First-generation college students’ motives to start university education:An investment in self- development, one’s economic prospects or to become a role model?

In this article, we engage with the emerging literature that studies the increased enrolment of first-generation college students (FGCS), that is, students from households where neither parent has obtained a bachelor’s /master’s degree. Our article answers two research questions. First, data from 2,338 first-year students are used to investigate the extent to which FGCS differ from continuing-generation college students (CGCS) concerning the reason why one enrols in university education. Second, to what degree do these motives explain differences in study choice? Our results show that FCGS, compared to CGCS, more strongly endorsed the economic investment motive and what we call the social investment motive, that is, the motivation to become a role model for one’s community. In addition, our findings reveal that the choice for more economically rewarding fields of study is related to these motives to start a university education. In the conclusion, we discuss the implications of our findings

Merkel cell carcinoma : our experience in this rare pathology

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) was first described in 1972 by Toker, who described five cases of the so-called "trabecular carcinoma of the skin". MCC is a rare, aggressive skin cancer that affects mainly the elderly. Sun exposed areas are mainly affected, specially the head and neck. Immunohistochemical analysis is essential to reach a correct diagnosis. According to the origin of MCC, the tumor expresses both epithelial and neuroendocrine markers. MCC has a propensity for recurrence, regional and distant metastases. Several treatment options are available, such as surgical excision or Moh's surgery, accompanied by neck dissection or radio and chemotherapy in advanced cases. The present study aims to evaluate the clinical behaviour and the evolution of five cases of this disease that were treated at our institution (reference to 1100000 inhabitants) in the last five years. It is stressed on the bad prognosis of this pathology, which presents high rates of locoregional recurrence, even though the recent advances in radio and chemotherapy. © Medicina Oral S. L

Discapacidad visual y orientación urbana. Estudio piloto sobre planos táctiles producidos en Impresión 3D

[EN] This article presents a pilot study conducted in Barcelona with blind and visually-impaired people. The aim was to analyze the use and efficacy of tactile maps produced by means of 3D printing. For this purpose, structured interviews were used, along with direct observation, the creation of cognitive maps and tasks with prototypes. The aim has been to examine the instrumental and communicative value of these products in terms of interpreting, memorizing and understanding a certain urban route, comparing this with experience in situ, focusing on the difficulties faced by the visually disabled when visiting new places. Findings show the utility of this type of technique in aiding visually disabled users to memorize routes. As a limitation, this study shows that tactile maps are not wholly efficient since they require verbal support, which makes it hard for them to be used autonomously.[ES] El trabajo aquí expuesto presenta un estudio piloto llevado a cabo en Barcelona con personas invidentes y deficientes visuales. El objetivo del mismo ha sido analizar el uso y la eficacia de los planos táctiles producidos mediante Impresión en 3D. Para ello se han empleado entrevistas estructuradas, observación directa, realización de mapas cognitivos y tareas con prototipos. De esta manera se ha tratado deprofundizar en elvalor instrumentalycomunicativo de estosproductos a la hora de interpretar, memorizar y comprender un determinado recorrido urbano, contrastándolo con la experiencia in situ, atendiendo a las dificultades que este tipo de personas presentan a la hora de visitar nuevos lugares. Los resultados obtenidos demuestran la utilidad de este tipo de técnica para memorizar recorridos por parte de este tipo de usuarios. Como limitación, el estudio muestra que los planos táctiles no resultan del todo eficientes pues precisan de apoyo verbal, hecho que dificulta su uso autónomo.This research has been funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation as part of the National Fundamental Research Programme, the National R&D/Innovation Plan, within the project “Study and design of orientation elements, communication support and other accessories to improve accessibility in different spheres of interpreting natural and/or built heritage’ (DPI2008-03981/DPI). The authors would also like particularly to thank the following for their selfless collaboration: the ONCE Educational Resources Centre in Barcelona and staff from the Disabled Service Programme at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. The study was also carried out as part of the Research Staff Mobility Programme at Universitat Jaume I (E-2010-32) funded by the Caixa Castelló-Bancaixa Foundation.Gual Ortí, J.; Puyuelo Cazorla, M.; Lloveras, J.; Merino Sanjuan, L. (2012). Visual Impairment and urban orientation. Pilot study with tactile maps produced through 3D Printing. Psyecology. 3(2):239-250. https://doi.org/10.1174/217119712800337747S2392503

La regeneración urbana integrada y la declaración de Toledo

The Toledo Declaration has lead to a significant contribution to the definition of Integrated Urban Regeneration. Influenced by the principles of the Europe 2020 strategy, a social market economy for the twenty-first century is drawn. The strategy aims to exploit the potential of European cities in overcoming the current economic crisis. Policies of recovery of the existing city and the built heritage are defined as a priority. The intervention must include a cross-cutting approach in terms of environmental, social and economic integration. This technical note analyzes the documents generated on this subject by different actors linked to housing and citizen network.La Declaración de Toledo ha significado una aportación importante para la definición del concepto de Regeneración Urbana Integrada. Influenciada por los principios de la estrategia Europa 2020, dibuja una economía social de mercado para el siglo XXI que aprovecha el potencial de las ciudades europeas de cara a la superación de la actual situación de crisis económica. Para lograrlo se definen como prioritarias las políticas de recuperación del patrimonio edificado y la ciudad existente. La intervención debe comprender un enfoque transversal basado en términos de integración medioambiental, social y económica. La presente nota técnica analiza la documentación generada por diferentes actores en torno a este debate vinculado al tejido ciudadano y la vivienda

Mechanical and structural assessment of laboratory- and field-compacted asphalt mixtures

Compaction forms an integral part in the formation of the aggregate orientation and structure of an asphalt mixture and therefore has a profound influence on its final volumetric and mechanical performance. This article describes the influence of various forms of laboratory (gyratory, vibratory and slab-roller) and field compaction on the internal structure of asphalt specimens and subsequently on their mechanical properties, particularly stiffness and permanent deformation. A 2D image capturing and image analysis system has been used together with alternative specimen sizes and orientations to quantify the internal aggregate structure (orientation and segregation) for a range of typically used continuously graded asphalt mixtures. The results show that in terms of aggregate orientation, slab-compacted specimens tend to mimic field compaction better than gyratory and vibratory compaction. The mechanical properties of slab-compacted specimens also tend to be closer to that of field cores. However, the results also show that through careful selection of specimen size, specimen orientation and compaction variables, even mould-based compaction methods can be utilised with particular asphalt mixtures to represent field-compacted asphalt mixtures

Temporal and spatial instability in neutral and adaptive (MHC) genetic variation in marginal salmon populations

The role of marginal populations for the long-term maintenance of species’ genetic diversity and evolutionary potential is particularly timely in view of the range shifts caused by climate change. The Centre-Periphery hypothesis predicts that marginal populations should bear reduced genetic diversity and have low evolutionary potential. We analysed temporal stability at neutral microsatellite and adaptive MHC genetic variation over five decades in four marginal Atlantic salmon populations located at the southern limit of the species’ distribution with a complicated demographic history, which includes stocking with foreign and native salmon for at least 2 decades. We found a temporal increase in neutral genetic variation, as well as temporal instability in population structuring, highlighting the importance of temporal analyses in studies that examine the genetic diversity of peripheral populations at the margins of the species’ range, particularly in face of climate change

Análisis y propuesta de mejoras para la eficiencia energética del edificio principal del Instituto c.c. Eduardo Torroja-CSIC

As part of the 80th anniversary of IETcc-CSIC, a proposal for the rehabilitation of the 1953 building is made. The analysis of the main building’s energy performance concludes that it is not energy efficient. Energy efficiency improvement measures based on European directives are proposed, It is recommended to incorporate them step by step, starting with passive measures to reduce energy needs. Afterwards active measures, such as improving the performance of facilities, are proposed, so that the least possible amount of final energy is used to meet the comfort standards. To complete the operation, the use of renewable energy sources is proposed to reduce the consumption of non-renewable primary energy. Energy and building rehabilitation improvement measures in the IETcc-CSIC should be demonstrators for other public buildings with heritage values.En el marco del 80 aniversario del IETcc-CSIC se elabora una propuesta para la rehabilitación del edificio construido en 1953. Partiendo del análisis del comportamiento energético del edificio principal, se concluye que este no es eficiente energéticamente. Se proponen mejoras para la eficiencia energética del edificio tomando en cuenta las directivas europeas. Se recomienda incorporar las mejoras de forma escalonada, comenzando por las medidas pasivas para reducir sus necesidades energéticas. A continuación se proponen medidas activas, como la mejora del rendimiento de las instalaciones, de manera que se emplee la menor cantidad posible de energía final para satisfacer el confort de los usuarios. Para completar la intervención se propone el uso de fuentes de generación de energías renovables en la parcela con el objetivo de reducir el consumo de energía primaria no renovable. Las acciones para la rehabilitación energética e integral del edificio del IETcc-CSIC, deben ser demostradoras para otros edificios públicos con valores patrimoniales