University Of Extremadura Research Articles

Relación entre el recuerdo y el vaticinio de emociones hacia las ciencias por los profesores en formación inicial || Relationship between memory and prediction of emotions towards sciences by pre-service teachers

Diferentes investigaciones ponen de manifiesto la necesidad de estudiar el dominio afectivo en el proceso de enseñanza/aprendizaje de las ciencias, pues se ha justificado que el desarrollo de actitudes positivas, a través del fomento de emociones y sentimientos positivos, facilitan un cambio en las expectativas y creencias hacia la materia, evitando el alejamiento de los estudiantes al campo científico. Con esta investigación se pretende conocer qué emociones recuerdan haber experimentado los futuros profesores de Secundaria como alumnos de ciencias y qué emociones vaticinan experimentar al enseñar contenidos científicos en sus prácticas docentes, con el fin de encontrar una relación entre el recuerdo y el vaticinio de sus emociones en ciencias. La muestra está constituida por 83 estudiantes del Máster Universitario en Formación del Profesorado de Educación Secundaria de la Universidad de Extremadura, matriculados en tres especialidades de la rama de ciencias: Biología/Geología, Física/Química y Matemáticas. Los resultados obtenidos nos indican que las emociones que experimentaron como estudiantes de ciencias de Educación Secundaria (Biología, Geología, Física, Química y Matemáticas) son principalmente positivas, al igual que las emociones que vaticinan experimentar en sus prácticas docentes. Además, no existen diferencias significativas al comparar las emociones experimentadas en las materias de ciencias entre el recuerdo y el vaticinio. Este último dato nos lleva a afirmar que el enseñar contenidos científicos les provocará las mismas emociones que experimentaron como estudiantes de ciencias, es decir, que sus emociones como estudiantes se han transferido a su labor como docente.

Evaluation of teaching design in synchronous virtual classrooms

This work describes a research study developed to assess teaching designs and methodologies used in a course of the University Lecturer Training Plan at the University of Extremadura (Spain) called Virtual Learning and the environments in Synchronous Virtual Classrooms (SVCs). Training was given in three editions in different university campuses. The participants, 40 lecturers at UEx, belonged to different subject areas, and so the variety of responses from such a heterogeneous group was broad. Data collection is carried out using the focus group technique, with which SVCs were evaluated for use in both teaching and research. The main findings pointed to the need to reduce both connection time and the number of tools used, the importance of the use of free software, and a positive assessment of the possibilities and advantages of SVCs for teaching and for data collection in qualitative research.

Los simuladores de empresa como instrumentos docentes: un análisis de su aplicación en el ámbito de la dirección de marketing

<p>Los avances tecnológicos y las aplicaciones web han permitido extender el uso de los simuladores de empresa o <em>business games</em> en la docencia universitaria. Se trata de una metodología docente activa que permite desarrollar en los estudiantes bastantes de las competencias generales y transversales que aparecen recogida en los planes de estudios de las titulaciones relacionadas con la administración y dirección de empresas.</p><p>En este trabajo se describe el uso del simulador SIMBRAND como metodología docente en el Master en Marketing e Investigación de Mercados de la Universidad de Extremadura y, posteriormente, se presentan las valoraciones que los estudiantes hacen tanto de la actividad como del aprendizaje obtenido. Los resultados son valorados positivamente por los estudiantes y por el profesorado implicado, pero la experiencia también lleva a concluir la necesidad de tener en cuenta algunos aspectos claves para el correcto uso de esta herramienta, tales como la correcta planificación y definición del sistema de evaluación, el continuo seguimiento y orientación del profesor a los estudiantes y la formación previa que los estudiantes deben recibir sobre el funcionamiento del simulador y sobre la gestión de equipos de trabajo.</p>

Special Issue on Second International Conference on the Theory and Practice of Natural Computing, TPNC 2013

This special issue of the journal ‘Soft Computing—AFusion of Foundations, Methodologies and Applications’ offers extended versions of some of the best papers presented at the Second International Conference on the Theory and Practice of Natural Computing, TPNC 2013, held in Caceres, Spain, on December 3–5, 2013, under the organisation of the Research Group on Mathematical Linguistics (GRLMC) from Rovira i Virgili University in Tarragona, Spain and the Computer Architecture and Logic Design Group (ARCO) from University of Extremadura, Spain. TPNC 2013 was the second event in a series dedicated to host and promote research in a wide spectrum of computational models, methods and techniques inspired by information processing in nature. We encouraged both theoretical contributions in soft computing, computing architectures, and formal models as well as solutions for practical problems based on natural computing methods. Out of 47 submissions to the conference, 18 papers were accepted (which represents a competitive acceptance rate of about 38 %). Among them, the authors of 13 papers were invited to submit to this special issue. Each submission was reviewed by at least two experts and, on the basis of their comments, the guest editors decided to accept six papers for this special issue (which represents an acceptance rate of about 13 % out of the submissions to the conference).

Autopercepción de la ansiedad en alumnos de Grado de Educación Infantil y Primaria ante situaciones de examen

Este estudio forma parte de una investigación más amplia cuya finalidad es analizar la influencia de la competencia emocional en el clima social de un aula y en el rendimiento académico de los alumnos. La ansiedad es uno de los factores que inciden negativamente en el rendimiento y los resultados obtenidos por estudiantes en situaciones de examen. El presente estudio pretende conocer la Autopercepción de Ansiedad en universitarios. Para ello se ha tomado como población a alumnos del Grado de Maestros de la Universidad de Extremadura durante el curso 2013-2014, seleccionando una muestra de 114 estudiantes de entre 18 y 20 años...Palabras clave: Ansiedad; Alumnos; Universidad; Exámenes.

Analysis of intelligibility and reverberation time recommendations in educational rooms

Acoustic parameters, including background-noise levels, reverberation time and intelligibility, were analyzed in 17 auditoria and multi-purpose conference rooms at the University of Extremadura. The study of intelligibility was performed by measuring the objective parameters and by using speech tests to study the subjective responses of listeners (speech intelligibility). Relationships between objective and subjective intelligibility parameters were studied, and the grouping of the experimental data was considered to reduce variability. It was concluded that the STI value is a good predictor of the intelligibility of rooms. Relationships between STI values with background-noise levels and reverberation time were also studied.Different proposals of recommended reverberation time were analyzed, taking into consideration the STI values of the studied rooms. Improvements in the slopes of the recommended equations were suggested.

Evolución de las emociones que experimentan los estudiantes del grado de maestro en educación primaria, en didáctica de la materia y la energía

In science education, pointing out the affective domain is a basic aspect which is an important achievement, recognize the affection as an emotion in acts of knowing, thinking, acting and relating is fundamental/crucial in the learning process. This paper aims to understand and analyze the emotions experienced by students in the subject of Teaching Matter and Energy, before and after performing practical seminars, where the experiments performed were related to chemical and physical concepts. The sample consisted of 82 students from Second Grade of Primary Education from the University of Extremadura during the year 2013/2014.The results show an evolution occurs in the emotions experienced by the students before and after performing seminars.

Assessment of the Use of Synchronous Virtual Classrooms in Higher Education

The presented paper describes the characteristics of a study conducted on Synchronous Virtual Classrooms (SVCs), virtual spaces which harbour such resources as videoconferences, shared desk-tops, etc. The main objective of the research was to assess teaching and methodological, communication and technological aspects of SVCs in e-learning processes. Empirical methodology of quantitative and descriptive nature was used; a questionnaire was designed to assess these issues with a sample of 116 university students from six different fields of study at the University of Extremadura. As a conclusion, we report that SVCs with a constructive methodology enhance students’ creativity, favour virtual collaborative work, promote critical and independent thought, and create alternative channels to stimulate students’ active participation by means of flexible and attractive interfaces.

The Degree In Tourism At University Of Extremadura: Are Its Specific Competencies Being Highly Valued By Firms And Professionals?

In 2008, the University of Extremadura adapted their degrees in tourism in order to offer from the academic year 20092010 a full education in this area within which students can receive the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) Degree in Tourism.The current framework for higher education, characterised by a more open offering, has, as its main aim, a greater rapprochement of the competencies and skills achieved by students and those that are demanded by the labor market and society in general. Because of this, the paper examines whether these new degrees will provide the expected results. The methodology used consists of a questionnaire distributed among the main institutions and professionals from Extremadura about specific competencies of Tourism studies.

