Inositol phosphate pathway evolution and synthesis in Dictyostelium discoideum

Inositol phosphates (InsPs) are polar water-soluble derivatives of the six- carbon cyclitol inositol. They are synthesized, through phosphorylation reactions, by kinases of four distinct families: IPK, IP5-2K, ITPK1 and PPIP5K, which are thought to be present across all eukaryotes. A pleiotropy of functions has been ascribed to InsPs, from nutrient storage as phytate (InsP6) in plant seeds to the regulation of energy metabolism for the highly phosphorylated inositol pyrophosphates (PP-InsPs). PP-InsPs were first identified and structurally described in the slime mould D. discoideum, in part due to the high concentrations of these molecules in amoeba. However, the amoeba knockout strains for the homologous enzymes synthesising PP-InsPs in humans (and yeast), IP6K (kcs1) and PPIP5K (vip1), do not present clear phenotypes. The work presented in this thesis expanded our biochemical understanding of these kinases by identifying additional isomers of inositol pyrophosphates and IpkA as the main source of InsP8 in the social amoeba. These findings shed light into the evolution of the inositol phosphate pathway and suggested an increased complexity of isomers and enzymes. Inositol phosphate kinase functions were identified in all domains of the tree of life as well as certain viruses, increasing our understanding of the origin and diversification of the inositol phosphate pathway

Influence of the Compaction Pressure and Sintering Temperature on the Mechanical Properties of Porous Titanium for Biomedical Applications

In the present work, the use of porous titanium is proposed as a solution to the difference in stiffness between the implant and bone tissue, avoiding the bone resorption. Conventional powder metallurgical technique is an industrially established route for fabrication of this type of material. The results are discussed in terms of the influence of compaction pressure and sintering temperature on the porosity (volumetric fraction, size, and morphology) and the quality of the sintering necks. A very good agreement between the predicted values obtained using a simple 2D finite element model, the experimental uniaxial compression behavior, and the analytical model proposed by Nielsen, has been found for both the Young’s modulus and the yield strength. The porous samples obtained by the loose sintering technique and using temperatures between 1000 °C −1100 °C (about 40% of total porosity) are recommended for achieving a suitable biomechanical behavior for cortical bone partial replacement.Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of the State General Administration of Spain grant MAT2015-71284-

Functional characterization of two enhancers located downstream FOXP2

Background: Mutations in the coding region of FOXP2 are known to cause speech and language impairment. However, it is not clear how dysregulation of the gene contributes to language deficit. Interestingly, microdeletions of the region downstream the gene have been associated with cognitive deficits. Methods: Here, we investigate changes in FOXP2 expression in the SK-N-MC neuroblastoma human cell line after deletion by CRISPR-Cas9 of two enhancers located downstream of the gene. Results: Deletion of any of these two functional enhancers downregulates FOXP2, but also upregulates the closest 3′ gene MDFIC. Because this effect is not statistically significant in a HEK 293 cell line, derived from the human kidney, both enhancers might confer a tissue specific regulation to both genes. We have also found that the deletion of any of these enhancers downregulates six well-known FOXP2 target genes in the SK-N-MC cell line. Conclusions: We expect these findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how FOXP2 and MDFIC are regulated to pace neuronal development supporting cognition, speech and language.Spanish National Research and Development Plan PI14/01884Instituto de Salud Carlos III PI14/01884FEDER PI14/0188

Shaping ability of Mtwo and Twisted File rotary systems in curved root canals

Objective: To compare the straightening of root canal curvature, the apical transportation, the loss of working length and the working time using two rotary systems. Study design: Sixty buccal root canals with angles of curvature between 30 to 99º were instrumented with Mtwo and Twisted File rotary instruments. A series of pre- and post-operative radiographs were superimposed to determine the straightening of root canal curvature and apical transportation. The loss of working length and working time were also calculated. Results: All data were analyzed by means of the Student´s t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test. No statistically significant differences in the straightening of root canal curvature, apical transportation, or the loss of working length were found between groups. There was a significant difference in working time between angles of curvature when using the Mtwo system. Conclusion: Both rotary systems showed minimal changes in the original root canal curvature

Employment Training at the University: Employment Expectations in Times of Pandemic

This study analyses the job expectations found in early childhood education students as well as the main personal and academic aspects that influence their training during the COVID- 19 pandemic. A nonexperimental ex post facto study based on a descriptive, correlational and inferential approach is developed. A total of 168 students from the University of Seville (Spain) participated. The results show a moderate to high level of expected employability. However, salary expectations and how the university is perceived regarding employability reveal more negative data. Expectations are higher for men, first-year students and those from a high socioeconomic background. The results suggest the value of offering guidance to students according to their employment preferences, before and during their training, to avoid considering the university as the only educational institution available

