Virtual pollination trade uncovers global dependence on biodiversity of developing countries

Nations’ food consumption patterns are increasingly globalized and trade dependent. Natural resources used for agriculture (e.g., water, pollinators) are hence being virtually exchanged across countries. Inspired by the virtual water concept, we, herein, propose the concept of virtual biotic pollination flow as an indicator of countries’ mutual dependence on biodiversity-based ecosystem services and provide an online tool to visualize trade flow. Using information on 55 pollinator-dependent crop markets (2001–2015), we show that countries with higher development level demand high levels of biodiversity-based services to sustain their consumption patterns. Such patterns are supported by importation of virtual biotic pollination (up to 40% of national imports of pollinator-dependent crops) from developing countries, stimulating cropland expansion. Quantifying virtual pollination flow can help develop new global socioeconomic policies to meet the interconnected challenges of biodiversity loss, ecosystem health, and social justice.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Risk factors and prevalence of osteoporosis in premenopausal women from poor economic backgrounds in Colombia

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of osteoporosis in premenopausal women along with associated risk factors has not been well elucidated. Recent studies have shown that poverty is a risk factor for osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of osteoporosis and its risk factors in a group of premenopausal women of poor economic background in Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 1483 women between 35 and 53 years of age with at least one risk factor for osteoporosis. Demographic characteristics, reproductive factors, comorbidities, and risk factors for osteoporosis were evaluated. Lumbar vertebrae (L2–L4) and the femur neck were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Of the 1483 patients, 1443 (97.3%) had at least one risk factor for osteoporosis and 40 (2.7%) had no risk factors. Patients with one risk factor were referred to have a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan, which 795 women completed. Osteopenia was found in 30.5% and osteoporosis in 4.8% of these women. The majority of these women were homemakers, and 18.5% of the patients with osteoporosis were also illiterate (P < 0.001). The risk factors identified in this population were: hypothyroidism (odds ratio [OR] = 5.19, 95% confience interval [CI]:1.6–16), age over 45 years old (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.0–1.2), a history of malnutrition or low birth weight (OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.0–5.2), or early-onset menopause (OR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.6–7.2). CONCLUSION: Premenopausal Colombian women from impoverished areas showed increased rates of osteopenia and osteoporosis compared with the data described in the current literature. Hypothyroidism was an outstanding risk factor in Colombian premenopausal women with osteoporosis. This shows the influence of poverty and other risk factors on the onset of osteoporosis in women aged 35–53 years

Thermal performance evaluation of bischofite at pilot plant scale

The selection of the proper thermal energy storage (TES) material for an application is crucial. On the one hand, these materials should have suitable thermal properties for the operational temperatures range of the systems they are planned to work for, such as thermal stability, high latent heat and high heat capacity. On the other hand, they should be available on the market and at low price. Besides, researchers have to bear in mind the importance of testing TES materials not only at laboratory scale but also at higher scale, since it has been demonstrated that some thermal characteristics are volume-dependant. In the present study, bischofite, a by-product obtained from the non-metallic industry in the North of Chile with desired thermal properties for mid-temperature applications (around 100 C), has been studied. A first analysis was performed in terms of comparing the thermal properties and cost of bischofite with other material previously studied as TES materials in order to evaluate its potential in both latent and sensible phases. Afterwards, a second analysis was experimentally performed in terms of testing bischofite at large-scale (204 kg) in a pilot plant facility. The experimental procedure consisted on several charging processes within two different temperatures ranges: from 50 C to 80 C and from 80 C to 120 C in order to study the behavior of the material in the sensible solid phase and latent phase respectively. The temperature profiles, the power given by the HTF, the energy balance in the storage system and the accumulation energy rate of the bischofite were analyzed. Results of both analysis showed that bischofite has potential as TES material for mid-temperature applications.The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant agreement n PIRSES-GA-2013-610692 (INNOSTORAGE). The work was partially funded by the Spanish government (Project ENE2011-22722). The authors would like to thank the Catalan Government for the quality accreditation given to their research group GREA (2014 SGR 123). The authors would like to acknowledge the collaboration of the company SALMAG. The authors acknowledge to FONDECYT (Grant No 1120422), CONICYT/FONDAP No 15110019, and the Education Ministry of Chile Grant PMI ANT 1201 for the financial support. Laia Miró would like to thank the Spanish Government for her research fellowship (BES-2012-051861). Andrea Gutierrez would like to thank to the Education Ministry of Chile her doctorate scholarship ANT 1106 and CONICYT/PAI NO 7813110010

