54 research outputs found
Electrophoretic Deposition of Transparent ZnO Thin Films from Highly Stabilized Colloidal Suspensions
The parameters that control the stability of ZnO-nanoparticles suspensions and their deposition by electrophoretic deposition were studied, so as to organize the assembly and compaction of nanoparticles. The addition of cationic polyelectrolyte - Polyethylenimine (PEI) - with different molecular weights was investigated, in order to study their effectiveness and the influence of the molecular weight of the organic chain on suspensions dispersion. It was found that PEI with the highest molecular weight provided better dispersion conditions. Cathodic EPD was performed under previously optimized suspensions conditions and over electropolished stainless steel substrates. Experimental results showed that the EPD process in these conditions allows obtaining dense transparent ZnO thin films. Deposition times and intensities were optimized by analyzing the resulting thin films characteristics. Finally, the deposits were characterized by FE-SEM, AFM, and different spectroscopic techniques
Definición de un modelo pedagógico en el ámbito jurídico a través de la integración de tres formas de aprendizaje-servicio en torno a la simulación de juicios = Definition of a pedagogical model in the legal field through the integration of three forms of learning-service around simulation of trials
15 páginasDesde hace unos cuantos años, el GID “Aula Judicial de la ULE” viene trabajando con el desarrollo e innovación de las prácticas de las asignaturas de Derecho procesal, siendo siempre la simulación de juicios su actividad “estrella”. Confortados por su buena acogida entre los alumnos participantes, así como por los excelentes resultados académicos arrojados, en los últimos tres cursos, hemos “rediseñado” la simulación para reconducirla hacía el fascinante mundo del “aprendizaje-servicio”. Y la clave para lograrlo ha sido la implementación de tres fórmulas diferentes, pero perfectamente compatibles entre sí (ApS con personas mayores; ApS entre alumnos; y ApS extrauniversitaria), que en el presente artículo se describen pormenorizadamente. Y todo ello, sin desdeñar hacer una breve reseña sobre la manera en la que nos hemos visto obligados a alterar el modelo pedagógico propuesto, para así adecuarlo a la modalidad de enseñanza no presencial impuesta durante el tiempo de duración de la declaración del Estado de Alarma en nuestro país.S
Aula Judicial y Aprendizaje-Servicio: celebración de juicios simulados en la docencia práctica del Derecho Procesal
[ES] El GID “Aula Judicial de la ULE” trabaja con el desarrollo e innovación de las prácticas de las asignaturas de Derecho Procesal, con el que se pretende alcanzar la motivación del alumno convirtiendo el aula (en este caso, la Sala de Vistas) en un auténtico “laboratorio social”, perfectamente idóneo para la ciencia jurídica y para el trabajo en equipo. Se trata de que los alumnos sean protagonistas naturales de su propio proceso de aprendizaje y “visualicen” y comprendan de un modo sencillo y tangible las instituciones procesales que son explicadas durante las clases teóricas de cada una de las asignaturas de Derecho Procesal. A tal fin, la clave ha sido la implantación de los juicios simulados, herramienta docente que permite que los estudiantes se enfrenten a situaciones de conflictos reales que, solo ellos, deben resolver mediante la réplica de un proceso judicial y la orientación del profesorado implicado, reaccionando eficazmente a cualquier cuestión o incidencia que pueda suscitarse durante la sustanciación del proceso judicial planteado. Dicha metodología docente −adaptada con el transcurso del tiempo a las necesidades presentes de cada curso y, muy especialmente, durante el confinamiento decretado a causa de la crisis sanitaria del COVID-19 y las restricciones impuestas a la docencia presencial posteriormente al confinamiento− ha tenido una espectacular acogida entre el alumnado, que la consideran como una de las actividades académicas realizadas más gratificantes durante su formación universitaria y que, en la práctica, se ha traducido en una sustancial mejora de los resultados académicos de los alumnos participantes en la experiencia, permitiéndoles una formación mucho más completa y “práctica” como futuros juristas, al tiempo que fomenta el trabajo en equipo en su máximo grado
"Acción pedagógica de simulación de juicios". Metodología docente de Derecho Procesal en el EEES
12 páginasEl presente artículo tiene como fin poner en conocimiento de las disciplinas científicas perteneciente al campo jurídico el proyecto que el profesorado del Área de Derecho Procesal de la Facultad de Derecho de León desarrolla para sus alumnos desde hace varios años en esa Universidad, el cual lleva por nombre “ACCIÓN PEDAGÓGICA DE SIMULACIÓN DE JUICIOS”.
