Influence of boron content on the fracture toughness and fatigue crack propagation kinetics of bainitic steels

The relatively good combination of high strength and ductility makes bainitic steels a candidate to replace many other steels in industrial applications. However, in service, ductility and strength are not up to standard requirements. In many industrial components, toughness and fatigue performance are also very relevant. In the present study, bainitic steels with varying content of boron were fabricated, with the aim of analyzing the fracture toughness and changes in the fatigue life. The results show that a relatively small change in the boron content can cause a notable variation in the fracture toughness of bainitic steels. The maximum value obtained in fracture toughness was for the steel with the highest boron content. It was observed that the amount of interlath martensite constituents decreases in steels with the addition of boron, leading to the promotion of the presence of void coalescence and a remarkable rise in the toughness of bainitic steels. An increase on the fatigue life of the bainitic steels with an increase in the boron content was also observed, through analysis by means of Paris’ law. A comprehensive micrographic study was carried out in order to examine the mechanics of fatigue crack growth in the bainitic steels, revealing small longitudinal cracks in bainitic steels that lack boron. These cracks tend to disappear in bainitic steels that contain boron. To elucidate this behavior, micrographs of the surfaces generated by the crack growth process were taken, showing that several nano-cracks appeared between the bainite laths. It is finally argued that this high-energy consumption process of nano-crack nucleation and growth is the reason for the improved toughness and fatigue life observed in bainitic steels.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Evaluation of the anti-angiogenic potential of hydroxytyrosol derivatives

Angiogenesis, a process which allows the formation of new vessels from pre-existing ones, is an essential phenomenon for tumor survival since it allows cancer cells to obtain nutrients and oxygen. This explains the increasing interest showed by many groups of research and pharmaceutical companies to find compounds with potential to disrupt at least one of the steps within the angiogenic process. Hydroxytyrosol (3,4-dihydroxyphenyl ethanol) has been identified as the most important health-related phenolic compound of virgin olive oil because of its pleiotropic effects on multiple targets. In 2012, our group identified hydroxytyrosol as an anti-angiogenic compound able to inhibit several key steps in the angiogenic process. In the present study, the potential effects of six hydroxytyrosol derivatives are tested and compared with those exhibited by hydroxytyrosol by making use of several in vitro and in vivo assays. Results indicate that these are candidate new anti-angiogenic compounds with potential utility in anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic therapies.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech [Our experimental work is supported by grants BIO2014-56092-R (MINECO and FEDER) and P12-CTS-1507 (Andalusian Government and FEDER) and funds from group BIO-267 (Andalusian Government). The "CIBER de Enfermedades Raras" is an initiative from the ISCIII (Spain)]. This communication has the support of a travel grant

La Inspección de Educación y la formación del profesorado: fases de la carrera docente, colaboración voluntaria de inspectores jubilados y fomento de vocaciones científicas. Propuesta participativa en la enseñanza de las ciencias experimentales

The objectives of this paper were: to analyse the different phases or stages of teaching career (from initial training to access to the inspection function), the incorporation of volunteer retired teachers or non-active inspectors as partners in educational establishments (specially as how were introduced in Canary Islands) and the possibility of participation in initial and continuing teacher training of senior inspectors with active or retired status. Finally, we present some actions involving inspectors in the initial teacher training offered at the university, in experimental sciences field due to the need to reverse the negative trend of scientific vocations that exists in our country.El presente trabajo tiene un triple propósito: analizar las distintas fases temporales o etapas de la carrera profesional docente (desde su formación inicial hasta el acceso a la función inspectora), la incorporación de la figura jurídica del docente o inspector colaborador voluntario jubilado a los centros educativos (particularizando su introducción en la Comunidad Autónoma de Canarias) y la posibilidad de participación en la formación docente inicial y continua de personal inspector de prestigio en activo o jubilado. Finalmente, se presentan algunas acciones de participación de inspectores e inspectoras en la formación inicial docente que se imparte en la universidad, particularizando en el ámbito de las ciencias experimentales por la necesidad de revertir la tendencia negativa de vocaciones científicas que existe en nuestro país

Diseño y evaluación de una secuencia de enseñanza sobre la Competencia Digital Docente en la formación inicial del profesorado en una experiencia concreta

