Urban resilience through green infrastructure : A framework for policy analysis applied to Madrid, Spain

Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2019-000940-MUrban resilience and how to assess it have become main policy objectives in the face of accelerated climate and other global environmental change. We develop a conceptual framework and an assessment tool to analyse how green infrastructure policies contribute to urban resilience and discuss barriers and opportunities for implementation. The conceptual framework is designed to analyse how resilience is fostered through six resilience factors: diversity, self-sufficiency and autonomy, polycentric governance, social cohesion, learning and innovation, and social-ecological justice. The assessment tool consists of a resilience index composed of 30 indicators. We use the capital city of Madrid, Spain, as a case study. Our results suggest that planning policies that focus on vulnerable neighbourhoods and include mechanisms for citizen engagement are the policies that most effectively foster urban resilience. We also identified that financing and political will are major barriers for the implementation of resilience policies. We assume that the proposed framework is suitable to assess to what extent local policies foster urban resilience and suggest further testing in other cities

Investigaciones de factores asociados: ¿con cuál “desempeño” hacer las comparaciones?

During 2007, Corpoeducación and Luker, Carvajal, Crown and Genesis foundations have developed the research: “Design, pilotage and adjustment of an instrument of associated factors to the quality of the students educative processes”., A conceptual frame was elaborated for; some indicators were built to designinstruments intended for students, teachers, directors and parents; the instruments were piloted in 42 educational institutions of Barranquilla, Bogota, Buenaventura, Cali and Manizales. The analysis demonstrated that itis not possible to affect the performance of the students considering only one aspect, ignoring the others; also that -based on its own responsibilities- each instance decides according to the particularities of its reality and that the different ways to appreciate the performance are all legitimate.Corpoeducación y las fundaciones Luker, Carvajal, Corona y Génesis desarrollaron durante el 2007 la investigación llamada “Diseño, pilotaje y ajuste de un instrumento de factores asociados a la calidad de los procesos educativos de los estudiantes”. Para ello, se elaboró un referente conceptual; se construyeron indicadores para diseñar instrumentos dirigidos a estudiantes, docentes, rectores y padres de familia; se pilotearon los instrumentos en 42 instituciones educativas de Barranquilla, Bogotá, Buenaventura, Cali y Manizales. El análisis mostró que no es posible incidir en el desempeño de los estudiantes mediante la afectación de un aspecto haciendo caso omiso de los demás; que en función de sus responsabilidades, cada instancia decide frente a las particularidades de su realidad y que las distintas formas de apreciar el desempeño son todas legítimas

Vulnerability and resilience of high-mountain pine forests of the Gredos range (Ávila, Spanish Central System): two thousand years of socio-ecological dynamics

RESUMEN: En este trabajo se presenta el análisis palinológico de la turbera de Pozo de la Nieve, localizada en el Parque Natural del Valle de Iruelas (Ávila), un área de alto valor sociocultural dentro de la Sierra de Gredos (Sistema Central). Con el objetivo de relacionar los cambios en el paisaje con la explotación de los recursos naturales y eventos climáticos, en primer lugar se han realizado 7 dataciones radiocarbónicas que sitúan el inicio del registro sedimentario ca. 240 cal BC. Los datos polínicos indican la existencia de un denso pinar altimontano dominado por Pinus sylvestris/nigra desde la Segunda Edad de Hierro hasta el periodo islámico. A partir del periodo cristiano las actividades antrópicas se intensifican, especialmente la ganadería en la Edad Contemporánea, lo cual conlleva la progresiva desaparición del pinar de alta montaña y el desarrollo de pastizales mediante el manejo del fuego, situación que culmina con el desarrollo del paisaje actual dominado por piornales pirófilos.ABSTRACT: We present the palynological study of Pozo de la Nieve peat bog, located in a very valuable socio-cultural placement within the Iruelas Valley Natural Park (Gredos range, Iberian Central System). We have focused in relating landscape changes to natural resources management and climatic events. Firstly, we carried out seven radiocarbon dates suggesting the origin of this record ca. 240 cal BC. The palynological data show the existence of dense high-mountain pine woodlands dominated by Pinus sylvestris/nigra from the Late Iron Age to the Muslim period. Later, from the Christian period, anthropogenic activities have intensified, especially livestock grazing in the Contemporary Age. Its consequences are the progressive disappearance of highmountain pine forests and the extension of grasslands by means of fire, which has shaped current landscape dominated by broom communities.Este trabajo ha sido financiado por el proyecto Desirè-HAR2013-43701-P (Plan Nacional I+D+I, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad de España). Sebastián Pérez Díaz está financiado por el Programa Estatal de Promoción del Talento y su Empleabilidad en I+D+i en la modalidad Juan de la Cierva-Incorporación. Mónica Ruiz Alonso está financiada por el Programa Estatal de Promoción del Talento y su Empleabilidad en I+D+i en la modalidad Juan de la Cierva-Formación

Early genotoxic response and accumulation induced by waterborne copper, lead, and arsenic in European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax

Cu, Pb, and As, which are among the most abundant metals in the aquatic environment, are also among the most health-threatened by causing diverse cellular injuries. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the potential early induction of genotoxic effects after waterborne Cu, Pb, and As exposure in European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax, a commercial widely cultured fish, using the micronucleus (MN) assay in peripheral blood erythrocytes. Fish were exposed under laboratory conditions to nominal solutions ranging 0–10 mg/L for 24 and 96 h. Furthermore, actual metal ion concentrations were measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) or differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) in water and four fish tissues differentially related to environmental exposition and metal accumulation, i.e. the gills, liver, muscle, and brain. Dose-dependent increases of micronuclei (MNi) frequency were observed after these very short exposures; based on measured metal concentrations in water, the genotoxic effect ordered as Cu>As>Pb. Significant genotoxic effect at 0.009 mg/L Cu, 0.57 mg/L Pb, and 0.01 mg/L As was seen. For Cu and Pb these are only slightly higher, but for As it is notably lower than the USEPA criteria of maximum concentration to prevent acute toxicity in aquatic organisms. Furthermore, genotoxicity was differentially related to metal accumulation. MNi frequency correlated positively with the content of Pb in all the organs, with the content of As in liver and gills and only with the content of Cu in the brain. In conclusion, our findings raised environmental concerns because these depicted a genotoxic potential of Cu, Pb, and As after a very short exposure to low but environmentally relevant concentrations, too close to regulatory thresholds. In addition, the MN test in D. labrax could be considered an early biomarker of genotoxicity induced by these metals in fish

Quality of life as assessed by adults with cerebral palsy

We explored the quality of life of adults with cerebral palsy without an intellectual disability and the predictors of quality of life.Because cerebral palsy is a disease that manifests in childhood, much of the research into quality of life for those dealing with it focuses on children; there are few studies that evaluate the quality of life of adults with cerebral palsy. Therefore, it is important to consider their perceptions in order to improve their general wellbeing and self-determination.This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study.Quality of life was measured using the GENCAT Quality of Life Scale. Demographic and personal variables were also collected and examined. Participants comprised 75 adults (58.7 percent men, mean age = 40.84 years) with cerebral palsy who were members of the National Cerebral Palsy Association of Spain between 2014 and 2015. A linear multivariate model was examined as well.The overall mean score indicator of participants' quality of life was 103.29, which corresponds to the 56.6th percentile on the GENCAT scale. Examining the level of qualification, we found significant differences in the factors "personal development" and "self-determination," and those with a university education obtained higher scores than their less-educated counterparts. Having a partner was related to higher quality of life standard scores. After constructing a linear model, it was observed that maintaining sexual relationships was another factor that increased participants' quality of life.This study highlights the importance of social and romantic relationships to achieve a better quality of life in adults with cerebral palsy who do not have an intellectual disability. Social integration and sexuality education programs should be developed to improve their quality of life

Electrochemical behaviour of Iron in chlorinated alkaline media: the effect of slurries from granite processing

Porriño is a well known zone of quarry and stone working of the SW of Galicia, Spain. In granite's working processes 3 <FONT FACE=Symbol>&times;</FONT> 10(5) ton year-1 of granite powder are generated in this area, causing an important environmental problem. This dust has proved to be an efficient addition to high-strength concrete to improve mechanical properties. Nevertheless, no works have been published concerning the effect of this admixture in the passivation of steel reinforcements. The objective of the present work is to analyze the electrochemical behaviour of iron and carbon steel electrodes in alkaline solutions resulting from these slurries. The growth and evolution of the passive layers formed on the tested electrodes are studied by Cyclic Voltammetry and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-ray powder Diffraction have been used for the morphological and chemical characterisation of the generated passive films. The effect of the presence of Cl- ions is also considered

Análisis y tendencias del polen de Chenopodiáceas-Amarantáceas en la atmósfera de cuatro ciudades del sur de España

XV lnternational A.P.L.E. Symposium of Palynolog

Persistence of tree relicts in the Spanish Central System through the Holocene

Persistence of relict tree species in Mediterranean environments is becoming increasingly unlikely in view of ongoing and future global change. The variability in the Holocene climate and more recent anthropogenic impacts have driven many populations to fragmentation and isolation, and even to extinction. However, some have persisted to the present day. The understanding of their evolution requires long-term studies, in which pollen analysis is a key approach both for formulating hypotheses and supporting results from other disciplines. Mountain ranges have played and still play an essential role as both glacial and interglacial refugia during the Quaternary. The Spanish Central System harbors an exceptional diversity due to its geographical location and complex topography. Some cold-adapted species have survived here with significant proportions of their southernmost populations, often displaying striking adaptations to their changing environments. This work contains a comprehensive review of the palynological investigations conducted in the Spanish Central System, and reveals the distribution of genera such as Taxus, Betula, Fagus, Carpinus and Tilia throughout the Holocene. We also highlight the scarcity of well-dated and high-resolution works, which may contribute to a better understanding of their recent and future evolution.This paper is part of the research carried our within the project "Dinámicas socio-ecológicas, resiliencia y vulnerabilidad en un paisaje de montaña: el Sistema Central (9000 cal. BC-1850 cal. AD) " (R&D National Plan of the Spanish Government, HAR2013-43701-P)