Analysis of visual metaphors in social media

Treball Final de Grau en Estudis Anglesos. Codi: EA0938. Curs acadèmic: 2016/2017From a Cogntive Linguistics point of view, a metaphor was understood as a tool that allows us to understand one conceptual domain in terms of another (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980). Originally, metaphors were only considered from a verbal perspective. Later on, a whole new wave of research appeared to show that metaphors could also be explored from a different view. This research gave birth to a new concept called metaphor and modality. This concept's main focus was that in monomodal metaphors, the source and the target domain was exposed in the same mode whereas in multimodal metaphors, the source and the target domain were presented in different modes. Thus, the present paper aims to present a qualitative analysis of pictorial metaphors in social media. The goal of this analysis is to show that social media influences our perception of the world and often manipulates us and makes us captive of their use. In order to do so, I make use of a corpus of 6 pictorial metaphors and offer a comprehensive cognitive analysis of them. These images emphasize the manipulation of social media and techonology in today's society. Nevertheless, because the length of this paper is very limited, a more extended research would be useful to enrich the findings of this study

Do Core Competences Make Performance in Regional SMEs?

Texto dispoñible en galego e españolAs competencias básicas son características das empresas que lles permiten situarse en mellor posición que os seus competidores. Partindo da teoría de recursos e capacidades é habitual considerar que esas competencias, que se forman a partir de factores internos e externos das empresas, se combinan mediante a estratexia. Este traballo, mediante unha análise de traxectorias, analiza se as competencias básicas xeran mellor desempeño, para o cal partimos de cinco grandes competencias básicas: xestión de recursos humanos e tecnolóxicos, xestión de recursos territoriais, xestión de clientes, xestión de produtos e innovación. Móstrase que só a innovación ten efectos directos sobre os resultados percibidos polos empresarios, mentres que o resto dos recursos considerados presenta efectos indirectos a través da innovaciónLas competencias básicas son características de las empresas que les permiten situarse en mejor posición que sus competidores. Partiendo de la teoría de recursos y capacidades es habitual considerar que esas competencias, que se forman a partir de factores internos y externos de las empresas, se combinan mediante la estrategia. Este trabajo, mediante un análisis de trayectorias, analiza si las competencias básicas generan mejor desempeño, para lo cual partimos de cinco grandes competencias básicas: gestión de recursos humanos y tecnológicos, gestión de recursos territoriales, gestión de clientes, gestión de productos e innovación. Se muestra que solo la innovación tiene efectos directos sobre los resultados percibidos por los empresarios, mientras que el resto de los recursos considerados presenta efectos indirectos a través de la innovaciónCore competencies are firm characteristics that allow them to be in a better position than its competitors. Based on the resources based view theory is usual to consider that these competencies are formed from internal and external factors of business, combined by the strategy. This paper analyzes whether core competencies improve performance by a trajectory analysis. Party of five major core competencies: human and technological resources management, land resources management, customer management, product management and innovation. It shows that only innovation has a direct impact on the results received by employers. The rest of the competencies involved has indirect effects through innovationS

Capital intelectual y ventajas competitivas en pymes basadas en recursos naturales de Latinoamérica

El enfoque de capital intelectual sugiere que este es fuente de ventajas competitivas. Las pequeñas y medianas empresas (pymes) basadas en recursos naturales son una importante fuente de crecimiento en las economías latinoamericanas; sin embargo, presentan limitaciones de capital intelectual, lo que puede afectar su competitividad. Este trabajo analiza el proceso de generación de ventajas competitivas en estas pymes y, de modo especial, cuál es el efecto de los diferentes componentes de capital intelectual sobre el desempeño empresarial. El modelo teórico se estudia para el caso de pymes madereras de Oberá (Argentina). Los resultados sugieren que las pymes basadas en recursos naturales utilizan el capital intelectual junto con otros recursos para generar capacidades organizativas que, unidas al territorio, afectan a sus factores estratégicos, lo que les permite obtener mejores resultados. Dentro de ese modelo, se determinan elementos del capital humano (la actitud, la formación y las capacidades del personal), del capital estructural (la cultura la tecnología y la organización interna de la empresa) y del capital relacional (las relaciones con clientes y proveedores, la cooperación y la imagen de la empresa). Estos elementos mejoran las capacidades organizativas que son fuente de ventaja competitiva

Capital intelectual y ventajas competitivas en pymes basadas en recursos naturales de Latinoamérica

