Survival language learning syllabuses revisited: a customized functional-notional approach

Research on survival English syllabuses has been scarce in the last decades. There is nothing worse than the solitude of a teacher facing a course with such characteristics as continuous hesitations about the materials, activities and the learners’ needs arise every now and then. Our contribution stems from Nation and Crabbe’s article “A Survival Language Learning Syllabus for Foreign Travel” published in System in 1991, where a topic-based syllabus is proposed. The two-year experimental use of Nation and Crabbe’s model, though successful, unveiled some shortcomings having to do with the inventory of situations and the lexical domain included therein. In the light of the limited period of instruction and the short-term benefits that these courses usually hold, a functional/ notional model has been designed for the purpose inasmuch as students seem to gain a wider scope at the end of the learning process.La investigación en torno a la programación de un curso de inglés de supervivencia ha sido bastante escasa en las últimas décadas, basada casi exclusivamente en la publicación de libros de texto, la mayoría aplicados a la enseñanza del inglés como segunda lengua. La presente contribución parte del artículo de Nation y Crabbe “A Survival Language Learning Syllabus for Foreign Travel” (1991), donde se propone un enfoque basado en tareas. El empleo del modelo propuesto por Nation y Crabbe, aunque positivo en cuanto a los resultados, revela algunas deficiencias relacionadas fundamentalmente con el inventario de situaciones así como el componente léxico de las mismas. Estos cursos, por lo general, se caracterizan por su escaso número de horas así como por las expectativas en los resultados. Por lo tanto, en el presente artículo se propone un modelo funcional/nocional para los cursos de estas características que permite obtener una mayor competencia comunicativa por parte de los alumnos

Nanobiosensors based on optoelectronic and nanomechanical transducers for genomic and proteomic applications

5 páginas, 10 figuras.-- PACS: 42.25.-p; 42.82.-m; 85.85.+[EN] We show the design, fabrication and testing of micro/nanobiosensor devices based on highly sensitive optoelectronic and nanomechanical transducers. Most of the devices are fabricated by standard Silicon CMOS microelectronics technology according to a precise design for achieving a high sensitivity for biosensing applications. Three biosensors have been developed: (a) a Surface Plasmon Resonance biosensor, (b) an integrated, Mach-Zehnder micro/nano interferometer device based on optical waveguides, and (c) nanomechanical biosensors based on microcantilevers.[ES] En este artículo se muestra el diseño, la fabricación y la caracterización de dispositivos micro/nanobiosensores basados en transductores optoelectrónicos y nanomecánicos. La mayoría de los dispositivos se fabrican con tecnología estándar de Si compatible CMOS, después de un cuidadoso diseño de los transductores para conseguir biosensores de alta sensibilidad. Se muestran tres tipos de biosensors: (a) un biosensor de Resonancia de Plasmón Superficial (b) un micro/nano Ínterferómetro integrado Mach-Zehnder basado en guías de ondas ópticas y (c) biosensores nanomecánicos basados en micropalancas.Peer reviewe

Integrated Optical Interferometric Biosensors based on Microelectronics technology for biosensing applications

6 páginas, 8 figuras.-- Comunicación oral presentada al Ibersensors´2002 celebrado en Lima (Perú) en 2002.Integrated optical sensors have reached a great importance during last years since they can be used for the direct detection of biomolecular interactions. Moreover, Silicon microelectronics technology allows mass production as well as the fabrication of microsystems by hybrid integration of sources, sensors, photodelectors and CMOS electronics. For the fabrication of an evanescent field sensor with an integrated Mach-Zehnder interferometric (MZI) configuration, the optical waveguides must verify two main characteristics: monomode behaviour and high surface sensitivity. In this paper we present the development of a MZI sensor based on two different optical waveguides: TIR (Total Internal Reflection) and ARROW (Antiresonant Reflecting Optical Waveguides). The advantages of both structures are discussed and experimental results of the devices are presented.Peer reviewe

A New Hydrogen Sensor Based on a Pt/GaAs Schottky Diode

4 páginas, 7 figuras, 1 tabla.-- PACS: 82.45.Jn; 07.07.Df; 85.30.Hi.A new hydrogen-sensitive detector based on a Pt/GaAs Schottky diode has been fabricated. The devices have beencharacterized by dark current-voltage and capacitance-voltage measurements, as a function of temperature and gas phasecomposition. At 150°C, the detection limit for hydrogen is 6 ppm in a nitrogen environment and 200 ppm in air.Peer reviewe

