Design of an innovative learning experience for the final project of the building engineering degree

This essay presents the bases for a new teaching methodology for the Final Project of the Degree of Building Engineering. The aim of this methodology is to approach students to advanced forms of work in architectural and engineering offices by employing Building Information Modelling (BIM) technologies. This initiative has been funded within the Call 2011 for Teaching Research Incentives ofthe I Teaching Plan of the University of Seville. Following the guidelines of the European Higher Education Area, the learning experience designed has to enable the future Building Engineers to acquire specific and generic competences ascribed to the Final Project in the Verification Report of the Building Engineering Degree. The specific competence “E71. Presentation and defence before a university board of a final project, consisting of an integration exercise of the formative contents received and skills acquired through t he degree” is trained by the development of a building execution project with the use of BIM technologies. For a decade, architecture and engineering offices have increasingly been incorporating in their projects new tools for information processing in digital integrated systems, i.e. programs which allow the construction of building virtual models in three dimensions, and the identification of their constructive components, providing them with parametric dimensions. The operating capacity of BIM programs is stronger than that of 2D drawing programs, since they can manage and generate all the technical documentation in an integrated way. As far as the generic competences are concerned, the problem is that the Final Project has ascribed twenty four competences and their training and evaluation throughout a single term, which seems rather unattainable. In order to solve this matter, the four most important generic competences of Building Engineers have been identified according to their professional profile: “G01. Capacity for organization and planning”, “G06. Information management skills”, “G09. Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team” and “G13. Positive social attitude towards social and technological innovations”. The use of BIM technologies and collaborative work methodologies allow the training of these genericcompetences. Finally, assessment matrixes of the five competences involved have been established with the descriptors of the assessment indicators for each of their corresponding criteria at each level of student achievement. This study is limited to the design of the experience; its implementation could be carried out in the first term of the 2012/2013 academic year, provided the main pre-requisite are met by students, and command of BIM programs such as ALLPLAN, REVIT or ARCHICAD, is achieved. Aware of this challenge− since BIM programs are taught as optional subjects− a curricular line for students interested in participating in this experience is also proposed for the next academic yea

Novel DNMT3A Germline Variant in a Patient with Multiple Paragangliomas and Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Over the past few years, next generation technologies have been applied to unravel the genetics of rare inherited diseases, facilitating the discovery of new susceptibility genes. We recently found germline DNMT3A gain-of-function variants in two patients with head and neck paragangliomas causing a characteristic hypermethylated DNA profile. Here, whole-exome sequencing identifies a novel germline DNMT3A variant (p.Gly332Arg) in a patient with bilateral carotid paragangliomas, papillary thyroid carcinoma and idiopathic intellectual disability. The variant, located in the Pro-Trp-Trp-Pro (PWWP) domain of the protein involved in chromatin targeting, affects a residue mutated in papillary thyroid tumors and located between the two residues found mutated in microcephalic dwarfism patients. Structural modelling of the variant in the DNMT3A PWWP domain predicts that the interaction with H3K36me3 will be altered. An increased methylation of DNMT3A target genes, compatible with a gain-of-function effect of the alteration, was observed in saliva DNA from the proband and in one independent acute myeloid leukemia sample carrying the same p.Gly332Arg variant. Although further studies are needed to support a causal role of DNMT3A variants in paraganglioma, the description of a new DNMT3A alteration in a patient with multiple clinical features suggests a heterogeneous phenotypic spectrum related to DNMT3A germline variants

Ground-based detection of an extended helium atmosphere in the Saturn-mass exoplanet WASP-69b

Hot gas giant exoplanets can lose part of their atmosphere due to strong stellar irradiation, affecting their physical and chemical evolution. Studies of atmospheric escape from exoplanets have mostly relied on space-based observations of the hydrogen Lyman-{\alpha} line in the far ultraviolet which is strongly affected by interstellar absorption. Using ground-based high-resolution spectroscopy we detect excess absorption in the helium triplet at 1083 nm during the transit of the Saturn-mass exoplanet WASP-69b, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 18. We measure line blue shifts of several km/s and post transit absorption, which we interpret as the escape of part of the atmosphere trailing behind the planet in comet-like form. [Additional notes by authors: Furthermore, we provide upper limits for helium signals in the atmospheres of the exoplanets HD 209458b, KELT-9b, and GJ 436b. We investigate the host stars of all planets with detected helium signals and those of the three planets we derive upper limits for. In each case we calculate the X-ray and extreme ultraviolet flux received by these planets. We find that helium is detected in the atmospheres of planets (orbiting the more active stars and) receiving the larger amount of irradiation from their host stars.]Comment: Submitted to Science on 14 March 2018; Accepted by Science on 16 November 2018; Published by Science on 6 December 2018. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of the AAAS for personal use. The definitive version was published in Science, on 6 December 2018 - Report: pages 21 (preprint), 4 figures - Supplementary materials: 22 pages, 10 figures, 3 table

