Search

Resumen Objetivo Determinar la resistencia máxima a la tracción (RMT) de la continuación prepatelar del cuádriceps (CPC). Materiales y Métodos Se realizó un estudio en cadáveres humanos. Fueron incluidos diez especímenes, en los cuales se utilizaron los tercios proximal y medial de la cortical anterior de la patela para evaluar las propiedades mecánicas de la CPC. En cada espécimen, se estudió un área de sección transversal de 0,2 cm2 (A1) y 1 cm2 (A2). Se aplicó una carga gradual para determinar la RMT. Resultados La mediana de la RMT en el A1 fue de 232,56 N (rango: 141,23 N a 295,33 N) y en el A2 fue de 335,30 N (rango: 216,45 N a 371,40 N). El incremento en la TMR fue significativo entre las 2 áreas (p = 0,006). Conclusión El significado clínico de este estudio es que la CPC es un tejido fuerte que puede servir de anclaje seguro para reconstrucciones alrededor de la patela. Un área relativamente pequeña tolera al menos 140 N y, a medida que crece el área, también aumenta la RMT. Nivel de evidencia Estudio biomecánico.

Resumen Objetivo Describir el resultado funcional informado por el paciente de una cohorte de pacientes sometidos a artroplastia unicompartimental de rodilla (AUR) en un hospital universitario chileno. Métodos Se diseñó un estudio de cohorte histórica. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes que se sometieron a AUR de platillo fijo entre 2003 y 2019. Un evaluador independiente se puso en contacto con los pacientes en junio de 2020. Se utilizó el índice de artritis de las universidades de Western Ontario y McMaster (WOMAC) para comparar los procedimientos de AUR (medial o lateral), la edad (mayor o menor de 70 años), y el seguimiento (más o menos de 5 años). Resultados Se incluyeron 78 pacientes, en un total de 94 AURs. La mediana de edad fue de 64 años (rango: 43 a 85 años). Hubo 72 (76,6%) casos de AUR medial. Un paciente necesitó revisión para artroplastia total de rodilla (ATR). Un total de 60 pacientes (76,9%), correspondientes a 72 AURs (76,7%), fueron contactados con éxito por teléfono para el seguimiento final. La mediana del puntaje en los dominios del WOMAC fue: dolor – 1 (rango: 0 a 12); rigidez – 0 (rango: 0 a 4); y función física – 2 (rango: 0 a 29). La mediana del puntaje total en el WOMAC fue de 4 (rango: 0 a 44). Los pacientes sometidos a AUR lateral lograron mejores puntuaciones funcionales (p = 0,0432), y el puntaje total en el WOMAC fue similar en pacientes mayores o menores de 70 años (p = 0,3706). Conclusiones La AUR es un tratamiento eficaz y reproducible para pacientes con artrosis de rodilla unicompartimental. La edad parece no afectar los resultados funcionales, y la AUR es un tratamiento eficaz en pacientes mayores de 70 años. Estos resultados deberían animar a los cirujanos de rodilla a aprender esta técnica y a los responsables de las políticas de salud pública a considerar la AUR para la osteoartritis de rodilla.

Resumen Introducción La artroplastia total de cadera (ATC), es la cirugía del siglo XX por el impacto en la calidad de vida. Por su parte, la artroplastia de rodilla (AR), ha demostrado ser un procedimiento costo-efectivo en gonartrosis. Objetivo Describir la evolución de ATC y AR, en cuanto a número de procedimientos, edad y género en pacientes operados en un hospital general. Método Estudio transversal analítico. Fueron incluidos todos los procedimientos realizados en un único centro, entre enero de 2002 y diciembre 2018, que estuvieran registrados por los códigos de prestación Fonasa 2104129 y 2104153. Fueron excluidos todos los procedimientos de revisión de artroplastia, tumores y fracturas. Se realizó un análisis de correlación de Spearman, se estableció una significancia de 0,05. Resultados Fueron incluidos 3270 procedimientos, 1975 corresponden a ATC (60,4%) y 1295 AR (39,6%). El número de ATC ha ido aumentando, en 2002 fueron realizados 122, mientras que en 2018, fueron 164. Por su parte, las AR también aumentaron, en 2002 fueron realizadas 40, mientras que en 2018 fueron 155. La proporción ATC/AR ha disminuido significativamente. La edad promedio ha disminuido en AR y aumentado en ATC, sin significación estadística. En ATC, se observa un incremento en la proporción de hombres operados. Conclusiones El perfil epidemiológico de los pacientes operados de artroplastia ha cambiado significativamente. La epidemiología mundial y la de este estudio muestran un significativo incremento de pacientes que requieren AR, por lo cual, parece importante incluir ese procedimiento en las necesidades sanitarias a satisfacer, en el diseño de nuevas políticas públicas.