Esterification of Free Fatty Acids with Glycerol within the Biodiesel Production Framework

Companies in the field of the collection and treatment of waste cooking oils (WCO) for subsequent biodiesel production usually have to cope with high acidity oils, which cannot be directly transformed into fatty acid methyl esters due to soap production. Since glycerine is the main byproduct of biodiesel production, these high acidity oils could be esterified with the glycerine surplus to transform the free fatty acids (FFA) into triglycerides before performing the transesterification. In this work, commercial glycerol was esterified with commercial fatty acids and commercial fatty acid/lampante olive oil mixtures over tin (II) chloride. In the first set of experiments, the esterification of linoleic acid with glycerol excess from 20 to 80% molar over the stoichiometric was performed. From 20% glycerol excess, there was no improvement in FFA reduction. Using 20% glycerol excess, the performance of a biochar obtained from heavy metal-contaminated plant roots was compared to that of SnCl2. Then, the effect of the initial FFA content was assessed using different oleic acid/lampante olive oil mixtures. The results illustrated that glycerolysis was impeded at initial FFA contents lower than 10%. Finally, the glycerolysis of a WCO with 9.94% FFA was assayed, without success

Garantías que se pueden constituir registralmente para asegurar la financiación de obras de renovación de eficiencia energética

From the point of view of the role that the Land Registry can play toward the renovation wave of buildings, his paper discusses the need to promote legislative reforms in order to guarantee the creditor’s position when financing the renovation of multi-unit buildings. Existing legislation provides for mortgages and other encumbrances on each unit, but the energy renovation of buildings requires adaptations to overcome difficulties arising, inter alia, from the informality of agreements reached by communities of owners, the principles governing land registration and the regulation of preferences among registered creditors.Partiendo de la perspectiva del papel que puede jugar el Registro de la Propiedad en la renovación energética de los edificios, este trabajo plantea la necesidad de promover reformas legislativas que aseguren la posición del acreedor que financia la renovación de edificios organizados en régimen de propiedad horizontal. La legislación en vigor contempla la hipoteca, la anotación preventiva de créditos refaccionarios y afecciones reales, pero se requieren adaptaciones que permitan superar las dificultades que surgen, entre otros, de la falta de documentación pública de los acuerdos de la comunidad, de los principios registrales o de la regulación de la prelación de créditos.Partint de la perspectiva del paper que pot jugar el Registre de la Propietat en la renovació energètica dels edificis, aquest treball planteja la necessitat de promoure reformes legislatives que assegurin la posició del creditor que finança la renovació d’edificis organitzats en règim de propietat horitzontal. La legislació en vigor contempla la hipoteca, l’anotació preventiva de crèdits refaccionaris i afeccions reals, però es requereixen adaptacions que permetin superar les dificultats que sorgeixen, entre altres, de la manca de documentació pública dels acords de la comunitat, dels principis registrals o de la regulació de la prelació de crèdits

La Finetwork Liga F, una profesionalización sobre el papel y su repercusión en los medios de comunicación

Los estatutos de la primera liga profesional de fútbol femenino en España se aprobaron en el pasado mes de marzo de 2022. Con la creación de la Finetwork Liga F, se buscaba mejorar las condiciones laborales de unas futbolistas que han tratado de demostrar el valor de esta disciplina durante toda su historia. No obstante, a pesar de que está catalogada como una competición profesional, hay muchos aspectos que aún están por resolver y que perjudican la calidad y la imagen del torneo. Con esta investigación, hemos demostrado todos aquellos aspectos que no son compatibles con las características de una liga profesional, sin perder de vista el hecho de que es su primera temporada y que las bases del campeonato aún se están consolidando. Es por ello que es objetivo de este estudio dar luz a las carencias del torneo, así como el trato de los medios de comunicación hacia el fútbol femenino en España. Para ello, hemos realizado una búsqueda exhaustiva de información acerca de las condiciones actuales en la que juegan las jugadoras y los diferentes sucesos que han acompañado a la competición desde su inicio en septiembre de 2022. Además, a través de un análisis cuantitativo, hemos analizado las noticias de los principales medios deportivos digitales (Marca y Relevo) sobre la Finetwork Liga F y la diversificación en la cobertura de los equipos desde el 22 de septiembre de 2022 hasta el 15 de abril de 2023. Asimismo, hemos realizado entrevistas a jugadoras de Primera División, a los responsables de los medios de comunicación del Sevilla FC Femenino y del Real Betis Féminas y a periodistas que cubren la actualidad del fútbol femenino para conocer sus posturas respecto a esta temática. Los resultados refuerzan nuestra hipótesis de que esta liga recientemente creada tiene ciertos pilares que se tambalean e impiden que pueda ser completamente profesional en la práctica.The statutes of the first professional women’s league in Spain were approved in March 2022. The creation of the Finetwork Liga F was supposed to improve the football players’ laboral conditions, who had tried to demonstrate the value of this discipline throughout its history. However, despite it being catalogued as a professional league, there are many issues still to be solved that are harmful to the quality and to the image of the tournament. With this investigation, we have shown all those issues that are not compatible with the characteristics of a professional league, not to mention that it is its first season and that the rules and conditions are still in process of consolidation. Therefore, the objective of this research is to find out the shortcomings of the championship, as well as and the media coverage of women’s football in our country. For this purpose, we have made an exhaustive search for information about the current conditions in which the footballers play and the different events that have accompanied the competition since its start in September 2022. In addition, though a quantitative analysis, we have analysed the news of the main digital sport media (Marca and Relevo) about the Finetwork Liga F and the diversification in the coverage of the teams, from September 2022 to April 2013. Additionally, we have interviewed some players from Primera División, some media managers of Sevilla FC Femenino and Real Betis Féminas and journalists specialized in women’s football to find out their opinion on this issue. The results of this research reinforcers our hypothesis that this new league has some unsteady pillars that prevent it from being fully professional in practice.Universidad de Sevilla. Grado en Periodism

