Teaching C/C ++ programming using a multimedia system with videos

The C programming language is widely used in computer and industrial engineering. Because of that, such programming language is also widely used as a language to teach programming to industrial engineering students. In Spain, many universities use this language compulsory in the first year, or even in higher courses. Our experience shows that learning computer programming in four months is an arduous task, but curricula require it. Such learning process is also tough by the fact that many students cannot attend classes regularly and, even if they attend, sometimes the class is no longer at the level they require. In this work we develop a series of files in "presentation" format (.ppsx) and videos that allow students to see several explanations about the most complicated programming C topics: functions, arrays, structures, strings, arrays with structures, etc. This multimedia material includes explanations (voice-over), and animations with examples. Students can watch and listen to the explanations whenever and wherever they want (tablet, PC, phone…). Surveys made to students reveal that it is also interesting for students who regularly attend classes, and they prefer to use this course material only at home, outside of regular classes.El lenguaje de programación C se utiliza mucho en informática e ingeniería industrial. Por tanto, dicho lenguaje de programación también se utiliza mucho como lenguaje para enseñar programación a estudiantes de ingeniería industrial. En España, muchas universidades usan este lenguaje de forma obligatoria durante el primer año, o incluso en cursos superiores. Nuestra experiencia indica que aprender programación de computadoras en cuatro meses es una tarea ardua, pero los currículos lo requieren. Tal proceso de aprendizaje también es difícil por el hecho de que muchos estudiantes no pueden asistir a clases regularmente e, incluso si asisten, a veces la clase ya no está en el nivel que requieren. En este trabajo desarrollamos una serie de archivos en formato de "presentación" (.ppsx) y videos que permiten a los estudiantes ver varias explicaciones sobre los temas de programación C más complicados: funciones, matrices, estructuras, cadenas, matrices con estructuras, etc. El material multimedia incluye explicaciones (voz en off) y animaciones con ejemplos. Los estudiantes pueden ver y escuchar las explicaciones cuando y donde quieran (tableta, PC, teléfono, etc.). Las encuestas realizadas revelan que también es interesante para los estudiantes que asisten regularmente a clases, y que prefieren usar este material del curso solo en casa, fuera de las clases regulares

Overview of the potential of microRNAs and their target gene detection for cassava (Manihot esculenta) improvement

Production and utilization of cassava (Manihot esculenta) is significantly constrained by pests, diseases, poor yields and low nutritional content. Various approaches are currently being applied to mitigate these constraints. However, an aspect of plant developmental genetics little known in cassava is the role that microRNAs (miRNAs) play in gene regulation. miRNAs are 20 - 24 nucleotide long nonprotein-coding RNAs that play important roles in post-transcriptional gene silencing in many organisms. Thorough understanding of the mechanisms involved in miRNAs mediated posttranscriptional gene regulation will have implications for crop production improvement. The potential of miRNAs for cassava improvement and also some data obtained on cassava miRNAs using comparative genomics analysis have been briefly discussed. 17 miRNA families and target genes in cassava that are also conserved in other plant species have been revealed. However, the ESTs representing seven of these miRNA families produced foldbacks that show more than 3 nucleotides not involved in canonical base pairing within a loop or bulge in the mature miRNA: RNA* dimer, thus were not considered miRNA secondary structures. Consistent with previous reports, majority of the target genes identified are transcription factors. Other targets appear to play roles in diverse physiological processes. Furthermore, a detailed description and insight into some of the current bioinformatic resources and approaches applicable to cassava have been discussed. Such information will further enhance the rapid discovery and analysis of more novel miRNAs in cassava towards its improvement.Keywords: Cassava, microRNAs, target genes, improvement, characterizatio

An Optical Engine Used as a Physical Model for Studies of the Combustion Process Applying a Two-Color Pyrometry Technique

[EN] This work describes an experimental installation for the investigation of the combustion and injection processes. This installation is based on a two-stroke direct injection diesel engine with a total displacement of 3 L and a cylinder head equipped with three quartz windows. The windows are optical accesses that allow studying the process of injection, the atomization and evaporation of the fuel jet in an inert atmosphere (nitrogen), and the combustion process in a reactive atmosphere (ambient air). Additionally, the application of a two-color pyrometry technique to measure soot formation in this facility is presented. A methodological study is carried out regarding the influence of the dynamic range of the detectors and the wavelengths used. Maps of KL2C, flame temperature, and error probability are presented. The use of cameras with high dynamic range provides better results since the system seems to be less sensitive to measurement noise, and fewer points are obtained with a non-physical solution. Moreover, an appropriate combination of interference filters can improve the reliability of the solution. The greater the difference between the wavelengths of both interference filters, the fewer points with a non-physical solution, which improves the reliability of results.This research was funded by Castilla-La Mancha Government to the project grant number ASUAV Ref. SBPLY/19/180501/000116.Corral-Gómez, L.; Armas, O.; Soriano, JA.; Pastor, JV.; García-Oliver, JM.; Micó, C. (2022). An Optical Engine Used as a Physical Model for Studies of the Combustion Process Applying a Two-Color Pyrometry Technique. Energies. 15(13):1-17. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15134717117151

Estudio de la investigación turística a través de las coautorías de artículos: cálculo de indicadores de colaboración y análisis de redes sociales

Se analiza la colaboración científica de las universidades catalanas en el campo del turismo entre 2000 y 2010. A partir de las coautorías de artículos, se calculan indicadores de colaboración simples y se examina la red colaboración. Se estudia la colaboración entre investigadores, instituciones y territorios. Los resultados muestran un aumento de la colaboración, diferencias entre las revistas y ausencia de relación entre colaboración y multidisciplinariedad. La red de colaboración presenta una baja densidad y varias subredes.Catalan universities scientific collaboration in tourism is analyzed, from 2000 to 2010. Through coauthorship data, simple collaboration indicators are calculated and the collaboration network is examined. Collaboration among researchers, institutions and territories is investigated. Results show an increase in collaboration, differences among journals, and absence of relationship between collaboration and multidisciplinarity. The collaboration network presents a low density and several subnetworks

¿Aún enseñamos antijudaísmo?: Reflexiones y pautas pedagógicas para evitar prejuicios en la enseñanza religiosa escolar

Abstract en español e inglés.Este artículo recuerda la importancia de evitar que la presentación de la figura de Jesús en la Enseñanza Religiosa Escolar (ERE) o en otros ámbitos, esconda prejuicios antijudíos, aún de forma inconsciente. Señala algunos errores pedagógicos que pueden obviar el judaísmo de Jesús, que oponen sin matices su figura al judaísmo de su época o que valoran el judaísmo actual como una religión caduca o esclerotizada. Además, señala una serie de pautas para una presentación de Jesucristo y del judaísmo en la ERE que permita avanzar en la superación de viejos recelos e incomprensiones.This article reminds the reader of the importance of avoiding that the introduction to the figure of Jesus would hide anti-Jewish prejudices, even in an unconscious way, in the School Religious Education (ERE) or any other fields. It also points out some pedagogic mistakes which may obviate Jesus’ Jewishness, oppose Jesus to the Judaism of His age without any shade, or value present-day Judaism as an outdated or sluggish religion. Besides, this article shows a series of guidelines to introduce the ERE pupils to Jesus Christ in such a way as to make progress with the overcoming of old suspicions and lack of understanding

¿Aún enseñamos antijudaísmo?: Reflexiones y pautas pedagógicas para evitar prejuicios en la enseñanza religiosa escolar

Abstract en español e inglés.Este artículo recuerda la importancia de evitar que la presentación de la figura de Jesús en la Enseñanza Religiosa Escolar (ERE) o en otros ámbitos, esconda prejuicios antijudíos, aún de forma inconsciente. Señala algunos errores pedagógicos que pueden obviar el judaísmo de Jesús, que oponen sin matices su figura al judaísmo de su época o que valoran el judaísmo actual como una religión caduca o esclerotizada. Además, señala una serie de pautas para una presentación de Jesucristo y del judaísmo en la ERE que permita avanzar en la superación de viejos recelos e incomprensiones.This article reminds the reader of the importance of avoiding that the introduction to the figure of Jesus would hide anti-Jewish prejudices, even in an unconscious way, in the School Religious Education (ERE) or any other fields. It also points out some pedagogic mistakes which may obviate Jesus’ Jewishness, oppose Jesus to the Judaism of His age without any shade, or value present-day Judaism as an outdated or sluggish religion. Besides, this article shows a series of guidelines to introduce the ERE pupils to Jesus Christ in such a way as to make progress with the overcoming of old suspicions and lack of understanding

Educar en el diálogo interreligioso es una urgencia

La actual situación sociopolítica internacional, posterior al fin de la tensión de bloques, hace urgente plantearnos la educación en el diálogo intercultural e interreligioso. Se ha propuesto, desde algunas instancias y con éxito, una visión del panorama mundial basado en el 'choque de civilizaciones'. Este esquema mental trae consigo, además, una determinada forma de convivir con la diversidad religiosa en cada nación, que apuesta por reforzar los rasgos identitarios frente al 'extranjero '. Sin embargo, es posible aportar una nuevo esquema, basado en el diálogo entre culturas y religiones. Ahora bien, el diálogo no se improvisa, sino que tiene sus características y exigencias propias. Estos presupuestos de un verdadero diálogo nos llevan a concluir que el diálogo no es una estrategia, sino una forma de vida. Educar hacia esta forma de vida implica incluir no sólo contenidos conceptuales, sino también procedimentales y actitudinales en nuestros programas educativos para ayudar a nacer una verdadera alternativa a la cultura del enfrentamiento y la violencia que nos rodea

