84 research outputs found

    Dirección Estratégica y Gestión de la Innovación: Plan Estratégico para la ampliación de contenidos en NETFLIX

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    El presente trabajo lleva a cabo un estudio sobre la viabilidad de la extensión del servicio streaming que ofrece Netflix a un nuevo nicho de mercado con el fin de satisfacer necesidades vigentes además de aumentar la cuota de mercado de la empresa. <br /

    Reconstructing the historical shoreline evolution of the Northern Bay of Cádiz (SW Spain) from geomorphological and geoarchaeological data

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    During the last 3 ka, different human communities occupied the Bay of Cádiz (SW Spain), including Phoenician, Carthaginian, Roman, Medieval and Modern settlements. Traces of such historical occupations have been recognized along the bay from a geoarchaeological point of view. Some of them bear a palaeogeographical interest related to the historical location of the shoreline. At the same time, Holocene sedimentary units and geomorphological elements identified along the bay can be interpreted as evidences of its morphological evolution. The objective of the present paper is to represent all the available data about archaeological sites and geomorphology in the northern Bay of Cádiz, with the aim of combining both sources of data for elaborating a simple proposal of landscape evolution during the last 3 millennia. The base for mapping was multiple, from historical aerial photographs to satellite imagery and a digital terrain model with a maximum resolution of 0.35 m.12 página

    Characterization and production of agglomerated cork stoppers for spirits based on a factor analysis method

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    The decision-making in the investment of a new line of stoppers based on agglomerated cork requires knowledge of the composition and its contribution to its performance. For this, it is necessary to observe the leading products on the market and to test a series of prototypes with different formulations. The development of manufacturing products made by cork, such as bottle stoppers, benefits strongly from accurate chemical and structural characterizations, correlated to the final material performance. A wise starting point to fulfill such requirement consist of comparing available products in the market to be compared with different prototypes with varying composition. This work presents a blind characterization of a series of cork samples through a non-supervised exploratory analysis designed to select agglomerated corks for spirits and still wines in the packaging industry. A total of 18 batches, with 3 of them being high-end commercial products, were used to build 15 different prototypes. They were subsequently characterized with the exact composition of microgranulated cork as the unknown variable. Statistical results based on 14 parameters related to the physic-thermo-mechanical properties indicate that the suitability of selecting the stopper relies on the study of only 4 or 5 of the initial parameters. Hence, it is shown that a reduced number of parameters may be considered to properly describe the mechanical behavior of agglomerated cork, allowing the wise choice of the most convenient material for the intended application. The factorial map reveals that the only sample batch manufactured based on the tested prototypes correlates with the three of the products supplied by the competence.This work was funded by the Junta de Andalucía (Research groups INNANOMAT, ref. TEP-946 and TMA, ref. TEP-181). Co-funding from UE is also acknowledged. The authors wish to thank “TORRENT INNOVA, S.A.”. MdlM acknowledges the Juan de la Cierva postdoctoral fellowship from MICINN (IJCI-2017–31507)

    [Ca2+]<sub>i</sub> oscillations in human sperm are triggered in the flagellum by membrane potential- sensitive activity of CatSper

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    Study question: How are progesterone (P4)-induced repetitive intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) signals (oscillations) in human sperm generated?Summary answer: P4-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations are generated in the flagellum by membrane-potential (Vm)-dependent Ca2+-influx through CatSper channels, which then induce secondary Ca2+ mobilisation at the sperm head/neck region.What is known already: A subset of human sperm display [Ca2+]i oscillations that regulate flagellar beating and acrosome reaction. Though pharmacological manipulations indicate involvement of stored Ca2+ in these oscillations, influx of extracellular Ca2+ is also required.Study design, size, duration: This was a laboratory study, that used &gt;20 sperm donors and involved more than 100 separate experiments and analysis of more than 1,000 individual cells over a period of 2 years.Participants/materials, setting, methods: Semen donors and patients were recruited in accordance with local ethics approval from Birmingham University and Tayside ethics committees. [Ca2+]i responses and Vm of individual cells were examined by fluorescence imaging and whole-cell current clamp.Main results and the role of chance: P4-induced [Ca2+]i oscillations originated in the flagellum, spreading to the neck and head (latency of 1-2 s). K+-ionophore valinomycin (1 μM) was used to investigate the role of membrane potential (Vm). Direct assessment by whole-cell current-clamp confirmed that Vm in valinomycin-exposed cells was determined primarily by K+ equilibrium potential (EK) and was rapidly ‘reset’ upon manipulation of [K+]o. Pretreatment of sperm with valinomycin ([K+]o=5.4 mM) had no effect on the P4-induced [Ca2+] transient (P=0.95; 8 experiments), but application of valinomycin to P4-pretreated sperm suppressed activity in 82% of oscillating cells (n=257; P=5*10-55 compared to control) and significantly reduced both amplitude and frequency of persisting oscillations (p=0.0001). Upon valinomycin washout oscillations re-started in most cells. When valinomycin was applied in saline with elevated [K+] the inhibitory effect of valinomycin was reduced and was dependent on EK (P=10-25). Amplitude and frequency of [Ca2+]i oscillations that persisted in the presence of valinomycin showed similar sensitivity to EK (P&lt;0.01). The CatSper inhibitor RU1968 (4.8 and 11 μM) caused immediate and reversible arrest of activity in36% and 96% of oscillating cells respectively (P&lt;10-10). 300 μM quinidine which blocks the sperm K+ current (Ksper) completely inhibited [Ca2+]i oscillations.Large scale data: n/aLimitations, reasons for caution: This was an in-vitro study and caution must be taken when extrapolating these results to in vivo regulation of sperm.Wider implications of the findings: [Ca2+]i oscillations in human sperm are functionally important and their absence is associated with failed fertilisation at IVF. The data reported here provide new understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the generation (or failure) and regulation of these oscillations.Study funding/competing interest(s): ET was in receipt of a postgraduate scholarship from the CAPES Foundation (Ministry of Education, Brazil). The authors have no conflicts of interest

    Annual Nitrogen Balance from Dairy Barns, Comparison between Cubicle and Compost-Bedded Pack Housing Systems in the Northeast of Spain

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    The aim of this study was to determine N recovery and irreversible losses (i.e., through NH3-N volatilization) from manure in two different housing systems throughout a year using an N mass balance approach. Dietary, milk, and manure N were monitored together with outside temperatures in six dairy barns during six months, comprising two different seasons. Three barns were designed as conventional free stalls (cubicle, CUB) and the other three barns as compost-bedded packs (CB). All the barns were located in the Ebro's valley, in the northeast of Spain. Mass N balance was performed simultaneously in the six barns, during two three-month periods (Season I and II) and sampling at a 15-day interval. Results of ANOVA analysis showed that annual N retained in manure (kg/head per year) from cows housed in CUB barns was significantly higher than in manure from cows housed in CB (133.5 vs. 70.9, p < 0.001), while the opposite was observed for N losses (26.9 vs. 84.8, for CUB and CB barn, respectively; p < 0.005). The annual mean proportion of irreversible N loss from manure in relation to N intake was much lower in barns using conventional free-stall cubicles than the mean ratio registered in bedded pack systems barns.This research was mainly funded by Generalitat de Catalunya, Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food (S-18017). Esperanza Fuertes is recipient of a grant from Agencia de Gestión de Ayudas Universitarias y de Investigación of Spain (FI-SDUR 2020/00031)

    Alimentos derivados de semillas de cáñamo (Cannabis sativa L.) en el mercado español

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    The consumption of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seeds and their derivatives has increased lately in Spain. The objective of this work is to know the offer of these foods in the Spanish market. For this, an offer analysis in physical establishments and electronic commerce has been carried out. Seeds, whole and hulled, oil, beverage, protein, flour, and others were studied foods. A total of 125 products were found, from 65 different brands. The most common were hulled seeds, protein, and oil. The main trade channel was e-commerce, and the origin of these products was usually national.El consumo de semillas de cáñamo (Cannabis sativa L.) y sus derivados ha aumentado últimamente en España. El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer la oferta de estos alimentos en el mercado español. Para ello, se ha realizado un análisis de la oferta en establecimientos físicos y en comercio electrónico. Los alimentos estudiados fueron semillas, sin pelar y peladas, aceite, bebida, proteína, harina y otros. Se encontró un total de 125 productos, de 65 marcas diferentes. Los más comunes fueron semillas peladas, proteína y aceite. Su principal canal de comercialización fue el comercio electrónico y el origen suele ser nacional

    Evolución histórica de la clasificación taxonómica del cáñamo

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    El cáñamo (Cannabis sativa L.) es una planta ampliamente extendida por el mundo. Se trata de una de las fuentes más antiguas de fibras textiles, pero también ha destacado por sus usos medicinales y alimentarios. El proceso de domesticación llevado a cabo por el ser humano, centrado en la obtención de productos diferentes, ha llevado consigo una evolución biológica de planta desde los puntos de vista anatómico, morfológico, fisiológico y químico. Además, la hibridación también ha condicionado en gran medida el proceso de evolución del cáñamo, lo que ha dificultado enormemente su clasificación taxonómica, que ha sido muy controvertida. Durante la Edad Moderna, algunos autores consideraban que había diferentes especies, mientras que otros afirmaban que todos los especímenes se correspondían con una única especie. En el siglo XX tuvo lugar la caracterización química de los cannabinoides, los compuestos más característicos del metabolismo secundario del cáñamo, y esto permitió incluir como criterio de clasificación el contenido de algunos de ellos. Sin embargo, seguía habiendo discrepancias entre los autores sobre si el género Cannabis era monotípico o politípico. En el siglo XXI, la clasificación taxonómica del cáñamo continúa siendo objeto de estudio ante la falta de consenso

    Effects of semen processing on sperm function: Differences between swim-up and density gradient centrifugation

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    Purpose: Andrology research has evolved notoriously in the latest years, particularly since male factor contribution to couple infertility has been undoubtedly demonstrated. However, sperm function investigations results are sometimes contradictory, probably as a result of the use of different sperm processing techniques. In this work, we underwent a systematic functional comparison of human sperm samples simultaneously processed by swim-up and density gradient centrifugation, which are the preferred sperm processing methods used in basic and clinical laboratories. Materials and Methods: To compare functional characteristics of sperm isolated by swim-up and density gradient centrifugation followed by incubation at different times under capacitating conditions. Results: Semen samples processed in parallel by these two procedures resulted in sperm preparations with significant differences in redox state, spontaneous intracellular calcium oscillations, hyperactivation, protein tyrosine phosphorylation, and acrosome reaction responsivity to calcium ionophore. Such differences showed time-dependent specific patterns for spontaneous intracellular calcium oscillations, hyperactivation and protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Sperm retrieved by density gradient centrifugation showed more hyperactivation and tyrosine phosphorylation than swim-up sperm, suggesting a higher degree of capacitation. Conclusions: Our results account for functional differences observed in spermatozoa processed with these two methods and therefore may contribute to a better interpretation of outcomes obtained in different laboratories as well as to improve experimental designs aimed to study sperm physiology and fertility potential.Fil: Hernández Silva, Gabriela. Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán; MéxicoFil: López Torres, Aideé S.. Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán; MéxicoFil: Maldonado Rosas, Israel. Centro de Innovación Tecnológica y Medicina Reproductiva; MéxicoFil: Mata Martínez, Esperanza. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza Dr. Mario H. Burgos; ArgentinaFil: Larrea, Fernando. Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán; MéxicoFil: Torres Flores, Víctor. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Treviño, Claudia L.. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Chirinos, Mayel. Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán; Méxic

    Phenolic composition and antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties of hop (Humulus lupulus L.) seeds

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    Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) is a perennial climbing plant cultivated for commercial use, mainly in brewing industry, since the female inflorescences (cones) contain lupulin glands that confer the characteristic bitterness, aroma and flavour to beer. However, the bioactive potential of the seeds found in these cones remains unexplored. In this study, the phenolic composition of hop seeds was analysed by LC-DAD-ESI/MS n and its antioxidant, cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities were screened against oxidizable substrates, human tumour and non-tumour cell lines, and different bacteria and fungi, respectively. (+)-Catechin and (-)-epicatechin were identified in the seeds, totalizing 17.6 ± 0.7 mg/g extract. The seed extract showed antioxidant activity mainly through the formation inhibition of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and had cytotoxic effects against MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma), NCI-H460 (non-small cell lung cancer), HeLa (cervical carcinoma), and HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma) tumour cells, but no toxicity towards the normal PLP2 cell line was observed. The extract showed remarkable antimicrobial properties, being better than the positive controls against almost all tested bacteria and fungi of the genus Penicillium. These results highlight the potential of hop seeds as a source of functional ingredients with applications in the food and pharmaceutical sectors.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support to CIMO ( UID/AGR/00690/2019 ) and the research contracts of J. Pinela (Project AllNatt, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030463), L. Barros, and R.C. Calhelha. Also to ALIMNOVA-UCM research group and Art. 83 project ref: UCM 252/2017, and to the Rafael Folch Foundation for the J.I. Alonso-Esteban grant (2016/01M). This work was funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of Project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-023289: DeCodE. To FEDER-Interreg España-Portugal programme for financial support through the project 0377_Iberphenol_6_E. Authors are grateful also to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of Serbia (Grant No. OI 173,032).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
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