El uso de SIG de software libre en una práctica de Biología y Geología de 4º de ESO: los ecosistemas.

Para consolidar el conocimiento del bloque del currículo de Biología y Geología de 4º de la E.S.O. (Educación Secundaria Obligatoria) relacionado con los ecosistemas, hemos desarrollado una metodología docente basada en los Sistemas de Información Geográfica (SIG), en la que el objetivo de los estudiantes es crear un shapefile con atributos espaciales e información ecológica sobre los distintos Parques Nacionales de España mediante su digitalización. Se ejemplifica con el procedimiento concreto del Parque Nacional de Doñana. A través del SIG, con un software gratuito para el centro, se aumenta la interactividad del estudiante con la asignatura, se desarrolla la creatividad y se mejora la capacidad de comprender el espacio, mejorando el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje.To consolidate the knowledge curriculum of thematic Block of the 4th year of Biology and Geology of the Spanish Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (E.S.O.), related with the ecosystems, we have developed a teaching methodology based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The students aim is to make a shapefile with space attributes and ecological information about the National Parks of Spain by its digitalization. We have given an example of Doñana National Park (Andalucia). Through the use of GIS and a kind of software with no additional charge to the school, student interactivity with the subject is increased, creativity is developed and their ability to understand space is improved. These skills are very useful for the teaching-learning proces

Optimal Microgrid Topology Design and Siting of Distributed Generation Sources Using a Multi-Objective Substrate Layer Coral Reefs Optimization Algorithm

n this work, a problem of optimal placement of renewable generation and topology design for a Microgrid (MG) is tackled. The problem consists of determining the MG nodes where renewable energy generators must be optimally located and also the optimization of the MG topology design, i.e., deciding which nodes should be connected and deciding the lines’ optimal cross-sectional areas (CSA). For this purpose, a multi-objective optimization with two conflicting objectives has been used, utilizing the cost of the lines, C, higher as the lines’ CSA increases, and the MG energy losses, E, lower as the lines’ CSA increases. To characterize generators and loads connected to the nodes, on-site monitored annual energy generation and consumption profiles have been considered. Optimization has been carried out by using a novel multi-objective algorithm, the Multi-objective Substrate Layers Coral Reefs Optimization algorithm (Mo-SL-CRO). The performance of the proposed approach has been tested in a realistic simulation of a MG with 12 nodes, considering photovoltaic generators and micro-wind turbines as renewable energy generators, as well as the consumption loads from different commercial and industrial sites. We show that the proposed Mo-SL-CRO is able to solve the problem providing good solutions, better than other well-known multi-objective optimization techniques, such as NSGA-II or multi-objective Harmony Search algorithm.This research was partially funded by Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad, project number TIN2017-85887-C2-1-P and TIN2017-85887-C2-2-P, and by the Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid, project number S2013ICE-2933_02

Determination of texture by infrared spectroscopy in titanium oxide–anatase thin films

12 pages, 6 figures, 4 tables, 2 appendix.-- PACS: 68.55.Jk; 78.66.Nk; 78.30.HvA theoretical model to determine the effective dielectric tensor of heterogeneous materials composed by anisotropic microcrystallites has been introduced to explain the infrared spectral features of textured thin films of uniaxial materials as the function of a textural parameter. This theoretical treatment is able to satisfactorily reproduce the experimental absorbance spectra of TiO2–anatase thin films chosen as a model system. Comparison of texture data obtained from infrared spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction are in good agreement which support the validity of the proposed model.Peer reviewe

Hacia un modelo de enseñanza para las fracciones basado en el uso de applets

In this article, results of an ongoing research project are described and the construction of an initial Local Theoretical Model of fractions and its teaching is summarized. With this theoretical and methodological framework, a teaching sequence is designed, developed and tested in a group of students. The sequence includes the use of applets devised with GeoGebra. The building-up of these technological tools takes into account guidelines derived from analyses of applets related to fractions that were found on the web. The design of the applets created with the aforementioned software is based on the use of the number line as the main teaching resource, and at the same time, it is structured so that the student/applets interaction’s data is digitally stored. The paper contains aspects considered for the design of the technological resources and results of the first stage of the teaching sequence’ experimentation.En este artículo se exponen resultados de una investigación en desarrollo y se describe la construcción de un Modelo Teórico Local (MTL) inicial sobre las fracciones y su enseñanza. Con ese marco de referencia teórico y metodológico se diseña, desarrolla y pone a prueba, en un grupo natural, una secuencia de enseñanza basada en el uso de applets diseñados con GeoGebra. En el diseño de estas herramientas tecnológicas se emplean lineamientos definidos a partir de resultados de análisis de applets relacionados con las fracciones que se encuentran en la web; se sustenta en el uso de la recta numérica como principal recurso didáctico, y se estructura de manera que los datos generados en la interacción estudiante/applets se guardan digitalmente. En este documento se describe una parte de los aspectos considerados para el diseño del recurso tecnológico y resultados de la experimentación de la primera etapa de la secuencia de enseñanza

