Evaluation of TRPM2 Channel-Mediated Autophagic Signaling Pathway in Hippocampus and Cortex Tissues of Rat Offspring Following Prenatal Exposure to Elevated Alcohol Levels

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) can occur because of high amount of alcohol intake during pregnancy and is characterized by both physical and neurological problems. Children diagnosed with FAS have difficulties in learning, memory, and coordination. Hippocampus has a major role in memory and learning. We aimed to determine whether alcohol exposure during pregnancy had any effect on offspring by evaluating learning ability as well as oxidative stress and autophagy in the hippocampus and cortex tissues of litters. Attention was also paid to sex differences. To do so, TRPM2, Beclin1, p62, LC3B, IBA1, parvalbumin, GAD65, and mGluR5 expression levels were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, as well as total oxidant (TOS) and total antioxidant (TAS) status were determined by ELISA. Learning experiments were evaluated by the Morris water maze (MWM) test. Our findings demonstrated that IBA1, LC3B, GAD65, and mGluR5 expression levels were higher in female rats of the chronic alcohol exposure (CAE) model. Our IHC results revealed that TRPM2 expression levels were significantly increased in both males and females in the CAE group. Likewise, TAS was lower, and TOS was higher in CAE animals. Moreover, MWM outcomes supported a learning deficiency in CAE litters compared to controls and indicated that female offspring outperformed males in learning experiments. Therefore, our results revealed the detrimental effects of alcohol exposure during pregnancy on autophagy signaling in the hippocampus and cortex tissue of litters, which could affect the learning ability of animals.Esta investigación fue financiada por la Universidad de Yozgat Bozok, Unidad de Investigación Científica (Subvención 6602C-TF/21-466).peerReviewe

Methyl jasmonate spray for the protection of broad‑leaf trees against oomycete and fungal pathogens

Financiación Open Access proporcionada gracias al acuerdo CRUE-CSIC con Springer NatureMethyl jasmonate (MeJA) is a volatile hormone produced by plants in response to stress. Exogenous application of MeJA enhances resistance to pathogens in conifers, but little is known if resistance is also enhanced in broad-leaf trees. This article reports on five independent experiments carried out to determine the preventive and curative effects of MeJA spray in broadleaf trees in response to relevant pathogens. In “Castanea sativa” seedlings, preventive MeJA spray at 1 mM was the most effective dose against “Phytophthora cinnamomi”, and protection lasted one year. For “Quercus ilex” and “Q. suber” seedlings, double spray of MeJA at 0.2 mM, before and after inoculation, and single spray of MeJA at 1 mM before inoculation were the most effective treatments against “P. cinnamomi”, respectively. MeJA spray had no effect on the mycorrhization of plants. “Quercus robur” and “Fraxinus excelsior” plants were sprayed with 0, 0.2, 1, 5 and 10 mM MeJA, before and after “Phytophthora plurivora” infection, but no protection was observed. Finally, “Ulmus minor” trees were sprayed at 1 and 10 mM MeJA, and protection against “Ophiostoma novo-ulmi” was dose- and genotype-dependent. It is concluded that MeJA spray can induce resistance in broad-leaf trees against widespread and highly virulent pathogens, but the effect may vary depending on the tree species and pathogen combination. Protection of broad-leaf trees could be obtained only if the appropriate dose and timing is used.The work was supported by Lithium Iberia S.L. (123/20 contract) and University of Extremadura (VI-23 Action). The experiment in Sweden was supported by a Carl Tryggers Stiftelse (CTS 18: 424) Grant, which financed a postdoc position for I.M. A.C. was supported by a postdoctoral ‘Margarita Salas’ contract from Universidad de Extremadura funded by the Spanish Ministry of Universities.peerReviewe

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Detection of Off-Flavor Compounds in Tench (Tinca tinca) After Depuration in Clean Water

