Obtención y caracterización de mezclas de polipropileno y cera parafina para su aplicación en materiales de cambio de fase

This project involves the characterization of mixtures of a synthetic polymer (polypropylene) with two kinds of waxes, which have been provided by two companies such as Repsol and Panreac. This will show us how the content of paraffin affects at different polymer characteristics observed in several trials and, thus, draw conclusions. It also aims to see what differences exist in the behavior of the polymer when is mixed with wax Panreac against is mixed with the wax Repsol. In this project we have studied the characteristics of six mixtures with increasing paraffin content for both Repsol and Panreac wax. These compounds were mixed in a "twin-screw extruder" after have calculated the quantities and mixing the components. To check the quality and homogeneity of the mixture and to make an estimation of the possible errors in characterizing of each mixture were measured density of each mixture and compared with the theoretical density. To measure the density has been used a "pycnometer". To study the properties of each mixture have been made five tests: - TGA (Thermogravimetric analysis): used to calculate the "decomposition temperature". - DSC (Differential scanning calorimetry) is used to measure the "melting temperature". - DMA (Dynamic mechanical analysis) is used to calculate the "glass transition temperature," called "Tg". - Calculation of viscosity with a "rheometer" as a result gives us the variation of viscosity with respect to the shear rate. - "Tensile test" calculated as the stress varying depending on the deformation. For testing DMA and tensile test was necessary to obtain several test pieces for each of the mixtures for both waxes, through which these trials have been performed. These specimens have been made in a "hot plate press".Ingeniería Industria

Morphological Disparity of the Humerus in Modern Birds

From a functional standpoint, the humerus is a key element in the skeleton of vertebrates as it is the forelimb's bone that connects with the pectoral girdle. In most birds, the humerus receives both the forces exerted by the main flight muscles and the aerodynamical stresses exerted upon the wing during locomotion. Despite this functional preeminence, broad scale studies of the morphological disparity of the humerus in the crown group of birds (Neornithes) are lacking. Here, we explore the variation in shape of the humeral outline in modern birds and its evolutionary relationship with size and the evolution of different functional regimes, including several flight strategies, wing propelled diving and complete loss of wing locomotory function. Our findings suggest that most neornithines evolved repeatedly towards a general humeral morphology linked with functional advantages related with more efficient flapping. Lineages evolving high-stress locomotion such as hyperaeriality (e.g., swifts), hovering (e.g., hummingbirds) and wing-propelled diving (e.g., penguins) greatly deviate from this general trend, each exploring different morphologies. Secondarily flightless birds deviate to a lesser degree from their parent clades in humeral morphology likely as a result of the release from constraints related with wing-based locomotion. Furthermore, these taxa show a different allometric trend that flighted birds. Our results reveal that the constraints of aerial and aquatic locomotion are main factors shaping the macroevolution of humeral morphology in modern birds

Hsa-miR-139-5p is a prognostic thyroid cancer marker involved in HNRNPF-mediated alternative splicing.

It is critical to identify biomarkers and functional networks associated with aggressive thyroid cancer to anticipate diseaseprogression and facilitate personalized patient management. We performed miRNome sequencing of 46 thyroid tumorsenriched with advanced disease patients with a median follow-up of 96 months. MiRNome profiles correlated with tumor-specific histopathological and molecular features, such as stromal cell infiltration and tumor driver mutation. Differentialexpression analysis revealed a consistent hsa-miR-139-5p downexpression in primary carcinomas from patients withrecurrent/metastatic disease compared to disease-free patients, sustained in paired local metastases and validated in publiclypost-print1,62 M

Role of bulge epidermal stem cells and TSLP signaling in psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disease involving a cross-talk between epidermal and immune cells. The role of specific epidermal stem cell populations, including hair follicle stem cells (HF-SCs) in psoriasis is not well defined. Here, we show reduced expression of c-JUN and JUNB in bulge HF-SCs in patients with scalp psoriasis. Using lineage tracing in mouse models of skin inflammation with inducible deletion of c-Jun and JunB, we found that mutant bulge HF-SCs initiate epidermal hyperplasia and skin inflammation. Mechanistically, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) was identified in mutant cells as a paracrine factor stimulating proliferation of neighboring non-mutant epidermal cells, while mutant inter-follicular epidermal (IFE) cells are lost over time. Blocking TSLP in psoriasis-like mice reduced skin inflammation and decreased epidermal proliferation, VEGFα expression, and STAT5 activation. These findings unravel distinct roles of HF-SCs and IFE cells in inflammatory skin disease and provide novel mechanistic insights into epidermal cell interactions in inflammation.We thank Drs. M. Serrano and M. Perez-Moreno for the Gt(ROSA)26Sortrn4(ACTB-tdTomato,-EGFP)Luo/J and K15-Cre-PGR mouse lines. We are very grateful to Drs. M. Perez-Moreno, F. Real, O. Uluckan, L. Bakiri and the laboratory members of the Sibilia and Wagner groups for critical reading of the manuscript and valuable suggestions. We thank V. Bermeo, G. Medrano, S. Leceta, O. Grana, and M. Perez for their technical help and IT support. We acknowledge R. Paus laboratory members for the shipment of hair follicle samples. N.G.L. received funding from the People programme (Marie Curie Actions) of the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under REA grant agreement no 608765. A.I is funded by the Institute of Health Carlos III (PI16/01430). The Wagner laboratory was funded by a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and competitiveness (SAF2015-70857RE, cofounded by the European Regional Development Fund) and is supported by the ERC (ERC-AdG 2016 CSI-Fun).S

Sistema de riego autónomo para pequeños cultivos basado en medición de temperatura y humedad

The development of an autonomous irrigation system for a corn crop of 2400 m2, located in the farm La Reforma, Colombia, is described. This system was developed to optimize the use of the water resource coming from a ravine near stream close to the crop, which is shared with other growers. The purpose is to eliminate damage by crushing and fracture of the plants, losses due to lack of irrigation, additional costs for labor and waste of water, because it is only used when it is necessary, which avoids erosion by over-irrigation and shortage of other crops. In addition, it was intended to implement a simple and economic system for small farmers, but at the same time, functional with technology available in the national market. The solution consists of a sprinkler system, with the least number of elements to cover the largest area, which is automatically activated from the measurement of ambient temperature and soil moisture. A modular basic system was implemented, which could be later added to other variables and validated in a corn crop for six months, from the equitable distribution of six soil moisture and temperature sensors, within the crops area; Which interact with six 70-10-30G sprinklers to cover 20 m in diameter at 72 psi each, powered by a microcontroller in a designed electronic circuit. Results are presented on the final harvest, improving the physical conditions of color, appearance and presentation more fresh and homogeneous; With lower water consumption compared to the usual use of permanent supply with hose and conditions of the greenest and most productive plants in general; A production equivalent to six times more corn was obtained, compared to normal production, for the same batch size; With better quality conditions, through a simple and low-cost system, whose recovery of investment is obtained in a time of two to three harvests.Se describe el desarrollo de un sistema de riego autónomo para un cultivo de maíz de 2400 m2, ubicado en la finca La Reforma, Colombia. Este sistema fue desarrollado buscando optimizar el uso del recurso hídrico proveniente de una quebrada cercana a la zona del cultivo, la cual es compartida con otros cultivadores. El propósito es eliminar daños por aplastamiento y fractura de las plantas, pérdidas por falta de irrigación, costos adicionales por mano de obra y desperdicio de agua, debido a que el agua se utiliza solo cuando es necesaria, lo que evita la erosión por sobre riego y el desabastecimiento de otros cultivos. Adicionalmente, se pretendía implementar un sistema simple y económico para pequeños agricultores, pero a su vez, funcional, con tecnología disponible en el mercado nacional. La solución se compone de un sistema de aspersión, con el menor número de elementos para mayor cubrimiento de área, el cual se acciona automáticamente a partir de la medición de temperatura ambiente y humedad del suelo.  Se implementó un sistema básico modular, al cual se le puedan adicionar posteriormente otras variables y se validó en un el cultivo de maíz durante seis meses, a partir de la distribución equitativa de seis sensores de humedad del suelo y de temperatura, dentro del área de cultivo; los cuales interactúan con seis aspersores 70-10-30G para cubrir 20 m de diámetro a 72 psi cada uno, accionado por un microcontrolador en un circuito electrónico diseñado. Se presentan resultados sobre la cosecha final mejorando las condiciones físicas de color, aspecto y presentación más fresca y homogénea; con menor consumo de agua frente al uso habitual de suministro permanente con manguera y condiciones de las plantas más verdes y productivas en general; se obtuvo una producción equivalente a seis veces más de maíz, con respecto a la producción normal, para el mismo tamaño de lote; con mejores condiciones de calidad, mediante un sistema sencillo y de bajo costo, cuya recuperación de inversión se obtiene en un tiempo de dos a tres cosechas

Environmental Assessment of Olive Mill Solid Waste Valorization via Anaerobic Digestion Versus Olive Pomace Oil Extraction

Anaerobic digestion is a promising alternative to valorize agrifood wastes, which is gaining interest under an environmental sustainability overview. The present research aimed to compare anaerobic digestion with olive pomace oil extraction, by using life cycle assessment, as alternatives for the valorization of the olive mill solid waste generated in the centrifugation process with a two-outlet decanter from oil mills. In the case of olive pomace oil extraction, two cases were defined depending on the type of fuel used for drying the wet pomace before the extraction: natural gas or a fraction of the generated extracted pomace. The anaerobic digestion alternative consisted of the production of biogas from the olive mill solid waste, heat and electricity cogeneration by the combustion of the generated biogas, and composting of the anaerobic digestate. The life cycle assessment showed that anaerobic digestion was the best alternative, with a global environmental impact reduction of 88.1 and 85.9% respect to crude olive pomace oil extraction using natural gas and extracted pomace, respectively, as fuel.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad CTM2014-55095-