Increased oxidative stress has been linked to the pathogenic process of obesity and can trigger inflammation, which is often linked with the risk factors that make up metabolic syndrome (MetS), including obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and hypertension. TetraSOD

The virtualization of university teaching in Spain caused by the pandemic was a success, but the urgent nature of the transition from face-to-face teaching to online teaching meant that some peculiarities that should have been taken into account were omitted. Thus, in order to find out and analyze the factors causing the success of this virtualization and take measures to address the weak points of this process as teachers may want to maintain the use of online teaching as support for their face-to-face teaching, these factors were located through a literature review and were classified according to their level of importance in this success through a causal study carried out with the methodology of fuzzy cognitive maps. The results achieved indicated the determining factors in students, involving their attitude, aptitude and predisposition, which are factors where the work of the teacher is of main relevance (as it exerts the greatest influence on these factors). For this reason, technological attitude and aptitude, teaching style, and the creation and structuring of content should be reinforced in teachers.

Between two possible practices when supervising a remote synchronous evaluation, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of Spanish universities opted for the use of videoconferences with audio and active video, instead of implementing e-proctoring. Thus, in order to analyze the reasons for this non-implementation and take measures so that its use can be extended in the Spanish university system, this study focused on identifying the critical factors in the decision of Spanish universities to accept and implement e-proctoring as a method of remote supervision. For this, a causal study was carried out using the methodology of fuzzy cognitive maps, and the data obtained were processed through the FCMappers tool. This allowed a glimpse of the key role played by students in this non-implementation (who alleged the non-possibility of having the resources necessary for the use of e-proctoring and the violation of privacy that the use of this tool entailed) and highlighted the role of the “pressure or incentives from government” factor if these allegations are to be eliminated and if e-proctoring is to be implemented in Spanish universities

Purpose To compare joint line restoration after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) between conventional and robotic-assisted surgery. Previous studies have shown that joint line distalization can lead to higher failure rates. The hypothesis was that robotic-assisted UKA is associated with less femoral component distalization and a precise tibial cut, which allows a more anatomical restitution of the knee joint line. Methods Retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing medial or lateral UKA between May 2018 and March 2020. Preoperative and postoperative radiologic assessment of the joint line was performed by two observers, using three different methods, one for tibial slope and one for tibial resection. Robotic assisted UKA and conventional UKA groups were compared. Results Sixty UKA were included, of which 48 (77.42%) were medial. Robotic-assisted UKA were 40 (64.52%) and 22(35.48%) were conventional The distalization of the femoral component was higher in the conventional group despite the method of measurement used In both Weber methods, the difference was statistically different: Conventional 2.3 (0.9 to 5.6) v/s Robotic 1.5 (− 1.1 to 4.1) (p =0.0025*). A higher proportion of patients achieved a femoral component position ≤ two millimeters from the joint line using robotic-assisted UKA compared to the conventional technique . No statistical difference between robotic-assisted and conventional UKA was found in tibial resection and slope. Conclusion Robotic-assisted UKA shows a better rate of joint line restoration due to less femoral component distalization than conventional UKA. No difference was found in the amount of tibial resection between groups in this study. Level of evidence III

El siguiente artículo presenta los resultados del estudio sobre el rol del humor gráfico en el Perú frente al golpe de Estado, en 1992. Examinamos un número importante de caricaturas a la luz del enfoque histórico, crítico y contextual. La idea fue seguir construyendo el derrotero de la caricatura peruana. Entre los resultados que encontramos fue que, la caricatura ratifica su condición proyectiva, problética y maleable. No ejerció un papel fundamental en la creación de las condiciones del golpe, pero sin duda, sirvió a este objetivo. Fue un excelente vehículo para penetrar en los imaginarios sociales. Logró alcanzar su propósito al momento de afirmarse en el sentido común de la sociedad peruana, convirtiéndose en el magma de representaciones imaginarias, desde donde volvería a nutrir el humor con nuevos y viejos elementos simbólicos. En el estudio, utilizamos un enfoque metodológico cualitativo, el análisis lo hicimos apoyándonos en el interaccionismo simbólico.

This study optimizes the district heating network side of a high temperature community heating system powered by decentralized solar collectors and seasonal thermal energy storage (STES). Six network configurations are considered which have the potential to improve system performance compared to a base scenario. The base scenario consists of a 2-line network with a fixed supply temperature where the decentralised solar collectors feed in over the heating network. All alternative configurations aim to improve system performance by lowering the temperature of consumed and/or produced heat. Lowering the temperature in the heating network reduces heat losses and decreases heat pump utilization. Lowering the operational temperature of the solar collectors increases their efficiency. The strategies explored by the different configurations include variable supply temperatures, a 4-line network (where the solar collectors do not feed into the heating network), and ways to mitigate temperature constraints imposed by domestic hot water production regulations. In the neighbourhood “”Karwijhof” of Nagele, 24 consumers will make the switch to a solar+storage district heating system. In order to assess their performance, all configurations and the base scenario are modelled in Matlab/Simulink. The system performance is measured in terms of levelised cost of heat (LCOH) and seasonal coefficient of performance (SCOP). They are compared to a scenario where the dwellings are fitted with individual high temperature air to water heat pumps. Making the supply temperature variable (dependent on the ambient temperature) reduces pipeline thermal losses and reduces heat pump utilization. The transition from a 2-line network to a 4-line network where the solar collectors are separately connected to the buffer was found to significantly increase solar collector efficiency. The combination of these two measures reduces the LCOH by 4.5 %. Slightly oversizing the buffer volume and solar area significantly increases the SCOP with small impact on LCOH. When comparing the improved community solar heating system with a scenario where every house is heated with an individual heat pump instead, it is found that the community solar system achieve a 15.7 % lower LCOH while having a SCOP of 4.4 compared to just 2.75 for the heat pump scenario., CLIMA 2022 conference, 2022: CLIMA 2022 The 14th REHVA HVAC World Congress

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) produces electricity using the temperature difference between warm surface and cold deep-sea water. OTEC systems in literature only limitedly consider seasonal seawater temperaturevariations and thus might not be adequately sized for off-design conditions. This potentially leads to techno-economically sub-optimal design choices. This paper sheds light on which design approach yields the most economically feasible OTEC system considering off-design conditions with 19 years of seawater temperature data in 3-h time steps. We find that systems sized for worst-case thermal resources yield the highest and steadiest electricity production. If seawater temperature variations are moderate, these systems also perform best economically in terms of Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE). We demonstrate our model for a 136 MWgross plant in Ende, Indonesia, with an LCOE of 15.12 US¢(2021)/kWh against a local electricity tariff of 15.77 US¢(2021)/kWh. The model is validated for different cost assumptions, system sizes, and temperature profiles to be useful globally. We give recommendations to curb costs and to move large-scale OTEC closer to today’s state of the art,e.g. by using multiple smaller seawater pipes instead of few large pipes. The model is useful to prove OTEC’s global economic feasibility and to promote the technology’s commercialisation.

Rapid technological improvements are democratizing access to high quality, chromosome-scale genome assemblies. No longer the domain of only the most highly studied model organisms, now non-traditional and emerging model species can be genome-enabled using a combination of sequencing technologies and assembly software. Consequently, old ideas built on sparse sampling across the tree of life have recently been amended in the face of genomic data drawn from a growing number of high-quality reference genomes. Arguably the most valuable are those long-studied species for which much is already known about their biology; what many term emerging model species. Here, we report a new, highly complete chromosome-scale genome assembly for the brown anole, Anolis sagrei – a lizard species widely studied across a variety of disciplines and for which a high-quality reference genome was long overdue.

Microalgae have high potential as a resource for sustainable and green protein for food or bioactive molecules. Nonetheless, despite the high protein content of microalgae (40 - 70% dry weight) progress in the characterization of their protein composition remains challenging. This is due to the highly variable chemical composition of microalgae strains and factors such as their rigid thick cell wall, polysaccharide content, protein stability, pH. The method described herein was developed to optimize protein extraction for proteome analysis of microalgae (

ResumenLa cirugía protésica de rodilla es un procedimiento ampliamente aceptado como etapa final del tratamiento de la artrosis de rodilla, con sobrevida que supera el 90% a 10–15 años. Dentro de las principales causas de fallo, se encuentran la infección (20,4%) y el aflojamiento mecánico (20,3%). El uso de ayudas tecnológicas en cirugía está en constante desarrollo, con el objetivo de mejorar la precisión del acto quirúrgico. En ese escenario, la Cirugía Asistida por Computador (CAS) en artroplastia de rodilla, crece de forma exponencial, y apunta a mejorar el posicionamiento y selección del tamaño de los componentes protésicos, aumentar la precisión de las resecciones óseas y mejorar el balance de los tejidos blandos, logrando así una mayor sobrevida del implante. En comparación a las técnicas convencionales, la cirugía robótica ha mostrado mejores resultados funcionales, al primer año de seguimiento, en términos de rango articular, menor dolor post-operatorio y menor tiempo de estadía hospitalaria. Pero todavía es necesario establecer si, a largo plazo, esas diferencias funcionales se traducirán en mejores resultados clínicos que permitan, de forma consistente, inclinar la balanza en favor de la técnica asistida por robot por sobre las técnicas tradicionales.

Tetraselmis chui is known to accumulate starch when subjected to stress. This phenomenon is widely studied for the purpose of industrial production and process development. Yet, knowledge about the metabolic pathways involved is still immature. Hence, in this study, transcription of 27 starch-related genes was monitored under nitrogen deprivation and resupply in 25 L tubular photobioreactors. T. chui proved to be an efficient starch producer under nitrogen deprivation, accumulating starch up to 56% of relative biomass content. The prolonged absence of nitrogen led to an overall down-regulation of the tested genes, in most instances maintained even after nitrogen replenishment when starch was actively degraded. These gene expression patterns suggest post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms play a key role in T. chui under nutrient stress. Finally, the high productivity combined with an efficient recovery after nitrogen restitution makes this species a suitable candidate for industrial production of high-starch biomass. Metabolic pathways for biosynthesis and degradation of starch in Tetraselmis chui during nitrogen deprivation and recovery

The need for beds and health personnel to treat coronavirus (COVID- 19) patients has led to the suspension of many elective sur-geries in Chile, including knee arthroplasties. This study aims to determine the incidence of knee arthroplasty in 2020, reflecting the effect of the COVID- 19 pandemic, and estimate the cost and time it would take to recover the waiting list prior to March 2020.A cross- sectional study was designed. We analyzed databases from The Department of Statistics and Health Information databases from Chile for 2019 and 2020, identifying patients with surgical discharges associated with knee arthroplasty codes. We estimated the time it would take to recover the surgeries unperformed in 2020 by simulating a monthly workload increase from the 2019 baseline. The costs of knee arthroplasty paid by the National Health Fund to institutions were estimated by diagnosis-related groups.We found that the incidence rate of knee arthroplasty in 2020 decreased by 64% compared with 2019. The impact was higher in the public system (68%) and the National Health Found (63%). A simulated increase in knee arthroplasty productivity by 30% would allow recovering the postponed knee arthroplasty surgeries in 27 months, at a monthly cost to the public system of 318 million Chilean pesos (378 thousand US dollars).The incidence rate of knee arthroplasty during 2020 decreased by 64%, revealing the extensive waiting line for people with knee osteoarthritis. An increase between 20- 40% in productivity compared with 2019 would allow recovering the unperformed surgeries in 20 to 41 months, at a monthly cost to the public network between 210 and 425 million Chilean pesos (250 to 506 thousand US dollars).Debido a la respuesta de los servicios de salud a la pandemia por COVID- 19, se han suspendido cirugías electivas como la artroplastía de rodilla. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la incidencia de artroplastías de rodilla en 2020 reflejando el efecto de la pandemia, y estimar el tiempo y el costo para recuperar la situación de lista de espera previa a marzo de 2020.Estudio transversal. Se analizaron las bases de datos del Departamento de Estadística e Información en Salud de Chile de 2019 y 2020, identificando pacientes asociados a códigos de artroplastía de rodilla. Se calculó el número mensual de artroplastias realizadas durante 2019 para estimar el tiempo que tomará recuperar las cirugías no realizadas en 2020. El costo asociado a artroplastía de rodilla se hizo según el método de pago utilizado por el Fondo Nacional de Salud estimado por grupos relacionados por diagnóstico.En 2020 la tasa de incidencia de artroplastía de rodilla por 100 000 habitantes disminuyó 64% comparado con 2019. El impacto fue mayor en el sistema público (68%) y en beneficiarios del Fondo Nacional de Salud (63%). Un aumento en la productividad en 30% respecto a 2019 haría que en 27 meses se recuperen las cirugías no realizadas en 2020, significando un costo adicional mensual en el sistema público de 318 262 530 pesos chilenos (equivalentes a 378 mil dólares americanos, USD).Hubo una importante disminución de la tasa de artroplastías de rodilla en 2020, estimándose una caída del 64% en la incidencia por 100 000 habitantes. Esto muestra un incremento importante de personas que esperan la resolución a la artrosis de rodilla. Un aumento entre 20 y 40% respecto de 2019 permitiría recuperar las cirugías no realizadas en un plazo entre 20 y 41 meses, a un costo mensual en el sistema público que varía entre 210 y 425 millones pesos chilenos (de 250 a 506 mil dólares americanos, USD).

Este artículo constituye un aporte a la construcción de la historia de la prensa regional de principios del siglo XX. Su lectura se hace en el marco del contexto histórico social que envolvió la etapa comprendida entre 1895 y 1930. Los resultados del análisis exploratorio suministran información importante de la intensa dinámica de la prensa de esa época, del volumen de medios, de su periodicidad y sobre todo de las características de su discurso. La hipótesis de investigación que sugiere que los inicios del siglo XX fueron también los inicios del sensacionalismo en la prensa ayacuchana, ha sido descartada. El encendido discurso fijado, con características sensacionalistas, se retrotrae al siglo anterior, aunque la potencia de dicho discurso refleja cierto avance en estilo y técnica informativa. La metodología se abre desde la perspectiva etnográfica y contextual.

Background The use of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has increased and new technologies have been developed to improve patient survival and satisfaction, soft tissue balance, alignment, and component size. Robot-assisted systems offer an increase in surgical precision and accuracy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the precision of component position using five radiological parameters in conventional and robotic-assisted medial UKA using the NAVIO system. Methods A cohort study was designed for patients who underwent medial UKA between April 2017 and March 2019 in a single center. Patients were allocated in the conventional (UKA-C) or robotic-assisted (UKA-R) group. The variables analyzed were age, gender, affected knee side, length of hospital stay, surgical time, and radiological measurements such as anatomical medial distal femoral angle (aMDFA), anatomical medial proximal tibial angle (aMPTA), tibial slope, the sagittal femoral angle, and the component size. A target was defined for each measurement, and a successful UKA was defined if at least four radiological measures were on target after surgery. Also, patients’ reported outcomes were evaluated using the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and a numeric rating scale (NRS) for pain. Results Thirty-four patients were included, 18 of them underwent UKA-R. The success rate for UKA in the UKA-R group was 87%; meanwhile, in the UKA-C group this was 28%, this difference was significant and powered (Fisher’s exact test, p = 0.001; 1 − β = 0.95). Also, a 5-point difference in favor of the UKA-R group in the median OKS (p = 0.01), and a significantly lower median NRS for pain (p Conclusions UKA-R achieved more precision in the radiological parameters’ measure in this study. Also, UKA-R has a trend towards a better OKS and a lower NRS for pain at short-term follow-up.

The acquisition of skills in ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) has a relevant role in the training programs of educational institutions, since these skills are among the most demanded when companies decide to look for workers. For this reason, this study aims to analyze the training in ICT skills that the students of the Faculty of Business Sciences and Tourism of the University of Huelva (Spain) possess according to their professors and the importance that these professors give to their acquisition for the future professional performance of their students, and observe if these two variables differ from the opinion of the students, to know if corrective measures should be taken in the training programs when transmitting said skills. This research is carried out through a questionnaire carried out to 46 professors of said Faculty and concludes that, in general, the study plans have been able to promote the learning of these ICT skills and to relativize the acquisition of these for the future job performance of their students., La adquisición de competencias en TIC (Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación) tiene un papel relevante en los programas formativos de las instituciones educativas, ya que estas competencias se encuentran entre las más demandadas cuando las empresas deciden buscar trabajadores. Por este motivo, este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar la capacitación en competencias TIC que poseen los estudiantes de la Facultad de Ciencias Empresariales y Turismo de la Universidad de Huelva (España) según sus profesores y la importancia que estos profesores dan a la adquisición de éstas para el futuro desempeño profesional de sus estudiantes, y observar si estas dos variables difieren de la opinión de los estudiantes, para conocer si se deben tomar medidas correctivas en los programas formativos a la hora de transmitir dichas competencias. Esta investigación se desarrolla a través de un cuestionario realizado a 46 profesores de dicha Facultad y concluye que en líneas generales los planes de estudio han sido capaces de fomentar el aprendizaje de estas competencias TIC y de relativizar la adquisición de éstas para el futuro desempeño laboral de sus estudiantes.

Quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) is a highly sensitive technique that can be applied to analyze how genes are modulated by culture conditions, but identification of appropriate reference genes for normalization is a critical factor to be considered. For this reason, the expression stability of 18 candidate reference genes was evaluated for the green microalgae Tetraselmis chui using the widely employed algorithms geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, the comparative ΔCT method, and RefFinder. Microalgae samples were collected from large scale outdoor photobioreactors during the growing phase (OUT_GP), and during the semi-continuous phase at different times of the day (OUT_DC). Samples from standard indoor cultures under highly controlled conditions (IND) were also collected to complement the other data. Different rankings for the candidate reference genes were obtained depending on the culture conditions and the algorithm employed. After comparison of the achieved ranks with the different methods, the references genes selected for samples from specific culture conditions were ALD and EFL in OUT_GP, RPL32 and UBCE in OUT_DC, and cdkA and UBCE in IND. Moreover, the genes EFL and cdkA or EFL and UBCE appeared as appropriate combinations for pools generated from all samples (ALL). Examination in the OUT_DC cultures of genes encoding the large and small subunits of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPL and AGPS, respectively) confirmed the reliability of the identified reference genes, RPL32 and UBCE. The present study represents a useful contribution for studies of gene expression in T. chui, and also represents the first step to set-up an RT-qPCR platform for quality control of T. chui biomass production in industrial facilities.

La metodología de los Mapas Cognitivos Difusos (MCD) es una de las más relevantes en el estudio del conocimiento y, probablemente, una de las más utilizadas en los últimos tiempos por los inves-tigadores en sus estudios y proyectos. Este artículo analiza a través de una revisión bibliográfica por las principales bases de datos científicas, el uso de esta herramienta en la investigación cientí-fica y su aplicación en las ciencias sociales, además de aportar referencias históricas al respecto. Muestra las principales características de la metodología, sus posibilidades y limitaciones, sus dif-erencias con su antecesor (los Mapas Cognitivos), las fases operativas para su aplicación y las dif-erentes formas de captación de información. Además de demostrar la idoneidad de su aplicación en el ámbito de las ciencias sociales y estudiar sus mayores problemáticas, la identificación de los conceptos involucrados dentro del sistema a estudiar, la selección de expertos y los coeficientes o pesos de los conocimientos de cada uno de estos, ofreciendo sugerencias y aportaciones para una correcta identificación de los conceptos involucrados, una correcta selección de estos expertos y una correcta cuantificación de sus coeficientes de “conocimiento experto”., The methodology of Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCMs) is one of the most relevant in the study of knowledge and, probably, one of the most used in recent times by researchers in their studies and projects. This paper analyzes, through a bibliographic review by the main scientific databases, the use of this tool in scientific research and its application in the social sciences, as well as pro viding historical references in this regard. It shows the main characteristics of the methodology, its possibilities and limitations, its differences with its predecessor (Cognitive Maps), the opera tional phases for its application and the different ways of capturing information. In addition to demonstrating the suitability of its application in the field of social sciences and studying its major problems, the identification of the concepts involved within the system to be studied, the selection of experts and the coefficients or weights of the knowledge of each of these ones, offering sugges tions and contributions for a correct identification of the concepts involved, a correct selection of these experts and a correct quantification of their coefficients of "expert knowledge".

