Ultrasound Strain Elastography Reliability in the Assessment of the Plantar Fascia and Its Relationship with the Plantar Thickness in Healthy Adults: An Intra and Interobserver Reliability Study in Novice Evaluators

Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Efficacy of Nutritional Strategies on the Improvement of the Performance and Health of the Athlete: A Systematic Review

Evidence shows that the use of food strategies can impact health, but a clear consensus about how the effects of different food strategies impact improvement in the athlete’s performance and health remain unclear. This study evaluated how food strategies, specifically intermittent fasting and a ketogenic diet affect health and performance in healthy athletes. Study selection for this review was based on clinical trial studies analyzing changes in performance and health in athletes. The Pubmed, Web of Science, PEDro, Dialnet, Scopus, CINAHL, ProQuest, Medline and Cochrane databases were searched. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale, PEDro Internal Validity Scale (IVS) and Standard Quality Assessment Criteria for Evaluating Primary Research Papers from a variety of fields (QUALSYT) checklists were used to evaluate the risk of bias of the included studies. Articles were selected based on criteria concerning the effectiveness of nutritional strategies on athletes’ performance; articles should be randomized clinical trials (RCTs) or uncontrolled clinical trials; they should be human studies and they should have been published less than 7 years ago. A total of 15 articles were evaluated, 8 randomised clinical trials and 7 non-randomized clinical studies, with 411 participants who satisfied our inclusion criteria and were included in this review. The results of the study showed intermittent fasting and time-restricted feeding as strategies that produce health benefits. On the other hand, the ketogenic diet did not reach an appropriate consensus. The articles presented a medium level of methodological quality in the PEDro scale, low quality in IVS scale and high quality in QUALSYT scale. Despite the lack of studies analyzing changes in the performance and health of athletes after the use of different nutritional strategies, intermittent fasting and time-restricted feeding should be considered since they seem to be effective, and further studies are necessary

Efficacy of Photobiomodulation Therapy in the Treatment of Pain and Inflammation: A Literature Review

The main objective of this literature review was to analyze the efficacy of (PBM) therapy application on subjects with chronic pain and inflammation, and furthermore, to evaluate the methodological quality of the collected literature. The search was conducted using five databases: PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, Web of Science, and PEDro. The keywords “low level laser therapy”, “chronic pain”, and “inflammation” provided the selection of RCTs that were published within the last 5 years, conducted in humans, and written in English. The PEDro Internal Validity Scale (IVS) checklist was used to evaluate the risk of bias in the included studies. A total of 11 articles were selected, all of them RCTs. Of the articles, five showed that PBM positively influences chronic pain, while another showed the same but only in the short term. In two other articles, the patient’s inflammation improved markedly. In one article there was no improvement in chronic pain and in another, there was no improvement in inflammation. Four articles demonstrated that PBM is beneficial in acute pain. Furthermore, six studies were given an “excellent” score and the remaining five a “good” score based on the IVS. Photobiomodulation has beneficial effects on chronic pain and inflammation, although more research needs to be completed in this line for this to be clarified as the existence of RCTs on this subject is limited.University Chair in Clinical Psychoneuroimmunology (University of Granada and PNI Europe

Efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy in the treatment of pain and inflammation: a literature review

The main objective of this literature review was to analyze the efficacy of (PBM) therapy application on subjects with chronic pain and inflammation, and furthermore, to evaluate the methodological quality of the collected literature. The search was conducted using five databases: PubMed, ProQuest, Scopus, Web of Science, and PEDro. The keywords “low level laser therapy”, “chronic pain”, and “inflammation” provided the selection of RCTs that were published within the last 5 years, conducted in humans, and written in English. The PEDro Internal Validity Scale (IVS) checklist was used to evaluate the risk of bias in the included studies. A total of 11 articles were selected, all of them RCTs. Of the articles, five showed that PBM positively influences chronic pain, while another showed the same but only in the short term. In two other articles, the patient’s inflammation improved markedly. In one article there was no improvement in chronic pain and in another, there was no improvement in inflammation. Four articles demonstrated that PBM is beneficial in acute pain. Furthermore, six studies were given an “excellent” score and the remaining five a “good” score based on the IVS. Photobiomodulation has beneficial effects on chronic pain and inflammation, although more research needs to be completed in this line for this to be clarified as the existence of RCTs on this subject is limited.This study has been partially funded by the University Chair in Clinical Psychoneuroimmunology (University of Granada and PNI Europe). Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Métodos y técnicas de análisis de materiales geológicos: Materiales docentes en el Grado en Geología

