Analysis of actinometric measurements under allsky and cloud-free conditions in Cáceres (Spain) for the period 1913–1920

Early daily actinometric and cloud cover data from C aceres (SW of Spain) were recovered for the period 1913–1920. The task of retrieving and digitising early actinometric data series turn out highly required due to the lack of solar radiation data throughout the first half of twentieth century. Firstly, the Arago actinometer and the procedure employed to record the actinometric data were described in detail. Additionally, in spite of being a short series, trends from recovered actinometric data were analysed. A negative trend of (0.16 ± 0.03) C/year was obtained for all-sky conditions, reaching a marked value of (0.26 ± 0.04) C/year when cloud-free days were selected in the analysis. Both trends were statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. The Katmai eruption in June 1912 likely caused anomalous low actinometric records in 1913 and 1914. These results suggest a decrease of solar radiation in C aceres during the second decade of the twentieth century which is in accordance with the final stage of the long-term negative trend in solar radiation data observed at several European sites from late nineteenth century to the beginning of the twentieth century (‘early dimming’).This work was partly funded by FEDER-Junta de Extremadura [Research Group Grant GR15137 and project IB16127] and from the Ministerio de Econom ıa y Competitividad of the Spanish Government [CGL2017- 87917-P]

Rheological non-Newtonian behaviour of ethylene glycol-based Fe2O3 nanofluids

The rheological behaviour of ethylene glycol-based nanofluids containing hexagonal scalenohedral-shaped α-Fe2O3 (hematite) nanoparticles at 303.15 K and particle weight concentrations up to 25% has been carried out using a cone-plate Physica MCR rheometer. The tests performed show that the studied nanofluids present non-Newtonian shear-thinning behaviour. In addition, the viscosity at a given shear rate is time dependent, i.e. the fluid is thixotropic. Finally, using strain sweep and frequency sweep tests, the storage modulus G', loss modulus G″ and damping factor were determined as a function of the frequency showing viscoelastic behaviour for all samples

Thermal conductivity and viscosity measurements of ethylene glycol-based Al2O3 nanofluids

The dispersion and stability of nanofluids obtained by dispersing Al2O3 nanoparticles in ethylene glycol have been analyzed at several concentrations up to 25% in mass fraction. The thermal conductivity and viscosity were experimentally determined at temperatures ranging from 283.15 K to 323.15 K using an apparatus based on the hot-wire method and a rotational viscometer, respectively. It has been found that both thermal conductivity and viscosity increase with the concentration of nanoparticles, whereas when the temperature increases the viscosity diminishes and the thermal conductivity rises. Measured enhancements on thermal conductivity (up to 19%) compare well with literature values when available. New viscosity experimental data yield values more than twice larger than the base fluid. The influence of particle size on viscosity has been also studied, finding large differences that must be taken into account for any practical application. These experimental results were compared with some theoretical models, as those of Maxwell-Hamilton and Crosser for thermal conductivity and Krieger and Dougherty for viscosity

Multiple biomarker tissue arrays: a computational approach to identifying protein-protein interactions in the EGFR/ERK signalling pathway

[Abstract] Background. Many studies have demonstrated genetic and environmental factors that lead to renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and that occur during a protracted period of tumourigenesis. It appears suitable to identify and characterise potential molecular markers that appear during tumourigenesis and that might provide rapid and effective possibilities for the early detection of RCC. EGFR activation induces cell cycle progression, inhibition of apoptosis and angiogenesis, promotion of invasion/metastasis, and other tumour promoting activities. Over-expression of EGFR is thought to play an important role in tumour initiation and progression of RCC because up-regulation of EGFR has been associated with high grade cancers and a worse prognosis. Methods. Characterisation of the protein profile interacting with EGFR was performed using the following: an immunohistochemical (IHC) study of EGFR, a comprehensive computational study of EGFR protein-protein interactions, an analysis correlating the expression levels of EGFR with other significant markers in the tumourigenicity of RCC, and finally, an analysis of the utility of EGFR for prognosis in a cohort of patients with renal cell carcinoma. Results. The cases that showed a higher level of this protein fell within the clear cell histological subtype (p = 0.001). The EGFR significance statistic was found with respect to a worse prognosis. In vivo significant correlations were found with PDGFR-β, Flk-1, Hif1-α, proteins related to differentiation (such as DLL3 and DLL4 ligands), and certain metabolic proteins such as Glut5. In silico significant associations gave us a panel of 32 EGFR-interacting proteins (EIP) using the APID and STRING databases. Conclusions. This work summarises the multifaceted role of EGFR in the pathology of RCC, and it identifies EIPs that could help to provide mechanistic explanations for the different behaviours observed in tumours

