When the Bough Breaks: Loss of Tradition in the Urban Landscape

Considering the theme of this conference – wide-open spaces – has prompted me to think about my life history in terms of landscape/environments: the first eighteen years of my life were spent in Grand Rapids, Michigan, which is set in the gently rolling Grand River Valley of western Michigan; the next four years were at Swarthmore College, amidst the narrow winding roads and lush vegetation of suburban Philadelphia. In the mid-60’s I spent two and one-half years at nine-thousand feet in the spectacular Bolivian Andes, as a Peace Corps volunteer art teacher (I’d never seen mountains before the summer we left for Bolivia, but I had a double dose that year, since our two-month training site was at the University of Washington, Seattle, in the shadow of Mt. Rainier). During the 70’s and 80’s, a good number of Christmas holidays were shared with parents-in-law in the big-sky country of rural Oklahoma, just outside the grand metropolis of Kremlin, not far from what was once the Chisholm Trail. But (aside from relatively brief travel in Europe, Latin America, and India) a large part of my life over the last 30 years has been lived in or near Chicago. For the first ten of these years I was located on the top floor of various three-story walk-up apartment buildings. (I came to take this arrangement more or less for granted until the eight year-old daughter of a friend of mine from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, came to visit and couldn’t stop exclaiming about our upstairs kitchen! The concept of living all on one floor was completely alien to her.

Contribución de los receptores nicotícos a la neuroprotección y a la neuroinflamación

Tesis doctoral inédita leída en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Farmacología y Terapéutica. Fecha de lectura: 27 de marzo, 201

Comparison of the structure of the community of passerine birds from two native forests versus that of an assemblage of exotic species. The role of novel ecosystems

Traballo fin de grao (UDC.CIE). Bioloxía. Curso 2017/2018[Resumen] En este trabajo estudiamos la abundancia, diversidad y composición de la avifauna paseriforme forestal en tres tipos de bosque (pinar, robledal y ensamblado de especies exóticas), durante las cuatro estaciones del año, en el entorno del embalse de Cecebre-Abegondo. No se encontraron diferencias en la abundancia de paseriformes en los tres tipos de bosque considerados. La menor abundancia de aves se detectó en verano y la diferencia con respecto a la primavera fue estadísticamente significativa. La diversidad no difirió entre los tres tipos de bosque ni entre estaciones. En el ensamblado de especies exóticas se detectó 1 especie exclusiva (Sylvia undata), ninguna en el robledal y 3 en el pinar (Parus cristatus, Certhia brachydactyla y Ficedula hypoleuca), siendo este el tipo de hábitat más idiosincrático. Erithacus rubecula fue la especie más común en todos los tipos de bosque. Estos resultados indican que la comunidad de aves paseriformes de la zona de estudio presenta una gran constancia en cuanto a composición y diversidad a lo largo del año y que percibe su entorno forestal como una capa homogénea por la que moverse en busca de alimento. Esta constancia probablemente se deba a la poca variabilidad en las condiciones meteorológicas de la zona de estudio. Desde el punto de vista de la conservación, los ensamblados de especies arbóreas exóticas (al menos en ambientes fragmentados) pueden jugar un papel similar al de las formaciones forestales nativas.[Abstract] In this end of degree thesis we study the abundance, diversity and composition of the forest passerine bird communities in three types of forests: pine forest, oak forest, and an assemblage of exotic species during a whole annual cycle around the Cecebre-Abegondo reservoir (NW Spain). We did not find any differences in abundance among forest types. Abundance was lowest in summer. Diversity did not differ among the three forest types but we did not detect differences in diversity among seasons. Therefore, the study metacommunity showed a high constancy in space and time. This constancy was most likely due to constancy in environmental conditions. In addition, the assemblage of exotic species had 1 exclusive species (Sylvia undata). No exclusive species was detected in the oak forest and 3 exclusive species were found in the pine forest (Parus cristatus, Certhia brachydactyla and Ficedula hypoleuca). Hence the pine forest was the most idiosincratic forest type. Erithacus rubecula was the most common species in the metacommunity. These results suggest that exotic species assemblages cannot be disregarded as relevant for the conservation of forest passerine communities in fragmented landscapes

Universal Reconfiguration of Facet-Connected Modular Robots by Pivots: The O(1) Musketeers

We present the first universal reconfiguration algorithm for transforming a modular robot between any two facet-connected square-grid configurations using pivot moves. More precisely, we show that five extra "helper" modules ("musketeers") suffice to reconfigure the remaining n modules between any two given configurations. Our algorithm uses O(n^2) pivot moves, which is worst-case optimal. Previous reconfiguration algorithms either require less restrictive "sliding" moves, do not preserve facet-connectivity, or for the setting we consider, could only handle a small subset of configurations defined by a local forbidden pattern. Configurations with the forbidden pattern do have disconnected reconfiguration graphs (discrete configuration spaces), and indeed we show that they can have an exponential number of connected components. But forbidding the local pattern throughout the configuration is far from necessary, as we show that just a constant number of added modules (placed to be freely reconfigurable) suffice for universal reconfigurability. We also classify three different models of natural pivot moves that preserve facet-connectivity, and show separations between these models

Humanização do cuidado durante o encontro mãe/recém-nascido: uma responsabilidade ética da equipe de saúde

The objective of the present work is to review the application of bioethical principles in the care practices used by the health team during labor, based from the following ideas: the act of health care is developed in a privileged relationship between the health team and the person, and during labor, it is essential to efficiently perform interventions that promote the quality of life of the mother and her newborn. A bibliographical search of scientific databases found that in a grand variety of interventions practiced by the health team at this stage, bioethical principles were not equally applied, which allows the affirmation that it is important to verify that the mother-newborn health care has the bioethical elements that promote the humanization and the respect for human dignity and that quality care is provided. El objetivo del presente trabajo es la revisión de la aplicación de los principios bioéticos en las prácticas de cuidado utilizadas por el equipo de salud durante el parto, a partir de las ideas siguientes: el acto de cui­dado se desarrolla en una relación privilegiada entre el equipo de salud y la persona, y durante el parto, es primordial realizar intervenciones eficaces que fomenten la calidad de vida de la madre y su recién nacido. Se hizo una búsqueda bibliográfica en bases de datos científicas y se encontró que en una gran variedad de intervenciones prácticas realizadas por el equipo de salud en esta etapa, no se aplicaron equitativamente los principios bioéticos, lo cual permite afirmar que es importante verificar que el cuidado madre-recién nacido tenga los elementos bioéticos que promuevan la humanización y el respeto por la dignidad humana, y se suministre un cuidado seguro y de calidad.O objetivo do presente trabalho é a revisão da aplicação dos princípios bioéticos nas práticas de cuidado, utilizadas pela equipe de saúde durante o parto, partindo das seguintes ideias: o ato de cuidado se desenvol-ve em uma relação privilegiada entre a equipe de saúde e a pessoa, e, durante o parto, é essencial realizar intervenções eficazes que promovam a qualidade de vida da mãe e de seu recém-nascido. Uma pesqui-sa bibliográfica foi realizada em bases de dados científicas e foi descoberto que, em uma grande variedade de intervenções práticas realizadas pela equipe de saúde nesta etapa, não foram aplicados, igualmente, os prin-cípios bioéticos, o que permite afirmar que, é importante verificar que o cuidado mãe/recém-nascido tenha os elementos bioéticos que promovem a humanização e o respeito pela dignidade humana, e que se providencie um cuidado seguro e de qualidade

¿Violencia obstétrica en España, realidad o mito? 17.000 mujeres opinan

Objective: To investigate the quality of obstetric care as perceived by women in the context of giving birth, a cesarean section or miscarriage/stillbirth in health centers in Spain, and their satisfaction with different aspects of the attention received, both human and technical. Materials and method: Retrospective descriptive study based on an anonymous online survey about the care received during the obstetric process. Results: A sample of 17,677 answers was obtained. Healthcare professionals were awarded an average of 6.9 points out of 10. 45.8% of women believed that healthcare professionals did not ask for their informed consent before every procedure and 49% did not have the opportunity to clarify doubts or express fears. 38% perceived that they received unnecessary or potentially dangerous procedures during labor. Finally, 34% believed they had suffered obstetric violence. Conclusions: The birth or loss of a baby are events that leave a deep mark on the physical, psychological and emotional health of women and their families. Healthcare professionals should reflect upon the impact of our care, the need to base it on scientific evidence and the duty to respect women’s and children’s rights, even if they do not know these rights nor demand them. The results of this survey contribute to drawing up a guideline and identifying a series of fields in which obstetric attention, including treatment, can and must be improved

Cooperación al Desarrollo en el Aula Universitaria

El proyecto pretende contextualizar las asignaturas implicadas en el mismo para que el alumno perciba algunas relaciones económicas y sociales injustas que generan pobreza, incorporando conceptos y actividades de carácter solidari

Assessing hydromorphological and floristic patterns along a regulated Mediterranean river : The Serpis River (Spain)