Desarrollo de las habilidades sociales en el Trastorno Espectro Autista: una propuesta didáctica para un alumno en el aula ordinaria y su recreo de Educación Infantil

La investigación que se desarrollará, se basa en una propuesta de mejora para trabajar con un estudiante con trastornos del espectro autista (TEA) de grado 1. El alumno estudia 1º de Educación Infantil del 2º ciclo en el centro educativo Sagrada Familia, donde la autora ha realizado sus prácticas de tercer grado. Esta propuesta nace tras conocer la necesidad de mejorar la intervención didáctica de alumnos con necesidades. En concreto, esta propuesta de mejora tratará de adaptar los contenidos requeridos por el currículum de Educación Infantil con metodologías concretas, sin salir del aula habitual. En igualdad de condiciones, este trabajo tiene como objetivo mejorar las relaciones sociales con los compañeros de clase mediante la creación de diferentes entornos interesantes para todo el alumnado y fomentar la relación entre iguales. Esto se dividirá en varias etapas. En primer lugar, este estudio buscará claramente en que consiste el trastorno antes mencionado, de la misma manera, los diferentes grados que existen y sus características. Así como, el grado de autismo en el cual está el estudiante. Y, finalmente, se presentará la propuesta de mejora para conseguir un crecimiento en el aprendizaje de contenidos y las relaciones sociales.La investigació que es desenvoluparà, es basa en una proposta de millora per a treballar amb un estudiant amb trastorns de l'espectre autista (TEA) de grau 1. En concret, l'alumne estudia 1er d'Educació Infantil del 2n cicle en el centre educatiu Sagrada Família, on l'autora ha realitzat les seues pràctiques de tercer grau. Aquesta proposta naix després de conéixer la necessitat de millorar la intervenció didàctica d'alumnes amb necessitats. En concret, aquesta proposta de millora tractarà d'adaptar els continguts requerits pel currículum d'Educació Infantil amb metodologies concretes, sense eixir de l'aula habitual. específiques d'aprenentatge, en aquest cas amb TEA. En igualtat de condicions, aquest treball té com a objectiu millorar les relacions socials amb els companys de classe mitjançant la creació de diferents entorns interessants per a tot l'alumnat i fomentar la relació entre iguals. Això es dividirà en diverses etapes. En primer lloc, aquest estudi buscarà clarament el que consisteix en el trastorn abans esmentat, per la mateixa mateixa manera, els diferents graus que existeixen i les seues característiques. Per tant, el grau d'autisme en el qual està l'estudiant es concretarà. I, finalment, es presentarà la proposta de millora per a aconseguir un creixement en l'aprenentatge de continguts i les relacions socials.The research that is going to be developed is based on a proposal of improvement to work with a student with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) of grade 1. Specifically, the student studies 1st of Pre-school education in the educational center Sagrada Familia, where the author has done her third-degree internship. This proposal was born as a consequence of an appreciation during the Practicum period: the need to improve the didactic proposal, which is applied while working with students with specific learning needs, in this case with ASD. Specifically, this improvement proposal will seek to adapt the contents required by the Pre-school curriculum with concrete methodologies, without leaving the regular classroom. On an equal basis, this work aims to make an improvement in social relations with classmates by creating different environments interesting for all the studenthood and foster the relationship between equals. This will be divided into several stages. Firstly, this study will seek out clearly of what consists the above-mentioned disorder, by the same token, the different degrees that exist and their characteristics. Hence, the degree of autism in which the student is will be concretized. And finally, the proposal of improvement will be presented to achieve a growth in content learning and social relations.Educació