The International Brigades

La presencia en España de unos 35.000 voluntarios, reclutados por la Tercera Internacional, consiguió que ciudadanos de más de 53 países cooperaran con el Ejército Popular de la República durante la Guerra Civil. La historia de las Brigadas ha generado desde 1996 a esta fecha una literatura en rápido crecimiento. Las Brigadas Internacionales se han estudiado desde muchas perspectivas. Este artículo aborda el amplio panorama de libros desglosándolos en seis áreas. Hemos referenciado 168 títulos publicados entre 2006 y 2013 y los hemos analizado estadísticamente desde el punto de vista de su idioma, lugar de aparición, año y temática principal. En lo que se refiere al idioma un 73% se escribieron en español, un 10% en inglés, un 5% en catalán, un 4% en italiano, un 4% en francés y un 4% en otras lenguas. Un 82% aproximadamente se publicaron en España y solo 18% en el extranjero. Por fechas, en el año 2009 tuvo lugar el volumen de producción más amplio. Por temas, el porcentaje más elevado lo componen las biografías y memorias. Le siguen el lugar de origen de cada Brigada, aspectos militares generales y las batallas más importantes. A los 75 años casi del final de la Guerra Civil el fenómeno de las Brigadas Internacionales y su significado está más presente que nunca. No solo se ha escrito un considerable número de libros sino que también se han organizado actividades tales como proyecciones de películas y exposiciones para rendir homenaje a los voluntarios extranjeros que vinieron a España a luchar contra Franco.The presence in Spain of some 35,000 volunteers recruited by the Third International, led to citizens of more than 53 countries fighting alongside the Republican Army during the Civil War. The history of the International Brigades has generated a rapidly growing literature from 1996 up to now. The International Brigades have been examined from a great many different perspectives. This article examines the large corpus of work according to six subjects. We have collected 168 titles published between 2006 and 2013 and analysed them statistically according to language, place, date and principal topics. Regarding language, 73% are written in Spanish, 10% in English, 5% in Catalan, 4% in Italian, 4% in French and 4% in other languages. Approximately 82% were published in Spain and only 18% abroad. As to date of publication, 2009 was the most prolific year. Considering research topics, the highest percentage goes to biographies and memoirs, followed by works examining the country of origin of each Brigade, general military matters and the most important battles. Almost 75 years later, the phenomenon of the International Brigades and what they mean is more alive than ever. Not only has there been a large number of publications , but a great number of activities have also been launched, such as films or exhibitions paying tribute to the volunteers who came to Spain to fight against Franco

Annual report on Sunspot Counting Program 2013

Este programa nació a fines del 2012 en la Universidad de Extremadura con el fin de ampliar aún más nuestra investigación en la reconstrucción de la actividad solar. Desde el 1 de Enero de 2013, nuestro recuento de manchas solares se han presentado al Real Observatorio de Bélgica (ROB) como contribución a los esfuerzos internacionales de mantener y actualizar el número internacional de Manchas Solares. Para ello, hemos utilizado un pequeño refractor apocromático de 80 mm de diámetro de objetivo y 550 mm de longitud focal, a fin de proyectar una imagen de 150 mm de diámetro en una plantilla. Este informe proporciona un conjunto completo de los datos obtenidos durante el año 2013, con cuatro tablas que muestran nuestros datos. Por otra parte, el índice de referencia de las manchas solares se compara con nuestros resultados. Esperamos que esta publicación sea de utilidad a la comunidad científica que estudia el número de manchas solares: la mayor serie de índices solares derivadas de la observación directa del Sol.This program was born in late 2012 at the University of Extremadura in order to further extend our research in the reconstruction of past solar activity. Since 1st January 2013, our sunspot counts have been submitted to the Royal Observatory of Belgium (ROB) as a contribution to the international effort of maintaining and updating the International Sunspot Number. For this purpose, we have used a small apochromatic refractor –80mm of objective diameter and 550mm of focal length– to project a 150mm diameter image onto a template. In this report, we provide a complete set of data obtained throughout the year 2013, with four Tables showing our data. Moreover, the reference sunspot index is compared with our results. We hope that this publication be useful to the scientific community studying the sunspot number: the longest solar index series derived from direct observation of the Sun

