La enseñanza del Derecho Administrativo a través del empleo de las TICs

La experiencia positiva de varios Proyectos de innovación docente basados en el uso de las TICS para la enseñanza del Derecho Administrativo se refleja parcialmente en los resultados académicos de los alumnos que han sido mejores si se comparan con los de otros alumnos de cursos anteriores. El uso de las TICS permite a los alumnos disponer de un gran número de documentos sobre el contenido de las  asignaturas, pero en ocasiones falta el acierto para distinguir el valor jurídico de los documentos que obtienen por Internet. Para ello, resulta imprescindible la explicación del Profesor que aporta los elementos de juicio para discriminar la información. De otra parte, el empleo de los TICS fomenta la participación activa de los Alumnos que han de elaborar un trabajo en grupos reducidos, buscar la legislación y doctrina jurisprudencial aplicable, estudiar los conceptos claves de las asignaturas troncales de Derecho Administrativo. Como reflexión final, es conveniente el empleo de las TICs de forma adecuada para superar la complejidad del propio Derecho administrativo como objeto de conocimiento por los alumnos

Combined dielectrophoresis and impedance systems for bacteria analysis in microfluidic on-chip platforms

Bacteria concentration and detection is time-consuming in regular microbiology procedures aimed to facilitate the detection and analysis of these cells at very low concentrations. Traditional methods are effective but often require several days to complete. This scenario results in low bioanalytical and diagnostic methodologies with associated increased costs and complexity. In recent years, the exploitation of the intrinsic electrical properties of cells has emerged as an appealing alternative approach for concentrating and detecting bacteria. The combination of dielectrophoresis (DEP) and impedance analysis (IA) in microfluidic on-chip platforms could be key to develop rapid, accurate, portable, simple-to-use and cost-effective microfluidic devices with a promising impact in medicine, public health, agricultural, food control and environmental areas. The present document reviews recent DEP and IA combined approaches and the latest relevant improvements focusing on bacteria concentration and detection, including selectivity, sensitivity, detection time, and conductivity variation enhancements. Furthermore, this review analyses future trends and challenges which need to be addressed in order to successfully commercialize these platforms resulting in an adequate social return of public-funded investments

Petrophysical characterization of non-magnetic granites; density and magnetic susceptibility relationships

In this work we establish reliable correlations between density and magnetic susceptibility in three paramagnetic granites from the Pyrenees. In total, 128 sites (310 density measurements and >2600 susceptibility ones) were studied in the Mont Louis-Andorra, Maladeta and Marimanha granitic plutons covering the main range of variability of magnetic susceptibility. Regressions were calculated for every granitic body and an integrated linear function was obtained for the entire dataset: ρ (kg/m3) = 2566 (kg/m3) + 0.541κ (10−6 S.I.) (R:0.97). This relationship is only valid in the paramagnetic domain, where iron is mostly fractioned in iron-bearing phyllosilicates and the occurrence of magnetite is negligible (or at least its contribution to the bulk susceptibility). This relationship, likely different in other bodies, allows for transforming magnetic susceptibility data into density data, helping to constrain gravity modelling when density data from rock samples are scarce. Given the large amount of AMS studies worldwide, together with the quickness and cost-effectiveness of susceptibility measurements with portable devices, this methodology allows for densifying and homogenizing the petrophysical data when modelling granite rock volumes based on both magnetic and gravimetric signals.This work was financed by the projects GeoPiri3D (CGL2017-84901-C2-2-P), UKRIA4D (PID2019-104693GB-I00/CTA) and IMAGYN (PID2020-114273GB-C22) from the Spanish Ministry of Science (funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and “ERDF A way of making Europe”). This work is methodologically related also with the 3DGeoEU project financed by the European Commission under the ERANET Cofound action GeoERA (Grant No.: 731166). The GeoAp Research group from the Aragonian Government is also acknowledged. We are also in debt to the staff of the Petrophysical Laboratory (IGME, Tres Cantos) and to the Geophysics technicians (José Mª Llorente and Agustín González). The help of the Rock Magnetism Laboratory of the Centre Européen de Recherche et d’Enseignement de Géosciences de l’Environnement (CEREGE) in Aix en ProvenceMarseille is also acknowledged. P.C. acknowledges funding from PTA2017-14779-I and FJC2019- 041058-I (AEI-Spain) contracts. E.B. thanks the Geomodels Research Institute of the University of Barcelona and GGAC-2017SGR596 (Generalitat de Catalunya).Peer reviewe

Basement and cover architecture in the Central Pyrenees constrained by gravity data

