A new challenge in the Electronics teaching/learning process for the Industrial Design Engineering Bachelor. An interactive educational tutorial

Abstract—The adaptation of new curricula to the European Higher Education Area implies a radical change in the teaching/learning process: it is necessary to get students more involved as well as to promote their independence and active participation. The fast-growing technological development, the increasing use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and the advent of e-learning technologies make possible the achievement of this change. It is described a powerful interactive electronics educational tool, which can be embedded in a web page in order to simplify its use by the university students. The results obtained by means of a test demonstrate the benefits of the use of this tutorial and the increase in the motivation students.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Lime-Crusted Rammed Earth: Materials Study

This study analyses the durability of rammed-earth wall construction techniques. The analysis focuses on three medieval masonry types from the Castle of Villavieja (Castellón, Spain) using two variations of lime-reinforced rammed earth in its walls: lime-crusted rammed earth and brick-reinforced rammed earth. Materials analysis reveals the good properties of the materials used in the outer wall facing despite its age. It also clearly shows how deterioration depends more on the construction technique (construction of the wall with a base, cornice, facings, core; on-site installation, bonds, etc.) than on the material itself. These two types of lime-reinforced rammed earth (lime-crusted rammed earth and brick-reinforced rammed earth) are the most common kinds of fortified architecture in the Iberian Peninsula as well as in northern Africa and the Middle East. The case presented herein is therefore highly relevant as it advances our knowledge of the behaviour of the materials comprising these walls and lays the foundations for suitable future conservation works of a vast array of architectural heritage.Mileto, C.; Vegas López-Manzanares, F.; Alejandre, FJ.; Martín, JJ.; Garcia Soriano, L. (2013). Lime-Crusted Rammed Earth: Materials Study. Advanced Materials Research. 831:9-13. doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.831.9S913831C. Mileto, F. Vegas, V. Cristini: Refuerzos y mejoras: variantes constructivas de la tapia en España. Actas de XI Terra 2012 Int. Conference (in press, Lima 2013).C. Mileto et al.: The restoration of rammed earth architecture in the Iberian Peninsula – criteria, techniques, results and perspectives. LEHM 2012. (Dachverband Lehm, Weimar 2012).C. Mileto, F. Vegas, V. Cristini, L. García: Restoration of rammed earth architecture in the Iberian Peninsula: ongoing research. Rammed Earth Conservation, (CRC-Balkema, Londres 2012).J.A. Vicent: Arqueología. La Villavella – Estudio Arqueológico e Histórico (Valencia 1977).J.M. García, I. Moraño: El Castell de Nules (La Vilavella) (inédito, Valencia 2010).UNE 103. 200. Determinación del contenido de carbonatos en los suelos (Madrid 1993).J.J. Martín et al. Hormigones de Cal Islámicos: Altas Resistencias en los Tapiales del Sector Oriental de la Muralla de Sevilla España. Actas IX CICOP. (Sevilla, 2008).G. Brown, G.W. Brindley. The X-ray identification and crystal structures of clay min-erals. G.W. Brindley and G. Brown (ed. ). Mineralogical Society (London 1961).F.H. Chung. Quantitative interpretation of x-ray diffraction patterns. I. Matrix-fluxing method of quantitative analysis of mixtures. Journal of Applied Crystallography, 8, 17-19, (1974).UNE-EN1936. Métodos de ensayo para piedra natural. Determinación de la densidad real y aparente y de la porosidad abierta y total (Madrid 2007).UNE-EN 1015-11. Métodos de ensayo de los morteros para albañilería. Parte 11: Determinación de la resistencia a flexión y a compresión del mortero endurecido (Madrid 2000)

Lime-crusted rammed earth: materials study

This study analyses the durability of rammed-earth wall construction techniques. The analysis focuses on three medieval masonry types from the Castle of Villavieja (Castellón, Spain) using two variations of lime-reinforced rammed earth in its walls: lime-crusted rammed earth and brick-reinforced rammed earth. Materials analysis reveals the good properties of the materials used in the outer wall facing despite its age. It also clearly shows how deterioration depends more on the construction technique (construction of the wall with a base, cornice, facings, core; on-site installation, bonds, etc.) than on the material itself. These two types of lime-reinforced rammed earth (lime-crusted rammed earth and brick-reinforced rammed earth) are the most common kinds of fortified architecture in the Iberian Peninsula as well as in northern Africa and the Middle East. The case presented herein is therefore highly relevant as it advances our knowledge of the behaviour of the materials comprising these walls and lays the foundations for suitable future conservation works of a vast array of architectural heritage

Mechanomyographic Measures of Muscle Contractile Properties are Infuenced by Electrode Size and Stimulation Pulse Duration