Omic technologies are a major source of information in understanding the cellular processes while their employment for studying microalgal biomass and productivity is rapidly expanding. Microalgae are known for their complex cellular metabolism. Environmental conditions affect intensely both their metabolic and transcriptomic profiles, resulting in production of numerous compounds with applications in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, nutrition and biofuel. In an attempt to detect global changes occurring during environmental light alteration, an integrated omics approach was employed while the results were evaluated using different statistical approaches. An RT-qPCR based platform was utilized for the targeted transcript profiling of Nannochloropsis gaditana genes involved in primary and secondary metabolism, while the metabolite profiles were analyzed by GC–MS and GCFID analytical methods. The combined transcriptomic and metabolomic results revealed extensive metabolic adaptations triggered by different chromatic qualities of light. In summary, an overall induction in both transcripts and metabolites, involved mainly in amino acid metabolism, was observed under red filtered light. Blue filtered light provoked decreased carbohydrate concentration but elevated polyunsaturated fatty acids content. Moreover, green filtered light induced the lowest responses in metabolite and gene transcript levels, indicating that its photons are poorly absorbed by N. gaditana. The current work suggests that spectral light changes leading to biochemical and metabolic manipulation of microalga N. gaditana can be accomplished by light filtering of solar irradiance, a cost-effective method which could be routinely applied in large scale photobioreactor cultivating systems.

Purpose: To analyze the torsion of the lower extremities in a healthy cohort and to determine the contribution of different segments of the femur and tibia to the torsion of both bones. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 32 patients with nonjoint or bone-related symptoms were analyzed by CT angiography. Lower-limb torsion, femoral torsion, proximal femoral torsion, femoral shaft torsion, distal femoral torsion, tibial torsion, proximal tibial torsion, and distal tibial torsion were measured. Results: The median total limb torsion was 25° external torsion, with the median femoral torsion being −9° and the median tibial torsion 30°. Both femoral metaphyses had internal torsion, with the internal torsion of the proximal metaphysis being approximately three times greater than that of the distal femoral metaphysis. The shaft was found to compensate with an external torsion of approximately two-thirds of the internal torsion of both femoral metaphyses. The proximal metaphysis of the tibia accounted for approximately one-third of the external torsion, with the segment from the distal to the tibial tubercle accounting for the remaining two-thirds of the tibial torsion. Conclusions: The diaphysis and distal metaphysis are the major contributors to external torsion of the tibia, whereas the proximal metaphysis is the major contributor to the internal torsion of the femur.

The PITX1 transcription factor is expressed during hindlimb development, where it plays a critical role in directing hindlimb growth and the specification of hindlimb morphology. While it is known that PITX1 regulates hindlimb formation, in part, through activation of the Tbx4 gene, other transcriptional targets remain to be elucidated. We have used a combination of ChIP-seq and RNA-seq to investigate enhancer regions and target genes that are directly regulated by PITX1 in embryonic mouse hindlimbs. In addition, we have analyzed PITX1 binding sites in hindlimbs of Anolis lizards to identify ancient PITX1 regulatory targets. We find that PITX1-bound regions in both mouse and Anolis hindlimbs are strongly associated with genes implicated in limb and skeletal system development. Gene expression analyses reveal a large number of misexpressed genes in the hindlimbs of Pitx1−/− mouse embryos. By intersecting misexpressed genes with genes that have neighboring mouse PITX1 binding sites, we identified 440 candidate targets of PITX1. Of these candidates, 68 exhibit ultra-conserved PITX1 binding events that are shared between mouse and Anolis hindlimbs. Among the ancient targets of PITX1 are important regulators of cartilage and skeletal muscle development, including Sox9 and Six1. Our data suggest that PITX1 promotes chondrogenesis and myogenesis in the hindlimb by direct regulation of several key members of the cartilage and muscle transcriptional networks.

Squamates include all lizards and snakes, and display some of the most diverse and extreme morphological adaptations among vertebrates. However, compared with birds and mammals, relatively few resources exist for comparative genomic analyses of squamates, hampering efforts to understand the molecular bases of phenotypic diversification in such a speciose clade. In particular, the ∼400 species of anole lizard represent an extensive squamate radiation. Here, we sequence and assemble the draft genomes of three anole species—Anolis frenatus, Anolis auratus, and Anolis apletophallus—for comparison with the available reference genome of Anolis carolinensis. Comparative analyses reveal a rapid background rate of molecular evolution consistent with a model of punctuated equilibrium, and strong purifying selection on functional genomic elements in anoles. We find evidence for accelerated evolution in genes involved in behavior, sensory perception, and reproduction, as well as in genes regulating limb bud development and hindlimb specification. Morphometric analyses of anole fore and hindlimbs corroborated these findings. We detect signatures of positive selection across several genes related to the development and regulation of the forebrain, hormones, and the iguanian lizard dewlap, suggesting molecular changes underlying behavioral adaptations known to reinforce species boundaries were a key component in the diversification of anole lizards.

The tetrapod limb is a stunning example of evolutionary diversity, with dramatic variation not only among distantly related species, but also between the serially homologous forelimbs (FLs) and hindlimbs (HLs) within species. Despite this variation, highly conserved genetic and developmental programs underlie limb development and identity in all tetrapods, raising the question of how limb diversification is generated from a conserved toolkit. In some breeds of domestic pigeon, shifts in the expression of two conserved limb identity transcription factors,PITX1andTBX5, are associated with the formation of feathered HLs with partial FL identity. To determine how modulation ofPITX1andTBX5expression affects downstream gene expression, we compared the transcriptomes of embryonic limb buds from pigeons with scaled and feathered HLs. We identified a set of differentially expressed genes enriched for genes encoding transcription factors, extracellular matrix proteins, and components of developmental signaling pathways with important roles in limb development. A subset of the genes that distinguish scaled and feathered HLs are also differentially expressed between FL and scaled HL buds in pigeons, pinpointing a set of gene expression changes downstream ofPITX1andTBX5in the partial transformation from HL to FL identity. We extended our analyses by comparing pigeon limb bud transcriptomes to chicken, anole lizard, and mammalian datasets to identify deeply conservedPITX1- andTBX5-regulated components of the limb identity program. Our analyses reveal a suite of predominantly low-level gene expression changes that are conserved across amniotes to regulate the identity of morphologically distinct limbs.Summary statementIn feather-footed pigeons, mutant alleles ofPITX1andTBX5drive the partial redeployment of an evolutionarily conserved forelimb genetic program in the hindlimb.

To date, the knowledge and use of ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) has become an almost essential requirement when someone wants to find employment in our society. For this reason, this study aims to analyze the importance that students of the Faculty of Business Studies and Tourism of the University of Huelva (Spain) give to the acquisition of ICT skills for their future professional performance and the domain they have over them (achieved throughout their years of learning). This research is developed through a questionnaire completed by 90 students of the Faculty and concludes that in general they give these ICT skills the importance that they deserve and that their domain goes in parallel (except for some skills that show formative need), even being able to observe that in the majority of cases the dominion of these skills is tied to the importance that they give them. A día de hoy, el conocimiento y uso de las TIC (Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación) se ha convertido en un requisito casi imprescindible a la hora de encontrar empleo en nuestra sociedad. Por este motivo, este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar la importancia que los alumnos de la Facultad de Ciencias Empresariales y Turismo de la Universidad de Huelva (España) dan a la adquisición de competencias TIC para su futuro desempeño profesional y el dominio que tienen sobre estas (alcanzado a lo largo de sus años de aprendizaje). Esta investigación se desarrolla a través de un cuestionario realizado a 90 estudiantes de dicha Facultad y concluye que en líneas generales estos dan la importancia que se merecen a estas competencias TIC y que su dominio va en paralelo (exceptuando alguna competencia que muestra necesidad formativa), incluso pudiéndose decir que en la mayoría de las casos el dominio de estas competencias va vinculado a la importancia que ellos les dan.

Vertebrate pelvic reduction is a classic example of repeated evolution. Recurrent loss of pelvic appendages in sticklebacks has previously been linked to natural mutations in a pelvic enhancer that maps upstream of Pitx1. The sequence of this upstream PelA enhancer is not conserved to mammals, so we have surveyed a large region surrounding the mouse Pitx1 gene for other possible hind limb control sequences. Here we identify a new pelvic enhancer, PelB, that maps downstream rather than upstream of Pitx1. PelB drives expression in the posterior portion of the developing hind limb, and deleting the sequence from mice alters the size of several hind limb structures. PelB sequences are broadly conserved from fish to mammals. A wild stickleback population lacking the pelvis has an insertion/deletion mutation that disrupts the structure and function of PelB, suggesting that changes in this ancient enhancer contribute to evolutionary modification of pelvic appendages in nature.

This paper is a cross-sectional study on the use of Internet and Online Social Networks in the Spanish hotel sector compared to Spanish companies in other sectors. The conclusions from this extensive survey are that the use of online social networks is more important and is more developed in the hotel sector than in Spanish companies in general. However, although it gives considerable importance to online social networks, the hotel sector needs to revise its rules of usage. The use of new tools such as e-commerce to sell the hotel stays must increase, and marketing efforts should be geared more towards online social networks because the hotel sector is currently losing ground in a market that generates more and more potential clients and sales by the day.

BackgroundThis randomized trial compared ultrasound-guided interscalene block (ISB) and costoclavicular brachial plexus block (CCB) for arthroscopic shoulder surgery. We hypothesized that CCB would provide equivalent analgesia to ISB 30 min after surgery without the risk of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis.MethodsAll 44 patients received an ultrasound-guided block of the intermediate cervical plexus. Subsequently, they were randomized to ISB or CCB. The local anesthetic agent (20 mL of levobupivacaine 0.5% and epinephrine 5 µg/mL) and pharmacological block adjunct (4 mg of intravenous dexamethasone) were identical for all study participants. After the block performance, a blinded investigator assessed ISBs and CCBs every 5 min until 30 min using a composite scale that encompassed the sensory function of the supraclavicular nerves, the sensorimotor function of the axillary nerve and the motor function of the suprascapular nerve. A complete block was defined as one displaying a minimal score of six points (out of a maximum of eight points) at 30 min. Onset time was defined as the time required to reach the six-point minimal composite score. The blinded investigator also assessed the presence of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis at 30 min with ultrasonography.Subsequently, all patients underwent general anesthesia. Postoperatively, a blinded investigator recorded pain scores at rest at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours. Patient satisfaction at 24 hours, consumption of intraoperative and postoperative narcotics, and opioid-related side effects (eg, nausea/vomiting, pruritus) were also tabulated.ResultsBoth groups displayed equivalent postoperative pain scores at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours. ISB resulted in a higher incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis (100% vs 0%; P < 0.001) as well as a shorter onset time (14.0 (5.0) vs 21.6 (6.4) minutes; pConclusionCompared to ISB, CCB results in equivalent postoperative analgesia while circumventing the risk of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis. Further confirmatory trials are required. Future studies should also investigate if CCB can provide surgical anesthesia for arthroscopic shoulder surgery.Clinical Trials RegistrationNCT03411343.

Compression-resorption heat pumps (CRHP) enhanced by wet compression are considered a very promising option to upgrade low grade waste heat from the industry. This is especially true for applications where the heat source and/or sink have a large temperature glide. But commercial solutions using wet compression are not yet available on the market. Compared to the classically used vapor compression heat pumps (VCHP), CRHP can provide much better performance but only if the efficiency of the compressor exceeds 0.7. In this respect, a twin screw compressor has been identified as a potential solution to reach this efficiency goal. This study makes use of the entropy production minimization to identify where the major irreversibilites are located in a CRHP system operated with an ammonia-water mixture. A detailed model of the wet compressor and the resorber are coupled with simplified models of other components of the HP cycle to analyze where potential improvements can be made. The results show that significant benefits can be obtained using CRHP.

The microalgae are an important source of bioactive molecules including β-glucans that can be used as immunostimulants in aquaculture. In the present study, the antioxidant capacity, cytotoxicity and immunomodulatory activity of a chrysolaminarin-enriched extract obtained from the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum was evaluated. The extract showed a higher total antioxidant activity as determined by ORAC and FRAP assays and a lower DPPH scavenging activity than particulate yeast-β-glucan. The cytotoxicity test indicated that extract concentrations higher than 0.01% w/v could impair cell viability of human dermal fibroblasts. To evaluate the immunomodulatory activity, juvenile soles were intraperitoneally injected with the chrysolaminarin-enriched extract suspended in coconut oil (1 mg/fish) followed by a reinjection at 7 days. A sham group injected with the carrier solution was maintained as a negative control. Cumulated mortality of fish injected with the chrysolaminarin-enriched extract was 29.4% after six days and no mortality was recorded after extract reinjection. Expression analyses of fifteen genes related to the innate immune system in kidney, spleen and intestine showed temporal and organ-specific responses. A rapid (2 days post-injection; dpi) and strong induction of the pro-inflammatory il1b and the antimicrobial peptide hamp1 in the three immunological organs, the hsp90aa in kidney and spleen, irf3 in intestine and c3 in spleen was observed indicating a potent inflammatory response. The recovery of steady-state levels for all activated genes at 5 dpi, and the down-regulation of c-lectin receptor as well as some interferon-related genes (ifn1, irf1, irf3, irf8, irf9 and mx) in kidney and cxc10 in spleen indicated that the soles were able to activate a homeostatic response against the β-glucan insult. The reinjection of the chrysolaminarin-enriched extract did not activate a new inflammatory response but reduced the mRNA levels of hsp90aa and irf3 indicating that soles developed some resistance to β-glucans. Overall, these results reveal this enriched extract as a novel and potent source of β-glucans with antioxidant and immunomodulatory capacity suitable for immunostimulation in aquaculture.