3-D polymeric microfluidic devices for BioMOEMS applications

11 páginas, 12 figuras.-- Trabajo presentado en la conferencia "Bioengineered and Bioinspired Systems II"; Sevilla (España); 09-Mayo-2005; Editores: Ricardo A. Carmona, Gustavo Linan-Cembrano.This paper describes the fabrication, packaging and characterization of novel multilayer polymer microfluidic systems fabricated by a CMOS compatible process. These microfluidic devices were specially designed for BioMOEMS applications. Embedded multilayer rectangular smooth and uniform microchannels, 50 to 150 mm wide and 18mm deep were studied. Steady-state flow rates and pressure driven flow control were measured in the laminar flow regime. Flow rates ranging from 1 to 100 µl/min, at pressure drop ranging from 10 to 600 kPa, were obtained. These flow rates yield Reynolds numbers (Re) up to 20. Results indicate that the experimental Re and the flow friction coefficient (f) are in good agreement with the laminar flow theory. These experimental results facilitate the future designs of different microfluidic devices designed by using classical fluidic theory. We also present two different methods developed for macro/microfluidic packaging in order to connect these microfluidic devices to the macroscopic world. The microsystem packaging can withstand pressure drops up from 500 to 2000 kPa with any liquid leakage.This research is sponsored by the Basque and Spanish Governments, under the Torres Quevedo Spanish Fellowship for industrial research and the strategic research program on micro and nanotechnologies (MICROGUNE).Peer reviewe

Impact of N2 plasma power discharge on AlGaN/GaN HEMT performance

The effects of power and time conditions of in situ N2 plasma treatment, prior to silicon nitride (SiN) passivation, were investigated on an AlGaN/GaN high-electron mobility transistor (HEMT). These studies reveal that N2 plasma power is a critical parameter to control the SiN/AlGaN interface quality, which directly affects the 2-D electron gas density. Significant enhancement in the HEMT characteristics was observed by using a low power N2 plasma pretreatment. In contrast, a marked gradual reduction in the maximum drain-source current density (IDS max) and maximum transconductance (gm max), as well as in fT and fmax, was observed as the N2 plasma power increases (up to 40% decrease for 210 W). Different mechanisms were proposed to be dominant as a function of the discharge power range. A good correlation was observed between the device electrical characteristics and the surface assessment by atomic force microscopy and Kelvin force microscopy techniques

Cartas de Mário de Sá-Carneiro a Fernando Pessoa. Diciembre de 1912

Texto traducido por alumnos de las asignaturas "Lengua Portuguesa IV y traducción" y "Traducción de textos literarios pt - es", de la Universidad de Salamanca.Cartas de Mário de Sá-Carneiro a Fernando Pessoa. Noviembre de 191

Lifestyle and Treatment Adherence Intervention after a Coronary Event Based on an Interactive Web Application (EVITE): Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Protocol

Coronary heart disease is one of the main causes of morbimortality around the world. Patients that survive a coronary event suffer a high risk of readmission, relapse and mortality, attributed to the sub-optimal control of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF), which highlights the need to improve secondary prevention strategies aimed at improving their lifestyle and adherence to treatment. Through a randomized controlled clinical trial, this study aims to evaluate the effect of an intervention involving an online health application supported by a mobile telephone or tablet (mHealth) on lifestyle (diet, physical activity, and tobacco consumption) and treatment adherence among people with coronary heart disease after percutaneous coronary intervention. The sample will comprise 240 subjects (120 in each arm: intervention and usual care). They are assessed immediately and nine months after their hospital discharge about sociodemographic, clinical, CVRF, lifestyle, and treatment adherence characteristics. The educative intervention, involving a follow-up and self-monitoring, will be performed using an online mHealth tool consisting of an application for mobile phones and tablets. The quantitative primary outcomes from the two groups will be compared using an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) adjusted for age and gender. A multivariate analysis will be performed to examine the association of the intervention with lifestyle habits, the control of CVRFs, and outcomes after discharge in terms of the use of health services, emergency visits, cardiovascular events and readmissions.Andalusian Ministry of Health and Families, Spain. Public funding. PI-0067-2018. JA Tur is funded by CIBEROBN (CB12/03/30038)-Instituto de Salud Carlos III and cofunded by the European Regional Development Fund

