Language learning strategy use by spanish efl students: the effect of proficiency level, gender, and motivation

This article aims to investigate the use of Language Learning Strategies (LLSs) by Spanish EFL students, as well as the relationship between that use and other learner variables such as the proficiency level, gender, and motivation. Participants were 206 Spanish students of English from different proficiency levels. The instrument used to collect data was a questionnaire.The results show that the participants use LLSs moderately with a high preference for metacognitive and affective strategies. Proficiency level did not have a significant effect, except in the cognitive category between proficient and basic users groups. In relation to gender, there were not statistically significant differences between male and female students. However, motivation had a paramount effect in the use of LLSs. El propósito de este estudio es investigar el uso de las estrategias de aprendizaje de la lengua extranjera por parte de estudiantes de inglés con distintos niveles de competencia. Además, intenta explorar la relación que ptstros participantes (N=206) hacen un uso moderado de esas estrategias, siendo las más utilizadas las metacognitivas y las afectivas. El nivel de competencia sólo tuvo un impacto significativo en la categoría de estrategias cognitivas entre los estudiantes del nivel más alto y los de los niveles básicos. No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre las mujeres y los hombres en el uso de las estrategias. Sin embargo, el factor motivacional sí arrojó diferencias significativas

Morphometric and oil content variation of allspice (Pimenta dioica (L.) Merr.) fruits in Mexico: Variação morfométrica e do teor de óleo de frutos de pimenta da Jamaica (Pimenta dioica (L.) Merr.) no México

This study was carried out with the objectives of quantifying the oil content and determining the morphometry of the fruits of allspice (Pimenta dioica (L.) Merr.) of 23 selected genotypes, to establish if the fruits meet the current quality standards and provide quantitative elements for the selection of outstanding genotypes in fruit size and oil content. From each selected genotype, 3 samples of 250 g of fresh pimento fruits were obtained, which were dried at 25 °C. Subsequently, 3 samples of 5 g of dried fruits were taken to measure the equatorial diameter and length of each fruit with a digital vernier and then determine the area, volume, roundness index (IR), and aspect ratio (RA). Ground and sifted dried fruits were used to determine gravimetrically the oil content in a Soxhlet Büchi E-816 SOX equipment using hexane as a solvent with three replicates per genotype. An analysis of variance was performed on the obtained data, followed by a comparison of means by Tukey's method (α = 0.05). A cluster analysis was also performed to group genotypes with similar characteristics. The results showed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) between genotypes for each of the measured variables. The overall average values ​​of the fruits were 7.22 ± 0.69 mm for the equatorial diameter, 8.21 ± 0.74mm for the length, 47.14 ± 8.23 mm2 for the area, 233.22 ± 61.93 mm3 for the volume, 0.88 ± 0.05 for the roundness index, 1.14 ± 0.06 for the aspect ratio and 4.96 ± 0.15% for the oil content. The genotypes were grouped into six groups with similar fruit characteristics of dimensions, morphometry, and oil content. The obtained results indicate that all the genotypes meet the specifications of oil content and equatorial diameter indicated in the current quality standards; however, six genotypes stand out for their oil content greater than 5.4%

Understanding the quality of local vineyard soils in distinct viticultural areas: a case study in Alcubillas (La Mancha, central Spain)

The essential features of the soils of a pilot zone in La Mancha (Central Spain), namely the Alcubillas municipability, have been characterized. The soil properties that may contribute to a better understanding of the impact of soil on grape production have also, been evaluated. For this, several soil profiles have been described and analyzed and the profiles have been mapped. The soils are mainly Entisols, Inceptisols and Alfisols, with their evolution controlled by the action of a xerophytic Mediterranean climate. Most of these soils have a loamy clay texture, with medium clay contents and sufficient nutrient contents (despite the low content in organic matter 1.39% and 1.04%, and the high concentrations of calcium carbonate 23.7% and 26.9% in the surface and subsurface horizons, respectively). Drainage problems were not observed and it can therefore be stated that the Alcubillas vineyards are based on a ‘terroir’ term for the production of high quality grapes. In general, the soils are not subjected to treatments to control possible diseases or pests and we have therefore postulated that the soils represent the ideal scenario to establish a distinctive zone and for the increasingly valued ecological and natural viticultureThis research was funded by “Denominación de origen Valdepeñas” (denomination of origen), grant number UCTR18006

Wnt pathway genes in osteoporosis and osteoarthritis: differential expression and genetic association study

Producción CientíficaIn comparison with hip fractures, increased expression of genes in the Wnt pathway and increased Wnt activity were found in bone samples and osteoblast cultures from patients with osteoarthritis, suggesting the involvement of this pathway in subchondral bone changes. No consistent differences were found in the genetic association study

