Crowdfunding in the production of video games in Spain: Evolution and success on Kickstarter

This research addresses the use of crowdfunding platforms for the development of video games in Spain. It is part of the group of platform-centred research in order to develop a quantitative analysis of the data contained in them. Specifically, the data provided by Kickstarter for Spanish video game development projects is analysed. Normality tests indicated that the variables do not follow a normal distribution, hence non-parametric tests were used. The success rate of Spanish campaigns is 28.4% for the total number of cases, 40.8% in 2020, which is a steady growth since 2015. The average funding is €16,586.76, €50,056.67 for successful campaigns; however, the median indicates that 50% of the sample does not exceed €1,653 in funding. Regression models are used to develop equations to calculate the amount of funding needed to publish on PC and console, and the number of backers needed to achieve a given amount of funding

Variation in the structural parameters of the Polychaeta community of maërl beds from the Alicante littoral (southeast Iberian Peninsula)

Maërl beds are formed by rhodophyte calcareous algae belonging to the families Corallinacea and Peyssonneliacea. These beds appear in temperate and tropical areas. In the Mediterranean Sea they show a patchy, very localised distribution in the circalittoral zone. They are characterized by a high algal richness, specific faunal composition, and high biodiversity. The present study compares the polychaete assemblages associated to maërl beds at two different localities in southwestern Mediterranean, during 1996 and 1998. The first locality, located in the Tabarca Island Marine Reserve, is dominated by the calcareous algae Lithothamnion minervae Basso, 1995 and Lithophyllum duckeri Woelkerling, 1983. The second locality (Benidorm Island) is subject to trawling activity pressure, and is dominated by Peyssonnelia spp. and Lithothamnion coralloides Crouan Frat., 1867. Spatial -between localities, and among sites within localities- and temporal -between years, and among seasons within years- variation in the assemblage structure (represented by their abundance, richness, and diversity) have been studied. Our data revelead differences between localities in the structural composition. The Tabarca assemblage appears more structured, with presence of families typical of rocky substrates, such as Eunicidae and Syllidae, both characteristics of non disturbed zones. On the other hand, the locality of Benidorm is dominated by sediment-feeder families, typical of disturbed areas, such as Maldanidae, or indicative of slight level of disturbance, such as the family Onuphidae.Los fondos de maërl están formados por algas rodofitas calcáreas pertenecientes a las familias Corallinacea y Peyssonneliacea. Estos fondos están presentes en las zonas templadas y tropicales. En el Mediterráneo se sitúan en la zona circalitoral con una distribución en mosaico muy localizada. Estos fondos reúnen una rica epiflora algal y una epifauna e infauna particular, determinando una comunidad caracterizada por su elevada diversidad biológica. Se comparan, estacionalmente en un periodo comprendido entre los años 1996-1998, los poblamientos de poliquetos en dos localidades diferentes asociadas a comunidades de maërl. La primera localidad, situada en la reserva marina de la isla de Tabarca, es un paisaje dominado por una gran abundancia de algas calcáreas, entre la que destaca Lithothamnion minervae Basso, 1995 y Lithophyllum duckeri Woelkerling, 1983. La segunda localidad, Benidorm está sometida a cierta presión por la actividad de la pesca de arrastre, se caracteriza por la presencia de manchas de Peyssonnelia spp. junto a Lithothamnion coralloides Crouan Frat., 1867. Se han estudiado las variaciones existentes en la estructura de la comunidad (abundancia, riqueza, diversidad) entre ambas localidades y entre las diferentes épocas del año. Nuestros datos revelan la existencia de diferencias de composición estructural entre localidades. La comunidad de Tabarca aparece más estructurada con presencia de familias características de substrato rocoso estable como los depredadores Eunicidae, y familias típicas de sistemas estables con una comunidad bien desarrollada, donde abundan las especies situadas en los niveles tróficos altos, así como la familia Syllidae, característica de zonas poco alteradas. En contraposición, en la localidad de Benidorm aparecen familias con hábitos sedimentívoros, típicos de zonas alteradas como es la familia Maldanidae o indicadoras de alteración leve como la familia Onuphidae.Instituto Español de Oceanografí

Experimental and Theoretical Studies on the Structure and Photoluminescent Properties of New Mononuclear and Homodinuclear Europium(III) β

Two novel europium(III) complexes, a monomer and a homodimer, with 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,4,4-trifluoro-1,3-butanedione (Hcbtfa) and 5-chloro-1,10-phenanthroline (cphen) ligands, formulated as [Eu(cbtfa)3(cphen)] and [Eu2(cbtfa)4(cphen)2(CH3O)2], have been synthesized. Their structures have been elucidated by X-ray diffraction and their absorption and emission properties have been studied in the solid state. The experimental data has then been used to test the recently released LUMPAC software, a promising tool which can facilitate the design of more efficient lanthanide light-conversion molecular devices by combining ground state geometry, excited state energy, and luminescent properties calculations

Advances in geobotany and new tools in biogeographic and bioclimatic maps: Sierra de Guadarrama National Park

20 páginas, 14 tablas, 3 mapas

Phonon-mediated room-temperature quantum Hall transport in graphene

The quantum Hall (QH) effect in two-dimensional electron systems (2DESs) is conventionally observed at liquid-helium temperatures, where lattice vibrations are strongly suppressed and bulk carrier scattering is dominated by disorder. However, due to large Landau level (LL) separation (~2000 K at B = 30 T), graphene can support the QH effect up to room temperature (RT), concomitant with a non-negligible population of acoustic phonons with a wave-vector commensurate to the inverse electronic magnetic length. Here, we demonstrate that graphene encapsulated in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) realizes a novel transport regime, where dissipation in the QH phase is governed predominantly by electron-phonon scattering. Investigating thermally-activated transport at filling factor 2 up to RT in an ensemble of back-gated devices, we show that the high B-field behaviour correlates with their zero B-field transport mobility. By this means, we extend the well-accepted notion of phonon-limited resistivity in ultra-clean graphene to a hitherto unexplored high-field realm.Comment: 17 pages, 4 figures. Supplementary information available at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-35986-

At the beginnings of the funerary Megalithism in Iberia at Campo de Hockey necropolis

The excavations undertaken at the Campo de Hockey site in 2008 led to the identification of a major Neolithic necropolis in the former Island of San Fernando (Bay of Cádiz). This work presents the results of the latest studies, which indicate that the site stands as one of the oldest megalithic necropolises in the Iberian Peninsula. The main aim of this work is to present with precision the chronology of this necropolis through a Bayesian statistical model that confirms that the necropolis was in use from c. 4300 to 3800 cal BC. The presence of prestige grave goods in the earliest and most monumental graves suggest that the Megalithism phenomenon emerged in relation to maritime routes linked to the distribution of exotic products. We also aim to examine funerary practices in these early megalithic communities, and especially their way of life and the social reproduction system. As such, in addition to the chronological information and the Bayesian statistics, we provide the results of a comprehensive interdisciplinary study, including anthropological, archaeometric and genetic data.Archaeological background: the Campo de Hockey settlement Methods - Tomb typology - Radiocarbon dates and Bayesian analysis. - Bioarchaeology. - DNA - Grave goods Results - Tomb typology - Radiocarbon dating: Bayesian analysis - Bioarchaeology. - DNA - Grave goods. Discussion and conclusions

Health-related factors correlate with behavior trends in physical activity level in old age: longitudinal results from a population in São Paulo, Brazil

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Physical inactivity in leisure time is common among elderly in Brazil and this finding is particularly alarming considering that this population is greatly affected by chronic diseases. The identification of health factors that influence physical activity level (PAL) will help in the development of strategies for increasing PAL older adults. The current research aimed to identify variables that independently affect behavior trends in PAL over the course of two years among elderly.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A survey entitled the Epidoso Project ("Epidemiology of aging") studied 1,667 community-based older individuals in São Paulo city, Brazil over the course of two years. Physical activity level was determined through questions about frequency and duration of physical activities. Body Mass Index was calculated; functional capacity was assessed through the ADL (activities of daily living) scale; cognition was assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination; and mental health was assessed through the Dysthymia Screening. Experiences of falls and fractures were also assessed. Subjects were divided into three groups according to their self-report of Physical Activity Level: a - Regularly Active; b - Insufficiently Active and c - Physically Inactive. Behavior trends in PAL were also measured after two years. Multivariate regression model methodology was used to test associations longitudinally.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Results from the final model demonstrated that the risk of a not favorable behavior trend in PAL, which included the group who remained physically inactive and the group that displayed decreased PAL, in this cohort of older adults was significantly increased if the individual was female (OR = 2.50; 95% CI = 1.60-3.89; <it>P < 0.01</it>), older (80 y vs. 65 y, OR = 6.29, 95% CI = 2.69-14.67; <it>P < 0.01</it>), dependent on help from others for activities in the ADL scale (moderate-severe = 4-7+ vs. 0 ADLs) (OR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.20-4.21; <it>P < 0.011</it>) or had experienced a history of falls with consequences (OR = 6.88, 95% CI = 0.91-52.01; <it>P < 0.062</it>).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Age, gender, ADL scores and falls were associated with a not favorable behavior trend in PAL. Promotion programs should target these factors, reducing barriers to achieve desired changes in PAL.</p