Students’ perceptions among foreign languages in the EHEA

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the students’ opinion on their proficiency in one or more foreign languages, and the importance they attribute to their foreign language competence because the adaptation to the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) implies the promotion of the mobility of teachers and students. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative and quantitative approach conducted at the University of Extremadura in Spain. The method used was to triangulate the data resulting from three quite different procedures: promoting the participating students’ awareness of the issue through a seminar on the importance of mastering other languages and their relevance for graduate employability; inquiring into the students’ impressions when receiving an English class with a focus group; and a questionnaire on their opinions about the importance of proficiency in foreign languages. Findings – The findings highlight how teaching in English in European universities could bring real opportunities for the development of the EHEA. Furthermore, the development of foreign languages competences have to be a priority line of innovation in higher education in order to build a more meaningful relationship between education institutions and the European project. Research limitations/implications – The study is a first attempt to analyse the need to teach in English in European higher education institutions. Results are not completely generalizable because the study has been conducted in one university, in the field of social sciences in the branch of Economics and Business, and it has been examined only the views of students. Originality/value – The paper draws attention to the need for, and suggestions on how higher education institutions can be more aware to the needs of developing studentś English competences when designing programmes in the EHEA.

Autoevaluación de la asistencia y la participación en clase con una Tablet PC

One of the key elements of the European Higher Education Area is the recognition of the necessity of monitoring and measuring student activity throughout the learning process. To do this we have conducted an experiment in the University Center of Mérida, in the University of Extremadura, and we have developed an application for a Tablet PC in which students can record the amount of time and their level of participation to a course. In each session the student attended, he/she recorded on the application the hours dedicated to the course outside of the classroom since the last session, the tasks done and the level of participation. Thus a complete record of all student work inside and outside of the classroom can easily be obtained to fulfill the continuous assessment implicit in student-centered paradigm within the Bologna process. This information can also be used to provide a more complete progress summary for students, enabling them to analyze their coursework and progress.

Emotions in prospective secondary teachers when teaching science content, distinguishing by gender

Background:Until recently, the affective components of education had long been undervalued. Today, one finds ever more studies on cognitive and affective interrelationships that are lending support to the idea that affect and cognition are best understood when viewed as independent and complementary mental functions.Purpose:The present work analyses the emotions of prospective secondary education teachers, distinguishing them by gender, in relation to the teaching of Biology, Geology, Physics and Chemistry in order to contribute to designing subsequent interventions targeted at improving science teachers’ occupational health.Sample:The total sample consisted of 178 students (53 male and 125 female) of the post-graduate teaching certificate course at the University of Extremadura, all of whom were prospective secondary school teachers. We also worked with a sub-sample of 66 Science and Engineering graduates (33 male and 33 female).Design and methods:A questionnaire was prepared that includes items on each of the emotions that the prospective teacher might feel when teaching the science content of the proposed courses. The chi-squared test was used to determine whether a relationship exists between emotions and the variable gender when it came to their teaching Biology, Geology, Physics and Chemistry at the compulsory secondary education level.Results:The results showed that the male teachers more frequently report positive emotions than the female. The latter manifested an increase in negative emotions in teaching Geology, Physics and Chemistry content. And the study of the sub-sample showed positive emotions are more frequently reported than negative ones in all four subjects, with this being particularly so in Biology.Conclusions:The study of emotions is vital in the educational formation of prospective secondary teachers. These students will soon face day-to-day life in the classroom, and many of them, especially the women, declare themselves to be emotionally vulnerable, since they describe themselves as experiencing stronger negative emotions. It is essential to provide prospective secondary teachers with a program of support and monitoring during their teaching practice so as to foster awareness of their emotions towards science and its learning. The aim must be to enhance their capacity for self-regulation and control to change those emotions, and to consolidate healthy habits.

