Use of the digital platforms in the universities of Andalusia (Spain)

The use of the digital platforms has become widespread in recent times in the educational field. However, it is necessary to know what this means for an institution like the university: Does it mean one point of inflection toward new ways of teaching and learning? Does it mean a change of model in the relationship between teachers and students? Has the institution been affected in its organization? This article provides an overview of the use of this technological tool by teachers in Spanish universities in general, and in Andalucía in particular, from a study that is in its final stages of development and is being financed by the government of Andalucía (Spain).A utilização das plataformas digitais tem se generalizado nos últimos tempos no mundo educativo. No entanto, é necessário saber o que significa este fato para uma instituição como a universidade: representa um ponto de inflexão em direção a novas formas de ensinar e aprender? Representa uma mudança de paradigma nas relações entre professores e alunos? A instituição foi afetada em suas formas de organização? Este artigo fornece uma visão geral do uso docente desta ferramenta tecnológica que está ocorrendo em universidades espanholas, em geral, e na Andaluzia em particular, a partir de um estudo que está em fase final de desenvolvimento e que é financiado pela Junta de Andaluzia (Espanha)El uso de las plataformas digitales se ha generalizado en los últimos tiempos en el mundo educativo. Sin embargo, es necesario conocer qué está suponiendo este hecho para una institución como la universitaria: ¿supone un punto de inflexión hacia nuevas formas de enseñar y aprender?; ¿supone un cambio de modelo en las relaciones entre el profesorado y el estudiantado?; ¿la institución se ha visto afectada en sus formas organizativas?. En el presente artículo ofrecemos una visión del uso docente que de esta herramienta tecnológica se está realizando en las universidades españolas, en general, y en las andaluzas en particular, a partir de un estudio que se encuentra en su fase final de desarrollo y que está siendo financiado por la Junta de Andalucía (España)

Simulations of Policy Responses During the COVID-19 Crisis in Argentina: Effects on Socioeconomic Indicators

This paper simulates the effects of policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic on household income and employment in Argentina, using household survey data and administrative data on employment and wages by economic sectors. The paper also includes a gender and age group analysis. The results indicate that during the COVID-19 crisis, household income decreased. This welfare loss was nonlinear along the income distribution, with the lowest income earners suffering the most due to relatively higher informality at the bottom of the income distribution. The policy responses seem to ameliorate by around one-third what the average drop in household income, and prevented major increases in poverty and inequality.Fil: Martínez Correa, Julián Gabriel. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas. Departamento de Ciencias Económicas. Centro de Estudios Distributivos Laborales y Sociales; ArgentinaFil: Cruces, Guillermo Antonio. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas. Departamento de Ciencias Económicas. Centro de Estudios Distributivos Laborales y Sociales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Menduiña, Juan Ignacio. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas. Departamento de Ciencias Económicas. Centro de Estudios Distributivos Laborales y Sociales; ArgentinaFil: Puig, Jorge Pablo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas. Departamento de Ciencias Económicas. Centro de Estudios Distributivos Laborales y Sociales; Argentin

DNAM-1 and the TIGIT/PVRIG/TACTILE Axis: Novel Immune Checkpoints for Natural Killer Cell-Based Cancer Immunotherapy

Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of the innate immune response characterized by their role in the destruction of tumor cells. Activation of NK cells depend on a fine balance between activating and inhibitory signals mediated by different receptors. In recent years, a family of paired receptors that interact with ligands of the Nectin/Nectin-like (Necl) family has attracted great interest. Two of these ligands, Necl-5 (usually termed CD155 or PVR) and Nectin-2 (CD112), frequently expressed on different types of tumor cells, are recognized by a group of receptors expressed on T and NK cells that exert opposite functions after interacting with their ligands. These receptors include DNAM-1 (CD226), TIGIT, TACTILE (CD96) and the recently described PVRIG. Whereas activation through DNAM-1 after recognition of CD155 or CD112 enhances NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity against a wide range of tumor cells, TIGIT recognition of these ligands exerts an inhibitory effect on NK cells by diminishing IFN-γ production, as well as NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. PVRIG has also been identified as an inhibitory receptor that recognizes CD112 but not CD155. However, little is known about the role of TACTILE as modulator of immune responses in humans. TACTILE control of tumor growth and metastases has been reported in murine models, and it has been suggested that it negatively regulates the anti-tumor functions mediated by DNAM-1. In NK cells from patients with solid cancer and leukemia, it has been observed a decreased expression of DNAM-1 that may shift the balance in favor to the inhibitory receptors TIGIT or PVRIG, further contributing to the diminished NK cell-mediated cytotoxic capacity observed in these patients. Analysis of DNAM-1, TIGIT, TACTILE and PVRIG on human NK cells from solid cancer or leukemia patients will clarify the role of these receptors in cancer surveillance. Overall, it can be speculated that in cancer patients the TIGIT/PVRIG pathways are upregulated and represent novel targets for checkpoint blockade immunotherapy

On the limitations of deep learning for statistical downscaling of climate change projections : the transferability and the extrapolation issues

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have become one of the state-of-the-art techniques for downscaling climate projections. They are being applied under Perfect-Prognosis (trained in a historical period with observations) and hybrid approaches (as Regional Climate Models (RCMs) emulators), with satisfactory results. Nevertheless, two important aspects have not been, to our knowledge, properly assessed yet: (1) their performance as emulators for other Earth System Models (ESMs) different to the one used for training, and (2) their performance under extrapolation, that is, when applied outside of their calibration range. In this study, we use UNET, a popular CNN, to assess these two aspects through two pseudo-reality experiments, and we compare it with simpler emulators: an interpolation and a linear regression. The RCA4 regional model, with 0.11° resolution over a complex domain centered in the Pyrenees, and driven by the CNRM-CM5 global model is used to train the emulators. Two frameworks are followed for the training: predictors are taken (1) from the upscaled RCM and (2) from the ESM. In both frameworks, the performance of the UNET when applied for other ESMs different to the one used for training is considerably worse, indicating poor generalization. For the linear method a similar deterioration is seen, so this limitation does not seem method specific but inherent to the task. For the second experiment, the emulators are trained in present and evaluated in future, under extrapolation. While averaged aspects such as the mean values are well simulated in future, significant biases (up to 5°C) appear when assessing warm extremes. These biases are larger by UNET than those produced by the linear method. This limitation suggests that, for variables such as temperature, with a marked signal of change and a strong linear relationship with predictors, simple linear methods might be more appropriate than the sophisticated deep learning techniques

Manejo multidisciplinario de quiste periapical. Reporte de caso.

La cirugía periapical es comúnmente el último recurso para mantener un órgano dental con una lesión periapical que no puede ser resuelta con un tratamiento endodóntico convencional. El objetivo principal de la cirugía periapical es prevenir la filtración bacteriana del sistema de conductos hacia los tejidos perirradiculares colocando un material sellador después de la resección radicular. Los quistes odontogénicos son 2.25 veces más frecuentes que los tumores odontogénicos. El quiste periapical radicular es parte de los quistes odontogénicos siendo el de mayor incidencia dentro de estos (64.3%) regularmente se presenta más en la zona anterior del maxilar y en la zona posterior de la mandíbula

Tendencias en el mercado de la manzana en los ultimos 20 años

Resumen (Spanish, English)Este estudio tiene como objetivo determinar los cambios que ha experimentado la demanda por manzana chilena en el período 1983 – 2002. Además, se examinó la situación actual de la principal competencia para Chile. El estudio se realizó utilizando los precios de remate en Rótterdam, para todas las variedades de manzana, calibre 100, además de los volúmenes totales por variedad exportados. El estudio se efectuó realizando un modelo multiplicativo de series de tiempo, con lo que se estimó tendencia y ciclicidad para el período 1983 – 2002. A partir del presente estudio es posible establecer que: • Los precios internacionales de la manzana han experimentado una tendencia a la baja en el período estudiado. Las variedades más afectadas son Granny Smith y el grupo de las Red Delicious. • En la década de los 90’ comienza un recambio varietal, de todas formas, las principales variedades continúan siendo el grupo de las Red Delicious y Grany Smith. Sin embargo, en los últimos diez años, Royal Gala ha logrado abarcar una fracción importante del mercado. • La aparición de nuevas variedades no ha logrado revertir la tendencia a la baja en los precios. • Chile, en los últimos 20 años, es el país del Hemisferio Sur que más ha aumentado en cuanto a volúmenes exportados de manzana. Sin embargo, los precios obtenidos por la fruta chilena está por debajo de los principales competidores. • En la actualidad los precios se encuentran cerrando un ciclo a la baja, debido a lo cual es de esperar que estos tengan un leve repunte a futuro

Optimización del protocolo para la extracción y la cuantificación de proteínas totales en semillas germinadas de maíz (Zea mays L.)

El maíz (Zea mays L.) es el cereal de mayor cultivo a nivel mundial, del cual se pueden obtener para consumo humano, harina, fibra, aceite y proteínas; de estas últimas se han aislado diferentes tipos tales como albúminas, globulinas, prolaminas y gluteninas; sin embargo, dada la variedad de estas biomoléculas, su obtención no ha sido fácil. Este trabajo se realizó para determinar el mejor método para la extracción y la cuantificación de las proteínas totales en semillas germinadas de maíz (Zea mays L.), para lo cual se compararon seis protocolos de extracción que resultaron al combinar dos métodos físicos convencionales: agitación orbital o asistida con ultrasonido, y tres solventes de extracción: ácido tricloroacético, Tris-Base y Tris-HCl. Previamente se eligió el mejor método de cuantificación por espectroscopía de ultravioleta visible empleando los reactivos cromogénicos de: Lowry, Bio-Rad y Bradford. Los mejores resultados (10,83 mg/l de proteína) se obtuvieron con la extracción asistida con ultrasonido en combinación con Tris-Base y empleando el reactivo de Bradford para la generación del color y la posterior cuantificación por espectroscopía de ultravioleta-visible

Seasonal and sex-related variations in serum steroid hormone levels in wild and farmed brown trout Salmo trutta L. in the north-west of Spain

P. 720-728Serum steroid profiles were investigated in order to evaluate the potential use of circulating sex steroid levels as a tool for sex identification in brown trout. Changes in the serum concentrations of testosterone (T), progesterone (P), 17-β-estradiol (E2), and cortisol (F) in wild and farmed mature female and male brown trout, Salmo trutta L., were measured in each season (January, May, July, and October) in six rivers and four hatcheries located in the north-west of Spain. Serum cortisol levels in farmed brown trout were significantly higher and showed a seasonal pattern opposite to that found in wild trout. Because levels of the hormones under study can be affected by disruptive factors such as exposure to phytoestrogens (which alters the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis) and infection with Saprolegnia (which alters the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis), both factors are taken into account.S

White muscle disease in three selenium deficient beef and dairy calves in Argentina and Uruguay

White muscle disease (WMD), nutritional myodegeneration or enzootic muscular dystrophy, is a nutritional condition associated with selenium and/or vitamin E deficiency in ruminants. These elements are constituents of the major body antioxidant systems. Depletion of selenium results in oxidative damage to cardiac and skeletal muscle cells, resulting in myodegeneration and myonecrosis, typical lesions of WMD. Selenium deficiency is common in South America, but WMD is underreported. This research describes clinical, biochemical and pathological findings in two episodes of WMD associated with selenium deficiency in beef and dairy calves in Argentina and Uruguay with concurrent copper deficiency in one of them, which resulted in spontaneous calf mortality. Further studies are necessary to estimate the true incidence and economic impact of clinical and subclinical mineral deficiencies in livestock production systems in the southern cone of South America.Doença do músculo branco (DMB), miodegeneração nutricional ou distrofia muscular enzoótica é uma condição nutricional associada à deficiência de selênio e/ou vitamina E em ruminantes. Esses elementos são constituintes dos principais sistemas antioxidantes do corpo. O esgotamento de selênio resulta em dano oxidativo às células musculares cardíacas e esqueléticas, resultando em miodegeneração e mionecrose, lesões típicas da DMB. A deficiência de selênio é comum na América do Sul, mas a DMB está subnotificada. Este trabalho descreve os achados clínicos, bioquímicos e patológicos em dois surtos de DMB associados à deficiência de selênio em bezerros para carne e leite na Argentina e Uruguai com concomitante deficiência de cobre em um surto, que resultaram em mortalidade espontânea de bezerros. São necessários mais estudos para estimar a verdadeira incidência e impacto econômico das deficiências minerais clínicas e subclínicas nos sistemas de produção pecuária no sul da América do Sul.EEA Cuenca del SaladoFil: Rodriguez, Alejandro Martin. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Cuenca del Salado; ArgentinaFil: Schild, Carlos Omar. Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), La Estanzuela; UruguayFil: Canton, German Jose. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Riet‐Correa, Franklin. Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), La Estanzuela; UruguayFil: Armendano, Joaquín Ignacio. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; ArgentinaFil: Caffarena, Rubén Dario. Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), La Estanzuela; UruguayFil: Brambilla, Emilio Cesar. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: García, Juan Agustín. Universidad de la República. Centro Universitario Regional Este; UruguayFil: Morrell, Eleonora Lidia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Poppenga, Robert. University of California at Davis. School of Veterinary Medicine. California Animal Health and Food Safety (CAHFS). Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Giannitti, Federico. Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA), La Estanzuela; Uruguay. University of Minnesota. College of Veterinary Medicine. Veterinary Population Medicine Department; Estados Unido