The OTELO survey. A case study of [O III]4959,5007 emitters at <z> = 0.83

The OTELO survey is a very deep, blind exploration of a selected region of the Extended Groth Strip and is designed for finding emission-line sources (ELSs). The survey design, observations, data reduction, astrometry, and photometry, as well as the correlation with ancillary data used to obtain a final catalogue, including photo-z estimates and a preliminary selection of ELS, were described in a previous contribution. Here, we aim to determine the main properties and luminosity function (LF) of the [O III] ELS sample of OTELO as a scientific demonstration of its capabilities, advantages, and complementarity with respect to other surveys. The selection and analysis procedures of ELS candidates obtained using tunable filter (TF) pseudo-spectra are described. We performed simulations in the parameter space of the survey to obtain emission-line detection probabilities. Relevant characteristics of [O III] emitters and the LF([O III]), including the main selection biases and uncertainties, are presented. A total of 184 sources were confirmed as [O III] emitters at a mean redshift z=0.83. The minimum detectable line flux and equivalent width (EW) in this ELS sample are $\sim$5 $\times$ 10$^{-19}$ erg s$^{-1}$ cm$^{2}$ and $\sim$6 \AA, respectively. We are able to constrain the faint-end slope ($\alpha = -1.03\pm0.08$) of the observed LF([O III]) at z=0.83. This LF reaches values that are approximately ten times lower than those from other surveys. The vast majority (84\%) of the morphologically classified [O III] ELSs are disc-like sources, and 87\% of this sample is comprised of galaxies with stellar masses of M$_\star$ $<$ 10$^{10}$ M$_{\odot}$.Comment: v1: 16 pages, 6 figures. Accepted in Astronomy \& Astrophysics. v2: Author added in metadat

Tracking Control Based on Recurrent Neural Networks for Nonlinear Systems with Multiple Inputs and Unknown Deadzone

This paper deals with the problem of trajectory tracking for a broad class of uncertain nonlinear systems with multiple inputs each one subject to an unknown symmetric deadzone. On the basis of a model of the deadzone as a combination of a linear term and a disturbance-like term, a continuous-time recurrent neural network is directly employed in order to identify the uncertain dynamics. By using a Lyapunov analysis, the exponential convergence of the identification error to a bounded zone is demonstrated. Subsequently, by a proper control law, the state of the neural network is compelled to follow a bounded reference trajectory. This control law is designed in such a way that the singularity problem is conveniently avoided and the exponential convergence to a bounded zone of the difference between the state of the neural identifier and the reference trajectory can be proven. Thus, the exponential convergence of the tracking error to a bounded zone and the boundedness of all closed-loop signals can be guaranteed. One of the main advantages of the proposed strategy is that the controller can work satisfactorily without any specific knowledge of an upper bound for the unmodeled dynamics and/or the disturbance term

Galaxy classification: deep learning on the OTELO and COSMOS databases

Context. The accurate classification of hundreds of thousands of galaxies observed in modern deep surveys is imperative if we want to understand the universe and its evolution. Aims. Here, we report the use of machine learning techniques to classify early- and late-type galaxies in the OTELO and COSMOS databases using optical and infrared photometry and available shape parameters: either the Sersic index or the concentration index. Methods. We used three classification methods for the OTELO database: 1) u-r color separation , 2) linear discriminant analysis using u-r and a shape parameter classification, and 3) a deep neural network using the r magnitude, several colors, and a shape parameter. We analyzed the performance of each method by sample bootstrapping and tested the performance of our neural network architecture using COSMOS data. Results. The accuracy achieved by the deep neural network is greater than that of the other classification methods, and it can also operate with missing data. Our neural network architecture is able to classify both OTELO and COSMOS datasets regardless of small differences in the photometric bands used in each catalog. Conclusions. In this study we show that the use of deep neural networks is a robust method to mine the cataloged dataComment: 20 pages, 10 tables, 14 figures, Astronomy and Astrophysics (in press

Heterotic Computing Examples with Optics, Bacteria, and Chemicals

Unconventional computers can perform embodied computation that can directly exploit the natural dynamics of the substrate. But such in materio devices are often limited, special purpose machines. To be practically useful, unconventional devices are usually be combined with classical computers or control systems. However, there is currently no established way to do this, or to combine different unconventional devices. In this position paper we describe heterotic unconventional computation, an approach that focusses on combinations of unconventional devices. This will need a sound semantic framework defining how diverse unconventional computational devices can be combined in a way that respects the intrinsic computational power of each, whilst yielding a hybrid device that is capable of more than the sum of its parts. We also describe a suite of diverse physical implementations of heterotic unconventional computers, comprising computation performed by bacteria hosted in chemically built material, sensed and controlled optically and chemically.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación TIN2009–13192Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación JCI-2010-0653

The influence of granite cutting waste on the properties of ultra-high performance concrete

This study analyzes the effect of using waste by-products generated in the process of granite cutting as part of the granular structure of Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC). The manufactured concrete has a compressive strength greater than 115 MPa. This study substitutes 35%, 70% and 100% of the volume of micronized quartz powder (<40 m) with granite cutting waste. This is an innovative study where the feasibility of using waste from granite quarries as a replacement for micronized quartz in UHPC has been analyzed. The results show an improvement in the workability and compressive strength of UHPC, for all substitution ratios. The flexural strength and tensile strength increase when the substitution ratio is 35%, and even the values obtained for 100% substitution are acceptable. In view of the results obtained in this study, granite cutting waste, instead of the micronized quartz powder usually used, is a viable alternative for the manufacture of expectedly more sustainable UHPC.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version