Farm Cooperatives and the Social Economy: The Case of Spain

The term “Social Economy†is used to mean a set of organizations that share specific operational features, such as solidarity, mutual assistance, open membership, democratic management and people-based decision-making and distribution of surpluses, which depend on the activity carried out by each person irrespective of the capital invested. Farm cooperatives undoubtedly belong to this group. In recent years, Spanish farm cooperatives have been experiencing substantial business development. This process is a consequence of the latest changes in the regulations governing Spanish cooperatives. Major cooperative groups with high turnovers have developed in this positive environment. Although there are differences between countries, the European cooperative movement is a good example of the prominence that cooperatives have achieved in many sectors. Their traditional goals are changing and one of their current priorities is to meet the requirements of the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) as regards agricultural multi-functionality. Nevertheless, the principles of this concept were already present in their own tenets. This paper aims to show the role of the cooperatives in the new social requirements, taking into account their functioning principles and the new conceptual frame they are involved in.Agribusiness,

Farmers' Demand for Information about Agribusiness

This study is focused on the habits of the Brazilian farmers that access the Internet for searching information to their economical activities. The main goal is to understand how come those agents of the agribusiness use the formal and informal (personal contact) means of communication, as well as the functions that each of those means accomplish to this public. In other words, it intends to identify the channels of communication of major importance to farmers (used more often, considered the ones of more credibility and preferred among them). That is possible by means of a questionnaire sent exclusively by e-mail, answered by Brazilian farmers. The motivation of the study is to contribute to make the communication more efficient to those who work on farms. That can produce benefits to the communication companies and to the public. The results show that the Internet is the mean of communication more often used and preferred on the process of searching information about the agribusiness among Brazilian farmers. The personal contact, not considered in the valuation about preference, appears in second position in the ranking for intensity of use. On the other hand, the radio, regional press newspapers and newsletters of class entities were the less consulted and the last ones in the ranking of preference.Agribusiness, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

c-Src drives intestinal regeneration and transformation

The non‐receptor tyrosine kinase c‐Src, hereafter referred to as Src, is overexpressed or activated in multiple human malignancies. There has been much speculation about the functional role of Src in colorectal cancer (CRC), with Src amplification and potential activating mutations in up to 20% of the human tumours, although this has never been addressed due to multiple redundant family members. Here, we have used the adult <i>Drosophila</i> and mouse intestinal epithelium as paradigms to define a role for Src during tissue homeostasis, damage‐induced regeneration and hyperplasia. Through genetic gain and loss of function experiments, we demonstrate that Src is necessary and sufficient to drive intestinal stem cell (ISC) proliferation during tissue self‐renewal, regeneration and tumourigenesis. Surprisingly, Src plays a non‐redundant role in the mouse intestine, which cannot be substituted by the other family kinases Fyn and Yes. Mechanistically, we show that Src drives ISC proliferation through upregulation of EGFR and activation of Ras/MAPK and Stat3 signalling. Therefore, we demonstrate a novel essential role for Src in intestinal stem/progenitor cell proliferation and tumourigenesis initiation <i>in vivo.</i&gt

A neuronal relay mediates a nutrient responsive gut/fat body axis regulating energy homeostasis in adult Drosophila

The control of systemic metabolic homeostasis involves complex inter-tissue programs that coordinate energy production, storage, and consumption, to maintain organismal fitness upon environmental challenges. The mechanisms driving such programs are largely unknown. Here, we show that enteroendocrine cells in the adult Drosophila intestine respond to nutrients by secreting the hormone Bursicon α, which signals via its neuronal receptor DLgr2. Bursicon α/DLgr2 regulate energy metabolism through a neuronal relay leading to the restriction of glucagon-like, adipokinetic hormone (AKH) production by the corpora cardiaca and subsequent modulation of AKH receptor signaling within the adipose tissue. Impaired Bursicon α/DLgr2 signaling leads to exacerbated glucose oxidation and depletion of energy stores with consequent reduced organismal resistance to nutrient restrictive conditions. Altogether, our work reveals an intestinal/neuronal/adipose tissue inter-organ communication network that is essential to restrict the use of energy and that may provide insights into the physiopathology of endocrine-regulated metabolic homeostasis

Ultraviolet spectra of extreme nearby star-forming regions --- approaching a local reference sample for JWST

