Estudio experimental del Sistema de Albañilería Integral en la construcción de viviendas sismorresistentes. Experimental study of the Integral Masonry System in the construction of earthquake resistant houses

This paper presents the application of the Integral Masonry System (IMS) to the construction of earthquake resistant houses and its experimental study. To verify the security of this new type of building in seismic areas of the third world two prototypes have been tested, one with adobe and the other with hollow brick. In both cases it’s a two-story 6x6x6 m3 house built to scale 1/2. The tests are carried out at the Laboratory of Antiseismic Structures of the Department of Engineering, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru in Lima, in collaboration with the UPM (Technical University of Madrid). This article shows the design process of the prototypes to test, including the sizing of the reinforcements, the characteristics of the tests and the results obtained. These results show that the IMS with adobe or brick remains stable with no significant cracks faced with a severe earthquake, with an estimated acceleration of 1.8 g. Este artículo presenta una aplicación del Sistema de Albañilería Integral (SAI) a la construcción de viviendas sismorresistentes y su estudio experimental. Para verificar su seguridad para su construcción en zonas sísmicas del tercer mundo se han ensayado dos prototipos, uno con adobe, y otro con ladrillo hueco. Se trata de una vivienda de 6x6x6 m3 y dos plantas que se construyen a escala 1/2. Los ensayos se realizaron en el Laboratorio de Estructuras Antisísmicas del Departamento de Ingeniería de la Pontificia Católica Universidad del Perú (PUCP) de Lima en colaboración con la UPM (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid). Este artículo muestra el proceso de diseño de los prototipos a ensayar, incluido el dimensionado de los refuerzos, las características de los ensayos y los resultados obtenidos. Estos resultados muestran que el SAI con adobe o ladrillo permanece estable sin grietas significativas ante un sismo severo, con una aceleración estimada de 1,8 g

Investigación en el Departamento de Periodismo II

El presente artículo recoge los datos de la producción científica sobre comunicación generada por el Departamento de Periodismo II de la Facultad de Comunicación de la Universidad de Sevilla desde su creación, en 2004, hasta la actualidad. A pesar de abarcar sólo la investigación realizada desde este Departamento, deseamos reseñar que la trayectoria de muchos de sus profesores, quienes estuvieron presentes y colaboraron en el nacimiento de la Facultad, ha quedado recogida en la primera sistematización de la producción científica realizada sobre la Facultad desde sus orígenes hasta 2003 en el libro La Inocencia Perdida. Reportaje Sobre Once Cursos de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Información de la Universidad de Sevilla (1989/1990- 1999/2000) Seguido de un Epílogo (2001-2003).Current article sums up data related to scientific production about communication created by Journalism Department II of University of Seville from 2004. In addition to, we have to inform that it is possible to find previous scientific production from our professors (1989-2004) in the book “La Inocencia Perdida. Reportaje Sobre Once Cursos de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Información de la Universidad de Sevilla (1989/1990-1999/2000) Seguido de un Epílogo (2001-2003)

The connexin mimetic peptide Gap27 and Cx43-Knockdown reveal differential roles for Connexin43 in wound closure events in skin model systems