Considering neighborhood effects improves individual dbh growth models for natural mixed-species forests in Mexico

International audienceAbstractKey messageMore accurate diameter at breast height (dbh)-growth models are needed for developing management tools for mixed-species forests in Mexico. Individual distance-dependent dbh growth models that quantify local neighborhood effects have been developed for four species groups in such forests. The performance of the models is improved by distinguishing between inter- and intraspecific group competitions.ContextThe management of mixed-species forests in the northwest of Durango, Mexico, is mainly based on the selection method. Understanding the interspecific and intraspecific competition is critical to developing management tools for such mixed-species forests.AimsAn individual-based distance-dependent modeling approach was used to model the growth of dbh and to evaluate neighborhood effects for four species groups in Mexican mixed-species stands.MethodsTwenty-two species were classified into four groups: Pinus (seven species), other conifers (three species), other broadleaves (four species), and Quercus (eight species). Four methods were used to select neighboring trees and 12 competition indices (CIs) were calculated. Comparisons of the neighboring trees selection methods and CIs and tests of assumptions about neighborhood effects were conducted.ResultsIntra-species-group competition significantly reduced diameter growth for all species groups, except for the Quercus group. The Pinus, other conifers, and Quercus groups had significant and negative neighborhood effects on the other broadleaves species group, and not vice versa. The Quercus group also had negative neighborhood effect on the Pinus and other conifers species groups, and not vice versa. The Pinus and other conifers species groups had negative neighborhood effects on each other. All fitted age-independent dbh growth models showed a good of fit to the data (adjusted coefficient of determination larger than 0.977).ConclusionThe growth models can be used to predict dbh growth for species groups and competition in mixed-species stand from Durango, Mexico

Potenciales evocados cerebrales en el contexto de la investigación psicológica: una actualización

-Event-related brain potentials (ERPS) are presented in the context of the psychological research. Firstly, aspects such as how un ERP is obtained, their characteristic features, the way in which they are classified, or their main advantages with respect to another type of measures usually used in Psychology, are presented. Then, two cognitive processes that have been extensively investigated with this technique are briejly reviewed,concretely, attention and language, and the recent research in the study of emotional processes is also commented. The main ERPs that have been used to study these psychological processes are discussed.En este articulo se presenta la técnica de registro de 10s potenciales evocados (PESe)n el contexto de la investigación psicológica. En primer lugar, se abordan aspectos tales como el proceso de obtención de un potencial evocado, sus caracteristicas definitorias, la forma en que se clasifican, sus principales ventajas respecto a otro tipo de medidas  usualmente utilizadas por la psicologia, etc. A continuación se repasan brevemente dos de 10s procesos cognitivos que han generado más investigación con esta técnica, concretamente la atención y el lenguaje, usí como 10s recientes avances que se han desarrollado en el campo de 10s procesos emocionales. Se comentan después 10s principales potenciales evocados que se utilizan para abordar este tip0 de procesos psicológicos

Chaperone-like properties of tobacco plastid thioredoxins f and m

Thioredoxins (Trxs) are ubiquitous disulphide reductases that play important roles in the redox regulation of many cellular processes. However, some redox-independent functions, such as chaperone activity, have also been attributed to Trxs in recent years. The focus of our study is on the putative chaperone function of the well-described plastid Trxs f and m. To that end, the cDNA of both Trxs, designated as NtTrxf and NtTrxm, was isolated from Nicotiana tabacum plants. It was found that bacterially expressed tobacco Trx f and Trx m, in addition to their disulphide reductase activity, possessed chaperone-like properties. In vitro, Trx f and Trx m could both facilitate the reactivation of the cysteine-free form of chemically denatured glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase (foldase chaperone activity) and prevent heat-induced malate dehydrogenase aggregation (holdase chaperone activity). Our results led us to infer that the disulphide reductase and foldase chaperone functions prevail when the proteins occur as monomers and the well-conserved non-active cysteine present in Trx f is critical for both functions. By contrast, the holdase chaperone activity of both Trxs depended on their oligomeric status: the proteins were functional only when they were associated with high molecular mass protein complexes. Because the oligomeric status of both Trxs was induced by salt and temperature, our data suggest that plastid Trxs could operate as molecular holdase chaperones upon oxidative stress, acting as a type of small stress protein