Simulation of Professional Perfomance, Didactic Tool in Teaching Sport Sciences

La implantación del Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior y su vinculación con la actividad laboral, ha permitido la aplicación de una metodología basada en la simulación del desempeño profesional, que ofrece la posibilidad no sólo de adquirir conocimientos, sino también aplicarlos, analizarlos y tomar decisiones practicando. El alumnado mediante una metodología constituida en cinco etapas secuenciales, diseñadas para la inmersión en situaciones cercanas a la realidad profesional, ha construido sus propios aprendizajes, ha diseñado nuevos planteamientos didácticos y finalmente ha realizado una puesta en común. Los resultados muestran la implicación del alumnado y la adquisición de aprendizajes mediante la conexión entre las aplicaciones prácticas y la posible futura realidad profesional. La simulación ha permitido adquirir competencias en la elaboración y análisis de propuestas aplicadas y el desarrollo de competencias transversales relacionadas con toma de decisiones, trabajo autónomo y en equipo, aspectos determinantes en el éxito profesional de los futuros egresadosThe implantation of the European Higher Education Area and its linkage with the future job of the student has permitted the application of a methodology based on the simulation of professional skills, which offers the possibility not only to acquire knowledge but also to apply, analyze and take decisions practicing. Students, through a methodology consisting of five sequential phases in situations close to the professional reality, have built their own learning, have designed new teaching approaches and finally shared their results. The results show the implication of students on the learning process by connecting practical applications and possible future professional reality. The simulation has allowed students to acquire skills in the design and analysis of applied proposals and the development of generic skills related to decision making, autonomous and team work, determining factors in the career success of future graduate

Cyclin-Dependent Kinase-Like Function Is Shared by the Beta- and Gamma- Subset of the Conserved Herpesvirus Protein Kinases

The UL97 protein of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV, or HHV-5 (human herpesvirus 5)), is a kinase that phosphorylates the cellular retinoblastoma (Rb) tumor suppressor and lamin A/C proteins that are also substrates of cellular cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks). A functional complementation assay has further shown that UL97 has authentic Cdk-like activity. The other seven human herpesviruses each encode a kinase with sequence and positional homology to UL97. These UL97-homologous proteins have been termed the conserved herpesvirus protein kinases (CHPKs) to distinguish them from other human herpesvirus-encoded kinases. To determine if the Cdk-like activities of UL97 were shared by all of the CHPKs, we individually expressed epitope-tagged alleles of each protein in human Saos-2 cells to test for Rb phosphorylation, human U-2 OS cells to monitor nuclear lamina disruption and lamin A phosphorylation, or S. cerevisiae cdc28-13 mutant cells to directly assay for Cdk function. We found that the ability to phosphorylate Rb and lamin A, and to disrupt the nuclear lamina, was shared by all CHPKs from the beta- and gamma-herpesvirus families, but not by their alpha-herpesvirus homologs. Similarly, all but one of the beta and gamma CHPKs displayed bona fide Cdk activity in S. cerevisiae, while the alpha proteins did not. Thus, we have identified novel virally-encoded Cdk-like kinases, a nomenclature we abbreviate as v-Cdks. Interestingly, we found that other, non-Cdk-related activities reported for UL97 (dispersion of promyelocytic leukemia protein nuclear bodies (PML-NBs) and disruption of cytoplasmic or nuclear aggresomes) showed weak conservation among the CHPKs that, in general, did not segregate to specific viral families. Therefore, the genomic and evolutionary conservation of these kinases has not been fully maintained at the functional level. Our data indicate that these related kinases, some of which are targets of approved or developmental antiviral drugs, are likely to serve both overlapping and non-overlapping functions during viral infections

RASGOS DE LOS FORÓFITOS DE GUAZUMA ULMIFOLIA Y SAMANEA SAMAN Y SU INFLUENCIA EN LA DISTRIBUCIÓN ESPACIAL, ABUNDANCIA Y DIVERSIDAD DE PLANTAS EPÍFITAS

