Access and retention: experiences of non-traditional learners in higher education: final report: public part

This final report will primarily be of interest to those working in the higher education (HE) sector across Europe and beyond. Within higher education institutions it will be of especial interest to senior management and policy makers, middle managers responsible for programmes, lecturers, researchers, those working in student support services, admissions and widening participation initiatives as well as students themselves and the Students’ Unions. It is also aimed at policy organisations and bodies working in higher education, such as the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) in England, Government departments and EU policy makers. The project focused on access, retention and drop-out in higher education institutions in relation to non-traditional students (younger and adults) on undergraduate degree programmes and the factors which promote or inhibit this. With the growth of mass higher education systems retention has become an important and rising concern for policy-makers at national and European levels. It is considered a measure of efficiency of higher education with implications in terms of the needs of the economy and as a return on investment to individuals, society and the whole EU. It is also a key factor in promoting a growing diversification and equity across the higher education sector. By ‘non-traditional’ we mean students who are under-represented in higher education and whose participation in HE is constrained by structural factors. This includes, for example, first generation entrants, students from low-income families, students from (particular) minority ethnic groups, mature age students, and students with disabilities. (This definition takes into account issues of class and gender). We were particularly interested in looking at and understanding why some students from under-represented and disadvantaged backgrounds learn effectively, assume an undergraduate learner identity and complete their degree successfully while others from similar backgrounds do not. We were also interested in identifying the learning, teaching and support processes which help non-traditional students to become effective and successful learners. Institutional cultures and structures also impact on a learners’ identity so these aspects were also explored and examined

Simulated evolution applied to study the genetic code optimality using a model of codon reassignments

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>As the canonical code is not universal, different theories about its origin and organization have appeared. The optimization or level of adaptation of the canonical genetic code was measured taking into account the harmful consequences resulting from point mutations leading to the replacement of one amino acid for another. There are two basic theories to measure the level of optimization: the statistical approach, which compares the canonical genetic code with many randomly generated alternative ones, and the engineering approach, which compares the canonical code with the best possible alternative.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here we used a genetic algorithm to search for better adapted hypothetical codes and as a method to guess the difficulty in finding such alternative codes, allowing to clearly situate the canonical code in the fitness landscape. This novel proposal of the use of evolutionary computing provides a new perspective in the open debate between the use of the statistical approach, which postulates that the genetic code conserves amino acid properties far better than expected from a random code, and the engineering approach, which tends to indicate that the canonical genetic code is still far from optimal. We used two models of hypothetical codes: one that reflects the known examples of codon reassignment and the model most used in the two approaches which reflects the current genetic code translation table. Although the standard code is far from a possible optimum considering both models, when the more realistic model of the codon reassignments was used, the evolutionary algorithm had more difficulty to overcome the efficiency of the canonical genetic code.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Simulated evolution clearly reveals that the canonical genetic code is far from optimal regarding its optimization. Nevertheless, the efficiency of the canonical code increases when mistranslations are taken into account with the two models, as indicated by the fact that the best possible codes show the patterns of the standard genetic code. Our results are in accordance with the postulates of the engineering approach and indicate that the main arguments of the statistical approach are not enough to its assertion of the extreme efficiency of the canonical genetic code.</p

Tumor growth analysis using cellular automata based on the cancer hallmarks

Programa Oficial de Doutoramento en Computación . 5009V01[Resumen]En esta tesis se ha realizado un modelado del crecimiento tumoral, considerando éste consecuencia emergente de las interacciones entre las células y su entorno. El modelado se ha considerado en el nivel de comportamiento celular, modelando los procesos de mitosis y muerte celular en función de la adquisición de una serie de rasgos característicos del cáncer (hallmarks) y del entorno inmediato de cada célula. Para el modelado hemos considerado la herramienta de Autómata Celular (AC). En la tesis se ha analizado la relevancia de los diferentes hallmarks en diferentes escenarios, las transiciones de comportamientos al aplicar un tratamiento, además de introducir la modelización de células madre de cáncer (CSCs). Al incorporar CSCs en el modelado se analizan además diferentes estrategias de tratamientos en el contexto de CSC, teniendo en cuenta la capacidad de recrecimiento del tumor debido a la presencia de CSCs. Finalmente, hemos aplicado optimización evolutiva para la obtención automática de los tratamientos que minimicen el efecto de la recidiva.[Abstract] In this thesis we used computational models based on cellular automata and the abstract model of cancer hallmarks to analyze the emergent behavior of tumor growth at cellular level. Tumor growth is modeled with a cellular automaton which determines cell mitotic and apoptotic behaviors. These behaviors depend on the cancer hallmarks acquired in each cell as consequence of mutations. The presence of the cancer hallmarks defines cell states and cell mitotic behaviors. Additionally, these hallmarks are associated with a series of parameters, and depending on their values and the activation of the hallmarks in each of the cells, the system can evolve to different dynamics. With the simulation tool we performed an analysis of the first phases of cancer growth. Firstly, we studied the evolution of cancer cells and hallmarks in different representative situations regarding initial conditions and parameters, analyzing the relative importance of the hallmarks for tumor progression; Secondly, we focused on the analysis of the effect of killing cancer cells, inspecting the time evolution of the multicellular system under such conditions and the possible behavioral transitions between the predominance of cancer and healthy cells. Later, we analyzed the effect of treatment applications on cancer growth taking into account the presence of Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) and their regrowth capacity. Finally, we used evolutionary computing to analyze the implications of treatment strategies in a CSC context. In this way, we determined the best strategies of treatment applications in terms of intensity, duration and periodicity considering the regrowth capacity of CSCs

Impact on City Bus Transit Services of the COVID–19 Lockdown and Return to the New Normal: the Case of A Coruña (Spain)

[Abstract] The COVID–19 pandemic led to restrictions on activities and mobility in many parts of the world. After the main peak of the crisis, restrictions were gradually removed, returning to a new normal situation. This process has impacted urban mobility. The limited information on the new normal situation shows changes that can be permanent or reversible. The impact on the diverse urban transport modes varies. This study analyzes the changes in transit ridership by line, the use of stops, the main origin–destination flows, changes in transit supply, operation time, and reliability of the city bus network of A Coruña. It is based on data from automatic vehicle location, bus stop boarding, and smart card use. Data from the first half of 2020 were compared to similar data in 2017–2019, defining suitable baselines for each analysis to avoid seasonal and day of week effects. The impact on transit ridership during the lockdown process was more significant than that on general traffic. In the new normal situation, the general traffic and the shared bike system recovered a higher percentage of their previous use than the bus system. These impacts are not uniform across the bus network.This paper was partially funded as part of the research project “Experimental analysis and modeling of the influence of stops, transfers and right–of–way in bus systems”, with reference RTI2018–097924–B–I00 MCIU/AEI/FEDER, U

Study of NIT domain-containing chemoreceptors from two global phytopathogens and identification of NIT domains in eukaryotes

Bacterial signal transduction systems are typically activated by the binding of signal molecules to receptor ligand binding domains (LBDs), such as the NIT LBD. We report here the identification of the NIT domain in more than 15,000 receptors that were present in 30 bacterial phyla, but also in 19 eukaryotic phyla, expanding its known phylogenetic distribution. The NIT domain formed part of seven receptor families that either control transcription, mediate chemotaxis or regulate second messenger levels. We have produced the NIT domains from chemoreceptors of the bacterial phytopathogens Pectobacterium atrosepticum (PacN) and Pseudomonas savastanoi (PscN) as individual purified proteins. High-throughput ligand screening using compound libraries revealed a specificity for nitrate and nitrite binding. Isothermal titration calorimetry experiments showed that PacN-LBD bound preferentially nitrate ( K D = 1.9 μM), whereas the affinity of PscN-LBD for nitrite ( K D = 2.1 μM) was 22 times higher than that for nitrate. Analytical ultracentrifugation experiments indicated that PscN-LBD is monomeric in the presence and absence of ligands. The R182A mutant of PscN did not bind nitrate or nitrite. This residue is not conserved in the NIT domain of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa chemoreceptor PA4520, which may be related to its failure to bind nitrate/nitrite. The magnitude of P. atrosepticum chemotaxis towards nitrate was significantly greater than that of nitrite and pacN deletion almost abolished responses to both compounds. This study highlights the important role of nitrate and nitrite as signal molecules in life and advances our knowledge on the NIT domain as universal nitrate/nitrite sensor module.Spanish Ministry for Science and Innovation/Agencia Estatal de Investigación 10.13039/501100011033 (grants PID2020-112612GB-I00 to TK, PID2019-103972GA-I00 to MAM and PID2021-122202OB-I00 to AO)Junta de Andalucía (grant P18-FR-1621 to TK

LA GESTIÓN DE LA RESERVA DE RIET VELL-SEO BIRDLIFE EN EL PARQUE NATURAL DEL DELTA DEL EBRO

Este trabajo de Final de Máster se ha desarrollado a través de una estancia de prácticas en el ámbito del Delta del Ebro, dentro del programa de voluntariado de la ONG Seo BirdLife, concretamente en la Reserva de Riet Vell. En el primer punto se analiza las particularidades del Parque Natural del Delta del Ebro prestando especial atención a la demografía del Delta y a las especies alóctonas y su erradicación. Seguidamente se resume la historia y el funcionamiento de Riet Vell. Riet Vell y el PNDE coinciden en sus políticas de gestión y funcionan siguiendo una misma política destinada a la educación ambiental y el trabajo de conservación y restauración de los espacios naturales del Delta del Ebro. Tras establecer unos puntos comunes se proponen una serie de mejoras para favorecer el desarrollo socioeconómico del entorno y ampliar y profundizar los servicios de educación y sensibilización medioambiental. Finalmente se elabora una memoria de prácticas que recopila los proyectos desarrollados durante tres meses como miembro del equipo de voluntarios de Riet Vell

Genomic and immune landscape Of metastatic pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma

Adrenal gland diseases; Cancer genomics; Prognostic markersMalalties de les glàndules suprarenals; Genòmica del càncer; Marcadors pronòsticsEnfermedades de las glándulas suprarrenales; Genómica del cáncer; Marcadores pronósticosThe mechanisms triggering metastasis in pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma are unknown, hindering therapeutic options for patients with metastatic tumors (mPPGL). Herein we show by genomic profiling of a large cohort of mPPGLs that high mutational load, microsatellite instability and somatic copy-number alteration burden are associated with ATRX/TERT alterations and are suitable prognostic markers. Transcriptomic analysis defines the signaling networks involved in the acquisition of metastatic competence and establishes a gene signature related to mPPGLs, highlighting CDK1 as an additional mPPGL marker. Immunogenomics accompanied by immunohistochemistry identifies a heterogeneous ecosystem at the tumor microenvironment level, linked to the genomic subtype and tumor behavior. Specifically, we define a general immunosuppressive microenvironment in mPPGLs, the exception being PD-L1 expressing MAML3-related tumors. Our study reveals canonical markers for risk of metastasis, and suggests the usefulness of including immune parameters in clinical management for PPGL prognostication and identification of patients who might benefit from immunotherapy.This work was supported by Project PI17/01796 and PI20/01169 to M.R. [Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Acción Estratégica en Salud, cofinanciado a través del Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER)], Paradifference Foundation [no grant number applicable to M.R.], Pheipas Association [no grant number applicable to M.R.], the Clinical Research Priority Program of the University of Zurich for the CRPP HYRENE to F.B., the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) within the CRC/Transregio 205/1 (Project No. 314061271-TRR205 to to F.B., M.F., N.B., and G.E.) and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Project No. PID2019-111356RA-I00 to G.M.). B.C. was supported by the Rafael del Pino Foundation (Becas de Excelencia Rafael del Pino 2017). A.M.M.-M. was supported by CAM (S2017/BMD-3724; TIRONET2-CM). A.F.-S. and J.L. received the support of a fellowship from La Caixa Foundation (ID 100010434; LCF/BQ/DR21/11880009 and LCF/BQ/DR19/11740015, respectively). M.M., S.M., and M.S. were supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities “Formación del Profesorado Universitario— FPU” fellowship with ID number FPU18/00064, FPU19/04940 and FPU16/05527. A.D.-T. is supported by the Centro de Investigacion Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER). L.J.L.-G. was supported both by the Banco Santander Foundation and La Caixa Postdoctoral Junior Leader Fellowship (LCF/BQ/PI20/11760011). C.M.-C. was supported by a grant from the AECC Foundation (AIO15152858 MONT). We thank the Spanish National Tumor Bank Network (RD09/0076/00047) for the support in obtaining tumorsamples and all patients, physicians and tumor biobanks involved in the study

Programme of transition to adulthood in Andalusia: perceptions of counsellors and care leavers

Numerosas investigaciones internacionales demuestran que los jóvenes extutelados tienen mayores tasas de desempleo que su mismo grupo de edad. En este artículo se pretende conocer los beneficios para facilitar la inserción sociolaboral del programa español de Alta Intensidad Mayoría de Edad +18 a partir de las percepciones y experiencias de los jóvenes y sus orientadores. Este programa está destinado a jóvenes que salen del Sistema de Protección de menores al cumplir la mayoría de edad como alternativa tras la tutela. En este estudio descriptivo se hace uso de un diseño metodológico mixto, fijo y emergente, combinando las técnicas de entrevista y encuesta para la recogida de datos. La muestra la forman dos profesionales, seis jóvenes beneficiaros del programa y cuatro egresados, entre 18 y 23 años. Los resultados apuntan a la consideración del impacto positivo del programa, al reconocer todos los participantes su utilidad en la mejora de sus posibilidades de inserción sociolaboral. Se concluye, que el programa es necesario y positivo, siendo una oportunidad única para los jóvenes. No obstante, se desvelan también debilidades tales como la necesidad de una mayor implicación de la Administración, el aumento de subvenciones y concienciación de la existencia de estos programas.Numerous international studies show that care leavers have higher unemployment rates than their age group. This article aims to find out about the benefits to facilitate the social and labour insertion of the Spanish programme of High Intensity Coming of Age +18 from the perceptions and experiences of young people and their counsellors. This program is aimed at young people care leavers from child welfare system when they reach the age of majority as an alternative after guardianship. This descriptive study uses a mixed, fixed and emergent methodological design, combining interview and survey techniques for data collection. The sample is made up of professionals, young people benefiting from the programme and graduates, aged between 18 and 23. The results point to the consideration of the positive impact of the program, as all the participants recognize its usefulness in improving their possibilities of social and labor insertion. It is concluded, that the programme is necessary and positive, being a unique opportunity for young people. However, weaknesses are also revealed such as the need for greater involvement of the Administration, the increase in subsidies and awareness of the existence of these programs