Fog interception by Ball moss (<i>Tillandsia recurvata</i>)

Interception losses are a major influence in the water yield of vegetated areas. For most storms, rain interception results in less water reaching the ground. However, fog interception can increase the overall water storage capacity of the vegetation and once the storage is exceeded, fog drip is a common hydrological input. Fog interception is disregarded in water budgets of semiarid regions, but for some plant communities, it could be a mechanism offsetting evaporation losses. <i>Tillandsia recurvata</i> is a cosmopolitan epiphyte adapted to arid habitats where fog may be an important water source. Therefore, the interception storage capacity by <i>T. recurvata</i> was measured in controlled conditions and applying simulated rain or fog. Juvenile, vegetative specimens were used to determine the potential upperbound storage capacities. The storage capacity was proportional to dry weight mass. Interception storage capacity (<i>C</i>_min) was 0.19 and 0.56 mm for rainfall and fog respectively. The coefficients obtained in the laboratory were used together with biomass measurements for <i>T. recurvata</i> in a xeric scrub to calculate the depth of water intercepted by rain. <i>T. recurvata</i> contributed 20 % to the rain interception capacity of their shrub hosts: <i>Acacia farnesiana</i> and <i>Prosopis laevigata</i> and; also potentially intercepted 4.8 % of the annual rainfall. Nocturnal stomatic opening in <i>T. recurvata</i> is not only relevant for CO₂ but for water vapor, as suggested by the higher weight change of specimens wetted with fog for 1 h at dark in comparison to those wetted during daylight (543 ± 77 vs. 325 ± 56 mg, <i>p</i> = 0.048). The storage capacity of <i>T. recurvata</i> leaf surfaces could increase the amount of water available for evaporation, but as this species colonise montane forests, the effect could be negative on water recharge, because potential storage capacity is very high, in the laboratory experiments it took up to 12 h at a rate of 0.26 l h⁻¹ to reach saturation conditions when fog was applied

Construyendo resiliencia socioecológica en huertos urbanos y periurbanos en Querétaro; adaptaciones urbanas ante el desafío de la soberanía alimentaria y el cambio climático : Hacia la activación de un diálogo de saberes de urbicultor a urbicultor

La resiliencia socioecológica depende tanto de las amenazas, la vulnerabilidad y de la capacidad adaptativa de sistemas agroecológicos para diversificar, promover interacciones y sinergias benéficas entre sus componentes, regenerar la fertilidad del suelo, mantener la productividad, proteger los cultivos y recuperarse de los daños causados. Se evaluará la resiliencia socioecológica de los 28 huertos urbanos identificados en la zona urbana y metropolitana de Querétaro en el contexto del cambio climático. Desde la metodología interdisciplinaria de la agroecología se medirá la composición botánica, la productividad agrícola y el aporte nutricional, la calidad del suelo y de la descripción del manejo según la caracterización de los Sistemas Agrícolas Mixtos de los 28 huertos identificados, activando el Diálogo de saberes con los dueños o urbicultores. La causa de la crisis del sistema alimentario no subyace en la falta de disponibilidad de alimento como en la crisis estructural social de exclusión y desigualdad económica que limita su acceso.The socio-ecological resilience depends on the threats, vulnerability and adaptive capacity of agro-ecosystems to diversify, promote beneficial interactions and synergies between its components, regenerate soil fertility, maintain productivity, protect crops and recover from damage. The socio-ecological resilience of 29 identified urban gardens in urban and metropolitan area of Queretaro in the context of climate change, will be assessed. From an interdisciplinary approach to agroecology, the botanical composition, agricultural productivity and nutritional value, soil quality and description of management will be measured by the characterization of the mixed farming systems of the 28 gardens by activating the knowledge dialogue with the owners or urbicultores. The cause of the crisis in the food system lies not in the lack of availability of food as in the structural crisis of social exclusion and economic inequality, which limits their access.Eje: A1 Sistemas de producción de base agroecológica (Trabajos científicos)Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Construyendo resiliencia socioecológica en huertos urbanos y periurbanos en Querétaro; adaptaciones urbanas ante el desafío de la soberanía alimentaria y el cambio climático : Hacia la activación de un diálogo de saberes de urbicultor a urbicultor

