Análisis del Informe PISA 2012 en el territorio español

El presente estudio trata en primera instancia de acercar el informe de educación internacional “Pisa” al lector, detallando de forma clara en qué consiste el mismo. Una vez que se ha introducido la temática y se han expuesto las nociones básicas, el objetivo principal consistirá en el análisis del informe Pisa del 2012 a nivel nacional a través del programa estadístico R (R Core Team 2014), de dónde se obtendrán los datos necesarios para el mismo análisis. Por un lado, se contrastarán los resultados del informe atendiendo a una serie de características, para posteriormente localizar y reflejar las diferencias en los resultados en el territorio español. Por otro lado, se examinará la posible relación entre estos resultados y una serie de variables externas al informe que se estimen relevantes. De modo que lo que finalmente se logra con este estudio es, un recorrido completo dentro del área de evaluación educativa.

El informe PISA y su relacion con indicadores de desarrollo

El presente trabajo tiene como objeto acercar en primera instancia el Informe PISA 2012 al lector, de modo que se pueda hacer una idea clara del mismo. A su vez se presentan los resultados globales y en función del sexo para los 65 países participantes en PISA. A continuación se estudian diferentes indicadores de desarrollo y se analiza su relación con el rendimiento académico observado en PISA 2012. Las operaciones econométricas pertinentes se realizan a través del programa Gretel.

Irakurriaren ulermenaren zailtasunak bigarren hezkuntzan

(FR)Ce texte reprend la question de la compréhension de lecture et la faible note que nos étudiants du secondaire donnent à ce secteur, d’après PISA. De plus en plus de voix s’élèvent pour réclamer que la compréhension de lecture soit une des tâches de tous les professeurs et plus seulement des professeurs de langue et littérature. Lors de la préparation au métier d’enseignant, de plus en plus de cours sont organisés en rapport avec cette question de plus en plus préoccupante dans ce secteur. Les données sont celles-ci et toutes les tentatives pour résoudre ce problème semblent insuffisantes si on ne reprend pas la question au niveau du Curriculum et si on prépare les professeurs aux stratégies de lecture pour que les élèves parviennent à être des lecteurs compétents.

Behavioral, neurochemical and morphological changes induced by the overexpression of munc18-1a in brain of mice: relevance to schizophrenia

Overexpression of the mammalian homolog of the unc-18 gene (munc18-1) has been described in the brain of subjects with schizophrenia. Munc18-1 protein is involved in membrane fusion processes, exocytosis and neurotransmitter release. A transgenic mouse strain that overexpresses the protein isoform munc18-1a in the brain was characterized. This animal displays several schizophrenia-related behaviors, supersensitivity to hallucinogenic drugs and deficits in prepulse inhibition that reverse after antipsychotic treatment. Relevant brain areas (that is, cortex and striatum) exhibit reduced expression of dopamine D-1 receptors and dopamine transporters together with enhanced amphetamine-induced in vivo dopamine release. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrates decreased gray matter volume in the transgenic animal. In conclusion, the mouse overexpressing brain munc18-1a represents a new valid animal model that resembles functional and structural abnormalities in patients with schizophrenia.

Algoritmos multi-objetivos para la optimización de una secuencia de matrices generadoras en computación cuántica topológica

Quantum Computing is a relatively modern field which simulates quantum computation conditions. Moreover, it can be used to estimate which quasiparticles would endure better in a quantum environment. Topological Quantum Computing (TQC) is an approximation for reducing the quantum decoherence problem1, which is responsible for error appearance in the representation of information. This project tackles specific instances of TQC problems using MOEAs (Multi-objective Optimization Evolutionary Algorithms). A MOEA is a type of algorithm which will optimize two or more objectives of a problem simultaneously, using a population based approach. We have implemented MOEAs that use probabilistic procedures found in EDAs (Estimation of Distribution Algorithms), since in general, EDAs have found better solutions than ordinary EAs (Evolutionary Algorithms), even though they are more costly. Both, EDAs and MOEAs are population-based algorithms. The objective of this project was to use a multi-objective approach in order to find good solutions for several instances of a TQC problem. In particular, the objectives considered in the project were the error approximation and the length of a solution. The tool we used to solve the instances of the problem was the multi-objective framework PISA. Because PISA has not too much documentation available, we had to go through a process of reverse-engineering of the framework to understand its modules and the way they communicate with each other. Once its functioning was understood, we began working on a module dedicated to the braid problem. Finally, we submitted this module to an exhaustive experimentation phase and collected results.

Cytokine pathway disruption in a mouse model of schizophrenia induced by Munc18-1a overexpression in the brain

Background: An accumulating body of evidence points to the significance of neuroinflammation and immunogenetics in schizophrenia, and an imbalance of cytokines in the central nervous system (CNS) has been suggested to be associated with the disorder. Munc18-overexpressing mice (Munc18-OE) have provided a model for the study of the alterations that may underlie the symptoms of subjects with schizophrenia. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the involvement of neuroinflammation and cytokine imbalance in this model. Methods: Cytokines were evaluated in the cortex and the striatum of Munc18-OE and wild-type (WT) mice by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Protein levels of specific microglia and macrophage, astrocytic and neuroinflammation markers were quantified by western blot in the cortex and the striatum of Munc18-OE and WT mice. Results: Each cytokine evaluated (Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and CCL2 chemokine) was present at higher levels in the striatum of Munc18-OE mice than WT. Cortical TNF-alpha and IL-2 levels were significantly lower in Munc18-OE mice than WT mice. The microglia and macrophage marker CD11b was lower in the cortexes of Munc18-OE mice than WT, but no differences were observed in the striatum. Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) and Nuclear Factor-kappaB (NF-kappa B)p65 levels were not different between the groups. Interleukin-1beta (IL-1 beta) and IL-6 levels were beneath detection limits. Conclusions: The disrupted levels of cytokines detected in the brain of Munc18-OE mice was found to be similar to clinical reports and endorses study of this type for analysis of this aspect of the disorder. The lower CD11b expression in the cortex but not in the striatum of the Munc18-OE mice may reflect differences in physiological activity. The cytokine expression pattern observed in Munc18-OE mice is similar to a previously published model of schizophrenia caused by maternal immune activation. Together, these data suggest a possible role for an immune imbalance in this disorder.