The development of advanced hybrid hydrogels is essential for biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wound healing. The incorporation of additives, such as graphene, imparts specific functional properties to hydrogel networks. In this work, we report the successful integration of few-layer graphene (FLG) into acrylate-endcapped urethane (AUP) hydrogels, resulting in hybrid materials with enhanced structural and functional properties. Notably, the introducton of FLG induces the formation of a porous microstructure within an otherwise non-porous AUP network, representing a simple and effective strategy to generate porosity without the use of porogens or templating methods. This induced porosity is critical for promoting nutrient diffusion and cellular infiltration. In addition to this structural modification, FLG contributes to the reinforcement of hydrogels and influences the crystallization behavior, acting as a nucleating agent, highlighting its role as an active component in the hydrogel matrix rather than a passive filler. A comprehensive characterization, including mechanical, thermal, and morphological analyses, was conducted to elucidate the role of FLG within the hydrogel matrix. The resulting materials exhibit high gel fractions, tunable swelling behavior, and mechanical properties within the range relevant for soft tissue applications. In vitro cytotoxicity assays confirmed the biocompatibility of the FLG-enhanced hydrogels, validating their safety for potential biomedical applications. Antimicrobial assessment demonstrated a limited, concentration-dependent inhibition of bacterial growth, primarily at higher FLG contents. Overall, this study demonstrates a straightforward approach to engineer porous AUP-based hydrogels through FLG incorporation, expanding their potential for biomedical applications.
Water scarcity is increasing worldwide, but its effects are particularly severe in Southern Europe, where limited water resources are further strained by climate change and the rise of water-intensive agriculture. In response, EU countries are developing innovative water strategies, expanding the use of reclaimed (treated wastewater) and desalinated water to secure irrigation. However, consumer response to foods produced with these non-conventional waters remains underexplored. This study analyses European consumers’ perceptions of the use of non-conventional water irrigation sources in almond production, along with the EU origin and organic production labels. To this end, discrete choice experiments are used in a sample of 1,371 consumers across three European countries (Spain, Germany, and Sweden). The results show consistent premiums for EU origin and organic production in all countries, while proposed irrigation water sources attract less consumer attention. Despite expectations, reclaimed water does not face greater rejection among consumers than desalinated water. However, notable cross-country differences emerge: Spanish consumers tend to reject almonds irrigated with desalinated or reclaimed water, whereas German and Swedish consumers show neutral or mixed responses. Latent class segmentation within these countries reveals substantial heterogeneity, identifying traditionalist segments, but also groups with a positive willingness to pay for almonds produced employing the proposed water sources. Overall, these alternative water sources appear to be market-compatible, as consumers reveal no strongly negative attitudes. Nevertheless, the continuing importance of traditional attributes such as origin and production system supports the strategy of combining established quality labels with information about the source of water used.
This study investigates the distributive effects of carbon taxation on household consumption in Spain, with a particular focus on regional and demographic disparities. By applying a multiregional input–output model across Spain’s seventeen autonomous communities and incorporating household heterogeneity, the paper evaluates the regressivity of a carbon tax imposed on all emissions embodied in final household demand. The analysis simulates a carbon tax of €100 per ton of CO₂, assuming full pass-through to consumer prices, resulting in an average increase of 3.9
The use of high-power ultrasound (US) has been extensively studied in red winemaking, whereas its application in white winemaking, particularly from low‑aromatic varieties, remains insufficiently explored. As US has been proposed as an alternative to prefermentative cold maceration (PM), this study evaluated the physicochemical parameters, polysaccharide profile, volatile compounds, and sensory attributes of two low-aromatic varieties (Macabeo and Airén), vinified by direct pressing (C), or after PM (4 h) or US treatment prior pressing. Distinct responses to the applied treatments were observed in the two varietal contexts. Macabeo wines produced with US-treated grapes showed similar outcomes to PM vinification, although the processing time is reduced by 4 h. Both treatments enhanced terpenes and norisoprenoids concentration in musts and wines, with US treatment exerting the strongest effect and also exhibiting higher ester, acetate, and lactone concentration, consistent with the fruity-floral sensory notes detected in the wines. In contrast, in Airén wines, a slight browning and minor aromatic improvements were observed, although US treatment increased mouthfeel structure and led to a greater astringency, body, and aftertaste intensity. Overall, these results confirm high‑power ultrasound as an effective extraction technique in white winemaking, with relevance depending on varietal context and winemaking objectives.
A Lung Cancer diagnosis can significantly influence a patient’s lifestyle, yet there is limited research on these changes among Spanish populations. This study aimed to analyze the differences in lifestyle habits, physical activity (PA) levels, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and adherence to the 2018 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) recommendations among lung cancer patients in Castilla-La Mancha, prior to and after their diagnosis. This multi-center, descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional, and observational study included 53 lung cancer patients from three hospitals in Castilla-La Mancha. Participants completed questionnaires assessing their PA, dietary intake, smoking habits, and HRQoL, recalling their habits from one year prior to diagnosis and their current habits. Post-diagnosis, patients showed a significant decrease in cigarette consumption (p < 0.001). However, there were also significant declines in fruit and vegetable intake (p = 0.049), dietary fiber (p = 0.024), and overall HRQoL across multiple domains, including mobility, self-care, usual activities, and pain/discomfort (p < 0.05). PA levels decreased, though not significantly. Overall, adherence to the WCRF/AICR recommendations did not improve. A lung cancer diagnosis is a powerful motivator for smoking cessation but is also associated with a decline in other healthy lifestyle habits and HRQoL. These findings highlight a critical need for targeted interventions at the time of diagnosis to support patients in maintaining healthy diets and physical activity levels, which are crucial for improving long-term outcomes.