AMP-activated kinase in human spermatozoa: Identification, intracellular localization, and key function in the regulation of sperm motility

AMP‑activated kinase (AMPK), a protein that regulates energy balance and metabolism, has recently been identified in boar spermatozoa where regulates key functional sperm processes essential for fertilization. This work’s aims are AMPK identification, intracellular localization, and their role in human spermatozoa function. Semen was obtained from healthy human donors. Sperm AMPK and phospho‑Thr172‑AMPK were analyzed by Western blotting and indirect immunofluorescence. High‑ and low‑quality sperm populations were separated by a 40%–80% density gradient. Human spermatozoa motility was evaluated by an Integrated Semen Analysis System (ISAS) in the presence or absence of the AMPK inhibitor compound C (CC). AMPK is localized along the human spermatozoa, at the entire acrosome, midpiece and tail with variable intensity, whereas its active form, phospho‑Thr172‑AMPK, shows a prominent staining at the acrosome and sperm tail with a weaker staining in the midpiece and the postacrosomal region. Interestingly, spermatozoa bearing an excess residual cytoplasm show strong AMPK staining in this subcellular compartment. Both AMPK and phospho‑Thr172‑AMPK human spermatozoa contents exhibit important individual variations. Moreover, active AMPK is predominant in the high motility sperm population, where shows a stronger intensity compared with the low motility sperm population. Inhibition of AMPK activity in human spermatozoa by CC treatment leads to a significant reduction in any sperm motility parameter analyzed: percent of motile sperm, sperm velocities, progressivity, and other motility coefficients. This work identifies and points out AMPK as a new molecular mechanism involved in human spermatozoa motility. Further AMPK implications in the clinical efficiency of assisted reproduction and in other reproductive areas need to be studied.Trabajo patrocinado por: Mutua Madrileña. Beca Junta de Extremadura y Fondos FEDER. Ayudas JUEX‑IBI13121, PCJ1008, GR10125, y GR10156 Fundación Tatiana Pérez Guzmán el Bueno. Beca para Violeta Calle Guisado Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia. Beca Predoctoral FPU para Violeta Calle GuisadopeerReviewe

Actuación diagnóstica ante hipertransaminasemia en pediatría: documento de consenso de Sociedad Española de Gastroenterología, Hepatología y Nutrición Pediátrica (SEGHNP), Asociación Española de Pediatría de Atención Primaria (AEPap) y Sociedad Española de Pediatría de Atención Primaria (SEPEAP)

Hipertransaminasemia; Pediatría; AlgoritmoHypertransaminasemia; Pediatrics; AlgorithmHipertransaminasèmia; Pediatria; AlgorismeHypertransaminasemia is a frequent finding in pediatrics, which could reflect potentially treatable serious disease. The aim of this document is to establish, by reviewing the available evidence, a consensus for an adequate management of hypertransaminasemia, from its detection until the study is complete. To this end, a working group was formed with the participation of members of the Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (SEGHNP), the Spanish Association of Primary Care Pediatrics (AEPap) and the Spanish Society of Primary Care Pediatrics (SEPEAP). Twenty-one recommendations are established with a marked practical component that will be useful in hospital clinical practice and primary care.La hipertransaminasemia es un hallazgo frecuente en pediatría, puede ser banal o reflejar enfermedad grave potencialmente tratable. El objetivo de este documento es establecer, mediante la revisión de la evidencia disponible, un consenso para un adecuado enfoque práctico desde la detección de la hipertransaminasemia hasta completar su estudio en la edad pediátrica. Para ello, se constituyó un grupo de trabajo con participación de miembros de la Sociedad de Gastroenterología, Hepatología y Nutrición Pediátrica (SEGHNP), Asociación Española de Pediatría de Atención Primaria (AEPap) y Sociedad Española de Pediatría de Atención Primaria (SEPEAP). Se establecieron 21 recomendaciones con el objetivo de que sirvan de utilidad en la práctica clínica habitual tanto en atención primaria como hospitalaria