El trabajo realizado en esta red docente es el desarrollo de estrategias para la incorporación paulatina de métodos y técnicas analíticas de investigación mineralógicas y geoquímicas en diferentes asignaturas en el Grado en Geología de la Universidad de Alicante. El plan de aprendizaje por parte de los alumnos se estructura en dos fases. En los primeros cursos, se introducen las diferentes técnicas, dando importancia a las competencias de la asignatura y menos a la técnica analítica. En los últimos cursos la metodología evoluciona a presentar una visión integral y multidisciplinar del problema. En todas las asignaturas se trabaja conjuntamente con técnicas clásicas de investigación (DRX y microscopía óptica) para incentivar la capacidad crítica del alumno. Algunas de dichas técnicas son DRX-temperatura, espectroscopía Raman, SEM-mapping, XPS, ICP, CI, etc. La aceptación de las metodologías utilizadas se ha valorado a través de encuestas a los alumnos. Los resultados de las mismas han sido satisfactorios, ya que los alumnos tienen una idea más clara y real de las competencias de la asignatura, adquieren una visión multidisciplinar y transversal de los conceptos adquiridos y trabajan con casos aplicados y de investigación, aumentando así su motivación

Métodos y técnicas de análisis de materiales geológicos: Materiales docentes en el Grado en Geología

El objetivo de esta red docente es el desarrollo de estrategias para la incorporación paulatina de métodos y técnicas analíticas de investigación mineralógicas y geoquímicas en diferentes asignaturas en el Grado en Geología de la Universidad de Alicante. Algunas de dichas técnicas son DRX-temperatura, espectroscopía Raman, SEM-mapping, XPS, ICP, CI, etc., y el plan de aprendizaje por parte de los alumnos se estructura en dos fases. En los primeros cursos, se introducen las diferentes técnicas, dando importancia a las competencias de la asignatura y menos a la técnica analítica. En los últimos cursos la metodología evoluciona a presentar una visión integral y multidisciplinar del problema. En todas las asignaturas se trabaja conjuntamente con técnicas clásicas de investigación para incentivar la capacidad crítica del alumno. La aceptación de las metodologías utilizadas se ha valorado a través de encuestas a los alumnos. Los resultados de las mismas han sido satisfactorios, ya que los alumnos tienen una idea más clara y real de las competencias de la asignatura, adquieren una visión multidisciplinar y transversal de los conceptos adquiridos y trabajan con casos aplicados y de investigación, aumentando así su motivación

La Asociación de Cervantistas, 25 años

On the occasion of twenty-fifth anniversary of the Association of Cervantes’s birth, a number of researchers wanted to offer a synthesis on the contribution of this institution to hispanism. This dossier includes evocations of some of those involved in its creation, as well as its two presidents, Alberto Sánchez and José María Casasayas. Also includes an analysis and assessment of their academic meetings and the many publications derived from them, as well as a preview of his next goals and projects.Con motivo del vigésimo quinto aniversario de creación de la Asociación de Cervantistas un importante número de investigadores ha querido ofrecer una síntesis de la aportación de aquella al hispanismo. Este dossier incluye las evocaciones de algunos de quienes intervinieron en su creación, como también de sus dos primeros presidentes, Alberto Sánchez y José María Casasayas; un análisis y valoración de sus reuniones académicas y de las muchas publicaciones derivadas de ellas, y un avance de sus objetivos y proyectos inmediatos

Methodology for an effective risk assessment of urban areas: progress and first results of the merisur project