La tenca (Tinca tinca) es un pez bentónico de agua dulce y clima templado-cálido que a menudo presenta olores y sabores desagradables debido a su hábitat natural. Estas características pueden disuadir a los consumidores; por lo tanto, su eliminación mejoraría la palatabilidad y el atractivo comercial del pez. Así, las tencas se criaron en un centro de acuicultura y se sometieron a un sistema de depuración con agua limpia en el que se realizaron seis puntos de muestreo a las 0 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h y 96 h. Se realizó un análisis utilizando cromatografía de gases-espectrometría de masas y espectroscopía de infrarrojo cercano (NIRS), revelando derivados ácidos como las familias predominantes de compuestos orgánicos volátiles (COV). Los principales COV de mal sabor fueron 3,5,5-trimetil-1-hexeno, dimetil-8-hidronaftaleno, 1-octen-3-ol, ftalato de dietilo, 2-metilisoborneol y α-isometilionona. Se observaron concentraciones máximas a las 0 h, superando los 300 µg/g para el ftalato de dietilo y siendo inferiores a 55 µg/g para los demás COV. El contenido disminuyó progresivamente a partir de ese momento. Los espectros obtenidos por NIRS destacaron diferencias entre los tratamientos de depuración, mostrando discriminación entre las muestras estudiadas (PC1 = 77.8%; PC2 = 11.3%). Finalmente, el dimetil-8-hidronaftaleno y el 2-metilisoborneol se correlacionaron linealmente con los datos de NIRS, con valores de R²CV de 0.94 y 0.96, respectivamente, y valores de RMSECV de 1.00 y 3.62 µg/g, respectivamente. Por lo tanto, un sistema de depuración con agua limpia es apropiado para obtener peces con menos características de mal sabor. Además, NIRS representa una técnica precisa, económica y no destructiva para determinar el tiempo óptimo para la depuración del agua de los peces.Tench (Tinca tinca) is a warm-temperate, freshwater benthic fish with often unpleasant odors and flavors which result from its natural habitat. These characteristics may deter consumers; therefore, their removal would enhance the fish’s palatability and market appeal. Thus, tench were grown in an aquaculture center and subjected to a clean water depuration system in which six sampling points were carried out at 0 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h. An analysis was conducted using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), revealing acid derivatives as the predominant families of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The main off-flavor VOCs were 3,5,5-trimethyl-1-hexene, dimethyl-8-hydronaphtalen, 1-octen-3-ol, diethyl phthalate, 2-methylisoborneol, and a-isomethylionone. Maximum concentrations were observed at 0 h, exceeding 300 µg/g for diethyl phthalate and being less than 55 µg/g for the remaining VOCs. The content progressively decreased from that point on. The spectra obtained by NIRS highlighted differences between the cleaning depuration treatments, exhibiting discrimination among the samples studied (PC1 = 77.8%; PC2 = 11.3%). Finally, dimethyl 8-hydronaphtalen and 2-methylisoborneol were linearly correlated with NIRS data, with R 2 CV values of 0.94 and 0.96, espectively, and RMSECV values of 1.00 and 3.62 µg/g, respectively. Therefore, a clean water depuration system is appropriate to obtain fish with fewer off-flavor characteristics. Moreover, NIRS represents an accurate, inexpensive, and non-destructive technique to determine the optimal time for the water depuration of fish.This research was funded for the financial support (TENCAEX I (File No. 2253999FP001) and the Ref. GR21121—AGA008 projects) by the Regional Government of Extremadura and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER).peerReviewe

