Social preferences for ecosystem services in a biodiversity hotspot in South America

Identifying which ecosystem services are relevant to different stakeholders and understanding stakeholders’ perceptions of such services is useful for making informed decisions, especially in regions of the world where the achievement of biodiversity conservation goals is threatened by economically productive activities. In this article, we assess social preferences for ecosystem services in a biodiversity hotspot in central Chile. We use a consultative case study to ask local stakeholders (n = 70) from the Campana Peñuelas Biosphere Reserve to identify the most important ecosystem services the area provides for them and inquire about the perceived vulnerability of the services to changes in the future. We also explore the association between the perceived importance of ecosystem services and the sociodemographic and cultural characteristics of the respondents, which allows us to identify contrasting stakeholder perceptions of different ecosystem services. The most important services for local actors were the drinking water, fresh air and climate change control, genetic pool of plant communities in central Chile, and educational value. From the perspective of local actors, the services that could be threatened by negative changes in the future in terms of their provision included the possibilities of developing conservation activities focused on iconic threatened animal and plant species, water regulation, food from agriculture, and drinking water. Contrasting perceptions about the importance of ecosystem services emerged among stakeholders. While small farmers and members of local organizations attributed higher importance values to provisioning services, scientists and rangers and administrators of protected areas as well as teachers, NGO members and local government employees attributed more importance to the regulating and cultural services associated with threatened species. Our results can serve as a source of information for the planning and decision-making processes related to the search for socially and ecologically sustainable solutions for land use managemen

Yield of forage, grain and biomass in eight hybrids of maize with different sowing dates and environmental conditions

The aim was to evaluate yield of forage, grain and biomass and fibre content of eight hybrids of maize (Rio-Grande, Arrayan, Genex 778, Narro 2010, Advance 2203, DAS 2358, P4082W and HT9150W) during two sowing seasons (spring/summer) for two consecutive years at La Laguna in Torreon, Mexico. Once the grain progression of the kernel milk line was ⅓, green forage yield (GFY), dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were determined. When the corncobs were fully mature, grain yield (GY) and biomass production (TBP) were determined. Weather conditions were recorded during the experiment. The results indicated that maximum temperature was higher and rainfall lower in the summer sowing and second year. Spring sowing had significantly higher yields of GFY, DM, GY and TBP compared to summer sowing. The first year of study showed significantly higher yields regarding GFY, GY and TBP, but FDN, FDA, DM content compared to the second year. The best hybrid for GFY and DM was Rio-Grande; for FDN and FDA was Advance 2203; for GY was HT9150W and finally for TBP was Arrayan. Regardless of the hybrid used and the sowing season, production of maize depended on external factors such as maximum temperature and rainfall; therefore, producers need to consider sowing in spring to avoid the negative effect of high temperatures on plant development.The aim was to evaluate yield of forage, grain and biomass and fibre content of eight hybrids of maize (Rio-Grande, Arrayan, Genex 778, Narro 2010, Advance 2203, DAS 2358, P4082W and HT9150W) during two sowing seasons (spring/summer) for two consecutive years at La Laguna in Torreon, Mexico. Once the grain progression of the kernel milk line was ⅓, green forage yield (GFY), dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were determined. When the corncobs were fully mature, grain yield (GY) and biomass production (TBP) were determined. Weather conditions were recorded during the experiment. The results indicated that maximum temperature was higher and rainfall lower in the summer sowing and second year. Spring sowing had significantly higher yields of GFY, DM, GY and TBP compared to summer sowing. The first year of study showed significantly higher yields regarding GFY, GY and TBP, but FDN, FDA, DM content compared to the second year. The best hybrid for GFY and DM was Rio-Grande; for FDN and FDA was Advance 2203; for GY was HT9150W and finally for TBP was Arrayan. Regardless of the hybrid used and the sowing season, production of maize depended on external factors such as maximum temperature and rainfall; therefore, producers need to consider sowing in spring to avoid the negative effect of high temperatures on plant development

Late Bajocian bioevents of ammonoid immigration and colonization in the Arequipa basin (Pumani river area, Ayacucho, southern Peru)

