Have Spanish companies built greater entrepreneurship after privatization?

This study analyses some of the strategic and organizational changes experienced in public firms following privatization in its double facet: sale of companies and deregulation. Specifically, we analyse the process of innovation in terms of products, processes and organization. We also look into the development of new businesses and strategic renewal, which in the end shape the entrepreneurial capacity of a company. A sample of Spanish firms which were privatized between 1985 and 2000 shows that after privatization, these companies have experienced a significant increase in entrepreneurship. These changes are even more appreciable when a high sector competition is added to the ownership shift. Once they join the private sector, their level of product, process and organizational innovation is higher. They also develop new businesses at national level, reinforce their international activity and embark on strategic renewal processes by shedding the lesser profitable businesses and modifying their competitive strategy so as to gain efficiency

Sequential heat release: an innovative approach for the control of curing profiles during composite processing based on dual-curing systems

The sequential heat release (SHR) taking place in dual-curing systems can facilitate thermal management and control of conversion and temperature gradients during processing of thick composite parts, hence reducing the appearance of internal stresses that compromise the quality of processed parts. This concept is demonstrated in this work by means of numerical simulation of conversion and temperature profiles during processing of an off-stoichiometric thiol–epoxy dual-curable system. The simulated processing scenario is the curing stage during resin transfer moulding processing (i.e. after injection or infusion), assuming one-dimensional heat transfer across the thickness of the composite part. The kinetics of both polymerization stages of the dual-curing system and thermophysical properties needed for the simulations have been determined using thermal analysis techniques and suitable phenomenological models. The simulations show that SHR makes it possible to reach a stable and uniform intermediate material after completion of the first polymerization process, and enables a better control of the subsequent crosslinking taking place during the second polymerization process due to the lower remaining exothermicity. A simple optimization of curing cycles for composite parts of different thickness has been performed on the basis of quality–time criteria, producing results that are very close to the Pareto-optimal front obtained by genetic algorithm optimization procedures.Postprint (author's final draft

Internal preference mapping of milk–fruit beverages: Influence of color and appearance on its acceptability

The individual preferences of 100 consumers between 20 and 30 years old for the color of 16 milk–fruit juice beverages (MFJB) were investigated by preference mapping technique. Consumers were asked to evaluate, just by looking at the samples, how much they liked them (from “Extremely dislike” to “Extremely like”). The color of the samples was analyzed by two different instrumental techniques. Results obtained from the instrumental color measurement showed the wide diversity in hues of the beverages available in the market, and correlations between techniques proved that both of them were appropriate to analyze color. Results showed that participants preferred samples with orangish appearance instead of those with a whiter look. Anyway, punctuations given by the consumers suggest that generally, color of these products is not highly evaluated by consumers, as the best mean punctuation was 6.6.Consejería de Innovación Ciencia y Empresa, Junta de Andalucía P11-AGR-778

Semiquantitative RT-PCR measurement of gene expression in rat tissues including a correction for varying cell size and number

Background: Current methodology of gene expression analysis limits the possibilities of comparison between cells/tissues of organs in which cell size and/or number changes as a consequence of the study (e.g. starvation). A method relating the abundance of specific mRNA copies per cell may allow direct comparison or different organs and/or changing physiological conditions. Methods: With a number of selected genes, we analysed the relationship of the number of bases and the fluorescence recorded at a present level using cDNA standards. A lineal relationship was found between the final number of bases and the length of the transcript. The constants of this equation and those of the relationship between fluorescence and number of bases in cDNA were determined and a general equation linking the length of the transcript and the initial number of copies of mRNA was deduced for a given pre-established fluorescence setting. This allowed the calculation of the concentration of the corresponding mRNAs per g of tissue. The inclusion of tissue RNA and the DNA content per cell, allowed the calculation of the mRNA copies per cell. Results: The application of this procedure to six genes: Arbp, cyclophilin, ChREBP, T4 deiodinase 2, acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 and IRS-1, in liver and retroperitoneal adipose tissue of food-restricted rats allowed precise measures of their changes irrespective of the shrinking of the tissue, the loss of cells or changes in cell size, factors that deeply complicate the comparison between changing tissue conditions. The percentage results obtained with the present methods were essentially the same obtained with the delta-delta procedure and with individual cDNA standard curve quantitative RT-PCR estimation. Conclusion: The method presented allows the comparison (i.e. as copies of mRNA per cell) between different genes and tissues, establishing the degree of abundance of the different molecular species tested

Exploring the ring-closing metathesis for the construction of the solomonamide macrocyclic core: identification of bioactive precursors

New synthetic strategies directed toward the novel cyclopeptides solomonamides have been explored utilizing an olefin metathesis as the key reaction. In the various strategies investigated, we worked on minimally oxidized systems, and the olefin metathesis reaction demonstrated efficiency and validity for the construction of the macrocyclic core. The described synthetic strategies toward the solomonamides are well suited for the subsequent access to the natural products and represent flexible and diversityoriented routes that allow for the generation of a variety of analogues via oxidative transformations. In addition, preliminary biological evaluations of the generated solomonamide precursors revealed antitumor activity against various tumor cell lines.This work was financially supported by the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) (ref BIO2014-56092-R, CTQ2014-60223-R and CTQ2016-76311-R) and Junta de Andalucía and “Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional-FEDER” (P12 CTS-1507). I.C.-S. thanks Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte for a predoctoral fellowship (FPU programme)

Self-Adaptation of mHealth Devices: The Case of the Smart Cane Platform

Nowadays, more than one billion people are in need of one or more assistive technologies, and this number is expected to increase beyond two billion by 2050. The majority of assistive technologies are supported by battery-operated devices like smartphones and wearables. This means that battery weight is an important concern in such assistive devices because it may affect negatively its ergonomics. Saving power in these assistive devices is of utmost importance for its potential twofold benefits: extend the device life and reduce the global warming aggravated by billion of these devices. Dynamic Software Product Lines (DSPLs) are a suitable technology that supports system adaptation, in this case, to reduce energy consumption at runtime, considering contextual information and the current state of the device. However, a reduction in battery consumption could negatively affect other quality of service parameters, like response time. Therefore, it is important to trade-off battery saving and these other concerns. This work illustrates how to approach the self-adaptation of smart assistive devices by means of a DSPL-based strategy that optimizes battery consumption taking into account other QoS parameters at the same time. We illustrate our proposal with a real case study: a Smart Cane that is integrated with a DSPL platform, Tanit. Experimentation shows that it is possible to make a trade-off between different quality concerns (energy consumption and relative error). The results of the experiments allow us to conclude that the Tanit approach elongates battery duration of the Smart Cane in one day (an increase of a 6% with a relative error of 1%), so we improve the user quality of experience and reduce the energy footprint with a reasonable relative error.This research was funded by the projects Magic P12-TIC1814 and TASOVA MCIU-AEI TIN2017-90644-REDT, by the projects co-financed by FEDER funds HADAS TIN2015-64841-R, MEDEA RTI2018-099213-B-I00 and LEIA UMA18-FEDERJA-157, by the post-doctoral plan of the University of Málaga and the Swedish Knowledge Foundation (KKS) through the research profile Embedded Sensor Systems for Health Plus at Mälardalen University, Sweden. -Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Pharmacogenetics of ugt genes in North African populations

Cytochrome P450 (CYP450), sulfotransferase (SULT), and glucuronidase (UGT) enzymes play roles in the phase I and phase II metabolism of most clinically prescribed drugs. As polymorphisms in these genes may alter enzyme activities, most prescribed drugs will differ in their efficacy and side effects. In prior work, we showed that besides polymorphisms in CYP450, those in SULT and UGT also give rise to different serum levels of some drug metabolites than detected in wild-type carriers of the genes [1]. [...