CAP y el desarrollo de las industrias del hierro y acero en Chile: 1946-1980

This paper provides the first comprehensive account of the development of the steel and iron industries in Chile during the 1940s-1970s, by focussing on CAP, which was created as a mixed company in 1946. Our main sources of information are the Annual and Financial Reports of the company. We show that CAP quickly became hegemonic in both industries, which was unusual within Latin America. The economic performance of CAP was impressive, while per capita steel consumption trebled in three decades. CAP resorted to resources long available but until then unexploited, overcoming previous failed attempts to launch the industry. This was down to strong state support, but also due to extensive cooperation with the private sector. The 1970s proved too turbulent for the company, due to political instability during the socialist Allende’s short term in office (1970-3), and the international crisis that hit the iron and steel industries after 1973.Este trabajo proporciona la primera revisión exhaustiva sobre el desarrollo de las industrias del hierro y acero en Chile durante las décadas de 1940 a 1970, centrándose en CAP, que fue creada como una empresa mixta en 1946. Nuestras principales fuentes de información fueron los informes Anuales y Financieros de la compañía. Mostramos que CAP ocupó rápidamente una posición hegemónica en ambas industrias, lo cual era inusual en América Latina. El desempeño económico de CAP fue impresionante, mientras que el consumo per cápita de acero se triplicó en tres décadas. CAP recurrió a recursos disponibles durante mucho tiempo, pero hasta entonces sin explotar, superando los fallidos intentos previos de lanzar la industria. Esto se debió a un fuerte apoyo estatal, pero también a la amplia cooperación con el sector privado. La década de 1970 resultó ser demasiado turbulenta para la empresa, debido a la inestabilidad política durante el corto mandato del socialista Allende (1970-3) y la crisis internacional que golpeó a las industrias siderúrgicas después de 1973.Este artigo fornece a primeira revisão abrangente do desenvolvimento das indústrias do ferro e do aço no Chile das décadas de 1940 a 1970, com foco na CAP, que foi criada como uma empresa mista em 1946. As nossas principais fontes de informação foram os relatórios Anuais e Financeiros da companhia. Mostramos que a CAP rapidamente ocupou uma posição hegemônica em ambas as indústrias, o que era incomum na América Latina. O desempenho económico da CAP foi impressionante, enquanto o consumo per capita de aço triplicou em três décadas. A CAP recorreu a recursos que estavam disponíveis há muito tempo, mas até então inexplorados, superando anteriores tentativas falhadas de lançar a indústria. Tal deveu-se a um forte apoio estatal, mas também a uma ampla cooperação com o setor privado. A década de 1970 revelou-se turbulenta demais para a empresa, devido à instabilidade política durante o curto mandato do socialista Allende (1970-3) e a crise internacional que atingiu as indústrias siderúrgicas após 1973.peerReviewe

New England’s Pinnacle: fostering quality entrepreneurial ecosystems

Funding for open access publishing: Universidad de Huelva/CBUA.Este artículo ha evaluado la dinámica de los ecosistemas emprendedores en los estados de EE. UU. Para ello, hemos utilizado la tasa de formación de startups (Startup Formation Rate, SFR) y el índice de calidad emprendedora (Entrepreneurial Quality Index, EQI) de un nuevo conjunto de datos llamado “Startup Cartography Project”, que abarca desde 1988 hasta 2014. Para este propósito, hemos aplicado el algoritmo de agrupamiento de clubes de Phillips y Sul (Econometrica 75:1771–1855, 2007, Econometrics 24:1153–1185, 2009) para identificar la existencia de convergencia absoluta o regional. Nuestros resultados sugieren la existencia de convergencia de dos y tres clubes, respectivamente. Más importante aún, al asistir al EQI, California y Massachusetts forman un club, lo que evidencia la importancia del emprendimiento de calidad sobre la cantidad. Además, desde un punto de vista geográfico, los clubes SFR muestran una distribución dispersa en todo el territorio nacional, mientras que los clubes EQI son más homogéneos. En este sentido, aplicamos la prueba Local Moran I al grupo EQI formado por California y Massachusetts para analizar los posibles efectos indirectos de estos estados a sus vecinos. Esto proporciona información valiosa para el diseño de políticas empresariales a diferentes niveles.This paper has assessed the dynamics of entrepreneurial ecosystems across the US states. To do this, we have used the Startup Formation Rate (SFR) and the Entrepreneurial Quality Index (EQI) from a novel data set called the Startup Cartography Project, which spans from 1988 to 2014. For this purpose, we have applied the Phillips and Sul (Econometrica 75:1771–1855, 2007, Econometrics 24:1153–1185, 2009)’s club clustering algorithm in order to identify the existence of absolute or regional convergence. Our results suggest the existence of two and three clubs convergence, respectively. More importantly, when attending EQI, California and Massachusetts form a club, which is evidence of the importance of quality entrepreneurship over quantity. Furthermore, from a geographical point of view, SFR clubs show a scattered distribution throughout the national territory, while the EQI clubs are more homogeneous. In this sense, we apply the Local Moran I test to the EQI club that is formed by California and Massachusetts to analyze the possible spillover efects of these states, to their neighbours. Finally, this gives valuable information for designing entrepreneur policies at diferent levels.peerReviewe

