Biofunctionalized all-polymer photonic lab on a chip with integrated solid-state light emitter

A photonic lab on a chip (PhLOC), comprising a solid-state light emitter (SSLE) aligned with a biofunctionalized optofluidic multiple internal reflection (MIR) system, is presented. The SSLE is obtained by filling a microfluidic structure with a phenyltrimethoxysilane (PhTMOS) aqueous sol solution containing a fluorophore organic dye. After curing, the resulting xerogel solid structure retains the emitting properties of the fluorophore, which is evenly distributed in the xerogel matrix. Photostability studies demonstrate that after a total dose (at l = 365 nm) greater than 24 J/cm2, the xerogel emission decay is only 4.1%. To re-direct the emitted light, the SSLE includes two sets of air mirrors that surround the xerogel. Emission mapping of the SSLE demonstrates that alignment variations of 150 mm (between the SSLE and the external pumping light source) provide fluctuations in emitted light smaller than 5%. After this verification, the SSLE is monolithically implemented with a MIR, forming the PhLOC. Its performance is assessed by measuring quinolone yellow, obtaining a limit of detection (LOD) of (0.60 +/- 0.01) mM. Finally, the MIR is selectively biofunctionalized with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) for the detection of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) target analyte, obtaining a LOD of (0.7 +/- 0.1) mM for H2O2, confirming, for the first time, that solid-state xerogel-based emitters can be massively implemented in biofunctionalized PhLOCs

Espacios artísticos para vivir las ciencias en educación infantil

Este trabajo implica el análisis, desde el punto de vista de las Ciencias en EI, de una sesión de instalación artística creada por las maestras del CEIP Fernández Vizarra, y el posterior diseño, planificación, implementación en el aula y análisis de una nueva sesión de instalación que posibilita el aprendizaje de contenidos científicos en alumnos de EI. Se analiza cómo la actividad permite a los niños y niñas experimentar con los componentes que configuran la instalación y descubrir los procesos científicos que implican sus acciones, verbalizarlos, pensar en lo que ocurre y conocer, de este modo, la ciencia que hay a nuestro alrededor

Diseño de un curso de e-learning en cartografía temática

Los grandes avances en las nuevas tecnologías, evidentes en materias técnicas y científicas, repercuten también en campos menos visibles para los profesionales de la topografía y cartografía. La educación también se ve afectada y, como consecuencia de ello, surgen nuevas modalidades de enseñanza como el e-learning. Su potencial es incuestionable, pues rompe con barreras espaciales y temporales. Sin embargo, plantear cursos de este tipo no está exento de dificultades, pues exige una adaptación a las particularidades del medio y establecer un nuevo modelo de enseñanza-aprendizaje. En esta exposición se presentan las consideraciones realizadas por la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid en el diseño de un curso e-learning de Cartografía Temática ofrecido por el Instituto Geográfico Nacional, incidiendo en las ventajas de aplicar estándares en la gestión de contenidos y el uso de plataformas educativas virtuales que los acepten

Relationship between rectal temperature measured with a conventional thermometer and the temperature of several body regions measured by infrared thermography in fattening rabbits. Influence of different environmental factors

