Engineering, on-demand manufacturing, and scaling-up ofpolymeric nanocapsules

Polymeric nanocapsules are versatile delivery systems with the capacity to load lipophilic drugs in their oily nucleus and hydrophilic drugs in their polymeric shell. The objective of this work was to expand the technological possibilities to prepare customized nanocapsules. First, we adapted the solvent displacement technique to modulate the particle size of the resulting nanocapsules in the 50–500 nm range. We also produced nanosystems with a shell made of one or multiple polymer layers i.e. chitosan, dextran sulphate, hyaluronate, chondroitin sulphate, and alginate. In addition, we identified the conditions to translate the process into a miniaturized high-throughput tailor-made fabrication that enables massive screening of formulations. Finally, the production of the nanocapsules was scaled-up both in a batch production, and also using microfluidics. The versatility of the properties of these nanocapsules and their fabrication technologies is expected to propel their advance from bench to clinicThis work was funded by CDTI (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation) and (Fondo Tecnológico Xunta de Galicia, FEDER funds) COLIVAC-FEDER INNTERCONECTA-2012-CE277 and Grupos de referencia competitiva (ED431C 2017/09, Xunta de Galicia)S

A Survey of Fuzzy Systems Software: Taxonomy, Current Research Trends, and Prospects

Fuzzy systems have been used widely thanks to their ability to successfully solve a wide range of problems in different application fields. However, their replication and application require a high level of knowledge and experience. Furthermore, few researchers publish the software and/or source code associated with their proposals, which is a major obstacle to scientific progress in other disciplines and in industry. In recent years, most fuzzy system software has been developed in order to facilitate the use of fuzzy systems. Some software is commercially distributed, but most software is available as free and open-source software, reducing such obstacles and providing many advantages: quicker detection of errors, innovative applications, faster adoption of fuzzy systems, etc. In this paper, we present an overview of freely available and open-source fuzzy systems software in order to provide a well-established framework that helps researchers to find existing proposals easily and to develop well-founded future work. To accomplish this, we propose a two-level taxonomy, and we describe the main contributions related to each field. Moreover, we provide a snapshot of the status of the publications in this field according to the ISI Web of Knowledge. Finally, some considerations regarding recent trends and potential research directions are presentedThis work was supported in part by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness under Grants TIN2014-56633-C3-3-R and TIN2014-57251-P, the Andalusian Government under Grants P10-TIC-6858 and P11-TIC-7765, and the GENIL program of the CEI BioTIC GRANADA under Grant PYR-2014-2S

Using nanotechnology to deliver biomolecules from nose to brain — peptides, proteins, monoclonal antibodies and RNA

There is a growing number of biomolecules, including peptides, proteins, monoclonal antibodies and RNA, that could be potentially used for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. However, the realization of their potential is being hampered by the extraordinary difculties these complex biomolecules have to reach the brain in therapeutically meaningful amounts. Nose-to-brain (N-to-B) delivery is now being investigated as a potential option for the direct transport of biomolecules from the nasal cavity to diferent brain areas. Here, we discuss how diferent technological approaches enhance this N-to-B transport, with emphasis on those that have shown a potential for clinical translation. We also analyse how the physicochemical properties of nanocarriers and their modifcation with cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) and targeting ligands afect their efcacy as N-to-B carriers for biomoleculesS

Engineering Anisotropic Meniscus: Zonal Functionality and Spatiotemporal Drug Delivery

This document is the preprint manuscript version of a published work that appeared in final form in Tissue Engineering Part B: Reviews, Copyright 2020, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see: https://doi.org/10.1089/ten.teb.2020.0096Human meniscus is a fibrocartilaginous structure that is crucial for an adequate performance of the human knee joint. Degeneration of the meniscus is often followed by partial or total meniscectomy, which enhances the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis. The lack of a satisfactory treatment for this condition has triggered a major interest in drug delivery (DD) and tissue engineering (TE) strategies intended to restore a bioactive and fully functional meniscal tissue. The aim of this review is to critically discuss the most relevant studies on spatiotemporal DD and TE, aiming for a multizonal meniscal reconstruction. Indeed, the development of meniscal tissue implants should involve a provision for adequate active molecules and scaffold features that take into account the anisotropic ultrastructure of human meniscus. This zonal differentiation is reflected in the meniscus biochemical composition, collagen fiber arrangement, and cell distribution. In this sense, it is expected that a proper combination of advanced DD and zonal TE strategies will play a key role in the future trends in meniscus regenerationThis project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 814444 (MEFISTO); and from Xunta de Galicia’s Grupos de referencia competitiva (grant number ED431C 2017/09

