Bryophytes from the Republic of Equatorial Guinea (West Central Africa) : 3., contribution to the bryoflora of Rio Muni (continental region)

First results of the identification work of the collections made by Patxi Heras on Río Muni, the continental part of Equatorial Guinea, are offered. A list of 155 taxa (85 liverworts and 70 mosses) is included, 90 of them being new records for the country.Se ofrecen los primeros resultados del trabajo de identificación realizado en el material recolectado por Patxi Heras en Río Muni o Región Continental (Guinea Ecuatorial). Se incluye una lista de 155 táxones (85 hepáticas y 70 musgos), de los cuales 90 son novedad para el país

Bryophytes from the Republic of Equatorial Guinea (West Central Africa) : 6., Cololejeunea iradieri sp. nov., Cololejeunea magna stat. nov. and their relations to similar species

The group of African Cololejeunea species with a heart-shaped perianth and elongate marginal leaf cells has been studied. Cololejeunea iradieri is described as new from Equatorial Guinea (West Central Africa), while Cololejeunea harrisii Pócs var. magna Tix. is raised to species level. Their relations to similar species, C. amaniensis Pócs, C. harrisii Pócs and C. tenuiparietata Tix., are discussed.Se ha estudiado el grupo de especies africanas del género Cololejeunea con periantio en forma de corazón y células foliares marginales elongadas. Se describe Cololejeunea iradieri como especie nueva de Guinea Ecuatorial (Africa Centro-Occidental), mientras C. harrisii Pócs var. magna Tix. es elevada al rango de especie. Se discuten sus relaciones con sus especies afines C. amaniensis Pócs, C. harrisii Pócs y C. tenuiparietata Tix

Bryophytes from the Republic of Equatorial Guinea (West-Central Africa) : 1., introduction and preliminary checklist

A preliminary list consisting of 159 bryophyte taxa (82 liverworts and 77 mosses) has been compiled from the bryological literature on the Republic of Equatorial Guinea (Central-Western Africa) until 1995. A general overview of the physical features and vegetation of the country, and an account of the history of its bryological exploration are also included.Se han reunido en un catálogo preliminar los 159 táxones de briófitos (82 hepáticas y 77 musgos) de la República de Guinea Ecuatorial (Africa Centro-Occidental) conocidos a partir de la bibliografía hasta 1995. Se ha actualizado la nomenclatura y se incluye una descripción general del medio físico y de la vegetación del país, así como un resumen de la historia de su exploración briológica

ESP, EMI and interculturality: How internationalised are university curricula in Catalonia?

This study analyses Internationalisation at Home (IaH) courses across a wide range of bachelor’s degrees, from humanities to hard sciences, in public universities in Catalonia, as an in-depth analysis of a South European context. IaH courses selected for analysis included courses (i) on international topics, (ii) taught in English and focusing on content (English-medium Instruction, EMI) and (iii) focusing on language, i.e. English for Specific Purposes (ESP). Results point to a high presence of international content courses, especially in humanities and social sciences, followed by EMI courses, although quantitatively scarce and mainly found in engineering. ESP courses are the least present despite their potential to prepare students for EMI. Reasons that may account for this IaH picture are presented. All in all, it seems that current policies leave language and intercultural competence in the hands of content lecturers, who may not have explicit language and intercultural learning outcomes in mind while it appears that the potential role of ESP as an internationalisation driver may be neglected. This paper thus argues for giving visibility to ESP courses and lecturers in their role for the promotion of curricular internationalisation.Postprint (published version

Bryophytes from the Republic of Equatorial Guinea (West Central Africa) : 4., notes on some nomina nuda from Annobon

Eight moss species corresponding to nomina nuda recorded in the literature from Annobon Island are listed with their recent determination and current names. Leucophanes unguiculatum, Philonotis uncinata var. glaucescens and Vesicularia strephomischos are new records for the Equatorial Guinean bryoflora.Se citan con su identificación correcta y sus nombres actuales ocho especies de musgos procedentes de la isla de Annobón y registrados en la bibliografía como nomina nuda. Leucophanes unguiculatum, Philonotis uncinata var. glaucescens y Vesicularia strephomischos son nuevos registros para la brioflora de la República de Guinea Ecuatorial

Literature review : research: footprints of selection on the suppressyn gene, a recruited sequence from an endogenous retrovirus involved in cell fusion inhibition in mammals

[Resumen]: Los retrovirus endógenos conforman aproximadamente el 8% del genoma humano. Hay 450.000 copias prodecentes de infecciones que se han venido produciendo desde hace aproximadamente 45 MA en las líneas germinales de nuestros antepasados. La mayoría de las copias no son funcionales, lo que no evita que puedan tener una importante influencia reguladora. Algunas de ellas se han asociado con distintas patologías. Sin embargo, existe una creciente evidencia que señala el reclutamiento de algunas de estas secuencias para servir beneficiosamente al anfitrión. Un ejemplo de este efecto beneficioso podría ser el del gen llamado supresina, que parece jugar, junto con la sincitina, un importante papel en la regulación de la fusión celular en los tejidos humanos. En este trabajo se estudia la historia evolutiva de este gen en los primates y se pretende determinar el momento aproximado en el que fue reclutado para esta función celular.[Resumo]: Os retrovirus endóxenos conforman aproximadamente o 8% do xenoma humano. Existen 450.000 copias que procedentes de infeccións que viñéronse producindo dende hai aproximadamente 45 MA nas liñas xerminais dos nosos antepasados. A maioría das copias non son funcionais , o que non evita que poidan ter unha importante influencia reguladora. Algunhas delas asociáronse con distintas patoloxías. Sen embargo, existe unha crecente evidencia que sinala o recrutamento dalgunhas destas secuencias para servir beneficiosamente ó anfitrión. Un exemplo diste efecto podería ser o xene denominado supresina, que parece xogar, xunto ca sincitina, un importante papel na regulación da fusión celular nos tecidos humanos. Neste traballo vaise estudar a historia evolutiva desde xene nos primates e preténdese determinar o momento aproximado no que foi recrutado para esta función celular.[Abstract]: he endogenous retroviruses form approximately 8% of the human genome. There are 450,000 copies derived from infections of the germ lines of our ancestorts that have been taking place during the last 45 MA. Most of the copies are not functional, which does not prevent their being able to have an important regulating influence. Some of them have been associated with different pathologies. However, there is an increasing evidence that indicates that some of these sequences have been recruited to serve beneficially to the host. An example of this beneficial effect could be that of the gene called suppressyn, which it seems to play, together with the sincitina, an important paper in the regulation of the cellular melting in the human tissues. In this work the evolutionary history of this gene is studied in the primates and it is intended to determine the approximate moment in which it was recruited for this cellular function.Traballo fin de grao (UDC.CIE). Bioloxía. Curso 2017/201

Integrating intercultural competence in ESP and EMI: From theory to practice

As internationalisation policies like English - medium Instruction (EMI) are increasingly implemented in European higher education, EMI and English for Specific Purposes (ESP) classrooms become small international spaces where local students’ intercultural skil ls can be developed. I suggest that the internationalised higher education poses challenges also to non - mobile students, who find themselves in culturally diverse classrooms where English is used as the medium of instruction. The aim of this study is twofo ld. It first attempts to provide a research - based framework that accounts for the reasons why Intercultural Competence (IC) should become a learning outcome in ESP and EMI courses, with an emphasis on ESP. Second, it explores two ways in which this integra tion could take place drawing on Holmes & O’Neill ’s ethnographic model ( 2012). The seminar genre is proposed to showcase IC integration, as participation helps students practice their English skills and provides them with opportunities to develop disciplin ary knowledge while debating on a specific topic. In brief, this study suggests that both ESP and EMI courses have the potential of preparing students for a future professional career in a globalised world and that ESP lecturers, in particular, emerge as t he best prepared professionals for teaching intercultural skills.Postprint (published version