Strata of the Socosani Formation in the Pucayacu and Pumani sections (Ayacucho Department, Peru), along several kilometers, have yielded Upper Bajocian ammonoid fossil-assemblages characterized by the occurrence of juvenile individuals belonging to endemic or pandemic taxa, such as Megasphaeroceras and Spiroceras respectively. In addition, certain Bajocian taxa relatively common in the Mediterranean-Caucasian Subrealm, but very scarce in the Eastern Pacific Subrealm, such as the strigoceratid Cadomoceras and the phylloceratid Adabofoloceras, occur in this area. These Late Bajocian bioevents of regional appearance of immigrant ammonoids and even sustained colonization should be associated with an episode of maximum deepening, maximum relative sea-level rise and highest oceanic accessibility of a Bajocian-Bathonian deepening/shallowing palaeoenvironmental cycle in the Arequipa Basin, during the Late Bajocian Niortense Biochron

Diferenças evolutivas na atitude ante a morte entre adultos jovens e adultos maiores

Throughout the years the concept of death has been redefined and it currently generates attitudes of fear and anxiety, where death is regarded as a topic that few want to discuss and that many evade. The aim of the present article was to assess the developmental changes in attitude toward death in a sample of 343 persons, composed by young adults and older adults. The variables age and gender were taken into account. The Revised Profile of Attitudes toward Death, which measures five dimensions: fear of death, avoidance of death, neutral acceptance, acceptance of escape, and acceptance of approach was administered to the participants. Results showed significant differences as a function of age, and in relation to gender, significant differences were found between men and women in the group of older adults.El concepto de la muerte a través de los años ha ido cambiado, percibiéndose actualmente como un tema del que pocos quieren hablar y al que muchos evaden, y que genera en las personas actitudes de miedo y ansiedad. De esta manera, el presente articulo tiene como objetivo evaluar la actitud evolutiva ante la muerte en una muestra de 343 personas, adultos jóvenes y adultos mayores, por medio del Perfil Revisado de Actitudes hacia la Muerte (PAM-R), el cual mide cinco dimensiones: miedo a la muerte, evitación de la muerte, aceptación neutral, aceptación de escape, y aceptación de acercamiento. Para ello, se tuvieron en cuenta las variables género y edad. Los resultados muestran diferencias significativas en función de la edad; en relación al género, las diferencias se presentan entre hombres y mujeres del grupo de adultos mayores.Através dos anos o conceito sobre a morte tem mudado. Atualmente é percebido como um tema do qual muito poucos desejam falar, muitos evadem, e que gera temor e ansiedade nas pessoas. O objetivo deste artigo é avaliar a atitude evolutiva ante a morte em uma amostra de 343 pessoas (adultos jovens e adultos maiores) mediante o Perfil de Atitudes para a Morte (PAM-R), que mede cinco dimensiones: temor à morte, evasão da morte, aceitação neutral, aceitação de fuga e aceitação de aproximação. Foram tidos em conta as variáveis gênero e idade. Os resultados mostram diferenças importantes quanto a idade; em relação ao gênero, as diferenças estão no grupo de adultos maiores entre homens e mulheres

Intra and Inter-rater Reliability between Ultrasound Imaging and Caliper Measures to determine Spring Ligament Dimensions in Cadavers

The purpose was to evaluate intra and inter-rater reliability, repeatability and absolute accuracy between ultrasound imaging (US) and caliper measures to determine Spring ligament (SL) dimensions in cadavers. SLs were identified from 62 human feet from formaldehyde-embalmed cadavers. Intra and inter-observer reliability, repeatability and absolute accuracy of SL width, thickness and length between US and caliper measurements were determined at intra and inter-session by intraclass correlation coefficients, Pearson´s correlation coefficients, Student t tests, standard errors of measurement, minimum detectable changes, values of normality, 95% limits of agreement, and Bland-Altman plots. Excellent inter-session and inter-rater reliability, adequate absolute accuracy, almost perfect agreement and strong correlations were shown for caliper, US and their comparison for all SL dimensions. US measurements presented higher absolute accuracy than caliper measures for SL length and thickness dimensions, while caliper displayed greater absolute accuracy for SL width dimensions. Good repeatability (P > 0.05) was shown for all SL dimensions by US, caliper and their comparison, except for SL width dimension measured with US (P = 0.019). Both US and caliper could be recommended for all SL dimensions evaluation due to their excellent reliability and absolute accuracy in cadavers, although width dimensions should be considered with caution due to US repeatability differences

