Una experiencia en docencia virtual

Con este trabajo, pretendemos hacer un resumen de una asignatura cursada íntegramente de forma telemática, que para nosotros ha constituido nuestra primera experiencia de docencia virtual completa. Por un lado, presentamos todos los datos numéricos que pensamos pueden ser de utilidad para futuros trabajos que comparen metodologías de eseñanza telemática, y por otro, intentamos describir la metodología de enseñanza‐aprendizaje utilizada en la misma. Hemos realizado la descripción cronológica de la asignatura, desde su concepción hasta la evaluación de la misma, y dentro de esta cronología detallamos de forma especial todo el desarrollo llevado a cabo durante el cuatrimestre en que ha tnido lugar su estudio por parte de los estudiantes. Los apartados principales del trabajo (asignatura, Plataforma, Metodología, Profesorado y Alumnado) encuadran los datos básicos de cada uno de ellos, con el objetivo de hacer una descripción pormenorizada de los mismos en el conjunto de esta experiencia virtual o telemática. En primer lugar, se presenta el contexto de la actividad; a continuación se describe la plataforma que se ha utilizado en esta experiencia de docencia virtual, y se realizan algunos comentarios positivos y negativos sobre la misma. El apartado siguiente describe al equipo docente. Posteriormente, se presenta la metodología de trabajo que se ha empleado, destacando los aspectos favorables y desfavorables de la misma. Por último, se describen las características más interesantes del grupo de alumnos que ha cursado la asignatura, y se presentan datos estadísticos referentes a su grado de implicación con la misma.With this work, we try to make a summary of a subject taught in a complete telematic way, which has been for us the first experience in full virtual teaching. On one side, we show all numeric data that we think can be useful for future works which compare teaching methodologies throughout telematic means, and on the other hand, we try to describe the teaching‐learning methodology used in such subject. We have made the chronological description of the subject, from the very first conception to the evaluation of it, and, within this chronology, we detail in special way the whole development carried out during the four month period in which these studies have been taken by students. The main sections of this work (Subject, Platform, Methodology, Teaching Team and Pupils) contain basic data of each one, with the main goal of making a detailed description of such sections of this virtual or telematic experience. Firstly, the context of the activity appears; next, we describe the platform that has been used in this experience of virtual teaching, and some positive and negative commentaries have been made on it. The following section describes the Teaching Team. Later, it is described the work methodology that has been used, emphasizing the favourable and unfavourable aspects of it. Finally, the most interesting characteristics of the group of students who has taken the subject, are described, and showing statistical data according to their degree of implication with the subject

pBAM1: an all-synthetic genetic tool for analysis and construction of complex bacterial phenotypes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Since publication in 1977 of plasmid pBR322, many breakthroughs in Biology have depended on increasingly sophisticated vector platforms for analysis and engineering of given bacterial strains. Although restriction sites impose a certain format in the procedures for assembling cloned genes, every attempt thus far to standardize vector architecture and nomenclature has ended up in failure. While this state of affairs may still be tolerable for traditional one-at-a-time studies of single genes, the onset of systems and synthetic biology calls for a simplification -along with an optimization- of the currently unwieldy pool of genetic tools.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The functional DNA sequences present in the natural bacterial transposon Tn<it>5 </it>have been methodically edited and refactored for the production of a multi-purpose genetic tool named pBAM1, which allows a range of manipulations in the genome of Gram-negative bacteria. This all-synthetic construct enhances the power of mini-transposon vectors for either de-construction or re-construction of phenotypes <it>á la carte </it>by incorporating features inspired in systems engineering: modularity, re-usability, minimization, and compatibility with other genetic tools. pBAM1 bears an streamlined, restriction site-freed and narrow-host range replication frame bearing the sequences of R6K <it>oriV</it>, <it>oriT </it>and an ampicillin resistance marker. These go along with a business module that contains a host-independent and hyperactive transposition platform for <it>in vivo </it>or <it>in vitro </it>insertion of desired DNA into the genome of the target bacterium. All functional sequences were standardized for a straightforward replacement by equivalent counterparts, if required. pBAM1 can be delivered into recipient cells by either mating or electroporation, producing transposon insertion frequencies of 1.8 × 10^-3and 1.02 × 10^-7, respectively in the soil bacterium <it>Pseudomonas putida</it>. Analyses of the resulting clones revealed a 100% of unique transposition events and virtually no-cointegration of the donor plasmid within the target genome.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This work reports the design and performance of an all-synthetic mini-transposon vector. The power of the new system for both identification of new functions or for the construction of desired phenotypes is shown in a genetic survey of hyper-expressed proteins and regulatory elements that influence the expression of the σ⁵⁴-dependent <it>Pu </it>promoter of <it>P. putida</it>.</p

Effects of Copenhagen Adduction Exercise on the Architectural Characteristics of Adductors in U-17 Male Soccer Players : A Randomized Controlled Trial

[Abstract] Groin injuries are one of the most prevalent in male soccer players, especially due to the hip adductor muscles’ weakness which is considered as a risk factor in these injuries. The Copenhagen adduction (CA) exercise has been demonstrated to increase the strength of adductor muscles, but its effects on the architectural characteristics of adductor muscles have not been studied yet. This study aimed to analyze the effects of the CA exercise on the muscle thickness of the adductors. Twelve male U-17 soccer players were randomized into two groups: the control group with no intervention and the experimental group with an intervention based on an eight-week training with CA exercise. The muscle thickness of adductors was measured before and after the intervention using ultrasound imaging. A significant increase in muscle thickness was found in both control (p = 0.002) and experimental group (p < 0.001), but the experimental group did not show additional effects in comparison with the control group. In conclusion, an 8-week CA exercise intervention does not increase the muscle thickness of adductors in U-17 soccer players more than their regular training

Creating collaborative groups in a MOOC: a homogeneous engagement grouping approach

Producción CientíficaCollaborative learning can improve the pedagogical effectiveness of MOOCs. Group formation, an essential step in the design of collaborative learning activities, can be challenging in MOOCs given the scale and the wide variety in such contexts. We discuss the need for considering the behaviours of the students in the course to form groups in MOOC contexts, and propose a grouping approach that employs homogeneity in terms of students’ engagement in the course. Two grouping strategies with different degrees of homogeneity are derived from this approach, and their impact to form successful groups is examined in a real MOOC context. The grouping criteria were established using student activity logs (e.g. page-views). The role of the timing of grouping was also examined by carrying out the intervention once in the first and once in the second half of the course. The results indicate that in both interventions, the groups formed with a greater degree of homogeneity had higher rates of task-completion and peer interactions, Additionally, students from these groups reported higher levels of satisfaction with their group experiences. On the other hand, a consistent improvement of all indicators was observed in the second intervention, since student engagement becomes more stable later in the course.Agencia Estatal de Investigación Española - Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (grants TIN2017-85179-C3-2-R / TIN2014-53199-C3-2-RJunta de Castilla y León - Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (grant VA257P18)Comisión Europea (grant 588438-EPP-1-2017-1-EL-EPPKA2-KA

Selective Inhibition of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor–mediated Angiogenesis by Cyclosporin A: Roles of the Nuclear Factor of Activated T Cells and Cyclooxygenase 2

Cyclosporin A (CsA) is an immunosuppressive drug that inhibits the activity of transcription factors of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) family, interfering with the induction of cytokines and other inducible genes required for the immune response. Here we show that CsA inhibits migration of primary endothelial cells and angiogenesis induced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); this effect appears to be mediated through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase (Cox)-2, the transcription of which is activated by VEGF in primary endothelial cells. Consistent with this, we show that the induction of Cox-2 gene expression by VEGF requires NFAT activation. Most important, the CsA-mediated inhibition of angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo was comparable to the Cox-2 inhibitor NS-398, and reversed by prostaglandin E2. Furthermore, the in vivo corneal angiogenesis induced by VEGF, but not by basic fibroblast growth factor, was selectively inhibited in mice treated with CsA systemically. These findings involve NFAT in the regulation of Cox-2 in endothelial cells, point to a role for this transcription factor in angiogenesis, and may provide a novel mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of CsA in angiogenesis-related diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.This work was supported by grant PM99-0116 from Ministerio de Educación y Cultura (MEC-DGES) of Spain (to J.M. Redondo) and grants FEDER 1FD97-0514-CO2-01 and FEDER FD97-0275 from MEC-DGES and the European Community to J.M. Redondo and M. Fresno, respectively. G.L. Hernández was supported by grants from Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET) of Argentina and Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid grant 8.3/0024/2000, and M. Fresno by grant PM97-0130, O. Volpert by American Heart Association grant AHA SDG 0030023N, and S. Martínez-Martínez by grant 8.3/19/1998 from the Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid. The Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" is supported by a grant from the Fundación Ramón ArecesPeer reviewe

Selective Inhibition of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor–Mediated Angiogenesis by Cyclosporin a: Roles of the Nuclear Factor of Activated T Cells and Cyclooxygenase 2

Cyclosporin A (CsA) is an immunosuppressive drug that inhibits the activity of transcription factors of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) family, interfering with the induction of cytokines and other inducible genes required for the immune response. Here we show that CsA inhibits migration of primary endothelial cells and angiogenesis induced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); this effect appears to be mediated through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase (Cox)-2, the transcription of which is activated by VEGF in primary endothelial cells. Consistent with this, we show that the induction of Cox-2 gene expression by VEGF requires NFAT activation. Most important, the CsA-mediated inhibition of angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo was comparable to the Cox-2 inhibitor NS-398, and reversed by prostaglandin E2. Furthermore, the in vivo corneal angiogenesis induced by VEGF, but not by basic fibroblast growth factor, was selectively inhibited in mice treated with CsA systemically. These findings involve NFAT in the regulation of Cox-2 in endothelial cells, point to a role for this transcription factor in angiogenesis, and may provide a novel mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of CsA in angiogenesis-related diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis

Supporting Teachers in the Design and Implementation of Group Formation Policies in MOOCs: A Case Study

Producción CientíficaCollaborative learning strategies, which can promote student learning and achievement, have rarely been incorporated into pedagogies of MOOCs. Such strategies, when implemented properly, can boost the quality of MOOC pedagogy. Nonetheless, the use of collaborative groups in MOOCs is scarce due to several yet critical contextual factors (e.g., massiveness, and variable levels of engagement) that hamper the group formation process. Therefore, there is a need for supporting MOOC teachers in the design and implementation of group formation policies when implementing collaborative strategies. This paper presents a study where two instruments were used to explore solutions to this need: a guide to support teachers during the planning of the group formation, and a technological tool to help them implement the collaborative groups designed and to monitor them. According to the results of the study, the design guide made the teachers aware of the contextual factors to consider when forming the collaborative groups, and allowed teachers inform some configuration parameters of the activity (e.g., duration and assessment type) and the group formation (e.g., criteria and parameters needed to build the groups). The technological tool was successfully incorporated into the MOOC platform. Lessons learned from the findings of the study are shared and their potential to inform the design guide is discussed.Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (Projects TIN2014-53199- C3-2-R and TIN2017-85179-C3-2-R)Junta de Castilla y León (programa de apoyo a proyectos de investigación - Ref. VA082U16)European Commission (Proyect 588438-EPP-1-2017-1-EL-EPPKA2-KA

Characterization of Jatropha curcas accessions based in plant growth traits and oil quality

Variability in growth and reproductive characteristics, seed traits, quality and oil content of six accessions of Jatropha curcas growing in Murcia (Spain) under greenhouse conditions were analysed. Differences were found among accessions in branch length, ratio female to male flowers (F/M), productions, seed weight, endosperm weight, percentage of endosperm and percentage of aborted seeds oil contents, fatty acids composition and quality indexes of the biodiesel. Two genotypes (8-8 and 6-3) have shown a good vigor plant, the best F/M ratio, and appropriate average productions. In addition, these accessions showed the highest average single seed weights, and the best average endosperm weights. The highest total seed oil percentages were observed in the accessions 4-5 (42.42 ± 0.26), 6-3 (41.51 ± 0.20), and 8-8 (40.41 ± 0.73), whereas percentages lower than 30% were recorded in the others. The percentage of endosperm oil ranged from 42.72 ± 0.98% to 65.71 ± 0.36%. In relation to the fatty acids composition, the highest monounsaturated fatty acids percentages with the highest concentration of oleic acid and the lowest concentration of linolenic acid were observed in three genotypes (4-5, 8-8 and 6-3). The biodiesel obtained from these accessions presented high cetane number and low iodine value, which indicates the good ignition quality and stability of the oil. The knowledge of plant growth parameters and oil quality of the studied genotypes could be useful to choose the appropriate ones to be grown under subtropical climatic conditions or to be used as parents in a breeding program