Innovative and integrated new solutions for sustainable employability project

Innovative and Integrated New Solutions for Sustainable Employability (INTENSE) project aims at improving youth employment in Europe. It is focused on a sub-group so-called NEETs (not in education, employment and training) which is not reached (compare Eurofound 2012, Eurofound 2015) by usual means of employment centred initiatives for educationally deprived youth with psychosocial, mental, multifactorial problems, problematic lifestyles, disabilities, etc. Eurofound 2015, identifies a europe-wide need of this target group to be addressed. They also include the call for the development of holistic approaches in order to achieve sustainability. The above- mentioned need provides the stimulus for the consortium to develop (1st part of the project) and test (2nd part of the project) a client-centered educational concept. In essence, the following 3 dimensions are taken into account: 1st dimension - Compensation. The compensatory aspect concerns the assignment of a Transition Coach who works systemically and enables the clients to recognise their own educational needs, to ask for the coach's support on their own initiative, to develop their own goals and work on the achievement of the latter in an independent manner. 2nd dimension - prevention. The studies which identified the need for a holistic approach, define the requirement of national support systems to act in a preventive manner in order to produce as few NEETs as possible and, if applicable, start the holistic approach at an early stage. 3rd dimension - Structure and Cooperation. The issue going hand in hand with the points mentioned above is the explanation of structural aspects with regards to the success of integrated approaches. By involving the stakeholders at an early stage and throughout the entire project, a solid basis for achieving cross-sectoral cooperation is created. The role of the University of Malaga is to ensure the evaluation of the project development (1st part of the project) and implementation (2nd part of the project) using modern, and scientific methods. For this purpose, the university will apply the Stufflebeam Model during the development phase and evaluates the implementation phase according to effectiveness and efficiency by applying the Contribution Analysis (Mayne 2008).Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Socio-economic determinants of efficiency in reducing child mortality in developing countries

Efficiency issues in health investments have received increasing attention, mainly as a result of the growing amount of resources invested in developing countries and their mixed impacts on outcomes. The empirical literature has suggested that, although government spending on health care improves the health status of the population, society can potentially gain more through the more efficient assignment of health resources. In this context, this paper aims to: firstly, to analyse whether developing countries can further reduce child mortality by using the available resources more parsimoniously; and secondly, to identify the (non-discretionary) socio-economic factors that could be affecting this process. More specifically, this paper aims to explain why some countries are more efficient than others in converting inputs (physician density and relative total health expenditure) into a health outcome: the under-five mortality rate (U5MR). The database used in the estimations comprised 47 developing countries with data for the periods 2000- 2004, 2005-2009, and 2010-2012. The findings suggest that greater efficiency in the provision of immunization, better quality government, and lower income inequality are directly related to efficiency in the use of inputs to reduce the U5MR.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Application of green nanoscience to olive polyphenols: Formulation design and biological evaluation of oleuropein-loaded nanstructured lipid carriers

Pendiente de patente por lo solo se pueden publicar los capítulos 1, 2 y 3 que corresponden a artículos científicos ya difundidos. -- Tesis completa 202 p. -- Tesis censurada 104 p.Esta tesis doctoral nace del interés de BIOSASUN en el desarrollo de formulaciones novedosas como solución a las limitaciones que presentan los polifenoles del olivo. Ello, unido a la especialidad del Grupo Nanobiocel en el diseño de nanoformulaciones ha dado lugar al desarrollo de varios trabajos centrados en la aplicación de los principios de la nanociencia verde para el desarrollo de nanopartículas lipídicas que permitan encapsular y controlar la liberación de polifenoles del olivo de forma eficaz en el lugar de acción deseado. El enfoque del trabajo ha sido desde una perspectiva de Ciencia Verde, hacia un fomento de la economía circular en la industria oleica. Por ello se han diseñado nanopartículas lipídicas con acidos grasos y triglicéridos que pueden obtenerse del propio olivo, y el principio activo a encapsular (oleuropeína) se ha extraído de una forma sostenible a partir de hojas de olivos ecológicos que consituyen, de hecho, un sub-producto importante en la industria del aceite de oliva. Bajo este prisma, se ha desarrollado y validado una técnica anatíca de cromatografía para la caracterización de las materias primas y la nanoformualción, todo ello siguiendo los principios establecidos de la Química Verde. A continuación, se ha desarrollado y caracterizado la nanoformulación que sirve para encapsular el polifenol de olivo seleccionado. El proceso de nanoformulación ha sido diseñado para evitar el uso de solventes orgánicos y se ha caracterizado tanto la eficiencia del proceso como la no-toxicidad de la formulación en células epiteliales. Por último, se ha evaluado la eficacia de la formulación desarrollada in vitro en modelos de inflamación y de estrés oxidativo, así como en un modelo in vivo de colitis ulcerosa que cursa tanto como con procesos inflamatorios como de estrés oxidativo

Neuroimagen molecular preclínica en estimulación cerebral profunda

Tesis inédita de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Farmacología, leída el 28/01/2021. Tesis formato europeo (compendio de artículos)Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a very powerful neurostimulation therapy for the palliative treatment of, mainly, resistant cases of motor disorders. The fruitful results obtained in the neurological scenario led to explore the possibility of extending its application to different psychiatric pathologies. Thus, DBS emerges as a potential alternative to the traditional neurosurgical interventions, which consist of local or major ablative procedures, performed in specific brain regions involved in the symptomatology with the aim to palliate it. In this sense, although it is indeed an invasive technique, it is actually a focal therapy, with potential reversibility of the effects induced by the electric stimulation, and offering the possibility of adjusting the stimulation parameters according to the patient’s needs. Nevertheless, despite the huge efforts and extensive research history in the DBS field, the specific mechanism of action of this therapy remains unknown. Several theories have tried to explain the effects obtained under specific pathologies and stimulation circumstances. However, regardless of DBS undoubted efficacy, a wide number of unanswered questions remain open regarding the specific physiological effects and long-term consequences. Therefore, the application of DBS in the majority of the proposed neuropsychiatric pathologies to potentially benefit from this treatment remains at a research level. Objectives: The main aim of this thesis is to evaluate the effects of DBS, by means of in vivo functional neuroimaging techniques, in healthy rats and in two models of murine obesity. In particular, the main contribution of this thesis is to describe the neuromodulation consequences of DBS on brain metabolism using [18F]FDG-PET at different stages: 1st) after the electrodes insertion, 2nd) during the electrical stimulation, 3rd) after a chronic and intermittent DBS protocol, and 4th) after a chronic and continuous DBS protocol...La estimulación cerebral profunda (DBS) es una potente terapia de neuroestimualción dedicada al tratamiento paliativo de, en su mayoría, casos avanzados de patologías motoras. Los fructíferos resultados obtenidos dentro del ámbito de la neurología llevaron a explorar la posibilidad de extender la aplicación de la DBS a diferentes patologías psiquiátricas. Así, la DBS emerge como una alternativa a las tradicionales intervenciones neuroquirúrgicas, las cuales consisten en procedimientos de ablación, local o extensa, realizados en regiones cerebrales específicas involucradas en la sintomatología a paliar. En este sentido, aunque la DBS es de hecho una técnica invasiva, se trata de una terapia local, con potencial reversibilidad de los efectos inducidos por la estimulación eléctrica, y que proporciona la posibilidad de ajustar in vivo los parámetros de estimulación de acuerdo a las necesidades del paciente. Sin embargo, a pesar de los enormes esfuerzos y la extensa historia de investigación en el campo de la DBS, los mecanismos de acción específicos de esta terapia todavía se desconocen. Varias teorías han intentado explicar los efectos obtenidos bajo circunstancias patológicas y de estimulación concretas. No obstante, a pesar de la indudable eficacia de la DBS, un amplio número de preguntas sin responder permanecen abiertas en relación a los efectos fisiológicos específicos de la DBS, así como a las consecuencias a largo plazo de la misma. Por este motivo, la aplicación de la DBS en la mayoría de las patologías neuropsiquiátricas que han sido propuestas de poder potencialmente beneficiarse de su tratamiento, permanecen en una etapa de investigación. Objetivos: La principal motivación de esta tesis consiste en evaluar los efectos de la DBS, por medio de técnicas de imagen funcional in vivo, en ratas sanas y en dos modelos murinos de obesidad. En concreto, la principal contribución de este trabajo radica en describir las consecuencias de la neuromodulación inducida por la DBS sobre el metabolismo cerebral, utilizando [18F]FDG-PET en diferentes niveles: 1º) después de la inserción de los electrodos; 2º) durante la estimulación eléctrica; 3º) después de un protocolo crónico e intermitente de DBS; y 4º) tras un protocolo crónico y continuo de DBS...Fac. de MedicinaTRUEunpu

El sacrificio de la mujer viuda en el mundo indoeuropeo

The widow in the Roman World: Religious restriction affecting the re-married woman (bis nuptae). In the indoeuropean prehistory, widows were required to follow the same fate than their husbands, right after the husbands’ death. This paper analyzes this practice in different cultures of indoeuropean background, with special attention to the Greek mythological stories, and the sati or suttee ceremonies among the Hindues. The ideologies on whinch this practices are based will be reviewed

Ecos de arcaicas cosmogonías acuáticas en el ocaso del mundo medieval

Primitivos relatos cosmogónicos de diferentes culturas en que el agua desempeña un papel fundamental en la creación del mundo. Análisis de los valores fundamentales del agua que se manifiestan en dichos relatos. El culto al agua desde la antigüedad hasta el final de la Edad Media. Relación del agua con la magia.We review primitive cosmogonies legends from different cultures in which the water plays a fundamental role in the creation of the world. We analyze the main properties of the water appearing in these legends, the cult to water from ancient times until the end of the Middle Ages, and the relationship of water with magic

Selecting brand elements - a theoretical model for developing brand personality

This study presents a theoretical framework for start-ups to correctly manage the elements of their brand and develop their brand personality. It highlights the importance of brand personality in connecting with the intended audience and offers evidence-based guidelines for selecting appropriate brand elements, such as color, name, and font, to achieve desired goals. The research methodology involved several key steps, including the development of a theoretical model called "Brand Personality Process Management" through a comprehensive review of the relevant literature. This model aims to illustrate the correct process of creating a new brand by taking advantage of potential growth areas and provides a framework for conveying specific personality traits through different brand elements. The reliability of this model was verified through the participation of two focus groups. In conclusion, this study offers valuable information on effective branding strategies for start-ups seeking to establish themselves in competitive markets.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Do Illicit Financial Flows Hurt Basic Healthcare Provision? The Case of Infant Vaccination Coverage in Low-and Middle-Income Countries

Since 1980, developing countries have lost US$16.3 trillion dollars through broad leakages in the balance of payments, trade misinvoicing, and unrecorded financial transfers. Moreover, according to the Global Financial Integrity (GFI), illicit flows from the developing world increased steadily to reach US$1.1 trillion in 2013. The amounts of resource losses due to illicit outflows entail severe social costs and show that the extent of illicit capital flows from developing countries is serious cause for concern. Indeed, illicit capital flow from developing countries exceeds the combined total of official development assistance (ODA) and foreign direct investment (FDI) flowing into those economies and is considered a major hindrance to development. Capital flight, and in particular illicit financial flows, drains the scarce public resources available to finance the provision of public services (e.g., basic health interventions such as immunisation programs) in the poorest countries. Thus, this article analysed the impact of illicit financial flows on the infant immunisation coverage rate as a first step in analysing the impact of illicit capital flows on life conditions in developing countries. With this aim, we employed data for 56 low- and middle-income countries for the period 2002-2013. The main result of the empirical analysis is that, as expected, the relative level of illicit financial flows negatively impacts vaccination coverage in the sample of countries considered. Specifically, the total effect of a year increase of 1 p.p. in the ratio of IFF to total trade is to reduce the level of vaccination coverage rate over the coming years by 0.1 p.p. Taking into account that the average number of infants in the countries analysed over the sample period was approximately 65.3 million, this result suggests that at least 65,300 children may not receive this basic health care intervention in the future as a consequence of the increase in the ratio of IFF to total trade in a particular year.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Impact of illicit financial flows on infant vaccination coverage in developing countries.

Objectives This paper analysed the impact of illicit financial flows (IFFs) on the infant immunisation coverage rate as a first step in analysing the social costs of IFFs in developing countries. Background The liberalization of capital flows is generally associated with prospects of higher growth. However, in developing countries, opening the capital account may also facilitate the flow of capital out of the country through illicit financial flows (IFFs). Since 1980, developing countries have lost US$16.3 trillion dollars through broad leakages in the balance of payments, trade misinvoicing, and unrecorded financial transfers. Moreover, according to the Global Financial Integrity (GFI), illicit flows from the developing world increased steadily to reach US$1.1 trillion in 2013. Given that IFFs drain the scarce public resources available to finance the provision of public goods and services, the extent of illicit capital flows from developing countries is serious cause for concern. Data/Methods Data for 56 low- and middle-income countries for the period 2002-2013 have been employed. All data are open access (from GFI, World Health Organization and World Bank). Also, in order to analyse the impact of the relative size of IFFs on child vaccination coverage, as a baseline specification, a dynamic panel data model has been employed. Results/Expected Results The main result of the empirical analysis is that, as expected, the relative level of illicit financial flows negatively impacts vaccination coverage in the sample of countries considered. Specifically, the total effect of a year increase of 1 p.p. in the ratio of IFF to total trade is to reduce the level of vaccination coverage rate over the coming years by 0.1 p.p. Taking into account that the average annual number of infants in the countries analysed, over the sample period, was approximately 65.3 million, this result suggests that at least 65,300 children may not receive this basic health care intervention in the future as a consequence of the increase in the ratio of IFF to total trade in a particular year. Policy Implications The findings of this study offered evidence showing that, in developing countries, the existence of both sufficiently strong and stable financial institutions and an efficient legal system might be crucial in order to prevent the long-run negative effects of capital flows on the health conditions of populations.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech