Learn-ciam: a model-driven approach for the development of collaborative learning tools

This paper introduces Learn-CIAM, a new model-based methodological approach for the design of flows and for the semi-automatic generation of tools in order to support collaborative learning tasks. The main objective of this work is to help professors by establishing a series of steps for the specification of their learning courses and the obtaining of collaborative tools to support certain learning activities (in particular, for in-group editing, searching and modeling). This paper presents a complete methodological framework, how it is supported conceptually and technologically, and an application example. So to guarantee the validity of the proposal, we also present some validation processes with potential designers and users from different profiles such as Education and Computer Science. The results seem to demonstrate a positive reception and acceptance, concluding that its application would facilitate the design of learning courses and the generation of collaborative learning tools for professionals of both profiles

Population level differences in overwintering survivorship of blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus): A caution on extrapolating climate sensitivities along latitudinal gradients

Winter mortality can strongly affect the population dynamics of blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) near poleward range limits. We simulated winter in the lab to test the effects of temperature, salinity, and estuary of origin on blue crab winter mortality over three years using a broad range of crab sizes from both Great South Bay and Chesapeake Bay. We fit accelerated failure time models to our data and to data from prior blue crab winter mortality experiments, illustrating that, in a widely distributed, commercially valuable marine decapod, temperature, salinity, size, estuary of origin, and winter duration were important predictors of winter mortality. Furthermore, our results suggest that extrapolation of a Chesapeake Bay based survivorship model to crabs from New York estuaries yielded poor fits. As such, the severity and duration of winter can impact northern blue crab populations differently along latitudinal gradients. In the context of climate change, future warming could possibility confer a benefit to crab populations near the range edge that are currently limited by temperature- induced winter mortality by shifting their range edge poleward, but care must be taken in generalizing from models that are developed based on populations from one part of the range to populations near the edges, especially for species that occupy large geographical areas

Electrochemical synthesis of polypyrrole doped with graphene oxide and its electrochemical characterization as membrane material

Polypyrrole (PPy) doped with graphene oxide (GO) has been electrochemically obtained by potentiostatic synthesis and its electrochemical behavior as membrane material has been studied for the first time. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection showed the formation of the hybrid material due to presence of PPy and GO bands. Field emission scanning electron microscopy micrographs showed the effective incorporation of GO sheets and the formation of a 3-D porous material with high surface area. Scanning electrochemical microscopy of PPy/GO films showed positive feedback close to the ideal conducting behavior, indicating a good electroactivity. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was employed to measure the electrochemical properties of the coatings by two-, three-, and four-electrode configurations. The electronic conductivity of PPy/GO film, measured between two metallic conductors, was 4.7·10−6 S/cm. Its ionic conductivity was superior (1.6·10−3 S/cm) due to the high porosity of the material as demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry and EIS measurements, where the PPy/GO film was employed as a free-standing membrane. The diffusion-migration rate of tetramethylammonium chloride was very similar to sodium chloride when present in the same concentration, which indicated no influence of the size of the electrolyte conductor due to the high porosity. © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Authors wish to thank the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (contract CTM2011-23583) for the financial support. J. Molina is grateful to the Conselleria d'Educacio, Formacio i Ocupacio (Generalitat Valenciana) for the Programa VALi+D Postdoctoral Fellowship (APOSTD/2013/056). A.I. del Rio is grateful to the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnologia for her FPI fellowship. Electron Microscopy Service of the UPV (Universitat Politecnica de Valencia) is gratefully acknowledged for help with FESEM and EDX characterization.Molina Puerto, J.; Bonastre Cano, JA.; Fernández Sáez, J.; Del Río García, AI.; Cases Iborra, FJ. (2016). Electrochemical synthesis of polypyrrole doped with graphene oxide and its electrochemical characterization as membrane material. Synthetic Metals. 220:300-310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.synthmet.2016.06.028S30031022

La denominación de origen Cariñena como sistema productivo local: redes de empresas, cultura y gobernanza

Cariñena and its environs are a territory that can be considered as a local productive system, since there is a network of enterprises linked by trading relations –specially the integration of vine growing and wine production into cooperatives- and by cooperation relationships, being the Guarantee of Origin and Quality of Wine the clearest outcome. The analysis of a set of indicators calculated from official statistics and of a set of semi-structured interviews to the main agents has led to the knowledge of certain cognitive and organisational components of the system. Those identified are a low level of technical culture, a high level of entrepreneurial culture and a low institutional density, reflected in weak outcomes of network governance.Cariñena y su entorno es un territorio que puede calificarse como sistema productivo local, pues cuenta con una red de empresas vinculadas entre sí por relaciones de mercado -especialmente la integración de viticultura y vinicultura por medio de las cooperativas- y por relaciones de cooperación, de las que la denominación de origen es el resultado más patente. El análisis de un conjunto de indicadores calculados a partir de estadísticas oficiales y de una serie de entrevistas semiestructuradas a los principales agentes ha permitido aproximarse al conocimiento de determinados elementos cognitivos y de organización del sistema. Así, se han detectado un bajo nivel de cultura técnica, un alto nivel de cultura empresarial y una baja densidad institucional, que se refleja en unas débiles manifestaciones de gobernanza en red

Chemical and electrochemical study of fabrics coated with reduced graphene oxide

Polyester fabrics coated with reduced graphene oxide (RGO) have been obtained and later characterized by means of chemical and electrochemical techniques. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed a decrease of the oxygen content as well as an increase of the sp2 fraction after chemical reduction of graphene oxide (GO). The electrical conductivity was measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and showed a decrease of 5 orders of magnitude in the resistance (¿) when GO was reduced to RGO. The phase angle also changed from 90° for PES-GO (capacitative behavior) to 0° for RGO coated fabrics (resistive behavior). In general an increase in the number of RGO layers produced an increase of the conductivity of the fabrics. EIS measurements in metal/sample/electrolyte configuration showed better electrocatalytic properties and faster diffusion rate for RGO specimens. Scanning electrochemical microscopy was employed to test the electroactivity of the different fabrics obtained. The sample coated with GO was not conductive since negative feedback was obtained. When GO was reduced to RGO the sample behaved like a conducting material since positive feedback was obtained. Approach curves indicated that the redox mediator had influence on the electrochemical response. The Fe(CN)63¿/4¿ redox mediator produced a higher electrochemical response than Ru(NH3)63+/2+ one.Authors thank to the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (contract CTM2011-23583) and Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (Vicerrectorado de Investigacion PAID-06-10 contract 003-233) for the financial support. J. Molina is grateful to the Conselleria d'Educacio (Generalitat Valenciana) for the FPI fellowship. A.I. del Rio is grateful to the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnologia for the FPI fellowship. J.C. Galvan is gratefully acknowledged for help with EIS measurements and data analysis.Molina Puerto, J.; Fernández Sáez, J.; Del Río García, AI.; Bonastre Cano, JA.; Cases Iborra, FJ. (2013). Chemical and electrochemical study of fabrics coated with reduced graphene oxide. Applied Surface Science. 279:46-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2013.04.020S465427

Clinical and ultrasound thyroid nodule characteristics and their association with cytological and histopathological outcomes: A retrospective multicenter study in high-resolution thyroid nodule clinics

Introduction: Thyroid nodules are a common finding. A high-resolution thyroid nodule clinic (HR-TNC) condenses all tests required for the evaluation of thyroid nodules into a single appointment. We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes at HR-TNCs. Design and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional multicenter study including data from four HR-TNCs in Spain. We evaluated fine-needle aspiration (FNA) indications and the association between clinical and ultrasound characteristics with cytological and histopathological outcomes. Results: A total of 2809 thyroid nodules were included; FNA was performed in 82.1%. Thyroid nodules that underwent FNA were more likely larger, isoechoic, with microcalcifications, and in younger subjects. The rate of nondiagnostic FNA was 4.3%. A solid component, irregular margins or microcalcifications, significantly increased the odds of Bethesda IV-V-VI (vs. Bethesda II). Irregular margins and a solid component were independently associated with increased odds of malignancy. Thyroid nodules <20 mm and ≥20–<40 mm had a 6.5-fold and 3.3-fold increased risk for malignancy respectively in comparison with those ≥40 mm. Conclusion: In this large multicenter study, we found that the presence of a solid component and irregular margins are factors independently related to malignancy in thyroid nodules. Since nodule size ≥40 mm was associated with the lowest odds of malignancy, this cut-off should not be a factor leading to indicate thyroid surgery. HR-TNCs were associated with a low rate of nondiagnostic FNA

A catalogue of some Musa ITC reference collections grown in the Philippines

The catalogue includes 25 ITC Musa accessions from different subgroups characterized using the minimum set of morphological descriptors and photos. Supplemental information on the disease reaction of the accessions against Fusarium Wilt (Foc TR4) and Banana Bunchy Top Virus were also included. The completion of this catalogue was made possible by Bioversity International for developing and implementing the project entitled “Assessment of Musa Genetic Resources for their Host Reaction to Fusarium oxysporim f.sp. Cubense Tropical Race 4 (Foc TR4), towards Understanding the Genetic Base of Host- Pathogen Interactions” through funding from the CGIAR Program for Roots,Tubers and Bananas (RTB). Contributions were made by the University of Philippines Los Banos, Lapanday Food Corporation and the Bureau of Plant Industry, all based in the Philippines

High-resolution bathymetry of the Blanes Canyon (NW Mediterranean)

5th International Network for Submarine Canyon Investigation and Scientific Exchange International Symposium (INCISE), 14-18 June 2021Submarine canyons are complex geomorphological features that have been identified as potential hotspots of biodiversity, which has led to many canyons being mapped and studied at high resolution (tens of meters). In this work, we present the first complete very-high resolution mapping of the Blanes submarine canyon in the northwestern Mediterranean, based on a compilation of swath bathymetry data acquired during different cruises, spanning between 2011 and 2020. The integrated data set completes and extends previous bathymetric datasets on the canyon rim and adjacent continental shelf acquired during the ESPACE programme in 2004. The grid spacing of the compilation map varies from 4 m for the canyon rim and adjacent shelf, 15 m for the head and upper canyon region and 25 m for the middle and lower canyon region. The Blanes Canyon deeply incises the continental shelf, showing an orientation parallel to the coastline at its head. Down-canyon, it displays a meandering course with a strong structural control, showing rectilinear canyon portions characterized by a flat-floored axis and steep terrains (>50º) on both canyon flanks, with the presence of networks of gullies and subhorizontal layered walls. The high resolution map has allowed to identify potential areas along the submarine canyon flanks that might provide suitable environmental conditions for hosting benthic ecosystems, particularly cold-water corals (CWCs). These sites were recently explored during the ABRIC Spanish National Project using the hybrid remotely operated vehicle (H-ROV) Ariane and the inspection-class ROV Liropus to explore the benthic communities and to collect specimen samples, complementing the previous ROV dataset acquired during the ABIDES Project. Collected data allowed for the compilation of an inventory of the most representative and relevant benthic species and communities observed within the Blanes Canyon. This information will be shared with the Blanes fishermen’s guild in the framework of an outreach project funded by the Fisheries Local Action Groups (GALP), to provide awareness of the presence and abundance of such vulnerable marine ecosystems in the Blanes Canyon, and to expand the spatial information provided by the ROV surveys by adding the local fishermen knowledgPeer reviewe

Search for displaced vertices arising from decays of new heavy particles in 7 TeV pp collisions at ATLAS

We present the results of a search for new, heavy particles that decay at a significant distance from their production point into a final state containing charged hadrons in association with a high-momentum muon. The search is conducted in a pp-collision data sample with a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV and an integrated luminosity of 33 pb^-1 collected in 2010 by the ATLAS detector operating at the Large Hadron Collider. Production of such particles is expected in various scenarios of physics beyond the standard model. We observe no signal and place limits on the production cross-section of supersymmetric particles in an R-parity-violating scenario as a function of the neutralino lifetime. Limits are presented for different squark and neutralino masses, enabling extension of the limits to a variety of other models.Comment: 8 pages plus author list (20 pages total), 8 figures, 1 table, final version to appear in Physics Letters