Synovial cysts of the temporomandibular joint: an immunohistochemical characterization and literature review.

Synovial cysts of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are very rare, and to date, only 12 cases of a synovial cyst in the TMJ region have been reported in the literature. In this paper, we present the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of one such lesion affecting a 48-year-old woman, presented with a mass in the left preauricular region.We describe the usefulness of immunohistochemical analysis for recognizing the synovial lining, which allowed for clear differentiation between ganglion and synovial cysts. Immunohistochemical analyses can be used to diagnose synovial cysts with certainty; however, using at least two markers is advisable to distinguish the two existing synovial cell subtypes. Our findings indicate that synovial cysts of TMJ possess an internal lining dominated by type B (fibroblast-like) synoviocytes

Análisis de variables relacionadas con el acceso y desempeño de las funciones directiva y docente en las nuevas universidades populares españolas. Un estudio a nivel nacional

Cada vez y con más frecuencia las instituciones de educación no formal están cobrando una mayor importancia en la formación continua de nuestros ciudadanos. El presente trabajo recoge una investigación realizada a nivel nacional sobre una de estas instituciones que en la actualidad cuenta con más de dos millones de alumnos. Estamos hablando de las Universidades Populares españolas que en la actualidad se encuentran expandidas por veintidós provincias de once comunidades autónomas: Andalucía, Aragón, Castilla La Mancha, Castilla León, Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Madrid, Murcia y Valencia. En esta investigación se utilizaron tres tipos de cuestionarios dirigidos a cada uno de los estamentos ligados a este proyecto: los directivos, los monitores y los alumnos. A su vez, se realizó un estudio de caso en la Universidad Popular de Loja (Granada), con el objetivo de dotar de significado a los datos estadísticos obtenidos del estudio a nivel nacional. De esta forma se han caracterizado y descrito las principales tareas de las Universidades Populares españolas y la visión que de ellas tienen los tres grupos implicados en su vida diari

Bloom’s taxonomy and the application of knowledge: problem-based learning in the subject ‘Zoology’ at the University of Valencia

De acuerdo con la taxonomía de Bloom, en el contexto de la enseñanza los procesos cognitivos se encuentran jerarquizados en seis niveles de complejidad creciente e inclusiva. Así, una materia puede perseguir que los studiantes (1) memoricen información, (2) la comprendan, (3) la apliquen para resolver problemas nuevos, (4) la analicen, (5) la evalúen o (6) incluso creen nuevo conocimiento a partir de ella. Tradicionalmente, en las universidades españolas la asignatura de Zoología ha promovido primordialmente la memorización y la comprensión. Sin embargo, parece hoy recomendable trabajar también procesos cognitivos superiores, haciendo hincapié en la aplicación del conocimiento zoológico. Esto proporciona herramientas a los estudiantes para abordar una gran variedad de preguntas, ayudando a forjar un estilo de pensamiento; permite adaptar los contenidos a una menor presencialidad, generando autonomía en la forma de trabajar, y desplaza el énfasis epistemológico desde una ciencia de sujetos hacia una ciencia de principios. En este trabajo presentamos un diseño realista de clases de problemas de zoología para grupos numerosos, tal y como se plantea en la Universidad de Valencia. El elemento clave de nuestra iniciativa es una selección muy cuidadosa de los problemas: no se trata de memorizar o comprender debates clásicos o recientes en zoología, ni de meros ejercicios de corroboración. Los problemas de aplicación que planteamos obligan al estudiante a buscar relaciones o consecuencias no inmediatas de los conocimientos que van adquiriendo sobre filogenia, diversidad, planes corporales, morfología funcional y estrategias vitales; intentamos además que incluyan filos que no se tratan en el temario. En este trabajo ilustramos diversos problemas tipo y describimos qué temporalización, carga docente y metodología pueden resultar más adecuadas dentro de un programa “clásico” de Zoología. El criterio fundamental de evaluación es que las respuestas sean plausibles, aunque no necesariamente correctas.According to Bloom’s taxonomy, the cognitive processes that are involved in any learning context can be organized into six inclusive levels of increasing complexity. The aim(s) of any academic subject can be (1) to memorize information, (2) to understand it, (3) to apply it to solve new problems, (4) to analyze it, (5) to evaluate it, and even (6) to create new knowledge based on it. Traditionally, in Spanish universities the subject ‘Zoology’ has primarily addressed memorization and understanding. However, it would seem advisable to also deal with upper cognitive processes, particularly the application of knowledge. This would allow students to tackle a great diversity of zoology questions, help creating a thinking style, and to reduce the number of lectures since students could deal with several contents by themselves. Also, the application of knowledge would shift emphasis from subjects (animals) to principles. In this presentation we describe a realistic design for problem-based lectures on zoology that are devised for large classes at the University of Valencia. The key element for a successful implementation is a careful selection of problems. Applying knowledge has nothing to do with memorizing / understanding classical or current zoological debates, or with making corroborative exercises. A genuine problem invites students to seek relationships and non-trivial consequences of the knowledge they acquire about phylogeny, diversity, body plans, functional morphology, and life history strategies, particularly when they are applied to animal phyla that are not included in the subject programme. In this presentation we include type problems and describe the schedule, teaching load and methodology that could best fit within a “classical” Zoology programme. The fundamental criterion to evaluate problems is that answers are plausible, though not necessarily correc

Necrosis avascular de cabeza femoral en pacientes con enfermedad de Gaucher tipo I : tratamiento mediante artroplastia total de cadera no cementada

El 80% de los pacientes con enfermedad de Gaucher presentan manifestaciones óseas, siendo la necrosis avascular de la cabeza femoral una de las que mayor limitación produce y la primera causa de intervención quirúrgica osteoarticular. La artroplastia total de cadera cementada ha sido el tratamiento de elección en los casos con mayor deterioro de la articulación, pero sus resultados a medio y largo plazo se han visto ensombrecidos por la elevada tasa de aflojamiento. La terapia enzimática sustitutiva ha disminuido las complicaciones postoperatorias, además de permitir el uso de componentes no cementados con resultados similares a las prótesis implantadas por otros motivos. Presentamos una serie de 5 artroplastias de cadera no cementadas, con un seguimiento medio de 12.4 años (3.4-30), en 4 pacientes con enfermedad de Gaucher tipo I y osteonecrosis de la cabeza femoral. Solo se observó un caso de aflojamiento aséptico a los 18 años de la intervención

Nested species-rich networks of scavenging vertebrates support high levels of interspecific competition

Disentangling the processes that shape the organization of ecological assemblages and its implications for species coexistence is one of the foremost challenges of ecology. Although insightful advances have recently related community composition and structure with species coexistence in mutualistic and antagonistic networks, little is known regarding other species assemblages, such as those of scavengers exploiting carrion. Here we studied seven assemblages of scavengers feeding on ungulate carcasses in mainland Spain. We used dynamical models to investigate if community composition, species richness and structure (nestedness) affect species coexistence at carcasses. Scavenging networks showed a nested pattern in sites where highly efficient, obligate scavengers (i.e., vultures) were present and a non- nested pattern everywhere else. Griffon Vulture ( Gyps fulvus ) and certain meso- facultative mammalian scavengers (i.e., red fox, Vulpes vulpes, and stone marten, Martes foina ) were the main species contributing to nestedness. Assemblages with vultures were also the richest ones in species. Nested species- rich assemblages with vulture presence were associated with high carcass consumption rates, indicating higher interspecific competition at the local scale. However, the proportion of species stopping the consumption of carrion (as derived from the competitive dynamic model) stabilized at high richness and nestedness levels. This suggests that high species richness and nestedness may characterize scavenging networks that are robust to high levels of interspecific competition for carrion. Some facilitative interactions driven by vultures and major facultative scavengers could be behind these observations. Our findings are relevant for understanding species' coexistence in highly competitive systemsE. Sebastián- González and P. R. Guimarães benefited from FAPESP Research Foundation grants numbers 2011/17968- 2 and 2009/054422- 8, respectively; E. Sebastián- González is currently funded under the NSF grant NSF Award #1345247, M. Moleón by a postdoctoral grant from the Spanish Ministry of Education (Plan Nacional de I+D+I 2008- 2011), J. P. Gibert by an Other Fellowship and SBS Special Funds (U. of N.), and P. Mateo-Tomás by a postdoctoral grant of the Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha and Fondo Social Europeo. The study was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through projects 23/2007 ICTS- RBD, CGL2009- 12753- C02- 02, and CGL2012- 40013- C02- 02, FEDER funds, the Generalitat Valenciana through project ACOMP/2012/147, and the Junta de Andalucía through project RNM- 192

Nested species- rich networks of scavenging vertebrates support high levels of interspecific competition.

Disentangling the processes that shape the organization of ecological assemblages and its implications for species coexistence is one of the foremost challenges of ecology. Although insightful advances have recently related community composition and structure with species coexistence in mutualistic and antagonistic networks, little is known regarding other species assemblages, such as those of scavengers exploiting carrion. Here we studied seven assemblages of scavengers feeding on ungulate carcasses in mainland Spain. We used dynamical models to investigate if community composition, species richness and structure (nestedness) affect species coexistence at carcasses. Scavenging networks showed a nested pattern in sites where highly efficient, obligate scavengers (i.e., vultures) were present and a non- nested pattern everywhere else. Griffon Vulture ( Gyps fulvus ) and certain meso- facultative mammalian scavengers (i.e., red fox, Vulpes vulpes, and stone marten, Martes foina ) were the main species contributing to nestedness. Assemblages with vultures were also the richest ones in species. Nested species- rich assemblages with vulture presence were associated with high carcass consumption rates, indicating higher interspecific competition at the local scale. However, the proportion of species stopping the consumption of carrion (as derived from the competitive dynamic model) stabilized at high richness and nestedness levels. This suggests that high species richness and nestedness may characterize scavenging networks that are robust to high levels of interspecific competition for carrion. Some facilitative interactions driven by vultures and major facultative scavengers could be behind these observations. Our findings are relevant for understanding species' coexistence in highly competitive systems

Sliding wear behavior of Al2O3-NbC composites obtained by conventional and nonconventional techniques

[EN] This study aims to investigate the dry sliding wear behavior of Al2O3 5vol.%NbC nanocomposite sintered by conventional and spark plasma sintering at temperatures from 1450 to 1600 ºC. The tests were performed using WC 6 wt%Co balls as a counterpart material, a load of 30 and 60 N, a sliding distance of 2000 m and a sliding speed of 0.1 m/s. The consolidation techniques influenced the friction coefficient, wear rates and patterns. Samples tested at 30 N showed better wear resistance than the samples tests with 60 N. The nanocomposites obtained by SPS at 1500 ºC exhibited a lower friction coefficient and wear rate compared to all other materials. The results indicated that Al2O3-NbC nanocomposites show promise as material for cutting tool applications.This work has been financial support by the Brazilian institution CAPES for the project CAPES-PVE A086/2013 (project No 23038.009604/2013-12). A. Borrell acknowledges the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for her Juan de la Cierva-Incorporacion contract (IJCI-2014-19839).Ribeiro-Rodrigues Alecrim, L.; Ferreira, J.; Gutierrez-Gonzalez, C.; Salvador Moya, MD.; Borrell Tomás, MA.; Pallone, E. (2017). Sliding wear behavior of Al2O3-NbC composites obtained by conventional and nonconventional techniques. Tribology International. 110:216-221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2017.02.028S21622111

Effect of reinforcement NbC phase on the mechanical properties of Al2O3-NbC nanocomposites obtained by spark plasma sintering

