Texts of Discomfort: Interactive Storytelling Art

Can discomfort be blissful? This volume presents an in-depth reflection of the selected artworks for the Art Exhibition of the 13th International Conference on Interactive Digital Storytelling - ICIDS 2020 - organized at Bournemouth University - UK, during the most memorable year of the XXI century (so far). The title of the book is the homonym of the curatorial theme of the exhibition Texts of Discomfort. In these pages, interactive storytellers explain their work and the ways discomfort - and bliss - is rooted in their art

Role of oxidative stress on the etiology and pathophysiology of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and its relation with the enteric nervous system

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons in the spinal cord, cerebral cortex, and medulla oblongata. Most patients present a clinical phenotype of classic ALS—with predominant atrophy, muscle weakness, and fasciculations—and survival of 3 to 5 years following diagnosis. In the present review, we performed a literature search to provide an update on the etiology and pathophysiological mechanisms involved in ALS. There are two types of ALS: the familial form with genetic involvement, and the sporadic form with a multifactorial origin. ALS pathophysiology is characterized by involvement of multiple processes, including oxidative stress, glutamate excitotoxicity, and neuroinflammation. Moreover, it is proposed that conditioning risk factors affect ALS development, such as susceptibility to neurodegeneration in motor neurons, the intensity of performed physical activity, and intestinal dysbiosis with involvement of the enteric nervous system, which supports the existing theories of disease generation. To improve patients’ prognosis and survival, it is necessary to further deepen our understanding of the etiopathogenesis of ALS

Spin-Parity Analysis of the Centrally produced KsKs system at 800 GeV

Results are presented of the spin-parity analysis on a sample of centrally produced mesons in the reaction (p p -> p_{slow} K_s K_s p_{fast}) with 800 GeV protons on liquid hydrogen. The spin-parity analysis in the mass region between threshold and 1.58 GeV/c^2 shows that the (K_s K_s) system is produced mainly in S-wave. The f_0(1500) is clearly observed in this region. Above 1.58 GeV/c^2 two solutions are possible, one with mainly S-wave and another with mainly D-wave. This ambiguity prevents a unique determination of the spin of the f_J(1710) meson.Comment: 6 pages, including 6 figures. LaTex, uses 'espcrc2.sty'. To appear in LEAP'96 proceeding

Influence of the ovine genital tract microbiota on the species artificial insemination outcome. A pilot study in commercial sheep farms

To date, there is a lack of research into the vaginal and sperm microbiome and its bearing on artificial insemination (AI) success in the ovine species. Using hypervariable regions V3–V4 of the 16S rRNA, we describe, for the first time, the combined effect of the ovine microbiome of both females (50 ewes belonging to five herds) and males (five AI rams from an AI center) on AI outcome. Differences in microbiota abundance between pregnant and non-pregnant ewes and between ewes carrying progesterone-releasing intravaginal devices (PRID) with or without antibiotic were tested at different taxonomic levels. The antibiotic treatment applied with the PRID only altered Streptobacillus genus abundance, which was significantly lower in ewes carrying PRID with antibiotic. Mageebacillus, Histophilus, Actinobacilllus and Sneathia genera were significantly less abundant in pregnant ewes. In addition, these genera were more abundant in two farms with higher AI failure. Species of these genera such as Actinobacillus seminis and Histophilus somni have been associated with reproductive disorders in the ovine species. These genera were not present in the sperm samples of AI rams, but were found in the foreskin samples of rams belonging to herd 2 (with high AI failure rate) indicating that their presence in ewes’ vagina could be due to prior transmission by natural mating with rams reared in the herd

Hábitos alimentares em crianças do ensino básico. Análise do tipo de ingestão e utilização de cantinas

Resumen: Introducción: La infancia es una etapa fundamental en la adquisición y desarrollo de hábitos y patrones alimentarios que condicionan el estado nutricional en las etapas posteriores de la vida, por lo que, si estos hábitos son adecuados, ayudarán a mantener la salud en la edad adulta. Objetivos: El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar los hábitos alimentarios de los estudiantes de Educación Primaria de escuelas da provincia de Granada. Métodos: La muestra seleccionada estuvo formada por 393 alumnos (52,7% chicos y 47,3% chicas). La edad de los estudiantes varía de 10 a 13 años (27,5% tiene 10 años, 49,9% tiene 11 años, 20,6% tiene 12 años, 1,8% tiene 13 años y 0,3% tiene 14 años). Resultados y discusión: Es posible observar que el 47,3% de los estudiantes consumen fruta al menos una vez al día, y en comparación con la ingesta de vegetales, este porcentaje desciende al 31%. Además, 39,2% consumen cereales con la misma frecuencia. Por otro lado, es posible observar que 37,1% tiene el hábito de comer frituras y aperitivos salados. Cuando comparamos la ingesta de dulces, 33,3% tiene el hábito de comerlos. Conclusiones: Por todos estos aspectos, se puede observar la necesidad de aumentar la frecuencia con la que los estudiantes consumen semanalmente los principales alimentos que componen una dieta saludable, así como reducir la frecuencia con la que consumen frituras y dulces, posibilitando así para que desarrollen hábitos alimenticios más saludables.Abstract: Introduction: Childhood is a fundamental phase in the acquisition and development of eating habits and patterns that condition nutritional status in later stages of life, therefore, if these habits are adequate, they will help maintain health in adulthood. Objectives: The objective of this research was to analyze the eating habits of Primary School students in schools in the province of Granada. Methods: The selected sample consisted of 393 students (52.7% boys and 47.3% girls) from schools in the province of Granada. The age of the students ranges from 10 to 13 years (27.5% are 10 years old, 49.9% are 11 years old, 20.6% are 12 years old, 1.8% are 13 years old and 0.3% are 14 years old). Results and discussion: It is possible to observe that 47.3% of the students eat fruit at least once a day, and when compared to vegetable intake this percentage drops to 31%. In addition, 39.2% make cereal intake at the same frequency. On the other hand, it is possible to observe that 37.1% have the habit of eating French fries and salty snacks. When we compare the intake of sweet, 33.3% have the habit of eating it. Conclusions: From all these aspects, it is possible to observe the need to increase the frequency with which students consume the main foods that make up a healthy diet on a weekly basis, and also to decrease the frequency with which they eat fried foods and sweets, thus making it possible to develop a healthier eating habit.Resumo: Introdução: A infância é uma fase fundamental na aquisição e desenvolvimento de hábitos e padrões alimentares que condicionam o estado nutricional nas fases posteriores da vida, portanto, se esses hábitos forem adequados, eles ajudarão a manter a saúde na idade adulta. Objetivos: O objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar os hábitos alimentares de alunos do Ensino Primário das escolas da província de Granada. Métodos: A amostra selecionada foi composta por 393 alunos (52,7% meninos e 47,3% meninas) de escolas da província de Granada. A idade dos alunos varia de 10 a 13 anos (27,5% têm 10 anos, 49,9% têm 11, 20,6% têm 12 anos, 1,8% têm 13 anos e 0,3% têm 14 anos). Resultados e discussão: É possível observar que 47,3% dos alunos fazem ingestão de frutas pelo menos uma vez ao dia, e quando comparado a ingestão de vegetais essa porcentagem cai para 31%. Ademais, 39,2% fazem ingestão de cereais nessa mesma frequência. Por outro lado, é possível observar que 37,1% têm o hábito de ingerir batatas fritas e aperitivos salgados. Quando comparamos a ingestão de doce, 33,3% têm o hábito de ingeri-lo. Conclusões: Por todos esses aspectos é possível observar a necessidade de aumentar a frequência com que os estudantes consomem semanalmente os principais alimentos que compõem uma alimentação saudável, e ainda diminuir a frequência com que ingerem frituras e doces, possibilitando assim, desenvolver um hábito alimentar mais saudável

An endophytic Streblonema (Phaeophyta) associated with galls in Fucus spiralis (Phaeophyta) from the Canary Islands

Galls observed in Fucus spiralis are wart-like protrusions 1-7 mm in diameter, restricted to the midrib of mature plants. Gall structure consists of a radial and unorganized growth of the cortical tissue as a result of the cells enlargement and division. Plants of F. spiralis bearing galls were always collected with Streblonema sp. filaments growing between host cells. But the relation between the occurrence of galls in Fucus and the presence of endophytic filaments of Streblonema remain uncertain in the absence of experimental evidence.Se observaron agallas verrucosas de 1-7 mm de diámetro en el engrosamiento central de plantas de Fucus spiralis. Las agallas presentan una estructura radial no organizada, debido a la elongación y división de las células corticales. Todas las plantas de Fucus spiralis con agallas presentaron filamentos de Streblonema sp., creciendo entre las células del hospedante. Sin embargo, en ausencia de evidencias experimentales, la relación entre la existencia de agallas y la presencia de filamentos endofíticos de Streblonema es incierta