Characterisation of Spanish investment in the Republic of Ecuador during the second period of Alianza País (2013-2017)

El propósito de esta investigación es caracterizar la inversión española en Ecuador, y analizar las percepciones sobre ésta de las empresas ibéricas que desarrollan su actividad en esta república Latinoamericana. Esta información es de especial relevancia para las instituciones gubernamentales, y para los potenciales inversores. Para realizar el trabajo se utilizó una metodología cualitativa con una perspectiva socioeconómica de tipo exploratoria de bola de nieve. Los resultados muestran como principal conclusión que los diez años del gobierno del presidente Rafael Correa han sido positivos para la inversión en términos generales debido a la continuidad del gobierno que influyó en una mayor estabilidad política y social, que dio lugar a un periodo de crecimiento económico por encima de muchos países desarrollados. En relación a las multinacionales españolas, también fue favorable, por su participación en grandes proyectos de obra civil que supusieron importantes ingresos en una época de recesión económica y reducida inversión en España.The purpose of this research is to characterize Spanish investment in Ecuador, and to analyze the perceptions of Iberian companies operating in this South American republic. This information is of particular relevance for government institutions and potential investors. A qualitative methodology with an snowball of exploratory socio-economic perspective was used to carry out the study. The results show that the main conclusion is that the ten years of President Rafael Correa's government have been positive for investment in general terms, due to the continuity of the government, which has led to greater political and social stability, resulting in a period of economic growth that has surpassed that of many developed countries. In relation to Spanish multinationals, it was also favorable, due to their participation in large civil works projects that brought in significant revenues at a time of economic recession and reduced investment in Spain

Análisis de cobertura de medicina prepagada en Pichincha (2019-2020)

The present research aims to determine the health companies that are established and certified in the province of Pichincha, and to analyze prepaid health in the area. For this purpose, the regulatory bodies of prepaid medicine are examined, classifying them according to their volume of revenues and profits. Through this qualitative study, the health coverage profile, and its consequent economic sustainability in relation to its cost-benefit is synthesized. The private system has a particular market with a pharma-economic approach that implies a certain investment for the client with an uncertain outcome. In 2019 in Ecuador, US$ 581 million was spent on prepaid healthcare, which represented approximately 12% of total healthcare spending. 80% corresponds to prepaid medicine billing and 20% to insurers' premiums. These resources affect the efficiency of the health system and the quality of life of a part of the population that seeks greater utility at the lowest possible cost. Investing in healthcare is a bet on development, in a country with almost zero economic growth in the last two yearsLa presente investigación tiene como objetivo determinar las empresas sanitarias que se encuentran establecidas y certificadas en la provincia de Pichincha, y analizar la salud prepagada de la zona mencionada. Para ello se examinan los organismos reguladores de la medicina de pago anticipado, clasificándoles en función de su volumen de ingresos y beneficios. A través de este estudio cualitativo se sintetiza el perfil de cobertura sanitaria y su consecuente sostenibilidad económica en relación con su coste-beneficio. El sistema privado tiene un mercado particular con enfoque farmaeconómico que implica una cierta inversión para el cliente con un resultado incierto. En el año 2019 en Ecuador se gastó en salud prepagada 581 millones de dólares que representó aproximadamente un 12% del gasto total en salud. El 80% corresponde a la facturación de la medicina prepagada y el 20% a las primas de las aseguradoras. Estos recursos afectan a la eficiencia del sistema de salud y a la calidad de vida de una parte de la población que busca una mayor utilidad con el mínimo coste posible. Invertir en sanidad es apostar por el desarrollo, en un país con un crecimiento económico casi nulo estos dos últimos año

Engineered 3D hydrogels with full-length fibronectin that sequester and present growth factors

[EN] Extracellular matrix (ECM)-derived matrices such as Matrigel are used to culture numerous cell types in vitro as they recapitulate ECM properties that support cell growth, organisation, migration and differentiation. These ECM-derived matrices contain various growth factors which make them highly bioactive. However, they suffer lot-to-lot variability, undefined composition and lack of controlled physical properties. There is a need to develop rationally designed biomaterials that can also recapitulate ECM roles. Here, we report the development of fibronectin (FN)-based 3D hydrogels of controlled stiffness and degradability that incorporate full-length FN to enable solid-phase presentation of growth factors in a physiological manner. We demonstrate, in vitro and in vivo, the effect of incorporating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) in these hydrogels to enhance angiogenesis and bone regeneration, respectively. These hydrogels represent a step-change in the design of well-defined, reproducible, synthetic microenvironments for 3D cell culture that incorporate growth factors to achieve functional effects.This study was supported by the UK Regenerative Medicine Platform (MRC grant MR/L022710/1), the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC EP/P001114/1) and a programme grant from the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation. mu CT work was supported by the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) (grant agreement No. [615030]). S.T. acknowledges support from the University of Glasgow through their internal scholarship funding program. We thank the support of David Adams (Anatomy lab, University of Glasgow) and the Biological Services and Veterinary Research Facility (University of Glasagow) for their assistance.Trujillo-Muñoz, S.; González-García, C.; Rico Tortosa, PM.; Reid, A.; Windmill, J.; Dalby, MJ.; Salmerón Sánchez, M. (2020). Engineered 3D hydrogels with full-length fibronectin that sequester and present growth factors. Biomaterials. 252:1-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120104S115252Jarad, M., Kuczynski, E. A., Morrison, J., Viloria-Petit, A. M., & Coomber, B. L. (2017). Release of endothelial cell associated VEGFR2 during TGF-β modulated angiogenesis in vitro. BMC Cell Biology, 18(1). doi:10.1186/s12860-017-0127-ySpence, J. R., Mayhew, C. N., Rankin, S. A., Kuhar, M. F., Vallance, J. E., Tolle, K., … Wells, J. M. (2010). Directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into intestinal tissue in vitro. Nature, 470(7332), 105-109. doi:10.1038/nature09691Yang, S.-J., Son, J. 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The effect of SDF-1α on low dose BMP-2 mediated bone regeneration by release from heparinized mineralized collagen type I matrix scaffolds in a murine critical size bone defect model. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, 104(9), 2126-2134. doi:10.1002/jbm.a.3574

Hernias diafragmáticas traumáticas

The diafragm is a thin and flat musculo-fascial structure that separates the chest from the abdominal cavity.Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is an infrequent and life-threatening injury that may happen in patients with severe blunt or penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma. Diaphragmatic rupture is an important indicator of the severity of the trauma.These ruptures may be recognized at the time of the initial trauma, but are diagnosed months or even years later during the follow-up for related symptoms. If it is not detected early, the mortality rate could increase due to severe complications.The diagnosis of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is difficult and often missed, because it could be accompanied by injuries to other organs. Supine chest radiography, despite its known limitations, is the initial most commonly performed imaging test to evaluate a traumatic injury in the thorax. However, computed tomography (CT) is the imaging tool of choice, as it is the key element for the detection of diaphragmatic injury after trauma.In hemodynamically stable patients, either videolaparoscopy or videothoracoscopy are recommended for the diagnosis and repair of a missed diaphragmatic injury. The surgical repair with nonabsorbable simple sutures is adequate in most cases, and the use of mesh should be reserved for chronic and large defects.El diafragma es una estructura músculo-aponeurótica delgada y aplanada que separa la cavidad torácica de la abdominal. La hernia diafragmática traumática es una lesión poco frecuente y potencialmente mortal que puede presentarse en pacientes que han sufrido un traumatismo tóraco-abdominal tanto cerrado como penetrante. La ruptura diafragmática es un importante indicador de la gravedad del traumatismo. Suelen identificarse en el momento del traumatismo, pero en ocasiones pueden pasar desapercibidas y diagnosticarse meses, e incluso años, más tarde debido a la presencia de síntomas relacionados con las estructuras y órganos afectados. Si no se detecta a tiempo, la tasa de mortalidad puede aumentar debido a la aparición de graves complicaciones. El diagnóstico de la hernia diafragmática traumática es difícil y, a menudo, puede pasar desapercibido debido a la gravedad de las lesiones acompañantes. La radiografía de tórax en decúbito supino, a pesar de sus limitaciones, es el método de imagen más habitual y el más frecuentemente utilizado para evaluar los traumatismos torácicos. Sin embargo, la tomografía computarizada (TAC) es actualmente la exploración idónea y el principal método diagnóstico de las hernias diafragmáticas traumáticas. En pacientes hemodinámicamente estables la videolaparoscopia y la videotoracoscopia permiten el diagnóstico y en muchos casos el tratamiento de la lesión diafragmática. En la mayoría de los casos la sutura de los bordes de la herida diafragmática es suficiente para corregir la lesión. En los grandes defectos diafragmáticos puede ser necesario el uso de prótesis

Sprouted Barley Flour as a Nutritious and Functional Ingredient

peer-reviewedThe increasing demand for healthy food products has promoted the use of germinated seeds to produce functional flours. In this study, germination conditions were optimized in barley grains with the aim to produce flours with high nutritional and biofunctional potential using response surface methodology (RSM). The impact of germination time (0.8–6 days) and temperature (12–20 °C) on barley quality was studied. Non-germinated barley was used as the control. The content of vitamins B1, B2 and C, and proteins increased notably after germination, especially at longer times, while levels of fat, carbohydrates, fibre, and β-glucan were reduced. Total phenolic compounds, γ-aminobutyric acid and antioxidant activity determined by Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity increased between 2-fold and 4-fold during sprouting, depending on germination conditions and this increase was more pronounced at higher temperatures (16–20 °C) and longer times (5–6 days). Procyanidin B and ferulic acid were the main phenolics in the soluble and insoluble fraction, respectively. Procyanidin B levels decreased while bound ferulic acid content increased during germination. Germinated barley flours exhibited lower brightness and a higher glycemic index than the control ones. This study shows that germination at 16 °C for 3.5 days was the optimum process to obtain nutritious and functional barley flours. Under these conditions, sprouts retained 87% of the initial β-glucan content, and exhibited levels of ascorbic acid, riboflavin, phenolic compounds and GABA between 1.4-fold and 2.5-fold higher than the non-sprouted grain

Uso de Google Calendar para la coordinación entre asignaturas del Grado en Ingeniería Química

Uno de los aspectos peor valorados por los estudiantes de las nuevas titulaciones de grado es la coordinación entre asignaturas del mismo curso en cuanto a la distribución de controles y otro tipo de pruebas objetivas a lo largo del cuatrimestre, que afecta a la carga de trabajo no presencial en determinados momentos. En la guía docente de cada asignatura aparece la información sobre las pruebas a realizar dentro de un cronograma aproximado por semanas, y está disponible antes del comienzo del curso. Sin embargo, esa distribución puede variar ligeramente una vez empezado el curso debido a diversos motivos, y no se dispone de la información para todas las asignaturas del cuatrimestre en un mismo documento, lo que facilitaría su visualización. En este trabajo se propone el uso de la herramienta Google Calendar con el objetivo de tener un mayor control de este aspecto y poder detectar y corregir conflictos que puedan surgir, aplicándolo al Grado en Ingeniería Química

The Probiotic VSL#3 Does Not Seem to Be Efficacious for the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Symptomatology of Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Background: Gastrointestinal symptomatology is frequent among patients with fibromyalgia, which increases disease burden and lacks specific treatment, either pharmacological or nonpharmacological. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a multi-strain probiotic, VSL#3®, for the treatment of fibromyalgia-associated gastrointestinal manifestations. Methods: This randomized, placebo-controlled trial included 12 weeks of probiotic or placebo treatment followed by 12 weeks of follow up. The primary outcome variable was the mean change from the baseline to the endpoint in the composite severity score of the three main gastrointestinal symptoms reported by patients with fibromyalgia (abdominal pain, abdominal bloating and meteorism). Secondary outcome variables were the severity of additional gastrointestinal symptoms, fibromyalgia severity, depression, sleep disturbance, health-related quality of life and patients’ overall impression of improvement. Results: No differences were found between VSL#3® (n = 54) and the placebo (n = 56) in the primary outcome (estimated treatment difference: 1.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −2.1, 4.2; p = 0.501), or in any of the secondary outcomes. However, responders to VSL#3 were more likely to maintain any improvement during the follow-up period compared to responders in the placebo arm. Overall, VSL#3 tolerability was good. Conclusion: Our data could not demonstrate any beneficial effects of VSL#3® either on the composite score of severity of abdominal pain, bloating and meteorism or in any of the secondary outcome variables. More research is needed to elucidate specific factors that may predict a favourable response to treatment in patients with fibromyalgia.Actial Farmaceutica Srl (Rome, Italy)Ferring SAU (Madrid, Spain)Neither Actial Farmaceutica Srl nor Ferring SAUActial Farmaceutica Sr

The “DrownSafe” project: assessing the feasibility of a puppet show in teaching drowning prevention to children and parents

Drowning remains a prominent global pediatric health concern, necessitating preventive measures such as educational initiatives for children and caregivers. In this study, we aimed to assess the feasibility and educational effectiveness of an interactive puppet show centered on teaching water safety to children and parents. A 30 min original theater performance, featuring two actors and three puppets (a girl, a crab, and a lifeguard), was conducted. Subsequently, 185 children (aged 4 to 8) and their 160 parents (134 mothers and 26 fathers) participated in this quasi-experimental study. Pre- and post-show tests were administered to evaluate knowledge and behaviors regarding aquatic environments. Prior to the puppet show, 78% of the children exhibited basic aquatic competency. Only 33% considered swimming alone risky. Following the intervention, 81.6% of the children changed their perception of the risks of solo beach activities, showing improved knowledge regarding contacting an emergency number (from 63.2% to 98.9%, p < 0.001). The intervention increased parents’ intention to visit lifeguard-patrolled beaches and improved their CPR knowledge with regard to drowning victims by 58.8%. In conclusion, a drowning prevention puppet show positively impacted children and parents, potentially enhancing safety behaviors during water-related leisure activities, warranting its consideration part of comprehensive drowning prevention strategies.Universidade de Vig

La importancia de los intereses académicos en la política científica y tecnológica catalana

Publicado en: 'Papers: Revista de Sociología', 70: 11-40, 2003Este artículo describe la emergencia y orientación de las políticas de I+D e innovación en Cataluña. Se analizan cuáles son los factores más influyentes en la orientación de estas políticas y, en definitiva, en las opciones políticas que se toman. La política de ciencia y tecnología desarrollada por el gobierno regional catalán desde principios de los años ochenta ha sido una política en la que, a pesar de las preferencias manifestadas en el discurso político, ha predominado un modelo de política académico sobre el de orientación empresarial. Asimismo, en términos organizativos e institucionales, en la Administración autonómica, la política científica ha estado separada y diferenciada de la política tecnológica a pesar del diseño inicial de instituciones interdepartamentales. La principal razón de que la política de I+D catalana no siguiera un modelo más industrial, ligado al mundo empresarial, fue la presión que ejercieron las universidades catalanas para que, tanto el diseño institucional como el contenido de la política se adaptara a sus necesidades. La trayectoria académica previa de los gestores también contribuyó a la reorientación de las preferencias políticas. A pesar de la importancia de las empresas catalanas en la I+D, éstas no se movilizaron ni presionaron a los gobiernos suficientemente. Analíticamente, este caso ilustra cómo la sola creación política de instituciones no garantiza la realización de las preferencias políticas. También pone de manifiesto cómo el horizonte temporal de la toma de decisiones gubernamental tiene un efecto en las expectativas de los actores, que desarrollan procesos de aprendizaje a partir de las experiencias en arenas políticas similares a otros niveles. Por último, destaca la importancia del poder en las instituciones de gestión en este tipo de política distributiva.Peer reviewe

Patterning and control of the nanostructure in plasma thin films with acoustic waves: mechanical vs. electrical polarization effects

Nanostructuration and 2D patterning of thin films are common strategies to fabricate biomimetic surfaces and components for microfluidic, microelectronic or photonic applications. This work presents the fundamentals of a surface nanotechnology procedure for laterally tailoring the nanostructure and crystalline structure of thin films that are plasma deposited onto acoustically excited piezoelectric substrates. Using magnetron sputtering as plasma technique and TiO2 as case example, it is demonstrated that the deposited films depict a sub-millimetre 2D pattern that, characterized by large lateral differences in nanostructure, density (up to 50%), thickness, and physical properties between porous and dense zones, reproduces the wave features distribution of the generated acoustic waves (AW). Simulation modelling of the AW propagation and deposition experiments carried out without plasma and under alternative experimental conditions reveal that patterning is not driven by the collision of ad-species with mechanically excited lattice atoms of the substrate, but emerges from their interaction with plasma sheath ions locally accelerated by the AW-induced electrical polarization field developed at the substrate surface and growing film. The possibilities of the AW activation as a general approach for the tailored control of nanostructure, pattern size, and properties of thin films are demonstrated through the systematic variation of deposition conditions and the adjustment of AW operating parameters