Study of the use of lunar materials to produce rocket propellants

The motivation of this thesis is to solve the two main problems of space exploration: the lack of fuel to perform space exploration beyond the Moon or Mars, and the limitations generated by the launching of large amounts of fuel from Earth to perform long distance missions. In this thesis we study the possibility of using lunar resources to produce fuel from them and not needing the raw material from Earth, the location of these resources on the Moon and the different methods to extract them. In order to favor a reliable study, a propulsive characterization test is carried out with a fuel composed only of resources available on the Moon: aluminum and oxygen. For this test, a hybrid rocket will be designed and manufactured to test the fuel. The results of this test will be used to study the effectiveness of this combination of lunar materials as a propellant. Obtaining feasible results in the test would be a milestone in space research, since it is estimated that the use of lunar resources for fuel production would drastically reduce the cost of space missions, thus allowing the possibility of solar system exploration and a future space economy. The fact of being able to obtain fuel from the Moon would expand our frontiers since it opens the door to the idea of being able to obtain it also from different bodies of the solar system. Thus, this thesis is a good starting point for future research on obtaining rocket fuel from the raw materials of other planets or asteroids, and consequently, to the long-term goal of establishing a sustainable presence on the Moo

Water toxicity in reservoirs after freshwater algae harvest

Blooms of microalgae and cyanobacteria increase every year, presenting great problems for the environment. Finding a way of harvesting these microalgae could be useful for water governance. Furthermore, the method should not cause cell lysis and should thus avoiding discharging toxins into the water. Three reservoirs were studied, two of them with eutrophication problems (As Conchas and A Baxe) and another (Salas) with no such problems. Three different harvesting methods were studied; electroflocculation (EF) with the application time being varied; centrifugation, with application times and speeds being varied; and finally, natural sedimentation. The highest efficiency was obtained in the culture from A Baxe, which had a higher initial absorbance value (1.664), using EF (90.64% for an application time of 2 min and 30 s) and centrifugation at 4000 rpm (92.25% for2 minutes, 92.73% for 5 min). Electrofloculation can obtain up to 84% more biomass than natural sedimentation alone. Sample toxicity was studied before and after harvesting using Microcystest and found to be higher after harvesting. It was observed that for the same sample, the higher the yield was the greater the toxicity was. For the A Baxe culture with an application time of 2 min, a speed of 2000 rpm and a yield of 87.02%, a toxicity figure of 0.94 μg/L was obtained, while for a speed of 4000 rpm the yield was 92.25% and the toxicity was 1.05 μg/L. The toxicity limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO) is 1 μg/L, and this small difference seems to be key. With these results, this study concludes that chlorophyll levels may interfere with the test used. Future tests or analyses should be developed so as to avoid such interference, which may alter the toxin values. Electroflocculation seems to be a promising method since it does not cause the lysis of "Microcystis aeruginosa", whereas the centrifugation method could give problems. Finally, it is worth highlighting the importance of performing toxin measurements after harvesting the microalgae to check that the method is viable in natural ecosystems

Fomentando la competencia digital docente en la universidad: Percepción de estudiantes y docentes

This article provides an account of the project "An inter-university proposal for the initial training of teachers in digital technologies". In order to prepare it, we consider the perception of students and teachers on what needs to be addressed with regard to digital technologies and methodological digital competence, and what institutional actions are preferential for the development of teachers’ digital competence (TDC). In this study, we used a mixed-method research design. The techniques and instruments used have been the analysis of available documentation, focus groups and surveys. The proposal is targeted at the nine Catalan Universities that provide training for future teachers in Pre-school and Primary Education Degrees. The main findings point to the need to link the university to the society, as well as to promote a professional development of university teachers and the digital literacy of their students by fostering collaborative learning and authorship.  Likewise, it highlights the importance of prioritizing communication and collaboration during the teaching and learning process using useful digital resources that facilitate it. At the same time, ethics and digital citizenship is highlighted as an emerging dimension to be considered in educational practice. Finally, three institutional actions about TDC are pointed out to consider in university curricula.Este artículo da cuenta del proyecto “Propuesta interuniversitaria de formación inicial de maestros en tecnologías digitales”. Para elaborarla, nos planteamos conocer la percepción de estudiantes y de docentes sobre qué necesidades abordar en relación con las tecnologías digitales y la competencia digital metodológica, y qué acciones institucionales son preferentes para desarrollar la competencia digital docente (CDD). En este estudio, utilizamos un diseño de investigación de métodos mixtos. Las técnicas e instrumentos usados han sido el análisis de la documentación disponible, grupos de discusión y cuestionarios. La propuesta va dirigida a las nueve universidades catalanas que imparten la formación de futuros docentes en los grados de Maestro de Educación Infantil y Primaria. Las principales conclusiones apuntan hacia la necesidad de vincular la universidad con la sociedad, así como de favorecer un desarrollo profesional del profesorado universitario y la alfabetización digital de sus estudiantes fomentando el aprendizaje colaborativo y la autoría. También, se destaca la importancia de priorizar la comunicación y la colaboración durante el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje usando recursos digitales útiles que lo faciliten. A su vez, se resalta la ética y la ciudadanía digital como una dimensión emergente a considerar en la práctica educativa. Finalmente, se apuntan tres acciones institucionales sobre CDD para contemplar en los planes de estudio universitarios