On initial value problems of fractal delay equations

Versión aceptada de artículo publicado en: Applied Mathematics and Computation, Volume 449, 127980, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amc.2023.127980.En este artículo, damos un breve resumen del cálculo fractal. Las ecuaciones diferenciales funcionales fractales se formulan como un marco que proporciona un modelo matemático para los fenómenos con tiempo y estructura fractales. Las ecuaciones diferenciales fractales retardadas, neutras y de retardo de renovación con coeficientes constantes se resuelven mediante el método de pasos y utilizando la transformada de Laplace. Las gráficas de soluciones se dan para mostrar los detalles.In this paper, we give a brief summary of fractal calculus. Fractal functional differential equations are formulated as a framework that provides a mathematical model for the phenomena with fractal time and fractal structure. Fractal retarded, neutral, and renewal delay differential equations with constant coefficients are solved by the method of steps and using Laplace transform. The graphs of solutions are given to show the details.peerReviewe

MCDA/F-DEMATEL/ICTs Method Under Uncertainty in Mathematics Education: How to Make a Decision with Flipped, Gamified, and Sustainable Criteria

Teaching and learning at universities are a significant challenge because of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, which demands substantial optimization of different types of education platforms. Here, as an important approach, the multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) method showed the possibility that could be designed and used in these uncertain environments. Even, in the mathematics education context, it is always necessary to identify the appropriate criteria and sub-criteria, which could adapt to these uncertain pedagogical changes since there are only a few cases to engage and activate its model in the academic area. Also, with amplified acceptance, a fruitful flipped and gamified methodology with sustainable development could support to advance the unreliable situations. This book chapter endeavoured to design and implement appropriate criteria for flipped, gamified, and sustainable mathematics education during uncertain environments such as COVDI-19 and possible incidents with a multi-criteria decision analysis/fuzzy-decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (MCDA/F-DEMATEL) method. In detail, it allocates flipped classrooms, and gamified information, communication, and technology (G-ICT) with sustainable development in university mathematics education after the professionals’, decision-makers, consultations, and recommendations. The definitive results after proper analyses could be appraised with the weighted linear combination (WLC) together with their weighted-coefficients’ calculation, and sensitivity-analysis. Here, as a case analysis, the results of the expert panel survey demonstrated that scenario (1) which was decided by the expert panel obtained 83% positive perception. Scenario (2) that assigned equal weight was the less preferred with 47% positive perception through the same expert panel survey. Consequently, the results indicated that this method proposed could be used to authenticate the most principal flipped and gamified mathematics education with sustainable development for adapting uncertain educational environments with education contexts corresponding to more long-term goals. Accordingly, decision-making glitches could be pertained by the method suggested at private industry levels, government sectors, and other academic subjects, which constantly requires continuous achievement of knowledge and dissemination for both certain and uncertain situations that might be encountered.The authors express their appreciation to the Ministry of Science and Innovation, Research Project (PID2020-115214RB-I00/AEI/https://doi.org/10.13039/501100011033) for making this research possible.peerReviewe

What do we know about how to prepare teachers for citizenship education in Mexico?

Este estudio representa un esfuerzo inicial por caracterizar qué es lo que se sabe -y qué no- sobre cómo formar docentes para la educación en ciudadanía en México. Se asume que esta pregunta, poco explorada hasta ahora, es necesaria para transformar dicha formación, y consecuentemente, la educación en ciudadanía en los niveles básicos. Utilizando un enfoque cualitativo y un método hermenéutico, se combinó el análisis documental de una selección bibliográfica con el de tres entrevistas a profundidad realizadas a personas formadoras de docentes con larga experiencia en el campo. Una conclusión es que el conocimiento sistematizado y fundamentado sobre cómo formar docentes para la educación en ciudadanía es limitado y que, en todo caso, puede inferirse más a partir de lo que se conoce sobre sus problemas, tales como su carácter excesivamente teórico, su dependencia en las propias experiencias de las y los formadores dentro del sistema educativo más que en enfoques especializados o actualizados, y las dificultades que representa practicar enfoques críticos y vivenciales de educación ciudadana en contextos institucionales rígidos y tradicionalistas. Sin embargo, los resultados también apuntan a posibles rumbos para revertir un status quo en la formación docente que parece trascender a las sucesivas reformas educativas, incluyendo la actual.This study represents an initial effort to characterize what is known -and what is not-about how to prepare teachers for citizenship education in Mexico. This scantly explored question is necessary to transform said training, and consequently, to transform citizenship education. Using a qualitative approach and a hermeneutic method, the documentary analysis of a bibliographic selection was combined with the analysis of three in-depth interviews carried out with teacher educators with extensive experience in the field. One conclusion is that the systematized and substantiated knowledge on how to prepare teachers for citizenship education is limited. More can be inferred from what is known about its problems, such as its excessively theoretical nature, its dependence on the teacher preparators’ own experiences within the educational system rather than specialized or updated approaches, and the difficulties of practicing critical and experiential approaches to citizenship education in rigid and traditionalist contexts. However, the results also point to possible directions to reverse a status quo in teacher preparation which seems to persist despite successive educational reforms, including the current one.peerReviewe

When intervals sing: a study of intonation and intervallic amplitudes in the field of violin education

La afinación de distintos tipos intervalos es una capacidad fundamental en el ámbito de los instrumentos de cuerda frotada en general, y del violín en particular. La presente investigación, partiendo de un ejercicio creado ad hoc, ha observado, registrado y analizado la afinación de 53 estudiantes de violín matriculados en distintos conservatorios de la Comunidad Autónoma de Extremadura. Se pretende determinar en qué medida se ajusta la afinación de los participantes a las proporciones que se derivan del sistema de temperamento igual, observar cómo influye la direccionalidad de los intervalos en dichas proporciones, y estimar cómo la afinación puede verse influenciada por el curso o nivel académico de los integrantes de la muestra. Los resultados sugieren que una buena parte de los intervalos ejecutados no se ajustan a las proporciones que se derivan del sistema temperado, existiendo aparentes inclinaciones a otros sistemas como son el puro o el pitagórico. Asimismo, se ha observado que la direccionalidad de los distintos intervalos pudo influir en cómo éstos fueron afinados, registrándose en algunos casos diferencias significativas tanto a nivel estadístico como a nivel acústico. Tales resultados conllevan una serie de implicaciones a nivel pedagógico y artístico, entre las cuales cabría destacar el potencialmente contraproducente uso del afinador electrónico estándar, la existencia y validez de modelos de afinación alternativos al temperamento igual, o la importancia de una técnica depurada de mano izquierda.Intonation of different types of intervals is a fundamental ability in the field of stringed instruments in general, and of the violin in particular. This research, based on an ad hoc intonation exercise, has observed, registered, and analyzed the intonation of 53 violin students enrolled in different music schools located Autonomous Region of Extremadura, Spain. The aim is to determine to what extent the intonation of the participants conformed to equal-temperament-derived proportions, to observe how the direction of the intervals may have shaped such proportions, and to estimate how intonation may have been influenced by the course or academic level of the individuals in the sample. Results suggest that a good deal of the analysed intervals do not adjust to the proportions derived from equal temperament, thus showing apparent inclinations towards other systems such as just intonation, or Pythagorean intonation. Likewise, it has been observed that the direction of the different intervals may have influenced the way they were played. In this respect, some cases show differences which are significant both statistically and acoustically. Such results entail a number of pedagogical and artistic implications, including the potentially counterproductive use of the standard electronic tuner, the existence and validity intonation models alternative to equal temperament, and the importance of a polished left-hand technique.Este estudio se lleva a cabo en el marco del proyecto de investigación «Innovaciones teórico prácticas aplicadas a la investigación interdisciplinar en Educación Artística (HUMO34)», financiado por la Junta de Extremadura (Consejería de Economía, Ciencia y Agenda Digital) y la Unión Europea «Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional» (FEDER). Ayuda GR21114.peerReviewe

Desarrollo de nuevas tecnologías de producción agrícola sostenible basadas en una gestión eficiente de los recursos

Programa de doctorado en Ciencia de los AlimentosEn este trabajo se estudia el manejo de la fertilización nitrogenada en cultivos de tomate, pimiento y brócoli en Extremadura, España, donde estos cultivos hortícolas tienen un papel muy importante en la economía de la región. El cultivo intensivo de hortícolas representa uno de los factores principales de la contaminación de las aguas subterráneas debido a la lixiviación de nitratos que ha provocado que zonas de la Vega del Guadiana hayan sido declaradas zonas vulnerables por contaminación de aguas subterráneas. El primer capítulo aborda la fertilización en el cultivo de pimiento y el desarrollo de una curva crítica de nitrógeno específica para optimizar la dosis de nitrógeno. Los ensayos muestran que bajo las condiciones del estudio la aplicación de fertilizantes más allá de 120 kg N/ha no mejora el rendimiento, y un manejo eficiente reduce el riesgo ambiental de lixiviación. El segundo capítulo se enfoca en caracterizar el estado nutricional de los cultivos de pimiento, brócoli y tomate mediante sensores de medida rápida que miden el contenido en clorofila o contenido de nitrato en savia, comparándolos con medidas de referencia como el índice de nutrición nitrogenada (NNI). Estos métodos permiten un monitoreo rápido y ayudan a ajustar la fertilización nitrogenada en función de la demanda real del cultivo. El capítulo concluye que ambas medidas rápidas conseguían discriminar estado nutricional de los cultivos, excepto la medida de clorofila en brócoli, pero que NNI no funcionó como referencia para la validación de estas medidas en condiciones al aire libre en Extremadura para estos 3 cultivos, seguramente por no disponer de un amplio rango de valores de estado nutricional de los cultivos. El tercer capítulo se centra en adaptar el modelo VegSyst para pimiento y brócoli en campo abierto, evaluando variables como la producción de materia seca (DMP) y la eficiencia en el uso de la radiación y la transpiración (RUE y TUE). Esta adaptación del modelo tiene como objetivo poder incorporarlo a un sistema de ayuda a la toma de decisiones que permita optimizar la fertilización cubriendo las necesidades del cultivo. En conjunto, estos estudios proponen estrategias de fertilización basadas en modelos y monitorización nutricional, promoviendo prácticas agrícolas sostenibles en sistemas hortícolas intensivosThis work studies the management of nitrogen fertilization in tomato, bell pepper and broccoli crops in Extremadura, Spain, where these horticultural crops play a very important role in the economy of the region. The intensive cultivation of horticultural crops represents one of the main causes of groundwater pollution due to nitrate leaching, which has led to areas of the Vega del Guadiana being declared vulnerable zones for groundwater pollution. The first chapter deals with fertilization of sweet pepper and the development of a specific critical nitrogen curve to optimize nitrogen dosage. The experiments show that under the conditions of the study, fertilization above 120 kg N/ha does not improve yield, and efficient management reduces the environmental risk of leaching. The second chapter focuses on characterizing the nutritional status of pepper, broccoli and tomato crops using rapid-measurement sensors that measure chlorophyll or nitrate content in sap, compared with reference measures such as the Nitrogen Nutrition Index (NNI). These methods allow rapid monitoring and help to match nitrogen fertilization to actual crop needs. The chapter concludes that both rapid measures were able to discriminate the nutritional status of the crops, except for the chlorophyll measurement in broccoli, but that the NNI did not work as a reference for the validation of these measures in outdoor conditions in Extremadura for these 3 crops, probably because a wide range of crop nutritional status values was not available. The third chapter focuses on the adaptation of the VegSyst model for sweet pepper and broccoli in open field conditions, evaluating variables such as dry matter production (DMP) and radiation and transpiration use efficiency (RUE and TUE). The aim of this adaptation of the model is to incorporate it into a decision support system to optimize fertilization according to crop needs. Together, these studies propose model-based fertilization strategies and nutrient monitoring to promote sustainable agricultural practices in intensive horticultural system