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Large amounts of meat by- and co-products are generated during slaughtering and meat processing, and require rational management of these products for an ecological disposal. Efficient solutions are very important for sustainability and innovative developments create high added-value from meat by-products with the least environmental impact, handling and disposal costs, in its transition to bioeconomy. Some proteins have relevant technological uses for gelation, foaming and emulsification while protein hydrolyzates may contribute to a better digestibility and palatability. Protein hydrolysis generate added-value products such as bioactive peptides with relevant physiological effects of interest for applications in the food, pet food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry. Inedible fats are increasingly used as raw material for the generation of biodiesel. Other applications are focused on the development of new biodegradable plastics that can constitute an alternative to petroleum-based plastics. This manuscript presents the latest developments for adding value to meat by- and co-products and discusses opportunities for making meat production and processing more sustainable.

From a provider perspective, co-creation has contributed to design more personalized, authentic and memorable destinations and experiences. However, the COVID-19 outbreak may have changed consumers' interest in high-contact and interactive activities, related to long-demonized behaviors (touching and close interplay). In a wine tourism context and based on a cost-benefit approach, the here proposed model explains consumers’ intentions to participate in high co-creation tourism activities (HCCTA) during and after the pandemic, contrasting perceived risks (costs) with expected enjoyment (benefit). Activity setting (indoor or outdoor) and two individual characteristics (age and fear of COVID-19) are analyzed as antecedents of physical risk perception. The “antecedents – costs-benefit – intentions” model was tested using PLS-SEM, with data extracted from scenario-based surveys (1299 responses) applied during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results show that perceived risks and expected enjoyment affect intentions to participate in HCCTA, while participation avoidance may be coming to an end with the alleviation of the pandemic. However, additional personal and external conditions may reinforce perceived risks. The study provides new insights regarding these dynamics for HCCTA, relevant to both theory and practice, particularly in times of health risk related to person-to-person interaction.

The goal of this study is to elicit the preferences of winemakers in the Spanish Rioja wine appellation regarding climate change adaptation strategies. This is achieved through the use of a discrete choice experiment which includes different potential adaptation strategies such as the use of various grape clones, the installation of an irrigation system, the construction of vegetative or artificial structures to shade the vines, and oenological adaptations. The results show that the most widely accepted strategy is the installation of irrigation and shading structures. In contrast, the least accepted strategy is relocating, which is a costly and long-term solution. The monetary measures obtained are useful for policymakers because they show how much financial assistance will be required to adapt to climate change and maintain the high-quality wine production of the region. A simulation study supports the findings, demonstrating that the small sample size data set applied in this case study is sufficient for drawing conclusions about the adaptation strategies considered.

This paper analyzes the impact of the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) methodology, a teaching method that involves working with real-world problems and developing skills for their resolution, on university students’ Intrapreneurial Intentions (IIN). A sample of 267 students participated in the study, and their responses were collected at two different times. The data were analyzed using statistical regression analysis and the fs-QCA technique. The results revealed that the PBL methodology significantly improved the behavior of variables associated with potentially intra preneurial behaviors. Specifically, three components, namely Subjective Norms, Perceived Behavioral Control, and Risk-Taking Capacity, positively influenced undergraduate students’ IIN. These findings suggest that the PBL methodology can be a valuable tool for universities in developing initiatives to improve graduate employability.

Effective disaster risk reduction requires conducting research within communities that gave recognized natural or technological risks, to foster the development of more resilient societies. However, limited information is available regarding risk perception and preparedness for technological hazards in disaster-prone urban areas of South America. The aim of this study is to investigate the factors that influence public risk perception regarding the Trans-Ecuadorian Oil Pipeline System and its relationship with household preparedness for a potential accident in the Metropolitan District of Quito (Ecuador). We assess the link among knowledge, trust in authorities, risk perception, intention to prepare, and preparedness. Results from a sequential mediation analysis reveal that risk perception partially and positively mediates the relationship between knowledge and preparedness and acts as a negative full mediator between the latter and trust. These findings provide valuable information for future risk governance and communication strategies, aimed at enhancing risk perception and improving individual preparedness of individuals, as well as risk mitigation procedures

By applying a singular perturbation approach, canard explosions exhibited by a general family of singularly perturbed planar Piecewise Linear (PWL) differential systems are analyzed. The performed study involves both hyperbolic and non-hyperbolic canard limit cycles appearing after both, a supercritical and a subcritical Hopf bifurcation. The obtained results are comparable with those obtained for smooth vector fields. In some sense, the manuscript can be understood as an extension towards the PWL framework of the results obtained for smooth systems by Dumortier and Roussarie in Mem. Am. Math. Soc. 1996, and Krupa and Szmolyan in J. Differ. Equ. 2001. In addition, some novel slow–fast behaviors are obtained. In particular, in the supercritical case, and under suitable conditions, it is proved that the limit cycles are organized along a curve exhibiting two folds. Each of these folds corresponds to a saddle–node bifurcation of canard limit cycles, one involving headless canard cycles, and the other involving canard cycles with head. This configuration also occurs in smooth systems with N-shaped fast nullcline. However, it has not been previously reported in the Van der Pol system. Our results provide justification for this observation.

This work delves into the increasing relevance of Large Language Models (LLMs) in the realm of sustainable policy-making, proposing an innovative hetero-intelligence framework that blends human and artificial intelligence (AI) for tackling modern sustainability challenges. The research methodology includes a hetero-intelligence performance test, which juxtaposes human intelligence with AI in the formulation and implementation of sustainable policies. After testing this hetero-intelligence methodology, seven steps are rigorously described so that it can be replicated in any sustainability planning related context. The results underscore the capabilities and limitations of LLMs, underscoring the critical role of human intelligence in enhancing the efficacy of hetero-intelligence systems. This work fulfils the need of a rigorous methodological framework based on empirical steps that can provide unbiased outcomes to be integrated into sustainable planning and decision-making processes.

The Circular Economy (CE) has notable potential for the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of agriculture. However, the literature on the CE has focused on the industrial sector, leaving significant gaps in the analysis of sustainable circular models in agriculture. In the case of traditional table-olive cultivation, which suffers from serious competitiveness problems, the possibilities of the CE are particularly relevant. Given the lack of previous research for the sector, this work aims to map the circular practices carried out in traditional table-olive groves and identify their drivers and barriers. To this end, an exploratory methodology of mixed approaches is proposed that combines desk research, observational fieldwork, focus groups with stakeholders and experts, and farmers' in-depth interviews. This methodology can be generalised to other crops. The results obtained have enabled up to 59 practices to be brought to light throughout all stages of the life cycle of olive cultivation, which cover all the principles and strategies of the CE. Plant covers, the use of eco-efficient techniques, the repair and sharing of machinery and tools, and the management of organic outputs stand out. The collaborative economy and institutional support were identified as the main drivers, while technical-economic barriers and regulatory limitations constitute the main obstacles detected. Based on these results, three groups of recommendations are proposed as a guide to future policies for which certain CE practices are highlighted: increase financial incentives, create a stable legislative framework, and reinforce incentives for the collaborative economy.

Managing customer satisfaction (CS) by adapting to market changes is essential for achieving customer loyalty. This study analyzes the asymmetric relationship between service quality (SQ) and CS in the hotel sector by applying the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method to a five-star hotel in Cuba. Results of customer SQ perception analysis as configurations of conditions that explain the outcome of CS identify the individual contribution made by each of the services. In this specific case, when combined with other conditions in three different configurations, the quality of food in specialized restaurants is shown to be the determinant of the studied hotel’s CS outcomes. This research shows that fsQCA is useful for managing the causal complexity of hotel processes and activities. Additionally, it helps managers optimize CS by determining which attributes they need to focus on and which they do not, thus responding to the need to determine how SQ dimensions influence CS.

In this paper, we compare the scenarios of exclusive licenses and cross-licenses under the existence of partial vertical integration. To do this, a successive duopoly model is proposed, with two owners and two firms competing in a differentiated product market. Each technology owner has a share in one of the competing firms, so that competition is also extended to the upstream R&D sector. We propose a novel analysis where differences in the size of their innovation process are allowed, extending the results in Sánchez et al. (2021). We find that the cross-licensing scenario is preferred when the size of the innovation is small; this occurs regardless of the participation in the competing companies and how many innovate. If the innovation is very large, the owners may be better off with exclusive licenses.

Ventilated facades are an effective passive measure to improve the energy performance of buildings in warm and temperate climates such as the Mediterranean. However, although in the Mediterranean sociocultural context the use of windows is widespread, there is a lack of energy analysis of ventilated facades in combination with windows. This is due to the lack of accurate simulation tools to evaluate the energy performance of this combination because of its complex thermodynamics, which, among other issues, requires three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic tools. In this work, a parametric energy analysis of the design parameters of a ventilated façade with window openings has been performed using a three-dimensional numerical model developed by the authors that combines turbulent Navier–Stokes thermodynamic equations for air with a set of differential equations for the envelope temperatures. The results of the analysis showed the potential of the opaque ventilated façade (OVF) with windows when applied to the rehabilitation of energetically obsolete facades, achieving a remarkable reduction in heat flux with respect to these facades, a reduction that reaches 32% for the yearly heat flux when using the optimal configuration found.

In this work, we analyze a degenerate heteroclinic cycle that appears in a Lorenz-like system when one of the involved equilibria changes from real saddle to saddle-focus. First, from a theoretical model based on the construction of a Poincaré return map, we demonstrate that an infinite number of homoclinic connections arise from the point of the parameter plane where the degenerate heteroclinic cycle appears. The subsequent numerical study not only illustrates the presence of the first homoclinic orbits in the infinite succession but also allows to find other important local and global organizing centers of codimension two (Bogdanov–Takens bifurcations, degenerate homoclinic and heteroclinic connections, T-points) and three (triple-zero bifurcation, doubly-degenerate heteroclinic cycles, degenerate T-points).

Ecclesiastical disentailment has traditionally been associated with seizing real estate owned by "dead hands" for immediate sale. The administrative and accounting documentation of the Cathedral Chapter of Seville shows how it was forced to dispose of numerous properties in two phases during the 19th century. This was not carried out through confiscation but through orderly sales organised by the ecclesiastical institution itself, which is not mentioned in the historical-economic literature. This study analyses these alienations, their causes, procedures and consequences, as well as the financial problems the Cathedral Chapter of Seville faced, the application for numerous loans and the sale of real estate. The sales process, in our opinion, was serious, transparent and professional., Tradicionalmente se ha asimilado desamortización eclesiástica con el proceso de incautación de bienes inmuebles en propiedad de las manos muertas para su inmediata venta. La documentación administrativa y contable del Cabildo Catedral de Sevilla muestra como en dos fases del siglo XIX se vio obligada a desprenderse de numerosos inmuebles, no mediante la confiscación, sino mediante un ordenado procedimiento de venta realizada por la propia institución eclesiástica, aspecto no mencionado por la literatura histórico-económica. El presente estudio analiza esas enajenaciones, sus causas, procedimiento y consecuencias. Se analizan los problemas financieros del Cabildo Catedral de Sevilla, la solicitud de numerosos créditos y la venta de inmuebles. El proceso de venta, en nuestra opinión, fue bastante serio, transparente y profesional.

The construction sector is a key industry in the economy of the European Union (EU), with a significant impact on the Gross Domestic Product and employs approximately 30 % of the industrial workforce. Despite this positive economic impact, the construction sector suffers from high accident rates which result in significant economic costs. In 1992, the EU introduced the Directive 92/57/EEC, which aimed to establish minimum Safety and Health (S&H) requirements for construction sites. The Directive lists a number of premises that justify the need to incorporate risk prevention from the design stage of a project and to strengthen coordination throughout the project’s life. For these reasons, the Directive created the role of the Coordinators for S&H matters during the project preparation stage and execution stage, as well as the definition of a S&H Plan. The current paper analyses the state of the accident rate in the construction sector 30 years after publication of the Directive, the changes that have been made to the original text, as well as the identification of the difficulties that have been detected, both in terms of lack of definition and problems in implementation. It is possible to conclude that the management of prevention in the early stages of a project remains a persistent challenge for the industry. Additionally, it is essential to address the sector's adaptation to the new working methods required for its transition to Construction 4.0. This discussion can serve as a valuable tool for future decision-making aimed at improving the regulatory framework.

The digital transformation (DT) of companies implies the emergence of new business models based on the widespread use of digital technologies. Digital transformation is necessary to improve efficiency, productivity, and market access in a context of increasing competition. In the case of the agri-food sector, DT is also required to address the challenges of food safety, food waste, and sustainability. This research aims to build a theoretical framework and a methodology to assess the global level of DT and its dimensions and factors that influence it in a specific type of agri-food company, namely agri-food cooperatives. These prominent social economy entities follow cooperative principles and play a significant role in rural development, especially in the most backward regions. An empirical analysis has been conducted to validate the methodology and meet the objectives. To this end, a Global Index of DT was built, and data was obtained from a survey of agri-food cooperatives in Andalusia, a southern Spanish region with a long-standing tradition of agri-food cooperatives, which also presents a low per- capita income in the European context. Empirical results effectively reveal that the proposed theoretical framework and methodology expediate the assessment of the global level of DT of agri-food cooperatives and the relevance of certain influential critical factors. In this way, relevant information for cooperatives and policy- makers can be collected to facilitate the implementation of DT.

Environmental degradation and resource overuse can affect business operations. Sustainable development is therefore a global economic priority. Food companies must develop strategies to ensure food security and seek business models to provide economic, social, and environmental benefits. This paper presents the combinations of water and waste management practices (water efficiency targets, water consumption ratio, water intensity ratio, waste recycling ratio, and waste intensity ratio) that lead to an overvaluation of food companies in the stock market (Tobin's Q > 1). These combinations of practices were identified using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) of a global sample of 61 listed companies from the food production sector. No necessary conditions were found for the outcome of a Tobin's Q >1. In contrast, the sufficiency analysis revealed five sufficient configurations for overvaluation. The presence of significant recycling and waste reuse performance and the absence of a strong intensity of water withdrawal and waste production are key conditions to achieve the presence of the outcome. The findings provide useful insights for managers, who can focus their business strategies on sustainable and efficient water and waste management to support high financial performance. The findings can also help investors in their decision making.

This document performs a systematic review of the literature and bibliometrics on the orientation of digital transformation (DT) in the organizational and management processes of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the 2015–2022 period. For this analysis, the bibliometrix and biblioshiny software packages have been used to perform the data extraction and quantitative analysis of the research articles, obtained from the Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus databases. 311 articles related to DT in SMEs were identified as the most represen- tative publications of the subject to be analyzed. The results show that there is a clear orientation of DT to modify organizational processes in SMEs so that they are more agile and are thus able to respond to the sudden changes that originate in the markets. The elements that delimit DT in this study are the digital technologies to imple- ment, the strategies to follow and the digital capabilities. Finally, the main limitations, problems and gaps in the research are presented.

Atxurra Cave (Berriatua, Northern Spain) contains an important Magdalenian archaeological assemblage comprising evidence of ephemeral occupation in the lower cave level and a unique assemblage of rock art. With the aim of understanding the palaeoenvironmental conditions and the nature of the human occupation, detailed micromorphological, mineralogical, palynological and anthracological analyses were undertaken near the entrance of the cave. The lower part of the excavated sequence comprises almost unfossiliferous silty units deposited over a thick speleothem deposit, which alternates with a sandy-silt matrix-supported microfacies dated about 33.4 kyr B.P. Palynological assemblage in this unit suggest regional vegetation was formed by montane pines, junipers and broadleaved elements like birch and hazel. Overlying units of brown clayey material, dated to ca. 19.7–18.4 kyr B.P., contain evidence of a Gravettian occupation with Noailles burins, and a palynoflora indicative of localized conifers with a dense herbaceous steppe understory, in an arid and cold climate. At ca. 15.5–14.5 kyr B.P. there is a return to meso-thermophilous tree and shrub taxa within a warmer and humid climate background, which may have favored the regional development of the Magdalenian culture. The uppermost unit, dated ca. 7.7–7 kyr B.P., reveals postglacial expansion of a mixed Atlantic forest with no signals of anthropization before the start of the Neolithic.

The ongoing demand for renewable energy has boosted the development of wind farms worldwide. Given the impact these facilities have on flying species, a spatially explicit assessment of collision risk in vulnerable species is needed to guide management actions and prioritise areas for installing these infrastructures. We used GPS-tracking data of 127 adult and 50 juvenile griffon vultures in peninsular Spain gathered between 2014 and 2022 to evaluate factors influencing vulnerability and exposure and predict collision risk. We validate the observed collision risk with recorded long-term mortality data (1999–2022) at regional and wind farm scales and evaluate the estimated impact of current and future turbine facilities. Our results showed that overall food availability increases vulnerability and exposure, whilst distance to nesting areas and the presence of conspecifics decreased both vulnerability and exposure in adults and juveniles, respectively. Our maps revealed that 19% and 10% of the Spanish peninsular area had a high collision risk for adults and juveniles, respectively. Importantly, the number of turbine casualties was positively related to collision risk at the regional and wind farm scale and ∼ 18 of the breeding population lies within high collision risk areas.Moreover, the areas with the highest risk of collision also have the highest number of turbines and largely overlap with areas suitable for developing new wind farms. Our study highlights the need to reduce collision risk mapping uncertainties by validating model outputs with actual mortality data. Moreover, it emphasises the urgent need for spatial planning of wind energy development, searching for safer alternatives for biodiversity. This approach undoubtedly serves as a tool to define “not go to” areas for installing new turbines for one of the most sensitive species.

Numerous Pseudomonas species can infect aquatic animals, such as farmed rainbow trout, sea trout, sea bass, and sea bream, by causing disease or stress reactions. In aquaculture facilities, a number of Pseudomonas species have been isolated and identified as the main pathogens. The present study describes the characterization of 18 Pseudomonas strains, isolated from fish products using shotgun proteomics. The bacterial proteomes obtained were further analyzed to identify the main functional pathway proteins involved. In addition, this study revealed the presence of 1015 non-redundant peptides related to virulence factors. An additional 25 species-specific peptides were identified as putative Pseudomonas spp. biomarkers. The results constitute the largest dataset, described thus far for the rapid identification and characterization of Pseudomonas species present in edible fish; furthermore, these data can provide the basis for further research into the development of new therapies against these harmful pathogens

This study investigated the effects of feeding protein-restricted diets during the growing period on performance and carcass quality traits of Duroc (boars) x Iberian (sows) crossbred pigs slaughtered at commercial weight for local pig production. Two trials were conducted in different management conditions, with 28 and 33 barrows, respectively. In each trial, pigs were divided into two dietary groups, one group received a control diet (CD, 16.5 % crude protein, CP) and the other one was fed a protein restricted diet (PRD_1 for Trial 1: 12.4 % CP; and PRD_2 for Trial 2: 10.0 % CP). At 100 kg of body weight (BW), five pigs per group and trial were slaughtered, while the remaining pigs were fattened on a standard finishing diet until reaching 160 kg BW before slaughter. No significant changes in growth, carcass and ham composition or backfat thickness due to decreased protein supply during the growing period were observed. However, the intramuscular fat content increased in Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) and ham muscles of PDR_2 pigs. Furthermore, the backfat fatty acid (FA) profile presented higher proportion of oleic and monounsaturated FAs in pigs fed PRD diets, while polyunsaturated FA decreased in PDR_2 pigs. The PRD_1 group exhibited higher redness and thawing water loss in LTL, while PDR_2 group showed greater redness, yellowness and thawing water loss values compared to the CD group. Overall, the results indicate that feeding protein-restricted diets during growing period did not have a substantial impact on growth or meat quality. The success of implementing such diets may be influenced by factors such as the protein restriction level and the animal management conditions.

The fate and behavior of herbicides can be altered in an unpredictable way when organic amendments are added to soil as a beneficial management tool. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect exerted by the addition of two different organic amendments (alperujo compost and biochar) to soil in the degradation of one of the most relevant new generation rice herbicides, profoxydim. In unamended soils, the degradation of profoxydim was quite fast and was governed by both chemical (DT50steril soil = from 1.52 to 9.21 days) and microbial (DT50nonsterile soil = from 0.47 to 0.53 days) processes. Alperujo- and biochar-amended soils significantly increased the persistence of the herbicide in both soils, especially in the presence of biochar, due to the high capacity absorption of this amendment, increasing DT90 from 1.92 to 3.54 days for DT90unamended to 41.02-48.41 days for DT90biochar amended. Different kinetics models applied to fit the observed dissipation datasets showed that a HS biphasic model fits well with the dissipation of profoxydim in amended and unamended soils. For the first time, five degradation products (DPs) were identified by HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS in soil and a degradation pathway was described. Main DP was generated via oxidation of the sulfur atom to give rise to the corresponding sulfoxide derivative, with this DP being more persistent than the active substance. These outcomes can be very useful for the assessment of the environmental risk associated with the use of profoxydim in rice crops and the application of organic amendments as potential measures for minimizing the risk of contamination of natural water resources.

Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer mortality. Metastatic cancer is notoriously difficult to treat, and it accounts for the majority of cancer-related deaths. The ether lipid edelfosine is the prototype of a family of synthetic antitumor compounds collectively known as alkylphospholipid analogs, and its antitumor activity involves lipid raft reorganization. In this study, we examined the effect of edelfosine on metastatic colonization and angiogenesis. Using non-invasive bioluminescence imaging and histological examination, we found that oral administration of edelfosine in nude mice significantly inhibited the lung and brain colonization of luciferase-expressing 435-Lung-eGFP-CMV/Luc metastatic cells, resulting in prolonged survival. In metastatic 435-Lung and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, we found that edelfosine also inhibited cell adhesion to collagen-I and laminin-I substrates, cell migration in chemotaxis and wound-healing assays, as well as cancer cell invasion. In 435-Lung and other MDA-MB-435-derived sublines with different organotropism, edelfosine induced G2/M cell cycle accumulation and apoptosis in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Edelfosine also inhibited in vitro angiogenesis in human and mouse endothelial cell tube formation assays. The antimetastatic properties were specific to cancer cells, as edelfosine had no effects on viability in non-cancerous cells. Edelfosine accumulated in membrane rafts and endoplasmic reticulum of cancer cells, and membrane raft-located CD44 was downregulated upon drug treatment. Taken together, this study highlights the potential of edelfosine as an attractive drug to prevent metastatic growth and organ colonization in cancer therapy. The raft-targeted drug edelfosine displays a potent activity against metastatic organ colonization and angiogenesis, two major hallmarks of tumor malignancy.

This article summarizes the characterization, by shotgun proteomics, of 11 bacterial strains identified as responsible for seafood spoilage. A total of 4455 peptide spectrum matches, corresponding to 4299 peptides and 3817 proteins were identified. Analyses of data determined the functional pathways they are involved in. The proteins identified were integrated into a protein-protein network that involves 371 nodes and 3016 edges. Those proteins are implicated in energy pathways, peptidoglycan biosynthesis, spermidine/putrescine metabolism. An additional 773 peptides were characterized as virulence factors, that participates in bacterial pathogenesis; while 14 peptides were defined as biomarkers, as they can be used to differentiate the bacterial species present. This report represents the most extensive proteomic repository available in the field of seafood spoilage bacteria; the data substantially advances the understanding of seafood decay, as well as provides fundamental bases for the recognition of the bacteria existent in seafood that cause spoilage during food processing/storage

In the Western Mediterranean Sea, forage fishes have changed in abundance, body condition, growth, reproduction, and distribution in the last decades. Different hypotheses have been proposed to explain these changes, including increase in fishing mortality; changes in environmental conditions affecting species fitness, and planktonic productivity and quality; recovery of top predators; and increase in competitors. We investigated the main drivers and changes of the pelagic ecosystem and their effects using an ecosystem-based modelling approach. Specifically, we (1) quantified the potential historical contribution of various drivers of change, (2) investigated changes in temporal trends and spatial distributions of main ecosystem components, and (3) identified ecological consequences of these changes in top predator and competitors, their fisheries and ecosystem traits during 2000–2020. We updated an established Ecopath food-web model representing the Spanish and French Mediterranean sub-areas (GSA06 and GSA07) in 2000 with recent available data. We applied the temporal dynamic Ecosim module, and tested historical time series of fishing effort, fishing mortality and environmental factors as potential drivers. Observed biomass and landings of key species were used to validate model projections. A spatial-temporal Ecospace model was developed to project species distribution changes. Results showed historical biomass and catch changes driven by a combination of high fishing pressure and environmental change (i.e. increase in temperature and salinity, and decline in primary productivity). Small pelagic fish showed significant temporal changes and predicted shifts in their distributions, following a latitudinal gradient. Predators and competitors showed changes as well, displaying heterogeneous spatial patterns, while fisheries landings declined. Overall, results matched observations (e.g., decline of sardine, fluctuations of anchovy and increases in bluefin tuna) and ill

A method for the simultaneous determination of the four stereoisomers of the chiral herbicide profoxydim in rice and husk was developed using the QuEChERS method and LC-tandem mass spectrometry. Four polysaccharide-based chiral stationary phase columns were evaluated. All four stereoisomers were successfully separated on a Chiracel OJ-3R column. The effects of mobile phase, modifiers, mobile phase flow rate and temperature on the separation were also investigated. Different QuEChERS methods were compared for the development of an optimized sample preparation procedure. The method, following SANTE guidelines, showed excellent linearity (R2 ≥ 0.99), the LODs were below 4.0 µg kg-1, and the LOQs did not exceed 12.5 µg kg-1. The overall average recoveries at three levels (12.5, 25.0 and 250 µg kg-1) ranged from 76.77 % to 106.53 %, with RSD values less than 7 %. The method is demonstrated to be convenient and reliable for the routine monitoring of profoxydim stereoisomers in rice and husk.

This study delves into the intricate interplay between ocean acidification (OA), metal bioaccumulation, and cellular responses using mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) as bioindicators. For this purpose, environmentally realistic concentrations of isotopically labelled metals (Cd, Cu, Ag, Ce) were added to investigate whether the OA increase would modify metal bioaccumulation and induce adverse effects at the cellular level. The study reveals that while certain elements like Cd and Ag might remain unaffected by OA, the bioavailability of Cu and Ce could potentially escalate, leading to amplified accumulation in marine organisms. The present findings highlight a significant rise in Ce concentrations within different mussel organs under elevated pCO2 conditions, accompanied by an increased isotopic fractionation of Ce (140/142Ce), suggesting a heightened potential for metal accumulation under OA. The results suggested that OA influenced metal accumulation in the gills of mussels. Conversely, metal accumulation in the digestive gland was unaffected by OA. The exposure to both trace metals and OA affects the biochemical responses of M. galloprovincialis, leading to increased metabolic capacity, changes in energy reserves, and alterations in oxidative stress markers, but the specific effects on other biomarkers (e.g., lipid peroxidation, some enzymatic responses or acetylcholinesterase activity) were not uniform, suggesting complex interactions between the stressors and the biochemical pathways in the mussels

Aquaculture is an extremely prosperous market threatened by pathogen outbreaks, including viruses as nodavirus (NNV), which infect fish species with special interest in trading such as European sea bass. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) might constitute potential antiviral agents, which had been previously evaluated in fish with positive prospects, based on their properties as immunomodulators or directly killing pathogens. In this line, we aimed to evaluate this dual role by administering two European sea bass synthetic AMPs (Hamp or Dic) prior to NNV infection. Both treatments conferred partial protection against NNV though viral replication and load were not affected. Both AMPs elicited, prior to infection, AMP response and leukocyte mobilization whilst down-regulated pro-inflammatory markers. Upon infection, Hamp and Dic peptides abrogated the inflammatory response provoked by NNV as well as avoid NNV-induced disturbance of the leucocyte distribution in the brain, mainly neutrophils, macrophages and CD8+ T cells. This study points that preventive applications of synthetic Hamp and Dic peptides exert their antiviral actions through the immunomodulatory role and not by a direct action of the antimicrobial on NNV. This work opens the door to the use of AMPs as potential prophylactic tools against NNV as well as immunostimulant in fish farms.

Hydraulic stimulation of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) aims at boosting permeability to facilitate fluid circulation, while keeping a low induced seismicity. However, some stimulations have led to poor permeability enhancement or too high induced earthquakes, which suggests that further understanding is needed on poromechanical processes during stimulation. Here, we model a highly-monitored test performed at the Bedretto Underground Laboratory to investigate the impact of fluid injection on permeability enhancement and induced microseismicity. We examine three models: (1) a homogeneous fracture whose transmissivity is manually calibrated to reproduce the observed pressure evolution at the injection borehole (this model fails to capture the spatial distribution of pressure and the corresponding poromechanical processes); (2) an elastic fracture approach, where transmissivity changes locally as a function of fracture aperture following the cubic law (this model overestimates pressure after the onset of fracture slip); and (3) a viscoplastic fracture approach with strain weakening and dilatancy that yields an additional permeability enhancement after shear reactivation. The viscoplastic model captures the spatio-temporal coupled response of the fractured rock to hydraulic stimulation before and after shearing both in terms of pressure and microseismicity. Subsequently to the onset of shear failure, microseismic events occur in every injection cycle as the reactivation front advances when plastic strain and, thus, permeability surpass the previously achieved maximum value. This viscoplastic model permits estimating the extent of the stimulated fracture, the permeability enhancement and its impact on the local state of stress and pore pressure at surrounding fractures, representing a useful tool for the design of effective hydraulic stimulation.

In addition to well-known effects on species ecophysiology, phenology, and distributions, climate change is widely predicted to impact essential ecosystem services such as decomposition and nutrient cycling. While temperature and soil moisture are thought to influence litter decomposition, elucidating consistent soil process responses to observed or predicted shifts in climate have proven difficult to evidence. Here we investigated how aspect (i.e., north-south orientation), a natural model for variation in soil temperature, influenced soil physico-chemical conditions and decomposition of two standardised litter types (Green tea and Rooibos teabags) in Pole-facing (PF) and Equator-facing (EF) roadside verges spanning a 3000 km and 27° latitudinal gradient across Europe. Despite average daily temperatures being 1.5 - 3.0 °C warmer on EF than PF slopes, there were only minor region-specific differences in initial soil physico-chemical conditions and short-term variation in litter decomposition (i.e., litter mass loss was higher in EF-verges for the first month of deployment only) associated with aspect. We conclude that previously observed differences in soil environments and the decomposition process associated with slope orientation, is largely litter or environment specific, although medium-term soil-decomposition in semi-natural grassland ecosystems may also be insensitive to the magnitude of temperature variation within the range predicted by the IPCC SSP1–2.6 emissions scenario. Nonetheless, consistent average and extreme temperature differences between adjacent PF- and EF-aspects along roadside verges provides a model system to explore exactly how resilient the soil environment and the micro-organisms responsible for decomposition, are to temperature variation.

Cheese is a food in which toxic concentrations of biogenic amines (BA) may be reached, mainly as a consequence of the decarboxylation of determined amino acids by certain lactic acid bacteria (LAB). To maintain the food safety of cheese, environmentally friendly strategies are needed that specifically prevent the growth of BA-producing LAB and the accumulation of BA. The bacteriocins produced by LAB are natural compounds with great potential as food biopreservatives. This work examines the antimicrobial potential of 7 bacteriocin-containing, cell-free supernatants (CFS: coagulin A-CFS, enterocin A-CFS, enterocin P-CFS, lacticin 481-CFS, nisin A-CFS, nisin Z-CFS and plantaricin A-CFS) produced by LAB against 48 strains of the LAB species largely responsible for the accumulation of the most important BA in cheese, i.e., histamine, tyramine and putrescine. Susceptibility to the different CFS was strain-dependent. The histamine-producing species with the broadest sensitivity spectrum were Lentilactobacillus parabuchneri (the species mainly responsible for the accumulation of histamine in cheese) and Pediococcus parvulus. The tyramine-producing species with the broadest sensitivity spectrum was Enterococcus faecium, while Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus hirae were among the most sensitive putrescine producers. Nisin A-CFS was active against 31 of the 48 BA-producing strains (the broadest antimicrobial spectrum recorded). Moreover, commercial nisin A prevented biofilm formation by 67% of the BA-producing, biofilm-forming LAB strains. These findings underscore the potential of bacteriocins in the control of BA-producing LAB, and support the use of nisin A as a food grade biopreservative for keeping BA-producing LAB in check and reducing BA accumulation in cheese.

The High Arctic plays a vital role in Earth's climate system, and its ecosystems are highly sensitive to global climate change. High Arctic lakes are valuable sentinels of climate change, as their sediments integrate long-term natural climatic fluctuations and anthropogenic influences. Here, we present a high-resolution ∼5000 year-reconstruction of NE Greenland climate variability from Aucella Lake (74°N, 20°E) based on physical, chemical, and biological properties of lake sediments. We use CT-scans, hyperspectral imaging, organic matter, XRD, and diatom analyses to show that changing air temperatures were controlled by a mix of regional climatic changes and local landscape feedbacks. The latest Mid-Holocene (∼5.0–3.8 cal. ka BP) was characterized by relatively warmer conditions, while the onset of the Late-Holocene was marked by abrupt temperature decreases that coincided with the beginning of glacial advances elsewhere (∼3.8–3.4 cal. ka BP). From ∼3.4–2.4 cal. ka BP, the sedimentary record indicated progressive warming, with temperature peaking during the Medieval Climate Anomaly, although temperature rises were punctuated by abrupt, short-lived cold periods. From ∼1.1–0.05 cal. ka BP, the influence of landscape factors over the system diminished. Sedimentary indicators suggested a transition towards a colder, more humid climate, coinciding with the beginning of the Little Ice Age, that was characterized by a marked decrease in air temperature that reached minimum values at the end of this period. The last 50 years at Aucella Lake were marked by abrupt temperature rises, consistent with recently observed anthropogenic global warming. Our results illustrate the importance of high-resolution multiproxy studies for accurately characterizing lake linkages to their environment and climate.

The combination of hydrogels and magnetic nanoparticles, scarcely explored to date, offers a wide range of possibilities for innovative therapies. Herein, we have designed hybrid 3D matrices integrating natural polymers, such as collagen, chitosan (CHI) and hyaluronic acid (HA), to provide soft and flexible 3D networks mimicking the extracellular matrix of natural tissues, and iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) that deliver localized heat when exposed to an alternating magnetic field (AMF). First, colloidally stable nanoparticles with a hydrodynamic radius of ∼20 nm were synthesized and coated with either CHI (NPCHI) or HA (NPHA). Then, collagen hydrogels were homogeneously loaded with these coated-IONPs resulting in soft (E0 ∼ 2.6 kPa), biodegradable and magnetically responsive matrices. Polymer-coated IONPs in suspension preserved primary neural cell viability and neural differentiation even at the highest dose (0.1 mg Fe/mL), regardless of the coating, even boosting neuronal interconnectivity at lower doses. Magnetic hydrogels maintained high neural cell viability and sustained the formation of highly interconnected and differentiated neuronal networks. Interestingly, those hydrogels loaded with the highest dose of NPHA (0.25 mgFe/mg polymer) significantly impaired non-neuronal differentiation with respect to those with NPCHI. When evaluated under AMF, cell viability slightly diminished in comparison with control hydrogels magnetically stimulated, but not compared to their counterparts without stimulation. Neuronal differentiation under AMF was only affected on collagen hydrogels with the highest dose of NPHA, while non-neuronal differentiation regained control values. Taken together, NPCHI-loaded hydrogels displayed a superior performance, maybe benefited from their higher nanomechanical fluidity. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Hydrogels and magnetic nanoparticles are undoubtedly useful biomaterials for biomedical applications. Nonetheless, the combination of both has

Chemical Looping Combustion (CLC) allows CO2 capture at low cost. This technology is based on solid oxygen carriers which supply the oxygen required for combustion of the fuel while they experience successive reduction-oxidation cycles. Oxygen carriers based on minerals or industrial residues present the advantage of their low cost but complete combustion of the fuel is not always achieved. Manganese‑iron mixed oxides doped with titanium can improve combustion efficiency due to its oxygen uncoupling capability. Moreover, they present the advantage of their magnetic properties. The objective of this work was to produce this type of oxygen carriers from minerals/residues instead of from synthetic materials. Four oxygen carriers with a fixed Mn-Fe molar ratio were produced with a 7 wt.% TiO2 addition. Two manganese-based (MnSA and MnGBMPB) and one iron-based (Tierga) minerals were used as source of Mn and Fe, respectively. As source of Ti, the mineral ilmenite was used. After characterization of the materials, their reactivity was analysed in a TGA. The reactivity to the main combustion gasses was lower than that corresponding to similar oxygen carriers obtained from synthetic sources although they maintained their magnetic properties. Thus, its use as magnetic support of oxygen carriers was recommended. In this respect, first tests were conducted using CuO as active phase supported on one of the low-cost support materials produced in this work.

Rabbits constitute an interesting model to understand gamete interaction and test novel Artificial Reproductive Techniques, but in vitro fertilization (IVF) is particularly problematic in this species. We have conducted a series of experiments to develop a consistent IVF technique. Initially, we checked viability, acrosome integrity, capacitation and motility in ejaculated sperm purified by a density gradient and incubated at different times in three different media: Tyrode's Albumin Lactate Pyruvate (TALP), human tubal fluid (HTF), and Brackett and Oliphant (BO). Total and progressive motility at 10-24 h and linearity from 3 h onwards was significantly higher in BO medium compared to TALP and HTF. Subsequently, cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) collected 10 h after induction of ovulation were incubated with sperm in TALP, HTF or BO for 18 h with or without performing sperm pre-incubation for 6 h. Pronuclear formation rate at 18 h was significantly higher in BO compared to other media (∼84 % vs. 17-22 %) and was not improved by pre-incubation. As COCs recovery rate was low at 10 h after induction of ovulation, COCs were collected at 12 h and co-incubated with sperm in BO. Pronuclear formation rate was similar than those obtained in COCs collected at 10 h (∼85 %), and when embryos were allowed to develop in vitro, the protocol yielded high cleavage and blastocyst rates (91 and 59 %, respectively). In conclusion, ejaculated rabbit sperm purified in a density gradient fertilize efficiently COCs collected at 12 h in BO medium.

New gravimetric data are improving our understanding of the Palomares Fault Zone (PFZ) that accommodates the Águilas Arc tectonic indentation (eastern Betic Cordillera, SE Iberia) in the context of the Eurasia-Africa convergence. The PFZ limits the sedimentary infill geometry of the Vera and Pulpí Basins, and the western Guadalentín Corridor, which are located along the western boundary of the arc. Gravity anomaly models are in agreement with previous tectonic interpretations that suggest that the PFZ fragments and bends the depocenters of those basins, as it has been proposed for the antiforms (ranges) that are located eastwards. Furthermore, the gravity anomaly models show that the PFZ extends from the Cabrera Range to the Almagrera Range and ends in the north at the Pulpí Basin, where the basin infill is only deformed by a gentle symmetrical synform. As a consequence, the PFZ is (i) confined to the southern zone, where the deformation is most intense due to the displacement of the tectonic indenter, and (ii) disconnected from the front of the Águilas Arc and the Alhama de Murcia Fault (part of the Eastern Betic Shear Zone, EBSZ). The new extend of the PFZ we have documented supposes the structural segmentation of the EBSZ and reduces both seismotectonic and structural significances of the PFZ. The study of the PFZ shows that the boundaries of the indenter are the locus for diffused deformation accommodated by local-scale faulting along with structural rotations and deflections, rather than localized strike-slip faulting along the whole indenter margin

Echinoderms with high levels of magnesium (Mg) in their skeletons may be especially sensitive to ocean acidification, as the solubility of calcite increases with its Mg content. However, other structural characteristics and environmental/biological factors may affect skeletal solubility. To better understand which factors can influence skeletal mineralogy, we analyzed the Mg content of Antarctic echinoderms from Deception Island, an active volcano with reduced pH and relatively warm water temperatures, and Livingston Island. We found significant interclass and inter- and intraspecific differences in the Mg content, with asteroids exhibiting the highest levels, followed by ophiuroids and echinoids. Specimens exposed to hydrothermal fluids showed lower Mg levels, which may indicate local environmental effects. These patterns suggest that environmental factors such as seawater Mg2+/Ca2+ ratio and temperature may influence the Mg content of some echinoderms and affect their susceptibility to future environmental changes

The filamentous cyanobacterium Limnospira platensis, formerly known as Arthrospira platensis or spirulina, is one of the most commercially important species of microalgae. Due to its high nutritional value, pharmacological and industrial applications it is extensively cultivated on a large commercial scale. Despite its widespread use, its precise manipulation is still under development due to the lack of effective genetic protocols. Genetic transformation of Limnospira has been attempted but the methods reported have not been generally reproducible in other laboratories. Knowledge of the transformation defense mechanisms is essential for understanding its physiology and for broadening their applications. With the aim to understand more about the genetic defenses of L. platensis, in this work we have identified the restriction-modification and CRISPR-Cas systems and we have cloned and characterized thirteen methylases. In parallel, we have also characterized the methylome and orphan methyltransferases using genome-wide analysis of DNA methylation patterns and RNA-seq. The identification and characterization of these enzymes will be a valuable resource to know how this strain avoids being genetically manipulated and for further genomics studies.

Multinational enterprises (MNEs) can take advantage of cross-border knowledge sourcing and internationalisation spillovers. Nevertheless, the influence of these two foreign knowledge sources on innovation has been scarcely analysed in the MNEs. The purpose of this paper is three-fold. First, to apply multilevel modelling in the study of MNEs' innovation. Second, to analyse how the region's foreign knowledge sources affect innovation based on R&D in MNEs. Third, to explore whether this influence differs between large and small and medium-size MNEs (SM-MNEs). We used multilevel panel data analysis in a sample of 1471 Spanish MNEs over the period 2009 to 2016. The results indicate that the firm-level factors have a stronger relationship with the propensity to innovate in MNEs than the region's foreign knowledge sources. Nevertheless, the effect of these region's knowledge sources in explaining the differences across MNEs in innovation is more substantive in large MNEs than in SM-MNEs

Although determinants of life satisfaction in older adults have been well documented, research has to date failed to fully address the experience of older adults living in places with different levels of urbanization. Furthermore, there are conflictive findings regarding the type of residence environment that offers the greatest benefits for the wellbeing of older adults. Our study proposes an integrative research model to determine the nature of the relationships between loneliness, self-esteem and life satisfaction, with a particular focus on the living environment (rural-urban) of the older adults. Using a cross-sectional survey design volunteers (aged 60+) from rural (n = 198) and urban (n = 198) in Galicia (Spain) completed a questionnaire. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to test the relationships between loneliness, self-esteem and life satisfaction and multigroup analysis was performed to analyse the existence of differences in the relationships based on the area of residence of older adults. We found that higher levels of loneliness were a significant predictor of reduced life satisfaction and reduced self-esteem. Self-esteem not only increases life satisfaction, but also reduces the negative impact loneliness may have on it. Where the older adults lived had a significant effect on the relationships between loneliness, self-esteem and life satisfaction. The relationships were stronger for older adults living in urban areas. Differentiated policy initiatives should be considered, depending on the area of residence in order to increase the life satisfaction of older adults.

The opaque nature of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing means that the data on catches are scarce or unreliable, making it difficult to estimate the volume of illegal fishing and the number of individuals who practice it. In this work, we develop the use of quantification methods for IUU fishing in data-poor fisheries and provide estimates for the main shellfish species exploited in S-fisheries in Galicia (NW Spain). To make the estimates, we use a model whose primary input is the Confiscations per unit of policing effort (CPUPE) index, which relates the sanctions imposed for poaching, estimated poaching, and confiscations carried out by the Enforcement Forces. The estimates for the period 2012–2020 are 660.2 t of illegal catches of different species and an average number of 1,766.2 poachers/year. These estimates provide evidence that makes it possible to analyse tendencies in illegal fishing, to establish assessment baselines and to highlight potential improvements in the fight against IUU fishing in small-scale fisheries

In this work we present the development of an electrochemiluminescence aptasensor based on electrografting molybdenum disulphide nanosheets functionalized with diazonium salt (MoS2-N2+) upon screen-printed electrodes of graphene (SPEs GPH) for viral proteins detection. In brief, this aptasensor consists of SPEs GPH electrografted with MoS2-N2+ and modified with a thiolated aptamer, which can specifically recognize the target protein analyte. In this case, we have used SARS-CoV-2 spike protein as model protein. Electrochemiluminescence detection was performed by using the [Ru(bpy)3]2+/TPRA (tripropylamine) system, which allows the specific detection of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein easily and rapidly with a detection limit of 9.74 fg/mL and a linear range from 32.5 fg/mL to 50.0 pg/mL. Moreover, the applicability of the aptasensor has been confirmed by the detection of the protein directly in human saliva samples. Comparing our device with a traditional saliva antigen test, our aptasensor can detect the spike protein even when the saliva antigen test gives a negative result.

Innovative precision dietary procedures are required to promote healthy aging. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a personalised strategy based on the inclusion of individualised foods and digital tools on overall health status and quality of life within a follow-up of 3 months in older adults with overweight or obesity.

Aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a neurovascular disease produced by the rupture of the cerebral arteries and the extravasation of blood to the subarachnoid space and is accompanied by severe comorbidities. Secondarily associated vasospasm is one of the main side effects after hydrocephalus and possible rebleeding. Here, we analyze the alterations in function in the arteries of a rat model of SAH. For this, autologous blood was injected into the cisterna magna. We performed electrophysiological, microfluorimetric, and molecular biology experiments at different times after SAH to determine the functional and molecular changes induced by the hemorrhage. Our results confirmed that in SAH animals, arterial myocytes were depolarized on days 5 and 7, had higher [Ca2+]i on baseline, peaks and plateaus, and were more excitable at low levels of depolarization on day 7, than in the control and sham animals. Microarray analysis showed that, on day 7, the sets of genes related to voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels and K+ dynamics in SAH animals decreased, while the voltage-independent Ca2+ dynamics genes were over-represented. In conclusion, after SAH, several mechanisms involved in arterial reactivity were altered in our animal model, suggesting that there is no unique cause of vasospasm and alterations in several signaling pathways are involved in its development.

[Objective] To understand the similarities and differences between acute ischemic stroke and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) to help in the development of specific or common treatment strategies., [Methods] Using an aptamer-based proteomic array, we measured and compared 1310 circulating proteins in the blood of 40 patients with AIS, 9 patients with AMI, and 31 healthy controls. Pathway enrichment analysis was performed using GSEA and g:profiler., [Results] Ninety-four proteins were differentially expressed in AIS, and 284 were differentially expressed in AMI. Of these, 8 were specific to cerebral ischemia, and 197 were specific to myocardial infarction. Forty-two proteins were altered in both ischemia processes. Most altered pathways in AIS could be classified as immune response, cell cycle processing, molecular transport, or signaling. Pathways altered in AMI were mostly related to lipid metabolism and transport, highlighting cholesterol metabolic processes and estrogen signaling. In both types of ischemia, we found pathways related to metabolism, specifically purine metabolism, and signaling processes, such as TNF signaling or MAPK1/3., [Conclusions] The present study revealed proteins and pathways that were specifically altered in cerebral ischemia, in cardiac ischemia, or in both diseases, providing information on the similarities and differences of ischemic conditions. The role of common and specific proteins and pathways should be explored in detail to find possible therapeutic targets.

Brown rot symptoms may be linked to alterations in the gene expression pattern of genes associated with cell wall degradation. In this study, we identify key carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) involved in cell wall degradation by Monilinia fructicola, including pme2 and pme3 (pectin methylesterases), cut1 (cutinase) and nep2 (necrosis-inducing factor). The expression of these genes is significantly modulated by red and blue light during early nectarine infection. The polygalacturonase gene pg1 and the cellulase gene cel1 also exhibit photoinduction albeit to a lesser extent. Red and blue light cause an acceleration in the initial stages of brown rot development caused by M. fructicola on nectarines. Disease symptoms like tissue maceration were evident after an incubation period of 24 h followed by 14 h of light exposition, in contrast to the usual incubation period of 48 to 72 h. Furthermore, the culture media exerts an impact on gene regulation, suggesting a complex interplay between light and nutrient signalling pathways in M. fructicola. In addition, we observe that red light promotes colony growth on a 12 h photoperiod and consistently reduces conidiation. In contrast, blue light hampers growth rate on both the 12 h and the 8 h photoperiod but only diminishes conidiation on the 12 h photoperiod. These findings enhance our comprehension of genes associated with cell wall degradation and the environmental factors influencing brown rot development.

Eradication of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in certain historically low-prevalence regions remains elusive. A complete characterisation of the husbandry practices, biosecurity, and environment where farms are located is crucial to implement targeted in-farm risk mitigation protocols. Here, a detailed survey performed in 94 dairy cattle farms located in Navarra, a low-prevalence region of Spain between 2016 and 2020 was carried out. Data on 73 biosecurity, farm-, and environmental-level factors potentially associated with the risk of bTB occurrence were evaluated using an ordinal logistic regression model: farms were classified based on their prevalence index, a score linked to each farm to account for the severity and recurrence of bTB cases: 22.3% of the farms had a score of 1, 21.3% a score of 2, 26.6% a score of ≥ 3, and 29.8% were negative herds. A statistically significant association between a higher prevalence index and the frequency of badger sightings along with the lease of pastures to sheep during Winter was identified. Farms that detected badgers on a monthly to daily basis in the surroundings and those that leased pastures for sheep flocks during Winter were four [odds ratio, 95% CI (4.3; 1.1–17.5)] and three (3.1; 1.0–9.9) times more likely to have the highest prevalence index, respectively (predicted probabilityprevalence index≥3 = 0.7; 95% CI 0.3–0.9). Conversely, farms that used a vehicle to transport animals from holdings to pastures were less likely (0.1; <0.1–0.3) to present higher levels of prevalence index compared with farms that used none (on foot). Results suggested that the combined effect of farm- and environmental-level risk factors identified here may be hampering disease eradication in Navarra, highlighting the need to implement targeted protocols on farms and grazing plots. An increased awareness of monitoring sheep and wildlife in direct or indirect contact with cattle herds in historically low bTB prevalence areas should be raised.