Mis fotos

      The National Archaeological Museum in Spain just finished remodeling works that have lasted 6 years. It needed to upgrade to its rooms, in this time that we live.

The National Archeological Museum inside. Madrid. Spain

      "We brought suddenly an institution of the nineteenth century to the twentieth one century". With these words summarized the Director of the National Archaeological Museum (MAN), Andres Carretero, comprehensive renovation wins this museum space after some works that have lasted six years and have remained closed to the public the last two and half years. Its doors will reopen to visitors next Tuesday 1 April, following its official opening on Monday by the Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, and it will do so for free until the 20th.

The lobby

      An investment of 65.2 million euros to increase by 13% its working surface and move from 19,280 square feet to 23,303, of which approximately 10,000 square meters correspond to its 40 exhibition halls --it has earned 30.2 % of exhibition space--, in which some 13,000 archaeological restored pieces are shown almost entirely.

The lobby with the ticket counter

      These are some of the figures that have been given in the press presentation of the renewed MAN, postponed two days of mourning after the death of Adolfo Suárez, which was attended by the Minister of Education, Culture and Sport, Jose Ignacio Wert , who has not hesitated to say, "without arrogance", that this action puts it "between the most important archaeological museums in Europe", assimilating to the operations of the Acropolis Museum in Athens or the Neues Museum in Berlin.

Greece

       Wert, who considered "lean" investment, considering the achievements and compared with those made ​​in other European museums, presented the remodeling as a "proof of institutional continuity" --planning began 15 years ago--  and he has been convinced that this "new museum" is now "more attractive, friendly, interesting, accessible and visitable".

      Opened in 1867, in these almost 150 years, the National Archaeological had done only "tinkering", the last one in the 60s, explained Carretero, who has insisted that the scale of this remodel was transported to a museum nineteenth century "to present completely" and has renewed "from the ground to the roof", literally. However, this update has been also made with a "restful approach" and "no experience with games and color" to last at least 25 years, has clarified its director.

      The "museum of the history of Spain" as defined by Wert and Carretero, has also renewed and updated its museum discourse to do it more teaching, so that the user can choose the level of complexity in which you want to dive, from the basic to the most learned.

      While it is necessary that an archaeological museum has a "text", to explain the meaning of their object, --"for in hard you look, a stone does not tell you anything", as the MAN director has expressed plastically, neither it was wanted that Users founded "a Bible next". Thus, he explains, has ensured that the visitor first "see things", then go to a "complementary artwork", in a third level provides for maps showing the geographical distribution of the object, then see an audiovisual and "only if you are very interested in a fifth level, find the text ".

      Another one of the cornerstones of the reform has been the availability to suit all people with special needs.

      The 13,000 pieces displaying now the National Archaeological Museum      --2000 less than before, but still represent any historical moment-- show "the history of the peoples who have lived in the territory of what is now Spain historically", with objects ranging from early hominids to the reign of Isabel II, as the tour will end in 1867, with the creation of the museum, explained its Director.

      The MAN, in its 40 rooms, returns to the public all their treasures of prehistory --reservoir as Los Millares or the Argar--, the early history –with  the lady of Elche like a protagonist absolutely--, the Roman Hispania --pieces from Mérida, Medina Sidonia ... -- late antiquity and medieval times --the Visigoth “Guarrazar Treasury”--, and the modern age, in addition to its important numismatic and medalistic collection.

The Prehistory

The Lady of Elche.

The Roman-Hispania

      They are also represented other civilizations like Egyptian or Greek, although there is an "imbalance" in the collections due to the collector tradition. Thus, the collection of Greek pottery is probably the second best in the world, because the royal family collected it over 200 years, while other Mediterranean cultures are represented from the point of view of the work of Spanish archaeologists abroad.

Egypt

      The permanent collection will have to add the temporary hosting the new space of almost 700 square meters, dedicated for this purpose and which will open "soon" but at a date still to be confirmed, with the treasure of the frigate "Our Lady of the Mercedes", the company extracted by treasure hunters Odyssey and since Spain managed to recover, that is displayed in Cartagena.

      But that will be soon. While there are three miles of exhibition tour to rediscover, in the new National Archaeological Museum.

      I think that it is very interesting that Spain can keep all those pieces from several important times of History.And I hope that you can come to Madrid, to enjoy the Museum.

      Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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      The Suprerior Court of Justice of Andalusia (TSJA) has declared the developable land on which the hotel “The Algarrobico” is built, in the municipality of Carboneras, Almeria, within of the Natural Park of Cabo de Gata-Nijar.

The Hotel "The Algarrobico", Carboneras, Almería, South eastern Spain

      The TSJA, in a judgment, finds that it was well qualified in the Plan for Natural Resources (PORN) of the Natural Park of Cabo de Gata, in 1994, and it revokes the level of protection that was given in the new law passed in 2008.

      The judgment of the Third Section, at the request of an appeal by Azata del Sol, the hotel developer, contradicts previous rulings of that same Court and the Supreme. The Junta de Andalucía and the State Legal Advisers had asked last January TSJA confirming the verdict it necessary to revise the administrative act of the City of Carboneras, by which planning permission was granted to the developer.

Carboneras - Almería, by R. Fernández, at flickr.com

       The developer appealed the zoning established in the decree on two sections of land in the municipality of Carboneras: the area known as ST-1, known as the "The Algarrobico", which is included in the PORN approved by the decree under appeal in the C3 , and the ST-2 sector, which includes the area PORN B.1 as "natural areas of general interest and existing inhabited areas and other transformed areas".

      The decision to revoke the zoning established by Decree 37/2008, and states that the level of protection from both sectors of the soil should be corresponding to other areas declared as zone D in the PORN of 2008.

      This area is known for being  “excluded areas of environmental zoning”, in which those areas not covered by other categories, concretely those urban and urbanizing soils, whose development include a priori, it is considered possible provided that no condition to determine their natural habitats and species for which the inclusion of this natural area in the "Natura 2000 network".

      The decision of the Andalusian Court is based in both sectors are developable land, and they were included in the previous PORN 1994, it replaces the PORN 2008, at the zoning level D2, based on developable land whose development was not a priori contrary to the values ​​of the Natural Park of Cabo de Gata Nijar.

      The Court concludes that the Junta de Andalucía has not offered or in memory that accompanies PORN 2008, or in the individual reports on the record, the slightest justification for the change in the zoning of the sectors ST 1 and ST-2.

      "This ruling does not directly affect the legal status of the reassessment of the building permit the Hotel Azata del Sol, in the place of the Algarrobico, as though to pronounce on the status of these lands, only resolved on a modification of zoning or level of environmental protection that is after the grant of the license and the procedure itself where that is prosecuted ex officio review", says the TSJA,  in a statement.

      The judgment ruled that the Junta of Andalusia had been no tampering on the plans of the previous PORN 1994, what it takes to keep the alterations made in them to reflect the zoning of the land as D2 responded to the need to save the mistake presented by the first published mapping, which stood at C1 zoning.

      The developer of the hotel praised the decision of the High Court of Justice of Andalusia (TSJA), which "recognizes the reality with facts" about the condition of developable land on which it sits since 1988, "before the entry into force"  the enlargement of the Natural Park Cabo de Gata-Nijar, in 1994, and "before the land were purchased, in 1999”.

      The President of Azata, José Rodríguez, stated told Europa Press that the judgment of the Third Section made ​​public on Tuesday also recognizes that they bought "with legitimate expectations", because the City Hall and the Junta and the Ministry of Environment were told "the land was developable and that the easement protection of maritime-terrestrial public domain in the coastal strip was 20 meters".

      "It comes to recognize that the situation was as we were told and that was developable land since 1988 was approved definitively by the City Hall the Partial Plan of the Sector ST-1, six years before the creation of the natural park",  he remarked.

      For Rodriguez, the failure of the TSJA, against which no appeal, it gives in the "base key" judicial conflict over the hotel has 22 floors and 411 rooms, to collect the character of the site developable "was not right" to the PORN in 1994, which, on its face, gathered "all developable land in the municipal regulations they would remain after the entry into force of the extension of the protected area".

      The Greenpeace and Ecologists in Action have announced that they will appeal to the Supreme Court the judgment of the High Court of Justice of Andalusia (TSJA) who finds that the land on which the hotel Azata del Sol, sits on the site of the Algarrobico, in Carboneras (Almería), is developable, and has maintained that suspected that there may be "hidden maneuvers" to legalize the construction.

     Speaking to Europa Press, the responsible for Coasts of the organization, Pilar Marcos, has admitted the failure of the Andalusian Court, which keeps the soil is developable and it was well qualified in the Plan for Natural Resources (PORN) of the Natural Park Cabo de Gata, in 1994, has been "a jug of cold water for environmentalists".

      In any case, she said that Greenpeace will appeal to the Supreme Court, a tribunal, as recalled, that resolved two precautionary measures of the TSJA, saying that "the land was not developable", which led to the Junta de Andalucía to "take that mistake and classify the area as undevelopable".

      "Of all the concern is not only that the TSJA is denying all statements and pronouncements that say the area is undevelopable, but most importantly is how this small piece can have a great influence on the lawsuit, which takes two months delay, on the building permit", stressed the responsible of Coasts for the organization.

      Meanwhile, the lawyer of Ecologists in Action, Jose Ignacio Dominguez, told Efe that this judgment is a "cataclysm" and he recalled that it contradicts the Supreme statements as of September 2011,  that says the land is undevelopable and so as others of the TSJA.

      "We will also appeal to the Constitutional Court, because we learned all this on March 7", because the case was under way in the second section, "and on February 24, they decided to pass it on to the third section and appoint a new rapporteur".

      Meanwhile, the president of Save Mojacar, Jaime del Val, has announced that they will lodge a criminal complaint against the speaker of the judgment of the High Court of Justice of Andalusia (TSJA), declaring developable floor where the hotel “The Algarrobico” stands in Carboneras (Almería). Speaking to EFE, Del Val reported that the legal services of the environmental group will study a possible lawsuit for alleged breach of trust by an "unjust sentence that contradicts earlier in regard to the character of the developable floors of the hotel ".

      I hope this new decision of the TSJA allows Almería to have more tourists, to appreciate their riches and ends with the image that has unjustly in this province, as the least valued of Andalusia.

      Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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      Today, I want to explain you the origin of the word “Versus”, that comes from the Latin and arrived to the “vs” in Spanish.

      For us, in Spanish, “vs” or “versus” means “Contra” (“Against”). For example it is used when we talk about a football match –the last Sunday, it was played the football match among Real Madrid and FC Barcelona; then, on tv we could listen talking about: “The match R. Madrid vs FC Barcelona”.

      Words like: “Versión”, “Adversario” and “Diversión” come from “Versus”. In its origin, in Latin, “Versus” did not mean “Against”, but “Direction” –I mean: where we go--.Also the word “Verso” (Verse); it is when you write a poetic phrase and you go back to write again, another phrase. “Verso” comes from the latin verb “Verto” that meant: to turn.

      And “Versus” comes from the English Law, because it was said “one part agains another one”. After that it was used in Football –when it was talked about one team as an adversary of another one--.

      When I was talking about “Turn”, I could say the word that we use in Spanis: “Verter” (“Empty” or “Slop”), for example when we dump down a glass full of water, then we emty the water.

      Also we use the verbs “Conversar” (Converse), that means “turn around a topic. And “Convertir” (Convert) that means: to change something to another thing.

      Also, the word “Vertebra” (Vertebra), which let you turn your body.

      The word “Diversion” (Diversion, amusement) means to turn the direction, to change the way you take.

      I hope that you have enjoyed with this post.

      Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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       Today, I want to give you the recipe of a very typical dish from Málaga (South eastern Spain): The Gazpachuelo.

      These are the Ingredients, for 4 persons: 800 grams of white fish, bones and skin clean. 3 potatoes. 2 eggs. Virgin olive oil. Sherry Vinegar. 2 slices of bread. Laurel. Salt.

      In a pot, we place the fish, potatoes peeled and cut in half and the laurel, covered with water with a little salt and we bake for 20 minutes over low heat. After that, we get the fish on one side and on the other the potatoes, cut into small cubes, that we retain in olive oil. Let cool slightly and, below, in a bowl toss the egg yolks --we   the reserve the whites-- , a splash of sherry vinegar, two tablespoons of fish stock and then stirring constantly with a whisk we are throwing in fine yarn olive oil until whip debase broth until creamy but liquid, and put the fire for five minutes, in which we do not stop moving. We put a pinch of salt and add the fish, comminution hands.

      On the other hand, the egg whites, that we had booked, we cook them in salted water and vinegar gote, until firm, we take them out and cut into small dice. Besides, we cut the bread slices into small cubes, the fry in olive oil until golden and we get to a tray with paper towels to drain the oil.

     Finaly, In four bowls, place a good amount of hot gazpachuelo on it, a pile of diced cooked potato and añrededor, clear scatter dice pan.Espolvoreamos croutons and chopped parsley, to taste.

      An this one should be the result:

Gazpachuelo, by juantiagues, at flickr.com

      I hope that you want to try cooking it.

      Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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      Today, I want to show you the meaning of the expression "A todo trapo":

A todo trapo = Full speed ahead

      In its second acceptation, wipe, in the dictionary is the candle or set of candles of a ship. Where, taken metaphorically, the nautical expressions "at full speed" or "full sail" equally emphasize what is done with sprint., Brilliance and diligence. For example: "What wedding, They cellebrate it full speed ahead". 

       In its first form, the saying, alternatively, also applies to the act of mourn exceedingly, definitely associating image tissue in the sail. For example: "How the poor fellow cried! Full speed ahead".

      Well. I hope that you have enjoyed.

      Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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       The Institute of Applied Ophthalmology (IOBA) of Valladolid (North western Spain) and the Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona (IMB-CNM-CSIC) (North eastern Spain) have developed a sensor capable of diagnosing, in live, some alterations of the cornea from the impedance measurement, ie the resistance of the tissues to the passage of electricity.

      This is the main contribution of the doctoral thesis of the researcher of the IOBA, Ana del Rio, which is in its final phase and she investigates how they affect the contact lenses to the  cornea, using this device, as reported Dicyt.

      The objective of this work is to put into clinical practice new non-invasive diagnostic methods of the cornea. This organ is one of the most important parts of the eye, consisting of five layers: epithelium, Bowman's membrane, stroma, Descemet's membrane and endothelium.

      Besides protecting other ocular structures, it helps the eye to focus images on the retina. Currently, there is a lack in terms of non-invasive diagnostic devices of the cornea, which limits its study to certain conditions or how they affect the use of contact lenses in some situations. "In the cornea, the layer bounded on the outside (the epithelium) and bounded on the inside (the endothelium) have some overlap but they have to be enough strong to form a barrier to protect the cornea from abroad, for the epithelium, and to protect it from excessive water does not flow from the anterior chamber, so that occurs a corneal edema, in the case of endothelium”, the researcher explained.

      Thus, it is known how a contact lens affects the permeability of these two layers, the epithelium and endothelium. As indicated by del Rio, there is a more or less famous technique in clinical practice, lafluorofotometría, which allows to study the cornea but, notes, "it has several downsides", today.

      Between them that the measure in the patient lasts several hours and having low reliability, because "there are several studies and it seems that no one agrees on what actually happens with the layers of the epithelium and endothelium, when a lens is placed contact" , rec In the absence of tools to objectively measure and direct the permeability of these layers, we used the equipment developed by the Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona, ​​a noninvasive sensor that rests on the corneal surface for a few seconds and measures the impedance, recalls the Doctor.

      In the absence of tools to objectively measure and direct the permeability of these layers, we used the equipment developed by the Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona, ​​a noninvasive sensor that rests on the corneal surface for a few seconds and measures the impedance.

      First, it has made ​​a preliminary experimental study in rabbits with contact lenses and the results have been positive, "which has led us to use the device to measure permeability in the human cornea".

The researchers tested the ability of the device diagnosed in laboratory animals

Researchers testing the nanolectrodos in a rabbit cornea

      The main contribution, that the thesis tryes doing is to make sure that the device is safe for use in humans and, secondly, to detect whether the measures actually hits the sensor indicate how the permeability of subjects carrying contact lenses . To do this, they have conducted a pilot study in which 10 subjects were included.

      "We have randomly placed contact lenses of different permeability, high and low, because, according to her, the changes, that will occur on the epithelium and endothelium, will be different", said and stressed that they were intended to check whether capable of detecting the changes in the function of the contact lens, that has been assigned to each patient. These ten subjects took contact lenses for a week and the permeability measurements, with this equipment, were performed before putting the contact lenses (baseline measures compared with other results), after three days of taking the lenses and after one week.

      The sensor has no damage to the cornea of patients. Regarding the first objective of the study: to assess whether the method is safe, del Rio said: "We can say that it is, because there were no primary or secondary damage to the cornea of patients to apply the sensor".

      As for the effectiveness of the device, she said: "We can not say it categorically, as the number of subjects included in the study was quite small and it should have also improve the repeatability of the team, so it will take more research".

      Looks interesting this advance. Given that the eye is a complex organ, any progress, it seems to me a miracle.

      Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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      Researchers from two Spanish groups have created a first functional model of spleen in 3D, built in a chip capable of acting as this organ. I mean, you can filter the red blood cells.

The spleen built in a chip, by IBEC and CRESIB

      The model, created by scientists at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) and the Research Center ISGlobal, CRESIB, represents a breakthrough in the field of Microengineering for 'organs-in-a-chip', as reported by the IBEC in a note.