[EN] In clinical examination of rabbits, the temperature is usually recorded with a digital thermometer introduced rectally, an invasive procedure that could cause handling stress. The aim of this study was to assess body temperature using infrared thermography (IRT) in four areas of the rabbit’s anatomy: eye (ETT), outer ear (OETT), inner ear (IETT) and nose (NTT), and then validate it as an alternative measure to rectal temperature (RT) assessed with a conventional thermometer. Temperature samples were taken twice a week from 48 weaned rabbits of Spanish Common Rabbit breed during a 38-d fattening period. The factors considered were: doe from which the rabbits came (8 does), weeks of fattening period (4 to 5 wk), batch (3 periods of the year: April-May, June-July and January-February) and group size (cages with 1 to 7 rabbits). On average, the results were an RT of 38.48±0.02 °C; ETT of 37.31±0.05 °C; OETT of 29.09±0.26°C; IETT of 30.53±0.251 °C, and NTT of 33.29±0.11 °C (mean±se). Moderate, statistically significant positive correlations (P<0.001) were observed between RT and temperatures measured with infrared thermography (IETT, OETT, ETT and NTT), both in general (0.39 to 0.49) and intraclass (0.36 to 0.39), based on the batch, group size, week of fattening period and doe. The thermographic measurements which showed the highest correlation with RT were OETT and IETT. We also studied the effects that could influence the temperature variables evaluated by IRT and RT within each batch: for each week of the fattening period, for the group size and for the doe effect. We found significant differences (P<0.001) between weeks within the batch, with a tendency for the temperature of the rabbits to increase as the fattening period progressed. The doe effect (within the batch) did not show, on the whole, any statistically significant differences within batches. On the other hand, we did observe a trend towards higher temperatures as the group size increased. In conclusion, infrared thermography is an effective tool for body temperature assessment and correlates closely with RT, with IETT appearing as the best reference point for taking body temperature in fattening rabbits. Infrared thermography appeared as a suitable alternative to RT for body temperature assessment in rabbits, thus avoiding handling stress.Jaén-Téllez, JA.; Bartolomé, E.; Sánchez-Guerrero, MJ.; Valera, M.; González-Redondo, P. (2021). Relationship between rectal temperature measured with a conventional thermometer and the temperature of several body regions measured by infrared thermography in fattening rabbits. Influence of different environmental factors. World Rabbit Science. 29(4):263-273. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2021.15556OJS263273294Ardiaca M., Brotóns N.J., Montesinos A. 2010. Aproximación a las urgencias y cuidados intensivos en conejos, psitácidas y reptiles. Clín. Vet. Peq. Anim., 30: 5-14.Arduini A., Redaelli V., Luzi F., Dall'Olio S., Pace V., Nanni Costa L. 2017. Relationship between deck level, body surface temperature and carcass damages in Italian heavy pigs after short journeys at different unloading environmental conditions. Animals, 7: 10. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani7020010Bartolomé E., Sánchez M.J., Molina A., Schaefer A.L., Cervantes I., Valera M. 2013. Using eye temperature and heart rate for stress assessment in young horses competing in jumping competitions and its possible influence on sport performance. Animal, 7: 2044-2053. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731113001626Burn C.C., Shields P. 2020. Do rabbits need each other? Effects of single versus paired housing on rabbit body temperature and behaviour in a UK shelter. Anim. Welf., 29: 209-219. https://doi.org/10.7120/09627286.29.2.209Camacho A., Paz C., Mata J., Bermejo L.A. 2003. Respuesta del crecimiento en conejos según densidad animal. Arch. 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Hondarribia, Spain. 180-185.Hall L.W, Clarke K.W, Trim C.M. 2001. Veterinary anaesthesia. 10th Edition. W. B. Saunders, London, United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-7020-2035-3.X5001-3Harris I. 1994. The laboratory rabbit. ANZCCART News, 7: 1-11.Jaén-Téllez J.A., Sánchez-Guerrero M.J., López-Campos J.I., Valera M., González-Redondo P. 2020. Acute stress assessment using infrared thermography in fattening rabbits reacting to handling under winter and summer conditions. Span. J. Agric. Res., 18, e0502, 13 pages. https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2020182-15706Kataoka N., Hioki H., Kaneko T., Nakamura K. 2014. Psychological stress activates a dorsomedial hypothalamusmedullary raphe circuit driving brown adipose tissue thermogenesis and hyperthermia. Cell. Metab. 20: 346-358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2014.05.018Knizková I., Kunc P., Gürdil G.A.K., Pinar Y., Selvi K.Ç. 2007. Applications of infrared thermography in animal production. J. 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Real Decreto 53/2013, de 1 de febrero, por el que se establecen las normas básicas aplicables para la protección de los animales utilizados en experimentación y otros fines científicos, incluyendo la docencia. Boletín Oficial del Estado, 34: 11370-11421.Morisse J.P., Maurice R. 1997. Influence of stocking density or group size on behaviour of fattening rabbits kept under intensive conditions. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci., 54: 351-357. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-1591(96)01188-4Quevedo F., Pascual J.J., Blas E., Cervera C. 2003. Influencia de la madre sobre el crecimiento y la mortalidad de los gazapos de cebo. In Proc.: XXVIII Symposium de Cunicultura, 2-4 April, 2003. Alcañiz, Spain. 115-122.Ramón-Moragues A., Gonçalves C., Moreno Pardo J.C., Escribano D., Romero T., Torres R., Martinez-Paredes E., Villagrá A. 2020. Efecto del tamaño de grupo y el parentesco en el crecimiento y el estrés en conejos de crecimiento. 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La Infraestructura de Datos Espaciales como recurso educativo para el profesorado de la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria. Una propuesta innovativa de formación e-learning.