In the epidermis, remodelling of Connexin43 is a key event in wound closure. However, controversy between the role of connexin channel and non-channel functions exist. We compared the impact of SiRNA targeted to Connexin43 and the connexin mimetic peptide Gap27 on scrape wound closure rates and hemichannel signalling in adult keratinocytes (AK) and fibroblasts sourced from juvenile foreskin (JFF), human neonatal fibroblasts (HNDF) and adult dermal tissue (ADF). The impact of these agents, following 24 h exposure, on (encoding Connexin43), and gene expression, and Connexin43 and pSmad3 protein expression levels, were examined by qPCR and Western Blot respectively. In all cell types Gap27 (100-100 μM) attenuated hemichannel activity. In AK and JFF cells, Gap27 (100 nM-100 μM) enhanced scrape wound closure rates by ~50% but did not influence movement in HNDF or ADF cells. In both JF and AK cells, exposure to Gap27 for 24 h reduced the level of Cx43 protein expression but did not affect the level in ADF and HNDF cells. Connexin43-SiRNA enhanced scrape wound closure in all the cell types under investigation. In HDNF and ADF, Connexin43-SiRNA enhanced cell proliferation rates, with enhanced proliferation also observed following exposure of HDNF to Gap27. By contrast, in JFF and AK cells no changes in proliferation occurred. In JFF cells, Connexin43-SiRNA enhanced levels and in JFF and ADF cells both Connexin43-SiRNA and Gap27 enhanced pSmad3 protein expression levels. We conclude that Connexin43 signalling plays an important role in cell migration in keratinocytes and foreskin derived fibroblasts, however, different pathways are evoked and in dermal derived adult and neonatal fibroblasts, inhibition of Connexin43 signalling plays a more significant role in regulating cell proliferation than cell migration

Expanding Health Professional Education in the Rio Grande Valley during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Purpose: The COVID-19 Pandemic has prompted innovation in health professional education, such that learners are able to recognize and mitigate healthcare disparities in the outcomes of vulnerable populations. The objective of our project was to increase education on preventing, preparing for, and responding to COVID-19 and other locally prevalent infectious diseases that disproportionately affect RGV communities. Description: This project had 3 goals: (1) provide learners with virtual patient-interaction simulations (2) provide interactive training modules on the identification, prevention, and treatment of infectious diseases affecting South TX and strategies to increase child vaccinations, and (3) provide learners an opportunity to coordinate community health promotion via PPE and COVID-19 information distribution. Partners: Collaborative stakeholders included the AHEC Scholars Program and the Department of Pediatrics at UTRGV SOM. Both functioned as sponsoring bodies overseeing this operation. Mursion and Nearpod were consulted regarding how the use of their technologies could advance Goals 1 & 2. UT Health RGV patients and RGV colonia populations were the rationale for completion of Goal 3 and the project as a whole, as we sought to aid in improving their overall health. Looking Ahead: Our approach integrated content learning and practice with regard to identifying, preventing, and addressing regionally prevalent infectious/non-infectious diseases and sensitive health topics affecting all age groups. The multifaceted nature of the project helped to solidify the knowledge gleaned and revealed possible avenues for health professional curriculum that can further learning in areas that are difficult to address in a traditional standardized manner, from pediatric patient encounters to community health interventions

Protection of minors in the European digital audiovisual context: a necessary dialogue between parents, academy, regulators and industry

This paper represents the initial phase of a larger project being developed by the “Media, communication policy and democracy in the European Union” research group, which is currently working on the study “Communication policies, SVOD platforms and values education for minors in the single digital market (2020-2022)”. We wish to pursue in this study that, beyond technological considerations, it is necessary to expand the scope of child protection by establishing mutual collaboration between regulators, distributors and video on demand services, as well as consumers and parents’ organisations, in an effort to further enhance cooperation and mutual understanding (European Regulators Group for Audiovisual Media Services, 2017b, p. 75). It is for this reason that we believe that the academic sphere can also be invited into this wide-ranging discussion on child protection to contribute reflections on a key aspect: audiovisual and media education, an essential pillar of protection in addition to filters, external limits, and electronic labelling. We thus uphold a vision that not only considers the “digital stuff” but also highlights the need for “ethos stuff” (Goggin, 2008, p.89). In this respect, we have considered it essential a literature review on the concept of media literacy. Secondly, our qualitative methodology involves an analysis of the instructions issued by the European Union and their implementation in Spain. In this stage, we have conducted desk research based on a narrative analysis of the documents and programs of different institutions in order to chart the evolution of the question in recent years, at a time when the digital environment has changed more quickly than ever before. This same type of analysis is also conducted on the initiatives of European and Spanish companies to determine whether they are implementing child protection strategies.Este artigo representa a fase inicial de um projeto mais vasto conduzido pelo grupo de investigação “Media, política de comunicação e democracia na União Europeia” que está atualmente a desenvolver o estudo “Políticas de comunicação, plataformas SVOD e educação de valores para menores no mercado único digital (2020-2022)”. Neste estudo, pretendemos explorar a ideia de que, além das considerações tecnológicas, é necessário alargar o âmbito da proteção infantil, estabelecendo colaboração mútua entre entidades reguladoras, distribuidores e serviços de vídeo on demand, bem como organizações de consumidores e de pais, num esforço para melhorar ainda mais a cooperação e o entendimento mútuo (Grupo Europeu de Reguladores dos Serviços de Comunicação Audiovisuais, 2017b, p. 75). Tendo por base este objetivo, consideramos que a esfera académica também pode ser convidada para este abrangente debate sobre proteção infantil, a fim de contribuir para um aspeto fundamental: a educação audiovisual e mediática como um pilar essencial de proteção, além de filtros, limites externos e rotulagem eletrónica. Assim, defendemos uma visão que considera não apenas os aspetos digitais (digital stuff), mas também destaca a necessidade de aspetos éticos (ethos stuff) (Goggin, 2008, p.89). A esse respeito, é essencial uma revisão da literatura sobre o conceito de literacia mediática. A metodologia qualitativa envolve uma análise das indicações da União Europeia e a sua implementação em Espanha. Nesta fase, realizámos pesquisas de dados secundários com base numa análise narrativa dos documentos e programas de diferentes instituições, a fim de mapear a evolução da questão nos últimos anos, num momento em que o ambiente digital mudou muito rapidamente. Este tipo de análise também é conduzido nas iniciativas de empresas europeias e espanholas, no sentido de determinar se estão a implementar estratégias de proteção à criança

Madera en altura, estado del arte

This article is focused on analysing the current situation of timber high-rise construction. It begins with a historical review from the traditional Pagodas (up to 63 m tall) to visions of the future that rises to 350 m. It states the technical development that has led mass timber to today’s engineered products and its researches. It displays timber’s behaviour to fire and its properties as a structural material compared to others more commonly used in high-rise construction. It proves to be as mechanically competitive as concrete or high strength steel. Different strategies can be used against horizontal forces to obtain maximum slenderness. However, its main advantage, from an ecological point of view, is its capacity to absorb CO2, which, along its high degree of prefabrication, makes it a sustainable alternative with an increasing acceptance.El objetivo es mostrar el panorama actual de la edificación en altura con madera. Comienza con una revisión histórica desde las pagodas orientales (hasta 63m de altura) hasta las visiones de futuro (350m). Se muestra el desarrollo tecnológico que ha llevado la madera maciza hasta los productos industrializados actuales y las investigaciones en desarrollo. Se expone su comportamiento ante el fuego y las propiedades como material estructural en comparación con los materiales estructurales más utilizados para la edificación en altura: mecánicamente es tan competitivo como hormigones o aceros de alta resistencia. Ante acciones horizontales hay varias estrategias y se obtienen las esbelteces máximas alcanzables en altura. Su principal ventaja, desde el punto de vista ecológico, es su capacidad de absorber CO2, lo que, junto con el alto nivel de prefabricación, lo convierte en una alternativa sostenible cada vez con mayor aceptació

Deformation of Public Media Service in Autonomic Televisions. Business Management and Survival in RTVA

Tras más de 25 años de existencia de la Radio Televisión Pública de Andalucía (RTVA), analizamos los problemas que posee el ente andaluz en un contexto de crisis económica, con una gestión empresarial que ha hecho peligrar su estabilidad e, incluso, su supervivencia. Para diagnosticar su situación, agravada en los tres últimos años, estudiaremos la politización del Consejo de Administración; el cierre de Canal Sur 2 y su impacto sobre la diversidad de contenidos; así como la polémica entre producción propia y externa. El aumento del déficit, la reducción de la publicidad y de los presupuestos, se ha producido en un contexto político favorable para cuestionar el papel de las televisiones autonómicas. La modificación de la Ley General Audiovisual en 2012, que abría la puerta a la privatización de estas cadenas, y la aprobación del Contrato-Programa de la RTVA ese mismo año, han propiciado medidas de ajuste que analizaremos en este artículo.This paper analyzes the problems of Radio Televisión Pública of Andalucía (RTVA), after 25 years from its beginning, in a context of economic crisis and a business management that put in peril its survival. We try to shed light on the politicisation of the board of directors; the closure of Canal Sur 2 (the second channel) and its influence in contents diversity; and the conflict between its own and external production. The increase in deficit, and advertising and budgets reduction have been coexisted in a political context that call into question the role of the autonomic public televisions. This study also take in account the economic adjudments that are related to the approval of the Contract Program and the modification of the General Audiovisual Law, both in 2012

A community-engaged interprofessional project led by medical students, school of social work students, and resident physicians: lessons learned and recommendations for success

Addressing health disparities through community engagement and interprofessional partnerships is increasingly critical. However, learner-led approaches that integrate medical students, resident physicians, and social work students are not well-studied. We designed a learner-led, interprofessional, public health campaign for a majority Hispanic community, with the goals of building interprofessional leadership skills, engaging learners to address COVID-19 inequities, and disseminating lessons learned. Faculty and students from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Schools of Medicine and Social Work partnered with community leaders to pilot an interprofessional project supported by the American Association of Medical Colleges’ Nurturing Experiences for Tomorrow’s Community Leaders (AAMC NEXT) Award. We describe the process of selection of a 12-member learner team of medical students, resident physicians, and social work students, and how we enacted the project from December 2020 to June 2021. Lessons learned in implementing our learner-led, community-engaged, interprofessional approach included: building interprofessional leadership skills, setting member roles and responsibilities, instilling requisite knowledge and skills, engaging with the community, and disseminating research findings. These lessons can guide other institutions seeking community-engaged interprofessional projects with learners

Glutathione determination by the Tietze enzymatic recycling assay and its relationship to cellular radiation response.

Large fluctuations in glutathione content were observed on a daily basis using the Tietze enzyme recycling assay in a panel of six human cell lines of varying radiosensitivity. Glutathione content tended to increase to a maximum during exponential cell proliferation, and then decreased at different rates as the cells approached plateau phase. By reference to high-performance liquid chromatography and flow cytometry of the fluorescent bimane derivative we were able to verify that these changes were real. However, the Tietze assay was occasionally unable to detect glutathione in two of our cell lines (MGH-U1 and AT5BIVA), although the other methods indicated its presence. The existence of an inhibitory activity responsible for these anomalies was confirmed through spiking our samples with known amounts of glutathione. We were unable to detect a direct relationship between cellular glutathione concentration and aerobic radiosensitivity in our panel of cell lines

Bioconversion of cellulose into bisabolene using Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Rhodosporidium toruloides

In this study, organic acids were demonstrated as a promising carbon source for bisabolene production by the non-conventional yeast, Rhodosporidium toruloides, at microscale with a maximum titre of 1055 ± 7 mg/L. A 125-fold scale-up of the optimal process, enhanced bisabolene titres 2.5-fold to 2606 mg/L. Implementation of a pH controlled organic acid feeding strategy at this scale lead to a further threefold improvement in bisabolene titre to 7758 mg/L, the highest reported microbial titre. Finally, a proof-of-concept sequential bioreactor approach was investigated. Firstly, the cellulolytic bacterium Ruminococcus flavefaciens was employed to ferment cellulose, yielding 4.2 g/L of organic acids. R. toruloides was subsequently cultivated in the resulting supernatant, producing 318 ± 22 mg/L of bisabolene. This highlights the feasibility of a sequential bioprocess for the bioconversion of cellulose, into biojet fuel candidates. Future work will focus on enhancing organic acid yields and the use of real lignocellulosic feedstocks to further enhance bisabolene production