A new gravity survey (1164 gravity stations and 180 samples for density analysis) combined with two new geological cross sections has been carried out in a sector of the Central Pyrenees in order to improve the characterization of basement and cover architecture. From North to South, the study area comprises the southern half of the Axial Zone and the northernmost part of the South-Pyrenean Zone. New gravity data were combined with previous existing databases to obtain the Bouguer and residual anomaly maps of the study area. The two cross sections, oriented NNE–SSW, were built from field data and previous surficial and subsurface data and cross the La Maladeta plutonic complex. The residual anomaly map shows values ranging from −18 to 16 mGal and anomalies mainly oriented N120E. The two 2.5D modelled cross sections show similar observed gravity curves coinciding with similar interpreted structural architecture. Data show a gravity high oriented N120E coinciding with the Orri basement thrust sheet and an important gravity depression, with the same orientation, coinciding with the leading edge at depth of the Rialp basement thrust sheet and interpreted as linked to a large subsurface accumulation of Triassic evaporites. The volume at depth of the La Maladeta and Arties granites has been constrained through gravity modelling. This work highlights that the combination of structural geology and gravity modelling can help to determine the structural architecture of an orogen and localize accumulations of evaporites at depth.This work is part of the project CGL2017-84901-C2-2-P funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and “ERDF A way of making Europe” and project PID2020-114273GB-C22 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 from Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. Seequent has provided us the GM-SYS module of the Oasis Montaj. The authors acknowledge the contribution of José María Llorente and Agustin González for the acquisition of the gravity data. We thank to Aigüestortes National park and Alt Pirineu Natural park their logistic support. We thank anonymous reviewer for improving the content in the manuscript. This study represents a contribution to GeoAp Research Group (E01-20R) (Aragón Government).Peer reviewe

Report of the Scientific Committee of the Spanish Agency for Consumer Affairs, Food Safety and Nutrition (AECOSAN) on the conditions of use of certain substances to be used in food supplements-4

Los complementos alimenticios son alimentos cuyo fin es complementar la dieta normal y que consisten en fuentes concentradas de nutrientes (vitaminas y minerales) o de otras sustancias que tienen un efecto nutricional o fisiológico, en forma simple o combinada. Los complementos se comercializan en forma dosificada, se entregan al consumidor final únicamente preenvasados. En ningún caso, deben sustituir al uso de medicamentos sin una supervisión médica adecuada. Sólo deben utilizarse para complementar la dieta y, de forma general, su uso no es necesario si se sigue una dieta variada y equilibrada, a la que no pueden reemplazar. En España los complementos alimenticios están regulados por el Real Decreto 1487/2009 que traspuso a la legislación española la Directiva 2002/46/CE relativa a la aproximación de las legislaciones de los estados miembros en materia de complementos alimenticios. Sin embargo, actualmente sólo está regulado el uso de vitaminas y minerales, por lo que se ha solicitado al Comité Científico que realice una valoración de la propuesta de autorización de la utilización de determinadas sustancias distintas de vitaminas y minerales en la fabricación de complementos alimenticios. Las sustancias propuestas por la Agencia Española de Consumo, Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutrición (AECOSAN) son: ácido L-aspártico, L-citrulina, glicina, L-prolina, L-serina, L-arginina-L-aspartato, L-lisina-L-aspartato, L-lisina-L-glutamato, N-acetil-L-cisteína, N-acetil-L-metionina, hidroximetilbu- tirato, ácido lipoico, Monascus purpureus, carbón activo y lactulosa. El Comité Científico ha valorado cada propuesta, analizando las características y fuentes de cada sustancia, así como la nutrición, metabolismo y seguridad y ha concluido, en cada caso, si la presentada por la AECOSAN era aceptable desde el punto de vista de su seguridad en su uso como complemento alimenticio. En ningún caso, la evaluación realizada supone un aval de la eficacia biológica de las sustancias y dosis valoradas. El Comité Científico indica que, en todo caso es necesario que las personas que estén sometidas a tratamientos con medicamentos consulten con su médico la oportunidad o conveniencia de consumir complementos alimenticios dada la posibilidad de que existan interferencias en algunos casos.Food supplements are foods, the purpose of which is to supplement the normal diet and which consist of concentrated nutrient sources (vitamins and minerals) or other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect, alone or in combination. The supplements are marketed in dosage form and are only supplied to the end consumer prepacked. In no event should they replace the use of medicines without suitable medical supervision. They should only be used to supplement the diet and, on the whole, their usage is not required if the individual has a varied and balanced diet, which cannot be replaced. In Spain, food supplements are regulated by Royal Decree 1487/2009, which transposed Directive 2002/46/EC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to food supplements into Spanish law. However, only the use of vitamins and minerals is currently regulated. Therefore the Scientific Committee has been asked to make an assessment of the proposal to authorise certain substances other than vitamins and minerals in the manufacture of food supplements. The substances proposed by the Spanish Agency for Consumer Affairs, Food Safety and Nutrition (AECOSAN) are food supplements, L-aspartic acid, L-citrulline, glycine, L-proline, L-serine, L-arginine-L-aspar- tate, L-lysine L-aspartate, L-lysine-L-glutamate, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, N-acetyl-L-methionine, hidro- xymethylbutyrate, lipoic acid, Monascus purpureus, activated carbon and lactulose. The Scientific Committee has assessed each proposal, analysing the characteristics and sources of each substance, and the nutrition, metabolism and safety and has concluded, in each case, whether that submitted by the AECOSAN is acceptable from a safety viewpoint for use as a food supplement. In no event is the assessment intended as a guarantee of the biological efficiency of the substances and doses assessed. The Scientific Committee states that, in any case individuals undergoing medical treatment must seek medical advice as to the suitability of taking food supplements, given the possibility of interactions in certain cases