Los avances en las nuevas Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones (TIC), evidentes en materias técnicas y científicas, repercuten directamente en el ámbito educativo. Preparar a los alumnos en el campo de las TIC tiene su base en la formación del profesorado para que utilicen recursos educativos, herramientas metodológicas y soportes tecnológicos en el aula ofreciendo al alumno la posibilidad de informarse, aprender y comunicarse utilizando las TIC. En este contexto, se propone la utilización de las Infraestructuras de Datos Espaciales (IDE) como un recurso educativo en aquellas materias de la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria que abordan contenidos vinculados a la información geográfica y las TIC, lo que implica brindar al profesorado formación en materia de IDE que le permita tener una visión de las posibilidades que ofrecen las mismas como recurso educativo. Con el fin de dar respuesta a la formación del profesorado en materia de IDE y contribuyendo a su difusión en el ámbito educativo se esta desarrollando el proyecto: “Formación e-learning para el profesorado de la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria para utilizar las IDE como recurso educativo”, a través de un convenio de colaboración entre el Instituto Geográfico Nacional de España y la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

EEG abnormalities and clinical phenotypes in pre-school children with autism spectrum disorder

Abnormalities on electroencephalography (EEG) results have been reported in a high percentage of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of EEG abnormalities in a clinical population of pre-school children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and the differences in terms of the following phenotypic characteristics: adaptive behavior, executive functioning, severity of Autism Spectrum Disorder core symptoms, and comorbidity symptoms.The first author have been supported by Alicia Koplowitz Foundation and University of Málaga to carry on the present study. Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBU

Espacios artísticos para vivir las ciencias en Educación Infantil

Este trabajo presenta el diseño, planificación, implementación en el aula y análisis de una secuencia de ocho sesiones de instalación artística que posibilitan el aprendizaje de contenidos científicos en el alumnado de Educación Infantil (EI). Se analiza desde una perspectiva descriptiva cómo las actividades les permiten experimentar con los objetos que configuran cada instalación para descubrir los procesos científicos que implican sus acciones, verbalizarlos, pensar en lo que ocurre y conocer de este modo la ciencia que hay a nuestro alrededor.This article presents the design, planning, classroom implementation and analysis of a sequence of eight artistic installation sessions that make it possible for early-childhood pupils to learn scientific content. Using a descriptive perspective, the study analyses how the activities allow researchers to experiment with each installation's object to discover the scientific processes involved in their actions, verbalise them, think about what is happening and thus know the science around us

Imbalance in the expression of genes associated with purinergic signalling in the lung and systemic arteries of COPDpatients.