In the European context, several methodologies have been developed to assess the ecological status and, specifically, the hydromorphological status of running surface waters. Although these methodologies have been widely used, few studies have focused on hydrologically altered water bodies and the factors that may determine their status. In this study, the Serpis River was divided into 16 segments from the Beniarr'es dam (40 km from the river mouth) to the sea, all of which are affected by flow regulation, but with different severity. In each segment, an inventory of the flora was conducted, and hydromorphological indices (QBR, Riparian Habitat Quality Index; and IHF, River Habitat Index) were applied. The objectives of the study were (A) to identify relationships between floristic composition and QBR components and (B) between instream habitat characteristics and IHF components as well as (C) to determine the main factors controlling the floristic composition and riparian habitat quality (QBR) and the factors controlling instream habitat characteristics and heterogeneity (IHF). A cluster analysis allowed grouping sites according to their floristic composition and instream habitat characteristics, and non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) was used to ordinate the sites, obtaining the biotic and instream habitat characteristics, as well as the QBR and IHF subindices, which better explained the spatial patterns. Finally, a canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) with predictor variables (geographical, hydrological, geomorphological and human pressures) indicated the main factors controlling the spatial patterns of the floristic composition, instreamhabitat characteristics, riparian habitat quality and instream habitat heterogeneity. A gradient of riparian and instream habitat quality was identified. Our results suggest that physical constraints (presence of a gorge) have protected sites from severe human impacts, resulting in good ecological quality, despite hydrological alteration. This area, where there is geomorphological control, could be potentially reclassified into a different ecotype because regular monitoring could be using incorrect references for index scores, and naturally high scores could be confused with recovery from hydrological alteration or other pressures. The sites with the worst quality were near the river mouth and were characterised by an artificial and highly variable flow regime (related to large autumnal floods and frequent human-induced periods of zero flow). This artificial flow variability as well as the presence of lateral structures in the river channel and geomorphological characteristics were identified as the main factors driving the hydromorphological and floristic pattern in this regulated river.Diversas metodologías han sido desarrolladas en el contexto europeo para evaluar el estado ecológico, y específicamente el estado hidromorfológico de las aguas superficiales. Aunque éstas han sido ampliamente utilizadas, pocos estudios se han centrado en masas de agua hidrológicamente alteradas y en los factores que condicionan su estado. En este estudio, el río Serpis fue dividido en 16 segmentos desde la presa de Beniarrés (a 40 km de la desembocadura) hasta el mar, todos ellos afectados por la regulación de caudales con distinta severidad. En cada segmento se realizó un inventario florístico y se aplicaron índices hidromorfológicos (QBR, Calidad del Bosque de Ribera, e IHF, Índice de Hábitat Fluvial). Los objetivos del estudio fueron (A) identificar relaciones entre la composición florística y los componentes del QBR, (B) entre las caracteríısticas del hábitat fluvial y los componentes del IHF, (C) determinar los principales factores que controlan la composición florística y la calidad del hábitat ripario (QBR), y las características del hábitat fluvial y su heterogeneidad (IHF). Un cluster permitió agrupar los puntos de muestreo según su composición florística y las características del hábitat fluvial, y un escalado multidimensional no-métrico (NMDS) fue usado para ordenar los puntos, obteniendo las variables bióticas y características del hábitat y los subindices del QBR e IHF, respectivamente, que explicaban mejor los patrones espaciales. Finalmente, un análisis de correspondencias canónicas (CCA) con variables predictoras (geográficas, hidrológicas, geomorfológicas y presiones humanas) indicó los principales factores que controlan los patrones espaciales de la composición florística, las características del hábitat fluvial, la calidad del hábitat ripario y la heterogeneidad del hábitat fluvial. Se identificó un gradiente de calidad del hábitat ripario y fluvial. Los resultados sugieren que las limitaciones físicas (presencia de un cañón) han protegido a los tramos de impactos humanos severos, resultando en una buena calidad ecológica a pesar de la alteración hidrológica. Esta zona podría potencialmente ser reclasificada en un ecotipo diferente, ya que un monitoreo regular podría estar usando referencias incorrectas para los índices y sus altas puntuaciones naturales se podrían estar confundiendo con una recuperación de la alteración hidrológica o de otras presiones. Los puntos de muestreo con peor calidad estuvieron cerca de la desembocadura y tuvieron un régimen de caudales alterado y muy variable. Esta variabilidad artificial del caudal, junto con la presencia de estructuras laterales en el cauce y las características geomorfológicas fueron identificadas como los principales factores determinantes del patrón hidromorfológico y florístico en este río regulado