Se trata de un proyecto de innovación docente que busca la motivación y el rápido aprendizaje de los alumnos por la asignatura de Derecho Procesal I y II y que, tras más de ocho años de desarrollo en la Universidad de León, ha aportado unos excelentes resultados para el alumnado, buena parte de ello debido a la gran acogida de la iniciativa por aquéllos, tal y como lo avala los altos niveles de participación de los mismos.S
Cervical Multifidus Morphology and Quality Are Not Associated with Clinical Variables in Women with Fibromyalgia: An Observational Study
Objective. Some studies have reported the presence of histological alterations, such as myofiber disorganization and
abnormalities in the number and shape of mitochondria, in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Although
Ultrasound imaging (US) is used to quantitatively characterize muscle tissues, US studies in patients with FMS are
lacking. Therefore, we aimed to describe morphological and qualitative cervical multifidus (CM) muscle US features
in women with FMS and to assess their correlation with clinical indicators. Design. Observational study. Setting.
AFINSYFACRO Fibromyalgia Association (Madrid, Spain). Subjects. Forty-five women with FMS participated.
Methods. Sociodemographic variables (e.g., age, height, weight, body mass index) and clinical outcomes (e.g., pain
as assessed on a numerical pain rating scale, evolution time, pain-related disability as assessed by the Fibromyalgia
Impact Questionnaire) were collected. Images were acquired bilaterally at the cervical spine (C4–C5 level) and mea sured by an experienced examiner for assessment of muscle morphology (e.g., cross-sectional area, perimeter, and
shape) and quality (mean echo intensity and intramuscular fatty infiltration). Side-to-side comparisons and a correla tional analysis were conducted. Results. No significant side-to-side differences were found for morphology or quality
features (P > 0.05). None of the clinical indicators were associated with US characteristics (all, P > 0.05). Conclusion.
Our results showed no side-to-side differences for CM morphology and quality as assessed with US. No associa tions between CM muscle morphology or quality and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, pressure pain threshold,
numerical pain rating scale score, or evolution time were observed. Our preliminary data suggest that muscle mor phology is not directly related to pain and pain-related disability in women with FM
Clinical and epidemiological approach to delirium in an acute care unit: a cross-sectional study
During hospital admissions, the union of various factors, those related to acute pathology, dependency conditions, cognitive impairment, change of habitual environment, and others, can cause delirium. Acute delirium in the elderly (ADE) occurs in around a third of patients over 70 years of age. The syndrome generates serious complications that increase hospital morbidity and mortality and a high cost for the health administration. This study aimed to determine the clinical and epidemiological profile of ADE in an internal medicine unit. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out using a convenience test. A total of 356 patients participated between September and November 2021. Sociodemographic variables, predisposing and precipitating factors of ADE, methods of action against ADE, and the impact on functional and cognitive deterioration were analyzed. A total of 35.1% of the patients developed ADE, mostly of the hyperactive type and of nocturnal appearance. ADE was mainly treated with psychoactive drugs and 22% required mechanical restraint, with non-pharmacological preventive strategies, support, and caregiver training being the main tools for controlling ADE during hospital admission
Costs and benefits of automation for astronomical facilities
The Observatorio Astrof\'isico de Javalambre (OAJ{\dag}1) in Spain is a young
astronomical facility, conceived and developed from the beginning as a fully
automated observatory with the main goal of optimizing the processes in the
scientific and general operation of the Observatory. The OAJ has been
particularly conceived for carrying out large sky surveys with two
unprecedented telescopes of unusually large fields of view (FoV): the JST/T250,
a 2.55m telescope of 3deg field of view, and the JAST/T80, an 83cm telescope of
2deg field of view. The most immediate objective of the two telescopes for the
next years is carrying out two unique photometric surveys of several thousands
square degrees, J-PAS{\dag}2 and J-PLUS{\dag}3, each of them with a wide range
of scientific applications, like e.g. large structure cosmology and Dark
Energy, galaxy evolution, supernovae, Milky Way structure, exoplanets, among
many others. To do that, JST and JAST are equipped with panoramic cameras under
development within the J-PAS collaboration, JPCam and T80Cam respectively,
which make use of large format (~ 10k x 10k) CCDs covering the entire focal
plane. This paper describes in detail, from operations point of view, a
comparison between the detailed cost of the global automation of the
Observatory and the standard automation cost for astronomical facilities, in
reference to the total investment and highlighting all benefits obtained from
this approach and difficulties encountered. The paper also describes the
engineering development of the overall facilities and infrastructures for the
fully automated observatory and a global overview of current status,
pinpointing lessons learned in order to boost observatory operations
performance, achieving scientific targets, maintaining quality requirements,
but also minimizing operation cost and human resources.Comment: Global Observatory Control System GOC
Compromising between European and US allergen immunotherapy schools: Discussions from GUIMIT, the Mexican immunotherapy guidelines
Background: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has a longstanding history and still remains the only disease-changing treatment for allergic rhinitis and asthma. Over the years 2 different schools have developed their strategies: the United States (US) and the European. Allergen extracts available in these regions are adapted to local practice. In other parts of the world, extracts from both regions
and local ones are commercialized, as in Mexico. Here, local experts developed a national AIT guideline (GUIMIT 2019) searching for compromises between both schools.