Annual report on Sunspot Counting Program 2013

Este programa nació a fines del 2012 en la Universidad de Extremadura con el fin de ampliar aún más nuestra investigación en la reconstrucción de la actividad solar. Desde el 1 de Enero de 2013, nuestro recuento de manchas solares se han presentado al Real Observatorio de Bélgica (ROB) como contribución a los esfuerzos internacionales de mantener y actualizar el número internacional de Manchas Solares. Para ello, hemos utilizado un pequeño refractor apocromático de 80 mm de diámetro de objetivo y 550 mm de longitud focal, a fin de proyectar una imagen de 150 mm de diámetro en una plantilla. Este informe proporciona un conjunto completo de los datos obtenidos durante el año 2013, con cuatro tablas que muestran nuestros datos. Por otra parte, el índice de referencia de las manchas solares se compara con nuestros resultados. Esperamos que esta publicación sea de utilidad a la comunidad científica que estudia el número de manchas solares: la mayor serie de índices solares derivadas de la observación directa del Sol.This program was born in late 2012 at the University of Extremadura in order to further extend our research in the reconstruction of past solar activity. Since 1st January 2013, our sunspot counts have been submitted to the Royal Observatory of Belgium (ROB) as a contribution to the international effort of maintaining and updating the International Sunspot Number. For this purpose, we have used a small apochromatic refractor –80mm of objective diameter and 550mm of focal length– to project a 150mm diameter image onto a template. In this report, we provide a complete set of data obtained throughout the year 2013, with four Tables showing our data. Moreover, the reference sunspot index is compared with our results. We hope that this publication be useful to the scientific community studying the sunspot number: the longest solar index series derived from direct observation of the Sun

Teucrium × turianum (Labiatae) a new hybrid plant for the Valencian flora

Se describe un nuevo nototaxon, Teucrium × turianum, proveniente de la hibridación de Teucrium edetanum, endemismo valenciano de área reducida, y T. capitatum subsp. gracillimum, taxon de amplia distribución por el este y sudeste ibéricos. Se presentan una completa descripción morfológica y los principales caracteres diagnósticos del nuevo híbrido frente a sus progenitores. Además, se presentan datos sobre su comportamiento ecológico y distribución.A new nothospecies, Teucrium × turianum, is described which comes from the hybridization between Teucrium edetanum, a narrow Valencian endemism, and T. capitatum subsp. gracillimum, widespread through the E and SE of the Iberian Peninsula. A complete morphological description is reported, empasizing the main diagnostic characters allowing separation from its parental taxa. Furthermore, data are also presented on its ecological behaviour, ecology and distribution

Digital rubric-based assessment of oral presentation competence with technological resources for preservice teachers

This study focuses on e-assessment of oral presentation competence using technology resources in a model that combines project-based learning and flipped learning. This study uses a digital rubric to assess oral presentation competence in different situations of progressive assessment for 99 preservice teachers, situations in which participation was either optional or compulsory. Findings show that the digital rubric used at various times is a methodology and a technology that facilitates the feedback process and dialogue between teachers and students about the assessment criteria. The results support future decisions for methodological design of formative assessment appropriate to online learning environments.   Evaluación basada en rúbricas digitales de la competencia de presentación oral con recursos tecnológicos para profesorado en formación Este estudio está dirigido a la e-evaluación de la competencia de presentación oral utilizando recursos tecnológicos en un modelo activo que combina aprendizaje basado en proyectos y aula invertida. Este estudio aplica el uso de una rúbrica digital para la evaluación de la competencia en presentación oral en diferentes situaciones de evaluación activa y progresiva de 99 futuros docentes en las que la participación es opcional u obligatoria. Los resultados muestran que la rúbrica digital empleada en varios momentos es una metodología y una tecnología que facilita el proceso de retroalimentación y diálogo entre docentes y estudiantes sobre los criterios de evaluación. Los resultados apoyan futuras decisiones de diseño metodológico de evaluación formativa apropiadas en entornos de aprendizaje online