      The journal Lab on a Chip published, this month, the results of the research, revealing that have been recreated, on microscale, the  physical properties and the hydrodynamic forces of the functional unit of the red pulp of the spleen.

      The resulting device can be used to identify potential drugs against malaria and other blood diseases.

      The Doctors Josep Samitier, director of IBEC, and Hernando del Portillo, ICREA Professor CRESIB,  have been those who have devised the 'spleen-in-a-chip'. Samitier studying the rheological properties (these properties study the behavior of fluids under mechanical load) of blood, including that parasitized by malaria, to develop diagnostic systems. For his part, the Dr. del Portillo has been studying the role of the spleen in malaria.

      "Because of the ethical and technological of studying the human spleen, known as the 'black box' of the abdominal cavity, there has been very little progress in its study",  says Portillo. To break this barrier, began a collaboration to develop a model of human spleen-in-a-chip through the EXPLORE project.

      "The spleen fluidic system is very complex and evolutionarily adapted to filter and selectively destroy old red blood cells, micro-organisms and parasitized red blood cells by malaria", said Dr. Antoni Homs, IBEC researcher and co-author of the study.

      "The spleen filters blood using a single method, making 'microcircular' through filtration beds formed by the red pulp of the spleen in a special compartment where the hematocrit [the percentage of red blood cells] is increased. So, the specialized macrophages can recognize and destroy the red blood cells sick",  continues Homs.

      In addition, the blood can travel in this compartment only in one direction through interendothelial slits before reaching the circulatory system, which represents a second rigorous test to ensure the removal of old or diseased cells, says the IBEC.

      The researchers at these centers have imitated these two control conditions in its micro size platform to simulate blood microcirculation through two main channels (one slow and one fast) designed to divide the flow.

      In the "slow" channel, the blood flows through an array of pillars, simulating the real environment, where the hematocrit increases and the 'sick' blood is destroyed.

      The device has been tested on healthy human red blood cells and in infected people with malaria,  work mostly done by predoctoral researchers Luis G. Rigat-Brugarolas (IBEC) and Aleix Elizalde-Torrent (CRESIB / ISGlobal), also co-authors of this work.

      "Our device will facilitate the study of the function of the spleen in malaria and might even provide a flexible platform for the detection of potential drugs against this and other hematologic diseases", says Portillo.

      "Research in organ-in-a-chip integrated microfluidic cell system is still in its infancy, but offers tremendous prospects for the future of drug trials for different diseases", specifies Samitier.

      These devices 3D, which mimicking the interrelationships tissue-tissue and the microenvironments only seen in living bodies, allows a new perception of the diseases that can not be easily obtained with conventional animal studies, which are costly and time consuming. Also gives way to human-related outcomes that animal models can not predict.

      Well. I think this is a very interesting discovery. I hope that it is good for many people, all over the world.

      Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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      Today I want to share with you a very old but interesting program. If you want to watch the video of the program, please click down here:

http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/para-todos-la-2/paratodosla2-paratodoslatele-20140314-1130/2448264/

The presenter: “Well, we follow, because today Raul Diaz has promised us a section with a lot of TV, a lot of geography and lots of water, but I think that here, in the set, we are safe and it will not splash us. We are going over, it seems, the rivers of Spain, but you know what they say: "Where there is a patron, no sailor has authority", so let us welcome to the man of files, Raul Diaz. Welcome, partner".

Raúl Diaz: “Have you learned the lesson?”

The presenter: “I think so”

Raúl: “Because today it is a class of Geography”

The presenter: “It is not my strong theme, but…Marta, you get it, it is a class of Geography….…”

Marta: “Yes, I am very good with maps. Recalculating, recalculating, recalculating…”

Raúl: “Calm, calm, calm…Are our viewers who have to prove their knowledge. On this occasion, we are going to focus on Hydrology of Spain; we will review some of the most important rivers of our country, specifically through a documentary series that is named "Rivers".

Marta: “Miño, Duero…”

The presenter: “Tajo, Guadina, Guadalquivir…”

Marta: “Ebro, Júcar and Segura”

Raúl: “One ten for each of you. The program aired among 1974 and 1975 and was recorded on film, with a great display of means. Over those years, the color television began to arrive to Spain timidly; so some of you have never seen this series as you are going to watch it today: with a full color”

The presenter: “And in Panoramic”

Raúl: “We start in the south. Are you ready with your swimsuit?, Well ... we dived in the Guadalquivir ... "

…………………………………………………………………………………….

Raúl: “Are you of sweet water or salt water?”

A lady: “Of sweet water”

Raúl: “Oh, perfect, because we are going to talk about the rivers…”

Raúl: “Would you know to point me the river Guadalquivir on the map?”

A sir: “Oh, it is passing through Sevilla.., yes”

Voice in off: “I saw you at Cazorla birth, I saw you at Sanlúcar to die…..As in the verse of Antonio Machado, the Guadalquivir is the synthesis of the life and death of Andalusia, backwardness and hope South Spanish. Never a river in Spain, was identified with a region like Andalusia with the Guadalquivir. As Andalusia, the Guadalquivir saved at every step, a surprise, an unusual profile, as surprising and unusual is the existence of a trout fish farm, in the heart of the South, sung with a Saeta for ever, by the country topic and unknown in his secrets .

Raúl: “What is the main feature of the river Guadalquivir?”

A sir: “It was a seaport and it is navigable”

Raúl: “Exactly, because it is navigable”

Voice in off: “The Guadalquivir is going to become the wide and slow river of the countryside, increased its flow through the rivers discharging into it, with a wide basin that extends for about 60,000 km2, almost all the southern fringe of Spain”.

Raúl: “Is it navigable or is not navigable the river Guadalquivir?”

The presenter: “Yes, yes .. but it is a curious method”

Raúl: “Now out of jokes ... The Port of Seville it is the only river and commercial across the country -- by the way, have you noticed the very particular style of storytelling the wonders of the river?—“

Marta: “I love it. Just as bombastic, as prosaic, nothing to do with the journalistic styles of our days: more direct”.

Raúl: “Yes. The serie “The rivers” Rivers had a web of NO-DO, not only in terms of the realization and the locution, but also to the whole idea of the program and the people and traditions that arose on the banks of rivers”.

The presenter: “Well, a bit of television Anthropology, so to speak”

Raúl: “We are now going to the Tajo: a river that, years ago, was used to transport timber from northern forests. Look, look”.

Voice in off: “I am at 1600 meters altitude. It is amazing that this channel, just drawn, and this minimum flow, give for 1000 km of river, 1000 km long, only in Spain: 910 ...... This is where it was embarked, in times of gancheros”

A worker: “It Began on the grounds of “Los Valle”, but away from the trout farm and ended at the "Arenal corruchel", on the grounds of the island Aranjuez”.

Voice in off: “Way of lumber, the river goes down noisy and crowded”

Raúl: “The Tajo is the longest river of the Iberian Peninsula: born in Teruel and dies in the Atlantic Ocean. Want to know more curiosities?, then, be attentive”.

Voice in off: “Tajo is in Aranjuez, which arm is bent, flow 26,000 m3 per second. Bodas with Jarama, 400 m altitude”

Raúl: “Would you know put myself on the map the Tajo river?”

………………………………. A silence ……………………………………………

A young lady: “Over here, more or less .... Oh,  I do not know it.... Over here………. "

An old lady: “This one”

Raúl: “Longest?”

The old lady: “The longest, of course”

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Raúl: “What pretty images….. We sailed to the south and the North Central, but in this review, we can not forget the mighty one …………”

The presenter: “The Ebro, the Ebro, the Ebro”

Raúl: “The Ebro, really. Born in Cantabria and empties into the Mediterranean, as a Delta, in a land famous for its rice and its biodiversity”

Marta: “And what do you think about its way through Zaragoza ...? , awesome image of Basilica of the Pilar with the river next ...”

Raúl: “Well, all that was precisely what got the special, which the "Rivers" dedicated to the Ebro”:

Voice in off: “It is Ebro, after the Nile, the longest river of the Mediterranean. It dominates  these scores a monument to the Virgin: the Pilarica, Lady of the Ebro”.

Raúl: “Would you know to point me the Ebro river in this map?”

…………………….

A very young woman: “This one….?”

Raúl: “Right!”

Voice in off: “Ebro arises between rocks as islands, in the middle of a dark swollen vegetation and full of lake waters. Ebro arises between rocks as islands, in the middle of a dark vegetation and full of lake waters. Stands the beauty of the abode clavelina out. The landscape ties the cables of the plateau and the sea; the hills approach it; the waters cross timid, prospector of the big river”.

Raúl: “The Ebro River is the most abundant of Spain; it passes through 7 Autonomous Communities and 2 provincial capitals (Logroño and Zaragoza)…….. Zaragoza - Jota, Pilar of the Spains. Zaragoza. But, become jealous, the river boils, pushes water after water ... calls me, makes me go soon to its way. We contemplate the oak forests, mountaineering Hague, the Sotomonte of Heather and Ferns. Ebro, which hiente leagues. The cameras, flying magic  impassively,the goodbyes, calm, to open sea”.

Raúl: “And from the mouth of the Ebro river to another river, whom is not known exactly where it born”.

The presenter: “But let us see, Raul, that is geographically impossible”

Raúl: “Yes, and it happens in our country, with the Guadiana”

Marta: “Let us see, maybe what you mean is that it rises to the surface and then it hides under the ground ....”

Raúl: “No, no, no….what I mean is what I have said. Scholars continue to disagree on establishing the exact point where the Guadiana born. Already announced the Series "Rivers" and the issue is still not resolved”.

Voice in off: “Nobody knows for sure where the river is born. Bring half Moorish name, the other half Romano.That Lugadi (rio) from the Ana. In Castilian, it is said: Guadiana”.

Raúl: “Why the Guadiana river is popular?”

A lady: “The Guadiana…Well, but I have no idea”

A sir: “It goes underground and it comes back to go out”

Raúl: “Very well, because it appears and disappears; perfect”

Another voice in off: “Thanks to  the channeling of the swamp, in the Strait of Peñarroya, has completely changed the physiognomy of much of La Mancha. This river, which for us represents the economic boom to the region, may be so for their potential needs, demands and wants. Just as the same time that we have this expanse of water, which gives us the Guadiana, an amount far greater, we have it in the basement, in the basement of La Mancha, which is a real sea, and an economic support needed to make it effective and do productive”.

Raúl: “Could you point me in the Guadiana river on this map?”

A sir: “Could it be this one?”

Raúl: “Perfect…the Guadiana”

The first voice in off: “In another time, we will talk about "The eyes of the Guadiana". Now, for the moment, for you, for us, it sounds break time”

……………..music and dancing………………………

Raúl: “Till now,  we have seen some swamps, some dams; but today we want to dismiss with a news, related with other type of infrastructure.. --which by the way has also changed the physiognomy of our country—“

Marta: “Let us see….tell us”

Raúl: “1992, Spain is immersed in the process of modernization: the EXPO, the Olimpics Games and the arrival of the AVE (one of the faster trains in that moment)”

The presenter: “Yes. Madrid-Seville, Seville-Madrid….Now they say that we are one of the pioneer countries in this regard of the High Speed​​”.

Raúl: “The line that you have mentioned, which was the first, was opened to the public on April 21, 1992, but a week before the 14th, the first trip, wherein were Authorities, journalists and other chosen people”.

Marta: “And now, we”

Raúl: “But, the truth is yes. Quickly, that this already leaves. Recalling how was that first trip on the AVE, we say goodbye for today; back in 7 days, with more Tele for everyone”.

Matias Prats: “Very good afternoon. The AVE: the first Spanish train of High Speed has made ​​this afternoon the first official trip among Madrid and Seville, which has had a duration of 2 hours and 52 minutes. At 3 and 31 minutes, in the afternoon, the AVE came out of the new station of Atocha in Madrid, was the maiden voyage and inside it were the Deputy Prime Minister (Narcis Serra), the Ministers Borrell and Zapatero, the President of RENFE , senior officials of the administration and about 80 journalists. Now we are going to tell you how it was, inside, the first trip in high speed, in the AVE”.

Voice in off: “With the nerves of the first day, the wait has lasted until Avelino has taken the control. Since year and a half, he has lived on this train more than with his family. Before the AVE gave its full output, has confessed that was quieter than ever".

Avelino: "You become an automaton, in relation to the train. i.e., for you, everyone disappears and it is just only you and the train. Before you leave, you feel everything”.

A waiter: “This does not move, you look at me standing ...,. Because we are now on a ramp, but you go away moving and it normally does not move much, the truth”

A young lady: “The trouble is that the Minister has not seen that the hall is a bit tight”

Voice in off: “Here it is difficult to get bored. Today most preferred park video, drink or game of Checkers, not to miss the show. It ate almost 500 km in 3 hours. The AVE has buried the old image of the train”

      Well, here finished the program “The rivers”. I hope that you have enjoyed.

      Till next time,kind regards,

Luis.

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      Glaucoma is a chronic and irreversible ocular pathology and causing vision loss and it is caused by increased intraocular pressure. But the evolution of Glaucoma can be slow, if diagnosed early way, so it is important to visit your ophthalmologist from age 40, especially if you have severe myopia or family history.

      Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide and affects one million people in Spain.

      The problem with this disease is that it is absolutely silent, so when the patient feels that something is happening in its view, it is too late. That is why early diagnosis is critical.

      Many people think that the intraocular pressure is related to blood pressure, but both have nothing to do.

      To determine if the patient may have glaucoma, the ophthalmologist examines the optic nerve and also makes a test, with a special machine, which is that the patient has to look at a particular point, so that the machine knows what are the possible dark areas of the patient's eye.

      Therefore, 3 are the tracks that have the Ophthalmologist to determine if a patient has Glaucoma: If it has high eye pressure, if it has damaged the optic nerve and if they appear defects in the visual field.

      But fortunately, today there is treatment to control glaucoma. Glaucoma can be stopped, but the vision that is lost can not be recovered.

      Many people see in their eyes, small things, like small flies, but this has nothing to do with Glaucoma, those little "flies" are due to alterations in the "vitrio" -- which is a clear gel, covering most of the area of the eye and over the years, especially in myopic, undergoes degeneration and small lumps, making shadow on the retina and the patient sees something like small flies, cobwebs and similar things. But those things have not really matter, because the brain learns to ignore it and you can live well with this--.

      I hope this post has been a help for you.

      Till next time, kind regards,

Luis.

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      The Superior Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) has developed a genetically modified wheat bread that is potentially suitable for most celiacs and other gluten intolerances.

      The results of the study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, show that the new type of bread is made ​​using wheat flour of very low content of gliadin, gluten proteins responsible for celiac disease, obtained by treatment of genetic modification, according to CSIC explained in a note.

       And, as the CSIC explains, the pathologies associated with gluten intolerance have increased in recent years and affect about 7% of the world population.

      Celiac disease is the best known of these intolerances and it is an autoimmune disorder which is responsible for a portion of the gluten of wheat, barley and rye. Currently the only effective treatment available is a gluten-free diet for life, complicated to follow and with negative effects on intestinal health.

      "While changing these wheat varieties representing a reduction of its proteins, its nutritional properties are similar to those of common wheat", said the CSIC researcher, Francisco Barro, from the Institute for Sustainable Agriculture.

      Barro has also indicated that "transgenic versions offset the deficit of gliadin, increasing its content in other proteins present in the grain, not related to celiac disease, and rich in lysine, an essential amino acid for humans and it must be included in the diet, because the body does not naturally generates”.

      The bread developed in this study was compared to normal bread wheat flour and rice flour bread, common ingredient in gluten-free diet.

      During the analysis, which took into account the organoleptic, nutritional and immunotoxic properties, the researchers observed that breads made with flour without gliadin showed breadmaking quality characteristics similar to those of normal flour.

      On the other hand, in the sensory analysis, the tasters showed a preference for bread versus bread gliadin rice flour and equated to bread made of traditional wheat flour.

      "Our results provide a great opportunity to improve the quality of life of millions of people worldwide who suffer from a gluten intolerance. During 2014 our goal is to conduct a clinical trial, the first of its kind in the world, with celiac patients", Barro says.

      In addition to the Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, also participated in the research the Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology of the CSIC and the University of Seville.

      I hope this project ends successfully, to help as many people worldwide.

      Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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      The energy produced by braking the Madrid Metro trains can be used to recharge electric car charging stations on surface, by means of the baptized as 'Metrolineras'.

      The first of these charging points has been placed next to the metro station Sainz de Baranda, in the Citroën facilities in the capital.

A "Metrolinera" in Madrid

      The project, called Train2Car, is developed by Metro de Madrid, Universidad Pontificia de Comillas, the company Computer Systems and Automatic General System (SICA) and the Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology (CIEMAT), under the Ministry of Economy.

      Metro systems are normally designed to take longer and manage the most efficient way possible electricity flowing through its facilities, including trains generated during braking, is stored for later use.

      Now, the project Train2Car aims allocate part of the 'excess' energy to recharge electric cars.

      To maximize the efficiency of the system, Train2Car must consider and manage all the features of the built components from the supply needs for the metro as the train traffic and the times for loading demand for electric cars.

      To this end Train2Car project currently is under development, during which it is possible to use the 'Metrolinera' for free 20-minute loads.

      Available for electric car charging energy is not obtained directly from the metro, but proceeds from the batteries currently, that are used to store energy generated during braking trains to return later as a traction energy, when the vehicle starts to move.

      For Train2Car project has been necessary to specifically modify these batteries manufactured by the multinational Siemens.

      The charging post for electric cars installed by Siemens is manufactured by GH Group company based in Valencia. The Post delivers 50 kW of power and uses the protocol load quickly and safely CHAdeMO, compatible with most electric cars on the market.

      The project seems to be interesting, although I think it is still soon, to get used to the electric car.

      Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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      The last February, 25, I could go to the Sorolla´s “House-Museum”, in the Martinez Campos Street of Madrid (Spain).It is the house where Sorolla lived with his wife and children and where he painted:

       After having crossed the gardens, I went into the house, in order to pay the ticket to see the Museum; I payed 3 Euros.

      At the level of the gardens, I could visit a room with ceramic. And I could take this picture of a patio:

      This patio was beside the kitchen of the house. The kitchen had light and ventilation from this patio. A patio wih Andalusian inspiration, which has a fountain, with its trough from Triana (Seville), in the center. Galleries supported by columns and capitals ancient Genovese. The skirting tiles contribute to give the patio its Andalusian character, although they are from Talavera (Toledo), and two ceramic end panels (a hunting scene on one and two saints cooks in another) are from Manises (Valencia).

      Two sculptural pieces: the portrait of Clotilde, plaster work by the  sculptor José Capuz, and a female nude, a work by Elena Sorolla, framing the view of the patio, which is open in summer.

      Here, to the right side you can see several pieces of ceramic from Paterna (Velencia).On the center of the table, you can see a pitcher from Pais Vasco (North of Spain).

      After that, I went to the first room with painting. And I started to take pictures to share them with you. I warn you that although Sorolla have left us many paintings, I only took pictures of the paintings that I like more. This is Joaquin Sorolla, the Painter:

      This is the first painting that I liked in the Museum:

“Sobre la arena.Playa de Zarauz” (1910). Here, you can check that Sorolla loved Photography, since hw worked, as assistant in the studio of his father in law, Antonio Garcia Peris. You can see that Sorolla uses a uses a type of composition that would be difficult to imagine without the habit of seeing photographs. The figures are cut arbitrarily, unaware that they are being photographed-portrayed, which gives the painting an impression of factly. But few Sorolla paintings have this resource.

      The result is a surprisingly modern image; therefore, not perceived background, horizontal image, the figures seem to cluster along the plane of the picture itself, giving it a major role; vagueness blurs the faces of the characters and makes them mere COMPOSITION elements of arbitrary shape and color.

      Another painting, that I love, which belongs to the Sorolla´s Culmination Stage, is:

“Bajo el toldo. Playa de Zarauz” (1910). Sorolla and his family part of the "farm tourism" or "residential tourism" that wealthy  families could afford. Sorolla and his family used to go to the coast and the painter became the chronicler of "playismo", phenomenon that generalized later (in the 30s). At the time of Sorolla, coastal tourism consisted in taking baths wave being recommended breeze and sea water for its properties therapeutics.To this conception of the beach as a leisure northern areas is preferably adjusted as San Sebastian, Santander and Biarritz, where the climate is more fresh, the beach was compatible with sartorial elegance.

      Another painting, that I like is:

“Mi mujer y mis hijos” (1897-98). Here, you can see to Clotilde (Joaquin´s wife); to the left: their oldest daughter (Maria Clotilde); in the middle: the son Joaquin and, to the right: Elena (the youngest daughter).Here, Sorolla wanted to keep the scene (a funny scene) with his three children, walking in a row; but, when he took the scene, he left the painting unfinished. she runs around half naked, clinging to Joaquin´s babi and subject by her mother. mother.

      Mary and Joaquin, with their pink "babis", go ahead and Helen, so refractory with clothes, when she was a child.

      Clotilde is barely sketched, faceless, but it attract attention her dress in fashion with voluminous sleeves style "gigot".

      After that, I took a picture to the painting:

“Joaquin Sorolla y García, sentado” (1917). This is the son, who studied in England and there he learn to be so elegant. He never be married and when his father died, he helped his mother so much.He left all the paintings that he inherited to the Museum.

      The next painting that I liked was:

“La Caleta, Malaga” (1910). Sorolla painted to his wife and their daughter, Elena.

      Here you have another painting in the beach of Zarauz, but I do not remember the tittle:

      This is a corner in one of the rooms of the Museum, where you can see, on the left side a painting titled: “Elena en la playa” and, in the top to the right, you can see the painting: “Despues del baño” (1909) –where you can see two girls--:

      "Despues del baño" (Valencia, 1909). Sorolla felt very comfortable with this topic himself. This type of scene reflects real motives of the Valencia of his time. The custom in Valencia, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century was that the children of the workers and fishermen bathe nude. After four or five years, the girls began to bathe in robe, while the children still did naked through adolescence. Hence the appearance in his paintings of girls in rose and white coats, changing, as in this, or playing on the shore like so many others.

      Here you have the dining room of this house:

      And this is the opposite of the dining room:

      When I was going up to the first floor, I could see some paintings, but I do not know their titles: 

      When I was inside the last room, in the first floor, I saw a painting that I liked:

“Fiesta flamenca”

      But, although I visited the room, I did not want to make pictures there.

      Anyway, if you want to know about this temporary exhibition called "Fiesta and color", please click below:

http://www.hoyesarte.com/evento/2013/12/fiesta-y-color-la-mirada-etnografica-de-sorolla/

      I think that the Museum is very nice and I recommend you to visit it.

      Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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      Today, I want to share with you a very typical dish in summer: the Gazpacho.

      These are the ingredients for four persons --although many people use more garlic, for example, and other people use less garlic.Also, many people like the gazpacho with more vinegar and other people do not like with vinegar--:  750 gr. tomato branch, an Italian small green pepper, a clove of garlic, one cucumber, 250g breadcrumbs previous day, 100 grams of virgin olive oil, sherry vinegar to taste, a few slices of bread.