Tracking bluefin tuna cohorts from east Atlantic Spanish fisheries since the 1980s

Relative abundance and mean size at age analyses were performed for the catches of three Atlantic Spanish fisheries, in search of an exceptionally abundant cohort in the recent history of the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean bluefin tuna stock. Length distributions of baitboat fisheries, both in the Bay of Biscay and areas close to the Strait of Gibraltar as well as trap catches from the Spanish Atlantic coast were converted to age distributions using age length keys from calcified structures. Results do validate indirectly the ageing method. The 1994 cohort was clearly tracked for juveniles and young adults, 3 to 7 years old, in baitboat catches, and also for older specimens, 9 to 11 years old, in the trap fisheries. Based on these results, it is suggested that the juvenile and young adults fisheries in the western part of the Iberian Peninsula are interconnected between one another and with the Balearic Islands area of the western Mediterranean, as it is the nearest spawning ground described and because it is also supported by tagging and other studies.Afin de trouver une cohorte exceptionnellement abondante dans la récente histoire du stock de ton rouge de l’Atlantique Est et de la Méditerranée, on a procédé à une analyse de l’abondance relative et de la taille moyenne par âge des captures réalisées par trois pêcheries espagnoles de l’Atlantique. Les distributions par tailles de deux pêcheries de canneurs dans le Golfe de Gascogne et dans les eaux proches du Détroit de Gibraltar, ainsi que les prises des madragues de la côte atlantique espagnole, ont été converties en âges à l’aide des clefs taille-âge obtenues à partir de la lecture de structures calcifiées. Les résultats valident indirectement la méthode de détermination de l’âge. La cohorte de 1994 affiche une forte indication présente chez les juvéniles et les jeunes adultes, de 3 à 7 ans, capturés dans les pêcheries de canneurs ainsi que chez les spécimens d’âge plus avancé, de 9 à 11 ans, pêchés à la madrague. Ces résultats suggèrent que les pêcheries de juvéniles et de jeunes adultes de la partie occidentale de la péninsule ibérique sont interconnectées entre elles ainsi qu’avec la zone des îles Baléares, en Méditerranée occidentale, étant donné qu’il s’agit de la zone de frai la plus proche et qu’il existe des indices de cette relation d’après les études de marquage et d’autres études.Para encontrar una cohorte excepcionalmente abundante en la historia reciente del stock de atún rojo del Atlántico este y Mediterráneo, se realizó un análisis de la abundancia relativa y la talla media por edad de las capturas de tres pesquerías atlánticas españolas. Las distribuciones de tallas de dos pesquerías de cebo vivo, en el Golfo de Vizcaya y en aguas próximas al Estrecho de Gibraltar, así como las capturas de las almadrabas de la costa atlántica española, fueron convertidas a edades mediante el uso de claves talla edad, obtenidas a partir de la lectura de piezas esqueléticas. Los resultados validan indirectamente el método de determinación de la edad. La cohorte de 1994 presenta una fuerte señal que pudo ser encontrada en los juveniles y adultos jóvenes, 3 a 7 años, capturados en las pesquerías de cebo vivo y también en especimenes mayores, 9 a 11 años, pescados con las almadrabas. Con esto resultados se sugiere que las pesquerías de juveniles y adultos jóvenes de la parte occidental de la península Ibérica están interconectadas entre ellas y con el área de las Islas Baleares, en el Mediterráneo occidental, puesto que es la zona de puesta más próxima y porque también hay evidencias de esta relación mediante el marcado y otros estudios

Boceprevir plus pegylated interferon/ribavirin to re-treat hepatitis C virus genotype 1 in HIV-HCV co-infected patients: final results of the Spanish BOC HIV-HCV Study

