DAU - Digital Archive of URL (Ramon Llull University)
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Sourdough bread with different fermentation times: A randomized clinical trial in subjects with metabolic syndrome
Get PDFThe Mediterranean diet, featuring sourdough bread, shows promise in managing metabolic syndrome. This study explored the effects of two sourdough breads, with differing fermentation times but similar nutritional profiles, on inflammation, satiety, and gut microbiota composition in adults with metabolic syndrome. In a double-blind clinical trial, participants were randomized to consume either Elias Boulanger® long-fermentation (48 h) sourdough bread (EBLong) or Elias Boulanger® short-fermentation (2 h) sourdough bread (EBShort) over a two-month period. We assessed clinical parameters, inflammatory biomarkers, satiety-related hormones, and the richness and abundance of gut microbiota at baseline and follow-up. The participants included 31 individuals (mean age, 67, 51.6% female). EBShort was associated with reduced levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM), and all participants, regardless of the intervention, exhibited a decrease in sICAM and diastolic pressure from baseline (p < 0.017). At follow-up, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels were lower in EBShort (−744 pg/mL; 95%CI: −282 to −1210 pg/mL) compared to EBLong. No differences in microbiota richness or abundance were observed. EBShort bread was effective in reducing some inflammation markers. The consumption of sourdough bread may offer potential benefits in reducing inflammation markers in individuals with metabolic syndrome; however, longer fermentation times did not show additional benefits.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Structure matters: Assessing the statistical significance of network topologies
Get PDFNetwork analysis has found widespread utility in many research areas. However, assessing the statistical significance of observed relationships within networks remains a complex challenge. Traditional node permutation tests are often insufficient in capturing the effect of changing network topology by creating reliable null distributions. We propose two randomization alternatives to address this gap: random rewiring and controlled rewiring. These methods incorporate changes in the network topology through edge swaps. However, controlled rewiring allows for more nuanced alterations of the original network than random rewiring. In this sense, this paper introduces a novel evaluation tool, the Expanded Quadratic Assignment Procedure (EQAP), designed to calculate a specific p-value and interpret statistical tests with enhanced precision. The combination of EQAP and controlled rewiring provides a robust network comparison and statistical analysis framework. The methodology is exemplified through two real-world examples: the analysis of an organizational network structure, illustrated by the Enron-Email dataset, and a social network case, represented by the UK Faculty friendship network. The utility of these statistical tests is underscored by their capacity to safeguard researchers against Type I errors when exploring network metrics dependent on intricate topologies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Cultura digital, autoficción, género y precariedad en «El entusiasmo» de Remedios Zafra
Get PDFLa escritora Remedios Zafra se ha convertido en un referente de los estudios sobre cultura digital en España. Zafra ha indagado en diferentes textos sobre cómo la identidad personal se ha visto moldeada y modificada por el impacto de la digitalización de nuestros entornos cotidianos, tanto de ocio como laborales, y lo ha hecho potenciando la perspectiva de género. Para personalizar la experiencia de la precariedad Zafra inventa una suerte de doble autoficcional (de nombre Sibila) en su obra El entusiasmo: precariedad y trabajo creativo en la era digital (2017). La voz de la ensayista y la conciencia de Sibila se van entrelazando a lo largo de un texto que contextualiza y disecciona esa precariedad a través de herramientas complementarias que provienen de la sociología, la economía y los estudios de género. El propósito del artículo es analizar críticamente los mecanismos de esta doble precarización desde una perspectiva que integre herramientas complementarias a las utilizadas por Zafra. Para ello recurriremos también a otras obras de la autora, como Netianas (2005), Un cuarto propio conectado (2010), (h)adas: mujeres que crean, programan, prosumen, teclean (2013) y el más reciente Frágiles (2021), así como a las ideas de otros autores que han explorado el fuerte componente desmaterializador que tiene la tecnología digital, como Paul Mason (2016) o Éric Sadin (2018), y los riesgos que supone para el desarrollo del sujeto.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Prevención de la institucionalización infantil: Innovación en el acompañamiento a familias desde los centros socioeducativos
