Sustainable Development Goals and General Skills integrated through gamification in Higher education: a case study

[EN] In Spain, Universities began to participate in International Cooperation for Development (ICD) in the '90s, mainly thanks to personal initiatives of university members. Nowadays ICD is a consolidated policy for higher education institutions. At this moment, Universities are committed with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the United Nations, which have constituted the core of the sustainable development agenda since 2015. SDG need to be considered from a multidisciplinary and integrated approach, especially in higher education. The accomplishment of the deal involves a change in the minds of lecturers and students, and innovative education strategies may help. Gamification is an important strategy to drive this change, due to the capabilities demonstrated to achieve deep learning and motivation improvement. The two-year innovation project applies gamification strategies to integrate SDG into the existing program with the aim of developing and evaluating General Skills (GS) in the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV). The project is carried out by our innovation team GRIPAU (Interdisciplinary Group for University Learning). On the first year of the project, the pilot case study was carried out over 51 students of Biotechnology and Building MSC. The results showed the gamification as a powerful tool to integrate SDG and general skills in Higher Education. One time the pilot case study was concluded, the methodology was adjusted and the experience was extended to the other subjects within the project. The project second year plan includes applying the methodology to 255 students of 7 different subjects of Bachelor Degrees and MSC of Engineering, Architecture, Building Construction and Biotechnology, both in fall and spring terms. The methodology consists of planning different activities through the term. First, a motivation and awareness activity is carried out to introduce the SDG through a general questionnaire about the origin and limits using a gamification tool such as Kahoot. During the term, specific activities are developed with the aim of getting deeper knowledge about the SDG. The range of the activities is wide, from specific projects to debates. Finally, at the end of the term a final survey is conducted via gamification to get feedback on the level of awareness of the different issues addressed by the SDG and their guidelines. The results obtained with the first data collection activity, showed 69% of correct answers while in the final surveys were 62%. Similar results for the different scheduled data collection within the pilot case study with 76% and 60%, respectively, although the total number of students in the final surveys was only 135 because some subjects are developed on the spring semester. The results on the secondyear project are equivalent, with less correct answers for the final test than for the initial one. About the subjective impressions of the activities, only 20% of the students gave feedback. All of them reported that the activities were very fun, learning effective and they would recommend the tool.The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Universitat Politècnica de València, Convocatoria Docencia + Aprendizaje 2018 (A+D) PROYECTO DE INNOVACIÓN Y MEJORA EDUCATIVA (PIME).Guillén Guillamón, IE.; Moreno-Ramón, H.; Cabedo Fabres, M.; Ferrando Bataller, M.; Calvet, S.; Ibañez Asensio, S.; Jiménez Belenguer, AI. (2020). Sustainable Development Goals and General Skills integrated through gamification in Higher education: a case study. IATED Academy. 7853-7859. https://doi.org/10.21125/edulearn.2020.1979S7853785

Consenso de expertos sobre el uso de alemtuzumab en la práctica clínica diaria en España

Alemtuzumab; Eficacia; Práctica clínica habitualAlemtuzumab; Effectiveness; Daily clinical practiceAlemtuzumab; Eficàcia; Pràctica clínica habitualIntroduction Alemtuzumab is a highly effective drug approved by the European Medicines Agency as a disease-modifying drug for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Objective A consensus document was drafted on the management of alemtuzumab in routine clinical practice in Spain. Development A group of multiple sclerosis specialists reviewed articles addressing treatment with alemtuzumab in patients with multiple sclerosis and published before December 2017. The included studies assessed the drug's efficacy, effectiveness, and safety; screening for infections and vaccination; and administration and monitoring aspects. The initial proposed recommendations were developed by a coordinating group and based on the available evidence and their clinical experience. The consensus process was carried out in 2 stages, with the initial threshold percentage for group agreement established at 80%. The final document with all the recommendations agreed by the working group was submitted for external review and the comments received were considered by the coordinating group. Conclusion The present document is intended to be used as a tool for optimising the management of alemtuzumab in routine clinical practice.Introducción Alemtuzumab es un fármaco de alta eficacia aprobado por la Agencia Europea de Medicamentos como tratamiento modificador de la enfermedad en pacientes con esclerosis múltiple remitente recurrente. Objetivo Elaborar un documento de consenso sobre el manejo de alemtuzumab en la práctica clínica habitual, que sea de aplicación en el ámbito español. Desarrollo Un grupo de expertos en esclerosis múltiple revisó las publicaciones disponibles hasta diciembre de 2017, de tratamiento con alemtuzumab y esclerosis múltiple. Se incluyeron trabajos sobre eficacia, efectividad y seguridad, despistaje de infecciones y vacunación, administración y monitorización. La propuesta inicial de recomendaciones fue desarrollada por un grupo coordinador con base en la evidencia disponible y en su experiencia clínica. El proceso de consenso se llevó a cabo en 2 etapas; se estableció como porcentaje inicial de acuerdo grupal el 80%. El documento final con todas las recomendaciones acordadas por el grupo de trabajo se sometió a revisión externa y los comentarios recibidos fueron considerados por el grupo coordinador. Conclusiones El documento aportado pretende ser una herramienta útil para facilitar el manejo del fármaco en condiciones de práctica clínica habitual.Sanofi-Genzyme provided financial support to this project

Barriers to the development of palliative care in Western Europe

The Eurobarometer Survey of the <i>EAPC Task Force on the Development of Palliative Care in Europe</i> is part of a programme of work to produce comprehensive information on the provision of palliative care across Europe. Aim: To identify barriers to the development of palliative care in Western Europe. Method: A qualitative survey was undertaken amongst boards of national associations, eliciting opinions on opportunities for, and barriers to, palliative care development. By July 2006, 44/52 (85%) European countries had responded to the survey; we report here on the results from 22/25 (88%) countries in Western Europe. Analysis: Data from the Eurobarometer survey were analysed thematically by geographical region and by the degree of development of palliative care in each country. Results: From the data contained within the Eurobarometer, we identified six significant barriers to the development of palliative care in Western Europe: (i) Lack of palliative care education and training programmes (ii) Lack of awareness and recognition of palliative care (iii) Limited availability of/knowledge about opioid analgesics (iv) Limited funding (v) Lack of coordination amongst services (vi) Uneven palliative care coverage. Conclusion: Findings from the EAPC Eurobarometer survey suggest that barriers to the development of palliative care in Western Europe may differ substantially from each other in both their scope and context and that some may be considered to be of greater significance than others. A number of common barriers to the development of the discipline do exist and much work still remains to be done in the identified areas. This paper provides a road map of which barriers need to be addressed

Changes in Economic Inequality in Europe and Latin America in the First Decades of the Twenty-First Century

This open access volume identifies the common and specific aspects of social mechanisms that generate inequalities, through comparative analyses of different dimensions in which inequalities are expressed. It includes studies on social inequalities in 5 European and 5 Latin American countries, along 11 thematic axes: inequalities in the labour market and labour trajectories; asymmetries in the relationship between training and employment; inequalities in work and family life; educational inequalities; geographical and social inequalities: ethnicity and language; social inequalities, migration and space; uncertainty, strategies, resources and capabilities; inequality of opportunity: intergenerational social mobility; social policies; gender inequalities; and research methodology. This volume is the result of a large collaborative project on social inequality funded by the European Commission: the International Network for Comparative Analysis of Social Inequalities. Taking into account diverse perspectives and approximations, the collaborators have created a general analytical framework as a model of analysis of social inequalities. The various contributions in this volume help readers gain a global outlook and help reflect on social inequalities in a comparative perspective. This volume addresses social science graduate and postgraduate students, researchers, social policy makers, as well as a broader academic audience interested in social inequality.Fil: Salvia, Hector Agustin. Universidad Catolica Argentina; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Clinical features and health-related quality of life in adult patients with mucopolysaccharidosis IVA: the Spanish experience

Background: Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) IVA or Morquio A syndrome is a progressive and disabling disease characterized by a deficiency of the enzyme N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulphate sulphatase. Its clinical presentation is very heterogeneous and poorly understood in adults. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical manifestations of MPS IVA in adult patients in Spain and to assess their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Results: Thirty-three patients from nine reference centres participated in the study. The median age was 32 (interquartile range [IQR]: 20.5–40.5) years. The phenotype was classical in 54.5% of patients, intermediate in 33.3% of patients, and non-classical in 12.1% of patients. The most common clinical manifestation was bone dysplasia, with a median height of 118 (IQR: 106–136) cm. Other frequent clinical manifestations were hearing loss (75.7%), ligamentous laxity (72.7%), odontoid dysplasia (69.7%), limb deformities that required orthopaedic aids (mainly hip dysplasia and genu valgus) (63.6%), and corneal clouding (60.6%). In addition, 36.0% of patients had obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome and 33.3% needed non-invasive ventilation. Cervical surgery and varisation osteotomy were the most common surgical interventions (36.4% each). Almost 80% of patients had mobility problems and 36.4% used a wheelchair at all times. Furthermore, 87.9% needed help with self-care, 33.3% were fully dependent, and 78.8% had some degree of pain. HRQoL according to the health assessment questionnaire was 1.43 (IQR: 1.03–2.00) in patients with the non-classical phenotype, but 2.5 (IQR: 1.68–3.00) in those with the classical phenotype. Seven patients were initiated on enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), but two of them were lost to follow-up. Lung function improved in four patients and slightly worsened in one patient. The distance achieved in the six-minute walk test increased in the four patients who could perform it. HRQoL was better in patients treated with elosulfase alfa, with a median (IQR) of 1.75 (1.25–2.34) versus 2.25 (1.62–3.00) in patients not treated with ERT. Conclusions: The study provides real-world data on patients with MPS IVA. Limited mobility, difficulties with self-care, dependence, and pain were common, together with poor HRQoL. The severity and heterogeneity of clinical manifestations require the combined efforts of multidisciplinary teams

Estrategias emocionales para promover la excelencia del alumnado

[ES] Esta comunicación describe el trabajo desarrollado en el último año por el Equipo de Innovación y Calidad Educativa (EICE) GRIPAU en la UPV. Este es un equipo multidisciplinar de profesores tiene como uno de sus principales objetivos desarrollar estrategias que favorezcan la motivación del alumnado como herramienta para que estos alcancen un aprendizaje significativo, y en última instancia, la excelencia en su aprendizaje. Esta excelencia se define no solo considerando el aprendizaje de contenidos teóricos, sino también mediante el desarrollo de competencias y habilidades, sensibilización con el entorno, y desarrollo del pensamiento crítico. En primer lugar, se han definido una serie de estrategias que potencialmente pueden permitir este aprendizaje significativo, estableciendo unas líneas comunes de actuación. Estas estrategias han sido aplicadas en ocho asignaturas de áreas de conocimiento muy dispares, y evaluadas mediante una metodología común que consiste en el seguimiento de resultados objetivos y el análisis encuestas pasadas a los alumnos al principio y al final de la asignatura. En general, las metodologías utilizadas han sido valoradas positivamente por parte de los alumnos y se ha observado una tendencia a mejorar el desarrollo de determinadas competencias transversales en función de las metodologías empleadas. Puede concluirse que favorecer la reflexión del alumno acerca de su propio aprendizaje es una estrategia de motivación que favorece un aprendizaje profundo[Otros] This paper describes the work developed during the last year by the Team in Education Innovation and Quality GRIPAU in the UPV. To this multidisciplinary team of professors, developing strategies to enhance student¿s motivation is one of the main goals. These strategies may allow students a significant learning, and thus the excellence in their learning. An excellent learning may be defined not only considering theoretical contents, but also the development of certain capabilities, sensitization with their environment or development of critical thinking. To this aim, a series of strategies potentially enhancing this learning have been defined. These strategies have been applied in eight subjects belonging to very different areas of knowledge and evaluated using a common methodology consisting in surveys to students at the beginning and at the end of the course. In general, the methodologies used in this study were positively rated by students and a tendency to improve the development of certain cross competences was detected. It can be concluded that enhancing student¿s reflection on his own learning is an effective strategy to motivate students and promote an excellent learning.Rodríguez León, A.; Martínez García, A.; Jiménez Belenguer, AI.; Moreno-Ramón, H.; Guillén Guillamón, IE.; Cabedo Fabres, M.; Calvet, S.... (2014). Estrategias emocionales para promover la excelencia del alumnado. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1012-1025. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/168755S1012102