Dibenzylxanthines as PPEPCK-M inhibitors for cancer therapy

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) is the key enzyme in gluconeogenesis/glyceroneogenesis, which catalyzes the decarboxylation of oxaloacetate to phosphoenolpyruvate. In eukaryotes, there are two isozymes present either in the cytosol (PEPCKC, PCK1) or the mitochondria (PEPCK-M, PCK2). While PCK1 is found in gluconeogenic tissues and has a very clear metabolic function, PCK2 is expressed in non-gluconeogenic cell types, where its role remains largely unknown. For example, PCK2 is highly expressed in most cancer cells, where it provides a growth advantage to cancer cells in nutrient-poor environments

Evaluar y promover las competencias para el emprendimiento social en las asignaturas universitarias

Las universidades, así como diversas entidades científicas y académicas, tanto a nivel nacional como internacional, han tomado conciencia de la necesidad de promover el emprendimiento en el ámbito universitario (UNESCO, 2009; Guerrero, Urbano, Ramos, Ruiz-Navarro, Neira y Fernández-Laviada, 2016). En este trabajo se presenta una herramienta que resulta útil para evaluar las competencias para el emprendimiento social en cualquier asignatura universitaria. Se han realizado dos versiones de la herramienta (estudiantes y profesorado) que permiten analizar y valorar el grado en que dichas competencias se trabajan en una asignatura concreta. Además, la versión del docente está diseñada para promover la reflexión en el profesorado sobre el margen de mejora de las competencias emprendedoras y favorecer la puesta en práctica de propuestas concretas para integrarlas en las asignaturas a corto plazo. La herramienta, en sus dos versiones, denominada “Registro para Evaluar el Emprendimiento Social en las Aulas Universitarias (RESAU)”, ha sido validada por 14 expertos. En la versión de estudiantes se realizó una validación estadística empleándose una muestra piloto de estudiantes de Ciencias Económicas y de Ciencias de la Educación (n = 180), de las Universidades de Granada, Málaga y Sevilla. En el caso de la versión de los estudiantes, la herramienta muestra en qué medida las competencias para el emprendimiento social se trabajan en las actividades de aula. En la versión del profesorado, la herramienta ilustra adecuadamente aquellas competencias para el emprendimiento social que son trabajadas en cada asignatura, y las que poseen un margen de mejora que puede ser desarrollado por cada docente universitario. Las conclusiones del estudio destacan la relevancia de trabajar las competencias para el emprendimiento social en las aulas universitarias y ponen de relieve la manera en que cada docente plantea estrategias de mejora

Pharmacology and preclinical validation of a novel anticancer compound targeting PEPCK-M

Background: Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) catalyzes the decarboxylation of oxaloacetate to phosphoenolpyruvate. The mitochondrial isozyme, PEPCK-M is highly expressed in cancer cells, where it plays a role in nutrient stress response. To date, pharmacological strategies to target this pathway have not been pursued. Methods: A compound embodying a 3-alkyl-1,8-dibenzylxanthine nucleus (iPEPCK-2), was synthesized and successfully probed in silico on a PEPCK-M structural model. Potency and target engagement in vitro and in vivo were evaluated by kinetic and cellular thermal shift assays (CETSA). The compound and its target were validated in tumor growth models in vitro and in murine xenografts. Results: Cross-inhibitory capacity and increased potency as compared to 3-MPA were confirmed in vitro and in vivo. Treatment with iPEPCK-2 inhibited cell growth and survival, especially in poor-nutrient environment, consistent with an impact on colony formation in soft agar. Finally, daily administration of the PEPCK-M inhibitor successfully inhibited tumor growth in two murine xenograft models as compared to vehicle, without weight loss, or any sign of apparent toxicity. Conclusion: We conclude that iPEPCK-2 is a compelling anticancer drug targeting PEPCK-M, a hallmark gene product involved in metabolic adaptations of the tumor

Correlation of RECIST, Computed Tomography Morphological Response, and Pathological Regression in Hepatic Metastasis Secondary to Colorectal Cancer: The AVAMET Study.

