Celebrities, violencia de género y derechos de las mujeres: ¿hacia una transformación del marco de reconocimiento?

Introducción. Ante los límites que presenta el actual marco de reconocimiento de la violencia de género, el presente trabajo analiza las posibilidades que abre la acción de celebrities en la transformación de este marco y en relación a la lucha por los derechos de las mujeres. Para ello proponemos el concepto de ethical witnessing. Metodología. Se propone un modelo de análisis a través de la operacionalización de dicho concepto para el estudio de prácticas representacionales que puedan desestabilizar los actuales parámetros de representación en aras de la resignificación del sujeto-víctima de la violencia. Las cuatro dimensiones de análisis son: el tipo de relación que se genera entre el sujeto-víctima y quien atestigua; el grado de transgresión de los modelos reificados de la identificación del sujeto-víctima; la focalización en la capacidad de agencia; y las conexiones que se establecen con las luchas por los derechos de las mujeres y con otras luchas. Este modelo se aplica a tres casos de estudio: las actuaciones musicales de Beyoncé, la entrevista periodística realizada a Carmen Maura y la campaña mediática de Emma Watson. Resultados. Se discuten las posibilidades de las prácticas discursivas que se incardinan en los principios del postfeminismo. Frente a la identidad de la mujer como víctima emerge la de la mujer exitosa que compatibiliza vindicación feminista y lucha contra la violencia de género con consumismo, materialismo y capitalismo. Esto permite desestabilizar la narrativa fijada sobre la violencia pero no llega a constituir una re-significación del marco en tanto que puede quedar co-optado por la ‘economía de las celebrities’, ser absorbido por el feminismo liberal o estar desvinculado de la lucha colectiva, lo que dificulta la aprehensión del carácter compartido de la vulnerabilidad.Introduction. Due to the limitations of the current framework of recognition of gender-based violence, this article analyses the possibilities of the actions performed by celebrities in the transformation of such framework and in the fight for women’s rights. To this end, we propose the concept of “ethical witnessing”. Methods. The study proposes an analytical model based on the operationalisation of this concept applied to the examination of the representational practices that may destabilise the current hegemonic configuration and re-signify the subject-victim relationship of violence. The four dimensions of analysis are: the relations generated between the subject-victim and the witness; the degree of transgression of the reified representational models of the subject-victim; the focus on agency; and the connection with women’s fights for their rights and other social movements. This model is applied to three case studies: Beyoncé’s musical performances; the interview with actress Carmen Maura, and Emma Watson’s #HeForShe media campaign. Results. The study discusses the possibilities of the discursive practices stemming from postfeminist principles. A new image emerges to contrast the image of women as victims: the image of successful women who find a balance between feminist vindications and the fight against gender-based violence with consumerism, materialism and capitalism. This image enables the destabilisation of the narrative about violence, but it does not constitute a re-signification of the framework of recognition, as it can be co-opted by the “celebrity economy”, can be absorbed by liberal feminism, or can be disassociated from the collective fight, which complicates the comprehension of the shared nature of vulnerability

Magnetic nanofibers for remotely triggered catalytic activity applied to the degradation of organic pollutants

This work reports on the fabrication and characterization of a novel type of electrospun magnetic nanofibers (MNFs), and their application as a magnetically-activable catalysts for degradation of organic pollutants. The magnetic stimulation capability for the catalytic action is provided by iron-manganese oxide (MnxFe2-xO4) magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) embedded into electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN), which provides stability and chemical resistance. The MNPs (average size d = 40 ± 7 nm) were first obtained by a green and fast sonochemical route, and subsequently embedded into electrospun PAN nanofibers. The final MNFs showed an average diameter of 760 ± 150 nm, providing a superhydrophobic surface with contact angle (θc = 165°), as well as a considerable amount ( 50 % wt.) of embedded MNPs (Mn0.5Fe2.5O4), thermally stable up to temperatures of 330 °C. The catalytic Fe2+/3+/Mn2+/3+/4+ active centers on the MNPs of MNF’s surface could be remotely activated by alternating magnetic fields (AMF) to degrade the methyl blue (MB). Remarkable stability of the MNFs during heating under extreme pH conditions (3 80 %, after several cycles of reusing the same sample without any regeneration process. The capacity of these materials as a catalytic material with magnetic remote activation makes them appealing for those catalytic applications under conditions of darkness or restrained access, where photocatalytic reaction cannot be achieved

Modelos de gestión en nutrición clínica. Puntos débiles y puntos fuertes

En el VIº Foro de Debate Abbott-SENPE se establece una discusión multidisciplinar y multiprofesional para buscar el o los modelos de gestión clínica que consideramos más adecuados para la Unidades de Nutrición Clínica y Dietética (UNCyD) en España. Se valoran los puntos débiles y fuertes así como las oportunidades de los actuales sistemas y se concluye en la observación de una cierta disparidad vinculada no solo a las comunidades autónomas sino también a los diferentes tipos de hospital. Se propone, desde SENPE, la creación de un grupo de trabajo que ayude a la normalización de los modelos y a potenciar la cultura del Cuadro de Mandos Integral y de Gestión del Cambio.At the 6th Abbott-SENPE Debate Forum a multidisciplinary and multiprofessional discussion was established in order to seek for the model or the models of clinical management most appropriate for Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Units (CNAD) in Spain. The weaknesses and strengths as well as opportunities for the current systems were assessed concluding that a certain degree of disparity was observed not only due to regional differences but also to different hospital types. It was proposed, from SENPE, the creation of a working group helping to standardize the models and promote the culture of Integral Control and Change Management

3D printed implant structure for breast reconstruction and systematic drug delivery for preventing the reoccurrence of cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common and deadly cancers among women worldwide. The treatment of breast cancer often involves mastectomy, which can cause physical and psychological distress to the patients, affecting their quality of life and self-esteem [1]. Therefore, the surgical intervention of breast cancer should not include only the removal of a tumor, but also psychological support by restoring the natural shape of the breast and achieving proper aesthetic for each patient. Conventional breast reconstruction techniques have several limitations, such as donor site morbidity, implant failure, infection, and poor cosmetic outcome. Moreover, breast cancer patients often require systemic chemotherapy or hormone therapy after surgery, which can cause severe side effects and complications. In this article, it is proposed a novel implant based 3d printed structure for breast reconstruction and systematic drug delivery. The implant consists of a biodegradable scaffold that is 3d printed with a customized shape, coated with Polydopamine and Alginate, and sized to fit the patient’s chest. The implant provides mechanical support, aesthetic improvement and can also enhance the efficacy and safety of chemotherapy or hormone therapy by delivering treatment directly to the target site through a channel system. The aim of the article presented here is a proposed process protocol for obtaining this prosthesis.The author would like to express their gratitude to the organizing committee of CASEIB for the permission to use their style guides as a reference for the realization of this document and also thank the staff of SEDIC (Industrial Design and Scientific Calculation Service) of the Technical University of Cartagena for their support in the development of this work and for the possibility of having scientific-technical equipment

De Novo Lipogenesis in Adipose Tissue Is Associated with Course of Morbid Obesity after Bariatric Surgery

OBJECTIVE: De novo lipogenesis is involved in fatty acid biosynthesis and could be involved in the regulation of the triglyceride storage capacity of adipose tissue. However, the association between lipogenic and lipolytic genes and the evolution of morbidly obese subjects after bariatric surgery remains unknown. In this prospective study we analyze the association between the improvement in the morbidly obese patients as a result of bariatric surgery and the basal expression of lipogenic and lipolytic genes. METHODS: We study 23 non diabetic morbidly obese patients who were studied before and 7 months after bariatric surgery. Also, we analyze the relative basal mRNA expression levels of lipogenic and lipolytic genes in epiploic visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). RESULTS: When the basal acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1), acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2) and ATP citrate lyase (ACL) expression in SAT was below percentile-50, there was a greater decrease in weight (P = 0.006, P = 0.034, P = 0.026), body mass index (P = 0.008, P = 0.033, P = 0.034) and hip circumference (P = 0.033, P = 0.021, P = 0.083) after bariatric surgery. In VAT, when the basal ACSS2 expression was below percentile-50, there was a greater decrease in hip circumference (P = 0.006). After adjusting for confounding variables in logistic regression models, only the morbidly obese patients with SAT or VAT ACSS2 expression ≥ P50 before bariatric surgery had a lower percentage hip circumference loss (<P50) after bariatric surgery (SAT: P = 0.039; VAT: P = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: A lower basal ACSS2, ACC1 and ACL expression, genes involved in de novo lipogenesis, is associated with a better evolution of anthropometric variables after bariatric surgery. Thus, the previous state of the pathways involved in fatty acid metabolism may have repercussions on the improvement of these patients

Un procedimiento nuevo para adaptar cualquier tipo de suelo para la construcción y consolidación de estructuras de tierra: Sistema de Tierra Proyectada

The “projected earth system” is put forward as an alternative construction method. The soil from each site is adapted following a specific protocol to make it suitable for spraying. The type of construction and the receiving surface determine the machinery and spraying system used (dry or wet mix). The result will be similar in texture and colour to the original material (in the case of earth walls) or to the surrounding material.Un procedimiento nuevo para adaptar cualquier tipo de suelo para la construcción y consolidación de estructuras de tierra: Sistema de Tierra Proyectada. Se plantea la “tierra proyectada” como nuevo sistema constructivo. Se adecuará la tierra de cada intervención con un protocolo para poder ser proyectada. El tipo de intervención y el soporte sobre el que se proyectará determinarán la maquinaria y el sistema de proyección (vía seca o húmeda). El resultado tendrá similar textura y color que el soporte restaurado (en muros de tierra) o que el material del entorno (en taludes carreteros u obras de tierra de nueva construcción)

Amino acid profile in malnourished patients with liver cirrhosis and its modification with oral nutritional supplements: Implications on minimal hepatic encephalopathy

Low plasma levels of branched chain amino acids (BCAA) in liver cirrhosis are associated with hepatic encephalopathy (HE). We aimed to identify a metabolic signature of minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) in malnourished cirrhotic patients and evaluate its modification with oral nutritional supplements (ONS) enriched with ß-Hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate (HMB), a derivative of the BCAA leucine. Post hoc analysis was conducted on a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 43 individuals with cirrhosis and malnutrition, who were randomized to receive, for 12 weeks, oral supplementation twice a day with either 220 mL of Ensure® Plus Advance (HMB group, n = 22) or with 220 mL of Ensure® Plus High Protein (HP group, n = 21). MHE evaluation was by psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES). Compared to the HP group, an HMB-specific treatment effect led to a larger increase in Val, Leu, Phe, Trp and BCAA fasting plasma levels. Both treatments increased Fischer’s ratio and urea without an increase in Gln or ammonia fasting plasma levels. MHE was associated with a reduced total plasma amino acid concentration, a reduced BCAA and Fischer´s ratio, and an increased Gln/Glu ratio. HMB-enriched ONS increased Fischer´s ratio without varying Gln or ammonia plasma levels in liver cirrhosis and malnutrition, a protective amino acid profile that can help prevent MHE. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Assessing mammal trapping standards in wild boar drop-net capture

Applying contemporary trapping standards when managing wildlife should no longer be an option, but a duty. Increasing wild boar populations originate a growing number of conflicts and hunting is the only cost-effective management option in most cases. However, new scenarios where hunting is unfeasible emerge and trapping necessities cope with lacking regulatory frameworks and technical guidelines. In this research, we evaluated drop nets, a capture method not considered by the international trapping standards, to capture Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa), a wildlife species not included in the list of mammal species under the scope of the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS). Less than 20% of the captured wild boars presented moderate or severe injuries attributable to the capture method, hence fulfilling the acceptance thresholds of the outdated AIHTS. Based on the new standards thresholds of acceptance, the humaneness of drop-nets in our study ranged 66-78%, under the 85% required. The capture success and selectivity were 100%, as ensured by operator-driven triggering, which should be considered the main strengths of this method, together with the minimization of animal suffering owing the short duration of the stressful situation. Additionally, in spite of the socially adverse environment, with people contrary to wild boar removal, no disturbances against the capture system or operations occurred. This is the first assessment of a drop-net capture method according to internationally accepted mammal trapping standards, with unconclusive results. However, there is a need for adapted procedures and thresholds of acceptance aimed at not-mechanical traps in general, and specifically at drop-nets. Compared to other live-capture methods, drop-nets minimize the duration of the stressful situation -at the expense of a strong adrenergic acute response-, maximize the probabilities of capturing entire sounders of prosocial species, which may be also considered as more humane, and has the ability to coordinate higher values of capture success, absolute selectivity and adaptability to difficult environments