La resiliencia socioecológica depende tanto de las amenazas, la vulnerabilidad y de la capacidad adaptativa de sistemas agroecológicos para diversificar, promover interacciones y sinergias benéficas entre sus componentes, regenerar la fertilidad del suelo, mantener la productividad, proteger los cultivos y recuperarse de los daños causados. Se evaluará la resiliencia socioecológica de los 28 huertos urbanos identificados en la zona urbana y metropolitana de Querétaro en el contexto del cambio climático. Desde la metodología interdisciplinaria de la agroecología se medirá la composición botánica, la productividad agrícola y el aporte nutricional, la calidad del suelo y de la descripción del manejo según la caracterización de los Sistemas Agrícolas Mixtos de los 28 huertos identificados, activando el Diálogo de saberes con los dueños o urbicultores. La causa de la crisis del sistema alimentario no subyace en la falta de disponibilidad de alimento como en la crisis estructural social de exclusión y desigualdad económica que limita su acceso.The socio-ecological resilience depends on the threats, vulnerability and adaptive capacity of agro-ecosystems to diversify, promote beneficial interactions and synergies between its components, regenerate soil fertility, maintain productivity, protect crops and recover from damage. The socio-ecological resilience of 29 identified urban gardens in urban and metropolitan area of Queretaro in the context of climate change, will be assessed. From an interdisciplinary approach to agroecology, the botanical composition, agricultural productivity and nutritional value, soil quality and description of management will be measured by the characterization of the mixed farming systems of the 28 gardens by activating the knowledge dialogue with the owners or urbicultores. The cause of the crisis in the food system lies not in the lack of availability of food as in the structural crisis of social exclusion and economic inequality, which limits their access.Eje: A1 Sistemas de producción de base agroecológica (Trabajos científicos)Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Urban agroecology enhances agrobiodiversity and resilient, biocultural food systems. The case of the semi-dryland and medium-sized Querétaro City, Mexico

Small-scale agroecological practices in the urban areas of Querétaro, México, as in other mid-sized cities, could maintain agrobiodiversity pools and sufficient productivity for a food sovereignty baseline. The application of agroecological principles fosters agrobiodiversity and socio-ecological resilience in urban food production. Emerging urban gardens result from an immediate necessity for food that does not appear in local statistics, nor is there any account of them in any cadastral source or land register of Querétaro City. Based on studies of 28 urban gardens, we survey and analyze farming practices using socio-ecological resilience methodologies and the Diagnostic Survey of Agroecological Practices. We find that the agroecological management of urban gardens results in significantly more species richness than in conventionally managed plots, likely due to the multifunctional purposes associated with biocultural memory. The number of social actors participating in agroecological management is increasing. It represents an urban strategy of resilience that contributes to enhancing the microclimate and nutrient cycling, as well as to improving water management and biodiversity. Results also indicate that gardens of approximately 200 m2 harbor the highest levels of agrobiodiversity. This area size for home vegetable production appears optimal for user-friendly management practices in urban settings and could represent the minimum benchmark for a family and a goal for urban planning and policy recommendations. Urban gardens contribute to the adaptive capacities of city dwellers to enhance their food security and sovereignty. Therefore, given that 70% of the national population face some level of food insecurity, we argue that, along with the protection of land-use rights, the promotion of a diverse urban landscape could improve long-term socio-ecological and food supply resilience. Additionally, urban gardens promote neighborhood social inclusion and affordable access to food. The empirical results and insights from this study in Querétaro can inform land-use policies for urban agriculture more broadly, especially in Latin American metropolitan areas

Open access simulation toolbox for the grid connection of offshore wind farms using multi-terminal HVDC networks

Decarbonisation of the European electricity system can become dauntingly costly due to transmission and distribution network issues arising from the integration of intermittent renewable generation sources. It is expected that wind energy will be the principal renewable source by 2050 and, as such, a number of initiatives in the academia and in the industry are being carried out to propose solutions to best accommodate the wind resource. This paper presents work carried out by DEMO 1 partners within the EU FP7 project BEST PATHS. A MATLAB/Simulink toolbox consisting of the necessary building blocks for the simulation and integration of offshore wind farms using enabling technologies such as multiterminal high-voltage direct-current grids is presented. To illustrate the toolbox capabilities, a number of system topologies is studied. System performance is assessed and measured against a set of key performance indicators. To ensure knowledge dissemination, the toolbox has been made available as open access in the BEST PATHS project website

HIV/STI co-infection among men who have sex with men in Spain

In Spain, neither the HIV nor the STI national surveillance systems collect information on HIV/STI co-infection. However, there are two networks based on HIV/STI clinics which gather this data. We describe HIV prevalence in men who have sex with men (MSM) diagnosed with infectious syphilis and/or gonorrhoea in 15 STI clinics; and concurrent diagnoses of STI in MSM newly diagnosed with HIV in 19 HIV/STI clinics. In total, 572 MSM were diagnosed with infectious syphilis and 580 with gonorrhoea during 2005-2007. HIV prevalence among syphilis and gonorrhoea cases was 29.8% and 15.2% respectively. In the multivariate analysis, HIV/syphilis co-infection was associated with being Latin American; having a history of STI; reporting exclusively anal intercourse; and having sex with casual or several types of partners. HIV and gonorrhoea co-infection was associated with age older than 45 years; having no education or only primary education completed; and having a history of STI. In total, 1,462 HIV infections were newly diagnosed among MSM during 2003-2007. Of these, 31.0% were diagnosed with other STI at the same time. Factors associated with STI co-infection among new HIV cases in MSM were being Latin American; and having sex with casual partners or with both steady and casual partners. In Spain, a considerable proportion of MSM are co-infected with HIV and STI.This work was funded by two grants (36646/07; 36794/08) from the Foundation for Research and Prevention of AIDS in Spain (Fundación para la Investigación y la Prevención del SIDA en España–FIPSE).S

Effects of region of birth, educational level and age on late presentation among men who have sex with men newly diagnosed with HIV in a network of STI/HIV counselling and testing clinics in Spain

This paper analyses late presentation (LP) of HIV infection, and its determinants, among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Spain, newly diagnosed with HIV (2003-2011) in 15 sexually transmitted infection/HIV counselling and testing clinics. LP was defined as  12 months before diagnosis (12-24 months (aOR:1.4; 95% CI:1.0-2.0); > 24 months (aOR:2.2; 95% CI:1.7-3.0)). LP was less likely in MSM reporting a known HIV-infected partner as infection source or symptoms compatible with acute retroviral syndrome. 'Region of birth' interacted with 'educational level' and 'steady partner as infection source': only African and Latin-American MSM with low educational level were more likely to present late; Latin-American men attributing their infection to steady partner, but no other MSM, had LP more frequently. In Spain, HIV testing among MSM should be promoted, especially those > 34 years old and migrants with low educational level. The current recommendation that MSM be tested at least once a year is appropriate.This work has been supported with grants No. 36303/02, 36537/05 and 36794/08 from FIPSE (Fundación para la Investigación y la Prevención del Sida en España). The authors wish to thank Kathy Fitch for the English review.S

Trends in HIV testing, prevalence among first-time testers, and incidence in most-at-risk populations in Spain: the EPI-VIH Study, 2000 to 2009

During 2000 to 2009, data on people undergoing HIV testing and on those newly diagnosed with HIV were collected in a network of 20 Spanish clinics specialising in sexually transmitted infections and/or HIV testing and counselling. The number of tests performed, overall and disaggregated by different variables, was obtained. HIV prevalence among first-time testers and HIV incidence among repeat testers were calculated. To evaluate trends, joinpoint regression models were fitted. In total, 236,939 HIV tests were performed for 165,745 individuals. Overall HIV prevalence among persons seeking HIV testing was 2.5% (95% CI: 2.4 to 2.6). Prevalence was highest in male sex workers who had sex with other men (19.0% (95% CI: 16.7 to 21.4)) and was lowest in female sex workers (0.8% (95% CI: 0.7 to 0.9)). Significant trends in prevalence were observed in men who have sex with men (MSM) (increasing) and heterosexual individuals (decreasing). The incidence analysis included 30,679 persons, 64,104 person-years (py) of follow-up and 642 seroconversions. The overall incidence rate (IR) was 1.0/100 py (95% CI: 0.9/100 to 1.1/100). Incidence was significantly higher in men and transgender females than in women (1.8/100 py (95% CI: 1.6 to 1.9), 1.2/100 py (95% CI: 0.5 to 2.8) and 0.1/100 py (95% CI: 0.09 to 0.2) respectively) and increased with age until 35¿39 years. IRs in MSM and people who inject drugs were significantly greater than in heterosexual individuals (2.5/100 py (95% CI: 2.3 to 2.7), 1.6/100 py (95% CI: 1.1 to 2.2) and 0.1/100 py (95% CI: 0.09 to 0.2) respectively), and an upward trend was observed in MSM. Our results call for HIV prevention to be reinforced in MSM and transgender women in Spain

Trends in HIV testing, prevalence among first-time testers, and incidence in most-at-risk populations in Spain: the EPI-VIH Study, 2000 to 2009.