Introduction Boceprevir (BOC) was one of the first oral inhibitors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3 protease to be developed. This study assessed the safety and efficacy of BOC + pegylated interferon-α2a/ribavirin (PEG-IFN/RBV) in the retreatment of HIV-HCV co-infected patients with HCV genotype 1. Methods This was a phase III prospective trial. HIV-HCV (genotype 1) co-infected patients from 16 hospitals in Spain were included. These patients received 4 weeks of PEG-IFN/RBV (lead-in), followed by response-guided therapy with PEG-IFN/RBV plus BOC (a fixed 44 weeks was indicated in the case of cirrhosis). The primary endpoint was the sustained virological response (SVR) rate at 24 weeks post-treatment. Efficacy and safety were evaluated in all patients who received at least one dose of the study drug. Results From June 2013 to April 2014, 102 patients were enrolled, 98 of whom received at least one treatment dose. Seventy-three percent were male, 34% were cirrhotic, 23% had IL28b CC, 65% had genotype 1a, and 41% were previous null responders. The overall SVR rate was 67%. Previous null-responders and cirrhotic patients had lower SVR rates (57% and 51%, respectively). Seventy-six patients (78%) completed the therapy scheme; the most common reasons for discontinuation were lack of response at week 12 (12 patients) and adverse events (six patients). Conclusions Response-guided therapy with BOC in combination with PEG-IFN/RBV led to an overall SVR rate of 67%, but an SVR rate of only 51% in patients with cirrhosis. The therapy was generally well tolerated. Although the current standards of care do not include BOC + PEG-IFN/RBV, the authors believe that this combination can be beneficial in situations where new HCV direct antiviral agent interferon-free therapies are not available yet

Archaeology of insular sectors in the Beagle Channel (Argentina). The case of the archipelago of the Bridges Islands and adjacent islands

En este trabajo se exponen los resultados de las recientes investigaciones arqueológicas realizadas en el sector del archipiélago de las islas Bridges e islas adyacentes (canal Beagle, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina). El uso del ambiente que llevaron a cabo los cazadores-recolectores marítimos de esta región es conocido a partir de los estudios efectuados principalmente en sitios arqueológicos de la costa sur de la Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego y de la costa norte de la isla Navarino. Hasta el momento no se había desarrollado de manera sistemática el estudio de islas pequeñas o islotes en el canal Beagle. Aquí se analiza el uso del archipiélago de las islas Bridges en relación con la distribución espacial y temporal de los sitios, así como el estudio de las estrategias humanas de su ocupación en función de la composición de los conjuntos arqueológicos. Los resultados obtenidos evidencian que el archipiélago de las islas Bridges fue integrado en los circuitos de movilidad regional desde el Holoceno medio, aunque los hallazgos indican una baja intensidad de ocupación para estos momentos. La elevada frecuencia de estructuras de concheros, así como el tamaño de sitios arqueológicos registrados en sectores circundantes a la línea de costa actual señalan una mayor intensidad de ocupación para momentos más tardíos del Holoceno. En conclusión, esta evidencia y la composición de los conjuntos arqueológicos conducen a sostener un uso programado de estos espacios a partir de la obtención de recursos que resultan críticos para la habitabilidad humana de estos sectores.This paper presents the results of recent archaeological investigations carried out in the Bridges Islands archipelago and adjacent islands (Beagle Channel, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina). The use of this environment by maritime hunter-gatherers is known from research carried out mainly in archaeological sites along the southern coast of the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego and the northern coast of Navarino Island. Until now, the study of small islands or islets in the Beagle Channel had not been systematically developed. Here, we analyze the use of the Bridges Islands archipelago in relation to the spatial and temporal distribution of the archaeological sites, as well as the study of human subsistence and settlement patterns, based on the composition of the archaeological assemblages. The results obtained show that the archipelago of the Bridges Islands was integrated into the regional mobility circuits since the Middle Holocene, although the findings indicate a low occupation intensity by that time. The high frequency of shell middens, as well as the size of archaeological sites recorded in sectors near the current coastline, points to a greater intensity of occupation for later moments of the Holocene. In conclusion, this evidence and the composition of archaeological assemblages lead to sustain a planned use of these spaces from the procurement of critical resources for the human habitability of these sectors

GENYOi005-A: An induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) line generated from a patient with Familial Platelet Disorder with associated Myeloid Malignancy (FPDMM) carrying a p.Thr196Ala variant

