Mineralogy of supports and selected pigments in mediaeval churches of Slovenia

FEDER MAT2002-0254

Multivariate Statistical Analysis of Phyllite Samples Based on Chemical (XRF) and Mineralogical Data by XRD

It is presented the results obtained of a multivariate statistical analysis concerning the chemical and phase composition, as a characterization purpose, carried out with 52 rock phyllite samples selected from the provinces of Almería and Granada (SE Spain). Chemical analysis was performed by X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Crystalline phase analysis was performed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and the mineralogical composition was then deduced. Quantification of weight loss (100° and 1000°C) was carried out by thermal analysis. The aims of this investigation were to analyze and compare the chemical and mineralogical composition of all these samples and to find similarities and differences between them to allow a classification. Several correlations between results of the characterization techniques have been also investigated. All the data have been processed using the multivariate statistical analysis method. The XRF macroelements (10) and microelements (39) data generate one macrogroup with two new subgroups (1 and 2), and an isolated sample. In subgroup 1 of macroelements, a positive correlation was found between XRF results and geographic location characterized by lower MgO content, which is associated to its geological origins. When multivariate statistical analysis is applied to results obtained by XRD, two groups appear: the first one with a sample with zero percentage of iron oxide and the second one with the rest of the samples, which is classified in two groups. A correlation is observed between the alkaline content (XRF) and illite (XRD), CaO and MgO with dolomite and indirectly between the weight loss after heating at 1000°C and the contents of phase minerals that lose structural water (illite + chlorite) or carbon dioxide (dolomite). The present investigation has interest and implications for geochemistry and analytical chemistry concerning earth rocks and silicate raw material

Application of Geographic Infomration Systems (GIS) in the search for and characterization of raw materials of interest in ceramics and glass

En este trabajo se muestra la aplicación de un sistema de información geográfica (SIG) como herramienta eficaz a la hora de abordar varias fases de investigación sobre materias primas de interés para el sector de la Cerámica y el Vidrio, con dos ejemplos: prospección y caracterización de materias primas, utilizadas como material impermeabilizante además de potencial interés cerámico y estudio de canteras de extracción de caliza y mármol. Para ello, se han diferenciado tres fases en el trabajo: construcción de la base de datos cartográfica, fusión de las bases de datos y depuración; finalmente, se realiza el desarrollo de la aplicación. De este estudio se concluye que el SIG se convierte en una herramienta viva, a la que se le pueden ir incorporando nuevos datos, como son puntos de muestreo, resultados de ensayos y determinaciones realizadas con las muestras, nuevas vías y caminos, empresas que poseen la concesión, etc., como ha quedado expuesto con los ejemplos descritos. Todo ello permite una explotación mucho más racional y eficiente desde los puntos de vista técnico, medioambiental y económico. Se deduce un claro interés del método de trabajo propuesto con utilidad para investigadores, tecnólogos y empresarios del ámbito que se ocupan de la valorización de materias primas de aplicación en el procesamiento de materiales de este sector.This work shows the application of a geographic information system (GIS) as an effective tool to undertake several phases of research on raw materials of interest in ceramics and glass, with two examples: search for and characterization of raw materials to be used as impermeable materials in addition to their potential ceramic interest in terms of quarries and the quarrying of limestone and marble. For this, three phases of work have been differentiated: the construction of a cartographic database, the combining and distilling of the databases; and finally the development of the application. From this study, it was concluded that GIS becomes a living tool in which new data can be incorporated, such as sampling points, test results, determinations made with the samples, new approaches and directions, companies that have the concession, etc., as explained with the examples described. All of this enables more rational and efficient use of the materials from the technical, environmental, and economic standpoint. The working method proposed could be clearly useful for researchers, technicians, and businessmen of this sphere that are involved in evaluating raw materials to be applied in processing materials of this sector

Método de Prospección y Caracterización de materias primas

Número de publicación: ES2341697 A1 (24.06.2010)También publicado como: ES2341697 B2 (26.04.2011)Número de Solicitud: Consulta de Expedientes OEPM (C.E.O.) P200803674(23.12.2008)Método de prospección y caracterización geológica de materias primas. El método objeto de la invención consiste en el uso de un sistema SIG para la gestión y utilización de datos obtenidos previamente almacenados en medios de almacenamiento de datos conformando bases de datos independientes que son fusionadas y cuyo resultado es trasferido al sistema SIG para representar las localizaciones y materias primas que se encuentran en dicha ubicación elegida o viceversa.Universidad de Almerí

攻读韦尔瓦大学本科教育学位的新生学习动机

Several variables inherent to the profile of new university students affect their likelihood of achieving optimal adaptation and finishing the studies they embark upon. A cornerstone of this is the vocational factor as, to some extent, it influences the commitment and willingness of students to tackle the learning process with ambition and enthusiasm. The main aim of the present work was to identify student profiles based on their reasons for undertaking Early Childhood Education, Primary Education and Social Education degrees. The present study adopts a survey-type methodology and follows a cross-sectional, descriptive and associative design, in which the set of individuals that make up the sample are grouped using a hierarchical approach. To this end, data are processed according to multivariate statistical methods (clustering). The sample was selected incidentally and is composed of 376 first year students undertaking one of three degrees within the Faculty of Education, Psychology and Sports Sciences at Huelva University. Findings reveal the existence of three possible groupings in terms of the profile of students enrolled on degrees. Two of these groups pertain to variables that are linked with vocational aspects, although a smaller group also exists in which this is not the case. Moreover, degrees in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Social Education continue to be feminised, whilst the “wild card” entry option continues to be applied to Primary Education degrees.Existen diversas variables asociadas al perfil del alumnado universitario de nuevo ingreso que inciden en el logro de una óptima adaptación y continuidad en los estudios que estos inician. El factor vocacional emerge como uno de los pilares fundamentales puesto que, en cierta medida, es garante de encontrar un alumnado universitario más comprometido y receptivo a afrontar un proceso de aprendizaje con ambición y energías. El objetivo principal de este trabajo consiste en identificar perfiles de estudiantes en base a los motivos de ingreso en los grados de Educación Infantil, Educación Primaria y Educación Social. El estudio parte de una metodología tipo encuesta, con un diseño transversal de tipo descriptivo y asociativo, desde el que se persigue hacer una agrupación jerarquizada con el conjunto de individuos que conforma la muestra. Para ello, los datos se tratarán con métodos estadísticos multivariantes (conglomerados o cluster). La muestra ha sido seleccionada de manera incidental y está compuesta por 376 estudiantes de primer curso de los tres grados de la Facultad de Educación, Psicología y Ciencias del Deporte de la Universidad de Huelva. Los resultados revelan la existencia de tres posibles agrupamientos en cuanto al perfil de los estudiantes que acceden a los grados, en dos de los cuales se atisban variables ligadas a lo vocacional, mientras que hay un grupo minoritario en el que esto no ocurre; además, sigue presente la feminización en los grados Grado de Educación Infantil y educación social o la atribución de “comodín” al Grado de Educación Primaria.Existem várias variáveis associadas ao perfil dos novos estudantes universitários que afetam a obtenção de uma adaptação e continuidade ótimas nos estudos que iniciam. O fator vocacional emerge como um dos pilares fundamentais uma vez que, até certo ponto, é uma garantia de encontrar estudantes universitários mais comprometidos e recetivos para enfrentar um processo de aprendizagem com ambição e energias. O principal objetivo deste trabalho é identificar os perfis de estudantes com base nas razões de admissão aos graus de Ensino Infantil, Ensino Primário e Ensino Social. O estudo baseia-se numa metodologia de tipo topográfico, com um desenho descritivo e associativo transversal, a partir do qual se pretende fazer um agrupamento hierárquico do conjunto de indivíduos que compõem a amostra. Para este fim, os dados serão processados utilizando métodos estatísticos multivariantes (conglomerados ou clusters). A amostra foi selecionada de forma incidental e é composta por 376 estudantes do primeiro ano dos três graus da Faculdade de Educação, Psicologia e Ciências do Desporto da Universidade de Huelva. Os resultados revelam a existência de três agrupamentos possíveis em termos do perfil dos estudantes que entram nos graus, em duas das quais é possível discernir variáveis ligadas a aspetos profissionais, enquanto existe um grupo minoritário em que isso não acontece; além disso, a feminização ainda está presente nos graus de Ensino Infantil e Ensino Social ou na atribuição de “joker” ao Grau de Ensino Primário.Existem várias variáveis associadas ao perfil dos novos estudantes universitários que afetam a obtenção de uma adaptação e continuidade ótimas nos estudos que iniciam. O fator vocacional emerge como um dos pilares fundamentais uma vez que, até certo ponto, é uma garantia de encontrar estudantes universitários mais comprometidos e recetivos para enfrentar um processo de aprendizagem com ambição e energias. O principal objetivo deste trabalho é identificar os perfis de estudantes com base nas razões de admissão aos graus de Ensino Infantil, Ensino Primário e Ensino Social. O estudo baseia-se numa metodologia de tipo topográfico, com um desenho descritivo e associativo transversal, a partir do qual se pretende fazer um agrupamento hierárquico do conjunto de indivíduos que compõem a amostra. Para este fim, os dados serão processados utilizando métodos estatísticos multivariantes (conglomerados ou clusters). A amostra foi selecionada de forma incidental e é composta por 376 estudantes do primeiro ano dos três graus da Faculdade de Educação, Psicologia e Ciências do Desporto da Universidade de Huelva. Os resultados revelam a existência de três agrupamentos possíveis em termos do perfil dos estudantes que entram nos graus, em duas das quais é possível discernir variáveis ligadas a aspetos profissionais, enquanto existe um grupo minoritário em que isso não acontece; além disso, a feminização ainda está presente nos graus de Ensino Infantil e Ensino Social ou na atribuição de “joker” ao Grau de Ensino Primário.存在众多与大学新生个人情况相关的变量用来反映他们在学业适应及连续性方面的成就。在这其中，最为重要的一项因素就是兴趣热爱。在一定程度上可以确定，对学业持有兴趣的大学新生对学习有更多的承诺，也更愿意付出精力，用野心面对学习过程中的种种挑战。该研究的主要目的是根据幼儿教育、小学教育和社会教育本科新生的入学动机确定学生的情况。该研究采用问卷研究法和描述性及关联性的横断设计，对样本群体进行等级分组。因此，我们使用多种统计学方法（整群抽样或聚类分析）处理数据。通过偶遇抽样得到韦尔瓦大学教育系、心理系和体育科学系的376名大一新生样本。研究结果显示根据大学新生的入学情况，有可能将其分为三大组。其中两组可以观察到跟兴趣紧密相关的变量，而另外的一组少数样本则没有观察到相同的结果。研究还表明本科幼儿教育和社会教育系仍然存在女多男少的情况，同时把小学教育学位当做“保底”专业的态度屡见不鲜

Caracterización arqueométrica de pigmentos y soportes procedentes de pinturas murales góticas (s. XIII-XV)

A novel investigation on samples of gothic wall paintings (13-15th Centuries) has been carried out. They were found in some Churchs of Slovenia, being not yet studied using technics of materials analysis. One of them is selected: the Church of “Anunciación de María”, city of Crngrob, Slovenia. The scientific investigation of the Gothic wall painting samples was mainly based in the preparation of the so-called stratigraphic sections (cross-sections) from the original small samples. This procedure allows to study the different layers of mortar as support and the painting itself. Next, these preparations were examined using several instrumental techniques commonly applied in materials characterization at the ICMSE, for instance, digital photography, optical and electronic microscopies, IR spectroscopy and EDX for chemical analysis. Aditional information concerning pigments and mortars was obtained by IR transmision spectroscopy using KBr pellets, as well as using XRD. Samples studied at the ICMSE can be classified in two groups, which allows to appreciate two procedures or techniques of wall paintings performed at the Church of Crngrob. The first is typical of Gothic Italian paintings: technic of so-called fresco buono over several layers of mortars, using marble powder to get a white and smooth surface. The results of the present study have also allowed to characterize and identify the inorganic pigments and mortars used in these wall paintings. They were found to be the appropiate for this kind of technical work. For instance, they have been applied iron oxides to get the yellow, orange and even green colours, but surprisingly it has not been found neither malachite (copper pigment of green colour) nor copper compounds to get a green colour. In older layers of wall paintings, the pigment cinnabar was used to get the red colour. It is a mineral used typically in Italy. As revealed in this research, no aglutinant except the lime coming from the mortar as support were used in these Gothic wall paintings. Moreover, this feature, besides of cinnabar application, allows to establish the 1400-1410 wall paintings in the artistic Italian current named Trecento. The second procedure to paint is a typical of North Europe: one or two layer of mortar with a fine layer of lime. This is used to improve the strenght of lime as an aglutinant in the mortar. With this study, it is concluded that the Italian and North-European artistic currents met in Slovenian territory, which is appraisable as much stilistic (Art History) as scientific (Chemical and Physical analysis) point of views. This kind of investigation allows to know better the Central European Art and the Slovenian Art in the Adriatic zone, as well as the general map of European Art in the Middle Age.<br><br>El presente trabajo forma parte de una investigación más amplia sobre pinturas murales góticas (S. XIII-XV). En concreto, se han estudiado las que se encuentran en el interior de varias iglesias de Eslovenia y que no habían sido estudiadas, hasta la fecha, por medio de técnicas instrumentales de análisis de materiales. Una de ellas está situada en la ciudad de Crngrob (Eslovenia) y se ha seleccionado como objeto de este estudio (Iglesia de la Anunciación de María). El estudio científico de las muestras en el ICMSE se basó, principalmente, en la preparación de una serie de secciones estratigráficas a partir de los fragmentos pequeños de las mismas para analizar las diferentes capas de mortero soporte y de la propia pintura. Se examinaron dichas preparaciones por varias técnicas, como son fotografía digital, microscopías óptica y electrónica (MEB), espectroscopía IR (reflexión) y EDX. Una información adicional sobre pigmentos y morteros se obtuvo mediante IR (transmisión), preparando pastillas con KBr, además de DRX. Las muestras estudiadas pueden clasificarse en dos grupos que, a su vez, permiten apreciar dos formas de pintura mural. La primera es típica para pintura italiana gótica: fresco buono sobre varias capas de mortero, con empleo de polvo de mármol para hacerlo más liso y blanco. Los resultados obtenidos han permitido caracterizar e identificar los morteros y pigmentos inorgánicos empleados y que son apropiados para pinturas murales. A título de ejemplo, se han empleado óxidos de hierro para amarillo, naranja, rojo y verde, pero no se ha encontrado malaquita ni existen indicios de compuestos de cobre para el color verde. En capas más antiguas se ha encontrado cinabrio para el color rojo, típico de Italia. Las pinturas fueron realizadas sin emplear otro aglutinante que la propia cal procedente del mortero. Estas características y el empleo de cinabrio, sitúan las pinturas del 1400-1410 en la corriente artística italiana del Trecento. La segunda manera es típica del norte de Europa: técnica de una o dos capas de mortero, con una capa fina de cal superpuesta para dar mayor fuerza a la cal del mortero como aglutinante. Teniendo en cuenta los resultados obtenidos en este estudio sobre los dos tipos de muestras estudiadas, se concluye que las corrientes italiana y norteeuropea se encontraron en territorio esloveno, lo que se aprecia tanto desde el punto de vista estilístico como científicamente. Investigaciones en esta temática ayudan a conocer mejor tanto el Arte de Europa Central y el de Eslovenia con la zona adriática, como el mapa general del Arte Europeo en el tiempo de la Edad Media

Individualized exercises for continuous assessment in engineering

This project focuses on the development of a web application that automatically grades the solution to engineering exercises. The input data of each exercise is different for each student in order to reduce plagiarism and increase motivation. Students can access the web app from any device with internet access (computer, laptop, phone, …) at any time. The fact that the exercises are enunciated and evaluated in an individualized way eliminates the possibility for students to share the solutions and divert the profitable collaboration between students towards the learning of the resolution procedure itself. From the professor’s perspective, this tool allows an efficient and continuous evaluation of students. Besides, the storage of the data (number of attempts, time required, etc.) provides valuable information both for the self-assessment of the professor and for the analysis of the individualized learning process of each student. The web application is coded in Python, which easily allows the incorporation of additional features according to the needs of professors and students. The web application has already been tested during two academic years in two Spanish universities and for several engineering degrees. Ten professor and more than 2000 students have already benefit from this web application.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

The Effects of Melatonin Supplementation on Professional Football Player Performance: A Systematic Review

This study was funded by the High Council for Sports (CSD), Spanish Ministry of Culture and Sport, through the NESA NETWORK “Spanish Network of Sports Care at Altitude (RADA)” Ref. 19/UPB/23. This research was supported by an FPU grant from the Spanish University Ministry to Alejandro Lopez-Moro (FPU20/00210). The authors thank FSI (Football Science Institute) for their support.Background: Melatonin is a hormone that has shown anti-inflammatory actions, reduced oxidative stress, and has effects on physical performance, so the aim of this study was to review the effects of melatonin supplementation on the performance of professional soccer players. Methods: Critical and systematic review. Data were obtained by performing searches in the following bibliographic databases: Web of Science, MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus. The terms used were “Soccer Athlete”, “Melatonin”, and “Soccer Performance”, using “Humans” as a filter. The search update was in May 2023. Results: Having applied the inclusion and exclusion criteria, eight articles were selected out of 59 retrieved references. The dose of melatonin administered in the studies ranged between 5 and 8 mg. The outcomes showed a decrease in oxidative stress, muscle damage, and inflammatory markers in the melatonin-treated group. Conclusions: Exogenously administered melatonin seems to attenuate some of the effects derived from physical exercise, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and muscle damage, in professional football players, and since it has no potential adverse effects, it could be interesting to apply it in this population. However, the direct effects of melatonin supplementation on physical performance have not been demonstrated, so more research is needed on the intervention period and effective dose and with larger participant populations.High Council for Sports (CSD)Spanish Ministry of Culture and Sport Ref. 19/UPB/23Spanish University Ministry FPU20/00210FSI (Football Science Institute