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Comparative effects of viable Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and its heat-inactivated paraprobiotic in the prevention of high-fat high-fructose diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats
No full textNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most prevalent chronic liver alterations worldwide, being gut microbiota dysbiosis one of the contributing factors to its development. The aim of this research is to compare the potential effects of a viable probiotic (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG) with those exerted by its heat-inactivated paraprobiotic counterpart in a dietary rodent model of NAFLD. The probiotic administration effectively prevented the hepatic lipid accumulation induced by a high-fat high-fructose diet feeding, as demonstrated by chemical (lower TG content) and histological (lower steatosis grade and lobular inflammation) analyses. This effect was mainly mediated by the downregulation of lipid uptake (FATP2 protein expression) and upregulating liver TG release to bloodstream (MTTP activity) in rats receiving the probiotic. By contrast, the effect of the paraprobiotic preventing diet-induced liver lipid accumulation was milder, and mainly derived from the downregulation of hepatic de novo lipogenesis (SREBP-1c protein expression and FAS activity) and TG assembly (DGAT2 and AQP9 protein expression). The obtained results demonstrate that under these experimental conditions, the effects induced by the administration of viable L. rhamnosus GG preventing liver lipid accumulation in rats fed a diet rich in saturated fat and fructose differ from those induced by its heat-inactivated paraprobiotic counterpart.This study was supported by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERobn) under grant CB12/03/30007 and the Basque Government under grant IT1482-22. Laura Isabel Arellano-García is a recipient of a doctoral fellowship from the Gobierno Vasco
Los modelos científicos como herramientas epistémicas abstractas para aprender a razonar
No full textLa variedad de metodologías científicas dedicadas a obtener conocimiento, generar creencias y motivar
la acción es amplia. La filosofía de la ciencia y de la educación ha valorado críticamente las virtudes de los diversos métodos científicos, en especial de los inductivos y deductivos. Sin embargo, la aparición de nuevos procedimientos vinculados a ciencias no académicas ha promovido el desarrollo de nuevas perspectivas reflexivas que analicen dichas virtudes. Desde los métodos controlados aleatorios hasta los procedimientos epidemiológicos o clínicos, la filosofía ha examinado las virtudes y también los defectos de su puesta en práctica. El presente artículo asume que la modelación basada en evidencias empíricas es una práctica de alto interés en lingüística. Con el fin de sustanciar tal asunción, se comparan dos enfoques filosóficos de la modelación científica distinguidos por sus respectivas líneas de investigación en torno a la noción de representación: el representacional y el pragmático. Los enfoques se ilustran posteriormente con un caso de la lingüística denominado “análisis sintáctico del lenguaje”, dirigido a examinar muestras particulares recogidas como evidencias en fases iniciales de la modelación experimental. Como conclusión, se enfatiza que ambos enfoques filosóficos aportan elementos analíticos realmente pertinentes para el tipo de razonamiento científico que pivota en torno a modelos y cuyo alcance en la enseñanza de las ciencias puede resultar de gran interés práctico.PID2023-147251NB-I00, MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 y FEDER/U
Strategic growth plan for Lantegi Batuak
No full textPlan estratégico para Lantegi Batuak incorporando nociones relativas a los objetivos de desarrollo sostenible de reducción de desigualdades y de educación de calidad. En inglés
Investigación en ciberseguridad y negocios: una revisión bibliométrica (2004-2023)
No full textJEL: M10, M15[EN] Cybersecurity poses a significant risk for companies due to the rise in cyberattacks worldwide, leading to increased uncertainty in security management and putting the sustainability of businesses at risk. Despite some academic contributions, limited bibliometric studies on integrating cybersecurity and business information exist. The research aims to assist academics, policymakers, and decision-makers in cybersecurity management. The authors conducted a bibliometric review using scientific mapping and performance analysis. The study used the Web of Science database and Bibliometrix software to analyze 410 articles and 1,355 authors across nine bibliometric indicators between 2004 and 2023. This article is novel in proposing a bibliometric review of cybersecurity and business, as the other studies addressed specific sectors and do not allow for an integrated view of information on these two topics. The main findings showed an annual growth of 27.63% and an international co-authorship of 31.46%. The United States of America has the highest scientific production, followed by the United Kingdom and China. Business Horizons and IEEE Access are the most influential journals in this field of research. This study can improve the analysis of academics, policymakers, and decision-makers in companies regarding security management. Future studies could propose management models to improve cybersecurity in organizations.[ES] La ciberseguridad representa un riesgo importante para las empresas debido al aumento de los ciberataques en todo el mundo, lo que genera una mayor incertidumbre en la gestión de la seguridad y pone en riesgo la sostenibilidad de las empresas. A pesar de algunas contribuciones académicas, existen estudios bibliométricos limitados sobre la integración de la ciberseguridad y la información empresarial. La investigación tiene como objetivo ayudar a los académicos, los responsables políticos y los tomadores de decisiones en la gestión de la ciberseguridad. Los autores realizaron una revisión bibliométrica utilizando el mapeo científico y el análisis de rendimiento. El estudio utilizó la base de datos Web of Science y el software Bibliometrix para analizar 410 artículos y 1,355 autores en nueve indicadores bibliométricos entre 2004 y 2023. Este artículo es novedoso al proponer una revisión bibliométrica de la ciberseguridad y los negocios, ya que los otros estudios abordaron sectores específicos y no permiten una visión integrada de la información sobre estos dos temas. Los principales hallazgos mostraron un crecimiento anual del 27.63% y una coautoría internacional del 31.46%. Los Estados Unidos de América cuentan con la mayor producción científica, seguido de Reino Unido y China. Business Horizons e IEEE Access son las revistas más influyentes en este campo de investigación. Este estudio puede mejorar el análisis de académicos, formuladores de políticas y tomadores de decisiones en las empresas en relación con la gestión de la seguridad. Estudios futuros podrían proponer modelos de gestión para mejorar la ciberseguridad en las organizaciones.Research supported by Red Sistemas Inteligentes y Expertos Modelos Computacionales Iberoamericanos (SIEMCI), project number 522RT0130 in the Ibero-American Science and Technology for Development Program (CYTED)
Haur eta nerabeen parte-hartzea erabaki organoetan: Haurren eta nerabeen kontseiluen esperientziak eta aholkuak
No full text[ES] La participación infantil es más que un derecho; es una necesidad vital para la construcción de una sociedad democrática y justa. Este libro, resultado de una exhaustiva investigación académica, nos ofrece una visión profunda y reveladora de cómo la voz de nuestros niños y niñas puede transformar nuestras comunidades y fortalecer nuestras democracias. En un mundo donde las decisiones políticas y sociales afectan directamente a la vida de los jóvenes, es imperativo que su voz sea escuchada y valorada.[EU] Haurren parte-hartzea eskubidea baino gehiago da; ezinbesteko beharra da gizarte demokratiko eta justu bat eraikitzeko. Liburu hau ikerketa akademiko sakon baten emaitza da, eta gure haurren ahotsak gure komunitateak eraldatzeko eta gure demokraziak indartzeko duen gaitasunaren ikuspegi sakon eta argigarria eskaintzen digu. Erabaki politiko eta sozialek gazteen bizitzan eragin zuzena duten mundu honetan, ezinbestekoa da haien ahotsa entzutea eta balioestea.Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea / Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU):Unibertsitatea-Enpresa-Gizartea proiektua (US 22/24), Universidad-Empresa-Sociedad (US 22/24
Misconceptions about intimate partner violence risk assessment algorithm in the Basque Country: a reply to Valdivia, Hyde-Vaamonde, and García-Marcos (2024).
No full textViolence risk assessment is an internationally recognised methodology, aimed to manage different forms of violence. Most risk assessment tools, as is the case of the reviewed one, are designed to protect victims in the context of pressure, little time, or little information. This paper presents a reply to Valdivia et al. (AI & Society, July 2024) criticism of the algorithm for intimate partner violence risk assessment—EPV—used in the Basque Country. They concluded that more than 50% of high-risk victims are in danger, using results from a pilot version of the instrument, not the reviewed one published in 2010, nor the system in use since May 2013. In addition, qualitative information from a single professional generates global criticisms of the tool. Neither the current cut-off points nor the real weighting of the items nor the real risk management procedure are considered, and the personal opinion of a judge is assumed to be better than the use of tools when the accumulated research shows the opposite. When EPV risk assessment reports are used in courts, they may only temporarily affect some perpetrator rights, imposing restraining orders or, in the worst case, pretrial prison waiting for sentence. However, risk management can save the life of the victim. Cautions and suggestions related to the judicial context, such as improving risk reports or training judicial professionals, are shared. However, Valdivia et al.’s paper leads to misconceptions that extend to different sectors when echoing the wrong conclusions of their paper.Open Access funding provided by University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU.
Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature
The Preparation and Characterization of Poly(lactic Acid)/Poly(ε-caprolactone) Polymer Blends: The Effect of Bisphenol A Diglycidyl Ether Addition as a Compatibilizer
No full textThe problems created by conventional polymers after their end use have driven research into new biodegradable polymeric materials. PLA is a compostable polymer obtained from renewable sources, but its main drawbacks are its fragility and slow crystallization kinetics. These drawbacks limit its use in different applications. In order to overcome fragility, in the current study, different compositions of PLA/PCL blends, rich in PLA content and without and with DGEBA, were prepared and characterized by means of different techniques, such as FTIR, DSC, DMA, and the mechanical properties. Some compositions show a certain improvement in the deformation capacity compared to the neat PLA at a low test speed. However, when the test speed increases, no improvement is observed in terms of deformation capacity. By SEM, the morphology of injection-molded specimens was observed. All blends showed a biphasic morphology where the PCL droplets are dispersed within the continuous PLA matrix. In the current study, an attempt has been made to improve the compatibility and adhesion between the phases by incorporating a diglycidyl bisphenol A compound. The results obtained indicate that the epoxy groups seem to react with the end groups of the PLA chain; however, the interactions that it creates with the PCL phase are weak, which is in agreement with the FTIR and DSC results obtained.This research was funded by the Basque Country Government under the framework of Grupos Consolidados (IT-1690-22)
Differential protein and mRNA cargo loading into engineered large and small extracellular vesicles reveals differences in in vitro and in vivo assays
No full textExtracellular vesicles (EV) represent an advanced platform for genetic material and protein delivery, particularly when they are loaded through the so-called endogenous loading method. This study investigates the differences between large EV (lEV) and small EV (sEV) obtained from genetically engineered C2C12 myoblasts overexpressing two different model biomolecules. Erythropoietin (EPO) is a secretory protein with anti-inflammatory, angiogenic and hematopoietic effects, while TGL is a chimeric cytosolic protein containing green fluorescent protein (GFP) and luciferase, used for imaging. We compared these EV subtypes in terms of protein and nucleic acid loading, intercellular cargo transfer capacity, and subsequent functional effects both in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrated that lEV exhibited higher protein and mRNA cargo content than sEV, which also translated into increased intercellular cargo transfer capacity, even when dosing according to the constitutive sEV and lEV secretion ratio (10:1). Indeed, we showed that, although receptor cells successfully internalized both EV subtypes, cells treated with lEV displayed stronger intracellular luciferase signals and higher EPO protein secretion compared to those treated with sEV. In terms of functional effects, both EV subtypes exerted anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages, as well as angiogenic effects in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Finally, in vivo studies evidenced that subcutaneously administered lEV led to a more significant increase in hematocrit levels and red blood cell counts than sEV. Taken together, these findings suggest that the protein and mRNA cargo differ between endogenously loaded EV subtypes, and that this variation in cargo loading leads to differences in their functional outcomes. Therefore, the choice of EV subtype could be critical for optimizing EV-based delivery strategies for biologic drugs.This project has been supported in part by the Basque Government (Consolidated Groups, IT1448–22)
Disorder
No full text"This paper begins with some brief intellectual autobiography, recalling my first engagement with philos-ophy of biology. The substantive part of the paper then focuses on the plurality of possible classifications central to the theses of scientific disunity and metaphysical disorder developed in my early career . After discussing this in terms of biological classification, and introducing the reasons for thinking of classifications as typically value-laden, I discuss two sets of human classifications bearing on normatively vital questions, those around sex and gender and those involved in the distinctions between human races.; Este artículo comienza con una breve autobiografía intelectual, en la que se rememora mi primer contacto con la filosofía de la biología . La parte sustantiva del artículo se centra en la pluralidad de posibles clasificaciones central en las tesis de desunión científica y desorden metafísico desarrolladas en los comienzos de mi carrera . Después de discutir estas tesis en términos de clasificaciones científicas, y de introducir las razones para pensar en las clasificaciones como típicamente cargadas de valor, discuto dos tipos de clasificaciones humanas relacionadas con cuestiones de gran importancia normativa, las concernientes al sexo y el género y las involucradas en distinciones entre razas humanas.
Paving the way towards predistribution: a study on the introduction of a land value tax
No full textThis paper explores the potentiality of implementing a land value tax (LVT) aimed
at displacing the existing taxes on real estate and partially the taxes on personal
income as a first step towards the implementation of an ecological tax reform. The
LVT is simulated in the context of Bizkaia, a Spanish province with fiscal autonomy.
A hedonic price model allowing for spatial correlation is used to estimate the tax
base and collection capacity. Following Lyons’ (2012) approach, we set as a col‑
lection objective the amount derived from the shift of all taxes on real estate and
the income tax returns of nearly 75% of the population representing the lowest tax‑
able bases and calculate the average tax per square metre for the whole territory.
Then, the proposed LVT is applied proportionally to the site value for each property
according to different zones. We find that a proportional rate of 1.05% on the land
value would be sufficient in order to carry out the proposed tax displacement. Our
findings suggest that focusing tax systems on the predistribution of income rather
than on its redistribution may well set fiscal policy on the path towards a sustainable
and fair economy.Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature. D. Hoyos and J. García-Enríquez thank the funding provided by the Department of Education of the Basque Government through Grant IT1508-22 (UPV/EHU Econometrics Research Group), by the FEDER/Ministry of Science and Innovation through grant PID2019-105183GB-I00 and by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through grant PID2023-150480NB-I00