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The Retro-Aza-Michael Reaction: How Process Optimization Led to New Scientific Insights
Get PDFThe synthesis of 2-(2-methylaminoethyl)pyridine from the reaction between 2-vinylpyridine and methylamine serves as a crucial exploration into the reversibility of the aza-Michael reaction. The results unequivocally demonstrate the notable reversibility inherent in the aza-Michael reaction. This characteristic assumes a pivotal role in fostering heightened selectivity, particularly in the realm of Flow Chemistry, where operating temperatures surpass the typical boiling points of the involved mixtures. A preliminary kinetic model, grounded in first-order reactions, aligns well with the experimental data. Results from microwave and Flow Chemistry allow for an initial approximation of the parameters governing the observed equilibrium, providing a foundational understanding of the reaction dynamics. This insight into the reversibility and kinetic aspects of the aza-Michael reaction contributes to the optimization of conditions for enhanced control and efficiency in synthetic processes, particularly under the unique conditions presented by Flow Chemistry.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Ground Reaction Forces, Asymmetries and Performance of Change of Direction Tasks in Youth Elite Female Basketball Players
Get PDFThe magnitude and direction of inter-limb asymmetries in a change of direction (COD) have increased interest in scientific research in recent years. This present study aimed to investigate the magnitude of asymmetries in an elite youth female basketball sample (n = 18, age = 17.79 ± 0.67 y) and determine its directionality using force platform technology. Participants performed 70° and 180° COD tests analyzing the following variables: time, ground contact time (GCT) and ground reaction forces (GRF) along the anterior–posterior, mediolateral, and vertical axes. Inter-limb asymmetries were evident in both COD tests, with substantial differences observed between limbs (p < 0.01). The asymmetry values ranged from 3.02% to 24.31% in COD 180° and from 1.99% to 21.70% in COD 70°, with anterior–posterior GRF consistently exhibiting the highest asymmetry magnitude. Additionally, the directionality exhibited variability between the tests, indicating poor agreement and suggesting the independent directionality of asymmetries across tasks. Moreover, players required more time to complete the COD 180°, the GCT was noticeably longer for the COD 180° than for the COD 70°, and GRF varied across the axis, suggesting that players adapt uniquely to the specific demands of each task. The utilization of force platforms presents a comprehensive approach to assess asymmetries and COD variables performance variables which are “angle-dependent”, which could have important implications for COD screening and effective training interventions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Biased Calibration Exacerbating Instead of Mitigating Entrepreneurial Overplacement with Reference Values
Get PDFNascent entrepreneurs often believe that their chances of success are better than those of others due to imperfect information about the competencies and accomplishments of other entrepreneurs, leading to overplacement. Theory suggests that the provision of historical outcome data of comparable projects could help entrepreneurs develop more realistic plans and expectations by closing the information gap and enabling the calibration of their beliefs. However, effectively calibrating beliefs by incorporating new reference information requires effortful cognitive processing and rational integration of the data, which may be impeded by the same cognitive biases leading to overplacement initially. Drawing from a unique dataset that allows us to observe substantial parts of the planning process of 971 entrepreneurs, we investigate the effectiveness of providing reference values as a debiasing tool. Rather than rationally leveraging the information for honest self-assessment, our findings suggest that entrepreneurs use the information to differentiate themselves even more from the reference group after they see the historical values. This, in turn, results in an even higher level of overplacement.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Development of a GC-FID method for the analysis of fatty acids in palm olein to study the formation of C18:1 trans during deep discontinuous frying processes in El Salvador food industry