Is contact with birth parents beneficial to children in non-kinship foster care? A scoping review of the evidence

Many children in non-kinship foster care maintain contact with their birth parents, although debate continues about whether or not, or under what circumstances, it is beneficial to the child. In this scoping review we analyze the findings of studies conducted over the past two decades that have specifically examined face-to-face contact with birth parents for children in non-kinship foster care, our aim being to determine more clearly when it may contribute positively to the child’s well-being. The review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines and involved a search of nine electronic databases. A total of 21 studies met the criteria for inclu- sion in the review, namely primary studies analyzing one or more aspects of these contact visits, written in English or Spanish, and published during the period 1997–2022. In analyzing these studies we grouped their findings according to four broad areas of interest: characteristics of contact visits, appraisal of visits by families and professionals, relationship between contact and fostering outcomes, and impact of contact on children. The four main conclusions we draw from the review are: a) surprisingly few studies have specifically examined the effects of face-to-face contact with birth parents in non-kinship foster care; b) the findings to date are neither conclusive nor generalizable, although they are not generally encouraging; c) under the right circumstances (e.g., adequate supervision, conducted in a context of emotional security for the child), contact can contribute to the child’s well-being and increase the likelihood of family reunification; and d) more robust research is needed to guide the development of interventions that can improve parent–child relationships and the quality of contact visitsAndalusian Plan for Research, Development and Innovation (PAIDI) Research Group SEJ-466. Funding for open access charge: Universidad de M ́alaga / CBU

Algal and cyanobacterial lectins and their antimicrobial properties

Lectins are proteins with a remarkably high affinity and specificity for carbohydrates. Many organisms naturally produce them, including animals, plants, fungi, protists, bacteria, archaea, and viruses. The present report focuses on lectins produced by marine or freshwater organisms, in particular algae and cyanobacteria. We explore their structure, function, classification, and antimicrobial properties. Furthermore, we look at the expression of lectins in heterologous systems and the current research on the preclinical and clinical evaluation of these fascinating molecules. The further development of these molecules might positively impact human health, particularly the prevention or treatment of diseases caused by pathogens such as human immunodeficiency virus, influenza, and severe acute respiratory coronaviruses, among others.Fil: Fernández Romero, José Abel. City University of New York. The City College of New York; Estados Unidos. Center for Biomedical Research; Estados UnidosFil: Paglini, Maria Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación Médica Mercedes y Martín Ferreyra; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Virología Dr. J. M. Vanella; ArgentinaFil: Priano, Christine. City University of New York. The City College of New York; Estados UnidosFil: Koroch, Adolfina. City University of New York. The City College of New York; Estados UnidosFil: Rodríguez, Yoel. City University of New York. The City College of New York; Estados UnidosFil: Sailer, James. Center for Biomedical Research; Estados UnidosFil: Teleshova, Natalia. Center for Biomedical Research; Estados Unido

End of life care in nursing homes in Spain: exploratory analysis and evidences of validity of a new scale.

This document is the accepted manuscript version of the following article: Maria Remedios Sánchez-GarcÍa, Jose Antonio Gutiérrez-Romero, Manuel Fernández Alcántara, César Hueso-Montoro, Claire Goodman, and Rafael Montoya-Juárez, ‘End of life care in nursing homes in Spain: Exploratory analysis and evidences of validity of a new scale’, Applied Nursing Research, Vol. 37: 6-12, October 2017. Under embargo until 5 July 2018. The final, definite version is available online at DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2017.07.001.Quality end-of-life care is a central issue in nursing homes, requiring the assessment of individual and family needs by health professionals. Although previous instruments have been developed, they usually rely on family reports and have been adapted from other clinical contexts (hospital or primary care). It is important to consider how health care professionals working in nursing homes perceive what is necessary to achieve quality end-of-life care. In this study, the objective was to develop an instrument to assess quality of end-of-life care in the context of Spanish care homes. A 24 item scale Nursing Home End of Life Care Scale (NHEOLC) was developed through a systematic evaluation of existing tools combined with an iterative process of consultation with group experts in end of life care in long term care settings. A total of 307 health care professionals agreed to participate in the study and completed the scale. The scale was grouped in six dimensions: physical, psychological aspects and spiritual aspects of care, family care, bereavement, and patient/family preferences management. The results suggest an adequate factorial structure of the scale and good internal consistency for the total score and the subscales. In addition, the results showed significant differences depending on the size of the nursing home, the category of health professionals, and their own perceptions of his work regarding end-of-life care.Peer reviewe