The current pandemic situation has provoked that Information and Communication Technologies gain a major relevance that they did not have before, although, it has also shown how many deficits the educational system presents, such as the lack of digital teaching skills (DTS). Because of this, it is important that in the teaching training master for secondary education, this skill is taught from both a theoretical and a practical approach. In this article, it is shown the design and the evaluation of a teaching sequence, based on a methodology in which the reflection about digital teaching skills is prioritized and in which the elaboration of a personal teaching environment is used as a teaching strategy. The results of its implementation indicate a positive assessment from the students and it is possible to conclude that the teaching proposal allows for a favourable evolution of the participant’s DTS.La situación actual de la pandemia ha hecho que las Tecnologías de la Información y de la Comunicación tomen aún mayor relevancia de la que ya tenían, aunque también, ha puesto de manifiesto las carencias del sistema educativo, como por ejemplo, la baja competencia digital docente (CDD). Por este motivo, es importante que en el máster de formación del profesorado de educación secundaria se aborde esta competencia, tanto desde el punto de vista teórico como práctico. En este trabajo se presenta el diseño y evaluación de una secuencia de enseñanza, basada en una metodología en la que se prioriza la reflexión sobre la CDD y se utiliza la elaboración de un entorno personal de aprendizaje como estrategia de enseñanza. Los resultados de su puesta en práctica indican una valoración positiva por parte de los estudiantes y se concluye que la propuesta formativa permite una evolución favorable de la CDD de los participantes

Evolución en la escolarización del alumnado con necesidades educativas especiales en el sistema educativo español: conceptualización, síntesis histórica y papel de la Inspección Educativa

Functional diversity concept and paradigm changes throughout of Spanish education history in relation to integration and inclusion in schools of students with special educational needs were analyzed in this article; we have proceeded from poor children with disability and handicap out-of-school of earlier times up to the integration and inclusion of students with special educational needs in the current educational system through of educational Spanish laws that have been developed in democracy. Role of Educational Inspectorate around Spanish education history was also analyzed, starting from Moyano law up to our days where the educative Inspector guaranteed schooling rights to students and the exercise of this right by families in our country.En este trabajo hemos analizado cómo se ha llevado a cabo la escolarización del alumnado que presenta necesidades educativas especiales (NEE) partiendo de lo que significa la diversidad funcional, su evolución conceptual y los cambios de paradigma que a lo largo de la historia de la educación española ha sufrido la integración y la inclusión de este alumnado, desde la desescolarización y segregación del deficiente y anormal de épocas pretéritas hasta llegar a su plena normalización en las aulas en el sistema educativo actual gracias a las leyes orgánicas que se han desarrollado en democracia. Se ha analizado el papel que ha tenido la Inspección de Educación en este proceso, partiendo de la realidad histórica iniciada con la Ley Moyano hasta constituirse, en la actualidad, en la garantía de los derechos de escolarización inherentes al alumnado que presenta NEE y en el ejercicio de este derecho por sus familias en el marco del estado autonómico en que nos encontramos en la actualidad

La nueva Ley de Educación (LOMLOE) ante los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de la Agenda 2030 y el reto de la COVID-19

The objective of this work has been to analyse the genesis of Organic Law 3/2020, of December 29, which modifies Organic Law 2/2006, of May 3, on Education (LOMLOE) through the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals Agenda and the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the implementation of these goals. Documentary references on the SDGs from international (UN, UNESCO, etc.) and national sources have been analysed for their implementation and development in Spain. From this analysis and a carried-out reflection, it is possible to conclude that LOMLOE seems to be based on this objective in compliance with SDG-4 (education), as well as for the fight against climate change. This is conducted through the introduction of education for sustainable development and for global citizenship (EDS-ECG), new transversal competences, new curricular developments, and a greater inclusion. The development of these, will be essential in the post-COVID era. In this context, the Educational Inspection should play an essential role in this process.El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido analizar la génesis de la Ley Orgánica 3/2020, de 29 de diciembre, por la que se modifica la Ley Orgánica 2/2006, de 3 de mayo, de Educación (LOMLOE) mediante los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) de la Agenda 2030 y el impacto que la pandemia de COVID-19 ha tenido en su implantación. Se han analizado referencias documentales sobre los ODS procedentes de fuentes internacionales (ONU, UNESCO, etc.) y nacionales para su implementación y desarrollo en España. El análisis documental y la reflexión realizada permite concluir que en cumplimiento del ODS-4 (educación), así como para la lucha del cambio climático, la LOMLOE parece sustentarse en el tratamiento de estos aspectos. Esto parece llevarse a cabo mediante la introducción de la educación para el desarrollo sostenible y para la ciudadanía global (EDS-ECG), nuevas competencias trasversales, nuevos desarrollos curriculares y una mayor inclusión, por lo que su desarrollo será básico en la época post-COVID. En este contexto, la Inspección Educativa debería jugar un papel esencial en este proceso

Colaboración docente para diseñar materiales de Ciencia y Tecnología Culinaria y, Salud Pública

