Effects of Orientations, Aspect Ratios, Pavement Materials and Vegetation Elements on Thermal Stress inside Typical Urban Canyons

The analysis of local climate conditions to test artificial urban boundaries and related climate hazards through modelling tools should become a common practice to inform public authorities about the benefits of planning alternatives. Different finishing materials and sheltering objects within urban canyons (UCs) can be tested, predicted and compared through quantitative and qualitative understanding of the relationships between the microclimatic environment and subjective thermal assessment. This process can work as support planning instrument in the early design phases as has been done in this study that aims to analyze the thermal stress within typical UCs of Bilbao (Spain) in summertime through the evaluation of Physiologically Equivalent Temperature using ENVI-met. The UCs are characterized by different orientations, height-to-width aspect ratios, pavement materials, trees’ dimensions and planting pattern. Firstly, the current situation was analyzed; secondly, the effects of asphalt and red brick stones as streets’ pavement materials were compared; thirdly, the benefits of vegetation elements were tested. The analysis demonstrated that orientation and aspect ratio strongly affect the magnitude and duration of the thermal peaks at pedestrian level; while the vegetation elements improve the thermal comfort up to two thermophysiological assessment classes. The outcomes of this study, were transferred and visualized into green planning recommendations for new and consolidated urban areas in Bilbao.The work leading to these results has received funding from COST Action TU0902, the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme under Grant Agreement No. 308497, Project RAMSES—Reconciling Adaptation, Mitigation and Sustainable Development for Cities (2012–2017) and Diputación Foral de Bizkaia Exp. 6-12-TK-2010-0027, Project SICURB-ITS- Desarrollo de Sistemas para el análisis de la Contaminación atmosférica en zonas URBanas integrados en ITS (2010–2011)

Heterochromatin: On the ADAR Radar?

AbstractVigilin proteins, the absence of which is known to cause abnormalities in heterochromatin, have been found to bind edited RNAs. Molecular complexes including vigilin comprise proteins involved with RNA editing and with DNA repair, making connections between these processes and RNA-based silencing mechanisms

Biocontrol de la deposición atmosférica de metales pesados en Navarra (España) mediante musgos terrestres

Con el fin de estudiar la deposición atmosférica de metales pesados en Navarra (España), se han analizado los contenidos en Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb y Zn en muestras de Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw., Scleropodium purum (Hedw.) Limpr., Hylocomium splendens (Hedw.) B., S. & G.. Thuidium tamariscinum (Hedw.) B., S. & G. y Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt. recolectadas en 17 localidades repartidas por toda la provincia de Navarra. Los datos obtenidos están en el rango de otros conocidos de zonas rurales de Italia, zonas rurales de Portugal y Galicia (España). Globalmente, las localidades con mayor cantidad de metales pesados se situan en el norte y en el oeste de la provincia. Cd, Cr, As y Mn son los elementos de los que se registran los niveles más altos, mientras que Co y Hg tienen niveles considerados normales. Summary: With the aim of studing the heavy metals deposition in Navarra (Spain), contents in Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in samples of Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw., Scleropodium purum (Hedw.) Limpr., Hylocomium splendens (Hedw.) B., S. & G., Thuidium tamariscinum (Hedw.) B., S. & G. and Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt. have been analized. Samples of mosses were collected in 17 localities, spread all over the province of Navarra. The quantities of heavy metals obtained are similar to those known from Italy, Portugal and Galicia (Spain). As a whole, localities with greatest quantities of heavy metals are located in the north and west of Navarra. Cd, Cr, As and Mn are the elements with highest levels, while Co and Hg have levels regarded as normal

Exploración posturográfica de pacientes simuladores

Introduction: An aphysiological pattern in computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) may be produced by numerous causes. We analyze the results obtained in this test by a group of malingering patients. Patients and method: This study analyzes a particular group of 7 malingerers, ie patients simulating a false and unreal equilibrium disorder, without any a priori awareness of the gain expected from a pathological report. The condition can only be identified with the very complex postural disorder known as “continuous imbalance.” We analyze the results of the dynamic posturography test following the diagnostic criteria described by other authors. Results: Of the criteria analyzed, we found Cevette’s to be the most frequently positive for our study group. Conclusions: The wide diversity in the criteria used makes it necessary to apply them together, assuming a high level of suspicion and great care in the diagnostic process

Vitamins C and E downregulate vascular VEGF and VEGFR-2 expression in apolipoprotein-E-deficient mice

Anti-angiogenic therapy reduces both plaque growth and intimal neovascularization in apolipoprotein-E-deficient mice (apoE-/-). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been suggested as playing a role in the development of atherosclerosis. We examined the hypothesis that VEGF and VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) expression is upregulated in apoE-/- and, since it could be driven by oxidative stress, tested whether dietary supplementation with vitamins C and E could downregulate it.Two-month-old apoE-/- received vitamin C combined with alpha- or beta-tocopherol for 4 weeks. Aortic VEGF and VEGFR-2 expression were measured by RT-qPCR and western blot.ApoE-/- showed significantly higher expression of aortic VEGF and VEGFR-2 mRNA (P<0.001) and protein (P<0.001) than wild-type mice, as well as increased plasma VEGF (P<0.001). Vitamin C and alpha-tocopherol significantly reduced aortic VEGF and VEGFR-2 expression in apoE-/- (P<0.001), circulating VEGF (P<0.01) and plasma lipid peroxidation (P<0.01). apoE-/- receiving vitamin C and beta-tocopherol showed diminished lipid peroxidation and VEGFR-2, but only partial reduction of VEGF expression. These data demonstrate that augmented VEGF and VEGFR-2 expression in apoE-/- vasculature can be downregulated by vitamins C and E, at least partially through oxidative stress reduction. This novel mechanism could contribute to explaining the beneficial effects of antioxidant vitamins in experimental atherosclerosis