Introduction to the special issue on Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits (RFIC) design techniques

Peer reviewe

Pourquoi les activités à l'extérieur ?: réponse selon la pédagogie par la nature et Maria Montessori

Ce travail de recherche a été centré sur le thème des activités à l’extérieur dans les structures d’accueil. La problématique soulevée est l’accompagnement des enfants lors de sorties afin que cela devienne des activités à l’extérieur. Pour cela, ma recherche a été tout d’abord théorique. Des recherches ont été effectuées sur la pédagogie par la nature et Maria Montessori (pédagogue) afin de savoir quelles étaient leurs valeurs en ce qui concerne les activités extérieures. Une comparaison a été faite afin d’aboutir cette recherche théorique. La suite logique de mon travail a été d’identifier les freins et difficultés à mettre en place ces activités et de trouver des solutions. Pour conclure ce travail, je me suis intéressée à quelques projets en lien avec mon thème, effectués en Suisse et en Europe

Histomorphological study of ovarian atresia over the reproductive cycle of Octopus vulgaris from Galician waters (NW Spain)

13 páginas, 8 figuras, 1 tablaAtresia has been poorly examined in cephalopods. We here provide a histological description of this process along the whole ovary development for Octopus vulgaris. Additionally, we related its occurrence to morphometric parameters, and its seasonal cycle was further analysed. Atresia occurred all year round in immature and mature females and in previtellogenic and vitellogenic oocytes. However, more mature females were more prone of being atretic. This occurred mainly in spring when females had atretic previtellogenic oocytes in mature macrostages. By contrast, vitellogenic atresia occurred mainly from spawning to post-spawning females. Furthermore, two types of phagocytic cells were identified as responsible for the reabsorption during atresia. The phagocytic follicle cells only occurred in yolk-bearing oocytes; and within the two haemocyte populations only the smaller ones seemed to be involved in engulfing atretic oocytes. Additionally, advanced atresia in post-spawning females showed yellow–brown bodies as a possible result of follicle cell apoptosis and highlighting the end of the reproductive cycle. Given the pattern of atresia, the reproductive strategy of this species is based on an asynchronic ovary development and a synchronous ovulation during spawning. We further suggest that potential fecundity for this species should be measured on late vitellogenic oocytes in pre-spawning femalesThis work was funded by the Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología (CICYT, Spain) (Project VEM 2003–20010) and by Xunta de Galicia (PGIDIT04PXIC40207PN). P. Sieiro was supported by a fellowship of Departamento de Postgrado y Especialización (CSIC), and J. Otero was supported by a ‘‘Junta para la Ampliación de Estudios’’ Fellowship (JAE Doc programme 2011) from the CSIC and ESFPeer reviewe

Mixed-mode impedance and reflection coefficient of two-port devices

From the point of view of mixed-mode scattering parameters, Smm, a two-port device can be excited using different driving conditions. Each condition leads to a particular set of input reflection and input impedance coefficient definitions that should be carefully applied depending on the type of excitation and symmetry of the two-port device. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to explain the general analytic procedure for the evaluation of such reflection and impedance coefficients in terms of mixed-mode scattering parameters. Moreover, the driving of a two-port device as a one-port device is explained as a particular case of a two-port mixed-mode excitation using a given set of mixed-mode loads. The theory is applied to the evaluation of the quality factor, Q, of symmetrical and non- symmetrical inductors.Ministerio de Innovación y Ciencia TEC2010-14825/MIC, TEC2010-21484Junta de Andalucía TIC-253

Heterodimer Formation of the Homodimeric ABC Transporter OpuA

Many proteins have a multimeric structure and are composed of two or more identical subunits. While this can be advantageous for the host organism, it can be a challenge when targeting specific residues in biochemical analyses. In vitro splitting and re-dimerization to circumvent this problem is a tedious process that requires stable proteins. We present an in vivo approach to transform homodimeric proteins into apparent heterodimers, which then can be purified using two-step affinity-tag purification. This opens the door to both practical applications such as smFRET to probe the conformational dynamics of homooligomeric proteins and fundamental research into the mechanism of protein multimerization, which is largely unexplored for membrane proteins. We show that expression conditions are key for the formation of heterodimers and that the order of the differential purification and reconstitution of the protein into nanodiscs is important for a functional ABC-transporter complex

Profesorado y nuevas tecnologías

La utilización de los medios de comunicación audiovisual y las nuevas tecnologías de la información y la comunicación sirven como punto de arranque de esta breve, pero profunda reflexión que el autor hace en defensa de la alfabetización audiovisual de nuestros alumnos y alumnas en los centros escolares. Para ello, la formación del profesorado y la integración curricular de los nuevos lenguajes se convierten en retos pendientes.The use of audiovisual communication media and new information and communication technologies serve as a starting point for this brief but deep reflection of the author in defence of audiovisual literacy of our students in schools. To do this, the training of teachers and the curricular integration of new languages become still unachieved challenges