Soft Skills Centrality in Graduate Studies Offerings

Is it possible to measure how important soft skills like leadership or teamwork are from the point of view of graduate studies offerings? This paper provides a framework that introduces the concept of network centrality as a practical way to measure the individual importance of soft skills in graduate studies. We examine 230 graduate programs offered by 49 higher education institutions in Colombia to estimate the empirical importance of soft skills in the context of graduate studies offerings. The results show that: a) graduate programs in Colombia tend to share a common set of 31 soft skills in their intended learning outcomes; b) the centrality of these skills varies as a function of the graduate program, although this variation was not statistically significant; and c) while most central soft skills tend to be those related to creativity (i.e., creation or generation of ideas or projects), leadership (to lead or teamwork), and analytical orientation (e.g., evaluating situations and solving problems), less central were those related to empathy (i.e., understanding others and acknowledgment of others), ethical thinking, and critical thinking, posing the question if too much emphasis on most visible skills might imply an unbalance in the opportunities to enhancing other soft skills such as ethical thinking

Computational study of coronoid carbazole based Macrocycles: influence of isomerism.

Carbazole (Cz) units have been recognized as crucial conjugated cores in organic electronics due to their good electro- and photoactive properties, such as high hole-transporting mobilities, when compared to other heterocycles. On the other hand, conjugated macrocycles should be useful building blocks for the construction of 2D porous surface networks or 3D inclusion complexes among other supramolecular structures.2 One of the most interesting features of conjugated cyclic oligomers is that their electronic, structural, and optical properties can be tuned as a function of their interior and exterior domains. Therefore, a systematic study of conjugated macrocycles with well-defined diameters is of crucial importance to establish the structure-property relationships of these materials. For that purpose, we carried out a purely theoretical study of coronoid molecules based on three different indolocarbazoles (ICz) structural isomers (see Figure 1) as indolo[2,3-a]carbazole (23a-4MC), indolo[2,3-b]carbazole (23b-4MC) and indolo[3,2-b]carbazole (32b-4MC), which contain four indolecarbazole units (4MC). This work aims to identify new macrostructures with interesting electronic properties as well as to display the usefulness of the theoretical tools to advance knowledge in the organic electronics field. Overall, this investigation contributes to elucidating the electronic properties of coronoid macrocycles, guiding experimental chemists to produce new molecules with desirable properties.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Minor compounds from virgin olive oil attenuate LPS-induced inflammation via visfatin-related gene modulation on primary human monocytes

We have analyzed the effects of minor compounds found in the unsaponifiable fraction (UF) and in the phenolic fraction (PF) of virgin olive oil (VOO) on LPS-induced inflammatory response via visfatin modulation in human monocytes. For this purpose, monocytes were incubated with UF and PF at different concentrations and the pro-inflammatory stimulus LPS for 24 hr; squalene (SQ) and hydroxytyrosol (HTyr), the main components in UF and PF, respectively, were also used. The relative expression of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory genes, as well as other genes related to the NAD+-biosynthetic pathway was evaluated by RT-qPCR; and the secretion of some of these markers was assessed by ELISA procedures. We found that UF, SQ, PF, and HTyr prevented from LPS-induced dysfunctional gene expression and secretion via visfatin-related gene modulation in human monocytes. These findings unveil a potential beneficial role for minor compounds of VOO in the prevention of inflammatory-disorders. Practical application: In this project, potential health benefits of VOO micronutrients (unsaponifiable and phenolic compounds) were confirmed through anti-inflammatory assays. Our results reveal new interesting researching goals concerning nutrition by considering the role of bioactive VOO compounds in the prevention and progress of diseases related to inflammation

New 9-Terpenyl(7-Terpenyl)Purines: synthesis and cytotoxicity

The purine ring system is one of the most widely distributed N-heterocycles in Nature [1] and many structurally modified purine nucleosides and nucleotides have activities ranging from antineoplastic and antiviral to antihypertensive, antiasthmatic, antituberculosis, etc [2]. Among the purine derivatives, we have put our attention on natural N-alkylpurines such as the asmarines or agelasimines, a group of secondary metabolites isolated from marine sponges with very interesting biological properties [3]. They have a diterpenoid moiety attached to the N-7 nitrogen atom of an adenine and are usually isolated in very small quantities, which limited their structure-activity relationship studies. Our research group has been involved for years in the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of cytotoxic compounds related to natural products, including the chemoinduction of bioactivity on inactive terpenoids [4]. These diterpenoid include compounds such as communic or cupressic acids that bear decaline moieties very close to those present in the above-mentioned marine natural products. These facts prompted us to design and prepare new terpenylpurine derivatives starting from natural monoterpenoids and diterpenoids, commercially available or isolated from their natural sources and transformed into appropriate alkylated agents. Thus, we have prepared purines alkylated at N-7 and N-9 positions with isoprenoids, monoterpenoids and diterpenoids, using two different synthetic approaches: from 6-chloropurine or from 4,5-diamine-6-chloropyrimidine. The structure of the synthesized purines are shown in the following figure. The purine analogues synthesized have been evaluated for their cytotoxicity against four tumour human cell lines (breast, non-small lung, cervical and hepatocellular carcinoma) and non-tumour cells (porcine liver primary cells). The most cytotoxic derivatives were those with a diterpenoid rest on the purine. The results obtained allowed to draw conclusions on the structure-activity relationship of the compounds in order to evaluate the influence of the terpenyl size on their cytotoxic properties

Autophagic Proteome in Two Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strains During Second Fermentation for Sparkling Wine Elaboration

A correlation between autophagy and autolysis has been proposed in order to accelerate the acquisition of wine organoleptic properties during sparkling wine elaboration. In this context, a proteomic analysis was carried out in two industrial Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains (P29, conventional sparkling wine strain and G1, implicated in sherry wine elaboration) with the aim of studying the autophagy-related proteome and comparing the effect of CO2 overpressure during sparkling wine elaboration. In general, a detrimental effect of pressure and second fermentation development on autophagy-related proteome was observed in both strains, although it was more pronounced in flor yeast strain G1. Proteins mainly involved in autophagy regulation and autophagosome formation in flor yeast G1, and those required for vesicle nucleation and expansion in P29 strain, highlighted in sealed bottle. Proteins Sec2 and Sec18 were detected 3-fold under pressure conditions in P29 and G1 strains, respectively. Moreover, ‘fingerprinting’ obtained from multivariate data analysis established differences in autophagy-related proteome between strains and conditions. Further research is needed to achieve more solid conclusions and design strategies to promote autophagy for an accelerated autolysis, thus reducing cost and time production, as well as acquisition of good organoleptic properties

Sol-gel coatings for protection and bioactivation of metals used in orthopaedic devices

The aim of this work is the production and characterisation of sol-gel coatings for protection and bioactivation of metals used as standard surgical implant materials, such as stainless steel 316 L (ASTM F138), Co based alloys (ASTM F75) and titanium alloy Ti-6A1-4V (ASTM F67). These films should both prevent degradation of the substrates by wear or corrosion, and bioactivate the material for inducing the formation of a hydroxyapatite (HA) rich layer onto the material surface, thereby permitting a natural bonding to living tissues. Formation of HA layers can be observed on performing in vitro tests by soaking the material in simulated body solutions. The work describes the development of coatings containing bioactive glass and glass-ceramic particles in hybrid methyl-triethoxysilane (MTES) and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) acidic sol, applied by dip-coating to surgical alloys, AISI 316 L, ASTM F75 and ASTM 67, with the aim of accomplishing both high corrosion resistance of the metal in the body environment and adhesion of the implant to the surrounding tissue. The performance of the coated metal was evaluated in vitro by electrochemical techniques including potentiodynamic polarisation curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, to follow the formation of hydroxyapatite on the surface, as well as the in vitro release of ions by plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-MS) after up to one year of immersion. In vivo behaviour was evaluated by subcutaneous tests and endomedullar implantation in Hokaido rats to study possible rejection reactions and natural bonding to living tissue.Peer Reviewe

Los mármoles comerciales “Marrón Imperial” y “Marrón Emperador” (S.E. España). Caracterización petrológica y criterios de exploración

Los mármoles comerciales "Marrón Imperial" y "Marrón Emperador" son dolomías brechoides que de acuerdo con la clasificación del MIA pertenece al Grupo C de mármoles comerciales. Se determinan sus parámetros petrofísicos según la norma UNE. Sus rasgos petrológicos se estudian mediante microscopio petrográfico de luz transmitida y microscopio electrónico de barrido (MEB) (en modo de electrones secundarios y electrones retrodispersados). Estas rocas son básicamente dolomías mesocristalinas con abundantes vénulas calcíticas politexturales relacionadas con procesos de brechificación y de dolomitización. Rasgos kársticos aumentan la complejidad petrológica de estas rocas ornamentales cuyo litosoma son las dolomías masivas del Cretácico Superior (¿Turoniense?) del dominio Prebético Externo. El material explotado pertenece a una alineación morfoestructural que va desde Jumilla hasta el NE de Caudete y está relacionado con la falla Jumilla-Yecla-Caudete-Font de la Figuera. La relación entre esta falla y las dolomías turonienses son el principal criterio de exploración de estas rocas ornamentales.The "Marrón Imperial" and the "Marrón Emperador" commercial marble are brecciated dolomite rocks that, in agree with the soundness classification of MIA, belongs to the Group C of the commercial marbles. Petrophysical parameters of stones has been obtained using de UNE NORM (Spanish normalised test). The petrologic features have been defined from light microscopy and SEM data (secondary electrons and back scattered electrons modes). "Marrón Imperial" and "Marrón Emperador" are mesocrystalline dolostones with a reticulate of calcite veins, which are polytextural and are related to both brecciation and dedolomitization processes. Karstic features increase the petrologic complexity of this dimensional stone. The host lithosomes of "Marrón Imperial" and "Marrón Emperador" marbles are the massive dolostones of Upper Cretaceous (Turonian?) age of Outer Prebetic Domain. The quarried material outcrops from Jumilla to NE Caudete; Villena-La Encina, Jumilla (Fuente and Cingla Mountains) Yecla (Magdalena Mountains). Caudete and Yecla are the most important areas for extraction at the moment. The tectofacies that are the main responsible of the aesthetic properties of the Marrón Imperial and Marrón Emperador commercial marbles which main outcrops are probably related to the Jumilla-Yecla-Caudete-Font de la Figuera near strike-slip fault and associated events. The main exploration criteria from this type of commercial marble are the fault line distribution, and their influence over Turonian dolostones.Este trabajo forma parte del Proyecto AMB 93-0019 subvencionado por la CICYT

Biological Processes Highlighted in Saccharomyces cerevisiae during the Sparkling Wines Elaboration

Sparkling wines elaboration has been studied by several research groups, but this is the first report on analysis of biological processes according to the Gene Ontology terms (GO terms) and related to proteins expressed by yeast cells during the second fermentation of sparkling wines. This work provides a comprehensive study of the most relevant biological processes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae P29, a sparkling wine strain, during the second fermentation under two conditions (without and with endogenous CO2 overpressure) in the middle and the end of second fermentation. Consequently, a proteomic analysis with the OFFGEL fractionator and protein identification with LTQ Orbitrap XL coupled to HPLC were performed. The classification of biological processes was carried out using the tools provided by the Saccharomyces Genome Database. Results indicate that a greater number of biological processes were identified under condition without CO2 overpressure and in the middle of the fermentation versus the end of the second fermentation. The biological processes highlighted under condition without CO2 overpressure in the middle of the fermentation were involved in the carbohydrate and lipid metabolic processes and catabolic and biosynthetic processes. However, under CO2 overpressure, specific protein expression in response to stress, transport, translation, and chromosome organization and specific processes were not found. At the end of fermentation, there were higher specific processes under condition without CO2 overpressure; most were related to cell division, growth, biosynthetic process, and gene transcription resulting in increased cell viability in this condition. Under CO2 overpressure condition, the most representative processes were related to translation as tRNA metabolic process, chromosome organization, mRNA processing, ribosome biogenesis, and ribonucleoprotein complex assembly, probably in response to the stress caused by the hard fermentation conditions. Therefore, a broader knowledge of the adaptation of the yeast, and its behavior under typical conditions to produce sparkling wine, might improve and favor the wine industry and the selection of yeast for obtaining a high-quality wine

Comparative Study of the Proteins Involved in the Fermentation-Derived Compounds in Two Strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae during Sparkling Wine Second Fermentation

Sparkling wine is a distinctive wine. Saccharomyces cerevisiae flor yeasts is innovative and ideal for the sparkling wine industry due to the yeasts’ resistance to high ethanol concentrations, surface adhesion properties that ease wine clarification, and the ability to provide a characteristic volatilome and odorant profile. The objective of this work is to study the proteins in a flor yeast and a conventional yeast that are responsible for the production of the volatile compounds released during sparkling wine elaboration. The proteins were identified using the OFFGEL fractionator and LTQ Orbitrap. We identified 50 and 43 proteins in the flor yeast and the conventional yeast, respectively. Proteomic profiles did not show remarkable differences between strains except for Adh1p, Fba1p, Tdh1p, Tdh2p, Tdh3p, and Pgk1p, which showed higher concentrations in the flor yeast versus the conventional yeast. The higher concentration of these proteins could explain the fuller body in less alcoholic wines obtained when using flor yeasts. The data presented here can be thought of as a proteomic map for either flor or conventional yeasts which can be useful to understand how these strains metabolize the sugars and release pleasant volatiles under sparkling wine elaboration conditions