Measuring urban sustainability performance through composite indicators for Spanish cities

[EN] The role that cities play in the transition to more sustainable growth is gaining increasing recognition. Measuring progress towards sustainable urban development requires quantifying this multi-dimensional phenomenon with the help of composite indicators. The purpose of this study is to propose an integrated approach to build a sustainable cities' interval of composite indicators that rely on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework. In addition, we propose to overcome the problem of calculating a single number by constructing a strong-weak sustainability performance interval depending on the choice of the compensability level in the aggregation stage of individual indicators. One of the advantages of this interval is that it provides information on both the average performance and the worst value of the set of indicators considered for each SDG. Moreover, it also extends the analysis for the people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership dimensions defined by the 2030 Agenda. As an example of application, we constructed these intervals for 50 Spanish cities, which are provincial capitals. This application lets us get a more accurate vision that can serve as a valuable tool for better urban planning design.Funding for open access charge: CRUE-Universitat Politècnica de València.Lo-Iacono-Ferreira, VG.; Garcia-Bernabeu, A.; Hilario Caballero, A.; Torregrosa López, JI. (2022). Measuring urban sustainability performance through composite indicators for Spanish cities. Journal of Cleaner Production. 359:1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.13198211135

Feasibility of peach bloom thinning with hand-held mechanical devices

[EN] The use of hand-held mechanical devices to thin blooms of peach trees trained into the " free Italian vase" form was studied. Three devices were tested, and no differences were found among them in terms of thinning time and number of fruits per cm 2 of trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA) at harvesting. Thinning, by hand or mechanically, reduced the yield per tree by 26-33% with respect to not thinning; however, thinning increased the fruit size. In both years, the yields of fruit >67mm in the thinned trees ranged from 40.4 to 53.4kgtree -1, respectively, whereas in the un-thinned trees, it was 25.1 and 18.2kgtree -1 in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Hand thinning took 385hha -1, and mechanical thinning reduced this time by 89%. The cost of hand thinning was 4.8z€tree -1, whereas the cost of mechanical thinning ranged from 0.4 to 1.1z€tree -1. The economic study showed that the total yield value was similar with hand and mechanical thinning, but the cost of mechanical thinning was only 10-18% that of hand thinning. © 2011 Elsevier B.V.This research was funded by the Consejeria de Agricultura de la Region de Murcia, Spain. The authors thank Eng. Regino Aragon (IMIDA) and Marin Gimenez Hermanos S.A. (Caravaca, Spain) for their support.Martín Gorriz, B.; Torregrosa, A.; García Brunton, J. (2011). Feasibility of peach bloom thinning with hand-held mechanical devices. Scientia Horticulturae. 129(1):91-97. doi:10.1016/j.scienta.2011.03.012S9197129

Measuring turbocharger compressor inlet backflow through particle image velocimetry

[EN] An experimental measurement campaign is presented where particle image velocimetry (PIV) was used in an effort to characterize the velocity field in a turbocharger compressor when unstable operating conditions lead to flow reversing from the diffuser into the inlet pipe. Previous studies have successfully used this and similar techniques, but the most relevant results have been obtained in an open compressor where the backflow can diffuse into the ambient. In this work a glass pipe long enough to confine the full extent of the backflow has been used. Advantage was taken from the fact that this backflow is at higher temperature due to the compression process, enabling a preliminary work where a thermocouple array was used to estimate its maximum length across the compressor map. Using these results as a reference both axial and transversal velocity fields were measured. Issues associated with each one are described, along with relevant results that show how the technique correctly identifies the reversed flow, a conclusion that is supported by the comparison of the velocity average and standard deviation profiles with those of measured temperature.This work has been partially supported by Jaguar Land Rover Limited, Abbey Road, Whitley, Coventry CV3 4LF, UK. The equipment used in this work has been partially supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad through grant no DPI2015-70464-R and by FEDER - EU project funds "Dotaciem de infraestructuras cientifico tecnicas para el Centro Integral de Mejora Energetica y Medioambiental de Sistemas de Transporte (CiMeT), (FEDER-ICTS-2012-06)" framed in the operational program of unique scientific and technical infrastructure of the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad. J. Garcia-Tiscar was partially supported through contract FPI-S22015-1530 of the Programa de Apoyo para la Investigacion y Desarrollo (PAID) of Universitat Politecnica de Valencia.Torregrosa, AJ.; Broatch, A.; Pastor, JV.; Garcia Tiscar, J.; Sharma, RK.; Cheung, R. (2018). Measuring turbocharger compressor inlet backflow through particle image velocimetry. Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science. 99:420-432. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expthermflusci.2018.08.015S4204329

Traits de personnalité et anxiété sociale chez les élèves de l'enseignement secondaire

International audienceL'anxiété sociale est l'un des problèmes le plus prévalent de l'inadaptation sociale des adolescents. Elle cause des difficultés considérables, notamment de la détresse sociale. Cependant, à ce jour, aucune étude n'a examiné l'impact des traits de personnalité sur l'anxiété sociale de la population étudiante espagnole. L'objectif de cette étude est de déterminer dans quelle mesure les traits de personnalité prédisent les scores d'anxiété sociale, et inversement, afin d'examiner la mesure dans laquelle les scores d'anxiété sociale prédisent l'extraversion, la névrose (neuroticism) et psychose (psychoticism) chez les élèves de l'enseignement secondaire. L'inventaire de la phobie et de l'anxiété sociale (SPAI, Turner, Beidel, Dancu, & Stanley, 1989) et le questionnaire de personnalité d'Eysenck (EPQ, Eysenck & Eysenck, 1997) ont été administrés à 2022 collégiens espagnols des classes de 5ème, 4ème et 3ème, l'âge variant de 12 à 16 ans (M = 13,81, SD = 1,35). Les relations prédictives bidirectionnelles entre l'anxiété sociale et les traits de personnalité ont été examinées à l'aide d'analyses de régression logistique, en suivant les procédures de régression (statistique de Wald). Les traits de personnalité prédisent de façon significative l'apparition de l'anxiété sociale au cours de l'adolescence, la névrose (neuroticism) étant un facteur positif ou de risque et l'extraversion un prédicteur négatif ou facteur de protection. De même, des scores élevés d'anxiété sociale prédisent une plus grande probabilité d'obtenir des scores élevés sur la névrose (neuroticism) et une plus faible probabilité de repérer une grande extraversion. Nous pouvons conclure que le " névrosisme " est un prédicteur significatif et positif de l'anxiété sociale, alors que l'extraversion est un prédicteur significatif mais négatif de l'anxiété sociale. A l'inverse, plus l'adolescent obtient un score élevé d'anxiété sociale, plus il sera susceptible d'avoir des tendances névrotiques et sera moins extraverti qu'un adolescent ayant un score faible d'anxiété sociale

Concept de soi social et estime de soi chez les élèves espagnols ayant de l'anxiété sociale

International audienceL'anxiété sociale est l'un des problèmes le plus prévalent de l'inadaptation sociale chez les adolescents, causant des difficultés considérables, dont la détresse sociale. Cependant, actuellement très peu d'études ont exploré l'impact de l'anxiété sociale sur l'adaptation personnelle chez les collégiens. L'objectif de cette étude est de déterminer si les niveaux de concept de soi social et d'estime de soi des élèves anxieux socialement se distinguent de ceux de leurs pairs sans anxiété sociale. L'inventaire de la phobie et de l'anxiété sociale (SPAI, Turner, Beidel, Dancu, & Stanley, 1989) et le questionnaire de personnalité d'Eysenck (EPQ, Eysenck & Eysenck, 1997) ont été administrés à 2022 élèves espagnols des classes de 5ème, 4ème et 3ème, l'âge variant de 12 à 16 ans (M = 13,81, SD = 1,35). Des analyses descriptives et des T tests pour vérifier les différences entre les moyennes ont été effectués. Le d de Cohen a été inclus afin d'évaluer la taille de l'effet des différences. Les collégiens anxieux socialement ont une plus faible estime de soi et un plus faible concept de soi dans les situations sociales comme les relations avec leurs parents (d = .27), avec des personnes du même sexe (d = .45), et avec des gens de l'autre sexe (d=.46) que les élèves sans anxiété sociale. Notre étude montre que les adolescents avec de l'anxiété sociale, en comparaison avec les adolescents sans anxiété sociale, se considèrent comme moins compétents socialement et présentent un niveau d'estime de soi plus faible. Ainsi, il serait nécessaire de proposer à ces jeunes une intervention professionnelle de soutien pour améliorer leurs compétences sociales

Multilayered safety framework for living diagnostics in the colon

Introduction: Colorectal cancer is the second most deadly cancer worldwide. Current screening methods have low detection rates and frequently provide false positive results, leading to missed diagnoses or unnecessary colonoscopies. To tackle this issue, the Wageningen UR iGEM team from 2022 developed “Colourectal”, a living diagnostic tool for colorectal cancer. Following a synthetic biology approach, the project used an engineered Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 strain capable of binding to tumour cells that detects two distinct cancer biomarkers, and secretes a coloured protein observable in stool. Due to the utilization of genetically modified bacteria in vivo, precautionary biosafety measures were included within a three level safe-by-design strategy.Results: The first genetic safeguard ensured confinement of the living diagnostic to the colon environment by implementing auxotrophy to mucin that is abundant in the colon lining. For this, a synthetic chimeric receptor was generated to ensure expression of essential genes in the presence of mucin. The second strategy limited the viability of the engineered bacteria to the human body, preventing proliferation in open environments. The use of a temperature sensitive kill switch induced bacterial cell death at temperatures below 37°C. The third biocontainment strategy was installed as an emergency kill switch to stop the Colourectal test at any point. By inducing a highly genotoxic response through CRISPR-Cas-mediated DNA degradation, cell death of E. coli Nissle is triggered.Discussion: While the use of engineered microorganisms in human applications is not yet a reality, the safety considerations of our multi-layered strategy provide a framework for the development of future living diagnostic tools

Efficacy and safety of condylectomy with minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of interdigital corns of the lesser toes compared to conservative treatment

Background: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) procedures cause less trauma to the patient and might improve recovery. This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of condylectomy with MIS to treat interdigital corns of the lesser toes. Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted in seven podiatry centers. Patients with interdigital corns of the lesser toes, progressing for more than a year, with one or more recurrences in the last year following conservative treatments were eligible. The recruited patients were classified according to their treatment: conservative or surgical (condylectomy with MIS) and were compared. Patient satisfaction, pain, the clinical and functional status of the foot and the appearance of sequelae were assessed at 3 and 6 months after treatment. Results: At 6 months, patients in the surgical treatment group showed no pain on pressure, which significantly differed from the conservative treatment group (p < 0.001). They also improved clinical and functional status of the foot, reaching values comparable to those of the standard population. No paresthesia, joint stiffness or instability, toe malalignment, or corn transfer to a contiguous site resulted from the surgical treatment. Conclusions: Condylectomy with MIS is effective and safe to treat interdigital corns of the lesser toes

On the Road to Sustainable Water Supply: Reducing Public Health Risks and Preserving Surface Water Resources in the Milluni Micro-Basin, Bolivia

[EN] Bolivia is among the countries with the highest availability of freshwater globally. However, many of its natural sources are impacted by anthropogenic activities, such as mining. Water is intimately linked to public health and is essential to achieving sustainable development. It is necessary to preserve water resources by designing and validating monitoring programs that help control the quality of the sources that supply important population centers. The study area in this research is the upper part of the Milluni micro-basin, whose lagoon system supplies water for two large cities. Milluni is close to illegal and abandoned mining areas, making the region highly vulnerable to heavy metal contamination. This study aimed to optimize the resources available for monitoring Milluni. The frequency of monitoring was statistically determined, and the correlation between parameters measured in situ (pH and conductivity) and metal ion concentrations to determine low-cost indicators to monitor the presence of heavy metals. A multivariate analysis of friction of the results of the pilot year of the monitoring program designed for Milluni, considering the characteristics and economic limitations, is presented. An approximation of the quality of the surface water resources of Milluni is presented as a result of the monitoring operations.This work was supported by The Universidad Catolica Boliviana-Academic Units of La Paz and Tarija, and PROGRAMA ADSIDEO-2018 Development Cooperation Center Of the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia.Alvizuri Tintaya, PA.; Villena Martínez, EM.; Micó-Vicent, B.; Lora Garcia, J.; Torregrosa López, JI.; Lo-Iacono-Ferreira, VG. (2022). On the Road to Sustainable Water Supply: Reducing Public Health Risks and Preserving Surface Water Resources in the Milluni Micro-Basin, Bolivia. Environments. 9(1):1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments9010004S1169

NOTCH Activation Promotes Valve Formation by Regulating the Endocardial Secretome.

The endocardium is a specialized endothelium that lines the inner surface of the heart. Functional studies in mice and zebrafish have established that the endocardium is a source of instructive signals for the development of cardiac structures, including the heart valves and chambers. Here, we characterized the NOTCH-dependent endocardial secretome by manipulating NOTCH activity in mouse embryonic endocardial cells (MEEC) followed by mass spectrometry-based proteomics. We profiled different sets of soluble factors whose secretion not only responds to NOTCH activation but also shows differential ligand specificity, suggesting that ligand-specific inputs may regulate the expression of secreted proteins involved in different cardiac development processes. NOTCH signaling activation correlates with a transforming growth factor-β2 (TGFβ2)-rich secretome and the delivery of paracrine signals involved in focal adhesion and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and remodeling. In contrast, NOTCH inhibition is accompanied by the up-regulation of specific semaphorins that may modulate cell migration. The secretome protein expression data showed a good correlation with gene profiling of RNA expression in embryonic endocardial cells. Additional characterization by in situ hybridization in mouse embryos revealed expression of various NOTCH candidate effector genes (Tgfβ2, Loxl2, Ptx3, Timp3, Fbln2, and Dcn) in heart valve endocardium and/or mesenchyme. Validating these results, mice with conditional Dll4 or Jag1 loss-of-function mutations showed gene expression alterations similar to those observed at the protein level in vitro These results provide the first description of the NOTCH-dependent endocardial secretome and validate MEEC as a tool for assaying the endocardial secretome response to a variety of stimuli and the potential use of this system for drug screening.We thank C. Martí Gómez-Aldaraví for help with graphic representation and critical reading of the manuscript, and S. Bartlett for English editing. RTC is supported by a Foundation La Caixa PhD fellowship (Ref LCF/BQ/ES15/10360023). LLZ is supported by a Ramón y Cajal postdoctoral contract (Ref: RYC-2016-20917). JLdlP is funded by grants SAF2016-78370-R, CB16/11/00399 (CIBER CV), and RD16/0011/0021 (TERCEL) from the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, and grants from the Fundación BBVA (Ref.: BIO14_298) and Fundación La Marató TV3 (Ref.: 20153431). JV is supported by grants BIO2015-67580-P and CB16/11/00277 (CIBER CV) from the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, and Carlos III Institute of Health-Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria (Grant ProteoRed-PRB3-IPT17/0019-ISCIII-SGEFI/ERDF), the Fundación La Marató TV3 (Ref. 122/C/2015) and “La Caixa” Banking Foundation (project code HR17-00247). The cost of this publication was supported in part with funds from the ERDF. The CNIC is supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades and the Pro CNIC Foundation, and is a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence (SEV-2015-0505).S

LA INFLUENCIA DE PADRES Y MADRES EN EL COMPROMISO DEPORTIVO DE FUTBOLISTAS JÓVENES

En el presente estudio se ha evaluado la relación entre la actitud de los padres y madres y el compromiso deportivo de futbolistas cadetes. 893 jugadores de fútbol han contestado versiones españolas del Parental Involvement Sport Questionaire –PISQ– (Lee y Maclean,1997) y el Sport Commitment Questionaire -SCQ- (Scanlan et al., 1993). El PISQ recoge los comportamientos directivos, el apoyo y comprensión, y la implicación activa de padres y madres en la actividad deportiva de los hijos. Por otro lado, el SCQ mide el compromiso de los futbolistas y los factores que lo predicen. Los resultados muestran que el apoyo y la comprensión de los padres favorecen el compromiso deportivo y la diversión de los futbolistas con lo que se disminuye la probabilidad del abandono deportivo