Propuestas para la mejora del servicio público de televisión en la televisión pública nacional española, RTVE

Tese apresentada à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Doutor em Ciências da Informação, especialidade em Comunicação AudiovisualA raíz del auge del liberalismo económico en los años ochenta y promovido por la actual coyuntura de crisis socioeconómica que azota el continente europeo y buena parte del mundo occidental, se están produciendo una serie de actuaciones por parte de los gobiernos que hacen tambalearse el sistema público en sus diferentes sectores. Entre otros, el sector de la televisión como servicio público se ha visto criticado desde hace años por diversos motivos, como la puesta en duda de su necesidad a raíz de un sistema de televisión privado, enfatizado por la supuesta inoperancia en el cumplimiento del servicio público que se le predispone así como la manipulación política de dicho medio. En el caso de RTVE, con una deuda creciente año a año después de sus diferentes procesos de reconfiguración, así como las constantes críticas de manipulación y falta de objetividad, el sistema no ha mejorado, lo que nos lleva a plantear la necesidad de una serie de reformas que hagan cumplir en su grado más óptimo la función del ente dentro del panorama audiovisual e informativo.As a result of economic liberalism in the eighties and the current socio-economic crisis in Europe, and much of the western world, governments are carrying out policy which threatens the stability of public services in diverse areas. The role of television as a public service has been in question for years. This is due to the emergence of private stations, its alleged inability to fulfil its public service role and because of political media manipulation which has raised much debate concerning its value. The situation of RTVE has not improved over the last thirty years. The different reconfiguration processes have led to debt increases from year to year. Another continuing problem is highlighted by critics who cite manipulation and lack of impartiality as a constant theme. Therefore, this leads us to consider the need for changes which can make this entity to fulfil its audiovisual and informative purpose.Suite à la montée du libéralisme économique dans les années quatre-vingts, et promue par la conjoncture actuelle de crise socio-économique qui sévit en Europe et dans la plupart du monde occidental, une série de mesures sont prises par les gouvernements qui font vaciller le système public dans ses différents secteurs. Parmi ces secteurs, l'industrie télévisuelle de service public est sujette, depuis des années, à de multiples critiques. Ces critiques sont diverses, telles que la remise en cause de son existence en raison d'un système de télévision privée, accrue par une prétendue inefficacité à effectuer un service public, ainsi qu'une manipulation politique de ces dits médias. Après de multiples étapes de restructuration provoquant une dette croissante années après années, ainsi que de constantes critiques de manipulation et de manque d'objectivité, des améliorations n'ont pu être observées chez RTVE, ce qui nous amène à considérer une série de réformes visant à imposer la fonction de cet organisme dans le panorama audiovisuel et de l'information

Propuestas para la mejora del servicio público de televisión en la televisión pública nacional española, RTVE

Tese apresentada à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Doutor em Ciências da Informação, especialidade em Comunicação AudiovisualA raíz del auge del liberalismo económico en los años ochenta y promovido por la actual coyuntura de crisis socioeconómica que azota el continente europeo y buena parte del mundo occidental, se están produciendo una serie de actuaciones por parte de los gobiernos que hacen tambalearse el sistema público en sus diferentes sectores. Entre otros, el sector de la televisión como servicio público se ha visto criticado desde hace años por diversos motivos, como la puesta en duda de su necesidad a raíz de un sistema de televisión privado, enfatizado por la supuesta inoperancia en el cumplimiento del servicio público que se le predispone así como la manipulación política de dicho medio. En el caso de RTVE, con una deuda creciente año a año después de sus diferentes procesos de reconfiguración, así como las constantes críticas de manipulación y falta de objetividad, el sistema no ha mejorado, lo que nos lleva a plantear la necesidad de una serie de reformas que hagan cumplir en su grado más óptimo la función del ente dentro del panorama audiovisual e informativo.As a result of economic liberalism in the eighties and the current socio-economic crisis in Europe, and much of the western world, governments are carrying out policy which threatens the stability of public services in diverse areas. The role of television as a public service has been in question for years. This is due to the emergence of private stations, its alleged inability to fulfil its public service role and because of political media manipulation which has raised much debate concerning its value. The situation of RTVE has not improved over the last thirty years. The different reconfiguration processes have led to debt increases from year to year. Another continuing problem is highlighted by critics who cite manipulation and lack of impartiality as a constant theme. Therefore, this leads us to consider the need for changes which can make this entity to fulfil its audiovisual and informative purpose.Suite à la montée du libéralisme économique dans les années quatre-vingts, et promue par la conjoncture actuelle de crise socio-économique qui sévit en Europe et dans la plupart du monde occidental, une série de mesures sont prises par les gouvernements qui font vaciller le système public dans ses différents secteurs. Parmi ces secteurs, l'industrie télévisuelle de service public est sujette, depuis des années, à de multiples critiques. Ces critiques sont diverses, telles que la remise en cause de son existence en raison d'un système de télévision privée, accrue par une prétendue inefficacité à effectuer un service public, ainsi qu'une manipulation politique de ces dits médias. Après de multiples étapes de restructuration provoquant une dette croissante années après années, ainsi que de constantes critiques de manipulation et de manque d'objectivité, des améliorations n'ont pu être observées chez RTVE, ce qui nous amène à considérer une série de réformes visant à imposer la fonction de cet organisme dans le panorama audiovisuel et de l'information

Soil microbiota impact on Boletus edulis mycelium in chestnut orchards of different ages

Biotic factors (host plant age and soil microbiota) influencing Boletus edulis mycelium frequency and concentration have been investigated. The study was carried out in September, October and November 2018 and 2020, using six orchards of chestnut hybrid Castanea × coudercii of 40-, 10- and 3-years-old. Taxonomical identity of bacterial and fungal species was ascertained by DNA metabarcoding. Mycelium frequency and concentration of B. edulis were studied through quantitative PCR (qPCR) of soil samples. It was hypothesized that mature plants (40-years-old) have a greater soil microbiota associated at the rhizosphere, in comparison with young plants (10- and 3-years-old). This situation may reverberate on B. edulis mycelium that should be more abundant in 40-years-old orchards, also thanks to the higher number of beneficial interactions whit soil microbiota. It was found that host plant age significantly altered bacterial and fungal assemblages in both years. Bacterial fraction was dominated by the phylum Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria and showed a higher species richness and diversity in orchards of 10- and 3-years-old. Fungal phylum such as Basidiomycota was more abundant in 40- and 10-years-old orchards, whereas Ascomycota and Mortierellomycota were more abundant in the 10- and 3-years-old orchards. Mycelium frequency of B. edulis in soil samples was higher in 2020 (97 %) than in 2018 (19 %), although without differences between plant age and sampling month in each year. Boletus edulis mycelium concentration was higher in 2020 than in 2018, and in September 2020, whereas plant age did not have any effect. Of 173 bacterial taxa considered, the 12 %, 54 % and 82 % of the significant correlations with B. edulis mycelium concentration were found in 40-, 10- and 3-years-old orchards, respectively. On the other hand, of 180 fungal taxa, the 12 %, 24 % and 42 % of the significant correlations occurred in 40-, 10- and 3-years-old orchards, respectively. This investigation represents the first report about the role of soil microbiota on the ecology of B. edulis in Castanea agro-ecosystem.Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades | Ref. RTI2018-095568-B-I00Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431D 2017/18Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431E 2018/0

Antiradical and functional properties of subcritical water extracts from edible mushrooms and from commercial counterparts

This study deals with the antioxidant and functional potential of subcritical water extracts from edible mushrooms, in comparison to commercial products. Pleurotus citrinopileatus extracts showed the highest phenolic content and antioxidant properties. Similar results were determined in commercial extracts of Coriolus versicolor. The highest growth inhibition in selected human carcinogenic cells was identified for the P. citrinopileatus extract obtained during heating up to 160 °C. Rheological studies confirmed that glucan-based hydrogels prepared with mushroom extracts exhibited enhanced viscoelastic properties compared to those formulated with commercial products. The extracts providing the strongest gels were obtained from Pleurotus eryngii, followed by Hericium erinaceus and Pleurotus citrinopileatus. No water syneresis for the proposed hydrogels was observed. The formulated hydrogels could be interesting for their application in the food sector.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación | Ref. BES-2016-076840Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades | Ref. RYC2018-024454-

Thiophene-based poly(arylene ether ketone)s: 2. Thermal and mechanical properties of amorphous systems using bis(p-fluorobenzoyl)aryl monomers

A series of high molar mass and controlled molar mass poly(aryl ether ketone)s were synthesized based on bis(p-fluoro-benzoyl)aryl monomers and 4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol. The central aromatic unit of the activated bishalide was varied to include 1,4 phenylene, 2,5 thiophene, and 1,3 phenylene to systematically change the exocyclic bond angle from 180˚ to 148˚ to 120˚, respectively. The thermal, dynamic mechanical and mechanical properties of the three polymers were determined for the controlled molar mass materials. The glass transition temperature of the controlled molar mass 2,5-thiophene based polymer was 147˚ C compared to 149˚ C for 1,3-phenylene based polymer and 162˚ C for the 1,4-phenylene based polymer. The thermal stability of poly(BFTh-BisA) was similar to that of poly(1,3-BFBBisA) and poly(1,4-BFB-BisA). Two sub T loss dispersions were measured for each of the three polymers. The pronounced y relaxation for poly(BFTh-BisA), poly(1,4- BFB-BisA), and poly(1,3-BFB-BisA), has an activation energy of 7.5, 9.0, and 10 kcal/mole, respectively. The activation energy of β dispersion for poly(BFTh-BisA) is 16 kcal/mole. The Young's modulus is 2.9 GPa, 3.1 GPa and 3.6 GPa for poly(1,4-BFB-BisA), poly(2,5-BFTh-BisA) and poly(1,3-BFB-BisA), respectively

