Impact of Green Intellectual Capital on Sustainable Development Goals: Insights From Spain’s Wine Industry

This study seeks to explore the multifaceted impacts of the Green Intellectual Capital (GIC) within viticulture enterprises on the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This endeavor holds significant academic value, as, to the best of our understanding, no prior investigations have delved into this specific correlation. The impetus for this inquiry is rooted in two foundational beliefs: firstly, that an enhanced GIC equips firms with the tools to more effectively navigate environmental hurdles; and secondly, that GIC serves as a transformative agent within entities, fostering enriched knowledge acquisition. To methodically address the stipulated aim, a qualitative methodology was employed, underpinned by a singular case study. The findings underscore the instrumental role of the three facets of GIC—Green Human Capital, Green Structural Capital, and Green Relational Capital—in facilitating the attainment of SDGs 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, and 17

The Effect of Green Intellectual Capital on Green Performance in the Spanish Wine Industry: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

Global environmental problems, such as global warming, pollution, or deforestation, are critical issues that require a rapid and common response. In this context, companies play a decisive role in achieving environmental objectives through the ecological knowledge they can store and manage. In this context, the present research focuses its interest on analyzing how the set of green intangibles possessed by organizations, i.e., Green Intellectual Capital (GIC), affects their Green Performance (GP). Specifically, the study shows how GP is influenced by GIC through the mediating role of the Green Innovation (GI) variable. Therefore, the research questions to be answered by this study are as follows: Does GIC influence environmental performance? Does GI mediate the GIC-GP relationship? What actions can companies take to improve their GP? There are several reasons that have led us to carry out this research. First, there is little empirical evidence of the relationships proposed in this study. Second, to the best of our knowledge, there is no previous research that has contextualized the relationships raised in the wine industry, thus representing an advance in the comprehension of the constructs studied. Third, GIC represents an incipient field of study that needs to be developed and established within the literature linked to Intellectual Capital (IC). In order to achieve the proposed objectives, data from a survey of 202 wineries in Spain were used and a quantitative approach was followed using Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results of the research indicate that there is a positive and significant relationship between GIC and GP. In addition, GI partially mediates the relationship between these two variables, playing a key role in the environmental management of wineries. The theoretical and practical contributions of the study improve the understanding of the relationships raised, being a pioneering study due to its contextualization in the wine industry, as well as providing a series of guidelines for both environmental managers and winemakers to improve their GP

Do the Spanish university students follow Mediterranean dietary patterns?

Objetivo: Determinar el patrón de consumo de alimentos del alumnado de la Universidad de Alicante (UA) mediante el grado de adecuación a la dieta mediterránea. Método: Estudio transversal descriptivo para estimar la ingesta individual a través de un cuestionario de frecuencia de consumo de alimentos (CFCA) en una muestra representativa de 380 universitarios. Variables a estudio: edad, sexo, área geográfica de procedencia, peso y talla autoreferidos. Así como los alimentos y frecuencias de consumo que componen el CFCA. Se determinó el porcentaje de adecuación teniendo en cuenta, consumo real sobre consumo recomendado por la guía dieta mediterránea tradicional: (100 x raciones consumidas/raciones recomendadas). Se establecieron 5 rangos de porcentaje adecuación: consumo óptimo (80%-119%), consumo aceptable (60%-79%), consumo deficiente (40%-59%), consumo muy deficiente ( 120%). Se realizó contraste de diferencia de proporciones y la prueba t-Student con EPIDAT 3.1, y SPSS 15.0. Resultados: Prevalencia de sobrepeso-obesidad, es mayor en hombres (34,6%) que en mujeres (9,8%), p 120%). We analyzed the differences in proportions distribution and the Student’s t test with EPIDAT 3.1 and SPSS 15.0. Results: The prevalence of overweight/obesity is higher in men (34.6%) than in women (9.8%), p < 0.001, whereas women had higher prevalence of low weight (7.0%) than men (0.7%), p < 0.05. The consumption of grains and derivatives was very deficient (women = 90.6; men = 94.9) whereas the intake of red meats (women = 90.6; men = 92.7) and cold meats (women = 95.9%, men = 96.3%) was excessive. No student had an “optimal intake” or an “acceptable intake” of all the dietary groups (n = 12). Discussion: The educational level and access to the information do not protect the university population from socio-environmental factors that have an influence on their dietary habits. The public health strategies focused on this population group should be strengthen

REUTIVAR: Model for Precision Fertigation Scheduling for Olive Orchards Using Reclaimed Water

Olive orchard is the most representative and iconic crop in Andalusia (Southern Spain). It is also considered one of the major economic activities of this region. However, due to its extensive growing area, olive orchard is also the most water-demanding crop in the Guadalquivir River Basin. In addition, its fertilization is commonly imprecise, which causes over-fertilization, especially nitrogen. This leads to pollution problems in both soil and water, threating the environment and the system sustainability. This concern is further exacerbated by the use of reclaimed water to irrigate since water is already a nutrient carrier. In this work, a model which determines the real-time irrigation and fertilization scheduling for olive orchard, applying treated wastewater, has been developed. The precision fertigation model considers weather information, both historical and forecast data, soil characteristics, hydraulic characteristics of the system, water allocation, tree nutrient status, and irrigation water quality. As a result, daily information about irrigation time and fertilizer quantity, considering the most susceptible crop stage, is provided. The proposed model showed that by using treated wastewater, additional fertilization was not required, leading to significant environmental benefits but also benefits in the total farm financial costs

Spatio-temporal analysis of nitrogen variations in an irrigation distribution network using reclaimed water for irrigating olive trees

Fertigation management of olive grove is highly complex, especially when reclaimed water is used for irrigation. Nitrogen (N) is the main nutrient component of olive trees which, traditionally, has led to an excessive use in fertilization programs. This problem can be exacerbated if reclaimed water is used since it already contains N. For this reason, water quality must be considered in the fertilization plan. Both total content and N form arriving to the trees have implications in olive tree nutrient requirements as well as the environment. If reclaimed water particularities and the length of the pipes of water distribution networks are considered, the form and total concentration of N can change over space and time. In this work, both spatial and temporal analysis of the N content and form in a water distribution network using reclaimed water for irrigating olive trees was performed. This study proved that changes in N were evident both over time and across the irrigation water distribution network. Seasonally, N content was reduced during the summer period. Spatially, a clear nitrification occurred from the pumping station to the farms. These variations demonstrate the importance of a continuous water quality control in order to adjust the fertilization plan according to the N content in water

Structure and genetic relationships between Serrana de Teruel breed and other cattle breeds reared in Spain

En este trabajo se analiza la variabilidad genética de la raza autóctona en peligro de extinción Serrana de Teruel, así como su relación con las razas bovinas explotadas en España: Albera, Pajuna, Avileña-Negra Ibérica, Serrana Negra, Pirenaica y Parda de Montaña. La caracterización genética se ha realizado mediante marcadores microsatélites, todos han resultado polimórficos detectándose un total de 198 alelos con una media de 6,79 alelos por locus. Las heterocigosidades observadas y esperadas fueron altas y similares en el equilibrio, con valores de 0,67 y 0,68 respectivamente. A partir del estudio de las relaciones filogenéticas se ha podido observar la cercanía de la raza Serrana de Teruel con las razas de montaña Pirenaica y Parda de Montaña. Mediante el estudio de la estructura genética se observó que el porcentaje de animales correctamente asignados a la Serrana de Teruel para q>0,8 fue del 47,5%, apreciándose una clara influencia de la raza Parda de Montaña en los individuos mezclados.In this work we analyze by microsatellite markers the genetic diversity, structure and relationships of the indigenous endangered Serrana de Teruel cattle breed with different breeds reared in Spain. All loci were polymorphic and a total of 198 alleles were observed across loci, with a mean of 6.79. Observed and expected heterozygosities values shown the high variability of Serrana de Teruel breed with values of 0.67 and 0.68 respectively. The neighbour net based on Reynolds distances shown the close genetic relationship among Serrana de Teruel and the mountain Parda de Montaña and Pirenaica breeds. STRUCTURE results showed a 47.5% of correctly assigned individuals to Serrana de Teruel breed using a q>0.8 threshold. The admixed animals shown a clear influence of Parda de Montaña breed.Financiado con el proyecto PET2007-05-C03-01 (Caracterización zootécnica, genética y calidad de la canal y de la carne de la población bovina Serrana de Teruel) y RZ2006-00003-C02-02 Caracterización morfogenética y criopreservación del germoplasma de la Serrana de Teruel, población bovina en peligro de extinción)

Reutivar: App para la programación óptima de fertirriego con agua regenerada

El olivar es un cultivo de gran repercusión económica en toda España, siendo el país con la mayor superficie del mundo dedicada a éste. Esta importancia se acentúa en Andalucía, donde es el cultivo más representativo e icónico en la región. De hecho, debido a la superficie que ocupa, el olivar es el cultivo que más agua consume en toda la Cuenca Hidrográfica del Guadalquivir. En cuanto a su fertilización, ésta suele ser poco precisa y, con frecuencia, basada en prácticas culturales y en la experiencia del agricultor. Esto conlleva que se realicen aplicaciones de fertilizantes innecesarias, ocasionando la contaminación de suelos y aguas subterráneas. En este escenario, la utilización de agua regenerada para riego de olivar surge como alternativa a las fuentes de agua tradicionales. Sin embargo, uno de los problemas asociados al riego con este tipo de agua es la gestión de la fertilización, pues ésta ya incorpora una importante cantidad de nutrientes, que es además variable a lo largo del año. Por ello, en este trabajo, se ha desarrollado una aplicación móvil (Reutivar-App) para la programación conjunta y en tiempo real del riego y la fertilización del olivar considerando el riego con agua regenerada. Reutivar-App está destinada a técnicos y agricultores e integra metodologías complejas y ya consolidadas, pero en un formato muy amigable. La aplicación tiene en cuenta tanto registros agroclimáticos históricos como predicciones climáticas, características hidráulicas del sistema de riego, dotación de agua concedida, análisis foliares y análisis de calidad del agua periódicos. Como resultado, genera una recomendación semanal del tiempo de riego y la cantidad de fertilizante óptimos a aplicar. Dichos resultados ponen de manifiesto que se puede hacer un uso mucho más eficiente del agua y el fertilizante y que, gracias a los nutrientes que este tipo de aguas aporta, el uso de fertilizantes adicionales puede ser innecesario, implicando importantes beneficios tanto medioambientales como económicos

Genetic Deletion of NOD1 Prevents Cardiac Ca2+ Mishandling Induced by Experimental Chronic Kidney Disease

© 2020 by the authors.Risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) increases considerably as renal function declines in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 1 (NOD1) has emerged as a novel innate immune receptor involved in both CVD and CKD. Following activation, NOD1 undergoes a conformational change that allows the activation of the receptor-interacting serine/threonine protein kinase 2 (RIP2), promoting an inflammatory response. We evaluated whether the genetic deficiency of Nod1 or Rip2 in mice could prevent cardiac Ca2+ mishandling induced by sixth nephrectomy (Nx), a model of CKD. We examined intracellular Ca2+ dynamics in cardiomyocytes from Wild-type (Wt), Nod1−/− and Rip2−/− sham-operated or nephrectomized mice. Compared with Wt cardiomyocytes, Wt-Nx cells showed an impairment in the properties and kinetics of the intracellular Ca2+ transients, a reduction in both cell shortening and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ load, together with an increase in diastolic Ca2+ leak. Cardiomyocytes from Nod1−/−-Nx and Rip2−/−-Nx mice showed a significant amelioration in Ca2+ mishandling without modifying the kidney impairment induced by Nx. In conclusion, Nod1 and Rip2 deficiency prevents the intracellular Ca2+ mishandling induced by experimental CKD, unveiling new innate immune targets for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies to reduce cardiac complications in patients with CKD.This work was supported by Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and European Regional Development Fund (SAF-2017-84777R), Institute of Health Carlos III (PI17/01093 and PI17/01344), Sociedad Española de Cardiología, Proyecto Traslacional 2019, Fundación Renal Íñigo Álvarez de Toledo (FRIAT), Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), FSE, and CIBER-CV, a network funded by ISCIII. M.F.-V. is Miguel Servet II researcher of ISCIII (MSII16/00047 Carlos III Health Institute). G.R.-H. is Miguel Servet I researcher of ISCIII (CP15/00129 Carlos III Health Institute). M.T. is a PhD student funded by the FPU program of the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (FPU17/06135). A.R. was supported by Fondo SEP-Cinvestav project #601410 FIDSC 2018/2; and Fondo SEP-Conacyt Ciencia Básica A1-S-9082