Ensemble Composition and Activity Levels of Insectivorous Bats in Response to Management Intensification in Coffee Agroforestry Systems

Shade coffee plantations have received attention for their role in biodiversity conservation. Bats are among the most diverse mammalian taxa in these systems; however, previous studies of bats in coffee plantations have focused on the largely herbivorous leaf-nosed bats (Phyllostomidae). In contrast, we have virtually no information on how ensembles of aerial insectivorous bats – nearly half the Neotropical bat species – change in response to habitat modification. To evaluate the effects of agroecosystem management on insectivorous bats, we studied their diversity and activity in southern Chiapas, Mexico, a landscape dominated by coffee agroforestry. We used acoustic monitoring and live captures to characterize the insectivorous bat ensemble in forest fragments and coffee plantations differing in the structural and taxonomic complexity of shade trees. We captured bats of 12 non-phyllostomid species; acoustic monitoring revealed the presence of at least 12 more species of aerial insectivores. Richness of forest bats was the same across all land-use types; in contrast, species richness of open-space bats increased in low shade, intensively managed coffee plantations. Conversely, only forest bats demonstrated significant differences in ensemble structure (as measured by similarity indices) across land-use types. Both overall activity and feeding activity of forest bats declined significantly with increasing management intensity, while the overall activity, but not feeding activity, of open-space bats increased. We conclude that diverse shade coffee plantations in our study area serve as valuable foraging and commuting habitat for aerial insectivorous bats, and several species also commute through or forage in low shade coffee monocultures

Uso de compuestos nutracéuticos en nuevas formulaciones de piensos acuícolas

Trabajo presentado en las X Jornadas de Acuicultura en el Litoral Suratlántico: Nuevos retos y perspectivas para la sostenibilidad de la acuicultura, celebrado entre el 22 y 23 de noviembre de 2023 en Huelva.[EN] Different strategies have been followed to improve the aquaculture of main European farmed fish, such as genetic selection, refinements in culture conditions or enhanced feed formulation and management. However, more knowledge is required to exploit fish phenotypic plasticity to obtain those that better match aquaculture or market conditions. The overall objective of this mini-review is to identify the latest productive traits recently performed, mainly in commercial carnivorous species, and underlying biological processes that would be susceptible to improve the competitivity of aquaculture sector through nutritional issues. Thus, this work is framed within the concepts of Circular Economy and Blue Growth, where it is intended to point out the use of natural compounds extracted from seaweeds, microalgae and by-products of the industry for their inclusion in aquafeeds, allowing a more efficient use of more sustainable vegetable protein sources, and also to evaluate if these nutraceutical compounds counteract detrimental effects observed by nutritional interventions or environmentally challenged.[ES] La producción acuícola ha seguido diferentes estrategias para su optimización a lo largo de las últimas décadas, como el desarrollo de la selección genética, la mejora de las condiciones de cultivo, o el avance en la formulación y gestión de los piensos. Sin embargo, se requiere más conocimiento para explotar la plasticidad fenotípica de los peces para obtener aquellos que se ajusten mejor a las condiciones de la acuicultura o del mercado. El objetivo general de esta mini-revisión es identificar los últimos avances realizados recientemente, principalmente en especies carnívoras comerciales, y los procesos biológicos subyacentes que serían susceptibles de mejorar la competitividad del sector acuícola a través de intervenciones nutricionales. Así, este trabajo se enmarca dentro de los conceptos de Economía Circular y Crecimiento Azul, donde se pretende señalar el uso de compuestos naturales extraídos de algas, microalgas y subproductos de la industria para su inclusión en alimentos acuícolas, permitiendo un uso más eficiente de fuentes de proteínas vegetales más sostenibles, y también evaluar si estos compuestos nutracéuticos son capaces de contrarrestar los efectos perjudiciales observados por las formulaciones inadecuadas o desafiados por factores ambientales estresantes.This work was supported by the Projects “FEDER-UCA18-107182”, “FisioBream-II Call for Young Researchers CEI⋅MAR 2019”, “ALGAE4FISH-CEI·MAR Empresa 2018”, “VALINVA-CEI·MAR Empresa 2019”, “SeriBlue-CEI·MAR Empresa 2020”, and co-financed by the spin-off LifeBioencapsulation S.L. (Almería) and Biotechnology Biopolym S.A. (Granada)

