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Testing products during the design process can help design teams anticipate user needs and predict a positive emotional response. Emerging technologies, e.g., Virtual Reality (VR), allow designers to test products in a more sophisticated manner alongside traditional approaches like sketches, photographs or physical prototypes. In this paper, we present the results of a study conducted to evaluate the feasibility of seven visualization techniques for product assessment within the framework of emotional design, suggesting that the user’s perception depends on the visualization technique used to present the product. This research provides recommendations for product evaluation using physical, virtual, or conceptual prototypes to analyze the user’s emotional response throughout 19 parameters. Our results indicate that the use of virtual environments, including VR and VR with Passive Haptics (VRPH), can facilitate user participation in the design process, although these visualization techniques may also exaggerate the emotions perceived by users. In this context, VRPH tends to overstate the tactile perception of the product. Additionally, our results reveal that both virtual and conceptual environments can amplify a user’s likelihood to purchase a product. However, the latter setting could also potentially lead to confusion among users in regards to their perception of the product’s weight, dimensions, and cost. Based on these findings, the authors encourage industrial designers to develop new methodologies to optimize design process and minimize costs.

La cobertura de yacimientos arqueológicos a ras de suelo ha motivado, en el último siglo, el empleo de multitud de sistemas con mayor o menor efectividad en su potencial de protección. En este artículo se valora la efectividad de 21 coberturas existentes en la Península Ibérica, analizándolas a partir de parámetros de control como su peso propio, superficie de envolvente e impacto medioambiental. A partir de las conclusiones extraídas, y como propuesta original de este trabajo, se desarrolla un sistema configurable de cobertura, mediante estructura ligera, basado en mallas de doble curvatura de una capa, compatible con envolvente textil cerrada de doble capa. En cada caso concreto, la solución final que mejor se adapta al yacimiento se obtiene tras un proceso de optimización del diseño, basado en parámetros, que reducen la materialidad a emplear, el proceso constructivo y el impacto medioambiental en cada fase del Ciclo de Vida.

Many Nowadays, digital teaching competence transcends the individual training of teachers in ICT. The European framework DigCompEdu, highlights that teachers must train students in the application of digital technologies in a critical and responsible way, in terms of information, communication, content generation, well-being and problem solving. Despite the good intentions to systematize a common model of development of digital competence, it is detected that the proposals lack a pedagogical approach that serves as a theoretical framework for them. This paper proposes a development model of the digital teaching competence based on the sociocultural approach through four constructs: Command, Preference, Reintegration and Appropriation. For this study, an ad hoc scale is created to record the digital teaching competence through the development of this in their students and empirical evidences are provided. A survey type design is proposed. The sample consists of 1,881 students of compulsory education in Andalusia (Spain). SPSS is used to analyse data. The average general results for each of the dimensions studied reveal a medium level of development of digital competence. It is concluded that there is still too much to be done in terms of teacher training in ICT, being necessary to provide them strategies for the development of this in their students.

Shigella flexneri is a facultative intracellular pathogen that causes shigellosis, a human diarrheal disease characterized by the destruction of the colonic epithelium. Novel antimicrobial compounds to treat infections are urgently needed due to the proliferation of bacterial antibiotic resistance and lack of new effective antimicrobials in the market. Our approach to find compounds that block the Shigella virulence pathway has three potential advantages: (i) resistance development should be minimized due to the lack of growth selection pressure, (ii) no resistance due to environmental antibiotic exposure should be developed since the virulence pathways are not activated outside of host infection, and (iii) the normal intestinal microbiota, which do not have the targeted virulence pathways, should be unharmed. We chose to utilize two phenotypic assays, inhibition of Shigella survival in macrophages and Shigella growth inhibition (minimum inhibitory concentration), to interrogate the 1.7 M compound screening collection subset of the GlaxoSmithKline drug discovery chemical library. A number of secondary assays on the hit compounds resulting from the primary screens were conducted, which, in combination with chemical, structural, and physical property analyses, narrowed the final hit list to 44 promising compounds for further drug discovery efforts. The rapid development of antibiotic resistance is a critical problem that has the potential of returning the world to a “pre-antibiotic” type of environment, where millions of people will die from previously treatable infections. One relatively newer approach to minimize the selection pressures for the development of resistance is to target virulence pathways. This is anticipated to eliminate any resistance selection pressure in environmental exposure to virulence-targeted antibiotics and will have the added benefit of not affecting the non-virulent microbiome. This paper describes the development and application of a simple, reproducible, and sensitive assay to interrogate an extensive chemical library in high-throughput screening format for activity against the survival of Shigella flexneri 2457T-nl in THP-1 macrophages. The ability to screen very large numbers of compounds in a reasonable time frame (~1.7 M compounds in ~8 months) distinguishes this assay as a powerful tool in further exploring new compounds with intracellular effect on S. flexneri or other pathogens with similar pathways of pathogenesis. The assay utilizes a luciferase reporter which is extremely rapid, simple, relatively inexpensive, and sensitive and possesses a broad linear range. The assay also utilized THP-1 cells that resemble primary monocytes and macrophages in morphology and differentiation properties. THP-1 cells have advantages over human primary monocytes or macrophages because they are highly plastic and their homogeneous genetic background minimizes the degree of variability in the cell phenotype (1). The intracellular and virulence-targeted selectivity of our methodology, determined via secondary screening, is an enormous advantage. Our main interest focuses on hits that are targeting virulence, and the most promising compounds with adequate physicochemical and drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic (DMPK) properties will be progressed to a suitable in vivo shigellosis model to evaluate the therapeutic potential of this approach. Additionally, compounds that act via a host-directed mechanism could be a promising source for further research given that it would allow a whole new, specific, and controlled approach to the treatment of diseases caused by some pathogenic bacteria.

Many Industrial Design professionals in Spain have difficulties when it comes to getting a job related to their field. They also have difficulties incorporating into the labor market as what they have learnt as students does not correspond with the demands of the labour market as far as industrial designers are concerned. By using a nationally representative survey sample of 195 professionals and 36 companies, this paper analyzes competencies, skills and knowledge acquired in Industrial Design Engineering and Product Development Degree, as well as the requirements of the labor market in order to check if this degree has correctly been adapted to the spanish workplace. Results shows the acquired skills' level is not bad, as a general rule, but this does not mean the labor market needs are fulfilled. There are even more differences between what has been learnt and what is demanded. There is too much content as far as variety is concerned that is generally not demanded by companies. Other demanded knowledge and skills are not taught at all or in a scarce and an insufficient way. This research invite engineering educators and businesses to collaborate redefining skills, competencies and knowledge correctly by transforming the degree's academic plans.

A selective extraction system of thorium(IV), formed with a TSIL derived from ciprofloxacin and [BMIM][NTf2] as a co-solvent, is described. Under acidic conditions, this IL solution was able to complex selectively this metal versus the rest of the other metals of the periodic table. The synthesis of the TSIL was detailed using known procedures and it was isolated in good overall yield. The extraction coefficients (K) were determined by a microextractive survey at 25 °C. Spectroscopic analyses of thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) complexes were performed in order to demonstrate the strength of the metal–TSIL interaction, which was supported by DFT-based computational optimization of the formation of the experimentally observed complexes. Kinetic analysis, loading tests for the extractive protocol, and the optimization for recycling were also performed to justify the conditions of a laboratory prototype for this selective extraction of thorium(IV) salts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Testing products during the design process can help design teams anticipate user needs and predict a positive emotional response. Emerging technologies, e.g., Virtual Reality (VR), allow designers to test products in a more sophisticated manner alongside traditional approaches like sketches, photographs or physical prototypes. In this paper, we present the results of a study conducted to evaluate the feasibility of seven visualization techniques for product assessment within the framework of emotional design, suggesting that the user's perception depends on the visualization technique used to present the product. This research provides recommendations for product evaluation using physical, virtual, or conceptual prototypes to analyze the user's emotional response throughout 19 parameters. Our results indicate that the use of virtual environments, including VR and VR with Passive Haptics (VRPH), can facilitate user participation in the design process, although these visualization techniques may also exaggerate the emotions perceived by users. In this context, VRPH tends to overstate the tactile perception of the product. Additionally, our results reveal that both virtual and conceptual environments can amplify a user's likelihood to purchase a product. However, the latter setting could also potentially lead to confusion among users in regards to their perception of the product's weight, dimensions, and cost. Based on these findings, the authors encourage industrial designers to develop new methodologies to optimize design process and minimize costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenolics are abundant in plant cuticles. Here, via transient absorption spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations, the authors propose a model by which cuticle phenolics provide photoprotection due to ultrafast and non-radiative excited state deactivation combined with fluorescence emission.

Media organizations operate in a rivalry-charged ecosystem nowadays, as a consequence of emerging patterns of news production, distribution, and consumption. Furthermore, the growing of public social media manifestations and the arrival of digital journalism require new professional roles, responsibilities, and skills inside the media industry. In this context, Faculties of Communication need to equip students with the digital competencies that are relevant to new media outlets and journalistic work. Based on this approach, the main objective of this study is to answer the following questions: What does the literature suggest about the digital skills that new professional profiles should acquire in the field of journalism? Which dimensions of digital competence are gaining visibility and which dimensions are being neglected? To answer the scientific objectives, a systematic review has been carried out following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement. The application of the two models of digital competence, Bloom’s taxonomy (1956), and digital competence in education (Redecker, 2017), serves as a framework in two ways: to determine the level of digital competence development, and to identify the dimensions on which greater emphasis is being placed. The results show a lack of studies linked to key aspects of digital competence, especially those related to personal growth, emotional state (Redecker, 2017), and the development of a deep level of acquisition of this competence (Bloom, 1956). This article proposes to reflect on whether we want to train professionals according to the model demanded by the media outlets nowadays, or whether we prefer to train communication professionals with a deep level of digital competence, since they are able to respond to the future and changing needs of the 21st century.

A series of novel palladium(II) and nickel(II) complexes of multifunctionalized aroylaminocarbo-N-thioylpyrrolinates were synthesized and characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques. The biological properties of the freshly prepared compounds were screened against S. aureus, B. subtilis, A. hydrophila, E. coli, and A. baumannii bacteria and antituberculosis activity against M. tuberculosis H37Rv strains. Also, the antifungal activity was studied against C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. glabrata standard strains. A deep conformational survey was monitored using DFT calculations with the aim to explain the importance of the final conformation in the biological experimental results.

A pesar de algunos antecedentes dispersos y excepciones, existe una manifiesta laguna en la literatura sobre el concepto de cultura científica comunitaria. Con esa expresión nos referimos a situaciones en las cuales unos ciudadanos perciben un problema, se agrupan, organizan, comunican y ponen en común sus recursos para buscar, evaluar y producir conocimiento científico con el fin de encarar dicho problema. En este trabajo realizamos una propuesta de caracterización de la cultura científica comunitaria. Posteriormente, procedemos a aplicarla y contrastarla respecto del caso de los colectivos de afectados por la COVID persistente. La metodología empleada se ha basado en el análisis documental.

Burnout is one of the major problems in higher education and is linked to a decline in students’ academic performance and achievement. Burnout, when prolonged over time and added to stress and high workloads, promotes the intention to drop out of studies, which translates into negative consequences for individuals and groups. Academic engagement is proposed as an effective alternative to offer solutions to improve the quality of education and counteract current negative trends. This study is based on a correlational–descriptive research design. It aimed to find out to what extent students feel engaged in their university studies and to identify and analyze possible correlations between engagement and specific classroom variables. To this end, a sample of 764 college students was studied. The result showed that students feel connected to and interested in their studies and that the area of knowledge impacts student engagement. They also indicate how learning strategies used in the classroom positively impact academic engagement.

Este trabajo se centra en el análisis de cubiertas ejecutadas en las últimas tres décadas en el ámbito geográfico español asociado al clima mediterráneo. En este estudio se propone una metodología de análisis basada en la identificación de factores de deterioro, inventario de modelos (atendiendo a definición constructiva, materialidad y adaptabilidad, sistema de evacuación de aguas pluviales y necesidades de mantenimiento), clasificación tipológica y análisis de su efectividad frente a la acción de agentes externos relacionados con la exposición al clima mediante herramientas de simulación de control ambiental. Los resultados obtenidos ponen de manifiesto que es necesario ajustar bastante el diseño de este tipo de coberturas para que puedan proporcionar una protección real a los yacimientos analizados. Del mismo modo, a partir de los resultados obtenidos, se aportan parámetros de correcto diseño que guiarán futuras propuestas orientadas a la protección efectiva de estos bienes patrimoniales.

The relevance of solvent molecules in the reactivity of alkyne cations has been analyzed computationally. Analysis of the possible reaction mechanisms towards competitive cyclization and elimination processes including a molecule of solvent shows the crucial role of the solvent. In dichloromethane there are no relevant discrete solvent‐cation interactions that could determine the outcome and a strong intramolecular π‐cation interaction favors the [5‐exo‐dig] cyclization route. On the other hand, in tetrahydrofuran or toluene solvated environments, the existence of solvent‐cation interaction via formation of a dative C−O bond or the formation of a highly stabilized triflate‐cation complex, respectively, modifies the energy profile, thus promoting the elimination pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

En el ámbito de protección del patrimonio, cada vez existen más autores y trabajos que inciden en la necesidad y la importancia de no concebir aisladamente los testigos inmuebles, muebles y territoriales de una determinada actividad a la hora de aplicarle una protección, pues los unos sin los otros no tienen razón de ser. En la industria de la caña de azúcar esta protección podría en muchos casos incluir el suelo agrario y fuente de materia prima que hizo funcionar dicha industria. De esta forma, la protección tendría efecto por igual sobre los elementos inmuebles (arquitectura), muebles (maquinaria y herramientas) y el territorio (suelo agrario donde se cultivaba la caña que suministraba la fábrica). El trabajo que se presenta a continuación se centra en la importancia de esta coexistencia entre fábrica-maquinaria-suelo agrario. El estudio se focaliza en una de las fábricas existentes en el litoral este malagueño cuya situación en la actualidad se torna un tanto confusa debida a la ambigüedad de la norma aplicable. Por este motivo, se investiga la evolución del parcelario agrario en el entorno de la fábrica, así como el marco legislativo que da lugar al grado de protección actual ya que podría verse afectado por diversas actividades proyectadas en el municipio a corto-medio plazo. Se plantea una reflexión sobre la forma de proceder a la hora de proteger el patrimonio agrario en general, y más concretamente aquel vinculado a ciertas industrias que dejaron una profunda huella en el territorio de la Axarquía y sus habitantes.

Es conocido que uno de los retos del trabajo arqueológico, es el de evitar o reducir los efectos del llamado “trauma de excavación”, donde la modificación acelerada de condiciones higrotérmicas, junto al efecto de la radiación solar, altera las condiciones de equilibrio del objeto soterrado. Esto lleva a la necesidad de cobertura de yacimientos arqueológicos durante la excavación, realizada frecuentemente mediante sistemas fijos o desmontables más propios del mundo productivo o industrial, de alta huella ecológica, y con efecto limitado, garantizando en su mayoría únicamente situaciones de sombra. No obstante, entendemos que es posible dar una solución global desde la arquitectura a los numerosos requerimientos del objeto excavado, tales como: necesidad de coberturas con mínimos apoyos, coberturas ligeras de gran adaptabilidad a la evolución de la excavación, limitación de costes, o necesidad de control de las condiciones higrotérmicas del espacio cubierto mediante procedimientos limpios que minimicen el impacto medioambiental.