APP PARA LA PROGRAMACIÓN DEL RIEGO Y LA FERTILIZACIÓN DEL OLIVAR REGADO CON AGUA REGENERADA

El olivar es el cultivo más representativo y simbólico de Andalucía, teniendo un gran impacto social, cultural y económico en toda la región. Sin embargo, debido a su gran extensión, aproximadamente 1 de cada 3 ha es de riego, y, pese a que se riega generalmente de forma deficitaria, es el cultivo con mayor uso de agua en la Cuenca del Guadalquivir. A esto hay que añadir que, generalmente, la aplicación de fertilizantes suele ser poco precisa, dando lugar a una aportación excesiva de macronutrientes esenciales, especialmente de nitrógeno, lo que provoca problemas de contaminación de acuíferos, suelos y atmósfera. El empleo de agua regenerada para el riego de olivar está suscitando gran interés como alternativa al uso de agua convencional. El problema asociado al riego con agua regenerada es la gestión de la fertilización, ya que esta agua incorpora una cantidad considerable de nutrientes que, además, es variable a lo largo del año. Por ello, en este trabajo, se ha desarrollado una app de fácil manejo para los agricultores que integra la programación en tiempo real del riego y de la fertilización para el caso específico de este tipo de agua. El modelo en el que se basa la aplicación tiene en cuenta datos climáticos, tanto históricos como predicciones para los próximos días, características del suelo, características hidráulicas del sistema de riego, dotación concedida, análisis del estado nutritivo del árbol y análisis continuos de la calidad del agua. Como resultado, la aplicación genera la programación diaria o semanal del riego y la fertilización, priorizando la aplicación del agua en los momentos en los que el cultivo es más sensible al estrés hídrico

Changes in HSP gene and protein expression in natural scrapie with brain damage

Heat shock proteins (Hsp) perform cytoprotective functions such as apoptosis regulation and inflammatory response control. These proteins can also be secreted to the extracellular medium, acting as inflammatory mediators, and their chaperone activity permits correct folding of proteins and avoids the aggregation of anomalous isoforms. Several studies have proposed the implication of Hsp in prion diseases. We analysed the gene expression and protein distribution of different members of the Hsp27, Hsp70, and Hsp90 families in the central nervous system of sheep naturally infected with scrapie. Different expression profiles were observed in the areas analysed. Whereas changes in transcript levels were not observed in the cerebellum or medulla oblongata, a significant decrease in HSP27 and HSP90 was detected in the prefrontal cortex. In contrast, HSP73 was overexpressed in diencephalons of scrapie animals. Western blotting did not reveal significant differences in Hsp90 and Hsp70 protein expression between scrapie and control animals. Expression rates identified by real-time RT-PCR and western blotting were compared with the extent of classical scrapie lesions using stepwise regression. Changes in Hsp gene and protein expression were associated with prion protein deposition, gliosis and spongiosis rather than with apoptosis. Finally, immunohistochemistry revealed intense Hsp70 and Hsp90 immunolabelling in Purkinje cells of scrapie sheep. In contrast, controls displayed little or no staining in these cells. The observed differences in gene expression and protein distribution suggest that the heat shock proteins analysed play a role in the natural form of the disease