The aim was to determine the efects of changing pulse duration and electrode size on muscle contractile properties. Thirty-six healthy young male participated in the study (age 24.8±5.8 years; height 178.2±0.6cm; body mass 71.8±7.3kg; self-reported weekly moderate intensity activity 3.5±1.2h·week−1). Tensiomyography was used to assess rectus femoris (RF) and vastus medialis (VM) muscles neuromuscular properties of the dominant leg according to the electrode size (3.2–5cm) and the stimulus length (0.2, 0.5, and 1ms). Maximal radial displacement (Dm); Contraction time (Tc); Delay time (Td); Sustained time (Ts) and Half relaxation time (Tr) were measured. Relative and absolute reliability was quantifed. To analyze the efects of the electrode and the stimulus length, a repeated-measures analysis of variance was used. Dm and Tc parameters showed for both muscles an excellent relative (0.95–0.99) and absolute reliability (1.6–4.2%). However, Ts and Tr showed low values of absolute reliability (4.4–40.9%). The duration of the stimulus length applied to the RF and VM and electrode size signifcantly infuences muscle’s contractile properties (p<0.05; η2 p=0.09–0.60). The Dm increases substantially as the duration of the stimulus increases and with the use of the larger electrode in both muscles. However, Tc and Td are less afected by both conditions and not entirely clear. Practically, our study suggests that a stimulus pulse duration of 1ms together with a 5 × 5cm electrode is necessary to reach a reliable and reproducible assessment of both RF and VM muscles contractile properties.Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deport

Localization of Muscle Edema and Changes on Muscle Contractility After Dry Needling of Latent Trigger Points in the Gastrocnemius Muscle

Background. Myofascial trigger points (TrPs) are hyperirritable spots within taut bands of skeletal muscles that elicit local and referred pain when stimulated. Among the variety of techniques used for treating TrPs, dry needling (DN) is the most commonly applied intervention. The physiological mechanisms underlying the effects of DN remain to be elucidated. Objective. To examine changes in skeletal muscle after DN in the area where the TrP is located. Methods. We measured in vivo changes that occur in human skeletal muscle one hour after DN over a TrP with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and tensiomyography. The study included 18 asymptomatic subjects with a latent TrP in one medial gastrocnemius muscle, and the contralateral leg was used as control. Results. The results showed that MRI signal intensity significantly increased one hour after the DN intervention, suggesting the presence of intramuscular edema. Tensiomyographic parameters showed higher muscle stiffness with an improvement in contraction time after DN. Conclusions. This is the first study showing intramuscular edema after TrP DN in human skeletal muscle. Future research should focus on using DN therapy in patients with active TrPs and on monitoring changes occurring at longer follow-up with imaging techniques.Fisioterapi

Dual latent tuberculosis screening with tuberculin skin tests and QuantiFERON-TB assays before TNF-α inhibitor initiation in children in Spain

Tumor-necrosis-factor-α inhibitors (anti-TNF-α) are associated with an increased risk of tuberculosis (TB) disease, primarily due to reactivation of latent TB infection (LTBI). We assessed the performance of parallel LTBI screening with tuberculin skin test (TST) and QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube assays (QFT-GIT) before anti-TNF-α treatment in children with immune-mediated inflammatory disorders in a low TB-burden setting. We conducted a multicenter cohort study involving 17 pediatric tertiary centers in Spain. LTBI was defined as the presence of a positive TST and/or QFT-GIT result without clinical or radiological signs of TB disease. A total of 270 patients (median age:11.0 years) were included, mainly with rheumatological (55.9%) or inflammatory bowel disease (34.8%). Twelve patients (4.4%) were diagnosed with TB infection at screening (LTBI, n = 11; TB disease, n = 1). Concordance between TST and QFT-GIT results was moderate (TST+/QFT-GIT+, n = 4; TST-/QFT-GIT+, n = 3; TST+/QFT-GIT-, n = 5; kappa coefficient: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.36-0.60). Indeterminate QFT-GIT results occurred in 10 patients (3.7%) and were associated with young age and elevated C-reactive protein concentrations. Eleven of 12 patients with TB infection uneventfully completed standard LTBI or TB treatment. During a median follow-up period of 6.4 years, only 2 patients developed TB disease (incidence density: 130 (95% CI: 20-440) per 100,000 person-years), both probable de novo infections. Conclusion: A substantial number of patients were diagnosed with LTBI during screening. The dual strategy identified more cases than either of the tests alone, and test agreement was only moderate. Our data show that in children in a low TB prevalence setting, a dual screening strategy with TST and IGRA before anti-TNF-α treatment is effective

Predictors of Response to Exclusive Enteral Nutrition in Newly Diagnosed Crohn´s Disease in Children: PRESENCE Study from SEGHNP

Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) has been shown to be more effective than corticosteroids in achieving mucosal healing in children with Crohn´s disease (CD) without the adverse effects of these drugs. The aims of this study were to determine the efficacy of EEN in terms of inducing clinical remission in children newly diagnosed with CD, to describe the predictive factors of response to EEN and the need for treatment with biological agents during the first 12 months of the disease. We conducted an observational retrospective multicentre study that included paediatric patients newly diagnosed with CD between 2014–2016 who underwent EEN. Two hundred and twenty-two patients (140 males) from 35 paediatric centres were included, with a mean age at diagnosis of 11.6 ± 2.5 years. The median EEN duration was 8 weeks (IQR 6.6–8.5), and 184 of the patients (83%) achieved clinical remission (weighted paediatric Crohn’s Disease activity index [wPCDAI] 15 mg/L and ileal involvement tended to respond better to EEN. EEN administered for 6–8 weeks is effective for inducing clinical remission. Due to the high response rate in our series, EEN should be used as the first-line therapy in luminal paediatric Crohn’s disease regardless of the location of disease and disease activityS

La Enseñanza de la Religión Cultural: la mirada de la Literatura y el Arte a las tres religiones del Libro. Innovación y Transferencia en y entre las EE.MM./Bachillerato y la Universidad en una perspectiva europea

El presente documento contiene el informe final relativo al Proyecto de Innovación Docente "La Enseñanza de la Religión Cultural", en el que distintos investigadores, docentes universitarios y de institutos y centros educativos han colaborado para el análisis sobre las posibilidades de la religión cultural en el sistema educativo, así como en el desarrollo de diferentes materiales e instrumentos educativos, que han sido aplicados en distintas sesiones en el aula durante el desarrollo del proyecto

Ferromanganese nodules and micro-hardgrounds associated with the Cadiz Contourite Channel (NE Atlantic): Palaeoenvironmental records of fluid venting and bottom currents

Ferromanganese nodule fields and hardgrounds have recently been discovered in the Cadiz Contourite Channel in the Gulf of Cadiz (850–1000 m). This channel is part of a large contourite depositional system generated by the Mediterranean Outflow Water. Ferromanganese deposits linked to contourites are interesting tools for palaeoenviromental studies and show an increasing economic interest as potential mineral resources for base and strategic metals. We present a complete characterisation of these deposits based on submarine photographs and geophysical, petrographic, mineralogical and geochemical data. The genesis and growth of ferromanganese deposits, strongly enriched in Fe vs. Mn (av. 39% vs. 6%) in this contourite depositional system result from the combination of hydrogenetic and diagenetic processes. The interaction of the Mediterranean Outflow Water with the continental margin has led to the formation of Late Pleistocene–Holocene ferromanganese mineral deposits, in parallel to the evolution of the contourite depositional system triggered by climatic and tectonic events. The diagenetic growth was fuelled by the anaerobic oxidation of thermogenic hydrocarbons (δ13CPDB=−20 to −37‰) and organic matter within the channel floor sediments, promoting the formation of Fe–Mn carbonate nodules. High 87Sr/86Sr isotopic values (up to 0.70993±0.00025) observed in the inner parts of nodules are related to the influence of radiogenic fluids fuelled by deep-seated fluid venting across the fault systems in the diapirs below the Cadiz Contourite Channel. Erosive action of the Mediterranean Outflow Water undercurrent could have exhumed the Fe–Mn carbonate nodules, especially in the glacial periods, when the lower core of the undercurrent was more active in the study area. The growth rate determined by 230Thexcess/232Th was 113±11 mm/Ma, supporting the hypothesis that the growth of the nodules records palaeoenvironmental changes during the last 70 ka. Ca-rich layers in the nodules could point to the interaction between the Mediterranean Outflow Water and the North Atlantic Deep Water during the Heinrich events. Siderite–rhodochrosite nodules exposed to the oxidising seabottom waters were replaced by Fe–Mn oxyhydroxides. Slow hydrogenetic growth of goethite from the seawaters is observed in the outermost parts of the exhumed nodules and hardgrounds, which show imprints of the Mediterranean Outflow Water with low 87Sr/86Sr isotopic values (down to 0.70693±0.00081). We propose a new genetic and evolutionary model for ferromanganese oxide nodules derived from ferromanganese carbonate nodules formed on continental margins above the carbonate compensation depth and dominated by hydrocarbon seepage structures and strong erosive action of bottom currents. We also compare and discuss the generation of ferromanganese deposits in the Cadiz Contourite Channel with that in other locations and suggest that our model can be applied to ferromanganiferous deposits in other contouritic systems affected by fluid venting