The progress and results the MERISUR, Methodology for an Effective RISk assessment of URban areas, are presented. This project aims at developing an effective methodology for urban seismic risk assessment that provides solutions to some deficiencies detected after recent damaging events worldwide, including risk mitigation actions based on benefit/cost ratios. In a fisrt stage, the hazard and vulnerability models are developed and improved. A procedure to determine the hazard-controlling seismogenic fault, contsistent with different probability levels, is established. Methods to include active faults as individual sources and to consider near filed effects that significantly amplify ground motions are proposed. A more complete description of seismic vulnerability encompassing structural, non-structural components is accomplished. Vulnerability modifiers to incorporate effects or urban parameters on vulnerability classes are also quantified. A distinction is also made between damage to structural and non-structural building elements. For this purpose, a pushover analysis is specifically carried out to model building response and damage trends on non-structural elements. This gives the primary damage. In addition, the area covered by the resulting debris is also estimated both in inner spaces (within the building) and in the outer space (public roads and streets). In this way, a volume of debris will be associated to each area unit of the city, and the potential damage to persons and elements exposed, such as urban furniture and vehicles, will be assessed. This constitutes the secondary damage. A static level of occupation (building, urban furniture, etc.) and a dynamic level of occupation (persons, vehicles) will be assigned to each area unit of the city, hereby defining the exposure in time and space. Earthquake losses related to primary damage of building components and to secondary damage (such as urban furniture and vehicles) will be also assessed. Cost/benefit ratios between ex ante risk mitigation measurements will be developed in order to decide whether risk transfer or risk retention is preferable for different risk scenarios. This analysis will confer effectiveness to the results of a seismic risk study. Overall, the estimate of earthquake losses and cost/benefit ratios are topics with little presence in the scientific literature concerning damaging earthquakes in Spain. Thus, the results of this study will provide effective solutions to the challenge to society tackled in this proposal

Crystal growth activities: creating minerals in the lab

En este artículo presentamos un conjunto de actividades con el objetivo de entender y cuantificar el crecimiento y formación de cristales en el laboratorio. Los experimentos de crecimiento cristalino se llevan a cabo en gotas de disoluciones acuosas y en gel de sílice. Se estudia la cristalización de la halita y la secuencia de precipitación de una salmuera; se observa el comportamiento de minerales estables y metaestables del sistema Na2SO4 y, por último, se investiga sobre la formación de yesos en el gel de sílice dentro de tubos en forma de U. Las actividades, sencillas y económicas, han sido ordenadas según las diferentes etapas educativas (Primaria, Secundaria y estudios de grado universitario), pero su realización no es exclusiva y sí, en cambio, preferente. Los experimentos han sido previamente realizados con éxito en diferentes etapas educativas.In this paper, we present different activities with the aim of understanding and quantifying the growth and formation of minerals under lab conditions. Minerals are crystals that arise naturally. The crystal growth experiments are carried out in both drops of aqueous solutions and silica gel. We compare the halite crystallisation with the precipitation sequence from a brine, we will study the behaviour of the stable and metastable minerals in the Na2SO4 system and, lastly, we will do some research on the gypsum precipitation in silica gels into U-shaped glass tubes. The experiments are easy and inexpensive to perform. They are presented according to the different educational stages (primary school, secondary school and university degrees); it is not obligatory to carry them out, but highly advisable. The experiments have been successfully performed in the different educational stages.Este trabajo está enmarcado dentro de la Red de Investigación en Docencia Universitaria (2302) y el Grupo de Innovación Tecnológico-Educativa (GITE-11013-UA: Petrología y Geoquímica) de la Universidad de Alicante

Proceso de renovación de la acreditación del Grado en Geología de la Universidad de Alicante

Desde que se iniciaron los estudios de Grado en Geología en la Universidad de Alicante (curso académico 2010-11), todos los grupos de interés implicados en su implantación y funcionamiento (estudiantes, personal académico, personal de apoyo a la docencia, gestores, egresados, empleadores,…) han llevado a cabo las tareas de seguimiento, evaluación y mejora relacionadas con el cumplimiento de los estándares y directrices para la garantía de calidad del programa formativo en el Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior (EEES). Entre ellos se incluyen los dirigidos a la renovación de la acreditación inicial del título siguiendo las directrices de Agència Valenciana d’Avaluació i Prospectiva (AVAP), como son la elaboración de los informes anuales de seguimiento interno y del Informe de Autoevaluación del Título (IAT), basándose en las evidencias obtenidas por el Sistema de Garantía Interna de la Calidad (SGIC), con especial referencia a los indicadores cuantitativos obtenidos y a la preparación de la visita del Comité de Evaluación Externa (CEE) de la AVAP durante el presente curso académico (2015-16)