Persistence analysis of research intensity in OECD countries since 1870.

This paper analyses the persistence of research intensity in the OECD over the period 1870–2018. The goal is to test if the conclusion of the study conducted by Ang and Madsen (Ang, J. B., & Madsen, J. B. (2011). Can second-generation endogenous growth models explain the productivity trends and knowledge production in the Asian miracle economies? The Review of Economics and Statistics 2011, 93(4), 1360–1373), namely that the Schumpeterian growth models predict that research intensity is stationary, is correct. Using fractional integration methods on annual research intensity from 16 OECD countries, we observe that the series are very persistent. The order of integration is observed to be statistically higher than 1 in all the countries except Spain, rejecting thus the hypothesis of stationarity. When the likelihood of non-linear trends is considered in the analysis, the results are not materially different. An implication of the results is that policies aimed at boosting research activities will have a long-term impact on research intensity.pre-print297 K

Functional characterization in vivo of essential Saccharomyces cerevisiae's hydrophilin for desiccation tolerance

La sobre expressió de les hidrofilines STF2 i SIP18 en soques de laboratori, tenen un efecte positiu en la tolerància a la deshidratació i rehidratació. A més, la sobre expressió de SIP18 en quatre soques comercials de llevat industrial mostra el mateix fenotip que les soques de laboratori sense alterar els paràmetres de la fermentació. Aquests resultats ens permeten proposar la sobre expressió de SIP18 com una possible forma de millorar la viabilitat en el llevat sec actiu (LSA) i obtenir així un inòcul d'alta qualitat per les empreses alimentàries. A més es disminuirien els costos d'emmagatzematge i transport. La sobre expressió de la hidrofilina SIP18 "preadapta" les cèl·lules incrementant la capacitat de tolerància a la deshidratació i posterior rehidratació degut tan a l'acumulació intracel·lular de SIP18 com als canvis d'expressió proteica que la sobre expressió de SIP18 comporta. Nosaltres hem mostrat l'expressió diferencial de 45 proteïnes que incrementen la seva abundància i 27 que disminueixen durant l'estrès com a conseqüència de la sobre expressió de SIP18. Algunes d'aquestes proteïnes han estat identificades en el procés d'assecat i rehidratació per primera vegada. Hem identificat altres molècules involucrades en aquest procés d'estrès mitjançant una anàlisi de QTL de dos soques de llevat comercials. Entre els onze gens caracteritzats que van mostrar diferències en la seqüència d'aminoàcids, només la sobre expressió de cinc d'ells mostra un canvi en la viabilitat després de la imposició a l'estrès en els dos contextos genètics analitzats. Aquests resultats mostren que la tolerància a la deshidratació no només depèn de l'activació o inhibició de determinats gens implicats en el procés d'estrès estudiat, sinó també de la seqüència aminoacídica dels al·lels. Els resultats presentats en aquesta tesi doctoral aprofundeixen en el coneixement dels mecanismes moleculars i els metabòlits involucrats en la tolerància a la deshidratació per a la producció adequada de LSA. No obstant això, també serveix com a model per a futures recerques en l'emmagatzematge de teixits en condicions de deshidratació.La sobre expresión de las hidrofilinas STF2 y SIP18 en cepas de laboratorio, tienen un efecto positivo en la tolerancia a la deshidratación y rehidratación. Además, la sobre expresión de SIP18 en cuatro cepas comerciales de levadura industrial muestra el mismo fenotipo que las cepas de laboratorio sin alterar el proceso fermentativo. Estos resultados nos permiten proponer la sobre expresión de SIP18 como una posible forma de mejorar la viabilidad en la levadura seca activa (LSA) y obtener así un inóculo de alta calidad para las industrías alimentarias. Además se disminuirían los costes de almacenamiento y transporte. La sobre expresión de la hidrofilina SIP18 "preadapta" las células incrementando la capacidad de tolerancia a la deshidratación y posterior rehidratación debido no sólo a la acumulación intracelular de SIP18, sino también a los cambios de expresión proteica que la sobre expresión de SIP18 conlleva. Nosotros hemos mostrado la expresión diferencial de 45 proteínas que incrementan su abundancia y 27 que disminuyen durante el estrés como consecuencia de la sobre expresión de SIP18. Algunas de éstas proteínas han sido identificadas en el proceso de secado y rehidratación por primera vez. Hemos identificado otras moléculas involucradas en este proceso de estrés mediante un análisis de QTL de dos cepas de levadura comerciales. Entre los once genes caracterizados que mostraron diferencias en la secuencia aminopeptídica, sólo la sobre expresión de cinco de ellos muestra un cambio en la viabilidad después de la imposición al estrés en los dos contextos genéticos analizados. Estos resultados muestran que la tolerancia a la deshidratación no sólo depende de la activación o inhibición de determinados genes implicados en el proceso de estrés estudiado, sino también de la secuencia de los alelos. Los resultados presentados en ésta tesis doctoral profundizan en el conocimiento de los mecanismos moleculares y los metabolitos involucrados en la tolerancia a la deshidratación para la producción adecuada de LSA. Sin embargo, también sirve como modelo para futuras investigaciones en el almacenamiento de tejidos en condiciones de deshidratación.Over expression of STF2 and SIP18 hydrophilin in laboratory has a positive effect on desiccation tolerance. Moreover, over expression of SIP18 in four commercial wine yeast strains produced the same desiccation phenotype as in the laboratory strain without altering fermentative performance. These common results lead us to propose the over expression of SIP18 as a possible way of improving the viability in Active Dried Wine Yeast (ADWY) formulations resulting in savings in transport and storage costs and some extend develope a high-quality inoculum for the food industry. Over-expression of the SIP18 hydrophilin ‘preadapts’ cells by increasing their capacity to overcome and enhance dehydration and rehydration stress. This cell preadaptation is due both to SIP18 accumulation and to changes in the expression of the membrane’s proteomic profile as a consequence of SIP18 accumulation. We shown that 45 proteins increased in numbers after stress imposition and 27 were found to be down regulated, some of which were identified for the first time in this study. Other molecules playin a leading role in enhancing dehydration tolerance were identified using QTL analysis in two commercial wine yeast strains. Characterization of genes with sequence changes between alleles showed that only over expression of five out of eleven genes had different viability for both genetic backgrounds. These results led us to suggest that dehydration tolerance is not gene induced but rather depends on the specific amino acid sequence of each allele in conjunction with other genes activating or inhibiting their function. The results present in this doctoral thesis not only deepen our understanding of the molecular mechanisms and metabolites involved in desiccation tolerance for the production of ADWY, but also serve as a model for future research in tissue storage without the need for a hydric solution

Bibliografía seleccionada y comentada sobre Guastavino y la construcción tabicada

Bibliografía seleccionada y comentada sobre Guastavino y la construcción tabicad

Role of LrpC from Bacillus subtilis in DNA transactions during DNA repair and recombination

Bacillus subtilis LrpC is a sequence-independent DNA-binding and DNA-bending protein, which binds both single-stranded (ss) and double-stranded (ds) DNA and facilitates the formation of higher order protein–DNA complexes in vitro. LrpC binds at different sites within the same DNA molecule promoting intramolecular ligation. When bound to separate molecules, it promotes intermolecular ligation, and joint molecule formation between a circular ssDNA and a homologous ssDNA-tailed linear dsDNA. LrpC binding showed a higher affinity for 4-way (Holliday) junctions in their open conformation, when compared with curved dsDNA. Consistent with these biochemical activities, an lrpC null mutant strain rendered cells sensitive to DNA damaging agents such as methyl methanesulfonate and 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide, and showed a segregation defect. These findings collectively suggest that LrpC may be involved in DNA transactions during DNA repair and recombination

A comprehensive model of adjustment to pain in the co-occurrence of PTSD and chronic musculoskeletal pain: vulnerability and protective pathways

There are a significant comorbidity between PTSD and chronic pain. Thus, studies clarifying the vulnerability and protective variables and mechanisms associated with PTSD and chronic pain are needed. The aim of this study was to examine the association between trauma, resilience, PTSD symptoms, and the variables included in the fear-avoidance models (anxiety sensitivity, catastrophizing, fear-avoidance beliefs, fear of pain, pain hypervigilance) as well as pain acceptance and experiential avoidance in explaining adjustment to chronic pain (pain intensity, pain-related disability and emotional distress). Method: the sample consisted of 229 patients with chronic musculoskeletal back pain. Results: Structural Equation Modelling was used. Statistical tests indicated that the hypothesized model adequately fitted the data (RMSEA = .07; CFI = .99; NNFI = .98; TLI = .96). The χ2 test was significant (χ2 (8) = 19.25, χ2 /dl = 2.40, p = .014). The results provided support for the hypothesized model. All the standardized path coefficients were significant (p < .05). Conclusions: This study provides empirical support for the potential role of PTSD symptoms in fear-avoidance models of chronic pain, and may provide support for the diathesis-stress model of pain. It is the first comprehensive model of adjustment to pain to consider vulnerability and protective adaptation mechanisms in patients who have undergone a traumatic event. The study highlights the importance of a comprehensive framework of reference to understand the comorbidity of PTSD and chronic musculoskeletal pain, and the need to provide well-designed treatment programs for the simultaneous treatment of these conditions.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Metabolomic charactetization of yeast cells after dehydration stress

In this study, we analyzed the metabolite features of the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Naumovia castellii, and Saccharomyces mikatae. The three species are closely related genetically but differ in their tolerance of desiccation stress. Specifi cally, we determined whether certain metabolites correlated with cell viability after stress imposition. The metabolomic profi les of these strains were compared before cell desiccation and after cell rehydration. In S. mikatae, the presence of lysine or glutamine during rehydration led to a 20% increase in survival whereas during dehydration the levels of both amino acids in this yeast were drastically reduced. [Int Microbiol 2014; 17(3):131-139]&nbsp;&nbsp;Keywords: Saccaromyces mikatae &middot; Saccharomyces cerevisiae &middot; Naumovia castellii &middot; viability &middot; dehydration stress &middot; metabolite extraction &middot; wild yeas

Plan de intervención en fisioterapia en una tendinopatía distal del tríceps braquial. A propósito de un caso

Introducción: La tendinopatía distal del tríceps braquial es conocida como la más rara de la articulación del codo. Se caracteriza por dolor localizado en su inserción que incrementa con la extensión resistida de codo. El tratamiento fisioterápico es la recomendación principal, siendo el ejercicio terapéutico progresivo su primera opción. No obstante, este debe basarse en principios de otras tendinopatías dada la escasa evidencia publicada.Objetivos: El objetivo del estudio residió en diseñar, ejecutar y evaluar un plan de intervención fisioterápico para tratar el dolor y mejorar la capacidad funcional en la actividad deportiva y AVD de un individuo con tendinopatía distal del tríceps braquial.Metodología: Se realizó un diseño intrasujeto AB, en el cual se lleva a cabo una valoración inicial para recoger datos de las variables dependientes previa a la aplicación del tratamiento fisioterápico (A) y dos valoraciones más, una de seguimiento y otra final, recogiendo los datos de las mismas variables para observar los resultados tras la intervención (B). Esta se prolongó durante 17 semanas y consistió en una sesión presencial semanal junto a un programa de ejercicios.Resultados: Al finalizar el tratamiento, se observó una mejora del ROM activo de rotación externa de hombro y una evolución favorable del dolor asociado con la fuerza, aunque este no disminuyó del todo. Sin embargo, aumentó la capacidad de carga y desapareció la irritabilidad en el día a día, normalizándose la función. Respecto a la fuerza muscular, tanto la de extensión de codo como la de rotación externa de hombro se incrementó, alcanzando valores equivalentes al lado sin disfunción.Conclusiones: El plan de intervención desarrollado y ejecutado en un caso de tendinopatía distal del tríceps braquial, por sobrecarga mecánica, parece haber sido efectivo en el alivio del dolor y la mejora de la fuerza, la capacidad física y la función. Palabras clave: “tendinopatía”, “tríceps braquial”, “adaptación”, “carga”, “función”, “fisioterapia”.<br /

Development of an Activity Patterns Scale (APS)

Six activity patterns were identified across various self-report measures in participants with chronic pain: Pain Avoidance, Activity Avoidance; Task Contingent Persistence; Excessive Persistence, Pain Contingent Persistence and Pacing (Kindermans et al., 2011). It was proposed that instruments assessing “pacing” should include items addressing one specific pacing behavior (breaking tasks into smaller pieces; taking frequent short rests and speeding up or slowing down) with a single goal (increasing activity level, conserve energy for valued activities and pain reduction) (Nielson et al., 2013). The aim of the present study was to develop an instrument to assess the activity patterns identified by Kindermans et al. (2011). The instrument also included three pacing scales one for each of the aforementioned goals. Methods A sample of 229 patients with fibromyalgia and 62 suffering other rheumatic diseases answered online the APS and the “Patterns of Activity Measure-Pain” (POAM-P) (Cane et al., 2007). Three alternative factor structures were tested by confirmatory factor analyses performed via structural equation modelling. . Results The structure with the best fit had 8 factors corresponding to the hypothesized scales: Pain Avoidance (α=.60), Activity Avoidance (α=.60); Task Contingent Persistence (α=.81); Excessive Persistence (α=.84), Pain Contingent Persistence (α=.70), Pacing for increasing activity (α=.76), Pacing for energy conservation (α=.72) and Pacing for pain reduction (α=.65). The correlations with the POAM-P scales were high and in the postulated direction. Conclusions The APS showed adequate reliability and structural validity. According to these results, Avoidance, Persistence and Pacing seem to be multidimensional constructs.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

A structural model of the relationships between optimism and perceived emotional intelligence on bullying victimization and health.

Bullying is a relationship in which an individual, or a group of individuals, intentionally and repeatedly perpetrates aggressive behaviors towards someone unable to defend himself/herself. Traditional forms of bullying consist of physical, verbal and covert forms of aggressive behaviors. Recently, the new phenomenon of cyberbullying has emerged. This relatively new form of bullying is defined as a behavior displayed through electronic or digital media. Multiple variables have been related to bullying victimization including perceived emotional intelligence (PEI) and optimism. Both variables have implications on the manner in which people cope with stressful experiences as could be bullying, which in turn could affect the level of perceived health. However, there are no studies that have considered all these variables simultaneously. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to examine, via structural equation modelling, the independent contribution of EI and optimism on bullying victimization and perceived physical health in adolescents. A total of 650 secondary school students (317 boys and 333 girls, with ages ranged from 11 to 18) participated in the study. The participants completed measures of PIE (TMMS-24; Fernández-Berrocal et al., 2004), optimism (General Mood Subscale of the Emotional Quotient Inventory-Youth Version; Bar-On and Parker, 2000), bullying (School Victimization Scale; Cava et al., 2010), cyberbullying (Cyber-Victimization Scale; Buelga et al., 2012), and physical health (KIDSCREEN-10 Index; Raven-Sieberer et al., 2004). Results gave partial empirical support to the hypothesized model, and shows significant relationships between the variables: optimism on clarity and repair dimensions of IE (but not on the attention subscale), optimism and attention (but not clarity and repair dimensions) on bullying, and bullying on health. Together these findings shed light on those factors that should be considered when developing prophylactic strategies within adolescents to become more resilient to the adverse effects of bullying behavior.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech