Architecture of a system for context-based adaptation in m-learning

Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works. E. Martin, N. Andueza, and R.M. Carro, “Architecture of a system for context-based adaptation in m-learning”, in Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies, 2006. Sixth International, Kerkrade, 2006, pp. 252-254In this paper, the architecture of a system that supports context-based adaptation for m-learning is presented. This system manages data about users and activities so that the most suitable activities to be accomplished at each time are proposed to each user. This decision is not only based on the user's personal features, preferences or previous actions but also on information about the specific user's context, including spare time, location and available devicesThis work has been funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Education, project TIN2004-0314

Microsatellite markers in Spanish lime (Melicoccus bijugatus Jacq., Sapindaceae), a neglected Neotropical fruit crop

Spanish lime (Melicoccus bijugatus Jacq.) is aNeotropical fruit tree cultivated, mainly, in orchards for self-consumption or local sale. The genus Melicoccus includes other nine species with edible fruits, some of these species are at risk of extinction. Like for the vast majority of tropical fruit trees, there is no information on the genetic diversity of Spanish lime and its related species, and this is mostly due to the lack of molecular markers. The objectives of this study were to present the first microsatellite markers developed for Spanish lime, testing its usefulness on a sample of cultivated accessions, as well as its transferability to Huaya India (M. oliviformis). To do this, we performed high-throughput sequencing of microsatellite-enriched libraries of Spanish lime using Roche 454, assembled 9567 DNA contig sequences and identified 10,117 microsatellites. After screening 384 of those microsatellites on four DNA samples, 31 polymorphic markers were used to screen 25 accessions of Spanish lime and five of Huaya India collected in Yucatan, Mexico. Genetic diversity was low in Spanish lime (A = 20.61, HE = 0.38) and similar for both sexes of this species. Neighbor-Joining and PCoA analyses clearly discriminated between the two Melicoccus species studied. Nine of the markers showed unique alleles for Huaya India. The set of microsatellite markers developed has a great potential to generate information in relation to conservation genetics, improvement of elite cultivars and breeding programs for Spanish lime and related species

Risks Associated with the Use of Garcinia as a Nutritional Complement to Lose Weight

Nowadays, obesity is one of the great nutritional problems facing public health. The prevalence of this pathology has increased in a worrying way over recent years, currently reaching epidemic proportions. In this context, nutritional supplements are presented as a therapeutic alternative to which more and more people are turning to. Nutritional supplements to lose weight based on the Garcinia plant, specifically on Garcinia cambogia, are commonly used. The active principle of this plant to which these properties have been attributed, is hydroxycitric acid (HCA). The aim of the present review is to gather reported data concerning the effectiveness of nutritional supplements based on Garcinia extracts on weight loss and their possible negative effects. Contradictory results have been observed regarding the effectiveness of the supplements. While statistically significant weight loss was observed in some studies, no changes were found in others. Regarding safety, although Garcinia supplements have been revealed as safe in the vast majority of the studies carried out in animal models and humans, some cases of hepatotoxicity, serotonin toxicity and mania have been reported. In conclusion, the results suggest that Garcinia-based supplements could be effective in short-term weight loss, although the data are not conclusive. In addition, the safety of the complement should be further studied.This study was funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERobn) under Grant CB12/03/30007 and University of the Basque Country under Grant GIU18-173

Colaboración Universidad/Administración: Sesión PBL (Practic Based Learning) para la notificación de preparados cosméticos y dermofarmacéuticos al CPNP (Cosmetic Products Notification Portal) para estudiantes del máster de Demofarmácia y Cosmetología (título propio de la universidad de Barcelona)

Podeu consultar la Vuitena trobada de professorat de Ciències de la Salut completa a: http://hdl.handle.net/2445/66524La notificación de toda nueva formulación cosmética al CPNP es obligatoria para poder proceder a su producción y posterior comercialización a nivel europeo. Dicha notificación es informática e implica cumplimentar una información completa acerca de ingredientes, formulación, aspectos legales, etc. en base a las especificaciones legales fijads por el Reglamento Europeo de productos cosméticos (CE1223/2009, DOUE nº342, de 22/12). El acceso a dicho portal implica el registro de la empresa productora del cosmético. Por ello y afin de que los estudiantes de tercer ciclo puedan practicar simulaciones de comunicación al CPNP, guiadas y comentadas por parte de tutores expertos, cuestión que les resultará de gran utilidad en el dia a dia de la actividad profesional para la que se están formando, se propuso al Area Funcional de Sanidad de la Subdelegación del Gobierno en Cataluña, la consecución de un acceso como empresa de elaboración de cosméticos simulada, a nombre de Facultad de Farmacia de la Universidad de Barcelona para el acceso a dicho aplicativo. Ello ha permitido la realización de una sesión práctica en la que se siguen paso a paso las diferentes etapas de la notificación para un ejemplo propuesto por el profesor, y ha permitido la práctica individualizada por parte de los 18 alumnos de la actual promoción del Máster de diferentes casos reales, lo que sirve de “reválida” de los conocimientos adquiridos en las diferentes áreas formativas, cuyo fin es el de capacitar a dichos estudiantes para poder realizar la totalidad de las etapas de I+D de un cosmético, que obviamente concluyen con la comunicación del mismo al CPNP. Este es asimismo el objetivo que se les plantea para la realización y valoración de sus correspondientes proyectos finales

Effects of nitrogen source and water availability on stem carbohydrates and cellulosic bioethanol traits of alfalfa plants