Get PDFAn analytical method for the derivatization of fatty acids to methyl esters using basic catalysis with special emphasis on the identification of the different C18:1 trans isomers was developed and validated, showing excellent accuracy, precision and linearity. This method was employed to evaluate the degradation of palm olein during the deep discontinuous frying process of potatoes and bananas over 60 hours at different temperatures, simulating most habitual food processing methods used in El Salvador. It was observed that untreated oils already showed low levels of trans fatty acids (around 0.085%) although these products were marketed as if they did not contain any trans fats. As expected, the concentration of trans fatty acids in the oil increased throughout the deep-frying process, while contents in mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased. This degradation of the oil varied depending on the temperature and the amount of water of the product being cooked.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Interactive Marketing Tools in the Healthcare Sector: Case Study of Mi Salud App
Get PDFEn esta investigación se analiza la mejora del servicio de la salud mediante
aplicaciones para el paciente, a través del espacio digital personal Mi Salud, que
permite a la ciudadanía disponer de su información de salud y de otros servicios
en línea para mejorar la relación médico-paciente. Se realizó un estudio de caso en
el hospital Sant Llorenç de Viladecans, focalizado en la aplicación Mi Salud, cuya
función es, precisamente, mejorar las estrategias de promoción para abordar
aspectos como las expectativas, necesidades o características de los clientes. Los
resultados mostraron que Mi Salud mejora el índice de satisfacción de los
pacientes; que los usuarios de más edad tienden a utilizar más la aplicación, pese a cierto desconocimiento sobre la app, y que el uso de los datos privados es una
cuestión secundaria para estos. De manera global se concluye que este tipo de
herramientas son eficaces para la consecución de tales objetivos, por lo que
resulta recomendable ahondar en su uso para la agilización y mejora de los
servicios.This research analyzes the improvement of the health service through applications
for the patient through the personal digital space My Health, which allows citizens
to have their health information and other services online to improve the patient -
doctor relationship. A case study was carried out at Sant Llorenç de Viladecans
hospital, focused on My Health application, whose function is, precisely, to improve
promotion strategies to address aspects such as the expectations, needs or client
characteristics. The results showed that Mi Salud App improves the patient
satisfaction rate; older users tend to use the application more, despite a certain lack
of knowledge about the app, and the use of private data is a secondary issue for
them. Generally, it is concluded that this type of tools is effective in achieving such
objectives, so it is advisable to delve into their use to streamline and to improve
services.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Analysis of digital marketing strategies for Park Güell
Get PDFEl marketing digital ha permitido mejorar la promoción turística tanto para destinos como para atracciones concretas. En plena Sociedad de la Banda Ancha y globalización, el marketing optimiza estos productos turísticos, visibilizándolos y concediéndoles un valor añadido en contenidos y publicidad para que clientes potenciales se conviertan en visitantes y deseen visitar el recurso y la ciudad donde éste se encuentra. Destinos turísticos urbanos como Barcelona innovan en el ámbito del marketing. Concretamente, el Park Güell ha desarrollado una estrategia en diferentes redes sociales para dar a conocer más este atractivo turístico de la ciudad. Esta investigación pretende analizar el marketing y las redes sociales y contenidos del Park Güell. Se utilizan técnicas cuantitativas (encuesta a población del área metropolitana de Barcelona) y cualitativas (entrevistas en profundidad). Los resultados muestran que, a través del marketing y los contenidos creados por esta entidad, la imagen proyectada es mejorable. Se concluye la conveniencia de modificar la promoción de contenidos del marketing de Park Güell y de crear una planificación de marketing para que este atractivo obtenga más impacto aprovechando las redes sociales.Digital marketing has enhanced tourism promotion for destinations and attractions. In the era
of broadband and globalisation, marketing is used to optimise both by improving visibility and
creating added content and advertising value to transform potential customers into visitors and
persuade them to visit specific sites and the cities where they are located. Urban tourist
destinations such as Barcelona lead the way in this regard. The aim of this research is to analyse
the marketing and social networks of Park Güell, and the strategy it has used to boost its tourism
profile. The study uses both quantitative (population survey of the Barcelona metropolitan area)
and qualitative techniques (in-depth interviews). The results show that marketing and content
creation has improved the image projected by Park Güell. However, the overall findings indicate
the need to modify the park’s marketing content and create a marketing plan to ensure greater
impact through its social networks.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio