Surviving the Modernist Paradigm: a fresh approach to the singular art of Anglada-Camarasa, from Symbolism to Abstraction

This thesis deals with the Spanish artist Anglada-Camarasa (Barcelona, 1871- Palma de Mallorca, 1959) during the twenty years he lived in Paris: 1894-1914, when he enjoyed overwhelming international success. Until the 1980s, there was little institutional interest in his work and, hence, a dearth of literature on him. In my thesis I first offer an explanation of this state of affairs and then attempt a re-evaluation of his work. My explanation is articulated within the framework provided by the interpretation of early twentieth-century art history, originated in the 1970s, which emerged as an alternative to the dominating one defended by Modernist Paradigm supporters. In my discussion I situate Anglada's development within the cultural currents of his time and show how he found pictorial solutions to some of the artistic concerns of his contemporaries. Once the origins of the main features of Anglada's technique are firmly grasped, both in relation to subject matter and to pictorial means, it becomes much easier to understand his success, especially among his Russian admirers. Some of these, such as Meyerhold and Diaghilev, who were leading figures of the Russian cultural world and who were well known for their pioneering taste, found inspiration in Anglada's work for their innovations. Against the background of this historical and artistic analysis, I try to demonstrate that Anglada's figurative style influenced also Kandinsky's long transition into Abstraction, especially during the latter's stay in Murnau, before World War I, which constituted his most productive years. My overarching aim in carrying out this original investigation is to locate Anglada in the place he deserves in the beginning of the twentieth-century History of Art. By doing this, I hope not only to contribute to the still much-debated character of this period. But, more importantly, I hope to make Anglada better known, for the beauty of his work that expresses his faith in mankind potential which deserves to be given much closer attention

Direct Measurement of the Nanomechanical Stability of a Redox Protein Active Site and Its Dependence upon Metal Binding

The structural basis of the low reorganization energy of cupredoxins has long been debated. These proteins reconcile a conformationally heterogeneous and exposed metal-chelating site with the highly rigid copper center required for efficient electron transfer. Here we combine single-molecule mechanical unfolding experiments with statistical analysis and computer simulations to show that the metal-binding region of apo-azurin is mechanically flexible and that high mechanical stability is imparted by copper binding. The unfolding pathway of the metal site depends on the pulling residue and suggests that partial unfolding of the metal binding site could be facilitated by the physical interaction with certain regions of the redox protein.We are grateful to A. Donaire and I. Díez-Pérez for discussions, and to the Catalan government (grant 2014SGR-1251), the Spanish government (grant CTQ2013-43892R) and the European Research Council (PELE ERC-2009-Adg 25027) for financial support.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

NIRS potential use for the determination of natural resources quality from dehesa (acorn and grass) in Montanera system for Iberian pigs.

NIRS technology has been used as an alternative to conventional methods to determinate the content of nutrients of acorns and grass from dehesa ecosystem. Dry matter (DM), crude fat (CF), crude protein (CP), starch, total phenolic compounds (TP), α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, fatty acids, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), total antioxidant activity (TAA) and total energy (TE) were determined by conventional methods for later development of NIRS predictive equations. The NIR spectrum of each sample was collected and for all studied parameters, a predictive model was obtained and external validated. Good prediction equations were obtained for moisture, crude fat, crude protein, total energy and γ-tocopherol in acorns samples, with high coefficients of correlation (1-VR) and low standard error of prediction (SEP) (1-VR=0.81, SEP=2.62; 1-VR=0.92, SEP=0.54; 1-VR=0.86, SEP=0.47; 1-VR=0.84, SEP=0.2; 1-VR=0.88, SEP=5.4, respectively) and crude protein, NDF, α-tocopherol and linolenic acid content in grass samples (1-VR=0.9, SEP=1.99; 1-VR=0.87, SEP=4.13; 1-VR=0.76, SEP=10.9; 1-VR=0.82, SEP=0.6, respectively). Therefore, these prediction models could be used to determinate the nutritional composition of Montanera natural resources

Growth curve estimation for retinto beef cattle: practice aspects for tipification of weights

The growth curve in Retinto cattle from Extremadura and Andalusia is studied, taking in account the birthing sequence, season and type of birth, type of mating and offsprings sex. The function of lineal regression, Weight = 39.043 + 0.909 Age, was fitted. Excepting birth and mating types all other effects were significant in the growth curve.Se analiza la curva de crecimiento hasta el destete en dos lotes de animales procedentes de rebaños andaluces y extremeños de ganado vacuno Retinto. El mejor ajuste general corresponde a la regresión lineal de acuerdo con la ecuación: Peso = 39,043 + 0,909 Edad. Se estudió el efecto del lote, número, estación y tipo de parto, tipo de cubrición y sexo de la cría. Todos, salvo tipo de parto y cubrición, fueron significativos

Sensory profile of beef meat of retinta breed from two livestock production system during ageing

The growing consumers’ interest in quality differentiated products, not only in terms of sensory and nutritional quality but also in terms of parameters such as animal welfare, product origin and production system, makes necessary to research the importance of autochthonous breeds, raised in more sustai-nable extensive systems, where welfare levels are often high. Additionally, it is well known that ageing is one of the main factors that has influence in the final quality of beef meat. Therefore, this work aimed to study the sensorial profile of organoleptic attributes of Retinta autochthonous breed from two livestock production systems (intensive and extensive) at 7 days and 14 days of ageing. Mo-reover, a consumer’s assessment was also carried out. Findings showed that the extensive production system improved the quality parameters (tenderness, juiciness and oiliness) of beef meat. The texture parameters were the first to change during the first days of ageing. Regarding the hedonic study, the consumers did not show a clear preference and/or acceptance for any sample, which could indicate that the production systems did not result in a differentiated quality at the organoleptic level by the con-sumers. It is necessary to promote higher knowledge about the organoleptic attributes which must be considered in the consumption of quality beef, so that the production system can be taken into account in the purchase decision by the consumers.Este trabajo fue financiado por el proyecto RTA 2014-00034-C04-00 (INIA-AEI) y fondos FEDERPeer reviewe

Impact of the pre-slaughter transport (mixing or no mixing with unfamiliar animals) of calves of Asturiana de los Valles and Retinta breeds on physicochemical and organoleptic attributes of the ageing meat. Consumers’ acceptability and preference

As ageing process is one of the main factors influencing the organoleptic characteristics of meat and its consumer acceptability, the objective of this research was to study the organoleptic attributes variation of meat from Asturiana de los Valles and Retinta breeds at two times of the ageing process (7 and 14 days) under different pre-slaughter transport conditions (mixing and non-mixing with unfamiliar animals). A descriptive sensory analysis was carried out with a trained panel and the acceptability and preference for ageing meat of these two breeds were analysed with 75 consumers, as well as a study on the factors that influence the purchase decision to this type of meat. The breed and mixing with unfamiliar animals before slaughter affected significantly at instrumental tenderness. The intensity of the attributes related to the texture showed significant differences among studied samples at 7 days of ageing, with an increase in tenderness, juiciness and fibrousness while at 14 days of ageing, odour, beef flavour, liver flavour and smoothness also showed significant differences. The results indicated that the organoleptic attributes changed in intensity during ageing time, therefore, we can conclude that the attributes of tenderness, juiciness, smoothness, fibrousness, odour, beef flavour and liver flavour showed significant differences among samples and could be considered sensory indicators of ageing. The type of pre-slaughter transport (with or without mixing with unknown animals) also influenced the intensity of the sensory attributes, but less markedly than the breed effect. It was also observed that consumers prefer the meat of the Asturiana de los Valles breed aged for 14 days, despite among the factors that most influence the meat purchase decision, the ageing time was not present. Regarding purchasing habits, a relationship was observed between the meat purchase format and sale point. Overall, it is necessary to promote greater knowledge among consumers about the importance of ageing in beef quality.Este trabajo fue financiado por el proyecto RTA 2014-00034-C00 (INIA-AEI) y fondos FE- DERPeer reviewe

Salvaging diabetic foot through debridement, pressure alleviation, metabolic control, and antibiotics

