Analysis of sexual behaviour in male rabbits across successive tests leading to sexual exhaustion

[EN] Various parameters of sexual behaviour were studied in ten male rabbits daily tested with sexually receptive females (ovariectomized, given estradiol benzoate s.c. 5 µg/day). The aim of this study was to analyse rabbit sexual behaviour during successive tests leading to sexual exhaustion. We allowed copulation ad libitum and determined if sexual satiety was reached within a day and sexual exhaustion across several days. The pair was allowed to copulate freely until the male failed to show sexual interest in that female for 30 minutes. The female was then removed and replaced by another; this procedure was repeated using as many does as needed, until the male showed no interest in any female for 2 hours. Scent-marking (chinning) was also recorded, before and after the copulation test. This whole procedure was repeated daily until the male showed no sexual behaviour at all on a given day. Within a test, copulation ad libitum led to a gradual increase in the time interval between successive mounts and ejaculations, regardless of the day of testing. Such increments predicted that the buck was reaching sexual satiety. The "miss" rate (i.e., the proportion of mounts that did not culminate in ejaculation) significantly increased from a median of 25 on the first day to 55 on the last day of testing. The mean time to reach copulatory inactivity decreased from 4 hrs on the first day to 1 hr on the last day. The total number of ejaculations within a test decreased from an average of 22 to 6 (first vs last day, respectively) and the number of chin marks was reduced by 69% compared with pre-mating values, regardless of the day of testing. All bucks eventually stopped copulating after a variable number of days (range=2-15 days). We concluded that, following copulation ad libitum with several females, male rabbits reach sexual satiety (i.e., they are unable to continue copulating on the same day) and, after several days, they also attain sexual exhaustion, a state in which copulation is totally arrested for at least 24 hours. Some behavioural parameters can be used as reliable predictors that a buck is approaching sexual satiety and sexual exhaustion.Jimenez, P.; Serrano-Meneses, M.; Cuamatzi, E.; González-Mariscal, G.; González-Maris (2012). Analysis of sexual behaviour in male rabbits across successive tests leading to sexual exhaustion. World Rabbit Science. 20(1):13-23. doi:10.4995/wrs.2012.1034SWORD132320

Hydrogen-free SiCN films obtained by electron cyclotron resonance plasma: a study of composition, optical and luminescent properties

The Electrochemical Society, Inc. 2007. All rights reserved. Except as provided under U.S. copyright law, this work may not be reproduced, resold, distributed, or modified without the express permission of The Electrochemical Society (ECS). The archival version of this work was published in Journal of the Electrochemical Society Vol. 154 Issue 4 (2007): H325-H33

Photoluminescence Imaging and LBIC Characterization of Defects in mc-Si Solar Cells

Today's photovoltaic market is dominated by multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) based solar cells with around 70% of worldwide production. In order to improve the quality of the Si material, a proper characterization of the electrical activity in mc-Si solar cells is essential. A full-wafer characterization technique such as photoluminescence imaging (PLi) provides a fast inspection of the wafer defects, though at the expense of the spatial resolution. On the other hand, a study of the defects at a microscopic scale can be achieved through the light-beam induced current technique. The combination of these macroscopic and microscopic resolution techniques allows a detailed study of the electrical activity of defects in mc-Si solar cells. In this work, upgraded metallurgical-grade Si solar cells are studied using these two techniques

Prevalencia y factores de riesgo de úlceras por presión

ObjetivoConocer la prevalencia de úlceras por presión (UPP) en pacientes incapacitados de una Zona Básica de Salud (ZBS) y caracterizar los factores de riesgo asociados a su aparición.DiseñoEstudio transversal observacional.EmplazamientoZBS Rincón de la Victoria (Málaga).ParticipantesPacientes incluidos en el Programa de Incapacitados (n = 178), de la ZBS, residentes en su domicilio o en una residencia geriátrica.MedicionesCuestionario específico con variables sociodemográficas y de salud. Para la valoración de factores de riesgo asociados con la formación de UPP, se utilizó la Escala de Norton Modificada (ENM). La variable resultado de interés fue la presencia o ausencia de UPP, localización y grado. El denominador para el cálculo de la prevalencia ha sido el total de pacientes valorados.ResultadosLa prevalencia fue del 12,9%. La característica sociodemográfica más significativa asociada con la presencia de úlceras en estos pacientes fue el nivel de instrucción del cuidador. Se constata asociación de determinadas variables del estado de salud del paciente con aparición de UPP.ConclusionesLos resultados alertan a la necesidad de la realización de protocolos diagnósticos y de intervención comunitaria para reducir la presentación de UPP en pacientes incapacitados que viven en la comunidad.ObjectivesTo study prevalence of pressure ulcers among functionally impaired patients in the community and evaluate risk factors associated with the development of pressure ulcers in these patients.DesignCross-sectional, observational study.SettingCommunity dwellers served by the Primary Health Care Area of Rincón de la Victoria in Málaga.ParticipantsAll patients included in the «Impaired Patient Programme» (n=178).MethodsA questionnaire was developed to ascertain demographic and health characteristics. Risk factors were evaluated with the Modified Norton Scale. The outcome variable of interest was presence or absence of pressure ulcers, their location and grade. The denominator used for the calculation of the prevalence was the total of evaluated patients.ResultsPrevalence of pressure ulcers in our Basic Health Area was 12.9%. The most important sociodemographic characteristic associated with the presence of pressure ulcers in these patients was the educational attainment of the caregiver. Health varaibles of the patient were also associated with the risk of developing ulcers.ConclusionsResults indicate the need of diagnostic protocols with standardised instruments and prevention plans to reduce pressure ulcers in the community. Longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate interventions in this area

Estudio económico de la reutilización de paneles solares en pequeñas instalaciones fotovoltaicas

CIES2020 - XVII Congresso Ibérico e XIII Congresso Ibero-americano de Energia SolarRESUMEN: La generación eléctrica a partir de energía solar es limpia, asequible y renovable. Por estos motivos, su aprovechamiento ha sufrido un importante crecimiento en los últimos años y se ha situado como la tercera fuente de generación de energía renovable con más peso en España. Las plantas de generación de energía fotovoltaica son cada vez de mayor tamaño y emplean decenas de miles de módulos en su construcción. Estos módulos sufren, desde el comienzo de su actividad, una degradación continua de sus células que hace disminuir su rendimiento y a menudo son desechados por las grandes empresas aunque no hayan alcanzado el final de su vida útil. Este proyecto estudia de forma técnica y económica la rentabilidad de la reutilización de los paneles fotovoltaicos de Silicio, con el fin reducir la inversión inicial de las instalaciones de autoconsumo fotovoltaico y de ofrecer una segunda vida a los módulos que resultan aptos para continuar produciendo energía.ABSTRACT: Electricity generation from solar energy is clean, affordable and renewable. For this reason, it has grown a lot during the last years and has become the third source of renewable energy generation in Spain. Photovoltaic power generation plants are getting larger and using tens of thousands of modules in their construction. These modules suffer continuous degradation of their, which reduces their performance. For this reason, they are discarded by large companies even though they have not reached the end of their useful life. This project studies in a technical and economic way the reuse of Silicon photovoltaic panels, as they are the most used at present, in order to reduce the initial investment of photovoltaic self-consumption installations and to offer a second life to the modules that are suitable for continuing to produce energy.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) microbiome is not affected by colon microbiota in healthy goats

This work was supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MCI) co-financed with FEDER funds [AGL2017-86757 to LA, AGL2017-86938-R to DRY]. Other contributions were SAF2015-65327-R to JA and SAF2015-73549-JIN to HR. LA is a Ramón y Cajal fellow [RYC-2013-13666] from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. APC is a recipient of a fellowship from the University of the Basque Country. We thank the MCI for the Severo Ochoa Excellence accreditation (SEV-2016-0644) and the Basque Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade (Etortek and Elkartek programs

On the ubiquity of trivial torsion on elliptic curves

The purpose of this paper is to give a "down--to--earth" proof of the well--known fact that a randomly chosen elliptic curve over the rationals is most likely to have trivial torsion

Acumulación de Ag, Cu y Ni en sedimentos en una cuenca semiárida como sub-producto de la mina de oro El Triunfo, Baja California Sur, México

The dispersal of Ag, Cu, and Ni in mine wastes (tailings and ash) was studied from the source of an abandoned gold mine at El Triunfo (Baja California Sur, Mexico) to the adjacent coast of the Pacific Ocean. The highest contamination levels of the studied elements were measured in one sample of the tailings (Ag: 247 mg kg-1; Cu: 1660 mg kg-1; Ni: 111 mg kg-1). Horizontal and vertical distributions of these elements were obtained from the analysis of surface sediments, tailings, a test pit, a sediment core, and dunes. The background levels of these elements were estimated from independent methods. Then, these regional background level calculations were used to determine the normalised enrichment factors (NEFs). Relatively high NEF values (averages of Ag, Cu, and Ni were 24.0, 3.0, and 1.4, respectively) indicated that the area close to the mine waste zone (up to about 18 km from the source area) was moderately to severely polluted. Moderate to null pollution (average NEFs of Ag, Cu, and Ni were 7, 2 and 1, respectively) was interpreted for the area at about 18-49 km from the mine waste zone. Vertical distributions of the elements in sediments of the overbank, the test pit in the mine zone, and the sediment core (at the discharge of the main arroyo Hondo–Las Gallinas–El Carrizal), also revealed enrichment of Ag, Cu, and Ni relative to the surface sediments. This study indicated that historic and contemporary contamination continues to impact the fluvial environment.Se estudió la dispersión de Ag, Cu, y Ni, en desechos mineros (jales y cenizas) desde su origen en la mina de oro abandonada de El Triunfo (Baja California Sur, México) hasta su desembocadura en la costa adyacente al Océano Pacífico. Los mayores niveles de la contaminación de los elementos estudiados se presentan en los jales (Ag: 247 mg kg-1; Cu: 1660 mg kg-1; Ni: 111 mg kg-1). Se obtuvieron distribuciones horizontales y verticales de estos elementos a partir de los análisis de sedimentos superficiales, de deterun jale, de un pozo de ensayo, de un testigo y en las dunas adyacentes a la desembocadura del arroyo. Los niveles de fondo fueron calculados considerando varios métodos independientes. Luego, con estos cálculos de niveles de fondo se determinaron los Factores de Enriquecimiento Normalizados (NEFs). Los valores relativamente altos de NEF (promedios de Ag, Cu and Ni de 24.0, 3.0 y 1.4, respectivamente) indicaron que el área situada cerca de la zona minera (aproximadamente 18 km de los desechos mineros abandonados) se encuentra de moderada a severamente contaminada. Una contaminación moderada a nula (NEFs promedio de Ag, Cu y Ni: 7, 2 y 1, respectivamente) fue determinada en el área comprendida entre los 18 y los 49 km medidos desde el distrito minero. Las distribuciones verticales de los elementos en los sedimentos de los jales y el pozo de ensayo en la zona minera, así como en el testigo analizado en la desembocadura del arroyo principal (Arroyo Hondo – Las Gallinas – El Carrizal), muestran mayor enriquecimiento de Ag, Cu y Ni, que los sedimentos superficiales adyacentes. Este estudio indica que la contaminación histórica y contemporánea está impactando el ambiente fluvial

How do university teachers use digital technologies in class?

[EN] The main goal of this article is the description of a peculiar textbook which aims to contribute in a friendly and available way to the teacher-student relationship in a subject devoted to the foundations of a discipline. Analytical Chemistry and Nanotechnology have been selected as case studies. The description of the true concept of innovation in the framework of Einstein and Khun thoughts, as well as the two approaches (top-down and bottom- up) to teach and learn the foundations of an area of knowledge is the subject matter of the Introduction of the paper. The so-named “textbook” is composed by two essential parts. On the one hand, a CD room contains 350 dynamic downloadable images (PowerPoint), and, on the other, a book containing the detailed explanation of each image and its dynamics, a glossary of terms and the detailed responses to 240 questions posed at the end of the chapters. The principal teaching-learning innovation consists of the major relative importance of the images versus the text, which is designed to support images. In this way, the roles of teachers and students are far from the traditional ones. Other innovations are as follows: the fact that an undergraduate student was a full co-author, the permanent cross references of the teaching message and the use of many examples from the real life. This innovation was successively extrapolated to an e-book devoted to the basic divulgation of nanotechnology to the citizens. This approach is subsequently described at the end of the article.[ES] En este artículo se describe una obra docente atípica, con intención de ser rompedora, orientada a contribuir de forma amigable y asequible a una innovación docente-discente de una materia universitaria dedicada a los fundamentos/principios de un área de conocimiento. Como “casos de estudio” se han utilizado la Química Analítica y la Nanotecnología. El contenido del artículo se contextualiza en el apartado Introducción del mismo donde se describe el concepto verdadero de innovación en el marco de los enfoques de Einstein y Khun, y se exponen las dos formas (top-down y bottom-up) de abordar la enseñanza-aprendizaje de los fundamentos de una área de conocimiento. La obra docente consta de un CD con aproximadamente 350 imágenes (descargables en PowerPoint ) con movimientos y un libro de texto que contiene la explicación detallada de cada diapositiva; así como dos anexos con un glosario de 250 términos y la resolución detallada de unas 240 cuestiones, respectivamente. La innovación docente-discente principal que aporta es que las imágenes tienen un mayor peso específico que el texto, lo que implica cambiar los roles del profesor y del estudiante en horas presenciales y no presenciales. Otras innovaciones a destacar son la participación de una estudiante como coautora, las referencias cruzadas permanentes para contextualizar al estudiante; así como el empleo permanente de ejemplos de la vida real y actual para apoyar los conceptos típicos de un libro de fundamentos. Esta innovación se ha extrapolado con éxito a un e-bookde divulgación de la nanotecnología a los ciudadanos, que también se describe sucintamente al final del artículo.Los autores desean mostrar su agradecimiento a la editorial de la Universidad de Córdoba, UCOPRESS, y especialmente a su director, Juan Pedro Monferrer, por la receptividad a estas dos propuestas atípicas (libro de texto y e-book), y su dedicación a superar los problemas que toda innovación (en este caso editorial) implica.González-Alfaya, M.; López-Jiménez, M.; López-Lorente, A.; Soriano Dotor, M.; Valcárcel, M. (2017). ¿Puede un libro de texto atípico inducir a la innovación docente-discente?. REDU. Revista de Docencia Universitaria. 15(2):295-314. doi:10.4995/redu.2017.7777SWORD29531415