Familial Platelet Disorder with associated Myeloid Malignancy (FPDMM) is a rare platelet disorder caused by mutations in RUNX1. We generated an iPSC line (GENYOi005-A) from a FPDMM patient with a non-previously reported variant p.Thr196Ala. Non-integrative Sendai viruses expressing the Yamanaka reprogramming factors were used to reprogram peripheral blood mononuclear cells from this FPDMM patient. Characterization of GENYOi005-A included genetic analysis of RUNX1 locus, Short Tandem Repeats profiling, alkaline phosphatase enzymatic activity, expression of pluripotency-associated factors and differentiation studies in vitro and in vivo. This iPSC line will provide a powerful tool to study developmental alterations of FPDMM patientsThis work was supported by the Ramon y Cajal (RYC-2015-18382) to PJR founded by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness; the Instituto de Salud Carlos III-FEDER (CP12/03175 and CPII17/00032) to V.R-M., (PI17/01311) to M.L.L and J.R., (PI17/01966; Fundación Mutua Madrileña AP172142019; Premio Lopez Borrasca SETH 2019; GRS2061/A/19) to J.M.B. and (CPII15/00018 and PI16/01340) to PJR; by the Chair "Doctors Galera-Requena in cancer stem cell research" (CMC-CTS963) to J.A.M. and C.G-L

IFNγ Response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Risk of Infection and Disease in Household Contacts of Tuberculosis Patients in Colombia

OBJECTIVES: Household contacts (HHCs) of pulmonary tuberculosis patients are at high risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and early disease development. Identification of individuals at risk of tuberculosis disease is a desirable goal for tuberculosis control. Interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) using specific M. tuberculosis antigens provide an alternative to tuberculin skin testing (TST) for infection detection. Additionally, the levels of IFNgamma produced in response to these antigens may have prognostic value. We estimated the prevalence of M. tuberculosis infection by IGRA and TST in HHCs and their source population (SP), and assessed whether IFNgamma levels in HHCs correlate with tuberculosis development. METHODS: A cohort of 2060 HHCs was followed for 2-3 years after exposure to a tuberculosis case. Besides TST, IFNgamma responses to mycobacterial antigens: CFP, CFP-10, HspX and Ag85A were assessed in 7-days whole blood cultures and compared to 766 individuals from the SP in Medellín, Colombia. Isoniazid prophylaxis was not offered to child contacts because Colombian tuberculosis regulations consider it only in children under 5 years, TST positive without BCG vaccination. RESULTS: Using TST 65.9% of HHCs and 42.7% subjects from the SP were positive (OR 2.60, p<0.0001). IFNgamma response to CFP-10, a biomarker of M. tuberculosis infection, tested positive in 66.3% HHCs and 24.3% from the SP (OR = 6.07, p<0.0001). Tuberculosis incidence rate was 7.0/1000 person years. Children <5 years accounted for 21.6% of incident cases. No significant difference was found between positive and negative IFNgamma responders to CFP-10 (HR 1.82 95% CI 0.79-4.20 p = 0.16). However, a significant trend for tuberculosis development amongst high HHC IFNgamma producers was observed (trend Log rank p = 0.007). DISCUSSION: CFP-10-induced IFNgamma production is useful to establish tuberculosis infection prevalence amongst HHC and identify those at highest risk of disease. The high tuberculosis incidence amongst children supports administration of chemoprophylaxis to child contacts regardless of BCG vaccination

Ensayos sobre crecimiento económico en Colombia

'Ensayos sobre crecimiento económico en Colombia', editado por Adolfo Meisel y Hernando Vargas, es el resultado de una agenda de investigación del Banco de la República sobre el crecimiento económico en Colombia. Su objetivo principal es analizar algunas de las restricciones de carácter estructural que limitan el crecimiento económico en el largo plazo. Así mismo, pretende entender cuáles son las causas del lento crecimiento del país, indispensable para formular políticas públicas tendientes a lograr un mayor crecimiento económico, y analizar la relación entre el desempeño económico regional y el crecimiento de largo plazo para identificar políticas de desarrollo regional adecuadas. La obra analiza en profundidad seis temas de gran relevancia para el país: descentralización fiscal y crecimiento regional; capital humano y físico y crecimiento municipal; innovación y empleo; productividad y participación en el mercado exportador; capital humano y participación laboral, y desempeño de las exportaciones colombianas

Correction: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) Biometrics and Condition

Correction: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus) Biometrics and ConditionPostprint4,411