New tools for online teaching and their impact on student learning

[EN] In the context of the global Covid-19 crisis, a practical introductory Geosciences course was redesigned to aid student learning in a 100% virtual format. New materials were created to i) improve disciplinary language range and concept acquisition; ii) make classes more dynamic; iii) provide tools for self-regulated learning and assessment and iv) maintain student motivation. Usefulness of the new materials was evaluated using a voluntary online survey that was answered by 40% of the students. Additional information was obtained from the university's student evaluation survey. All tools were well-rated, but self-assessment quizzes and class presentations had the highest overall scores. Students commented on their usefulness in terms of knowledge acquisition and self-assessment. Perhaps not surprisingly, self-assessment quizzes were the one tool students felt kept them more motivated. These were closely followed by class presentations and short in-class quizzes. Students found the online access to all lesson materials very useful for self-paced learning. According to a majority of students, the in-class quizzes and student participation using the digital the whiteboard made classes more dynamic. Overall, the new strategies succeeded in improving students' learning and independence, but more work is needed to make classes more dynamic, and especially to improve student motivation. Intrinsic motivation is perhaps the most difficult to improve because in a 100% virtual course, it is difficult to promote student-student interactions and receive visual feedback from the class. In view of the survey results, we introduce bonus activities in order to improve extrinsic motivation.Huguet, C.; Pearse, J.; Esteve, J. (2021). New tools for online teaching and their impact on student learning. En 7th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'21). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 163-170. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAd21.2021.12811OCS16317

Drainage estimation to aquifer and water use irrigation efficiency in semi-arid zone for a long period of time

Water requirements for different crop types according to soil type and climate conditions play not only an important role in agricultural efficiency production, though also for water resources management and control of pollutants in drainage water. The key issue to attain these objectives is the irrigation efficiency. Application of computer codes for irrigation simulation constitutes a fast and inexpensive approach to study optimal agricultural management practices. To simulate daily water balance in the soil, vadose zone and aquifer the VisualBALAN V. 2.0 code was applied to an experimental area under irrigation characterized by its aridity. The test was carried out in three experimental plots for annual row crops (lettuce and melon), perennial vegetables (artichoke), and fruit trees (citrus) under common agricultural practices in open air for October 1999-September 2008. Drip irrigation was applied to crops production due to the scarcity of water resources and the need for water conservation. Water level change was monitored in the top unconfined aquifer for each experimental plot. Results of water balance modelling show a good agreement between observed and estimated water level values. For the study period, mean drainage obtained values were 343 mm, 261 mm and 205 mm for lettuce and melon, artichoke and citrus respectively. Assessment of water use efficiency was based on the IE indicator proposed by the ASCE Task Committee. For the modelled period, water use efficiency was estimated as 73, 71 and 78 % of the applied dose (irrigation + precipitation) for lettuce and melon, artichoke and citrus, respectively.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Drainage estimation to aquifer and water use irrigation efficiency in semi-arid zone for a long period of time

Water requirements for different crop types according to soil type and climate conditions play not only an important role in agricultural efficiency production, though also for water resources management and control of pollutants in drainage water. The key issue to attain these objectives is the irrigation efficiency. Application of computer codes for irrigation simulation constitutes a fast and inexpensive approach to study optimal agricultural management practices. To simulate daily water balance in the soil, vadose zone and aquifer the VisualBALAN V. 2.0 code was applied to an experimental area under irrigation characterized by its aridity. The test was carried out in three experimental plots for annual row crops (lettuce and melon), perennial vegetables (artichoke), and fruit trees (citrus) under common agricultural practices in open air for October 1999-September 2008. Drip irrigation was applied to crops production due to the scarcity of water resources and the need for water conservation. Water level change was monitored in the top unconfined aquifer for each experimental plot. Results of water balance modelling show a good agreement between observed and estimated water level values. For the study period, mean drainage obtained values were 343 mm, 261 mm and 205 mm for lettuce and melon, artichoke and citrus respectively. Assessment of water use efficiency was based on the IE indicator proposed by the ASCE Task Committee. For the modelled period, water use efficiency was estimated as 73, 71 and 78 % of the applied dose (irrigation + precipitation) for lettuce and melon, artichoke and citrus, respectively.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Drinking Water Provision and Quality at the Sahrawi Refugee Camps in Tindouf (Algeria) From 2006 to 2016

Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade da Coruña/CISUG[Abstract] Drinking water provision has been a constant challenge in the Sahrawi refugee camps, located in the desert near Tindouf (Algeria). The drinking water supply system is itself divided in three zones which pump groundwater from different deep aquifers. It is equipped with reverse osmosis plants and chlorination systems for treating water. The allocation of water supplied to the Saharawi refugees for human consumption in 2016 has been estimated at between 14 and 17 L/person/day on average. This supplied water volume is below recommended standards, and also below the strategic objective of the Sahrawi government (20 L/person/day). Yet the local groundwater resources are huge in comparison with estimated consumption, and hence there is great potential for increasing the supplied volume through effecting improvements in the supply system. The physico-chemical quality of the raw and supplied water between 2006 and 2016 has been assessed according to Algerian standards for human consumption. The raw water of two zones of the supply system presents a very high conductivity and high concentrations of chloride, nitrate, fluoride, sulfate, sodium, calcium, potassium and iodide concentrations of natural origin, which may entail health risks. The treatment of water in a reverse osmosis plant greatly improves its quality and osmosed water met the standards. However, the supply of osmosed and raw water needs to be combined in Zone 1, to avoid an excessive reduction in water volume, and the supplied raw water poses a risk to the health of the refugees. The present study provides an example of a drinking water supply system under extreme drought conditions and in the political and social conditions of a refugee camp. Furthermore, it establishes a reference for supplied water allocation and quality in the Sahrawi refugee camps

