The impact of Covid-19 on demographic components in Spain, 2020–31: A scenario approach

While considerable attention has been paid to the impact of Covid-19 on mortality and fertility, few studies have attempted to evaluate the pandemic’s effect on international migration. We analyse the impact of Covid-19 on births, deaths, and international migration in Spain during 2020, comparing observed data with estimated values assuming there had been no pandemic. We also assess the consequences of three post-pandemic scenarios on the size and structure of the population to 2031. Results show that in 2020, excess mortality equalled 16.2 per cent and births were 6.5 per cent lower than expected. Immigration was the most affected component, at 36.0 per cent lower than expected, while emigration was reduced by 23.8 per cent. If net migration values recover to pre-pandemic levels in 2022, the size and structure of the population in 2031 will be barely affected. Conversely, if levels do not recover until 2025, there will be important changes to Spain’s age structure

Visualizing the impact of COVID-19 on internal and international migration in the Spanish provinces

Drawing on register records from 2019 to 2021, we analyse the impact of COVID-19 on internal and international migration across the 50 Spanish provinces (NUTS 3 regions of Eurostat). Our results show that net international migration declined in all the provinces during the pandemic, particularly in high population density areas. Certain depopulated provinces registered significant positive net internal migration rates, while the most populous areas displayed population losses through internal migration. Generally, the total migration balance (internal + international) decreased in most provinces, primarily driven by the drop in international migration. Changes in internal and international migration persisted over time, while monthly data suggest that patterns tended to converge to pre-pandemic levels in late 2021

El impacto demográfico de la COVID-19 durante 2020 y sus diferencias regionales. ¿Cómo afectará la pandemia al futuro de la población española? [The demographic impact of COVID-19 during 2020 and its regional differences. How will the pandemic affect Spain's future population?]

Varios estudios han documentado el efecto de la COVID-19 en la mortalidad y en los nacimientos, pero se ha prestado menos atención a su impacto en las migraciones. El objetivo de este artículo es analizar qué consecuencias ha tenido la pandemia en los nacimientos, las defunciones y las migraciones durante 2020 en el conjunto de España y en las Comunidades Autónomas (CC.AA.) de Madrid, Cataluña, Baleares, Castilla y León, Asturias y Andalucía, comparando los datos registrados con una proyección de población en ausencia de pandemia. Seguidamente, se realiza una proyección hasta 2031 para evaluar el posible impacto, a nivel nacional, en dichos componentes demográficos, la población total y su estructura durante la próxima década según tres escenarios. Nuestros resultados muestran que en 2020 hubo un exceso de defunciones del 16,2 %, con un impacto desigual a escala regional. Los nacimientos se redujeron un 6,5 %, sin grandes variaciones entre las CC.AA. analizadas. Sin embargo, el componente más afectado fue la inmigración internacional, con un descenso del 35,9 %, mientras que la emigración disminuyó un 23,8 %. La reducción de la inmigración tuvo un gran impacto en las regiones más dinámicas y receptoras de flujos exteriores, liderando un notable descenso del crecimiento poblacional esperado sin pandemia, pese a que continuó siendo positivo. La caída de este componente, junto al exceso de mortalidad, también intensificó el decrecimiento poblacional en las CC.AA. en declive demográfico, que no fue compensado por un cambio de signo negativo a positivo en las migraciones internas. En cuanto a la proyección de población a nivel nacional hasta 2031, se observa que, si se recuperaran en 2022 los valores de migraciones internacionales y de fecundidad esperados sin pandemia, el tamaño y la estructura de la población apenar se verán afectados a medio plazo. No obstante, si la recuperación se prolongara, la estructura etaria se verá notablemente afectada, principalmente en las regiones con una dinámica demográfica recesiva. Several studies have documented the effect of COVID-19 on mortality and fertility, but less attention has been paid to its impact on migration. The aim of this article is to analyse the consequences of the pandemic on births, deaths and migration during 2020 in Spain and in the Autonomous Communities (NUTS 2 regions) of Madrid, Catalonia, Balearic Islands, Castile and León, Asturias and Andalusia, comparing the recorded data with a population projection in the absence of the pandemic. A projection to 2031 is subsequently produced to assess the impact on these components at national level, the Spanish population and its structure over the next decade under three scenarios. Our results show that in 2020 there was an excess mortality of 16.2%, with important variations at the regional level. Fertility declined overall by 6.5%, with minor regional variation. However, the most affected component was immigration, with a decrease of 35.9%, while emigration declined overall by 23.8%. The fall in immigration had a great impact on the chief receiving regions, where it led to a significant reduction in population change, despite being still positive. The reduction of immigration and excess mortality increased population loss in declining regions, which was not compensated by a shift from negative to positive values in net internal migration. Concerning the projection to 2031 at the national level, if international migration and fertility were to recover by 2022 the expected values in the absence of the pandemic, the size and structure of the population would be unaffected in the medium term. However, if the recovery takes longer, the age structure will be significantly affected, which would have a great impact in regions already experiencing population decline

The properties of the inner disk around HL Tau: Multi-wavelength modeling of the dust emission

We conducted a detailed radiative transfer modeling of the dust emission from the circumstellar disk around HL Tau. The goal of our study is to derive the surface density profile of the inner disk and its structure. In addition to the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array images at Band 3 (2.9mm), Band 6 (1.3mm), and Band 7 (0.87mm), the most recent Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) observations at 7mm were included in the analysis. A simulated annealing algorithm was invoked to search for the optimum model. The radiative transfer analysis demonstrates that most radial components (i.e., >6AU) of the disk become optically thin at a wavelength of 7mm, which allows us to constrain, for the first time, the dust density distribution in the inner region of the disk. We found that a homogeneous grain size distribution is not sufficient to explain the observed images at different wavelengths simultaneously, while models with a shallower grain size distribution in the inner disk work well. We found clear evidence that larger grains are trapped in the first bright ring. Our results imply that dust evolution has already taken place in the disk at a relatively young (i.e., ~1Myr) age. We compared the midplane temperature distribution, optical depth, and properties of various dust rings with those reported previously. Using the Toomre parameter, we briefly discussed the gravitational instability as a potential mechanism for the origin of the dust clump detected in the first bright ring via the VLA observations.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A (10 pages

Quantifying the impact of COVID-19 on immigration in receiving high-income countries

Previous studies have examined the impact of COVID-19 on mortality and fertility. However, little is known about the effect of the pandemic on constraining international migration. We quantify the impact of COVID-19 on immigration flows in 15 high-income countries by forecasting their counterfactual levels in 2020 assuming no pandemic and comparing these estimates with observed immigration counts. We then explore potential driving forces, such as stringency measures and changes in unemployment moderating the extent of immigration decline. Our results show that immigration declined in all countries, except in Finland. Yet, significant cross-national variations exist. Australia (60%), Spain (45%) and Sweden (36%) display the largest declines, while immigration decreased by between 15% and 30% in seven states, and by less than 15% in four where results were not statistically significant. International travel, mobility restrictions and stay-at-home requirements exhibit a relationship with declines in immigration, although countries with similar levels of stringency witnessed different intensities of decline. Work and school closings and unemployment show no relationshi

Recent Advances on Nanocomposite Resists With Design Functionality for Lithographic Microfabrication

Nanocomposites formed by a phase-dispersed nanomaterial and a polymeric host matrix are highly attractive for nano- and micro-fabrication. The combination of nanoscale and bulk materials aims at achieving an effective interplay between extensive and intensive physical properties. Nanofillers display size-dependent effects, paving the way for the design of tunable functional composites. The matrix, on the other hand, can facilitate or even enhance the applicability of nanomaterials by allowing their easy processing for device manufacturing. In this article, we review the field of polymer-based nanocomposites acting as resist materials, i.e. being patternable through radiation-based lithographic methods. A comprehensive explanation of the synthesis of nanofillers, their functionalization and the physicochemical concepts behind the formulation of nanocomposites resists will be given. We will consider nanocomposites containing different types of fillers, such as metallic, magnetic, ceramic, luminescent and carbon-based nanomaterials. We will outline the role of nanofillers in modifying various properties of the polymer matrix, such as the mechanical strength, the refractive index and their performance during lithography. Also, we will discuss the lithographic techniques employed for transferring 2D patterns and 3D shapes with high spatial resolution. The capabilities of nanocomposites to act as structural and functional materials in novel devices and selected applications in photonics, electronics, magnetism and bioscience will be presented. Finally, we will conclude with a discussion of the current trends in this field and perspectives for its development in the near future.Fil: Martínez, Eduardo David. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia - Nodo Bariloche | Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia - Nodo Bariloche.; ArgentinaFil: Prado, A.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia - Nodo Bariloche | Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia - Nodo Bariloche.; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, M.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia - Nodo Bariloche | Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia - Nodo Bariloche.; ArgentinaFil: Anguiano, S.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia - Nodo Bariloche | Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia - Nodo Bariloche.; ArgentinaFil: Tosi, Leandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia - Nodo Bariloche | Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia - Nodo Bariloche.; ArgentinaFil: Salazar Alarcón, Leonardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia - Nodo Bariloche | Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia - Nodo Bariloche.; ArgentinaFil: Pastoriza, Hernan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia - Nodo Bariloche | Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnologia - Nodo Bariloche.; Argentin

Rural revival? The rise in internal migration to rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic. Who moved and where?

During the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, anecdotal evidence of a “rural revival” emerged mirroring the “urban exodus” hypothesis. Currently, we know that internal migration to rural areas increased in some countries during 2020, although not with the intensity speculated by the media. However, little is known about the attributes of rural areas attracting migrants and demographic composition of migration inflows. Drawing on administrative population register data, we analysed the main types of rural areas pulling internal migrants in Spain and their demographic characteristics, namely age, sex and place of birth. Our results show that in-migration increased in rural areas close to cities and with high prevalence of second homes. Inflows to rural areas comprised migrants across a wide age spectrum, from young adults and families to retired individuals. These flows also comprised foreign-born populations from high socio-economic background, particularly Latin Americans and individuals from high-income countries. Our findings suggest unequal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the conterurbanisation process, triggering population movements among high-socioeconomic groups from cities to rural area

The P450 oxidoreductase, RedA, controls development beyond the mound stage in Dictyostelium discoideum

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>NADPH-cytochrome-P450 oxidoreductase (CPR) is a ubiquitous enzyme that belongs to a family of diflavin oxidoreductases and is required for activity of the microsomal cytochrome-P450 monooxygenase system. CPR gene-disruption experiments have demonstrated that absence of this enzyme causes developmental defects both in mouse and insect.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Annotation of the sequenced genome of <it>D. discoideum </it>revealed the presence of three genes (<it>redA</it>, <it>redB </it>and <it>redC</it>) that encode putative members of the diflavin oxidoreductase protein family. <it>redA </it>transcripts are present during growth and early development but then decline, reaching undetectable levels after the mound stage. <it>redB </it>transcripts are present in the same levels during growth and development while <it>redC </it>expression was detected only in vegetative growing cells. We isolated a mutant strain of <it>Dictyostelium discoideum </it>following restriction enzyme-mediated integration (REMI) mutagenesis in which <it>redA </it>was disrupted. This mutant develops only to the mound stage and accumulates a bright yellow pigment. The mound-arrest phenotype is cell-autonomous suggesting that the defect occurs within the cells rather than in intercellular signaling.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The developmental arrest due to disruption of <it>redA </it>implicates CPR in the metabolism of compounds that control cell differentiation.</p