[EN] The sintering behavior of Al2O3-NbC nanocomposites fabricated via conventional and spark plasma sintering (SPS) was investigated. The nanometric powders of NbC were prepared by reactive high-energy milling, deagglomerated, leached with acid, added to the Al2O3 matrix in the proportion of 5vol% and dried under airflow. Then, the nanocomposite powders were densified at different temperatures, 1450-1600C. Effect of sintering temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties such as hardness, toughness and bending strength were analyzed. The Al2O3-NbC nanocomposites obtained by SPS show full density and maximum hardness value>25GPa and bending strength of 532MPa at 1500C. Microstructure observations indicate that NbC nanoparticles are dispersed homogeneously within Al2O3 matrix and limit their grain growth. Scanning electron microscopy examination of the fracture surfaces of dense samples obtained at 1600C by SPS revealed partial melting of the particle surfaces due to the discharge effecThis work has been financial support by the Brazilian institution CAPES for the project CAPES-PVE A086/2013 (project no. 23038.009604/2013-12). A Borrell, acknowledges the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for her Juan de la Cierva-Incorporacion contract (IJCI-2014-19839).Ribeiro-Rodrigues Alecrim, L.; Ferreira, J.; Gutiérrez-González, C.; Salvador Moya, MD.; Borrell Tomás, MA.; Pallone, E. (2017). Effect of reinforcement NbC phase on the mechanical properties of Al2O3-NbC nanocomposites obtained by spark plasma sintering. International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials. 64:255-260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmhm.2016.10.021S2552606

Functional traits driving species role in the structure of terrestrial vertebrate scavenger networks

Species assemblages often have a non-random nested organization, which in vertebrate scavenger (carrion-consuming) assemblages is thought to be driven by facilitation in competitive environments. However, not all scavenger species play the same role in maintaining assemblage structure, as some species are obligate scavengers (i.e., vultures) and others are facultative, scavenging opportunistically. We used a database with 177 vertebrate scavenger species from 53 assemblages in 22 countries across five continents to identify which functional traits of scavenger species are key to maintaining the scavenging network structure. We used network analyses to relate ten traits hypothesized to affect assemblage structure with the “role” of each species in the scavenging assemblage in which it appeared. We characterized the role of a species in terms of both the proportion of monitored carcasses on which that species scavenged, or scavenging breadth (i.e., the species “normalized degree”), and the role of that species in the nested structure of the assemblage (i.e., the species “paired nested degree”), therefore identifying possible facilitative interactions among species. We found that species with high olfactory acuity, social foragers, and obligate scavengers had the widest scavenging breadth. We also found that social foragers had a large paired nested degree in scavenger assemblages, probably because their presence is easier to detect by other species to signal carcass occurrence. Our study highlights differences in the functional roles of scavenger species and can be used to identify key species for targeted conservation to maintain the ecological function of scavenger assemblages.Generalitat Valenciana SEJI/2018/024, APOSTD/2019/016, CIDEGENT/ 2020/030, ACIF/2019/056Ministerio de Educación y Cultura CI-2017-32149, FJCI-2015-25632, IJC2018-036642-I, YC-2019-027216-I, RYC-2015-19231, RYC-2017-2273, GL2012-40013-C02-01/02, CGL2015- 66966-C2-1-R, CGL2015-66966-C2-1-R2, CGL2017-89905-R, RTI2018-099609-B-C21, RTI2018-099609-B-C22Govern de les Illes Balears PD/039/201National Science Centre in Poland 2013/08/M/ NZ9/00469, 2016/22/Z/NZ8/00Slovenian Research Agency P4-0059US Department of Energy DE- EM000439USA National Science Foundation #1255913California Department of Fish & Wildlife P0880013Junta de Andalucía RNM-192

Low Background Micromegas in CAST

Solar axions could be converted into x-rays inside the strong magnetic field of an axion helioscope, triggering the detection of this elusive particle. Low background x-ray detectors are an essential component for the sensitivity of these searches. We report on the latest developments of the Micromegas detectors for the CERN Axion Solar Telescope (CAST), including technological pathfinder activities for the future International Axion Observatory (IAXO). The use of low background techniques and the application of discrimination algorithms based on the high granularity of the readout have led to background levels below 10$^{-6}$ counts/keV/cm$^2$/s, more than a factor 100 lower than the first generation of Micromegas detectors. The best levels achieved at the Canfranc Underground Laboratory (LSC) are as low as 10$^{-7}$ counts/keV/cm$^2$/s, showing good prospects for the application of this technology in IAXO. The current background model, based on underground and surface measurements, is presented, as well as the strategies to further reduce the background level. Finally, we will describe the R&D paths to achieve sub-keV energy thresholds, which could broaden the physics case of axion helioscopes.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, Large TPC Conference 2014, Pari