En el presente trabajo se han diseñado materiales de trabajo para utilizar en las asignaturas de Ciencia y Tecnología Culinaria y, Salud Pública del Grado en Nutrición Humana y Dietética (NHyD). Estos materiales han permitido obtener valoraciones nutricionales de platos típicos de la Comunidad Valenciana como son arroces y legumbres y, a partir de estas valoraciones hacer comparaciones nutricionales entre dichos platos. Por otro lado, se ha trabajado el tema de los tamaños de ración estimados por los alumnos para personas adultas y sanas, también se ha realizado una comparación entre de tamaños entre recetas semejantes. Estos conocimientos previos se han aplicado a una asignatura que se imparte posteriormente en el Grado de NHyD que es Salud Pública. En dicha asignatura, se han diseñado unos cuestionarios para averiguar si los tamaños de ración estimados por los alumnos y por familiares son muy diferentes. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que la realización de la valoración nutricional de platos por parte de los alumnos permite añadir conocimientos a los alumnos que no se encuentran en bibliografía y, además también permiten concienciar de la importancia que tiene la educación a los pacientes en cuanto a la importancia que puede tener el tamaño de ración que se consuma

Repetitive corrugation and straightening effect on the microstructure, crystallographic texture and electrochemical behavior for the Al-7075 alloy

Anti-corrosion susceptibility is one of the top criteria for selecting metallic materials for several industrial applications. This work studies the corrosion performance on an Al-7075 alloy obtained by Repetitive Corrugation and Straightening (RCS). This processing method generated a microstructure formed by randomly distributed micro-, submicro-, and nano- metric grain sizes. The samples exhibited a drop in corrosion resistance for a longer duration in the electrolyte and higher deformation. However, the samples processed by RCS showed better electrochemical stability in comparison with the non-deformed condition. The improvement of electrochemical stability could be associated with the particular microstructure generated during the RCS process.Postprint (published version

Impacts of desert dust outbreaks on air quality in urban areas

Air pollution has many adverse effects on health and is associated with an increased risk of mortality. Desert dust outbreaks contribute directly to air pollution by increasing particulate matter concentrations. We investigated the influence of desert dust outbreaks on air quality in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, a city located in the dust export pathway off the west coast of North Africa, using air-quality observations from a six-year period (2012–2017). During winter intense dust outbreaks PM10 mean (24-h) concentrations increased from 14 µg m−3 to 98 µg m−3 , on average, and PM2.5 mean (24-h) concentrations increased from 6 µg m−3 to 32 µg m−3 . Increases were less during summer outbreaks, with a tripling of PM10 and PM2.5 daily mean concentrations. We found that desert dust outbreaks reduced the height of the marine boundary layer in our study area by >45%, on average, in summer and by ∼25%, on average, in winter. This thinning of the marine boundary layer was associated with an increase of local anthropogenic pollution during dust outbreaks. NO2 and NO mean concentrations more than doubled and even larger relative increases in black carbon were observed during the more intense summer dust outbreaks; increases also occurred during the winter outbreaks but were less than in summer. This has public health implications; local anthropogenic emissions need to be reduced even further in areas that are impacted by desert dust outbreaks to reduce adverse health effects.This activity has been undertaken in the framework of the World Meteorological Organisation Global Atmosphere Watch Urban Research Meteorology and Environment (GURME) project

Intracoronary ultrasound assessment of directional coronary atherectomy: Immediate and follow-up findings

AbstractObjectives. This study was conducted to assess the relations among intracoronary ultrasound, angiographic and histologic data obtained from patients with coronary artery disease successfully treated by directional coronary atherectomy. In addition, it was designed to elucidate whether some aspects of intravascular ultrasound or pathologic findings could predict a propensity to restenosis.Background. Intracoronary ultrasound is a useful technique in guiding and assessing atherectomy. However, there is little information about the characterization of the different types of coronary plaques and the changes observed in them after resection. Furthermore, the follow-up ultrasound appearance of previously treated lesions remains undepicted.Methods. Fifty-two patients (54 ± 10 years old) were studied. All were successfully treated by atherectomy with the aid of intracoronary ultrasound guidance. Qualitative and quantitative ultrasound and angiographic variables were derived before and after resection. Quantitative histologic morphometric information was also obtained from the specimens. In 22 patients, a follow-up echoangiographic reevaluation was performed 6 ± 4 months later.Results. Echogenic plaques had a higher collagen and calcium content, whereas echolucent plaques had an increased level of fibrin, nuclel and lipids. Ultrasound plaque reduction after atherectomy was greater in echolucent (76 ± 21%) than in echogenic plaques (60 ± 18%; p < 0.05). That reduction correlated with the weight of the resected material (r = 0.62; p < 0.01). At follow-up study, 13 of 22 patients had angiographic and ultrasound evidence of restenosis. Most recurrent lesions had a stenotic three-layer appearance. The incidence of restenosis of primary lesions treated with atherectomy was higher in echolucent (100%) than in echogenic (33%) plaques. Similarly, a higher proportion of nuclear content in the resected material was observed in patients who developed restenosis (2.1 ± 0.7%) than in patients who had late success after atherectomy (1.2 ± 0.6%).Conclusions. Our findings suggest that echolucent plaques are easier to resect than are echogenic plaques but frequently develop restenosis. In contrast, the resection of echogenic plaques, although often incomplete, is associated with better long-term results