Nearby dwarf galaxies provide a unique laboratory in which to test stellar population models below $Z_\odot/2$. Such tests are particularly important for interpreting the surprising high-ionization UV line emission detected at $z>6$ in recent years. We present HST/COS ultraviolet spectra of ten nearby metal-poor star-forming galaxies selected to show He II emission in SDSS optical spectra. The targets span nearly a dex in gas-phase oxygen abundance ($7.8<12+\log\mathrm{O/H}<8.5$) and present uniformly large specific star formation rates (sSFR $\sim 10^2$ $\mathrm{Gyr}^{-1}$). The UV spectra confirm that metal-poor stellar populations can power extreme nebular emission in high-ionization UV lines, reaching C III] equivalent widths comparable to those seen in systems at $z\sim 6-7$. Our data reveal a marked transition in UV spectral properties with decreasing metallicity, with systems below $12+\log\mathrm{O/H}\lesssim 8.0$ ($Z/Z_\odot \lesssim 1/5$) presenting minimal stellar wind features and prominent nebular emission in He II and C IV. This is consistent with nearly an order of magnitude increase in ionizing photon production beyond the $\mathrm{He^+}$-ionizing edge relative to H-ionizing flux as metallicity decreases below a fifth solar, well in excess of standard stellar population synthesis predictions. Our results suggest that often neglected sources of energetic radiation such as stripped binary products and very massive O-stars produce a sharper change in the ionizing spectrum with decreasing metallicity than expected. Consequently, nebular emission in C IV and He II powered by these stars may provide useful metallicity constraints in the reionization era.Comment: 27 pages, 13 figures, 11 tables, accepted for publication in MNRA

Valor pedagógico del repositorio común de conocimientos para cursos de Dirección de Empresas

El objetivo de este artículo es presentar una nueva metodología que recibe por nombre Pool of Knowledge y que será útil para el profesorado de Dirección de Empresas que impartan docencia en inglés y/o valenciano. Esta nueva metodología también se propone como una herramienta útil para la impartición de otro tipo de temario. Se trata de una variante del flipped teaching, también conocida como “-aula invertida-”, en la que se lleva a cabo la creación, por parte del alumnado y para el alumnado, de material educativo útil para su aprendizaje en los idiomas en los que se imparte la asignatura. Este material es publicitado en un repositorio común como material complementario de estudio. Durante las clases se les anima mediante la gamificación (metodología de aprendizaje a través del juego) a que se familiaricen con este material. Al finalizar el curso el alumnado valora la nueva metodología implantada. El resultado principal es el descubrimiento de cómo valora el alumnado la gamificación. Los alumnos consideran que el hecho de haber incentivado durante las clases el estudio de estos materiales a través del juego ha resultado muy beneficioso para su aprendizaje. The aim of this article is to present a new methodology that receives the name of Pool of Knowledge and that will be useful for instructors of management courses who teach in English and / or Valencian. This new methodology is also proposed as a useful tool for teaching other courses. It is a variant of the flipped teaching methodology, also known as flipped classroom, and involves the creation, by students and for students, of useful educational materials for learning. These materials are elaborated in the language in which the course is taught and shared in a common repository as a complementary study material for students. During the classes, students are encouraged to use gamification (a methodology of learning through games) to become familiar with this material. After completing the course, the students value the new methodology implemented. The main result is the discovery of how students assess gamification activities. Studentsappreciate the benefits of gamification for their learning process.

Caracterização biofísica de uma α2-macroglobulina bacteriana e avaliação do seu potencial uso na identificação de proteases

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Departamento de Biologia Celular, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Molecular, 2018.As α2-macroglobulinas (A2M) são proteínas de alto peso molecular que atuam como inibidoras de amplo espectro de proteases. Essa inibição ocorre por meio de um mecanismo que envolve o aprisionamento físico da protease seguido pela formação de uma ligação covalente entre ambas as proteínas. A capacidade de captura das diversas classes de proteases poderia permitir sua utilização na identificação das mesmas em extratos celulares, podendo ser aplicada tanto na descoberta de novas proteases como na detecção de proteases alvo. Esse trabalho tem por objetivo caracterizar biofisicamente a α2-macroglobulina de Salmonella enterica e avaliar sua potencial utilização na identificação de proteases. A proteína foi expressa em E. coli BL21 (DE3) e purificada por cromatografia de afinidade a metal imobilizado (Ni2+), seguido por cromatografia de exclusão molecular. Foram realizados ensaios de dicroísmo circular a fim de verificar seu padrão de estrutura secundária em diferentes pH, bem como sua estabilidade térmica (25-95 ºC). Ensaios de fluorescência foram realizados com o intuito de analisar mudanças estruturais sofridas em uma ampla faixa de pH (3,5-9,0). Experimentos de ultracentrifugação analítica foram realizados a fim de compreender melhor a interação entre a A2M e a tripsina. Tanto a capacidade de ligar-se a proteases, como a habilidade em capturar proteases quando ligada em coluna foram testadas utilizando-se tripsina. Confirmadas tais capacidades, foram realizados testes com os extratos de Escherichia coli, Vigna unguiculata e Pichia pastoris a fim de detectar proteases ali presentes. As proteínas foram submetidas à proteólise e analisadas por espectrometria de massas. Houve mudanças no padrão de estrutura secundária quando a proteína foi submetida a pH ácidos e básicos (4,0 e 9,0) quando comparado ao pH próximo da neutralidade (7,5). Durante sua desnaturação térmica verificou-se que há agregação em temperaturas superiores a ~47ºC em todos os pH testados (4,0, 7,5 e 9,0), demostrando que a proteína não é estável termicamente. Foi observado que a proteína quando ligada à tripsina apresenta um padrão eletroforético e um perfil de eluição em gel filtração que indica a ocorrência de mudança conformacional. Entretanto, não foi obtido o mesmo resultado nos experimentos de ultracentrifugação analítica. A A2M aparenta formar dímeros, principalmente quando na presença da tripsina. Não houve a detecção de proteases nos testes com os extratos celulares testados. Contudo, tais testes devem ser aprimorados para um resultado mais confiável.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq).α2-macroglobulins (A2M) are high molecular weight proteins that act as broad spectrum peptidase inhibitors. The inhibition occurs by a mechanism that involves the capture of the peptidase followed by the formation of a covalent bond between the two proteins. The capture of all the peptidases classes could allow its utilization in the identification of these proteins in cellular extracts, being possibly applied in the discovery of new peptidases and in the detection of target peptidases. The aim of this work was the biophysical characterization of the α2-macroglobulin from Salmonella enterica and evaluation of its potential use in the identification of proteases. The recombinant A2M protein was expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) and purified by immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography followed by size exclusion chromatography. Circular dichroism assays were performed in order to verify the A2M secondary structure in different pH conditions, as well as its thermal stability in a temperature range of 25-95 ºC. Fluorescence spectroscopy assays were performed to analyze structural changes in a wide range of pH (3.5-9.0). The ability of A2M to bind peptidases and its capacity to capture peptidases when immobilized to a column were tested using trypsin. Once these abilities were confirmed, tests were carried out with extracts of Escherichia coli, Vigna unguiculata and Pichia pastoris in order to identify its captured peptidases. Proteins were hydrolyzed and analyzed by mass spectrometry. Analytical ultracentrifugation experiments were performed in order to better understand the interaction between A2M and trypsin. There were changes in the secondary structure when the protein was subjected to acid and basic pH (4.0 and 9.0) when compared to neutral pH (7.5). During its thermal denaturation it was found that there is aggregation at temperatures above ~ 47 ° C in all tested pH conditions (4.0, 7.5 and 9.0), showing that the protein is not thermally stable. It was verified that the protein when bound to trypsin has an electrophoretic migration and a gel filtration elution profile that indicates the occurrence of conformational change. However, the same result was not observed with the analytical ultracentrifugation experiments. A2M seems to form dimers, especially in the presence of trypsin. There was no detection of peptidase in the tests with the cell extracts. However, such tests must be improved for a more reliable result

Glucosa enzimática y tira reactiva de pacientes del Centro Materno Infantil Juan Pablo II Cono Norte Lima 2019