Regional surface morphology of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko from Rosetta/OSIRIS images: The southern hemisphere

Aims. The OSIRIS camera on board the Rosetta spacecraft has been acquiring images of the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (67P)'s nucleus since August 2014. Starting in May 2015, the southern hemisphere gradually became illuminated and was imaged for the first time. Here we present the regional morphology of the southern hemisphere, which serves as a companion to an earlier paper that presented the regional morphology of the northern hemisphere. Methods. We used OSIRIS images that were acquired at orbits ~45-125 km from the center of the comet (corresponding to spatial resolutions of ~0.8 to 2.3 m/pixel) coupled with the use of digital terrain models to define the different regions on the surface, and identify structural boundaries accurately. Results. Seven regions have been defined in the southern hemisphere bringing the total number of defined regions on the surface of the nucleus to 26. These classifications are mainly based on morphological and/or topographic boundaries. The southern hemisphere shows a remarkable dichotomy with its northern counterpart mainly because of the absence of wide-scale smooth terrains, dust coatings and large unambiguous depressions. As a result, the southern hemisphere closely resembles previously identified consolidated regions. An assessment of the overall morphology of comet 67P suggests that the comet's two lobes show surface heterogeneities manifested in different physical/mechanical characteristics, possibly extending to local (i.e., within a single region) scales.© 2016 ESO.The support of the national funding agencies of Germany (DLR), France (CNES), Italy (ASI), Spain (MEC), Sweden (SNSB), and the ESA Technical Directorate is gratefully acknowledged.Peer Reviewe

Vulvodynia: Up to date

La vulvodinia es definida como un malestar vulvar, descrito como un dolor tipo ardor con una duración promedio de 3 meses y con una prevalencia de 16%. La metodología empleada consistió de una revisión y análisis sistemático en bases de datos electrónicos, mediante el uso de palabras clave. Su etiología sigue siendo desconocida, a pesar de que diversas teorías sostienen que tiene un origen multifactorial. El diagnóstico de la vulvodinia se realiza mediante una evaluación minuciosa de la historia del dolor, historia sexual, situación clínica y examen físico. El tratamiento no médico incluye intervenciones psicológicas, que tienen por objetivo disminuir el dolor y restaurar la función sexual. Las terapias alternativas aún no han demostrado su eficacia para el tratamiento de la vulvodinia, mientras que la terapia física, al disminuir las restricciones tisulares, ayudan a restaurar la longitud de los músculos y tejidos de la pelvis. Asimismo, el tratamiento médico incluye terapia local mediante el uso de antinociceptivos y agentes antiinflamatorios, neuromoduladores; también se utiliza antidepresivos tricíclicos, norepinefrina y anticonvulsivos. El tratamiento quirúrgico ha demostrado ser una estrategia que permite disminuir el dolor siendo de importancia destacar la experiencia del cirujano como un factor determinante. En conclusión, la vulvodinia es un problema de salud para la mujer, que afecta su función sexual y calidad de vida. El tratamiento debe ser abordado con un enfoque holístico y multidisciplinario.Vulvodynia is defined as vulvar discomfort, described as a burning pain with an average duration of 3 months and a prevalence of 16%. The methodology used consisted of a systematic review and analysis in electronic databases, through the use of keywords. The etiology remains unknown, despite the fact that various theories maintain that it has a multifactorial origin. The diagnosis of vulvodynia is made through a thorough evaluation of the history of pain, sexual history, clinical situation and physical examination. Non-medical treatment includes psychological interventions that aim to reduce pain and restore sexual function. Alternative therapies have not yet proven effective for the treatment of vulvodynia, while physical therapy, by helping to reduce tissue restrictions, helps restore the length of the muscles and tissues of the pelvis. Likewise, medical treatment includes local therapy, through the use of antinociceptives, anti-inflammatory agents and neuromodulators; It also uses tricyclic antidepressants, norepinephrine and anticonvulsants. Surgical treatment has been shown to be a strategy to reduce pain and the surgeon's experience should be taken into account as a determining factor. In conclusion, vulvodynia is a health problem for women that affects their sexual function, quality of life and treatment must be approached with a holistic and multidisciplinary approach