Bark traits in phorophytes influence the establishment and spatial distribution of epiphytic plants. Given this, at the campus of the Universidad Técnica Nacional, in Atenas, Costa Rica, bark surface rugosity and water retention capacity of Guazuma ulmifolia and Samanea saman were evaluated. The diversity and similarity indices of epiphytic plants present in each phorophyte were analyzed. Thirty phorophytes, 15 from G. ulmifolia and 15 from Samanea saman, were marked and georeferenced and zoned according to the Johansson zone classification, and subsequently, the species that grow in each zone were inventoried. We registered 447 epiphytes, belonging to 9 families, 21 genera and 35 species. The phorophytes did not show a homogeneous distribution of epiphytes within their strata (stem and canopy) and the distribution of species by Johansson zone is different. Epiphytic species with host specificity were identified. A positive and highly significant correlation was determined between DAP and the abundance of epiphytes in S. saman.Los rasgos de la corteza en los forófitos influyen en el establecimiento y la distribución espacial de plantas epífitas. Ante esto, en el campus de la Universidad Técnica Nacional, sede Atenas, Costa Rica, se evaluó la rugosidad y la capacidad de retención de agua en la corteza de Guazuma ulmifolia y Samanea saman. Se analizó los índices de diversidad y similitud de plantas epífitas presentes en cada forófito. Se marcó y georreferenció 30 forófitos, 15 de G. ulmifolia y15 de Samanea saman, y se zonificaron según la clasificación de las zonas de Johansson, y posteriormente se inventariaron las especies que crecen en cada zona. Se registraron 447 epífitas, pertenecientes a nueve familias, 21 géneros y 35 especies. Los forófitos no mostraron una distribución homogénea de epífitas dentro de sus estratos (fuste y copa del árbol) y la distribución de especies por zona de Johansson es diferente. Se identificaron especies epífitas con especificidad de hospedero. Se determinó una correlación positiva y altamente significativa entre el DAP y abundancia de epífitas en S. saman

Composición florística de la regeneración natural de un bosque muy húmedo premontano en Poás, Costa Rica

ABSTRACT. “Floristic composition of the natural regeneration of very wet premontane forest in Poás, Costa Rica”. Introduction: Natural restoration is a low cost and nature-based way to restore part of habitats degraded by deforestation. Objective: To document the floristic composition of a regenerating vegetation fragment of very wet premontane forest. Methods: We did a floristic inventory in 5,59ha through exhaustive walks. Results: We documented 74 families, 144 genera and 170 native species, and 15 families, 21 genera and 22 exotic species, and one hybrid. The families with the highest genera and species riches were Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Solanaceae, Rubiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Polypodiaceae, Lauraceae, and Pteridaceae. The genera with the highest species richness were Solanum, Pleopeltis, Pteris, Croton, and Piper. We identified two endemic species, Costus montanus and Sechium tacaco. 95% of the species are terrestrial, 4% facultative epiphytes, and 1% holoepiphytes; 30% trees, 29% shrubs, 27% herbs, 9% lianas, and 5% dwarf shrub. About 64% are strictly heliophytes, and 36% of the species may tolerate shade. 148 species have at least one vernacular name. Conclusion: It is relevant to conserve this forest fragment, which is in an early state of regeneration, because its species composition typical of the premontane forests of the Costa Rican Central Valley.  RESUMEN. Introducción: La regeneración natural es una solución de bajo costo y basada en la naturaleza para restaurar parte de los hábitats degradados por la deforestación. Objetivo: Documentar la composición florística de un fragmento de vegetación en regeneración de bosque muy húmedo premontano. Métodos: Hicimos un inventario florístico en 5,59ha mediante recorridos exhaustivos. Resultados: Identificamos 74 familias, 144 géneros y 170 especies nativas, y 15 familias, 21 géneros y 22 especies introducidas, y un híbrido. Las familias con mayor riqueza de géneros y especies fueron Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Solanaceae, Rubiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Polypodiaceae, Lauraceae y Pteridaceae. Los géneros con mayor riqueza de especies fueron Solanum, Pleopeltis, Pteris, Croton y Piper. Hallamos dos especies endémicas, Costus montanus y Sechium tacaco. El 95% de las especies son terrestres, 4% epífitas facultativas y 1% holoepífitas; 30% árboles, 29% arbustos, 27% hierbas, 9% lianas y 5% sufrútices. Cerca del 64% son estrictamente heliófitas, y un 36% de las especies pueden tolerar la sombra. 148 especies tiene al menos nombre común. Conclusión: Este bosque se encuentra en un estado temprano de regeneración, con una composición de especies típica de los bosques premontanos del Valle Central costarricense, por lo que es relevante conservarlo.

The 1989 and 2015 outbursts of V404 Cygni: a global study of wind-related optical features

The black hole transient V404 Cygni exhibited a bright outburst in June 2015 that was intensively followed over a wide range of wavelengths. Our team obtained high time resolution optical spectroscopy (~90 s), which included a detailed coverage of the most active phase of the event. We present a database consisting of 651 optical spectra obtained during this event, that we combine with 58 spectra gathered during the fainter December 2015 sequel outburst, as well as with 57 spectra from the 1989 event. We previously reported the discovery of wind-related features (P-Cygni and broad-wing line profiles) during both 2015 outbursts. Here, we build diagnostic diagrams that enable us to study the evolution of typical emission line parameters, such as line fluxes and equivalent widths, and develop a technique to systematically detect outflow signatures. We find that these are present throughout the outburst, even at very low optical fluxes, and that both types of outflow features are observed simultaneously in some spectra, confirming the idea of a common origin. We also show that the nebular phases depict loop patterns in many diagnostic diagrams, while P-Cygni profiles are highly variable on time-scales of minutes. The comparison between the three outbursts reveals that the spectra obtained during June and December 2015 share many similarities, while those from 1989 exhibit narrower emission lines and lower wind terminal velocities. The diagnostic diagrams presented in this work have been produced using standard measurement techniques and thus may be applied to other active low-mass X-ray binaries.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS. 23 pages paper, plus a 9 pages appendix with extra tables and figures. 18 figures are included in the paper and 8 in the appendi