During 2000 to 2009, data on people undergoing HIV testing and on those newly diagnosed with HIV were collected in a network of 20 Spanish clinics specialising in sexually transmitted infections and/or HIV testing and counselling. The number of tests performed, overall and disaggregated by different variables, was obtained. HIV prevalence among first-time testers and HIV incidence among repeat testers were calculated. To evaluate trends, joinpoint regression models were fitted. In total, 236,939 HIV tests were performed for 165,745 individuals. Overall HIV prevalence among persons seeking HIV testing was 2.5% (95% CI: 2.4 to 2.6). Prevalence was highest in male sex workers who had sex with other men (19.0% (95% CI: 16.7 to 21.4)) and was lowest in female sex workers (0.8% (95% CI: 0.7 to 0.9)). Significant trends in prevalence were observed in men who have sex with men (MSM) (increasing) and heterosexual individuals (decreasing). The incidence analysis included 30,679 persons, 64,104 person-years (py) of follow-up and 642 seroconversions. The overall incidence rate (IR) was 1.0/100 py (95% CI: 0.9/100 to 1.1/100). Incidence was significantly higher in men and transgender females than in women (1.8/100 py (95% CI: 1.6 to 1.9), 1.2/100 py (95% CI: 0.5 to 2.8) and 0.1/100 py (95% CI: 0.09 to 0.2) respectively) and increased with age until 35–39 years. IRs in MSM and people who inject drugs were significantly greater than in heterosexual individuals (2.5/100 py (95% CI: 2.3 to 2.7), 1.6/100 py (95% CI: 1.1 to 2.2) and 0.1/100 py (95% CI: 0.09 to 0.2) respectively), and an upward trend was observed in MSM. Our results call for HIV prevention to be reinforced in MSM and transgender women in Spain.This work has been supported with grants No. 36303/02, 36537/05 and 36794/08 from FIPSE (Fundación para la Investigación y la Prevención del Sida en España). The au-thors wish to thank Kathy Fitch for the English review.S

Diferencias según origen en nuevos diagnóticos de VIH. Estudio EPIVIH

ANTECEDENTES Y OBJETIVOS El EPI-VIH es un estudio centrado en la vigilancia centinela de la infección por VIH mediante la monitorización de la prevalencia de VIH en personas que se realizan voluntariamente la prueba en centros de diagnóstico de ITS y/o VIH. A partir del año 2003 se recoge información detallada sobre los pacientes recién diagnosticados de infección por el VIH en los centros participantes. El objetivo de este estudio es describir las características epidemiológicas y clínicas de los nuevos diagnósticos de VIH según el lugar de origen en una red de centros específicos. MÉTODOS Estudio descriptivo de los nuevos diagnósticos de VIH en 19 centros situados en 11 Comunidades Autónomas. El periodo de estudio abarca desde el 2003 al 2006. Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas y clínicas mediante un cuestionario estandarizado y anónimo. Para evaluar la asociación entre variables cualitativas se utilizó la prueba de chi-cuadrado. RESULTADOS En el periodo de estudio se diagnosticaron 1.595 nuevos casos de VIH, siendo en su mayoría hombres (80,4%), con una edad media de 32,5 años (DE: 7,9) y el 64,3% tenían estudios secundarios o superiores. 681 casos (42,7%) procedían de otros países, principalmente de Latinoamérica (422 casos, 62%) y África Sub-sahariana (122, 18%). Comparando ambos grupos, se encontró que la proporción de mujeres entre los extranjeros fue mayor (23,1% frente a 9,3%) mientras que la edad media al diagnóstico fue inferior (31 años (DE:7,3) frente a 34 (DE:8,1)). (Tabla 1). Tanto entre los casos extranjeros como en los españoles el mecanismo de transmisión más frecuente fueron las relaciones sexuales entre hombres; sin embargo, mientras que el uso de drogas intravenosas fue superior en los españoles (7,3% frente a 4,1%), las relaciones heterosexuales fueron mayores en los extranjeros (32,9% frente al 16,1%) (Figura 1). El 61% de los extranjeros tenían una prueba del VIH anterior negativa, menos que los españoles (66,2%). No se encontraron diferencias significativas en la cifra de CD4 al diagnóstico. En los casos en los que la transmisión se atribuye a relaciones sexuales, el 30,8% de los extranjeros presentaron una ITS concurrente al diagnóstico de VIH frente al 25,8% en españoles. Se detectaron diferencias en el perfil de riesgo en el grupo de pacientes cuya transmisión fue sexual: los contactos con parejas ocasionales fueron superiores entre los españoles (70,9% frente al 59,0%) y el ejercicio de prostitución en los extranjeros (3,3 % frente al 26,3%) (Figura 2). CONCLUSIONES Los nuevos diagnósticos de VIH en personas de otros países son más jóvenes y la proporción de mujeres es superior que en los españoles. El mecanismo de transmisión más común en ambos fueron las relaciones sexuales, pero hay que señalar la elevada proporción de nuevos diagnósticos debidas a relaciones heterosexuales dentro de los extranjeros. En este grupo destaca la prostitución como situación de riesgo en los casos atribuidos a transmisión sexual al comparar con los españoles