive solutions. Currently, fruit stones are not used in architectural acoustics and there are no scientific studies that analyse the acoustic insulation of materials manufactured by fruit stones. This work analyses the sound absorption coefficient of panels made of different fruit stones. Four types of fruit stones have been selected with different properties in terms of density, shape and porosity. They are of the hard-stone type so that they have a high durability. To determine the sound absorption coefficient, cylindrical samples with different thicknesses have been manufactured and tested in a standing wave tube. The experimental results showed that the sound absorption varies depending on the type of fruit stone and the thickness of the sample. 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