Filmmaking as a source of enhanced knowledge and transformation in conflicts over small-scale fisheries : the case of Colombia

Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2019-000940-MAltres ajuts: Solidarity Fund of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (FAS-UAB) under the project AJASmall-scale fisheries (SSF) harvesting on coastal and inland aquatic ecosystems sustain the livelihood of hundreds of millions around the world. In Colombia, as in many other developing countries, SSF suffer from multiple pressures and conflicts. Yet the research on SSF conflicts is scarce and the typology of these conflicts is poorly systematized and understood. Existing studies lack the necessary interdisciplinary integration to address social-ecological processes involved in SSF. Moreover, scientific research requires building trust with fishers in order to gain an accurate picture of relevant intra-community processes and values.In face of this situation, we compiled information from nonfiction films about fishing conflicts, with the double aim of underpinning scientific knowledge on conflicts over SSF and analyzing the use of the films to promote transformations in these conflicts. Our empirical evidence relies on the organization of an ad hoc docu-conference where filmmakers, fishers, and the general public engaged in a meaningful discussion on the issues affecting SSF communities in Colombia. Films represent the range of conflicts over SSF in 31 locations of 16 Colombian departments and provide data about types of actors involved in the conflicts, types of conflicts and their causes, and possible courses of action. We gained insights into fishing conflicts as processes of change that involve drivers and impacts with common patterns in both inland waters, and marine and coastal environments but evolve in diverging responses or calls for action. Beyond the variables emerging in the films, audiovisual content supports stakeholders in their pursuit of knowledge sharing, political mobilization, and social functioning. Films about SSF conflicts expand knowledge and relatedness that propel intellectual processes tending to exacerbate the conflict and/ or stimulate sense of place, enhance governance, and give a boost to alternatives. Research participants (filmmakers, fishers, and the public) discussed advantages and limitations of using films to tackle the SSF crisis in Colombia. We demonstrate the value of films in social-ecological research and provide evidence of how they can support and bring about transformative change

Generation of a human iPS cell line from a patient with retinitis pigmentosa due to EYS mutation

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited retinal degenerative disease. Mutations in EYS have been associated with autosomal recessive RP. The human iPS cell line, CABi002-A, derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a patient carrying a heterozygous double mutation in EYS gene was generated by non-integrative reprogramming technology, using hOCT3/4, hSOX2, hc-MYC and hKLF4 reprogramming factors. Pluripotency and differentiation capacity were assessed by immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR. This iPSC line can be further differentiated towards the affected cells to understand the pathophysiology of the disease and test new therapeutic strategies.Cellex FoundationFundación Progreso y Salu

Pseudo-nitzschia australis blooms are not always toxic

Postprin

Modeling Nonconfined Density Currents Using 3D Hydrodynamic Models

Density currents generated by marine brine discharges, e.g., from desalination plants, can have a negative impact on marine ecosystems. It is therefore important to accurately predict their behavior. Predictions are often made using computational hydrodynamic models, which should be validated using field or laboratory measurements. This paper focuses on the setup and validation of three-dimensional (3D) models for estimating the transport and mixing processes that occur in these types of flows. Through a comprehensive sensitivity analysis based on the reproduction of several laboratory-generated density currents, a set of recommendations are made regarding the modeling aspects, including the domain discretization, the treatment of momentum at the density current source, the hydrostatic hypothesis and the selection of turbulence closure models. Finally, the proposed numerical model setup is validated using different experimental data showing good agreement in terms of the main variables considered: errors of less than 1.3% for dilution and of 6% for velocity. This study serves as a first step toward the full validation of these 3D hydrodynamic models for the simulation of field-scale density currents.This study was partially funded by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) under research project TRA2011-28900 (PLVMA3D). B. Pérez-Díaz would like to thank MINECO for providing funding under the FPI Program (research fellowship, reference number BES-2012-053693) and the Coasts and Ocean Group of HRWallingford for their assistance with numerical tasks

Modelling the hydrodynamic conditions associated with Dinophysis blooms in Galicia (NW Spain)

The northwestern Iberian coast (Galician Rías and shelf) is frequently affected by toxic harmful algal blooms (HABs) (mainly Dinophysis spp.), leading to lengthy harvesting closures in a region where aquaculture has a strong socioeconomic impact. The project ASIMUTH (http://www.asimuth.eu) aimed to develop forecasting capabilities to warn of impending HABs along the European Atlantic coast. Simulations with the ROMS model (hydrodynamical and ecological simulations complemented with Lagrangian particle tracking simulations) of the Galician coastal circulation have been performed in the framework of the ASIMUTH project to characterize and forecast oceanographic conditions before and during HAB periods. In this work, we present the Galician ASIMUTH forecast system and demonstrate its skill in predicting HAB transport and its usefulness to provide assessment for the management of the areas affected by toxic outbreaks. Experience gained during DSP events in 2005 and 2013 is shown. We also describe the Galician pilot HAB bulletins, aimed at distributing forecasts of HAB events that might induce closures of harvesting areas or, when the areas are already closed, at giving information on forthcoming oceanographic conditions that could favour or hamper the opening of an area. Our results show that the model forecasts and the bulletins can provide early warning of the risk of Dinophysis spp. events and the risk of closures linked to the presence of DSP toxins above regulatory levels in harvesting areas.Versión del editor3,083

Numerical simulations with the ASIMUTH forecast system for understanding and forecasting HAB events in Galicia (NW Spain)

Simulations with the model ROMS (hydrodynamical and ecological simulations complemented with Lagrangian particle-tracking simulations) have been performed in the framework of the project ASIMUTH (http://www.asimuth.eu) which aims to develop forecasting capabilities to warn of impending harmful algal blooms (HABs) along the European Atlantic coast. In this contribution, we will report on the skill of the ASIMUTH forecast system in predicting transport of HABs and in assessing the area affected by HABs in the upwelling-influenced Galician rias (NW Spain) with the experience gained in years 2013 and 2014.ASIMUTH FP7/26186

Pvlearning: herramienta web para la enseñanza de la energía solar fotovoltaica

En este trabajo, se describe la web www.pvlearning.com, desarrollada en la Universidad de Alcalá para la enseñanza de la energía solar fotovoltaica. PVLEARNING asiste al alumno en la realización de tareas como la evaluación de la radiación solar disponible, la selección de los componentes del sistema, la configuración de éstos y la estimación del rendimiento global y la energía total producida. Frente a otros programas de simulación, la plataforma presenta la novedad de estar enfocada al aprendizaje de la ingeniería de proyectos, sin por ello perder todo el rigor y la funcionalidad necesarios en este tipo de simuladores.This work describes the web www.pvlearning.com, which has been developed at the Universidad de Alcalá for photovoltaic solar energy teaching. PVLEARNING assists the student in tasks such as the evaluation of the solar radiation, the selection of the system components, the configuration of the solar generator and the estimation of the performance ratio, the final yield and the total energy production. In contrast to other simulation programs, the platform has the novelty of being focused on the learning of project engineering, without losing the accuracy and functionality which is required in this kind of simulator

Intestinal fructose and glucose metabolism in health and disease

The worldwide epidemics of obesity and diabetes have been linked to increased sugar consumption in humans. Here, we review fructose and glucose metabolism, as well as potential molecular mechanisms by which excessive sugar consumption is associated to metabolic diseases and insulin resistance in humans. To this end, we focus on understanding molecular and cellular mechanisms of fructose and glucose transport and sensing in the intestine, the intracellular signaling effects of dietary sugar metabolism, and its impact on glucose homeostasis in health and disease. Finally, the peripheral and central effects of dietary sugars on the gut–brain axis will be reviewed.Spanish MINISTERIO DE ECONOMÍA, INDUSTRIA Y COMPETITIVIDAD, grant numbers SAF2016-77871-C2-1-R and SAF2016-77871-C2-2-R to I.C-C. and G.P. respectively; the EFSD European Research Programme on New Targets for Type 2 Diabetes supported by an educational research grant from MSD to I.C-C. and G.P.; the FUNDACIÓN LA-CAIXA Y FUNDACIÓN CAJA DE BURGOS, grant number CAIXA-UBU001 to G.P