Reconocimiento de expresión facial emocional en el trastorno de déficit de atención e hiperactividad en la infancia

Abstract: Recognition of emotional facial expression in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in childhood. The main symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. In addition to cognitive and behavioral deficits present in ADHD, having difficulties in social skills has also been observed in different studies. The objective of this study was to analyze performance in recognizing emotional facial expression in this group. For this, a clinical group with ADHD was compared to a control group. Emotional facial expression recognition tools were applied. No statistically significant differences were found between groups in non-contextualized static emotions. However, differences were found in non-contextualized dynamic emotions, contextualized scenarios and secondary social skills. In addition, a more comprehensive analysis identified a subgroup of children with ADHD that performed better than the other ADHD group of children and similarly to the control group.Resumen: Los síntomas principales del trastorno de déficit de atención/hiperactividad (TDAH) son la inatención, la hiperactividad y la impulsividad. Además de los déficits cognitivos y conductuales presentes en el TDAH, se ha observado en diferentes estudios la presencia de dificultades en las habilidades sociales. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el rendimiento en el reconocimiento de expresión facial emocional en este colectivo. Para ello, se comparó un grupo clínico con TDAH con un grupo control. Se emplearon herramientas de reconocimiento de expresión facial emocional. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las emociones estáticas no contextualizadas entre los dos grupos. Sin embargo, sí se encontraron diferencias en las emociones dinámicas no contextualizadas, en escenarios contextualizados y habilidades sociales secundarias. Además, un análisis más exhaustivo identificó un subgrupo de niños con TDAH con un rendimiento similar al presentado por el grupo control y superior al resto de niños del grupo TDAH.

Influencia del momento de poda del duraznero (Prunus persica L. Batsch) sobre la dinámica de las principales enfermedades

The cultivation of peach trees constitutes the fourth agricultural line of the province of Pamplona, Norte de Santander , Colombia however, they are the results of research on plant pathology issues. The objective of this research was to evaluate the influence of different pruning moments on the seasonal dynamics of the main diseases of the peach tree Prunus persica (L.) Batsch in the municipality of Cacota. To achieve this, plots were taken with three pruning moments of the Gran Jarillo cultivar, evaluating the incidence percentage, severity and the Area Under the Disease Progress Curve (ABCPE) of the main foliage and fruit diseases. The lots were evaluated for a period of 11 months, taking into account the environmental conditions of the farm. At the end of the production cycle for each variable, a statistical analysis of comparison of means was performed for unrelated samples according to the Z test (p <0.05). Statistix (V4) and SPSS 23 statistical packages were used. As a result, it was shown that Taphrina deformans mainly affects the leaves and Sphaerotheca pannosa the fruits. The first is evident from the moment the first leaves unfold and reached its maximum incidence between 57 and 99 DDP for pruning in November and March, respectively. S. pannosa obtained its highest incidence (98.76%) at 166 DDP in pruning in November, for this same treatment Monilinia fructicola reached its highest incidence at 260 DDP and only affected fruits in a ripe state.  El cultivo de duraznero constituye el cuarto renglón agrícola de la provincia de Pamplona, Norte de Santander, Colombia, sin embargo, son escasos los resultados de investigación sobre los temas fitopatológicos. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar la influencia de diferentes momentos de poda sobre la dinámica estacional de las principales enfermedades del duraznero Prunus persica L. Batsch en el municipio de Cácota. Para lograrlo, se tomaron parcelas con tres momentos de poda del cultivar Gran Jarillo, evaluándose el porcentaje de incidencia, severidad y el Área Bajo la Curva de Progreso de la Enfermedad (ABCPE) de las principales enfermedades del follaje y de los frutos. Los lotes se evaluaron por un periodo de 11 meses. Al finalizar el ciclo productivo para cada variable se realizó un análisis estadístico de comparación de medias para muestras no relacionadas según la prueba de Z (p<0,05). Se utilizaron los paquetes estadísticos Statistix V4 y SPSS 23. Como resultado se evidenció que Taphrina deformans afecta principalmente las hojas y Sphaerotheca pannosa los frutos. La primera se evidencia desde el momento en que las primeras hojas se despliegan y alcanzó su máxima incidencia entre los 57 y 99 DDP para la poda de noviembre y marzo, respectivamente. S. pannosa obtuvo su mayor incidencia (98,76%) a los 166 DDP en de poda de noviembre, para este mismo tratamiento Monilinia fructicola alcanzó su incidencia más alta a los 260 DDP y solo afectó frutos en estado de maduración