ABSTRACT There is a fatalist perception of diabetic foot because the argument of ''small-vessel disease'' prevails. This is the report of a cohort study of patients facing a formal recommendation for major foot amputation to assess how many can be saved with a conventional treatment, defined as debridement, pressure alleviation, metabolic control, and antibiotics. The primary efficacy measurement was the salvage of the limb at the follow-up visit between 25 and 35 days after the first consultation. The secondary efficacy measurement was the subsequent epithelization of the ulcerative lesions, following patients for up to 270 days. The cohort consisted of 105 type 2 diabetic patients; 87 (83%) had severe lesions. A total of 71 patients (68%) required hospitalization. By the intention-to-treat analysis, 89 patients (85%) avoided major amputation. A total of 88 patients were evaluated for complete epithelization, reaching median success by day 120. Overall, 51 patients (49%) underwent minor amputations. It was concluded that there is a high rate of unnecessary major foot amputations, because a diabetic foot can be salvaged across the continuum of severity when patients receive care in a multidisciplinary wound clinic

Optogenetic Mimicry of the Transient Activation of Dopamine Neurons by Natural Reward Is Sufficient for Operant Reinforcement

Activation of dopamine receptors in forebrain regions, for minutes or longer, is known to be sufficient for positive reinforcement of stimuli and actions. However, the firing rate of dopamine neurons is increased for only about 200 milliseconds following natural reward events that are better than expected, a response which has been described as a “reward prediction error” (RPE). Although RPE drives reinforcement learning (RL) in computational models, it has not been possible to directly test whether the transient dopamine signal actually drives RL. Here we have performed optical stimulation of genetically targeted ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons expressing Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) in mice. We mimicked the transient activation of dopamine neurons that occurs in response to natural reward by applying a light pulse of 200 ms in VTA. When a single light pulse followed each self-initiated nose poke, it was sufficient in itself to cause operant reinforcement. Furthermore, when optical stimulation was delivered in separate sessions according to a predetermined pattern, it increased locomotion and contralateral rotations, behaviors that are known to result from activation of dopamine neurons. All three of the optically induced operant and locomotor behaviors were tightly correlated with the number of VTA dopamine neurons that expressed ChR2, providing additional evidence that the behavioral responses were caused by activation of dopamine neurons. These results provide strong evidence that the transient activation of dopamine neurons provides a functional reward signal that drives learning, in support of RL theories of dopamine function

Effect of ketogenic mediterranean diet with phytoextracts and low carbohydrates/high-protein meals on weight, cardiovascular risk factors, body composition and diet compliance in Italian council employees

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There has been increased interest in recent years in very low carbohydrate ketogenic diets (VLCKD) that, even though they are much discussed and often opposed, have undoubtedly been shown to be effective, at least in the short to medium term, as a tool to tackle obesity, hyperlipidemia and some cardiovascular risk factors. For this reason the ketogenic diet represents an interesting option but unfortunately suffers from a low compliance. The aim of this pilot study is to ascertain the safety and effects of a modified ketogenic diet that utilizes ingredients which are low in carbohydrates but are formulated to simulate its aspect and taste and also contain phytoextracts to add beneficial effects of important vegetable components.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study group consisted of 106 Rome council employees with a body mass index of ≥ 25, age between 18 and 65 years (19 male and 87 female; mean age 48.49 ± 10.3). We investigated the effects of a modified ketogenic diet based on green vegetables, olive oil, fish and meat plus dishes composed of high quality protein and virtually zero carbohydrate but which mimic their taste, with the addition of some herbal extracts (KEMEPHY ketogenic Mediterranean with phytoextracts). Calories in the diet were unlimited. Measurements were taken before and after 6 weeks of diet.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were no significant changes in BUN, ALT, AST, GGT and blood creatinine. We detected a significant (p < 0.0001) reduction in BMI (31.45 Kg/m²to 29.01 Kg/m²), body weight (86.15 kg to 79.43 Kg), percentage of fat mass (41.24% to 34.99%), waist circumference (106.56 cm to 97.10 cm), total cholesterol (204 mg/dl to 181 mg/dl), LDLc (150 mg/dl to 136 mg/dl), triglycerides (119 mg/dl to 93 mg/dl) and blood glucose (96 mg/dl to 91 mg/dl). There was a significant (p < 0.0001) increase in HDLc (46 mg/dl to 52 mg/dl).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The KEMEPHY diet lead to weight reduction, improvements in cardiovascular risk markers, reduction in waist circumference and showed good compliance.</p