The influence of social capital on risk-taking propensity. A study on Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs

This paper studies the influence of social capital on immigrant entrepreneurs’ risk-taking propensity. The paper has a particular focus on Chinese immigrants and also explores the effects of the so-called “guanxi”, a specific form of social capital for Chinese communities. The empirical research is based on a survey conducted in 2012 on Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs in Andalusia (Spain). An ordinal logistic regression specification was employed to test the hypotheses. The results show that the Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs with greater structural, relational and cognitive social capital and better “guanxi” have a higher risk-taking propensity in their business activity

Novel Findings about Double-Loaded Curcumin-in-HPβcyclodextrin-in Liposomes: Effects on the Lipid Bilayer and Drug Release

In this study, the encapsulation of curcumin (Cur) in “drug-in-cyclodextrin-in-liposomes (DCL)” by following the double-loading technique (DL) was proposed, giving rise to DCL–DL. The aim was to analyze the effect of cyclodextrin (CD) on the physicochemical, stability, and drug-release properties of liposomes. After selecting didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) as the cationic lipid, DCL–DL was formulated by adding 2-hydroxypropyl-α/β/γ-CD (HPβCD)–Cur complexes into the aqueous phase. A competitive effect of cholesterol (Cho) for the CD cavity was found, so cholesteryl hemisuccinate (Chems) was used. The optimal composition of the DCL–DL bilayer was obtained by applying Taguchi methodology and regression analysis. Vesicles showed a lower drug encapsulation efficiency compared to conventional liposomes (CL) and CL containing HPβCD in the aqueous phase. However, the presence of HPβCD significantly increased vesicle deformability and Cur antioxidant activity over time. In addition, drug release profiles showed a sustained release after an initial burst effect, fitting to the Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model. Moreover, a direct correlation between the area under the curve (AUC) of dissolution profiles and flexibility of liposomes was obtained. It can be concluded that these “drug-in-cyclodextrin-in-deformable” liposomes in the presence of HPβCD may be a promising carrier for increasing the entrapment efficiency and stability of Cur without compromising the integrity of the liposome bilayer

Assessment of heritage rammed-earth buildings. The Alcázar of King Don Pedro I (Spain).

The conservation and maintenance of earthen buildings is crucial, especially when dealing with heritage sites. This normally involves considerable effort in preliminary studies, which must be well planned in order to efficiently manage any restoration. This case study proposes a methodology to briefly assess the current state of a historical rammed-earth wall, to bring to light specific information regarding approaches for subsequent studies or decisions. This methodology is based on the study of damage and risk as a tool to swiftly discern critical areas or issues needing immediate attention. The procedure is illustrated on an outstanding heritage building: the Alcázar of King Don Pedro I in Carmona (Seville, Spain). Our conclusions confirm that this methodology constitutes an efficient and straightforward means to obtain not only a preliminary assessment of rammed-earth walls, but also objective and useful criteria for decision-makers

Purification of Starch Granules from Arabidopsis Leaves and Determination of Granule-Bound Starch Synthase Activity

Starch constitutes the most important carbon reserve in plants and is composed of branched amylopectin and linear amylose. The latter is synthesized exclusively by the Granule-Bound Starch Synthase (GBSS, EC 2.4.1.21). Here we report a readily reproducible, specific and highly sensitive protocol, which includes the isolation of intact starch granules from Arabidopsis thaliana leaves and the subsequent determination of GBSS activity. We have applied this method to study GBSS activity in diurnal cycles in vegetative growth and during the photoperiodic transition to flowering in Arabidopsis (Tenorio et al., 2003; Ortiz-Marchena et al., 2014).España,MINECO CSD2007-00057, BIO2008-02292, and BIO2011-28847-C02-00España, Junta de Andalucía P06-CVI-01450 and P08-AGR-0358

Characterization of mixed mortars with lime obtained from recycled phosphogypsum

La producción industrial del ácido fosfórico presenta una gran demanda debido al uso cada vez mayor de fertilizantes, detergentes o productos de limpieza. Este proceso genera cada año millones de toneladas de fosfoyesos como residuo. La posibilidad de incorporación de este residuo en el desarrollo de morteros tiene como objetivo principal generar un impacto medioambiental positivo a partir del reaprovechamiento del material de desecho como materia prima para la obtención de pasta de cal. Adicionalmente, el proceso desarrollado para la obtención de la pasta de cal implica la captura de CO2 ambiental por carbonatación del residuo tratado. Los morteros mixtos o bastardos de cemento y arena presentan mucha resistencia y endurecen rápidamente. La incorporación de cal aporta trabajabilidad y plasticidad, así como una mejor capacidad de adherirse a otros materiales. En este estudio se han preparado y caracterizado morteros mixtos con pasta de cal procedente del tratamiento de fosfoyesos en una dosificación 1:1:6 (cemento:cal:arena). Las características de estos morteros se han comparado con un mortero de referencia.The industrial production of phosphoric acid has a high demand due to the greater use of fertilizers, detergents or cleaning products. Every year, this process generates millions of tonnes of phosphogypsum waste. The possibility of incorporation of this waste in the mortar production is aimed to contribute to the environment from the reuse of the waste as raw material for the production of lime paste. In addition, the process developed to obtain the lime paste helps to reduce CO2 concentrations by carbonation of mortar. The sand and cement mixed or bastard mortars present much resistance and dries and hardens quickly. In addition, the lime brings workability and plasticity. An important property of the mortars is the ability to stick to material that are in contact. In the present study it has been prepared and characterize mixed mortars with lime paste from phosphogypsum treatment in a dosage 1:1:6 (cement:lime:sand). Mortars characteristics were compared with a reference mortar.Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades de España, MAT2017- 842228

Metodología de enseñanza en padel en niveles de iniciación

El objetivo principal del presente artículo es el aportar datos relacionados con las características que presenta la enseñanza y el aprendizaje del padel en niveles de iniciación. Algunos de los resultados obtenidos nos permiten identificar la existencia de un enfoque plurimetodológico que incide en los aspectos técnicos y tácticos de esta práctica deportiva. A estas conclusiones se han llegado gracias a las informaciones aportadas por el alumnado, los entrenadoresThe main objective of this research work is to present some data related with the main characteristics of the teaching and learning of paddle tennis at beginner’s level. Some of the results obtained, shows that there is a multi methodology approach which focus on the technical and tactical aspects of this sport. These conclusions were reached thanks to the information provided by players (learners) and coache

On the internationalization of SMEs and its contribution to Spain’s image abroad

Este artículo reivindica el papel de las PYME como actores estratégicos en la conformación de una buena imagen exterior de España. En el actual escenario de globalización, en el que la nacionalidad de las grandes corporaciones tiende a diluirse, las PYME podrían llegar a contribuir más establemente a la marca España por su vinculación más permanente y estrecha al territorio. Igualmente, en algunos contextos, como en el caso de Latinoamérica, las PYME podrían coadyuvar a una imagen más amable de España en el exterior. El trabajo presenta algunos rasgos esenciales del grado y tendencias de internacionalización de la PYME española. Desde esta perspectiva, el artículo analiza los mecanismos y condicionantes que delimitan la contribución potencial que las PYME pueden realizar a la marca España. Asimismo, se señalan algunas ventajas de asociar la imagen exterior de España a las PYME y algunas posibles iniciativas para mejorar la contribución de las PYME internacionalizadas a la marca España.This article vindicates the role of SMEs as strategic actors in shaping a good image of Spain abroad. In the current framework of globalization, the nationality of corporations tends to fade. Hence, SMEs could contribute more stably to improving the nation brand of Spain due to its more permanent and close linkage to the territory. Similarly, in some specific contexts, as in the case of Latin America, SMEs could contribute to a more friendly image of Spain abroad. The paper presents some essential characteristics and trends of the internationalization of Spanish SMEs. From this perspective, the article analyzes the mechanisms and factors which delimit the potential contribution that SMEs can make to the nation brand of Spain. Furthermore, the article points out some advantages of associating the external image of Spain with SMEs and some possible initiatives to enhance the contribution of internationalized SMEs to Spain’s national branding project

The influence of the progamic phase for fruiting in the apple tree

24 p., 12 fig., 6 tabl. The definitive version is available at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1744-7348Final fruit production is the result of a number of processes, over which several environmental circumstances interact. But it is often difficult to disentangle the part played by each of these factors in the final crop. The aim of this work is to evaluate the influence of the progamic phase for fruiting in the apple tree. For this purpose we track back the process that goes from flower to fruit, identifying the inflection points where the final crop is reduced. We evaluate early versus late fruit development, pollination versus non-pollination, and the effect of the progamic phase that goes from pollination to fertilization. From flowers to fruits 15 weeks elapsed, but the final fruit set settled 8 weeks after flowering, and the main flower–fruit drop occurred 3–4 weeks after flowering. Differences between dropped fruits and those that remained in the tree emerged earlier, and the onset of fruiting started 7 days after pollination. This time was coincident with the time lapse of the progamic phase. These results show that fruiting gets established well ahead of cropping, but also that the progamic phase is the main determinant of the final fruit set in apple trees.This work was supported by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN)-FEDER[AGL2006-13529-C02-01, AGL 12621-C02-01 and AGL 2012–40239] and Gobierno de Aragón [group A43]. J. M. L. was supported by a FPI fellowship [BES-2007-16059] from the MICINN.Peer reviewe