La diabetes mellitus tipo 2 está incrementándose a nivel mundial y nacional, su atención representa elevados costos para el sistema sanitario y afecta la calidad de vida de las personas que la padecen. El control glucémico ha demostrado ser útil en la prevención del daño macro y microvascular, por lo que es clave su vigilancia; actualmente se dispone de equipos portátiles para el monitoreo de la glucosa. Objetivo: Determinar la correlación entre los valores de glucosa medidos por método químico enzimático y por tira reactiva, en pacientes atendidos en el Centro Materno Infantil Juan Pablo II Cono Norte Lima, 2019. Método: Es un estudio descriptivo, transversal y prospectivo, con una muestra de 105 pacientes, seleccionados de forma no probabilística, por conveniencia, conforme llegaban al servicio de salud, hasta completar con la muestra. Resultados: El 68% fueron mujeres, el promedio de edad fue de 47 años, con un rango mínimo de 16 y máximo de 87. La valoración de la glucosa según el método químico enzimático tuvo una media de 3.50 con una desviación estándar de 1.902, y según el método de la tira reactiva, la media fue de 3.48 con una desviación estándar de 1.890. Se encontró una correlación positiva (Rho: 0,975), con una relación estadísticamente significativa entre ambos métodos (0.01). Conclusión: Se concluye que existe una fuerte concordancia entre la determinación de la glucosa por tira reactiva y por método enzimático en pacientes atendidos en el Centro Materno Infantil Juan Pablo, Cono Norte de Lima durante el 2019

Vulneración del derecho a la salud frente a la actividad minera en los pobladores del distrito de Jangas - Huaraz, 2021

La presente denominada “Vulneración del Derecho a la Salud frente a la Actividad Minera en los Pobladores del Distrito de Jangas - Huaraz, 2021”, tuvo por objetivo general determinar la vulneración del derecho a la salud frente a la actividad minera en los pobladores del distrito de Jangas - Huaraz, 2021. La metodología utilizada en cuanto al tipo fue aplicada con enfoque cualitativo, y diseño de estudio de caso, respecto al recojo de datos se tuvo como escenario al distrito de Jangas de donde se obtuvieron los 9 casos al mismo tiempo se contó el análisis documental de la normativa nacional e internacional, para ello se aplicó como técnicas a la entrevista y el análisis documental, siendo los instrumentos respectivos la guía de entrevista y la ficha de análisis documental. Finalmente, se concluyó que existe vulneración del derecho a la salud frente a actividad minera en el caso de los pobladores del distrito de Jangas, pues ellos consideran que se está afectando su salud debido a la contaminación producto de la explotación en la zona, lo mismo que no respeta a lo estipulado en las leyes peruanas, dando la impresión de que estas no responden a la necesidad de protección

Lyman-alpha and CIII] Emission in z=7-9 Galaxies: Accelerated Reionization Around Luminous Star Forming Systems?

We discuss new Keck/MOSFIRE spectroscopic observations of four luminous galaxies at z~7-9 selected to have intense optical line emission by Roberts-Borsani et al. (2016). Previous follow-up has revealed Lyman-alpha in two of the four galaxies. Our new MOSFIRE observations confirm that Lyman-alpha is present in the entire sample. We detect Lyman-alpha emission in COS-zs7-1, confirming its redshift as z=7.154, and we detect Lyman-alpha in EGS-zs8-2 at z=7.477, verifying a tentative detection presented in an earlier study. The ubiquity of Lyman-alpha in this sample is puzzling given that the IGM is likely significantly neutral over 7<z<9. To investigate this result in more detail, we have initiated a campaign to target UV metal emission in the four Lyman-alpha emitters as a probe of both the radiation field and the velocity offset of Lyman-alpha. Here we present the detection of intense CIII] emission in EGS-zs8-1, a galaxy from this sample previously shown to have Lyman-alpha at z=7.73. Photoionization models indicate that an intense radiation field and low metallicity are required to reproduce the intense CIII] and optical line emission. We argue that this extreme radiation field is likely to affect the local environment, increasing the transmission of Lyman-alpha through the galaxy. Moreover, the centroid of CIII] indicates that Lyman-alpha is redshifted from the systemic value by 340 km/s. This velocity offset is larger than that seen in less luminous systems, providing an additional explanation for the transmission of Lyman-alpha emission through the IGM. Since the transmission is further enhanced by the likelihood that such systems are also situated in the densest regions with the largest ionized bubbles, the visibility of Lyman-alpha at z>7 is expected to be strongly luminosity-dependent, with the most effective transmission occurring in systems with intense star formation.Comment: Submitted to MNRAS, 13 pages, 8 figure