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Harnessing thermal spring water and hydrophobic eutectic solvent for galactoglucomannans, glucans and phenolics recovery from Evernia prunastri and their potential biological applications
Get PDFLichens produce polysaccharides scarcely studied, in addition to secondary metabolites, that can exhibit high bioactivity. The aim of this work is to evaluate the efficiency of subcritical water extraction using thermal spring water and hydrophobic eutectic solvent for the extraction of these compounds. Subcritical water extraction of E. prunastri compounds was performed between 150 and 190 °C with distilled or with thermal spring water, combined or not with eutectic solvent men:lau as modifier. The biochemical composition of the polysaccharide extracts from each process (P-D for distilled water, P-T for thermal spring water, P-DM and P-TM when the eutectic was added) and of the soluble liquid extracts free from the precipitated polysaccharides (E-D, E-T, E-DM and E-TM) was analyzed as well as their antioxidant capacity and biological activity against herpes viruses. After purification through resin of E-T170 and E-TM150, extracts with an antioxidant activity of 1.38 and 1.78 g Trolox eq./ g of extract were obtained. Polysaccharides were identified as galactoglucomannans and glucans by NMR analysis. All polysaccharides were formulated in films, however, those extracted with thermal water presented much better viscoelastic properties than those extracted with distilled water. P-T-170 °C and P-TM-150 °C were non-irritating according to Skinethic® test but did not exhibit protective activity against HSV-1 and HSV-2 viruses. E-T170 °C presented a slightly higher antiviral activity (around 40 % protection) with low cytotoxicity. In addition, the films' physical and mechanical properties suggest potential for biomedical applications, especially in topical or mucosal delivery systems-ISblue project | Ref. ANR-17-EURE-0015Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431C 2022/08Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431G 2023/06Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431F 2020/01FCT/MCTES | Ref. 2024.01202.BDFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. 2023.14718.TENURE.016Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. UIDP/04378/2020Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia | Ref. UIDB/04378/2020UCIBIO | Ref. LA/P/0140/2020Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. RYC2018-024454-
Cultura financiera en la empresa familiar
Get PDFEstudios previos han demostrado que las empresas familiares son muy diferentes a las no familiares, puesto que su carácter familiar y la relación familia-empresa les imprime unos rasgos y una cultura propia que le suponen cualidades diferenciadoras. De igual forma, la identificación de una estructura financiera y una jerarquía financiera única en el caso de las empresas familiares nos conduce a plantear una investigación en torno a la existencia de una cultura financiera propia de las empresas familiares. Para ello, se ha llevado a cabo un análisis de corte transversal mediante una encuesta dirigida a una muestra representativa de 837 empresas. Los resultados confirman que el carácter de la empresa es un factor discriminante de la cultura financiera al presentar las empresas familiares un menor grado de cultura financiera que las empresas no familiares. De forma que las empresas familiares se apoyan en menor medida que las no familiares en la opinión de sus directores financieros para las decisiones gerenciales en el área de financiación, están menos informadas de las fuentes financieras alternativas a las tradicionales y la importancia que le conceden a la formación del departamento de administración y financiero es también menorPrevious studies have shown that family businesses are different from non-family firms, since family firms have particular characteristics due to the relationship between the family and the business, that give place to a unique culture. In that sense, the identification of a peculiar financial structure and financial preferences in the case of family businesses leads us to research on the existence of a different financial culture. With this aim, we have conducted a cross-sectional analysis using a survey with a representative sample of 837 companies. The results confirm that the character of the company is a distinguishing factor of financial culture. We have found that family firms present a lesser degree of financial culture than non-family firms. Furthermore, family firms rely to a lesser extent than non-family firms in the decisions of their financial managers, personnel is less skilled regarding alternative financial sources and the importance they concede to financial management training is also lower
Transcriptome Characterisation of the Ant Formica exsecta with New Insights into the Evolution of Desaturase Genes in Social Hymenoptera
Get PDFBackground: Despite the recent sequencing of seven ant genomes, no genomic data are available for the genus Formica, an important group for the study of eusocial traits. We sequenced the transcriptome of the ant Formica exsecta with the 454 FLX Titanium technology from a pooled sample of workers from 70 Finnish colonies. Results: About 1,000,000 reads were obtained from a normalised cDNA library. We compared the assemblers MIRA3.0 and Newbler2.6 and showed that the latter performed better on this dataset due to a new option which is dedicated to improve contig formation in low depth portions of the assemblies. The 29,579 contigs represent 27 Mb. 50% showed similarity with known proteins and 25% could be assigned a category of gene ontology. We found more than 13,000 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms. The Δ9 desaturase gene family is an important multigene family involved in chemical communication in insects. We found six Δ9 desaturases in this Formica exsecta transcriptome dataset that were used to reconstruct a maximum-likelihood phylogeny of insect desaturases and to test for signatures of positive selection in this multigene family in ant lineages. We found differences with previous phylogenies of this gene family in ants, and found two clades potentially under positive selection. Conclusion: This first transcriptome reference sequence of Formica exsecta provided sequence and polymorphism data that will allow researchers working on Formica ants to develop studies to tackle the genetic basis of eusocial phenotypes. In addition, this study provided some general guidelines for de novo transcriptome assembly that should be useful for future transcriptome sequencing projects. Finally, we found potential signatures of positive selection in some clades of the Δ9 desaturase gene family in ants, which suggest the potential role of sequence divergence and adaptive evolution in shaping the large diversity of chemical cues in social insects.Natural Environment Research Council | Ref. E/F018355/
Litchi Hikari Club. Ero-guro in the work of Usamaru Furuya
Get PDFEste traballo analiza Litchi Hikari Club, a adaptación que Usamaru Furuya fixo ao manga da obra teatral homónima escrita por Norimizu Ameya e representada pola compañía Tokyo Grand Guignol en 1985, co obxectivo de demostrar que tanto o tratamento estético como determinados elementos presentes neste cómic convérteno nun continuador directo do manga eroguro canónico que configurou Suehiro Maruo na década de 1980, e que é, polo tanto, unha transposición a esta forma medial da esencia e o espírito do eroguro primixenio que se orixinou en Xapón a comezos do século XX. É neste sentido que, aínda que moitos dos seus mangas poden ser definidos como unha revisión contemporánea do manga eroguro, Litchi Hikari Club constitúe un caso singular dentro da obra de Furuya, no que mostra un aspecto gráfico claramente diferenciado do resto da súa produción. Por este motivo, analizaranse os diferentes aspectos que comparte co característico estilo de Maruo, co fin de comprobar cales son as particularidades que o converten nunha translación directa ao manga dos trazos característicos desta tendencia no seu período de eclosión (desde mediados de 1920 ata 1940)This paper analyses Litchi Hikari Club, Usamaru Furuya's manga adaptation of the play of the same
name written by Norimizu Ameya and performed by the Tokyo Grand Guignol theatre company in 1985,
with the aim of demonstrating that both the aesthetic treatment and certain elements present in this
comic make it a direct continuation of the canonical eroguro manga created by Suehiro Maruo in the
1980s, and that it is, therefore, a transposition to this media form of the essence and spirit of the original
eroguro that originated in Japan in the early 20th century. In this sense, although many of his manga can
be defined as a contemporary revision of eroguro manga, Litchi Hikari Club is a unique case within
Furuya's work, in which he displays a graphic style that is clearly different from the rest of his
production. For this reason, we will analyse the different aspects it shares with Maruo's characteristic
style, in order to ascertain the particularities that make it a direct translation into manga of the
characteristic features of this trend in its heyday (from the mid-1920s to 1940)
Evaluation of 5G coexistence and interference signals in the C-Band satellite earth station
No full textFixed Satellite Services (FSS) used to be alone at the C-Band spectrum in most countries. Since the deployment of 5G in many countries (i.e., 3.3–3.6 GHz), FSS is not the exclusive system in the C-Band anymore. In order to minimize the detrimental interference for the FSS to allowable levels, regional exclusion zones of maximum radiated power in 5G base stations (BS) are proposed and evaluated. In this paper, a measurement campaign has been carried out, and an analysis of the interference has been studied. A filtering model, namely Filter to Remove Broadband Interference 5G (FIREBRING), is proposed and analyzed concerning the carrier-to-noise ratio (C/N). Moreover, this paper focuses on the evaluation of the 5G interference into the FSS. The proposed solution deployed an Low-Noise Block (LNB) with a band frequency of 3.7 to 4.2 GHz to test the satellite down-conversion signal at the receiver. The paper offered a complete analysis of the 5G signal, taking into account the implications of out-of-band emissions, potentially LNB saturation into FSS receiver, and the repercussions of the deployment of the 5G BS active antenna systems. With the LNB and down-converter in place, it can be found that the signal interference between 1.450 GHz and 1.550 GHz, is nearly 18 dB.BIDANET: Parametric Big Data Analytics over Wireless Networks | Ref. UPM.RMC.800-3/3/1/GPB/2021/9696300BIDANET: Parametric Big Data Analytics over Wireless Networks | Ref. 9696300IGNITE | Ref. FRGS/1/2021/TK0/UPM/01/1IRENE | Ref. PID2020-115323RB-C33MINECO/AEI/FEDERMFOCInnovation Cooperative Projects Comunidad of Madrid | Ref. HUBS 201
Sangre, sudor e investigación: el impacto de la menstruación en el trabajo de campo en ciencias naturales
Get PDFEn este artículo, examinamos el impacto, a menudo pasado por alto, de la menstruación en las experiencias de trabajo de campo en las disciplinas de las ciencias naturales. Realizamos una encuesta transversal a 429 participantes, predominantemente mujeres (86.0%), con una representación limitada de personas no binarias y sin hombres trans, para investigar los desafíos logísticos, sociales y relacionados con la salud que se afrontan durante el trabajo de campo.