Interview: Perspective on the Use of Genomic Biomarkers in the Clinical Setting

José AG Agúndez speaks to Emma Sinclair, Assistant Commissioning Editor José AG Agúndez is a Doctor of Medicine and Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Extremadura (Extremadura, Spain) He is involved in pharmacogenomics research and he has taught pharmacology and pharmacogenomics to medical and veterinary students since 1986. Presently he coordinates the genomics node of the Spanish Network of Adverse Reactions to Allergens and Drugs (RIRAAF) and he serves as a consultant for several international research organizations.

Comparative study of the effect of distance on the daily and hourly pollen counts in a city in the south-western Iberian Peninsula

The airborne pollen concentration in the city of Badajoz was measured in two locations 2.9 km apart. The measurements were taken from January to June between 2009 and 2012 using Hirst-type volumetric aerobiological samplers. One sampler was placed at the Faculty of Science (FS) and the other at the Agricultural Engineering School (AES) of the University of Extremadura, Spain, on terraces located 16 and 6 m above ground, respectively. The two sets of hourly and daily pollen concentrations were compared regarding the meteorological parameters and the distribution of local pollen sources. A total of 46 pollen types were counted, with a mean total concentration of 43 pollen grains/m³ in the winter and 336 pollen grains/m³ in the spring. In the winter, pollen grains from (in decreasing order) Cupressaceae, Fraxinus–Phillyrea, Urticaceae spp., Alnus glutinosa and Urtica membranacea types represented 77 % of the total. In the spring, 89 % of the total was represented by pollen grains from (in decreasing order) Quercus, Poaceae, Olea, Pinaceae and Plantago. The FS/AES ratio was 0.57 in the winter and 1.31 in the spring. While a Wilcoxon test applied to the daily total concentration data showed statistically significant differences between the two sites, a correlation study based on the Spearman coefficient showed statistically significant correlations in both the winter and spring. The results were similar when comparing the separate pollen types, except for Urticaceae spp., which showed no statistically significant correlation. The meteorological data studied showed a statistically significant correlation with the daily concentrations. A comparison of the hourly concentration data showed no correspondence with the time of maximum concentration. The local distribution of pollen sources explained some of the differences found between the two sites. Overall, the results indicate that a single aerobiological sampler may be sufficiently representative to register the daily pollen grain data of an urban area of approximately 3 km or greater in diameter, although it underestimates the influence of heterogeneity in the distribution of the local flora.

Análisis de los Proyectos de Investigación de financiación pública en psicología del deporte

Title: Analysis of draft publicly funded research in Sport Psychology. Abstract: The aim of this study was to analyze the Research Projects I+D+i financed by the National in the area of psychology and man- agement in the area of Sport Management, as well as granted by the Sports Council. Thiswas recorded on the website of the Ministry of Innovation and Science projects related to sports science (n = 155) and those associ- ated with psychology (n = 646). In addition there were projects awarded by the National Sports Council (CSD) (n = 203). From each of the approved projects have analyzed the following variables: year of the grant, gender re- searcher, principal investigator name, Region, University or agency, the grant amount,project type, project mode of Psychology sport and type of sample projects of Sport Psychology. The results indicate that the grant is much larger project of Sport Psychology in the Plan Nacional managed within the area of sport management and the Sports Council, that are man- aged within the management area of psychology, and well in all of them is much higher percentage of men than women as principal investigator. The regions of Cataluna, Valencia, Andalucia and Extremadura are spread over 70% of the approved projects in Sport Psychology. Among the Autono- mous University of Barcelona, the University of Extremadura and the Uni- versity ofValencia are distributed over a third of all projects of Sport Psy- chology. The Psychology of Sport mode with more projects is the Health and Quality of Life, followed Motivation and Emotion and Psychobiology of Sport.