Seawater injection barrier recharge with advanced reclaimed water at Llobregat delta aquifer (Spain)

The main aquifer of the Llobregat delta (Barcelona, Spain) has been affected by seawater intrusion since the 1960s. The Catalan Water Agency (ACA) has sponsored the construction of a positive hydraulic barrier in order to stop the progress of seawater intrusion advance due to the intensive aquifer development. The hydraulic barrier consists of 15 wells into which highly treated reclaimed water from the waste water treatment plant of the Baix Llobregat is injected. Water is subjected, prior to the distribution to the injection wells, to secondary and tertiary treatments, and later to ultrafiltration, UV disinfection without chlorination, and salinity reduction through reverse osmosis. A preliminary pilot phase of the project was started in late 2007, with highly positive results, and the second phase started in mid 2010. Hydrogeological and hydrochemical monitoring data indicate an efficient performance and aquifer improvement. The evaluation of such efficiency and operational costs has been analyzed and discussed.Postprint (author’s final draft

Primary localized conjunctival amyloidosis: A case report with a ten-year follow-up period

A 57-year-old woman consulted our department about a plaque that had been present in her left eye for one year. Ophthalmological examination revealed a solid mass in the left conjunctival semilunar fold. An excitional biopsy was peformed, revealing an amyloid deposition. The patient was referred to the Internal Medicine Department for systemic study. All studies were negative for systemic amyloidosis. Throughout ten years of follow-up study, the patient has shown neither conjunctival recurrence nor any evidence of systemic amylodosis. Despite the fact that several authors have described ocular amyloidosis as an ophthalmologic manifestation of systemic amyloidosis, conjunctival location of amyloidosis is a very rare condition. Amyloid characterization in ocular structures should not be considered a final diagnosis since involvement of systemic underlying diseases must be ruled out. We report a case of localized conjunctival amyloidosis with a ten-year follow-up period that excluded ocular or systemic diseases

Effectiveness of Percutaneous Electrolysis in Supraspinatus Tendinopathy: A Single-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

Supraspinatus tendinopathy is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain. Many studies support conservative treatments such as exercise, trigger point dry needling or corticosteroid injections. Otherwise, a minimally invasive approach with percutaneous electrolysis (PE) has also been used successfully in shoulder pain, although evidence about its long-term effects is scarce. The aim of this trial was to determine the effects of PE on supraspinatus tendinopathy compared with trigger point dry needling (TDN). Thirty-six patients with supraspinatus tendinopathy were randomly assigned to either a PE group (n=18) or a TDN group (n=18). Both groups also performed eccentric exercises. The main outcome to be measured was the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), but the shoulder range of motion (ROM) and trigger point pressure pain threshold (PPT) were also considered. A one-year follow-up was conducted. Significant differences favoring the PE group were found regarding pain at one-year follow-up (p=0.002). The improvement achieved in the PE group was greater in the NPRS (p<0.001), proximal PPT, middle PPT, distal PPT (all p<0.001) and ranges of movement. PE seems to be more effective than TDN in relieving pain and improving ROM and PPT supraspinatus values in patients with supraspinatus tendinopathy, both right after treatment and at one-year follow-up

Utilización de ciclos de CO2 supercríticos para producción de energía eléctrica con energía solar

En el presente trabajo se ha estudiado cómo un fluido cómo el dióxido de carbono en estado supercrítico puede aplicarse a centrales térmicas de energía solar de concentración para producir energía eléctrica y mejorar el rendimiento actual de las centrales de este tipo

Seawater intrusion barrier in the deltaic Llobregat aquifer (Barcelona, Spain): performance and pilot phase results

The main aquifer of the Llobregat Delta (Barcelona, Spain) is affected by seawater intrusion processes since the 1960s. The Catalan Water Agency is currently promoting several actions of artificial aquifer recharge, including the construction of a positive hydraulic barrier in order to stop the advance of the seawater intrusion. Such a positive hydraulic barrier works by injecting reclaimed water in 14 wells. This is the first time that a project of this type is performed in Spain and it is also pioneer in Europe. The positive hydraulic barrier produces the rise of the groundwater head near the coast in order to halt seawater penetration inland. The injected reclaimed water comes from the WWTP of the Baix Llobregat after passing through several treatments (ultrafiltration, reverses osmosis and disinfection). The pilot phase of the project has been working during the last 3 years. Hydrogeochemical analyses show highly positive results and is effectively reducing the salt water intrusion process. Substantial improvement of the groundwater quality has been observed in wells surrounding the injection points and no clogging has appeared. Currently the whole planned project is under operation.Postprint (published version

Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Therapy on Balance and Gait in the Elderly: A Systematic Review

Virtual reality (VR) therapies are presently utilized to treat physical and cognitive impairments among elderly people. This systematic review aims to collect the most recent evidence on the effectiveness of VR in improving balance and gait among healthy elderly individuals, in comparison with other therapies. A literature search was conducted using the PubMed, SCOPUS, PEDro, and WoS databases, by selecting randomized clinical trials that evaluated balance, both static and dynamic, as well as gait in a population of healthy older adults who underwent virtual reality therapy. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the PEDro scale. After eligibility criteria were applied and duplicates were removed, 20 studies were selected out of 1705 initially identified. The present systematic review concludes that virtual reality therapy is more effective than minimal intervention or usual care in enhancing static balance, dynamic balance, and gait in healthy elderly individuals. Moreover, virtual reality therapy yields better outcomes compared to traditional balance training and physical exercise in improving balance and gait in this demographic. However, both methods have shown effectiveness