An Analysis of Global Research Trends on Greenhouse Technology: Towards a Sustainable Agriculture

Greenhouse farming is an agricultural management system that has demonstrated its efficiency in intensifying food production. These systems constitute a feasible alternative for ensuring food supply, which is one of the greatest challenges faced by humankind in the twenty-first century. Technology has been able to meet the challenges related to greenhouse farming in both contributing to overcoming its limitations, correcting adverse impacts and ensuring system sustainability. The objective of this article is to analyse the global research trends in greenhouse technology over the last two decades, in order to identify the main driving agents, the most outstanding research lines and possible gaps in the literature. Different methodologies have been used for the analysis; both quantitative and qualitative. The principal results show that there are different relevant lines of research related to different aspects of greenhouse farming: the use of water for irrigation, the design of the optimum structure of the greenhouse, conserving the soil in the best growing conditions, energy consumption of the system as a whole, climate control within the facility and pest control. The research is characterized by the being composed largely of ad hoc studies, which hinders the international collaboration between researchers and institutions. The research approach has shifted from being focused on increasing production and cost savings to aspects related to resource conservation and sustainability

Albocycline Is the Main Bioactive Antifungal Compound Produced by Streptomyces sp. OR6 against Verticillium dahliae

[EN] Verticillium wilt is a soil-borne fungal disease that affects olive trees (Olea europaea) and poses a serious threat to their cultivation. The causal agent of this disease is Verticillium dahliae, a pathogen that is difficult to control with conventional methods. Therefore, there is a need to explore alternative strategies for the management of Verticillium wilt. In this study, we aimed to isolate and characterize actinobacteria from the rhizosphere of olive trees that could act as potential biocontrol agents against V. dahliae. We selected a Streptomyces sp. OR6 strain based on its in vitro antifungal activity and its ability to suppress the pathogen growth in soil samples. We identified the main active compound produced by this strain as albocycline, a macrolide polyketide with known antibacterial properties and some antifungal activity. Albocycline was able to efficiently suppress the germination of conidiospores. To our knowledge, this is the first report of albocycline as an effective agent against V. dahliae. Our results suggest that Streptomyces sp. OR6, or other albocycline-producing strains, could be used as a promising tool for the biological control of Verticillium wilt.SIThis research was funded by Rio Lacarón S.L. (La Garrovilla, Badajoz, Spain). Carla Calvo-Peña (EDU/601/2020) was supported by a predoctoral contract from the Junta de Castilla y León and the European Social Fund. Ana Ibañez was supported by a “Margarita Salas” modality postdoctoral grant (Reference no.: UP2021-025) through the University of León awarded by the Spanish Ministry of Universities within the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (Modernization and digitalization of the Educational System), for which funding comes from the European Recovery Instrument European Union—NextGenerationE

LA FORMACIÓN DE MAESTROS EN ESPAÑA (1838-2008): NECESIDADES SOCIALES, COMPETENCIAS Y PLANES DE ESTUDIO

Se hace un análisis longitudinal de los “Planes de Estudio” que, en función de las “necesidades de la sociedad” de cada momento histórico, se diseñaron -entre 1838 y 2008- para formar maestros, así como de las “competencias” con que se les capacitaba, según pueden verse o inferirse de esos planes. Dicho análisis quiere aportar ideas útiles para el diseño de los Planes de Estudio de 2008 de los nuevos Títulos Oficiales (grado de Maestro de Educación Infantil y Grado de Maestro de Educación Primaria) que supondrá -por fin- el pago de la “deuda histórica” que tenemos con el magisterio.ABSTRACTThe study presents a longitudinal analysis of the subject studies programmes which, according to the precise needs of society at specific historical moments -between 1838 and 2008- were designed in order to train teachers. The analysis presents the competences with which teachers were provided, as can be contrasted in these subject studies programmes. The aim of the analysis is to provide useful ideas helpful to the design of the present subject studies programmes for the new official degrees (Degree of Teacher in Infant Education and Degree of Teacher in Primary Education) in 2008, which will finally lead to the settlement of the historical debt we have with the teaching profession of the infant and primary levels of education

Teacher training in Spain (1838-2008): social needs, competences and subject studies framework

Producción CientíficaSe hace un análisis longitudinal de los "Planes de Estudio" que, en función de las "necesidades de la sociedad" de cada momento histórico, se diseñaron -entre 1838 y 2008- para formar maestros, así como de las "competencias" con que se les capacitaba, según pueden verse o inferirse de esos planes. Dicho análisis quiere aportar ideas útiles para el diseño de los Planes de Estudio de 2008 de los nuevos Títulos Oficiales (grado de Maestro de Educación Infantil y Grado de Maestro de Educación Primaria) que supondrá -por fin- el pago de la "deuda his-tórica" que tenemos con el magisterio.The study presents a longitudinal analysis of the subject studies programmes which, according to the precise needs of society at specific historical moments -between 1838 and 2008- were designed in order to train teachers. The analysis presents the competences with which teachers were provided, as can be contrasted in these subject studies programmes. The aim of the analysis is to provide useful ideas helpful to the design of the present subject studies programmes for the new official degrees (Degree of Teacher in Infant Education and Degree of Teacher in Primary Education) in 2008, which will finally lead to the settlement of the historical debt we have with the teaching profession of the infant and primary levels of education

Psychophysiological, behavioral, and cognitive indices of the emotional response: a factor-analytic study

La investigación previa sobre los componentes de la respuesta emocional empleando estudios de análisis factorial ha proporcionado una estructura de dos factores (Lang, Greenwald, Bradley y Hamm, 1993; Cuthbert, Schupp, Bradley, Birbaumer y Lang, 2000). Sin embargo, el parpadeo reflejo de sobresalto, una medida ampliamente empleada de respuesta emocional, no se ha considerado hasta la fecha. Decidimos incluir dos parámetros del reflejo de sobresalto (magnitud y latencia) para explorar si esta respuesta se ajusta al modelo bifactorial de la emoción. Registramos el parpadeo reflejo de sobresalto acústico, la respuesta de conductancia de la piel, la tasa cardiaca, el tiempo de visión, y las evaluaciones de valencia y de arousal de 45 sujetos mientas miraban 54 representaciones del IAPS (18 desagradables, 18 neutrales, y 18 agradables). La factorización de todas las medidas proporcionó una solución de dos factores (valencia y arousal) que explicaban el 70% de la varianza. Aunque algunas medidas, incluyendo el cambio en tasa cardiaca, no se comportaban como se había predicho, nuestros resultados refuerzan el modelo bidimensional de la emoción y demuestran que el sobresalto se ajusta al modelo.Previous research on the components of the emotional response employing factor analytic studies has yielded a two-factor structure (Lang, Greenwald, Bradley, & Hamm, 1993; Cuthbert, Schupp, Bradley, Birbaumer, & Lang, 2000). However, the startle blink reflex, a widely employed measure of the emotional response, has not been considered to date. We decided to include two parameters of the startle reflex (magnitude and latency) in order to explore further how this response fits into the two-factor model of emotion. We recorded the acoustic startle blink response, skin conductance response, heart rate, free viewing time, and picture valence and arousal ratings of 45 subjects while viewing 54 pictures from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS; 18 unpleasant, 18 neutral, and 18 pleasant). Factorizations of all measures gave a two-factor solution (valence and arousal) that accounted for 70% of the variance. Although some measurements, including heart rate change, did not behave as predicted, our results reinforce the two-dimension model of the emotion, and show that startle fits into the model

The Effect of Content and Physical Properties of Affective Pictures on Emotional Responses

The aim of this research was to study the influence of both the emotional content and the physical characteristics of affective stimuli on the psychophysiological, behavioural and cognitive indexes of the emotional response. We selected 54 pictures from the IAPS, depicting unpleasant, neutral, and pleasant contents, and used two picture sizes as experimental conditions (120 90 cm and 52 42 cm). Sixty-one subjects were randomly assigned to each experimental condition. We recorded the startle blink reflex, skin conductance response, heart rate, free viewing time, and picture valence and arousal ratings. In line with previous research (e.g., Bradley, Codispoti, Cuthbert, & Lang, 2001), our data showed an effect of the affective content on all the measurements recorded. Importantly, effects of the size of the affective pictures on emotional responses were not found, indicating that the emotional content is more important than the formal properties of the stimuli in evoking the emotional response.El objetivo de esta investigación fue estudiar la influencia del contenido emocional y de las características físicas de los estímulos afectivos sobre los índices psicofisiológicos, conductuales y cognitivos de la respuesta emocional. Seleccionamos 54 imágenes del IAPS, representando contenidos desagradables, neutros y agradables y usamos dos tamaños de imagen como condiciones experimentales (120 90 cm y 52 42 cm). Los 61 sujetos que conformaban la muestra experimental se asignaron de forma aleatoria a cada condición experimental. Registramos el parpadeo reflejo de sobresalto, la respuesta de conductancia de la piel, la frecuencia cardiaca, el tiempo de visión y las estimaciones de valencia afectiva y arousal de las imágenes. De acuerdo con la investigación previa (p. ej., Bradley, Codispoti, Cuthbert y Lang, 2001), nuestros datos mostraron un efecto del contenido afectivo en todas las medidas registradas. Nuestros resultados no mostraron, sin embargo, efectos del tamaño de las imágenes afectivas sobre ninguna de las medidas registradas, lo que indica que el contenido afectivo es más importante que las propiedades formales de los estímulos para provocar respuestas emocionales

Estructura familiar y satisfacción parental: propuestas para la intervención

Estructura familiar y satisfacción parental: propuestas para la intervenció

Fucoxanthin-Containing Cream Prevents Epidermal Hyperplasia and UVB-Induced Skin Erythema in Mice

Microalgae represent a source of bio-active compounds such as carotenoids with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. We aimed to investigate the effects of fucoxanthin (FX) in both in vitro and in vivo skin models. Firstly, its anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in LPS-stimulated THP-1 macrophages and TNF-α-stimulated HaCaT keratinocytes, and its antioxidant activity in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. Next, in vitro and ex vivo permeation studies were developed to determine the most suitable formulation for in vivo FX topical application. Then, we evaluated the effects of a FX-containing cream on TPA-induced epidermal hyperplasia in mice, as well as on UVB-induced acute erythema in hairless mice. Our results confirmed the in vitro reduction of TNF-α, IL-6, ROS and LDH production. Since the permeation results showed that cream was the most favourable vehicle, FX-cream was elaborated. This formulation effectively ameliorated TPA-induced hyperplasia, by reducing skin edema, epidermal thickness, MPO activity and COX-2 expression. Moreover, FX-cream reduced UVB-induced erythema through down-regulation of COX-2 and iNOS as well as up-regulation of HO-1 protein via Nrf-2 pathway. In conclusion, FX, administered in a topical formulation, could be a novel natural adjuvant for preventing exacerbations associated with skin inflammatory pathologies as well as protecting skin against UV radiation

Sustainable Water Use in Agriculture: A Review of Worldwide Research

Sustainability of water use in agriculture is a line of research that has gained in importance worldwide. The present study reviewed 25 years of international research on sustainable water use in agriculture. A bibliometric analysis was developed to sample 2084 articles. Results indicate exponential growth in the number of articles published per year, with research in this field having acquired a global scale. Environmental Science and Agricultural and Biological Sciences are the main categories. Three journals—Agricultural Water Management, Water Resources Management and Nongye Gongcheng Xuebao Agricultural Engineering—published the most of the articles. China, the U.S., Australia, India and Germany produced the most research. The three institutions that published the most articles were all Chinese (Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Agricultural University and Northwest A&F University). The most cited authors were Ridoutt, Hoekstra and Zhang. The keywords most frequently used include: water-use, irrigation, water-management, water-supply, and sustainability. A network map shows three clusters that focus on the environmental, agronomic and management aspects. The findings of this study can assist researchers in this field by providing an overview of research on the sustainability of hydric resources