Ear therapy and massage therapy in elderly people with dementia a pilot study

ObjectiveTo assess the impact of massage versus ear acupuncture on behavior and participation in occupational therapy of dementia patients. MethodsWe performed a controlled, randomized longitudinal trial approved by the Bioethics Commission of the University of Extremadura. One hundred twenty elderly subjects with dementia institutionalized in residential homes in Extremadura (Spain) received treatment based on massage and ear acupuncture over three months. Behavior alterations, sleep disturbance, and participation in rehabilitation and eating were assessed every month during the three months of intervention, and at one and two months of follow-up after the end of treatment. The assessment was performed through a structured questionnaire with closed format questions done by an occupational therapist not involved in the study. ResultsThere was a statistically significant positive effect of massage and ear acupuncture (P<0.001) on measured variables in the third month of intervention, which were maintained at two months after completing the treatment (P<0.021), when compared to the control group. ConclusionsMassage therapy and ear acupuncture can improve behavior and sleep disturbances, and increase the participation in eating and rehabilitation organized in residential homes, in dementia patients.

PP149— The Ceiba Cocktail for Drug Hydroxylation Phenotyping in Hispanic Populations

PP149— The Ceiba CoCkTail foR DRug hyDRoxylaTion PhenoTyPing in hisPaniC PoPulaTions F. De Andres; M.E.G. Naranjo; M. Sosa-Macias; B.P. Lazalde Ramos; E. Tarazona-Santos; A. LLerena; and CEIBA Consortium CICAB, Clinical Research Centre, Extremadura University Hospital, BADAJOZ, Spain; Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigacion para el Desarrollo Integral Regional del IPN Unidad Durango, CIIDIR-IPN, Durango; Laboratorio de Medicina Molecular, Unidad Academica de Medicina Humana y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autonoma de Zacatecas, Zacatecas, Mexico; and Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil Introduction: Interethnic variability of drug metabolism has been demonstrated across Iberoamerican populations by the CEIBA Consortium. Drug-metabolizing enzymes genotype just predicts actual drug metabolic activity (phenotype) in the cases of poor metabolizers. For example, only 30% of ultrarapid metabolizers can be predicted from genotyping (Llerena et al., 2012). Moreover, according to EMA recommendations, development of phenotyping procedures for drug interactions studies and clinical research recommended (EMA, 2013). Therefore, a novel cocktail approach to measure metabolic activity (metabolic ratios) of the main CYP enzymes in just one experiment is developed and validated to be used in the study of Latin-American populations. Patients (or Materials) and Methods: Subjects were given low oral doses of 100-mg caffeine, 25-mg losartan, 20-mg omeprazole, and 30-mg dextromethorphan. Blood samples were taken 4 hours after administering the drugs to assay the following metabolic ratios in plasma: CYP1A2 (caffeine/paraxanthine), CYP2C9 (losartan /E-3174), CYP2C19 (omeprazole/5-hydroxyomeprazole), CYP2D6 (dextromethorphan/ dextrorphan), and CYP3A4 (dextromethorphan/3-methoxymorphinan). Solid phase extraction was utilized for analyte extraction and LC-MS/MS to quantify the probe drugs and metabolites. Results: Recovery values > 80% were obtained for all analytes, and no carryover or relative matrix effects were observed. The analytes were separated and detected in 9 minutes and the method was fully validated, with lower limits of quantification ranging from 0.3 ng mL–1 for 5-hydroxyomeprazole to 3.2 ng mL–1 for paraxanthine. The correlation coefficient (r2) values obtained were over 0.995 for all analytes. According to the EMA guideline on bioanalytical method validation, precision and accuracy values below 15% were achieved. Conclusion: The method was proven to be useful to measure targeted analytes for the evaluation of CYPs hydroxylation capacity in just a single experiment. Funding Sources: Supported by AEXCID-Cooperacion Extremena of Junta de Extremadura (11IA002) to Sociedad Ibero-Americana de Farmacogenetica-SIFF, and coordinated by the RIBEF network (Red Iberoamericana de Farmacogenetica y Farmacogenomica; www. ribef.com). Disclosure of Interest: None declared. PP151—PRevalenCe of CaRRiage CyP2C9, vkoRC1 anD CyP4f2 PolymoRPhisms in Russian PaTienTs WiTh high ThRomboTiC Risk PResCRibeD WaRfaRin ComPaReD WiTh oTheR eThniC gRouPs D. Ivashchenko; D. Sychev; I. Rusin; A. Grachev; and T. Beloshickaya Clinical Pharmacology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University; Cardiology; and Medical Genetic, SM-Clinic, Moscow, Russian Federation Introduction: VKORC1, CYP2C9, and CYP4F2 responsible for the metabolism of warfarin. Personal and ethnic differences in the genetic profile reveals in determining the outcome of a drug therapy. Aim: to explore the frequencies of CYP2C9, VCORC1, and CYP4F2 genotypes in Russians, compare results with ones for other nations Patients (or Materials) and Methods: A total 91 Caucasian subjects were recruited into the study. Forty (48.2%) patients were male and age was 66.17 (10.9) years. All patients had indications to receive warfarin. Medical records for the patients group were reviewed for the relevant clinical data. 5 ml of blood was taken from each subject, and DNA was isolated and used for identification of the CYP2C9 allele *1, *2, *3; G-1639A VCORC1; CYP4F2 V433M rs2108622 C > T using real-time polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Results were compared with other ethnic groups and statistically analyzed with chi-square test. Results: We described the prevalence of CYP2C9 polymorphisms *1/*1 (67%), *1/*2 (9,9%), *1/*3 (11%), *2/*2 (2,2%), *2/*3 (8,8%), same for VKORC1 GG (49,5%), GA (28,6%), AA (22,%) and CYP4F2 CC (57,1%), CT (34,1%), TT (7,7%). No significant deviantions from Hardy-Wainberg equilibrium were observed (p 0.05). Conclusion: Prevalence of carriage of CYP2C9, VKORC1 polymorphisms in Russian patients with high thrombotic risk is closed to Caucasians and distinguish from Asians but no for CYP4F2. Disclosure of Interest: None declared.

Evaluación de la competencia digital y las actitudes hacia las tic del alumnado universitario

The aim of this research study was to assess university students´ digital competence and explore their attitudes towards ICT. We used a descriptive quantitative research design, and administered a previously validated questionnaire to a sample of 101 e-learning and face-to-face Psychopedagogy students at the University of Extremadura, Spain. The results showed students lacked adequate digital competence, but had a positive attitude towards ICT. A significant relationship between attitudes and ICT skills, as well as a good attitude towards ICT of e-learning students were identified.

Herbarium of Vascular Plants Collection of the University of Extremadura (Spain)

The herbarium of University of Extremadura (UNEX Herbarium) is formed by 36451 specimens of vascular plants whose main origin is the autonomous region of Extremadura (Spain) and Portugal, although it also contains a smaller number of specimens from different places, including the rest of peninsular Spain, the Baleares Islands, the Macaronesian region (Canary Islands, Madeira and Azores), northwest of Africa (Morocco) and Brazil. 98% of the total records are georeferenced.It is an active collection in continuous growth. Its data can be accessed through the GBIF data portal at http://data.gbif.org/datasets/resource/255 and http://www.eweb.unex.es/eweb/botanica/herbario/. This paper describes the specimen associated data set of the UNEX Herbarium, with an objective to disseminate the data contained in a data set with potential users, and promote the multiple uses of the data.

Detection of Misconceptions about Colour and an Experimentally Tested Proposal to Combat them

We study the misconceptions about colour that most people hold, determining the general phenomenological laws that govern them. Concept mapping was used to combat the misconceptions which were found in the application of a test specifically designed to determine these misconceptions, while avoiding the possible misleading inductions that could have arisen from the use of everyday language. In particular, care was taken to avoid the distorting effect that the use of the verb ‘to be’ applied to coloured objects could have on the responses. The misconceptions found were shown to have an internal consistency in the form of authentic mini-theories (implicit theories). We compared experimentally the results of two different teaching methods applied to combat these misconceptions. This study was conducted with 470 undergraduates of the University of Extremadura. We analysed the persistence over time of their learning made to overcome those misconceptions. The students were divided randomly into an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG). To combat their misconceptions, EG were taught following a method based on the use of concept maps, and CG were taught following traditional teaching methods. The results of a pre-test and a post-test were compared for the two groups, finding statistically significant differences. The results allowed the principal working hypothesis to be accepted—concept maps are learning tools which foster conceptual change and allow misconceptions to be eradicated via meaningful learning maintained over time, i.e. EG acquired a relative long-lasting gain in learning that was superior to that acquired by CG.