Comparative analysis of left ventricular strain parameters in patients with heart failure of ischemic and non-ischemic genesis

Aim. To carry out a comparative analysis of left ventricular (LV) strain parameters, determined by the two-dimensional strain imaging in patients with heart failure (HF) with LV ejection fraction (EF) ≤35%, depending on the origin of HF.Material and methods. The study included 133 patients with NYHA class 3-4 HF with LVEF ≤35%, taking optimal therapy. Based on the HF origin, 2 following groups of patients were formed: ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) (n=70), nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) (n=63). All patients underwent speckle-tracking echocardiography.Results. All patients included in the study showed significant alterations in longitudinal strain parameters in most myocardial segments, most pronounced in the basal and middle parts of the LV. Comparative analysis of the peak systolic longitudinal strain showed the worst characteristics in patients with ICM were found in the apical segments (p=0,008), and in patients with NICM, in the basal segments of the LV (p=0,046). The studied groups had comparable LV global longitudinal and circumferential strain (p=0,26; p=0,67; respectively).Conclusion. Groups of patients with HF of ischemic and non-ischemic origin, despite comparable LVEF values, differ in the distribution of the decrease in local longitudinal strain of LV segments. The worst strain characteristics in patients with ICM and NICM are detected in LV apical and basal segments, respectively

Perspectives on the Use of Transthoracic Echocardiography Results for the Prediction of Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias in Patients with Non-ischemic Cardiomyopathy

Aim. To perform a comparative analysis of indicators of transthoracic echocardiography (TE), to establish echocardiographic predictors and their predictive role in the occurrence of stable ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT) paroxysms in patients with nonischemic chronic heart failure (HF) and cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implanted for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death.Material and Methods. A prospective study was carried out, which included 166 patients with nonischemic HF at the age of 54 (49; 59) years with the left ventricle ejection fraction (LV EF) ≤35% and an ICD implanted. The observation time was 24 months. The primary endpoint was the first-ever stable paroxysm of VT (lasting for ≥30 seconds), detected in the «monitor» zone of VT, or paroxysm of VT, which required ICD therapy.  A total of 34 TE indicators were evaluated. Chi-square, Fischer, Manna-Whitney, single-factor logistic regression (LR), and multi-factor LR were used for data processing and analysis and for predictive modelling. Model accuracy was estimated using 4 metrics: ROC curve area (AUC), sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic efficiency.Results. During the two-year observation, 32 patients (19.3%) had a primary endpoint. The average time of occurrence of a stable VT episode was 21.6±0.6 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 20.5-22.8 months). The value of LV end-systolic dimension was the only parameter independently associated with VT (odds ratio 2.8 per unit increase, 95% CI 1.04-7.5; p=0.042). The complex analysis of echocardiographic indicators made it possible to identify 5 factors with the greatest predictive potential, which are linearly and nonlinearly related to occurrence of VT. These included the LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes, LV mass, index of relative LV wall thickness, upper-lower size of the right atrium. The metrics of the best predictive model were: AUC – 0.71 0.069 with 95% CI 0.574-0.843; specificity 50%, sensitivity 90.9%; diagnostic efficiency 57.1%.Conclusion. The study made it possible to evaluate the possibilities of the results of TE in predicting the probability of VT occurrence in patients with nonischemic HF and reduced LV EF. Predictive indicators have been identified that can be used to stratify the arrhythmic risk in the exposed cohort of patients

The V471A polymorphism in autophagy-related gene ATG7 modifies age at onset specifically in Italian Huntington disease patients

The cause of Huntington disease (HD) is a polyglutamine repeat expansion of more than 36 units in the huntingtin protein, which is inversely correlated with the age at onset of the disease. However, additional genetic factors are believed to modify the course and the age at onset of HD. Recently, we identified the V471A polymorphism in the autophagy-related gene ATG7, a key component of the autophagy pathway that plays an important role in HD pathogenesis, to be associated with the age at onset in a large group of European Huntington disease patients. To confirm this association in a second independent patient cohort, we analysed the ATG7 V471A polymorphism in additional 1,464 European HD patients of the “REGISTRY” cohort from the European Huntington Disease Network (EHDN). In the entire REGISTRY cohort we could not confirm a modifying effect of the ATG7 V471A polymorphism. However, analysing a modifying effect of ATG7 in these REGISTRY patients and in patients of our previous HD cohort according to their ethnic origin, we identified a significant effect of the ATG7 V471A polymorphism on the HD age at onset only in the Italian population (327 patients). In these Italian patients, the polymorphism is associated with a 6-years earlier disease onset and thus seems to have an aggravating effect. We could specify the role of ATG7 as a genetic modifier for HD particularly in the Italian population. This result affirms the modifying influence of the autophagic pathway on the course of HD, but also suggests population-specific modifying mechanisms in HD pathogenesis