Detección de oportunidades de ocupación y reciclaje de vacíos arquitectónicos para una ciudad más sostenible

En los últimos tiempos, aceptada la trascendencia de la sostenibilidad en todos los sectores productivos, recobra importancia el concepto del reciclaje. El estudio de la edificación en desuso existente en las ciudades ofrece oportunidades para una ciudad más sostenible. El presente trabajo parte de la hipótesis de que la reocupación y rehabilitación de edificaciones sin uso, que podría responder a la demanda del entorno urbano, es necesaria en una ciudad más sostenible. Para ello, en primer lugar se justificará la necesidad de la puesta en uso de edificaciones existentes al objeto de reaprovechar la energía embebida en los mismos y sus beneficios para la revitalización urbana. A continuación, brevemente, se realizará un repaso de la experiencia municipal de Zaragoza en gestión de la rehabilitación. Asimismo se esbozará un análisis de la consideración de la rehabilitación en su marco regulatorio vigente. Posteriormente se analizarán las herramientas existentes de mapeado parametrizado según valores de vulnerabilidad y accesibilidad a los equipamientos para el caso de la ciudad de Zaragoza. Finalmente, se extraerán conclusiones de la aplicación de dichas herramientas en el análisis de vacíos y necesidades El trabajo tiene por objeto la búsqueda de lugares de oportunidad en los que la labor del arquitecto aporte valor añadido, actuando consciente con la demanda de sostenibilidad y proponiendo una arquitectura para los usuarios

Progresividad y redistribución a través del IRPF español: Un análisis de bienestar social para el periodo 1982-1998

En este trabajo se estudia la capacidad redistributiva mostrada por el IRPF español a lo largo del periodo 1982-1998, así como su impacto en el bienestar social. En el análisis se han considerado las cuatro grandes reformas del impuesto de este periodo, calculando para cada ejercicio la contribución a la progresividad global y al efecto redistributivo de los principales elementos de su estructura. Los resultados obtenidos a partir del Panel de Declarantes por IRPF del IEF muestran que la capacidad redistributiva del IRPF en este periodo ha venido explicada, esencialmente, por la progresividad de su tarifa y, en menor medida, por el tratamiento de las rentas del trabajo personal. Su aplicación ha generado ganancias de bienestar social crecientes en el tiempo, tan solo limitadas en los años de fuerte recesión económica.impuesto sobre la renta personal, progresividad, redistribución, bienestar social, reformas IRPF

Association between anterior talofibular ligament injury and ankle tendon, ligament, and joint conditions revealed by magnetic resonance imaging

[Abstract] Background: The lateral ankle ligament complex is the most frequently injured ligament secondary to strong ankle inversion movement during lateral ankle sprains (LAS). Among these injuries, anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) injury is the most frequent condition (present in 66-85% of such injuries). The purpose of this research was to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine the association between ankle tendon, ligament, and joint conditions and ATFL injuries. Methods: A case-control MRI study was carried out to compare the presence of ankle muscle, tendon, ligament, and joint conditions in patients with injured ATFLs (case group; n=25) and non-injured ATFLs (control group; n=25). Results: Achilles tendinopathy was present in 1/25 (4%) patients with injured ATFLs and 7/25 (28%) non-injured ATFL subjects (P=0.048). Injured calcaneofibular ligaments (CFLs) were present in 19/25 (76%) patients with injured ATFLs and 1/25 (4%) non-injured ATFL subjects (P<0.001). Finally, injured tibiotalar joints were present in 16/25 (64%) patients with injured ATFLs and 5/25 (20%) non-injured ATFL subjects (P=0.002). Other musculoskeletal structure injuries occurred at similar rates between patients with injured ATFLs and those with non-injured ATLFs (P≥0.05). Conclusions: Patients with ATFL injuries showed a greater presence of CFL and tibiotalar joint injuries than subjects with non-injured ATFLs