Efecto de un programa de capacitación en competencias de investigación en estudiantes de ciencias de la salud

The European Higher Education Area implies a change to the Health Science education in Spain. Spanish university system must promote the acquisition of competences in research habits, such as the information management or scientific dissemination. This article presents the findings of a study to evaluate the level of effectiveness and satisfaction of an educational training program on research skills geared towards Health Science students. A hundred and eight students of Physical Therapy degree, Occupational Therapy degree and Nursing degree were participated into a quasi-experimental study. Educational needs were first detected by a questionnaire based on different research skills. A semi-distance educational training program was designed and implemented after defining the above-mentioned needs. This program significantly improved the perception of knowledge and skills in research competences. As well as the level of theory and practical content assimilated by the students significantly increased after the program. These findings suggest that incorporation of specific training that allow for students to come in contact with research, are effective at improving research competences for Health Sciences students.El Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior implica un cambio en la formación universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud en España. El sistema universitario debe promover desde el grado la adquisición de competencias básicas en investigación, como la gestión de información y la comunicación científica. Este artículo presenta los hallazgos de un estudio cuyo objetivo fue evaluar el nivel de eficacia y satisfacción de un programa de capacitación educativa en competencias de investigación dirigido a estudiantes de Ciencias de  la Salud. Se diseñó un estudio cuasiexperimental en el que participaron ciento ocho estudiantes de grado de Fisioterapia, Terapia ocupacional y Enfermería. En una primera fase se detectaron las necesidades educativas en competencias de investigación a través de un cuestionario; a continuación se implementó un programa de capacitación semipresencial y se evaluó el efecto alcanzado en las necesidades antes detectadas.  Este programa mejoró significativamente la percepción de los participantes en relación a su conocimiento y habilidad en competencias de investigación. Del mismo modo, las destrezas cognitivas y prácticas mejoraron considerablemente tras el programa. Estos hallazgos evidencian que la puesta en marcha de programas específicos de capacitación en investigación es efectiva para mejorar la adquisición de competencias a este respecto en estudiantes de Ciencias de la Salud

Advances in seismic monitoring at Deception Island volcano (Antarctica) since the International Polar Year

Deception Island is an active volcano located in the south Shetland Islands, Antarctica. It constitutes a natural laboratory to test geophysical instruments in extreme conditions, since they have to endure not only the Antarctic climate but also the volcanic environment. Deception is one of the most visited places in Antarctica, both by scientists and tourists, which emphasize the importance of volcano monitoring. Seismic monitoring has been going on since 1986 during austral summer surveys. The recorded data include volcano-tectonic earthquakes, long-period events and volcanic tremor, among others. The level of seismicity ranges from quiet periods to seismic crises (e.g. 1992-1993, 1999). Our group has been involved in volcano monitoring at Deception Island since 1994. Based on this experience, in recent years we have made the most of the opportunities of the International Polar Year 2007-2008 to introduce advances in seismic monitoring along four lines: (1) the improvement of the seismic network installed for seismic monitoring during the summer surveys; (2) the development and improvement of seismic arrays for the detection and characterization of seismo-volcanic signals; (3) the design of automated event recognition tools, to simplify the process of data interpretation; and (4) the deployment of permanent seismic stations. These advances help us to obtain more data of better quality, and therefore to improve our interpretation of the seismo-volcanic activity at Deception Island, which is a crucial step in terms of hazards assessment.This work has been partially supported by the projects POL2006-08663, CGL2007-28855, CTM2008-03062, CTM2009-07705, CTM2009-08085 and CTM2010-11740 of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation

DREIMT: a drug repositioning database and prioritization tool for immunomodulation

Motivation Drug immunomodulation modifies the response of the immune system and can be therapeutically exploited in pathologies such as cancer and autoimmune diseases. Results DREIMT is a new hypothesis-generation web tool, which performs drug prioritization analysis for immunomodulation. DREIMT provides significant immunomodulatory drugs targeting up to 70 immune cells subtypes through a curated database that integrates 4960 drug profiles and ∼2600 immune gene expression signatures. The tool also suggests potential immunomodulatory drugs targeting user-supplied gene expression signatures. Final output includes drug–signature association scores, FDRs and downloadable plots and results tables. Availabilityand implementation http://www.dreimt.org. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. RTI2018-097596-B-I00Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIComunidad de Madrid | Ref. PEJD-2019-PRE/BMD-15732Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431C2018/55-GRCJunta de Andalucía | Ref. PI-0173-201