Green hemostatic sponge-like scaffold composed of soy protein and chitin for the treatment of epistaxis

Epistaxis is one of the most common otorhinolaryngology emergencies worldwide. Although there are currently several treatments available, they present several disadvantages. This, in addition to the increasing social need of being environmentally respectful, led us to investigate whether a sponge-like scaffold (SP-CH) produced from natural by-products of the food industry - soy protein and beta-chitin - can be employed as a nasal pack for the treatment of epistaxis. To evaluate the potential of our material as a nasal pack, it was compared with two of the most commonly used nasal packs in the clinic: a basic gauze and the gold standard Merocel. Our SP-CH presented great physicochemical and mechanical properties, lost weight in aqueous medium, and could even partially degrade when incubated in blood. It was shown to be both biocompatible and hemocompatible in vitro, clearing up any doubt about its safety. It showed increased blood clotting capacity in vitro, as well as increased capacity to bind both red blood cells and platelets, compared to the standard gauze and Merocel. Finally, a rat-tail amputation model revealed that our SP-CH could even reduce bleeding time in vivo. This work, carried out from a circular economy approach, demonstrates that a green strategy can be followed to manufacture nasal packs using valorized by-products of the food industry, with equal or even better hemostatic properties than the gold standard in the clinic.Authors thank Eusko Jaurlaritza (Grupos Consolidados, No ref: IT907-16) and MCI/AEI/FEDER, UE (RTI2018-097100-B-C22)

The bicycle in the land of electric (auto)mobility

Electric mobility has had a great impact as a major axis of intervention to move forward to a landscape at once less dependent on fossil fuels and more sustainable. Starting out from this framework, the objective we wish to pursue is to draw attention to the restrictive reading imposed on the concept of electric mobility, predominately identified with its automotive branch, leaving aside the bicycle. The contribution of the electric automobile to the fulfilment of the objectives demanded by sustainable mobility has been tackled, thus demonstrating the limitations of technological solutions and emphasising the need to reduce the number of cars, their usage and speed, and the need to prioritise pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. After analysing the evolution, benefits and risks of the electric bicycle, it is confirmed that this is by far the most widespread electric vehicle, despite the tiny amount of public aid it receives. It stands out for its powerful strategic value to attract many people to cycling who are reluctant to use conventional bicycles, or who want to make longer journeys effortlessly, or are put off by steep slopes, or want to carry loads or children. Finally, greater public attention is advocated for electric bicycles, suggesting criteria and lines of action to give shape to policies in this areaLa movilidad eléctrica ha irrumpido como un importante eje de intervención para avanzar hacia un escenario menos dependiente de los combustibles fósiles y más sostenible. Partiendo de este marco, la meta perseguida es llamar la atención sobre la lectura restrictiva que se impone del concepto de movilidad eléctrica, identificada predominantemente con su vertiente automovilística, y que ignora a la bicicleta. Se aborda la aportación del automóvil eléctrico al cumplimiento de los objetivos postulados por la movilidad sostenible, evidenciando las limitaciones de las soluciones tecnológicas e insistiendo en la necesidad de reducir el número de coches, su uso y velocidad; y de primar a los peatones, ciclistas y al transporte público. Tras analizar la evolución, beneficios y riesgos de la bicicleta eléctrica, se constata que esta es el vehículo eléctrico inmensamente mayoritario, pese a las escasas ayudas públicas que recibe. Se destaca su potente valor estratégico para atraer al ciclismo a muchas personas reacias al uso de la bicicleta convencional, o que desean realizar sin esfuerzo recorridos más largos, por pendientes pronunciadas o transportar cargas o niños. Finalmente se propugna una mayor atención pública a las bicicletas eléctricas, sugiriendo criterios y líneas de actuación para perfilar las políticas en este ámbit

Zikloteka, a documentation centre in cycle mobility. An advanced initiative to collect, process and disseminate documentation on cycling mobility

During the last two decades, a significant volume of materials related to everyday cycling have been produced in Gipuzkoa. This documentation, scattered in many locations until now, represents a considerable heritage of administrative, scientific, technical and citizens’ knowledge produced in this area, as well as underlining the effort undertaken to normalize the use of the bicycle as a means of transport in this territory. The Gipuzkoa Provincial Council and the Cristina Enea Foundation set up the Zikloteka in 2015, a specialized documentation centre in cycle mobility in Gipuzkoa, in order to identify, compile, preserve and disseminate this heritage, which currently contains over 3,800 references. The article presents the main characteristics, services, management system and takes stock of its trajectory. The glossary drawn up to classify the materials is its main contribution in the technical documentation area specialized in mobility. It underlines the collaboration with different entities, such as the Red de Ciudades por la Bicicleta (Cities for Cycling Network), ConBici, and the Network of Environmental Information and Documentation Centres which, complemented by a lengthy search, collection and management process, make it a unique specialized documentation centre in cycle mobility in EuropeEn las últimas dos décadas en Gipuzkoa se ha ido generando un importante volumen de materiales relacionados con el ciclismo cotidiano. Esta documentación, hasta ahora dispersa en múltiples ubicaciones, representa un notable patrimonio del conocimiento administrativo, científico, técnico y ciudadano producido en este área, además de poner de manifiesto el esfuerzo realizado para normalizar el uso de la bicicleta como medio de desplazamiento en este territorio. La Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa y la Fundación Cristina Enea constituyeron en 2015 la Zikloteka, un centro de documentación especializado en la movilidad ciclista en Gipuzkoa, con el objetivo de identificar, recopilar, custodiar y difundir este patrimonio, que actualmente alberga más de 3800 referencias. A lo largo del artículo se presentan sus principales características, servicios, sistema de gestión y un balance de su trayectoria. El glosario elaborado para clasificar los materiales constituye su principal aportación al área de documentación técnica especializada en movilidad. Se subraya la colaboración establecida con distintas entidades, como la Red de Ciudades por la Bicicleta, ConBici, y la Red de Centros de Información y Documentación Ambiental que, acompañada de un largo proceso de búsqueda, acopio y gestión, le configuran como un centro documental especializado en movilidad ciclista único en Europ

Basques in Cuba

Taking as their inspiration and cue Jon Bilbao's book Vascos en Cuba 1492-1511, the authors of this book, a collection of international academics, take up the subject of the involvement of the Basque people in Cuba from a variety of viewpoints and analytical and theoretical perspectives. The Basque Country has had a long and varied relationship with Cuba, its people, and its history. The chapters in this volume trace that connection based on diverse topics and viewpoints: the representations of Basques in classic Cuban poetry and Cuba as a topic in the nineteenth-century Basque novel; the involvement of the Basques in the African slave trade, the role of the Tree of Gernika in Cuba's Templete monument, the service of Basque parliamentarians and soldiers in Spain's former colony, and the politics of Basque priests on the island are all treated, as well as much more. There are also chapters that consider the involvement of Basques regionally, in places such as Cienfuegos, Santiago de Cuba, Vueltabajo, and Havana. Edited by renowned Basque scholar William A. Douglass, the volume provides an important contribution in reclaiming a mostly neglected history.This book was published with generous financial support from the Basque Government