Survival of Late Pleisticene Hunter-gatherer ancestry in the Iberian Peninsula

The Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe represents an important test case for the study of human population movements during prehistoric periods. During the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), the peninsula formed a periglacial refugium for hunter-gatherers (HGs) and thus served as a potential source for the re-peopling of northern latitudes. The post-LGM genetic signature was previously described as a cline from Western HG (WHG) to Eastern HG (EHG), further shaped by later Holocene expansions from the Near East and the North Pontic steppes. Western and central Europe were dominated by ancestry associated with the 14,000-year-old individual from Villabruna, Italy, which had largely replaced earlier genetic ancestry, represented by 19,000-15,000-year-old individuals associated with the Magdalenian culture. However, little is known about the genetic diversity in southern European refugia, the presence of distinct genetic clusters, and correspondence with geography. Here, we report new genome-wide data from 11 HGs and Neolithic individuals that highlight the late survival of Paleolithic ancestry in Iberia, reported previously in Magdalenian-associated individuals. We show that all Iberian HGs, including the oldest, a 19,000-year-old individual from El Mirón in Spain, carry dual ancestry from both Villabruna and the Magdalenian-related individuals. Thus, our results suggest an early connection between two potential refugia, resulting in a genetic ancestry that survived in later Iberian HGs. Our new genomic data from Iberian Early and Middle Neolithic individuals show that the dual Iberian HG genomic legacy pertains in the peninsula, suggesting that expanding farmers mixed with local HGs

Deep Molecular Characterization of Milder Spinal Muscular Atrophy Patients Carrying the c.859G>C Variant in SMN2

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe neuromuscular disorder caused by biallelic loss or pathogenic variants in the SMN1 gene. Copy number and modifier intragenic variants in SMN2, an almost identical paralog gene of SMN1, are known to influence the amount of complete SMN proteins. Therefore, SMN2 is considered the main phenotypic modifier of SMA, although genotype-phenotype correlation is not absolute. We present eleven unrelated SMA patients with milder phenotypes carrying the c.859G>C-positive modifier variant in SMN2. All were studied by a specific NGS method to allow a deep characterization of the entire SMN region. Analysis of two homozygous cases for the variant allowed us to identify a specific haplotype, Smn2-859C.1, in association with c.859G>C. Two other cases with the c.859G>C variant in their two SMN2 copies showed a second haplotype, Smn2-859C.2, in cis with Smn2-859C.1, assembling a more complex allele. We also identified a previously unreported variant in intron 2a exclusively linked to the Smn2-859C.1 haplotype (c.154-1141G>A), further suggesting that this region has been ancestrally conserved. The deep molecular characterization of SMN2 in our cohort highlights the importance of testing c.859G>C, as well as accurately assessing the SMN2 region in SMA patients to gain insight into the complex genotype-phenotype correlations and improve prognostic outcomes