Dynamic model of wind energy conversion systems with variable speed synchronous generator and full-size power converter for large-scale power system stability studies

Se inscribe dentro de la línea de investigación de Integración en red de sistemas eólicos. Se presenta un modelo informático en plataforma PSS/E para sistemas de generación eólica de velocidad variable del tipo Síncrono con Convertidor de plena potencia, capaz de simular el comportamuiento dinámico de estos sistemas en estudios de estabilidad del sistema eléctric

Benchmarking scientific performance by decomposing leadership of Cuban and Latin American institutions in Public Health

This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in Scientometrics. The final authenticated version is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11192-015-1831-z”.Comparative benchmarking with bibliometric indicators can be an aid in decision-making with regard to research management. This study aims to characterize scientific performance in a domain (Public Health) by the institutions of a country (Cuba), taking as reference world output and regional output (other Latin American centers) during the period 2003–2012. A new approach is used here to assess to what extent the leadership of a specific institution can change its citation impact. Cuba was found to have a high level of specialization and scientific leadership that does not match the low international visibility of Cuban institutions. This leading output appears mainly in non-collaborative papers, in national journals; publication in English is very scarce and the rate of international collaboration is very low. The Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kouri stands out, alone, as a national reference. Meanwhile, at the regional level, Latin American institutions deserving mention for their high autonomy in normalized citation would include Universidad de Buenos Aires (ARG), Universidade Federal de Pelotas (BRA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientı´ficas y Te´cnicas (ARG), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (BRA) and the Centro de Pesquisas Rene Rachou (BRA). We identify a crucial aspect that can give rise to misinterpretations of data: a high share of leadership cannot be considered positive for institutions when it is mainly associated with a high proportion of non-collaborative papers and a very low level of performance. Because leadership might be questionable in some cases, we propose future studies to ensure a better interpretation of findings.This work was made possible through financing by the scholarship funds for international mobility between Andalusian and IberoAmerican Universities and the SCImago GroupPeer reviewe

Ptch2/Gas1 and Ptch1/Boc differentially regulate Hedgehog signalling in murine primordial germ cell migration.

Gas1 and Boc/Cdon act as co-receptors in the vertebrate Hedgehog signalling pathway, but the nature of their interaction with the primary Ptch1/2 receptors remains unclear. Here we demonstrate, using primordial germ cell migration in mouse as a developmental model, that specific hetero-complexes of Ptch2/Gas1 and Ptch1/Boc mediate the process of Smo de-repression with different kinetics, through distinct modes of Hedgehog ligand reception. Moreover, Ptch2-mediated Hedgehog signalling induces the phosphorylation of Creb and Src proteins in parallel to Gli induction, identifying a previously unknown Ptch2-specific signal pathway. We propose that although Ptch1 and Ptch2 functionally overlap in the sequestration of Smo, the spatiotemporal expression of Boc and Gas1 may determine the outcome of Hedgehog signalling through compartmentalisation and modulation of Smo-downstream signalling. Our study identifies the existence of a divergent Hedgehog signal pathway mediated by Ptch2 and provides a mechanism for differential interpretation of Hedgehog signalling in the germ cell niche

Transgenic expression of the dicotyledonous pattern recognition receptor EFR in rice leads to ligand-dependent activation of defense responses

Plant plasma membrane localized pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) detect extracellular pathogen-associated molecules. PRRs such as Arabidopsis EFR and rice XA21 are taxonomically restricted and are absent from most plant genomes. Here we show that rice plants expressing EFR or the chimeric receptor EFR::XA21, containing the EFR ectodomain and the XA21 intracellular domain, sense both Escherichia coli- and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo)-derived elf18 peptides at sub-nanomolar concentrations. Treatment of EFR and EFR::XA21 rice leaf tissue with elf18 leads to MAP kinase activation, reactive oxygen production and defense gene expression. Although expression of EFR does not lead to robust enhanced resistance to fully virulent Xoo isolates, it does lead to quantitatively enhanced resistance to weakly virulent Xoo isolates. EFR interacts with OsSERK2 and the XA21 binding protein 24 (XB24), two key components of the rice XA21-mediated immune response. Rice-EFR plants silenced for OsSERK2, or overexpressing rice XB24 are compromised in elf18-induced reactive oxygen production and defense gene expression indicating that these proteins are also important for EFR-mediated signaling in transgenic rice. Taken together, our results demonstrate the potential feasibility of enhancing disease resistance in rice and possibly other monocotyledonous crop species by expression of dicotyledonous PRRs. Our results also suggest that Arabidopsis EFR utilizes at least a subset of the known endogenous rice XA21 signaling components