      The first thing, that we will do, will be to wash all the vegetables, then we remove the stem to tomatoes, will split roughly and go throwing a deep to crush container, also will miss half the pepper, half peeled cucumber taking away part of the seeds, garlic clove cut in half without seed (green part in the middle), half a glass of water and salt. Grind all, until it looks like a very light cream and add the oil and vinegar to taste, mix finished and store it cold for a couple of hours. To the accompaniment, cut two slices of bread into cubes, fry over medium heat it and when golden brown and drain them the role of kitchen. We grind the half of the green pepper and chop finely dice half the cucumber peel, we remove the seeds and we grind the cucumber as the pepper. We save it.

      To serve the dish in a palte: In four bowls, we serve good cold gazpacho, distributed the bread croutons and chopped vegetables on top, to taste, and finished with a drizzle of olive oil.

      Although we are not still in Summer, you can try cooking the gazpacho. I hope that you have liked this recipe.

      Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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       In Spanish they are known as the units meter, kilogram, liter; but there are other units of measure, which are used in the villages, although they are being lost, for example:  the Bushel and the Celemín –which is an unit of measure, used in field--.

      Fanega (Bushel) comes from the Arab (Fanica) and it means: “Sack for land transport”. It is an unit for measuring grains. But it is also an unit of surface.

      Indeed, Bushel began as unit volume, but after the "Bushel of fist" or the "Bushel of sembladura" was created as an unit of area, which was the amount of land required to plant a bushel of grain volume. But, you need more or less Fanegas, depending of the area where you want to plant; for example, the land in Valencia is different than the land in Castille.

      In Ancient times, the Celemin was equivalent to a drawer full of cereal with a given capacity measure. A Bushel equals to 12 Celemins.

      “Dia de bueyes” (Oxen day) was the time it took a pair of oxen plowing  --and usually it was a full day, but depending on the terrain, the ox took more or less time--.And the middle ground was 1,258 meters.It happened in Asturias (North western Spain).

      In Galice, the unit of measure was the Ferrado. And there were several types of Ferrado.

      Another unit of measure was the Quintal. One Quintal was equivalent to 1000 kilograms.

      Another measure was the Arroba, which is a measure of volume (for example: an arroba of oil). It also comes from the Arab (Irrub) and it means: “quarter”. And the Arroba is equivalent to almost 13 kilograms. It is so used in field of the Eastern Spain (in Valencia, concretely).

      Other unit of measure is the Tahulla; it is a measure of surface and its equivalent is 1,118 m2. It is used above all in Alicante and Almeria.

      In Palencia (North western Spain) is used the unit of measure named Obrada and its equivalent is 5,000 m2.

      Another measure is Cántaro and its equivalent is 11 liters –for example of oil--.

      Another measure is Quarterón. Its equivalent is a little bit more than a quarter. For example, in butcher, we use to ask for a “cuarto y mitad” of meat.

      Well, I hope that you have enjoyed with this post.

      Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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      Here you have another expression soused in Spanish:

A tiro hecho = For specific reason or Go just for or With a sure aim

      In the ballistic sense it means: shooting mathematical certainty. But colloquially, it is applied to those things that offer the vehement more likely to be met satisfactorily. It is as if we have a total confidence that we are going to do one thing and no more. For example, if we have to buy something at a department store, we say: "I a going to buy a tablecloth, but I am going with a sure aim".

      Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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       As you know, the last night February 25, from Tuesday to Wenesday, Paco de Lucía left us in this Life. But I do not want to write about the sad new, that you know very well unfortunately.

      I want to express my sorrow, yet my hope, remembering the human and almost divine dimension of this artist such universal.

      Paco was born in Algeciras –as I did--.Therefore, I feel proud myself.

      Paco´s body has been brought to the town hall of Algeciras (Cádiz, South of Spain).This picture is located front of the facade of the Town Hall of Algeciras.

Down this picture, you could sign on a book of condolences for the family, all these days:

      Paco was shy and simple --despite his artistic name out in the name of his mother (Lucia)-- and so he wanted to be called Francisco Sanchez; he was so timid and he did not like fame. Therefore, I want to make a personal tribute, highlighting his personal qualities; for that, I have noticed in his hands –-and above all his left hand, because, one day, he said that, when he was a child, he was taught to put the fingers of that hand, so that the guitar sound good--.

      Paco had hands of an artist, like the Jesus Christ´s hands, who created to Adam and Eve, as His image and likeness. Also God wanted to give Paco two special hands, two hands of a creator. Paco had no study; but that was not an obstacle to creating music, as God intended.  Because God uses us to build His Kingdom of love and brotherhood. In this sense, Paco found a great support in his biological father, who taught him to use a guitar, when Paco was 7 years old, because his father could not give Paco some studies, a career. His father taught him discipline, effort and Paco knew how to use it. And Paco also helped other artists. 

      But, although he was a genius, he played guitar as Francisco: he played with the depths of his heart more, as you can see on this picture:

Paco de Lucia by Alberto Cabello, at flickr.com

Also sometimes he was able to smile, while he was playing the guitar:

Paco de Lucia by Alberto Cabello, at flickr.com

      And other times he was excited, because he always had many emotions inside:

Paco de Lucia by Alberto Cabello, at flickr.com

      And he was a good person.

      From now on, we will miss him, but we have his music and two monuments in Algeciras --this is one of them--:

Paco de Lucia en Algeciras, by desde mi ventana se ve la playa, at flickr.com

      I want to share with you a music by Paco  titled "Callejón del Muro", which is a very our street, in the center of Algeciras:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdeDWE0qdqI

      And I hope to meet him in the other Life  --where surely he shall have a face full of light, as in this picture-- :

      Rest in peace, Francisco !.

    Till soon, kind regards,

Luis.

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