Background: The prospective phase IV AVAMET study was undertaken to correlate response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST)-defined response rates with computed tomography-based morphological criteria (CTMC) and pathological response after liver resection of colorectal cancer metastases. Methods: Eligible patients were aged >/=18 years, with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0/1 and histologically-confirmed colon or rectal adenocarcinoma with measurable liver metastases. Preoperative treatment was bevacizumab (7.5 mg on day 1) + XELOX (oxaliplatin 130 mg/m(2), capecitabine 1000 mg/m(2) bid on days 1-14 q3w). After three cycles, response was evaluated by a multidisciplinary team. Patients who were progression-free and metastasectomy candidates received one cycle of XELOX before undergoing surgery 3-5 weeks later, followed by four cycles of bevacizumab + XELOX. Results: A total of 83 patients entered the study; 68 were eligible for RECIST, 67 for CTMC, and 51 for pathological response evaluation. Of these patients, 49% had a complete or partial RECIST response, 91% had an optimal or incomplete CTMC response, and 81% had a complete or major pathological response. CTMC response predicted 37 of 41 pathological responses versus 23 of 41 responses predicted using RECIST (p = 0.008). Kappa coefficients indicated a lack of correlation between the results of RECIST and morphological responses and between morphological and pathological response rates. Conclusion: CTMC may represent a better marker of pathological response to bevacizumab + XELOX than RECIST in patients with potentially-resectable CRC liver metastases

Phase angle by electrical bioimpedance is a predictive factor of hospitalisation, falls and mortality in patients with cirrhosis

The phase angle is a versatile measurement to assess body composition, frailty and prognosis in patients with chronic diseases. In cirrhosis, patients often present alterations in body composition that are related to adverse outcomes. The phase angle could be useful to evaluate prognosis in these patients, but data are scarce. The aim was to analyse the prognostic value of the phase angle to predict clinically relevant events such as hospitalisation, falls, and mortality in patients with cirrhosis. Outpatients with cirrhosis were consecutively included and the phase angle was determined by electrical bioimpedance. Patients were prospectively followed to determine the incidence of hospitalisations, falls, and mortality. One hundred patients were included. Patients with phase angle¿=¿4.6° (n¿=¿31) showed a higher probability of hospitalisation (35% vs 11%, p¿=¿0.003), falls (41% vs 11%, p¿=¿0.001) and mortality (26% vs 3%, p¿=¿0.001) at 2-year follow-up than patients with PA¿>¿4.6° (n¿=¿69). In the multivariable analysis, the phase angle and MELD-Na were independent predictive factors of hospitalisation and mortality. Phase angle was the only predictive factor for falls. In conclusion, the phase angle showed to be a predictive marker for hospitalisation, falls, and mortality in outpatients with cirrhosis.Postprint (published version

The evolution of the ventilatory ratio is a prognostic factor in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 ARDS patients

Background: Mortality due to COVID-19 is high, especially in patients requiring mechanical ventilation. The purpose of the study is to investigate associations between mortality and variables measured during the first three days of mechanical ventilation in patients with COVID-19 intubated at ICU admission. Methods: Multicenter, observational, cohort study includes consecutive patients with COVID-19 admitted to 44 Spanish ICUs between February 25 and July 31, 2020, who required intubation at ICU admission and mechanical ventilation for more than three days. We collected demographic and clinical data prior to admission; information about clinical evolution at days 1 and 3 of mechanical ventilation; and outcomes. Results: Of the 2,095 patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU, 1,118 (53.3%) were intubated at day 1 and remained under mechanical ventilation at day three. From days 1 to 3, PaO2/FiO2 increased from 115.6 [80.0-171.2] to 180.0 [135.4-227.9] mmHg and the ventilatory ratio from 1.73 [1.33-2.25] to 1.96 [1.61-2.40]. In-hospital mortality was 38.7%. A higher increase between ICU admission and day 3 in the ventilatory ratio (OR 1.04 [CI 1.01-1.07], p = 0.030) and creatinine levels (OR 1.05 [CI 1.01-1.09], p = 0.005) and a lower increase in platelet counts (OR 0.96 [CI 0.93-1.00], p = 0.037) were independently associated with a higher risk of death. No association between mortality and the PaO2/FiO2 variation was observed (OR 0.99 [CI 0.95 to 1.02], p = 0.47). Conclusions: Higher ventilatory ratio and its increase at day 3 is associated with mortality in patients with COVID-19 receiving mechanical ventilation at ICU admission. No association was found in the PaO2/FiO2 variation