Transnational Dissemination of Discourses on Non-normative Sexualities through Netflix: the Sex Education Case (2019-2020)

This paper analyzes the series Sex Education’s role in the transnational dissemination of discourses on non-normative sexualities, equality and LGBTIQ+ diversity. From a LGBTIQ+ Studies perspective, a mixed design with non-experimental ex-post-facto methodology has been applied through transmedia measurement instruments and the ILGA World and Global Attitudes reports. Netflix –through Sex Education– is confirmed to transnationally spread values of diversity and LGBTIQ+ equality in countries without full social and legal protection for such diversity, promoting the construction of alternative subjectivities

Global Optimization for Automatic Model Points Selection in Life Insurance Portfolios

[Abstract] Starting from an original portfolio of life insurance policies, in this article we propose a methodology to select model points portfolios that reproduce the original one, preserving its market risk under a certain measure. In order to achieve this goal, we first define an appropriate risk functional that measures the market risk associated to the interest rates evolution. Although other alternative interest rate models could be considered, we have chosen the LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) market model. Once we have selected the proper risk functional, the problem of finding the model points of the replicating portfolio is formulated as a problem of minimizing the distance between the original and the target model points portfolios, under the measure given by the proposed risk functional. In this way, a high-dimensional global optimization problem arises and a suitable hybrid global optimization algorithm is proposed for the efficient solution of this problem. Some examples illustrate the performance of a parallel multi-CPU implementation for the evaluation of the risk functional, as well as the efficiency of the hybrid Basin Hopping optimization algorithm to obtain the model points portfolio.This research has been partially funded by EU H2020 MSCA-ITN-EID-2014 (WAKEUPCALL Grant Agreement 643045), Spanish MINECO (Grant MTM2016-76497-R) and by Galician Government with the grant ED431C2018/033, both including FEDER financial support. A.F., J.G. and C.V. also acknowledge the support received from the Centro de Investigación de Galicia “CITIC”, funded by Xunta de Galicia and the European Union (European Regional Development Fund- Galicia 2014-2020 Program), by grant ED431G 2019/01Xunta de Galicia; ED431C2018/03Xunta de Galicia; ED431G 2019/0

Feed-forward Space Vector Modulation for Single-Phase Multilevel Cascade Converters with any DC voltage ratio

Modulation techniques for multilevel converters can create distorted output voltages and currents if the DC link voltages are unbalanced. This situation can be avoided if the instantaneous DC voltage error is not taken into account in the modulation process. This paper proposes a feed-forward space vector modulation method for a single-phase multilevel cascade converter. Using this modulation technique, the modulated output voltage of the power converter always generates the reference determined by the controller even in worst case voltage unbalance conditions. In addition the possibility of optimizing the DC voltage ratio between the H-bridges of the power converter is introduced. Experimental results from a 5kVA prototype are presented in order to validate the proposed modulation technique

Segmentation of consumers based on awareness, attitudes and use of sustainability labels in the purchase of commonly used products

[EN] Most of the previous studies that segment consumers based on the consideration of certifications and sustainability attributes in purchasing decision-making offer a limited vision, as focusing on specific labels or types of products, usually in the food sector. This paper aims to identify segments of Spanish consumers based on their awareness, attitudes and use of 28 certified sustainability labels linked to eight categories of common household products (food, clothing, paper and wood, cosmetics, electrical appliances, energy, computing and multi-sector). Likewise, it is intended to characterise the segments identified based on their environmental concern and socio-demographic characteristics. Data was collected from a survey study carried out with a sample of 3000 participants and the latent class analysis revealed seven typologies: experts, convinced, interested, moderate, sceptical, neutral and unmotivated. The segments differed in their awareness and attitudes towards different labels by product category, which was significantly associated with the purchase of certified products. The sectors in which a greater use of labels was appreciated were electrical, computing, and paper and wood. Young women with a high level of education and more environmental awareness were the most effective consumers when using certifications. In any case, it is concluded that sustainability labels do not provide added value for around half of Spanish consumers, who would benefit from measures such as legislative improvements, far-reaching advertising campaigns or high-order label systems to simplify the information on the packaging of the products.S

Modifications in the distribution of met-enkephalin in the cat spinal cord after administration of clonidine. An immunocytochemical study

We have studied the modifications in the distribution of methionine-enkephalin in the cat spinal cord after intravenous or intrathecal administration of clonidine by using an immunocytochemical technique. In animals not treated with the substance, a very high density of immunoreactive fibers was found in layers I and 11; a high density in the dorso-lateral funiculus and in the reticular formation; a moderate density in layers 111, IV and V; and a low density in layer VI. However, after intravenous or intrathecal administration of clonidine a decrease in fibers containing met-enkephalin was observed in layers I and I1 (high or moderate density), the dorso-lateral funiculus, and the reticular formation (moderate or low density), and in layers IV and V (low or very low density). In all cases, the decrease in the immunoreactivity was more marked when clonidine was administered intrathecally. Our results suggest that clonidine induces the release of metenkephalin in the spinal cord. They further suggest that the opioid peptide released could be involved in the control of nociceptive transmission by inhibiting the release of neurotransmitters (e.g., substance P). In summary, our study shows that clonidine could be involved in antinociceptive mechanisms in the cat spinal cord

Interactive effects of salinity and temperature on planozygote and cyst formation of Alexandrium minutum (Dinophyceae) in culture

The factors regulating dinoflagellate life-cycle transitions are poorly understood. However, their identification is essential to unravel the causes promoting the outbreaks of harmful algal blooms (HABs) because these blooms are often associated with the formation and germination of sexual cysts. Nevertheless, there is a lack of knowledge on the factors regulating planozygote-cyst transitions in dinoflagellates due to the difficulties of differentiating planozygotes from vegetative stages. In the present study, two different approaches were used to clarify the relevance of environmental factors on planozygote and cyst formation of the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum Halim. First, the effects of changes in initial phosphate (P) and nitrate (N) concentrations in the medium on the percentage of planozygotes formed were examined using flow cytometry. Second, two factorial designs were used to determine how salinity (S), temperature (T), and the density of the initial cell inoculum (I) affect planozygote and resting-cyst formation. These experiments led to the following conclusions: 1. Low P/N ratios seem to induce gamete expression because the percentage of planozygotes recorded in the absence of added phosphate (-P) was significantly higher than that obtained in the absence of added nitrogen (-N), or when the concentrations of both nitrogen and phosphate were 20 times lower (N/20 + P/20). 2. Salinity (S) and temperature (T) strongly affected both planozygote and cyst formation, as sexuality in the population increased significantly as salinity decreased and temperatures increased. S, T combinations that resulted in no significant cyst formation were, however, favorable for vegetative growth, ruling out the possibility of negative effects on cell physiology. 3. The initial cell density is thought to be important for sexual cyst formation by determining the chances of gamete contact. However, the inoculum concentrations tested did not explain either planozygote formation or the appearance of resting cysts.Peer reviewe

Analysis of the power balance In the cells of a multilevel cascaded H-Bridge converter

Multilevel cascaded H-Bridge converters (CHB) have been presented as a good solution for high power applications. In this way, several control and modulation techniques have been proposed for this power converter topology. In this paper the steady state power balance in the cells of the single phase two cell CHB is studied. The capability to be supplied with active power from the grid or to deliver active power to the grid in each cell is analyzed according to the dc-link voltages and the desired ac output voltage value. Limits of the maximum and minimum input active power for stable operation of the CHB are addressed. Simulation results are shown to validate the presented analysis

Nuevos materiales electrocrómicos para aplicaciones fotónicas y domóticas de valor añadido. Introducción y funcionamiento (I)

Publicad

Nuevos materiales electrocrómicos para aplicaciones fotónicas y domóticas de alto valor añadido. Aplicaciones y futuro (y II)

Publicad