La encuesta, que combinó datos cuantitativos y cualitativos, reveló que el 86% de los encuestados ha experimentado la menstruación, y casi la mitad (48%) reportó un dolor menstrual significativo durante el trabajo de campo. Los hallazgos cuantitativos indican que la logística del trabajo de campo rara vez se adapta a las necesidades de salud menstrual: el 85% de los participantes manifestó que los botiquines estándar no incluyen productos de higiene menstrual. Además, los datos cualitativos destacaron dificultades en la comunicación sobre cuestiones menstruales, ya que solo el 30.5% de los encuestados se sintió cómodo discutiendo estos temas con supervisores masculinos, en comparación con el 59.9% con supervisores femeninos.
Estos hallazgos subrayan importantes lagunas en el apoyo a la salud menstrual durante el trabajo de campo. Sugieren que medidas prácticas —como asegurar la disponibilidad de productos menstruales en los botiquines de primeros auxilios y fomentar un diálogo más abierto sobre la salud menstrual— podrían mejorar el apoyo a las investigadoras que menstrúan. Sin embargo, nuestros resultados también destacan la necesidad de realizar investigaciones adicionales para explorar los factores sistémicos más amplios que subyacen a estos desafíos. En última instancia, abordar estas lagunas podría contribuir a crear un entorno más inclusivo y equitativo para todas las personas dedicadas a la investigación.In this article, we examine the often-overlooked impact of menstruation on fieldwork experiences in natural sciences disciplines.
We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 429 participants, predominantly women (86.0%) with limited non-binary representation and no
transgender men, to investigate the logistical, social, and health-related challenges faced during fieldwork.
The survey, combining quantitative and qualitative data, revealed that 86% of respondents have experienced menstruation, with nearly half
(48%) reporting significant menstrual pain while working in the field. Quantitative findings indicate that fieldwork logistics rarely
accommodate menstrual health needs: 85% of participants reported that standard first aid kits do not include menstrual hygiene products.
Additionally, qualitative data highlighted difficulties in communication about menstrual issues, with only 30.5% of respondents feeling
comfortable discussing these issues with male supervisors, compared to 59.9% with female supervisors.
These findings underscore significant gaps in support for menstrual health during fieldwork. They suggest that practical measures—such
as ensuring menstrual products are available in first aid kits and fostering more open dialogue about menstrual health—could improve
support for menstruating researchers. However, our results also highlight the need for further research to explore the broader systemic
factors underlying these challenges. Ultimately, addressing these gaps may contribute to creating a more inclusive and equitable
environment for all researchers.Alexander von Humboldt Foundation | Ref. HumboldtResearch Fellowship2020-2021 Biodiversa+ and Water JPI joint call for research projects | Ref. InterRest projectDeutscheForschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation | Ref. 491739988Estonian Research Council, the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovationand Universities and the Spanish State Investigation Agency | Ref. PCI2022-1329Ministerio de Universidades | Ref. CT31/21Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. PID2022-138275NB-I00Swedish Environmental Protection Agency | Ref. 2022-00027Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. PCI2022-13294
Curriculo flexible en las universidades: de la idea general a la práctica docente
Get PDFA flexibilidade curricular envolve dimensões ideológicas, econômicas, pedagógicas e pessoais,
tornando-a central para os projetos educacionais oferecidos pelas universidades. Este artigo examina
os aspectos pedagógicos e práticos da implementação de currículos flexíveis, destacando seu valor
formativo, formatos didáticos e a transição da compreensão teórica para a aplicação prática.
Também discute os benefícios e limitações desse modelo em comparação com abordagens
tradicionais e identifica as principais condições para sua adoção bem-sucedida no ensino superior.Curricular flexibility involves ideological, economic, pedagogical, and personal dimensions, making it central to the educational projects offered by universities. This paper examines the pedagogical and practical aspects of implementing flexible curricula, highlighting their formative value, didactic formats, and the transition from theoretical understanding to practical application. It also discusses the benefits and limitations of this model compared to traditional approaches and identifies key conditions for its successful adoption in higher education
Homogeneity and linguistic variation in sign language: sign language of/in Extremadura
Get PDFLa homogeneidad de la lengua de signos española (LSE) viene siendo defendida con el objetivo de lograr una comunicación más fluida y eficiente entre los usuarios, puesto que al mantener una base lingüística común, tanto el intercambio de ideas como la transmisión de información son más claros y precisos. Al tener una variante estándar, los usuarios de la LSE pueden entenderse con más facilidad, independientemente de su lugar de origen y esto promueve la inclusión y la igualdad de oportunidades en la interacción y el intercambio de información. No obstante, defender la diversidad de la LSE implica respaldar la existencia de una variante estándar compartida por más signantes, así como reconocer y valorar las diferencias regionales o dialectales que existen, respetar la identidad cultural de cada comunidad de signantes. Además refleja la riqueza y la diversidad de las comunidades sordas al promover la inclusión en la comunidad sorda. Aprovechando las tecnologías lingüísticas aplicadas a la LSE, concretamente del Corpus Anotado de Lengua de Signos Española (CORALSE), documentaremos y analizaremos algunos aspectos de la homogeneidad y la variación de la LSE en los signantes sordos extremeños. La descripción se iniciará con una selección léxica y su comparación semántica y articulatoria con el Diccionario de la Lengua de Signos Española (DILSE III) como elemento estandarizador de la lengua.The homogeneity of Spanish Sign Language (LSE) has been advocated for the sake of smoother and more efficient communication between signers. It is justified because by maintaining a common linguistic base, both the exchange of ideas and the transmission of information are clearer and more precise. By having a standard variant, LSE users can understand each other more easily, regardless of their place of origin. This promotes inclusion and equal opportunities for interaction and information exchange. Nevertheless, advocating for the diversity of LSE means supporting the existence of a standard variant shared by more signers, as well as recognising and valuing the regional or dialectal differences that exist, respecting the cultural identity of each signer community. It also reflects the richness and diversity of Deaf communities by promoting inclusion in the Deaf community. Taking advantage of the linguistic technologies applied to LSE, namely the Corpus Annotated of Spanish Sign Language (CORALSE), we will document and analyse some aspects of the homogeneity and variation of LSE in the Deaf signers of Extremadura. The description will begin with a lexical selection and its semantic and articulatory comparison with the Diccionario de la Lengua de Signos Española (DILSE III) as a standardising element of the language
Classifying depression symptom severity: assessment of speech representations in personalized and generalized machine learning models
Get PDFThere is an urgent need for new methods that improve the management and treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Speech has long been regarded as a promising digital marker in this regard, with many works highlighting that speech changes associated with MDD can be captured through machine learning models. Typically, findings are based on cross-sectional data, with little work exploring the advantages of personalization in building more robust and reliable models. This work assesses the strengths of different combinations of speech representations and machine learning models, in personalized and generalized settings in a two-class depression severity classification paradigm. Key results on a longitudinal dataset highlight the benefits of personalization. Our strongest performing model set-up utilized self-supervised learning features and convolutional neural network (CNN) and long short-term memory (LSTM) back-end.National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre (BRC)South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation TrustUK Medical Research Council | Ref. MR/N013700/1King’s College LondonXunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431B 2021/24Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regiona
Site-selective gold-catalyzed alkylation of α-Aminotropones with allenes
Get PDFThe site-selective alkylation of α-aminotropones is effectively realized via gold(I)-catalyzed electrophilic activation of allenamides and allenyl ethers, yielding up to 85% in 30 examples. A dedicated and combined spectroscopic and computational investigation accounts for both chemo- and regioselective profiles of the protocol. New opportunities in the chemical space of tropone/tropolone derivatives are identified.University of BolognaAgencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. PID2020-115789GB-C22Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED481B-2023-04