The future of agriculture: agricultural transformation clustered greenfactories

A forecast view of agricultural production is outlined inside a new type ofbuilding with photosynthetic walls and in vitro culture inside it. Recent advances in genetic engineering, nanoelectronics, biosensors and bionic building will make this futuristic type of greenhouse possible

Congreso online: nueva herramienta para fomentar el aprendizaje

Los congresos científicos son una herramienta valiosa en el aprendizaje para estudiantes de tercer ciclo. Sin embargo, no son aprovechados al máximo con esta finalidad, puesto que las intervenciones por parte de los estudiantes, en cuanto a plantear cuestiones se refiere, son prácticamente nulas. Con el objetivo de fomentar la participación de los estudiantes de tercer ciclo en los congresos científicos, se presenta una propuesta de congreso online para estudiantes de doctorado en el programa interuniversitario `Electroquímica. Ciencia y Tecnología`, empleando la herramienta Moodle. Este congreso consiste en dar a conocer, de forma visible y con formato de pósters, comunicaciones científicas de los estudiantes, quienes deben hacer preguntas acerca de las mismas y responder a las realizadas sobre su contribución. Además, y siempre con la finalidad de fomentar la participación en forma de preguntas y discusiones científicas, se otorgarán premios tales como al estudiante más participativo y al mejor póster, para lo que se evaluará la defensa del póster por parte del estudiante

Effects of Training on Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Triathletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Triathlon is an aerobic sport, which is commonly measured by maximal aerobic consumption (VO2max). Objective: to analyze the changes produced in cardiorespiratory and physiological measurements during practice, which determine triathletes’ performance level. A systematic review and a meta-analysis based on PRISMA protocol and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020189076) was conducted. The research was performed using PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Embase, Dialnet, Web of Science (WOS) and MEDLINE databases during February and March 2020. Studies that measured cardiorespiratory variables in triathletes published in the last 10 years were included. Results: 713 articles were identified, with 25 studies selected for the systematic review and five articles for the meta-analysis. These articles concluded that the main cardiorespiratory variables that determine triathletes’ performance were modified depending on the triathlon segment performed and the athletes’ sex and age. The meta-analysis showed no conclusive results related to the effects of changes in VO2max in triathletes’ performance [SMD = −0.21; 95%CI: (−0.84 to 0.43)]. Conclusions: cardiorespiratory fitness, in terms of VO2max and ventilatory thresholds, is the strongest predictor of performance in triathlon. This response may be affected depending on the triathlon segment performed and the athlete’s age or sex, leading to both physiological and biomechanical alterations that affect competition performance.This research received partial funding by the University of Malaga and the Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy (University of Cadiz). Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga

El doppler en podología

El sistema doppler por ultrasonido es un método de exploración incruento y no invasivo, que permite tener acceso a los fenómenos hemodinamicos producido en el interior de los vasos. Es un sistema de relativa sencillez de manejo, pero que utilizado correelamente aporta datos fidedignos de la velocidad del flujo como del estado de la pared de los vasos

Radiografia de la situació de la gent gran a les Illes Balears

[cat] El present capítol pretén constituir un acostament tant a l’actual situació biològica, social i demogràfica de la gent gran, com als corresponents processos que vehiculen els sistemes de protecció social, a l’arxipèlag Balear, per tal de donar cobertura a les demandes que aquests tenen. Amb aquesta finalitat, aquest treball inclou quatre objectius: en primer lloc, contextualitzar l’evolució de les dades estadístiques autonòmiques i locals dintre del conjunt estatal i europeu pel que fa a l’envelliment; en segon lloc, descriure, en el pla sociosanitari, els indicadors actuals de cobertura de necessitats de salut dels adults grans; en tercer lloc, analitzar les tendències seguides per les dades relatives a les prestacions per reconeixement de la situació de dependència a les Illes Balears, i finalment, conèixer els engranatges i avenços produïts quant a participació i implicació social, comunitària i de formació de la gent gran. Tot junt, per al plantejament de línies d’actuació i de propostes vers la promoció de l’autonomia personal de les persones d’edat avançada.[spa] El presente capítulo pretende constituir un acercamiento tanto a la actual situación biológica, social y demográfica de la gente mayor, como a los correspondientes procesos que vehiculan los sistemas de protección social, en el archipiélago Balear, para dar cobertura a las demandas que estos conllevan. Con esta finalidad, este trabajo abarca cuatro objetivos: en primer lugar, contextualizar la evolución de los datos estadísticos autonómicos y locales dentro del conjunto estatal y europeo en cuanto al envejecimiento; en segundo lugar, describir, en el plano sociosanitario, los indicadores actuales de cobertura de necesidades de salud de los adultos mayores; en tercer lugar, analizar las tendencias seguidas por los datos relativos a las prestaciones por reconocimiento de la situación de dependencia en las Illes Balears, y finalmente, conocer los engranajes y avances producidos en cuanto a participación e implicación social, comunitaria y de formación de las personas mayores. En definitiva, para el planteamiento de líneas de actuación y de propuestas hacia la promoción de la autonomía personal de las personas de edad avanzada

Response trajectories of gambling severity after cognitive behavioral therapy in young-adult pathological gamblers

Background and aims: the significant increase in the prevalence of gambling disorder (GD) among young adults in recent years has attracted interest in determining therapeutic efficiency in this sector of the population. The aim of this work was to estimate the response trajectories of gambling severity during the six-month follow-up after a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program in young adult patients and to identify the main variables associated with each trajectory. Methods: the sample included n = 192 patients, aged 19-35 years old, seeking treatment for GD. Response trajectories were identified through latent class growth analysis. Results: three trajectories emerged: T1 (n = 118, 61.5%), composed of patients with severe GD at pre-treatment and good evolution to recovery; T2 (n = 62, 32.3%), with patients with moderate-high GD affectation at baseline and good evolution to recovery; and T3 (n = 12, 6.3%), with participants with severe baseline GD severity and poor evolution after CBT (Abbott, 2019). The highest risk of poor therapeutic outcomes was related to lower social index positions, high emotional distress, high scores in harm avoidance and low scores in self-directedness. Discussion and conclusions: differences in the response trajectories at short-term follow-up after CBT reveal heterogeneity in the samples including young and young-adult GD patients. Patients' phenotype at baseline should be considered when developing efficient, person-centered intervention programs, which should comprise strategies aimed at increasing emotional regulation capacities, self-esteem and self-efficacy, with the aim of avoiding relapses in the medium-long term after therapy

Predictors of Global Non-Motor Symptoms Burden Progression in Parkinson’s Disease. Results from the COPPADIS Cohort at 2-Year Follow-Up

Background and Objective: Non-motor symptoms (NMS) progress in different ways between Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. The aim of the present study was to (1) analyze the change in global NMS burden in a PD cohort after a 2-year follow-up, (2) to compare the changes with a control group, and (3) to identify predictors of global NMS burden progression in the PD group. Material and Methods: PD patients and controls, recruited from 35 centers of Spain from the COPPADIS cohort from January 2016 to November 2017, were followed-up with after 2 years. The Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS) was administered at baseline (V0) and at 24 months ± 1 month (V2). Linear regression models were used for determining predictive factors of global NMS burden progression (NMSS total score change from V0 to V2 as dependent variable). Results: After the 2-year follow-up, the mean NMS burden (NMSS total score) significantly increased in PD patients by 18.8% (from 45.08 ± 37.62 to 53.55 ± 42.28; p < 0.0001; N = 501; 60.2% males, mean age 62.59 ± 8.91) compared to no change observed in controls (from 14.74 ± 18.72 to 14.65 ± 21.82; p = 0.428; N = 122; 49.5% males, mean age 60.99 ± 8.32) (p < 0.0001). NMSS total score at baseline (β = -0.52), change from V0 to V2 in PDSS (Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale) (β = -0.34), and change from V0 to V2 in NPI (Neuropsychiatric Inventory) (β = 0.25) provided the highest contributions to the model (adjusted R-squared 0.41; Durbin-Watson test = 1.865). Conclusions: Global NMS burden demonstrates short-term progression in PD patients but not in controls and identifies worsening sleep problems and neuropsychiatric symptoms as significant independent predictors of this NMS progression