El enfoque de capital intelectual sugiere que este es fuente de ventajas competitivas. Las pequeñas y medianas empresas (pymes) basadas en recursos naturales son una importante fuente de crecimiento en las economías latinoamericanas; sin embargo, presentan limitaciones de capital intelectual, lo que puede afectar su competitividad. Este trabajo analiza el proceso de generación de ventajas competitivas en estas pymes y, de modo especial, cuál es el efecto de los diferentes componentes de capital intelectual sobre el desempeño empresarial. El modelo teórico se estudia para el caso de pymes madereras de Oberá (Argentina). Los resultados sugieren que las pymes basadas en recursos naturales utilizan el capital intelectual junto con otros recursos para generar capacidades organizativas que, unidas al territorio, afectan a sus factores estratégicos, lo que les permite obtener mejores resultados. Dentro de ese modelo, se determinan elementos del capital humano (la actitud, la formación y las capacidades del personal), del capital estructural (la cultura la tecnología y la organización interna de la empresa) y del capital relacional (las relaciones con clientes y proveedores, la cooperación y la imagen de la empresa). Estos elementos mejoran las capacidades organizativas que son fuente de ventaja competitiva

Gobierno corporativo y transparencia informativa

Los importantes desarrollos normativos producidos en los últimos años dentro de nuestro Derecho Mercantil y Financiero han intentado reforzar el funcionamiento de los mercados financieros, incorporando leyes que se encaminan a aumentar la transparencia informativa de las entidades emisoras, y por tanto la confianza de los inversores. El importante volumen regulador permite construir un entramado que soporta los requisitos mínimos a facilitar en las cuentas anuales, pero no garantizan la plena transparencia de las empresas. Los estudios realizados permiten evidenciar cómo las cuentas anuales de mejor calidad son aquellas reportadas por empresas de gran tamaño o que presentan un cierto riesgo financiero, descartando otras alternativas. Ello nos permite constatar la dificultad que tienen las empresas de valorar el beneficio real de ser transparentes más allá de las disposiciones legales establecidas, por lo que el regulador debe estar muy despierto actualizando sus normas y reforzando las actividades de control y supervisión ejercidas por los auditores (dentro de una limitación de su responsabilidad)

A Phase I-II multicenter trial with Avelumab plus autologous dendritic cell vaccine in pre-treated mismatch repair-proficient (MSS) metastatic colorectal cancer patients; GEMCAD 1602 study

Metabolism; Resistance; VaccinesMetabolisme; Resistència; VacunesMetabolismo; Resistencia; VacunasBackground Immune check-point blockade (ICB) has shown clinical benefit in mismatch repair-deficient/microsatellite instability high metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) but not in mismatch repair-proficient/microsatellite stable patients. Cancer vaccines with autologous dendritic cells (ADC) could be a complementary therapeutic approach to ICB as this combination has the potential to achieve synergistic effects. Methods This was a Phase I/II multicentric study with translational sub-studies, to evaluate the safety, pharmacodynamics and anti-tumor effects of Avelumab plus ADC vaccine in heavily pre-treated MSS mCRC patients. Primary objective was to determine the maximum tolerated dose and the efficacy of the combination. The primary end-point was 40% progression-free survival at 6 months with a 2 Simon Stage. Results A total of 28 patients were screened and 19 pts were included. Combined therapy was safe and well tolerated. An interim analysis (Simon design first-stage) recommended early termination because only 2/19 (11%) patients were disease free at 6 months. Median PFS was 3.1 months [2.1–5.3 months] and overall survival was 12.2 months [3.2–23.2 months]. Stimulation of immune system was observed in vitro but not clinically. The evaluation of basal RNA-seq noted significant changes between pre and post-therapy liver biopsies related to lipid metabolism and transport, inflammation and oxidative stress pathways. Conclusions The combination of Avelumab plus ADC vaccine is safe and well tolerated but exhibited modest clinical activity. Our study describes, for the first-time, a de novo post-therapy metabolic rewiring, that could represent novel immunotherapy-induced tumor vulnerabilities.The study was funded by grants from the FIS PI17/00732 from Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Premi Fi de Residència Emili Letang from Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Plan Nacional de I + D (PID-107139RB-C21 to DB-R and PID2020-115051RB-I00 to MC) and Grupo Español Multidisciplinar en Cáncer Digestivo (GEMCAD). The study was funded with Grants from Catalan Agency for Management of University and Research Grants (AGAUR) (2014-SGR-474, 2017-SGR-1174 and 2017-SGR-1033), Fundació la Marató de TV3 (201330.10), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI13/01728 and PI19/00740) and Fundacion Olga Torres (Modalitat A. 2019/2020) to JM. IMMETCOLS signature is under patent protection (EP21382772.8.) This research was financially supported by GEMCAD and (OR Avelumab was provided) by Merck, S.L.U., Madrid, Spain, an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, as part of an alliance between the healthcare business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany (CrossRef Funder ID: https://doi.org/10.13039/100009945) and Pfizer

Biogeofilter with hydrothermal treated stevensite clay and laccase enzymes for retention and degradation of tetracycline

The concentration of antibiotics in surface water is an issue of high concern. The present study aims to manufacture and evaluate a biogeofilter, with stevensite clay and enzymes immobilized on it, for the adsorption and degradation of tetracycline-based antibiotics. To retain the small particle aggregates of the clay in the filter, a hydrothermal treatment was applied to the stevensite, prior to compaction in pellets and its insertion into a cylindric cell, mixed with sand. The structure of the pellets avoids the loss of the clay material during the fluid transport through the porous medium. Several temperature treatments were applied to the pellets, but the treatment at 300 °C was revealed as the best option. Laccase enzymes were immobilized on the stevensite surface. Reactive transport experiments of tetracycline solutions were performed through the transport cells. The biogeofilter has a relevant adsorption capacity with a significant degradation factor. By modelling with STANMOD software, the hydrodynamic characteristics of the transport were determined and, therefore, the behaviour of a large-scale filter and transports of low tetracycline concentrations could be predicted. The results obtained are promising for irrigation systems at medium scale, as well as for the perspective of wastewater treatment plants at large scaleThis work was supported by the Spanish State Research Agency (Project PDC2021-120744-I00). Adrien Saphy’s stay in Madrid was funded by an Erasmus gran

Cacao Pod Husk Flour as an Ingredient for Reformulating Frankfurters: Effects on Quality Properties

The cocoa pod husk is considered a source of dietary fiber with a high content of water-soluble pectins, bioactive compounds which should be viewed as a by-product with the potential to be incorporated into food. This study aimed to investigate the effect of adding different cocoa pod husk flour (CPHF) levels as a starch replacement for reformulating frankfurters. Results showed that the addition of 1.5 and 3.0% pod husk proportionally increased the frankfurter's fiber content by 0.49 ± 0.08 and 0.96 ± 0.19 g/100 g, which is acceptable for a product that does not contain fiber. Textural properties and sensory characteristics were affected when substituting the starch with CPHF, either totally or partially, although these samples had higher water content, hardness, and adhesiveness while springiness decreased. Non-adverse effects of nitrite on polyphenolic compounds content were evidenced in samples enriched with CPHF. The incorporation of CPHF did not significantly affect the color parameters (DeltaE < 3). Finally, the panelists indicated a sensation of the unsalted sausage, suggesting that CPHF may have natural mucoadhesion properties. In conclusion, in formulated meat products such as sausages, plant co-products such as cacao pod husks could be a valid new ingredient to improve technological parameters, functional characteristics, and stability

High-Temperature Short-Time and Holder Pasteurization of Donor Milk: Impact on Milk Composition

Holder pasteurization (HoP; 62.5 °C, 30 min) is commonly used to ensure the microbiological safety of donor human milk (DHM) but diminishes its nutritional properties. A high-temperature short-time (HTST) system was designed as an alternative for human milk banks. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of this HTST system on different nutrients and the bile salt stimulated lipase (BSSL) activity of DHM. DHM was processed in the HTST system and by standard HoP. Macronutrients were measured with a mid-infrared analyzer. Lactose, glucose, myo-inositol, vitamins and lipids were assayed using chromatographic techniques. BSSL activity was determined using a kit. The duration of HTST treatment had a greater influence on the nutrient composition of DHM than did the tested temperature. The lactose concentration and the percentage of phospholipids and PUFAs were higher in HTST-treated than in raw DHM, while the fat concentration and the percentage of monoacylglycerides and SFAs were lower. Other nutrients did not change after HTST processing. The retained BSSL activity was higher after short HTST treatment than that following HoP. Overall, HTST treatment resulted in better preservation of the nutritional quality of DHM than HoP because relevant thermosensitive components (phospholipids, PUFAs, and BSSL) were less affected.This research was funded by grants from the Spanish Research Projects in Health funded by ISCIII-the state plan for scientific and technical research and innovation and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (ref. PI12/02128 and PI15/00995) and by ALG2016-75476-R project from the Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (Spain). Moreover, this work has received a grant from the Hero Institute for Infant Nutrition (Alcantarilla, Murcia, España; 2012). Additionally, this study was supported by RETICS “Maternal and Child Health and Development Network” (SAMID Network), funded by the PN I+D+i 2008-2011 (Spain), ISCIII-Sub-Directorate General for Research Assessment and Promotion and the ERDF (ref. RD12/0026)

Promoting physical activity at the school playground: A quasi-experimental intervention study

In looking for new strategies to promote physical activity (PA), the purpose of this study was to determine whether providing equipment, playground markings, and a physical education (PE)-based intervention effectively increases PA levels during school recess. A total of 223 children (mean age = 7.10 years ± 0.6; 45.3% female) from three schools participated in this study in 2012. In the first intervention school (G1; n = 75) six previous PE classes teaching games for recess were performed and playground markings and game equipment were provided. In the second intervention school (G2; n = 68) only playground markings and game equipment were provided. The third school served as the control group (GC; n = 80). PA was assessed with pedometers. The increase in mean steps after intervention in G2 was higher than the G1 and GC (P < 0.001). No differences between G1 and GC were observed at post-intervention (P = 0.05). The effects did not vary by gender or BMI. Providing game equipment and playground marks may increase children PA in recess. Nevertheless, additional PE-based intervention did not imply an improvement, and was not effective in increasing PA