Combined Raman spectroscopic and Rietveld analyses as a useful and nondestructive approach to studying flint raw materials at prehistoric archaeological sites

Artículo sobre análisis de espectroscopía

Effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy with nelfinavir in vertically HIV-1 infected children: 3 years of follow-up. Long-term response to nelfinavir in children

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral treatment (ART) in children has special features and consequently, results obtained from clinical trials with antiretroviral drugs in adults may not be representative of children. Nelfinavir (NFV) is an HIV-1 Protease Inhibitor (PI) which has become as one of the first choices of PI for ART in children. We studied during a 3-year follow-up period the effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy with nelfinavir in vertically HIV-1 infected children. METHODS: Forty-two vertically HIV-infected children on HAART with NFV were involved in a multicentre prospective study. The children were monitored at least every 3 months with physical examinations, and blood sample collection to measure viral load (VL) and CD4+ cell count. We performed a logistic regression analysis to determinate the odds ratio of baseline characteristics on therapeutic failure. RESULTS: Very important increase in CD4+ was observed and VL decreased quickly and it remained low during the follow-up study. Children with CD4+ <25% at baseline achieved CD4+ >25% at 9 months of follow-up. HIV-infected children who achieved undetectable viral load (uVL) were less than 40% in each visit during follow-up. Nevertheless, HIV-infected children with VL >5000 copies/ml were less than 50% during the follow-up study. Only baseline VL was an important factor to predict VL control during follow-up. Virological failure at defined end-point was confirmed in 30/42 patients. Along the whole of follow-up, 16/42 children stopped HAART with NFV. Baseline characteristics were not associated with therapeutic change. CONCLUSION: NFV is a safe drug with a good profile and able to achieve an adequate response in children

Trajectories of alcohol consumption during life and the risk of developing breast cancer

Background: Whether there are lifetime points of greater sensitivity to the deleterious effects of alcohol intake on the breasts remains inconclusive. Objective: To compare the influence of distinctive trajectories of alcohol consumption throughout a woman’s life on development of breast cancer (BC). Methods: 1278 confirmed invasive BC cases and matched (by age and residence) controls from the Epi-GEICAM study (Spain) were used. The novel group-based trajectory modelling was used to identify different alcohol consumption trajectories throughout women’s lifetime. Results: Four alcohol trajectories were identified. The first comprised women (45%) with low alcohol consumption (<5 g/day) throughout their life. The second included those (33%) who gradually moved from a low alcohol consumption in adolescence to a moderate in adulthood (5 to <15 g/day), never having a high consumption; and oppositely, women in the third trajectory (16%) moved from moderate consumption in adolescence, to a lower consumption in adulthood. Women in the fourth (6%) moved from a moderate alcohol consumption in adolescence to the highest consumption in adulthood (=15 g/day), never having a low alcohol consumption. Comparing with the first trajectory, the fourth doubled BC risk (OR 2.19; 95% CI 1.27, 3.77), followed by the third (OR 1.44; 0.96, 2.16) and ultimately by the second trajectory (OR 1.17; 0.86, 1.58). The magnitude of BC risk was greater in postmenopausal women, especially in those with underweight or normal weight. When alcohol consumption was independently examined at each life stage, =15 g/day of alcohol consumption in adolescence was strongly associated with BC risk followed by consumption in adulthood. Conclusions: The greater the alcohol consumption accumulated throughout life, the greater the risk of BC, especially in postmenopausal women. Alcohol consumption during adolescence may particularly influence BC risk. © 2021, The Author(s)