Microcontroller-Based Sinusoidal Voltage Generation for Electrical Bio-Impedance Spectroscopy Applications

A sinusoidal voltage wave generator is proposed based on the use of micro- processor digital signals with programmable duty-cycles, with application to real-time Electrical Cell-substrate Impedance Spectroscopy (ECIS) assays in cell cultures. The working principle relies on the time convolution of the programmed microcontroller (μC) digital signals. The expected frequency is easily tuned on the bio-impedance spectroscopy range [100 Hz, 1 MHz] thanks to the μC clock frequency selection. This system has been simulated and tested on the 8 bits μC Arduino™ Uno with ATmega328 version. Results obtained prove that only three digital signals are required to fit the general specification in ECIS experiments, below 1% THD accuracy, and show the appropriateness of the system for the real-time monitoring of this type of biological experiments.Spanish founded Project: TEC 2013- 46242-C3-1-P: Integrated Microsystem for Cell Culture AssaysFEDE

Maquetas virtuales dinámicas : aplicación a la docencia e investigación sobre formas arquitectónicas

Las explicaciones de los temas de análisis de cuerpos así como de sus secciones e intersecciones entre sí suelen ser unos temas que resultan difíciles de asimilar por el alumnado. Por otro lado la confección de problemas sobre estos temas también presenta sus dificultades al profesor en cuanto a encajar el problema adecuadamente en sus posiciones y medidas para hacerlo compatible con los límites del formato usado para su resolución. En la presente ponencia se abordan estos temas mediante un tratamiento que involucra la confección de maquetas 3D que permitan al profesor desarrollar estos temas y hacer presentaciones con maquetas virtuales, susceptibles de movimientos, para mostrar las soluciones así como hacer los análisis que se estimen oportunos. Palabras clave: maquetas, maquetas virtuales, docencia de Expresión Gráfica, investigación y análisis de formas. Abstract The explanations of the topics of analysis of bodies as well as of their sections and intersections among if they are usually some topics that they are difficult to assimilate for the pupil. On the other hand the making of problems on these topics also introduces its difficulties to the professor as for inserting the problem appropriately in its positions and measures to make it compatible with the limits of the format used for its resolution. In the present report these topics are approached by means of a treatment that involves the making of scale models 3D that allow the professor to develop these topics and to make presentations with virtual scale models, susceptible of movements, to show the solutions as well as to make the analyses that are considered opportune. Words key: scale models, virtual scale models, docencia of Graphic Expression, investigation and analysis in ways

Temperature induced structural changes in even-odd nylons with long polymethylene segments

Structural transitions of nylons 8 9 and 12 9 heating and cooling processes were investigated using calorimetric, spectroscopic during and real time X-ray diffraction data. These even-odd nylons had three polymorphic forms related to structures where hydrogen bonds were established in two planar directions. Heating processes showed a first structural transition at low temperature where the two strong reflections related to the packing mode of the low temperature structure (form I) disappeared instead of moving together and merging into a single reflection, as observed for conventional even-even nylons. The high temperature structure corresponded to a typical pseudohexagonal packing (form III) attained after the named Brill transition temperature. Structural transitions were not completely reversible since an intermediate structure (form II) became clearly predominant at room temperature in subsequent cooling processes. A single spherulitic morphology with negative birefringence and a flat-on edge-on lamellar disposition was obtained when the two studied polyamides crystallized from the melt state. Kinetic analyses indicated that both nylons crystallized according to a single regime and a thermal nucleation. Results also pointed out a secondary nucleation constant for nylon 12 9 higher than that for nylon 8 9, suggesting greater difficulty in crystallizing when the amide content decreased. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 2494–2506Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Monitoring Muscle Stem Cell Cultures with Impedance Spectroscopy

The aim of this work is to present a new circuit for the real-time monitoring the processes of cellular growth and differentiation of skeletal myoblast cell cultures. An impedance spectroscopy Oscillation-Based technique is proposed for the test circuit, converting the biological system into a voltage oscillator, and avoiding the use of very high performance circuitry or equipment. This technique proved to be successful in the monitoring of cell cultures growth levels and could be useful for determining the degree of differentiation achieved, of practical implications in tissue engineering.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad TEC2013-46242-C3-1-

Road Bridges of South-eastern Spain, 1850-1936. Heritage Awaiting Recognition: Recovering a Heritage

he development of a system of national roads in south-eastern Spain entailed the construction of a considerable number of bridges. Their design incorporated the main novelties of bridge engineering of the day, and, after more than 100 years of service constitute a harmonious ensemble of heritage in which certain salient typologies and other common features can be identified. The present research, based both on the study of the original documents preserved in different archives of the region as well on the identification of bridges that are still standing, has the aim of describing these typologies and common construction trends. At the same time, this represents an initial effort towards their systematic cataloguing as well as a step towards establishing their value and recognition as elements of heritage of the first magnitud

Cell-culture real time monitoring based on bio-impedance measurements

This paper proposes the application of a cell-microelectrode model in cell biometry experiments, using the cell-electrode area overlap as its main parameter. The model can be applied to cell size identification and cell count, and further extended to study cell growth and dosimetry protocols. Experiments have been conducted in AA8 cell line, obtaining promising results.Junta de Andalucía P0-TIC-538

Practical Characterization of Cell-Electrode Electrical Models in Bio-Impedance Assays

This paper presents the fitting process followed to adjust the parameters of the electrical model associated to a cell-electrode system in Electrical Cell-substrate Impedance Spectroscopy (ECIS) technique, to the experimental results from cell-culture assays. A new parameter matching procedure is proposed, under the basis of both, mismatching between electrodes and time-evolution observed in the system response, as consequence of electrode fabrication processes and electrochemical performance of electrode-solution interface, respectively. The obtained results agree with experimental performance, and enable the evaluation of the cell number in a culture, by using the electrical measurements observed at the oscillation parameters in the test circuits employed.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad TEC2013-46242-C3-1-

Sensing Cell-Culture Assays with Low-Cost Circuitry

An alternative approach for cell-culture end-point protocols is proposed herein. This new technique is suitable for real-time remote sensing. It is based on Electrical Cell-substrate Impedance Spectroscopy (ECIS) and employs the Oscillation-Based Test (OBT) method. Simple and straightforward circuit blocks form the basis of the proposed measurement system. Oscillation parameters – frequency and amplitude – constitute the outcome, directly correlated with the culture status. A user can remotely track the evolution of cell cultures in real time over the complete experiment through a web tool continuously displaying the acquired data. Experiments carried out with commercial electrodes and a well-established cell line (AA8) are described, obtaining the cell number in real time from growth assays. The electrodes have been electrically characterized along the design flow in order to predict the system performance and the sensitivity curves. Curves for 1-week cell growth are reported. The obtained experimental results validate the proposed OBT for cell-culture characterization. Furthermore, the proposed electrode model provides a good approximation for the cell number and the time evolution of the studied cultures.España, Feder TEC2013-46242-C3-1-

La expresión gráfica en la Ingeniería y la geometría del Paisaje Cultural (Gpc). El Parque de La Vega de Granada

The “Vega de Granada” is an important cultural landscape, given its geographic configuration, its typology, its history and its great potential for the future. During the first middle of the twenty century this landscape has maintained its agricultural value, but, since this time, an urban oppression is happening over it, beating its heritage value. For the resolution of this aspect, and to give back this zone to the citizens, it has been proposed the creation of a great urban park on this localization.La Vega de Granada es un importante paisaje cultural, por su configuración geográfica, su tipología, su historia y su potencial de futuro. Durante los primeros cincuenta años del siglo XX ha mantenido su valor agrícola, pero es a partir de esta fecha cuando se produce una presión urbanística sobre ella que amenaza su valor patrimonial. Para solucionar este aspecto se ha propuesto convertir la Vega en un gran parque que sirva de esparcimiento a los habitantes de la ciudad.

Mentorización y formación del profesorado

El ingreso de profesionales en el ámbito laboral universitario supone un reto fundamental, tanto para el profesorado novel como para los distintos Departamentos y Centros que asumen la docencia universitaria. En este contexto la mentorización del profesorado universitario de nuevo ingreso por el profesorado veterano se convierte en una tarea de primera fila en las competencias que debe ejercer la Universidad; institución que debido a su misión bicefalia, docencia e investigación, debe tener en cuenta ambos aspectos. Desde el curso 2007-2008 hasta la actualidad la Universidad de Granada ha seguido un proceso institucional de formación de los docentes noveles mediante el acompañamiento de profesoras y profesores con un mínimo de diez años de experiencia y con formación previa actualizada en temas de mentorización, la cual era proporcionada por expertos de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación. El proceso, que se ha diversificado para perseguir una formación continua del personal docente e investigador, se puede definir como clave en la adquisición de buenas prácticas didácticas, así como en la generación de recursos para la participación en acciones formativas y en reuniones orientadas a la formación docente universitaria