Methods: Using ADAPTE methodology for transculturizing guidelines and AGREE-II for evaluating guideline quality, GUIMIT selected 3 high-quality Main Reference Guidelines (MRGs): the European Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (EAACI) guideines, the S2k guideline of
various German-speaking medical societies (2014), and the US Practice Parameters on Allergen Immunotherapy 2011. We formulated clinical questions and based responses on the fused evidence available in the MRGs, combined with local possibilities, patient's preference, and costs. We
came across several issues on which the MRGs disagreed. These are presented here along with arguments of GUIMIT members to resolve them. GUIMIT (for a complete English version, see Supplementary data) concluded the following:
Results: Related to the diagnosis of IgE-mediated respiratory allergy, apart from skin prick testing
complementary tests (challenges, in vitro testing and molecular such as species-specific allergens) might be useful in selected cases to inform AIT composition. AIT is indicated in allergic rhinitis and suggested in allergic asthma (once controlled) and IgE-mediated atopic dermatitis. Concerning the correct subcutaneous AIT dose for compounding vials according to the US school: dosing tables and formula are given; up to 4 non-related allergens can be mixed, refraining from mixing high with low protease extracts. When using European extracts: the manufacturer's indications
should be followed; in multi-allergic patients 2 simultaneous injections can be given (100% consensus); mixing is discouraged. In Mexico only allergoid tablets are available; based on doses used in all sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) publications referenced in MRGs, GUIMIT suggests a probable effective dose related to subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) might be: 50–200% of the monthly SCIT dose given daily, maximum mixing 4 allergens. Also, a table with practical suggestions on non-evidence-existing issues, developed with a simplified Delphi method, is added.
Finally, dissemination and implementation of guidelines is briefly discussed, explaining how we used online tools for this in Mexico.
Conclusions: Countries where European and American AIT extracts are available should adjust AIT according to which school is followed
Predictive Power of the "Trigger Tool" for the detection of adverse events in general surgery: a multicenter observational validation study
Background
In spite of the global implementation of standardized surgical safety checklists and evidence-based practices, general surgery remains associated with a high residual risk of preventable perioperative complications and adverse events. This study was designed to validate the hypothesis that a new “Trigger Tool” represents a sensitive predictor of adverse events in general surgery.
Methods
An observational multicenter validation study was performed among 31 hospitals in Spain. The previously described “Trigger Tool” based on 40 specific triggers was applied to validate the predictive power of predicting adverse events in the perioperative care of surgical patients. A prediction model was used by means of a binary logistic regression analysis.
Results
The prevalence of adverse events among a total of 1,132 surgical cases included in this study was 31.53%. The “Trigger Tool” had a sensitivity and specificity of 86.27% and 79.55% respectively for predicting these adverse events. A total of 12 selected triggers of overall 40 triggers were identified for optimizing the predictive power of the “Trigger Tool”.
Conclusions
The “Trigger Tool” has a high predictive capacity for predicting adverse events in surgical procedures. We recommend a revision of the original 40 triggers to 12 selected triggers to optimize the predictive power of this tool, which will have to be validated in future studies
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