Radio does not die on the air: Podcasting and on-demand broadcast strategies among speech-based radio stations

In recent decades, speech-based radio stations in Spain, whose programmes have been aimed at the general public, have transformed their on-demand content broadcasting strategy by incorporating audio processes in the form of podcasts, followed by transmission through websites, aggregators and applications. The overall objective of this article is to provide a detailed account of the evolution and scope of the podcast as an on-demand distribution channel for speech-based Spanish radio broadcasters, and to reveal how this format is changing the approaches taken by the most prominent national radio stations [Cadena SER, COPE, Onda Cero, and Radio Nacional de España (RNE)], with special emphasis on prime-time morning shows. The methodology employed combines quantitative and qualitative techniques along with an analysis of the content uploaded to the website of these morning programmes, which are part of the weekly programming cycle, together with semi-structured interviews using closed-ended questions that have been given to the main heads of programming and digital areas of the broadcasters under study. The results show that radio stations have incorporated podcast distribution into their usual routine in order to give new life to the content emitted, with the aim of serving both traditional users as well as new generations of digitised native listeners. In addition, they process daily content in an increasingly systematic way, on the basis of a model of mixed management coordination between programmes and digital areas. Similarly, broadcasters have made considerable progress in the measurement and analysis of the time-shifted audience, as well as in broadcast multiplication techniques using push notifications, social media, and monetisation

Didáctica de las tecnologías ubicuas para su “uso responsable”

Hoy los jóvenes en edad escolar usan los dispositivos tecnológicos móviles casi indistintamente en sus hogares, en sus respectivos entornos de ocio e incluso en los centros escolares. El uso es intensivo y extensivo, con lo que se contribuye a borrar un poco más los límites entre los diferentes ámbitos institucionales. Ahora bien, estos dispositivos en manos de los jóvenes son sometidos a una variedad de usos. El espectro va desde el uso solidario, de ocio, de acceso a ciertos servicios, incluidos los de carácter lúdico, de comunicación y reivindicación política como estamos viendo en estos momentos, hasta los que tienen un carácter más transgresor, en unos casos por la creatividad puesta de manifiesto y en otras por infringir alguna disposición normativa. Al margen de la casuística de la que a diario se hacen eco los medios de comunicación, cabe plantearse si desde el currículo escolar cabe hacer algo, si es posible ofrecerles a los estudiantes una formación sobre el “uso responsable” de los medios. Planteamiento que ha de trascender los planteamientos punitivos o de censura, entre otras razones porque ofertas de este tipo ya hay muchas

Devices and digitized content in Primary Education

Due to the latest changes in our society, it is necessary to offer students of different school stages new skills and abilities in line with current challenges. The digitization of curricular contents, the web accessibility and the use of mobile devices in the classrooms constitute one of the conditions to establish the new pedagogical order that is demanded for schools in the 21st century (Lindgren, 2015; Mishra & Koehler, 2006; Unesco, 2012). Education professionals must be aware that changing the media to transmit the curriculum content does not guarantee the achievement of good academic results. All of this makes us wonder: to what extent the presence of technologies can stimulate changes in teaching models? And, what are the functions of digital content in schools? Undoubtedly, the different administrations have been, for years, promoting experimental programs that promote the transfer of technologies to school systems (e.g. Digital Culture Plan at School). Among these programs, we highlight those that provide technological equipment and Internet access in educational centers and, on the other hand, those that introduce the use of mobile devices, such as tablets, for curriculum development in the classroom. Both lines of action are linked to guidelines laid down by the field of production and distribution of digital content (Bustamante, 2011). The presence of these technologies affects both the design and development of the curriculum (Gimeno, 2015) and the management of the institution. In fact, the migration of content in traditional format ­­—the textbook— to the digital one is linked to the demand to facilitate a new model of government in the centers. The “management revolution”, as Ducker (1993, p. 51) points out, has succeeded in placing “management” first, leaving “the factors of production” in the background. Management is "providing knowledge to find out how existing knowledge can be applied to produce results". The inclusion of tablets in classrooms, along with other didactic resources, does not lead to the consolidation of a non-hierarchical management model, as Díaz, Civís y Longás (2013, p. 219) point out. It is alluded to a management model where centralized control is maintained, in which accountability is presented through continuous assessments of contents, formats and knowledge produced and reproduced in classrooms. In this contribution we present the evolution of a research that analyzes the implementation of digital devices and the transformation of curricular contents. This research begins in a pre-competitive research project funded by the University of Valencia, where the transfer of technologies is studied as a resource that offers to the educational institution a new organizational and management system. Specifically, it offers the analysis of the transition from the traditional textbook to the digital one. Once finished, we tackle a new project of the National R&D&I Plan (Escuel@ Digit@l, EDU2015-64593-R), which continues the objective of analyzing the current state of production, distribution and use of didactic materials in digital format

Novel Hyaluronic Acid-Chitosan Nanoparticles for Ocular Gene Therapy

purpose. Gene therapy offers a promising alternative for the treatment of ocular diseases. However, the implementation of this type of therapy is actually hampered by the lack of an efficient ocular gene delivery carrier. The main objective of the present work was to assess the effectiveness and investigate the mechanism of action of a new type of nanoparticle made of two bioadhesive polysaccharides, hyaluronic acid (HA) and chitosan (CS), intended for the delivery of genes to the cornea and conjunctiva. methods. The nanoparticles were obtained by a very mild ionotropic gelation technique. They were loaded with either the model plasmid pEGFP or pβ-gal. Transfection and toxicological studies were conducted in human corneal epithelial (HCE) and normal human conjunctival (IOBA-NHC) cell lines. The mechanism of internalization of the nanoparticles by the corneal and conjunctival cells was investigated by using fluorescence confocal microscopy. results. The nanoparticles had a size in the range of 100 to 235 nm and a ζ-potential of −30 to +28 mV. The results of the transfection studies showed that HA-CS nanoparticles were able to provide high transfection levels (up to 15% of cells transfected), without affecting cell viability. The confocal images indicated that HA-CS nanoparticles were internalized by fluid endocytosis and that this endocytic process was mediated by the hyaluronan receptor CD44. conclusions. The results give evidence of the potential of HA-CS nanoparticles for the targeting and further transfer of genes to the ocular surfaceS

Análisis de la industria editorial y Protocolo para la selección del libro de texto en formato digital

El presente trabajo se concreta en el análisis de las dimensiones que configuran las estrategias de la industria editorial en el proceso de implementación del libro de texto digital en los niveles de enseñanza obligatoria de la Comunidad Valenciana. La metodología utilizada combina técnicas cuantitativas y cualitativas donde se examinan tres dimensiones que configuran las estrategias de la industria editorial: la tecnológica, la pedagógica y la comercial. Entre los procedimientos utilizados destacamos las entrevistas, encuestas, grupos de discusión y análisis de documentos. En cuanto a los resultados obtenidos señalamos la necesidad del diálogo con responsables del sector editorial para comprender la problemática actual; comprobamos una gran diversidad en formatos, soportes y marcas; todos coinciden en la necesidad de crear equipos pedagógicos de asesoramiento en las editoriales. Desde el análisis realizado presentamos el diseño de un Protocolo configurado por una serie de criterios pedagógicos, tecnológicos y económicos para facilitar al profesorado la selección de los materiales didácticos curriculares en formato digital. Tarea que conlleva una de las decisiones más importantes en el planteamiento pedagógico del docente y, en consecuencia, en las prácticas de aula. Estamos ante un trabajo abierto por lo que es preciso seguir indagando en cómo la industria editorial, tan celosa de sus patentes, resuelve la comercialización del acceso al conocimiento, en qué medios y en qué variedad de soportes

Aromatics from Lignin through Ultrafast Reactions in Water

Producción CientíficaNowadays, the valorization of lignin, the major natural source of aromatics in earth, is being a challenge for the scientific community. In this study, kraft lignin is effectively converted into aromatic monomers by ultrafast depolymerization in hot and pressurized water. At reaction times below 500 ms, it is possible to avoid char formation originated from undesirable condensation reactions by controlling accurately the reaction time. Under alkaline medium, the reaction reaches an optimum point at 386ºC and 300 ms with a light oil yield of 60% with a concentration in key compounds such as guaiacol, creosol, vanillin and acetovanillone of around 20 %w/w. The char formation in this point was surprisingly low (4 %w/w). Analysis and quantification of the products allows to identify the evolution of the different reaction steps and propose plausible mechanism for the depolymerization and repolymerization stages. Furthermore, it is proven that the proposed technology is equally effective to treat directly industrial black liquors with a yield higher than 50% to light oil, containing as main monomers guaiacol (2.7%), syringol (3.0%) and syringaldehyde (7.3%).2020-02-152020-02-15Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (Project CTQ2016-79777-R)Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte (Proyect FPU15/00409