35 Pags., 5 Tabls., 4 Figs. The definitive version is available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01689452Symbiotic association of legumes with rhizobia frequently results in higher photosynthesis and soluble carbohydrates in comparison with nitrate-fed plants, which might improve its potential for biomass conversion into bioethanol. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to examine the effects of nitrogen source and water availability on stem characteristics and on relationships between carbohydrates, phenolic metabolism activity and cell wall composition in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cv. Aragón). The experiment included three treatments: (1) plants fed with ammonium nitrate (AN); (2) plants inoculated with rhizobia (R); and (3) plants inoculated with rhizobia and amended with sewage sludge (RS). Two levels of irrigation were imposed: (1) well-watered and (2) drought stress. Under well-watered conditions, nitrogen-fixing plants have increased photosynthesis and stem fermentable carbohydrate concentrations, which result in higher potential for biomass conversion to bioethanol than in AN plants. The latter had higher lignin due to enhanced activities of phenolic metabolism-related enzymes. Under drought conditions, the potential for bioethanol conversion decreased to a similar level in all treatments. Drought-stressed nitrogen-fixing plants have high concentrations of fermentable carbohydrates and cell wall cellulose, but ammonium nitrate-fed plants produced higher plant and stem biomass, which might compensate the decreasing stem carbohydrates and cellulose concentrations.This project was supported by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MCINN BFU2011-26989 and AGL2008-00283) of Spain and the Obra Social “La Caixa”-Gobierno de Aragón (GA-LC-0007/2010). M.L. Fiasconaro was the recipient of a grant from Asociación de Amigos de la Universidad de Navarra.Peer reviewe

Campo de investigación en turismo. Universidad pública y políticas globales. 16H240

El desarrollo de la actividad investigativa en el área de turismo ha crecido y se ha diversificado notoriamente en los últimos quince años. Las universidades, principales promotoras de investigación en turismo, hoy advierten el interés que tal actividad despierta en agencias extra universitarias. A pesar de ello, no se cuenta con trabajos que describan y analicen en forma sistemática y compendiada la producción de conocimientos sobre esta temática en nuestro país. En función de lo dicho, la investigación se concentra en la caracterización del campo de investigación académica sobre el turismo como área de conocimiento en el período comprendido entre 2001 y 2008 en nuestro país. Su principal anclaje está centrado en la producción efectuada por los docentes-investigadores dependientes de las universidades públicas. Se trata de un estudio exploratorio-descriptivo, abordado desde la perspectiva de la teoría de los campos, a partir del cual se pueden identificar: las principales tendencias en cuanto a temáticas, líneas de investigación, perspectivas teórico-metodológicas, propósitos y abordajes según disciplinas, formas de conformación de los equipos, fuentes bibliográficas trabajadas, formas de financiamiento, y su vinculación con las políticas promovidas para el sector turismo desde el contexto nacional e internacional

Genetic diversity of Huaya India (\u3ci\u3eMelicoccus oliviformis\u3c/i\u3e Kunth), a neglected Neotropical fruit crop

Currently, some species of Sapindaceae are important fruit crops worldwide. The Huaya India (Meliccocus oliviformis, Sapindaceae) is a neglected Neotropical fruit tree consumed locally in the Maya Lowlands of Mexico, where it exists in both wild and domesticated forms. Our objective was to evaluate the genetic diversity of the Huaya India in its possible domestication area and thus generate knowledge that serves as the basis for a commercial management. A total of 450 individuals collected from 15 natural vegetation sites and 15 Maya villages, were characterized using nine microsatellite loci and population genetics approaches were applied. STRUCTURE, Neighbor-Joining and PCoA analyses suggested the existence of three main groups: 1) one composed by 14 natural vegetation sites, 2) one integrated by 10 Maya villages plus one natural vegetation site, 3) one composed by five Maya villages. At the species level, genetic differentiation was high (FST = 0.562) and gene flow was low (Nm = 0.395); between genetic groups, differentiation was low and gene flow was high. Genetic diversity was low at the level species (HE = 0.19) and higher in the group composed for only natural vegetation sites. When we considered only two groups (natural vegetation sites vs Maya villages) to explore a possible bottleneck as a consequence of human management, the natural vegetation sites showed higher, and significant, genetic diversity (HE = 0.231) than the Maya villages (HE = 0.152). This study can serve as a basis to develop management strategies for Huaya India in the Maya Lowlands of Mexico, but without compromising its conservation

Microstructure, oxidation behaviour and thermal shock resistance of selfpassivating W-Cr-Y-Zr alloys

Self-passivating tungsten based alloys for the first wall armor of future fusion reactors are expected to provide an important safety advantage compare to pure tungsten in case of a loss-of-coolant accident with simultaneous air ingress, due to the formation of a stable protective scale at high temperatures in presence of oxygen preventing the formation of volatile and radioactive WO3. In this work, Zr is added to self-passivating W-10Cr-0.5Y alloy, manufactured by mechanical alloying and HIP, in view of improving its mechanical strength and thus, its thermal shock resistance. The as-HIPed W-10Cr-0.5Y-0.5Zr exhibits a nanocrystalline microstructure with the presence of an extremely fine nanoparticle dispersion. After heat treatment at 1555 °C for 1.5 h, the grain size growths from less than 100 nm to 620 nm and nanoparticles are present both at the grain boundaries and inside the grains. Oxidation tests at 1000 °C revealed that the alloy with Zr exhibits also a strong oxidation reduction compared to pure W. The long-term oxidation rate is similar to that of the alloy without Zr. Under thermal shock loading simulating 1000 ELM-like pulses at the divertor, the heat treated Zr-containing alloy did not present any damage