Growing evidence indicates that purinergic signalling is involved in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and in the vascular remodelling that occurs in other disorders; however, its role in initial vascular changes of COPD is not entirely known. We hypothesised that expression of genes regulating extracellular ATP and adenosine levels would be altered in the lung and systemic arteries of COPD patients. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to analyse the relative expression of 17 genes associated with purinergic signalling and inflammation in lungs and intercostal arteries of never smokers (NS) (n = 16), non-obstructed smokers (NOS) (n = 17) and COPD patients (n = 21). Gene expression of ATP-degrading enzymes was decreased in both tissues of NOS and COPD patients compared to NS. NT5E expression (gene transcribing for an AMP hydrolyzing ectonucleotidase) was increased in both tissues in NOS compared to the other groups. P1 and P2 receptors did not show changes in expression. Expression of genes associated with inflammation (interleukin-13) was upregulated only in lung tissues of COPD. These findings suggest that the expression of different extracellular ATP-degrading enzymes is altered in smokers (NOS and COPD patients), promoting inflammation. However, the high NT5E expression found only in NOS could compensate this inflammatory environment

Formación E-learning para el profesorado de la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria de España para utilizar las Infraestructura de Datos Espaciales como un recurso educativo TIC.

Los avances en las nuevas Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones (TIC), evidentes en materias técnicas y científicas, influyen directa o indirectamente en el ámbito educativo. Sin embargo, contribuir desde los distintos niveles educativos a que los alumnos adquieran una preparación en el campo de las TIC requiere una formación previa del profesorado. Tanto desde el punto de vista teórico como práctico, el profesor tiene que conocer los nuevos recursos educativos TIC y las posibilidades de aplicación en aula a través de propuestas didácticas concretas y viables. En este contexto, se propone la utilización de las Infraestructuras de Datos Espaciales (IDE) como un recurso educativo TIC en aquellas materias de la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria que abordan contenidos directa o indirectamente relacionados con la Información Geográfica y las TIC. Para dar respuesta a la formación del profesorado en materia de IDE, tanto desde el punto de vista teórico como práctico, se ha desarrollado el proyecto basado en el Modelo de Diseño Instruccional ADDIE: “Formación e-learning para el profesorado de la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria para utilizar las IDE como recurso educativo”, a través de un Convenio de Colaboración entre el Instituto Geográfico Nacional de España y la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

Differential diagnosis between Parkinson's disease and essential tremor using the smartphone's accelerometer

Background: The differential diagnosis between patients with essential tremor (ET) and those with Parkinson's disease (PD) whose main manifestation is tremor may be difficult unless using complex neuroimaging techniques such as 123I-FP-CIT SPECT. We considered that using smartphone's accelerometer to stablish a diagnostic test based on time-frequency differences between PD an ET could support the clinical diagnosis. Methods: The study was carried out in 17 patients with PD, 16 patients with ET, 12 healthy volunteers and 7 patients with tremor of undecided diagnosis (TUD), who were re-evaluated one year after the first visit to reach the definite diagnosis. The smartphone was placed over the hand dorsum to record epochs of 30 s at rest and 30 s during arm stretching. We generated frequency power spectra and calculated receiver operating characteristics curves (ROC) curves of total spectral power, to establish a threshold to separate subjects with and without tremor. In patients with PD and ET, we found that the ROC curve of relative energy was the feature discriminating better between the two groups. This threshold was then used to classify the TUD patients. Results: We could correctly classify 49 out of 52 subjects in the category with/without tremor (97.96% sensitivity and 83.3% specificity) and 27 out of 32 patients in the category PD/ET (84.38% discrimination accuracy). Among TUD patients, 2 of 2 PD and 2 of 4 ET were correctly classified, and one patient having PD plus ET was classified as PD. Conclusions: Based on the analysis of smartphone accelerometer recordings, we found several kinematic features in the analysis of tremor that distinguished first between healthy subjects and patients and, ultimately, between PD and ET patients. The proposed method can give immediate results for the clinician to gain valuable information for the diagnosis of tremor. This can be useful in environments where more sophisticated diagnostic techniques are unavailable