The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale: Translation and Validation in University Students

El propósito de esta investigación ha sido traducir al español y analizar las propiedades psicométricas de la escala de autoestima de Rosenberg (RSES) en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios. El análisis factorial confirmatorio confirmó que el modelo que mejor se ajusta a los datos tanto en la muestra total como en las submuestras de hombres y mujeres tiene una estructura unifactorial con efectos de método en los ítems formulados en positivo. Los resultados indican correlaciones positivas y fuertes entre la autoestima y cinco dimensiones del autoconcepto. Además, la escala ha mostrado niveles satisfactorios de consistencia interna y estabilidad temporal tras un periodo de cuatro semanas. Finalmente, se han obtenido diferencias de género significativas. Estos resultados apoyan el uso de la RSES para evaluar la autoestima en el contexto educativo universitario.The aim of this study was to translate into Spanish and to validate the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), completed by 420 university students. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the model that best fit the data, both in the total sample and in the male and female subsamples, was the one-factor structure with method effects associated with positively worded items. The results indicated high, positive correlations between self-esteem and the five dimensions of selfconcept. The scale showed satisfactory levels of internal consistency and temporal stability over a four-week period. Lastly, gender differences were obtained. These findings support the use of the RSES for the assessment of self-esteem in higher education

Microwave oscillator and frequency comb in a silicon optomechanical cavity with a full phononic bandgap

Cavity optomechanics has recently emerged as a new paradigm enabling the manipulation of mechanical motion via optical fields tightly confined in deformable cavities. When driving an optomechanical (OM) crystal cavity with a laser blue-detuned with respect to the optical resonance, the mechanical motion is amplified, ultimately resulting in phonon lasing at MHz and even GHz frequencies. In this work, we show that a silicon OM crystal cavity performs as an OM microwave oscillator when pumped above the threshold for self-sustained OM oscillations. To this end, we use an OM cavity designed to have a breathing-like mechanical mode at 3.897 GHz in a full phononic bandgap. Our measurements show that the first harmonic of the detected signal displays a phase noise of ≈−100 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz. Stronger blue-detuned driving leads eventually to the formation of an OM frequency comb, whose lines are spaced by the mechanical frequency. We also measure the phase noise for higher-order harmonics and show that, unlike in Brillouin oscillators, the noise is increased as corresponding to classical harmonic mixing. Finally, we present real-time measurements of the comb waveform and show that it can be fitted to a theoretical model recently presented. Our results suggest that silicon OM cavities could be relevant processing elements in microwave photonics and optical RF processing, in particular in disciplines requiring low weight, compactness and fiber interconnection

The structural and dynamical properties of compact elliptical galaxies

Dedicated photometric and spectroscopic surveys have provided unambiguous evidence for a strong stellar mass-size evolution of galaxies within the last 10 Gyr. The likely progenitors of today's most massive galaxies are remarkably small, disky, passive and have already assembled much of their stellar mass at redshift z=2. An in-depth analysis of these objects, however, is currently not feasible due to the lack of high-quality, spatially-resolved photometric and spectroscopic data. In this paper, we present a sample of nearby compact elliptical galaxies (CEGs), which bear resemblance to the massive and quiescent galaxy population at earlier times. Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and wide-field integral field unit (IFU) data have been obtained, and are used to constrain orbit-based dynamical models and stellar population synthesis (SPS) fits, to unravel their structural and dynamical properties. We first show that our galaxies are outliers in the present-day stellar mass-size relation. They are, however, consistent with the mass-size relation of compact, massive and quiescent galaxies at redshift z=2. The compact sizes of our nearby galaxies imply high central stellar mass surface densities, which are also in agreement with the massive galaxy population at higher redshift, hinting at strong dissipational processes during their formation. Corroborating evidence for a largely passive evolution within the last 10 Gyr is provided by their orbital distribution as well as their stellar populations, which are difficult to reconcile with a very active (major) merging history. This all supports that we can use nearby CEGs as local analogues of the high-redshift, massive and quiescent galaxy population, thus providing additional constraints for models of galaxy formation and evolution.Comment: 33 pages, 27 figures and 20 tables (with most of the tables provided as online-only supporting information). Accepted for publication in MNRA

Furfural, 5-HMF, acid-soluble lignin and sugar contents in C. ladanifer and E. arborea lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysates obtained from microwave-assisted treatments in different solvents

Cistus ladanifer L. and Erica arborea L. are the two most representative shrub species from the Iberian Peninsula. With a view to their valorization, their biomass hydrolysate components, obtained from microwave-assisted treatments with choline chloride/urea - HNO3 10%, N,N-dimethylacetamide/NaHCO3 and N,N-dimethylacetamide/CH3OK as solvents, have been measured using a spectrophotometric method. Concentrations of furfural and 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (5-HMF) in the filtrate have been determined after reduction with NaBH4. The production of total sugars, reducing sugars and non-reducing sugars has also been assessed. The obtained results support the choice of microwave-assisted choline chloride/urea deep eutectic solvent in acid media as the preferred method (over the polar aprotic solvent-based alternatives) for the extraction of lignin, furfural, 5-HMF and sugars from C. ladanifer and E. arborea biomass, attaining the best production yields for 60¿min exposure times. Another is the case if the aim of the treatments is to recovery sugars from both shrubs for subsequent enzymatic saccharification: the very low 5-HMF contents resulting from the dimetylacetamide systems (especially is association with CH3OK) make them highly advantageous as compared to the traditional method using NaOH

Crystallinity of cellulose microfibers derived from Cistus ladanifer and Erica arborea shrubs

The effectiveness of the use of cellulose fibers as particulates/composite reinforcers involves the assessment of the crystallinity of such fibers. The aim of the present work is to provide information on the degree of crystallinity of the cellulose microfibers obtained from the stems of Cistus ladanifer and Erica arborea shrubs through two different methods, namely an alkaline treatment and a microwave-assisted deep eutectic solvent (DES) method. The crystallinity indexes (CrI) obtained from X-ray powder diffraction patterns indicated that higher CrI were attained for cellulose obtained from the DES treatment. Complementary information on the degree of crystallinity was also retrieved from attenuated total reflection- Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) vibrational spectra, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs, and accessibility data for the DES-treated celluloses from the two species. The crystallinity results for the fibers derived from these two Mediterranean shrubs were within the range of the results for those derived from wood pulp, opening the door to their valorization for cellulose-derived packing applications or for their use as reinforcers in composite materials in combination with other biopolymers

Long-path averaged mixing ratios of O3 and NO2 in the free troposphere from mountain MAX-DOAS

A new approximation is proposed to estimate O3 and NO2 mixing ratios in the northern subtropical free troposphere (FT). The proposed method uses O4 slant column densities (SCDs) at horizontal and near-zenith geometries to estimate a station-level differential path. The modified geometrical approach (MGA) is a simple method that takes advantage of a very long horizontal path to retrieve mixing ratios in the range of a few pptv. The methodology is presented, and the possible limitations are discussed. Multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) high-mountain measurements recorded at the Izaña observatory (28° 18' N, 16° 29' W) are used in this study. The results show that under low aerosol loading, O3 and NO2 mixing ratios can be retrieved even at very low concentrations. The obtained mixing ratios are compared with those provided by in situ instrumentation at the observatory. The MGA reproduces the O3 mixing ratio measured by the in situ instrumentation with a difference of 28%. The different air masses scanned by each instrument are identified as a cause of the discrepancy between the O3 observed by MAX-DOAS and the in situ measurements. The NO2 is in the range of 20–40 ppt, which is below the detection limit of the in situ instrumentation, but it is in agreement with measurements from previous studies for similar conditions.We acknowledge the support of AMISOC (Atmospheric Minor Species relevant to the Ozone Chemistry at both sides of the Subtropical jet, contract number CGL2011-24891), and NORS (Demonstration Network of Ground-Based Remote Sensing Observations in support of the GMES Atmospheric Service) integrated project under the 7th Framework Programme (contract number FP7-SPACE-2011-284421)

Bryostroma trichostomi i Pleosphaeria lophoziae, dos fongs briofítics interessants per a la micoflora de Catalunya

Bryostroma trichostomi and Pleosphaeria lophoziae, two bryophytic fungi interesting for the mycoflora of Catalonia. Due to its chorological interest, the presence in Catalonia (NE of Spain) of Bryostroma trichostomi and Pleosphaeria lophoziae, two bryophytic fungi, is commented. Morphological descriptions of each species, based in our specimens, are provided. Each description is accompanied by photographic iconography, both in its macroscopic and in the main microscopic characters. The provided record of Pleosphaeria lophoziae is the first mention of this species for Spain, while the three mentions provided for Bryostroma trichostomi complement the distribution of this fungus in Catalonia, where it was previously known only from Montserrat, in an imprecise locality

Trabajar lo conocido para saltar hacia lo desconocido: un ámbito para la especulación, la experimentación y el análisis

Con la reciente aprobación en el Consejo de Ministros del día 14 de diciembre pasado de la Orden Ministerial que desarrolla las directrices propias del título de Grado de Arquitecto, en breve nos veremos obligados plantear el nuevo marco en el que queremos que se desarrolle el proceso de formación de los futuros arquitectos, y para ello habremos de acometer la reforma de los planes de estudios adaptándolos a las exigencias que plantea el Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior. Nuestro objetivo en la presente comunicación es el de suscitar algunas reflexiones que nos permitan abordar esta reforma desde un punto de vista amplio, crítico y de futuro, y eludir la comodidad de lo sancionado por la tradición

Hygienization and control of Diplodia seriata fungus in vine pruning waste composting and its seasonal variability in open and closed systems

After the ban on sodium arsenite, waste management alternatives to the prevalent burning method, such as the hygienization and biodegradation in solid phase by composting, are required for the pruned material from grapevines affected by various fungi. In this work the dynamics of a fungus associated with vine decay (Diplodia seriata) during the composting process of a mixture of laying hen manure and vine pruning waste (2:1 w/w) have been investigated in an open pile and a discontinuous closed biodigester. Through the optimization of the various physical–chemical parameters, hygienization of the infected waste materials was attained, yielding class-A organo-mineral fertilizers. Nevertheless, important differences in the efficiency of each system were observed: whereas in the open pile it took 10 days to control D. seriata and 35 additional composting days to achieve full inactivation, in the discontinuous biodigester the fungus was entirely inactivated within the first 3–7 days. Finally, the impact of seasonal variability was assessed and summer temperatures shown to have greater significance in the open pile

Vascular Dysfunction in a Transgenic Model of Alzheimer's Disease: Effects of CB1R and CB2R Cannabinoid Agonists

There is evidence of altered vascular function, including cerebrovascular, in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and transgenic models of the disease. Indeed vasoconstrictor responses are increased, while vasodilation is reduced in both conditions. β-Amyloid (Aβ) appears to be responsible, at least in part, of alterations in vascular function. Cannabinoids, neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory agents, induce vasodilation both in vivo and in vitro. We have demonstrated a beneficial effect of cannabinoids in models of AD by preventing glial activation. In this work we have studied the effects of these compounds on vessel density in amyloid precursor protein (APP) transgenic mice, line 2576, and on altered vascular responses in aortae isolated ring. First we showed increased collagen IV positive vessels in AD brain compared to control subjects, with a similar increase in TgAPP mice, which was normalized by prolonged oral treatment with the CB1/CB2 mixed agonist WIN 55,212-2 (WIN) and the CB2 selective agonist JWH-133 (JWH). In Tg APP mice the vasoconstriction induced by phenylephrine and the thromboxane agonist U46619 was significantly increased, and no change in the vasodilation to acetylcholine (ACh) was observed. Tg APP displayed decreased vasodilation to both cannabinoid agonists, which were able to prevent decreased ACh relaxation in the presence of Aβ. In summary, we have confirmed and extended the existence of altered vascular responses in Tg APP mice. Moreover, our results suggest that treatment with cannabinoids may ameliorate the vascular responses in AD-type pathology.This work was supported by the Council of Madrid (S- BIO/0170/2006 and P2010/BMD-2349 to MLC) and by Instituto de Salud Carlos III/FISS (PI12/00590 to TT). AM received a fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science and JN-D from FISS. Dr. R. Martínez-Murillo is acknowledged for preliminary EM experiments.Peer reviewedPeer Reviewe