https://hdl.handle.net/10259/5086 Fri, 08 May 2026 09:48:47 GMT 2026-05-08T09:48:47Z https://hdl.handle.net/10259/11596 Integrating whole‐bone and regional analyses to understand human scapular growth Salazar Fernández, Azahara; Carretero Díaz, José Miguel; Rodríguez, Laura; García González, Rebeca This study investigates ontogenetic changes in human scapular morphology using three-dimensional geometric morphometrics with whole-bone and region-specific analyses. The aim is to evaluate whether the scapula follows a regular developmental pattern and whether its functionally distinct components, the scapular spine (SS) and glenoid fossa (SGF), exhibit divergent growth trajectories indicative of modular development. This approach assesses interactions between global and local morphological change and explores the influence of size, biomechanics, and ossification timing on scapular development. We analyzed 3D surface scans of 127 scapulae from non-adult and adult individuals from the medieval San Pablo Collection, Spain, and the documented Lisbon Collection, Portugal. Seven ontogenetic groups were defined using dental and chronological age. Landmark and semi landmark configurations were generated for the entire scapula, the scapular spine, and the glenoid fossa. Shape and form variation were examined using Generalized Procrustes Analysis and Principal Component Analysis. Across all regions, PC1 captured the main axis of ontogenetic variation, separating age groups in both shape and form space. Whole-scapula analyses revealed a gradual developmental pattern, whereas regional analyses highlighted distinct trajectories. The scapular spine showed progressive curvature and torsion, likely reflecting muscular loading, while the glenoid fossa displayed more constrained changes linked to joint stabilization and ossification timing. These findings support a modular model of scapular growth, with regions responding to intrinsic developmental processes and extrinsic biomechanical influences. Integrating regional and whole-bone analyses reveals developmental plasticity not detectable through global approaches alone, with implications for forensic, clinical, paleoanthropological, and bioarchaeological research. Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10259/11596 2026-02-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10259/11595 Rethinking Nature of STEM: Theoretical Insights and the Development of EPISTEMIK-Fire as an Assessment Tool Martínez Martínez, Víctor; Ortiz Revilla, Jairo; Greca Dufranc, Ileana María Nature of STEM (NoSTEM) encompasses epistemological, social, and ethical dimensions underlying STEM disciplines, emphasizing their interdependence rather than treating them as isolated domains. This perspective challenges reductionist and technocentric views, fostering a holistic understanding of science and technology in society. Nevertheless, currently, no validated instruments specifically evaluate NoSTEM, making the development of such instruments essential for advancing interdisciplinary STEM education. Thus, we present Evaluating Performance in STEM Integrated Knowledge (EPISTEMIK), a roadmap for developing instruments to assess NoSTEM in educational contexts grounded in a solid theoretical-philosophical framework. Based on this, we introduce a mixed-method instrument, combining statistical validation with qualitative analysis to ensure instrument robustness, focused on fire ecology (EPISTEMIK-Fire), consisting of 11 closed-ended and 2 open-ended items. EPISTEMIK-Fire uses fire ecology to explore interdisciplinary integration and critical reflection. However, while we introduce both EPISTEMIK and EPISTEMIK-Fire, the results primarily focus on validating the latter. Findings highlight EPISTEMIK-Fire’s potential to provide a comprehensive understanding of NoSTEM, addressing gaps in existing evaluation tools by capturing interdisciplinary knowledge and socio-ethical implications. Beyond this application, our study contributes to STEM education by offering a rigorous framework for assessing interdisciplinary integration. Future applications aim to extend this instrument to diverse STEM fields and educational levels, fostering critical scientific literacy. Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10259/11595 2026-04-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10259/11592 Pelvic morphology and body size in relation to the preauricular sulcus: Evidence from medieval to modern Iberia García González, Rebeca; Muñoz Guarinos, Julia; Cirotto, Nico; Díaz Navarro, Sonia; Rodríguez, Laura; Carretero Díaz, José Miguel The preauricular sulcus has long been debated as a pelvic feature variably attributed to obstetric stress, ligamentous traction, and broader biomechanical processes. To clarify its determinants, we analyzed 409 adult individuals from three archeological and one early modern skeletal collection from the Iberian Peninsula, integrating graded sulcus expression with pelvic morphology, body size, and demographic context. Sulcus expression shows marked sexual dimorphism: females exhibit the full morphological spectrum, whereas males display limited variation and are overwhelmingly concentrated in the lowest grades. Hierarchical log-linear models and ordinal logistic regression analyses indicate that preauricular sulcus presence is not associated with stature, body mass, or overall pelvic canal dimensions. Instead, inferior pelvic dimensions, particularly pubic length and outlet measures, emerge as the only consistent morphological predictors, with significant sex-specific interactions restricted to the outlet. Neither population affiliation nor age at death modifies the association between sex and sulcus expression. Taken together, these results support a model in which the preauricular sulcus reflects sex-specific biomechanical environments of the inferior pelvis rather than overall body size or population-level variation. Within this framework, sulcus development is best interpreted as ligamentmediated remodeling shaped by localized mechanical loading and hormonally mediated changes associated with pregnancy, while remaining. Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10259/11592 2026-02-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10259/11591 Spanish-Speaking Children’s Attitudes Toward School Science: Instrument Development and Psychometric Analysis Quílez Cervero, César; Toma, Radu Bogdan; Queiruga Dios, Miguel Ángel The current research evaluated the psychometric properties of a questionnaire measuring 1st and 2nd grad- ers’ attitudes toward school science (CASS). In Study 1, an exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor struc- ture, consisting of the ’enjoyableness’ and ’self-efficacy’ dimensions of school science. This analysis also provided initial evidence of satisfactory internal consistency reli- ability. In Study 2, confirmatory factor analysis showed that the two-factor model provided a better fit than a uni- dimensional structure and further supported the internal consistency reliability of the instrument. Study 3 provided strong evidence for test–retest reliability. Study 4 offered promising evidence of construct validity by identifying a positive and significant relationship between the ’enjoya- bleness’ and ’perceived self-efficacy’ in school science and leisure interest in science-related activities. Finally, Study 5 assessed the instrument’s responsiveness to an inquiry-based intervention, showing that it can effectively detect changes over time. Taken together, these findings suggest that the proposed instrument, CASS, yields scores with adequate validity and reliability, making it a reliable tool for assessing young students’ attitudes toward school science and evaluat- ing the effectiveness of educational interventions in the early elementary school years. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10259/11591 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z