Aprendizaje personalizado para facilitar la inserción en el mercado laboral, mediante la gamificación, a través del uso integrado de mundos y sistemas virtuales de respuesta en el aula para dispositivos móviles con acceso a internet

Integración de una aplicación informática propia como sistema de respuesta (clicker) y una aplicación de entorno simulado para facilitar la evaluación continúa de forma personalizada, aumentar la motivación y rendimiento a bajo coste

Long-term and large-scale multispecies dataset tracking population changes of common European breeding birds

Around fifteen thousand fieldworkers annually count breeding birds using standardized protocols in 28 European countries. The observations are collected by using country-specific and standardized protocols, validated, summarized and finally used for the production of continent-wide annual and long-term indices of population size changes of 170 species. Here, we present the database and provide a detailed summary of the methodology used for fieldwork and calculation of the relative population size change estimates. We also provide a brief overview of how the data are used in research, conservation and policy. We believe this unique database, based on decades of bird monitoring alongside the comprehensive summary of its methodology, will facilitate and encourage further use of the Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme results.publishedVersio

Diet quality index as a predictor of treatment efficacy in overweight and obese adolescents: The EVASYON study

Background & aim: A diet quality index (DQI) is a tool that provides an overall score of an individual''s dietary intake when assessing compliance with food-based dietary guidelines. A number of DQIs have emerged, albeit their associations with health-related outcomes are debated. The aim of the present study was to assess whether adherence to dietary intervention, and the overall quality of the diet, can predict body composition changes. Methods: To this purpose, overweight/obese adolescents (n = 117, aged: 13–16 years; 51 males, 66 females) were recruited into a multi-component (diet, physical activity and psychological support) family-based group treatment programme. We measured the adolescents’ compliance and body composition at baseline and after 2 months (intensive phase) and 13 months (extensive phase) of follow-up. Also, at baseline, after 6 months, and at the end of follow-up we calculated the DQI. Results: Global compliance with the dietary intervention was 37.4% during the intensive phase, and 14.3% during the extensive phase. Physical activity compliance was 94.1% at 2-months and 34.7% at 13months and psychological support compliance were growing over the intervention period (10.3% intensive phase and 45.3% during extensive phase). Adolescents complying with the meal frequency criteria at the end of the extensive phase had greater reductions in FMI z-scores than those did not complying (Cohen''s d = 0.53). A statistically significant association was observed with the diet quality index. DQI-A variation explained 98.1% of BMI z-score changes and 95.1% of FMI changes. Conclusions: We conclude that assessment of changes in diet quality could be a useful tool in predicting body composition changes in obese adolescents involved in a diet and physical activity intervention programme backed-up by psychological and family support

The evolution of the ventilatory ratio is a prognostic factor in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 ARDS patients

Background: Mortality due to COVID-19 is high, especially in patients requiring mechanical ventilation. The purpose of the study is to investigate associations between mortality and variables measured during the first three days of mechanical ventilation in patients with COVID-19 intubated at ICU admission. Methods: Multicenter, observational, cohort study includes consecutive patients with COVID-19 admitted to 44 Spanish ICUs between February 25 and July 31, 2020, who required intubation at ICU admission and mechanical ventilation for more than three days. We collected demographic and clinical data prior to admission; information about clinical evolution at days 1 and 3 of mechanical ventilation; and outcomes. Results: Of the 2,095 patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU, 1,118 (53.3%) were intubated at day 1 and remained under mechanical ventilation at day three. From days 1 to 3, PaO2/FiO2 increased from 115.6 [80.0-171.2] to 180.0 [135.4-227.9] mmHg and the ventilatory ratio from 1.73 [1.33-2.25] to 1.96 [1.61-2.40]. In-hospital mortality was 38.7%. A higher increase between ICU admission and day 3 in the ventilatory ratio (OR 1.04 [CI 1.01-1.07], p = 0.030) and creatinine levels (OR 1.05 [CI 1.01-1.09], p = 0.005) and a lower increase in platelet counts (OR 0.96 [CI 0.93-1.00], p = 0.037) were independently associated with a higher risk of death. No association between mortality and the PaO2/FiO2 variation was observed (OR 0.99 [CI 0.95 to 1.02], p = 0.47). Conclusions: Higher ventilatory ratio and its increase at day 3 is associated with mortality in patients with COVID-19 receiving mechanical ventilation at ICU admission. No association was found in the PaO2/FiO2 variation