Assessment of the Association of Health with the Liberalisation of Trade in Services under the World Trade Organisation

Background: The liberalisation of trade in services which began in 1995 under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has generated arguments for and against its potential health effects. Our goal was to explore the relationship between the liberalisation of services under the GATS and three health indicators – life expectancy (LE), under-5 mortality (U5M) and maternal mortality (MM) - since the WTO was established. Methods and Findings: This was a cross-sectional ecological study that explored the association in 2010 and 1995 between liberalisation and health (LE, U5M and MM), and between liberalisation and progress in health in the period 1995–2010, considering variables related to economic and social policies such as per capita income (GDP pc), public expenditure on health (PEH), and income inequality (Gini index). The units of observation and analysis were WTO member countries with data available for 2010 (n = 116), 1995 (n = 114) and 1995–2010 (n = 114). We conducted bivariate and multivariate linear regression analyses adjusted for GDP pc, Gini and PEH. Increased global liberalisation in services under the WTO was associated with better health in 2010 (U5M: 20.358 p,0.001; MM: 20.338 p = 0.001; LE: 0.247 p = 0.008) and in 1995, after adjusting for economic and social policy variables. For the period 1995–2010, progress in health was associated with income equality, PEH and per capita income. No association was found with global liberalisation in services. Conclusions: The favourable association in 2010 between health and liberalisation in services under the WTO seems to reflect a pre-WTO association observed in the 1995 data. However, this liberalisation did not appear as a factor associated with progress in health during 1995–2010. Income equality, health expenditure and per capita income were more powerful determinants of the health of populations.This study was funded by the Carlos III Health Institute and the Programme for Promotion of Biomedical and Health Sciences (http://www.isciii.es/) of the Spanish Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs (Ref. PI060295)

Haemosporidian parasite prevalence, parasitemia, and diversity in three resident bird species at a shrubland dominated landscape of the Mexican highland plateau

"Background: Studies of avian haemosporidians allow understanding how these parasites affect wild bird populations, and if their presence is related to factors such as habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, and climate change. Considering the importance of the highland Plateau of Mexico as part of the North American bird migratory route and as a region containing important habitat for numerous bird species, the purpose of this study was to document haemosporidian species richness and how habitat degradation, bird body condition, and distance from water sources correlate with bird parasitemia. Methods: We assessed the presence of avian haemosporidians in three resident bird species through microscopy and PCR amplification of a fragment of the haemosporidian cytochrome b gene. Average parasitemia was estimated in each species, and its relationship with habitat degradation through grazing, bird body condition and distance from water bodies was assessed. Results: High levels of parasitemia were recorded in two of the three bird species included in this study. Four lineages of haemosporidians were identified in the study area with nearly 50 % prevalence. Areas with highly degraded shrublands and villages showed higher parasitemia relative to areas with moderately degraded shrublands. No strong relationship between parasitemia and distance from water bodies was observed. There were no significant differences in prevalence and parasitemia between the two bird species infected with the parasites. Two of the sequences obtained from the fragments of the parasite's cytochrome b gene represent a lineage that had not been previously reported. Conclusions: Haemosporidian diversity in arid zones of the Mexican highland plateau is high. Shrubland habitat degradation associated to the establishment of small villages, as well as tree extraction and overgrazing in the surroundings of these villages, significantly enhances parasitemia of birds by haemosporidians.

Clasificación de modelos combustibles a partir del modelo de Transferencia Radiativa Anisotrópica Discreta (DART).

Uno de los factores clave que permite analizar el potencial de ignición y de propagación del fuego en entornos agrícolas-forestales es el tipo de combustible presente. En los últimos años ha aumen-tado el interés por los datos proporcionados por sensores activos, como el LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging). El objetivo de este trabajo es validar una metodología basada en el modelo de transferencia radiativa anisotrópica discreta (Discrete Anisotropic Radiative Transfer, DART) que permitiría clasificar tipos de combustible forestal. El poder de generalización y la alta automatiza-ción que permitiría esta aproximación podrían ayudar a las tareas de prevención, pero sobre todo a las labores de extinción en caso de incendio, ya que posibilitaría la simulación de situaciones concretas de tipos de combustible en cualquier momento. Esto es posible gracias a la creación previa de una muestra con la respuesta LiDAR de los diferentes tipos de combustible. La metodo-logía propuesta es totalmente novedosa porque hace uso de modelos de transferencia radiativa (Radiative transfer models, RTM) para la simulación de la respuesta LiDAR del Plan Nacional de Ortofotografía Aérea (PNOA). Además, se realiza una validación de las simulaciones a partir de los coeficientes de correlación y el error cuadrático medio de diferentes métricas LiDAR extraídas de las simulaciones y la información real LiDAR de los años 2011 y 2016. Se ha utilizado una muestra de calibración/validación compuesta por 85 parcelas de campo (localizadas en Aragón) para la simulación de los modelos combustibles en DART. Posteriormente, se ha llevado a cabo un proceso de clasificación de modelos de combustible a partir de las métricas simuladas de 2011, utilizando el método de inteligencia artificial SVM, obteniendo una fiabilidad global de la clasificación tras la validación cruzada del 60% y un índice de kappa de 0,50. Finalmente, se ha evaluado la transferi-bilidad de las simulaciones, aplicando el modelo generado a partir de las métricas de 2011 a los datos reales de 2016, obteniendo una fiabilidad global de clasificación tras la validación cruzada del 53% y un índice de kappa de 0.44.<br /

A search for pre- and proto-brown dwarfs in the dark cloud Barnard 30 with ALMA

In this work we present ALMA continuum observations at 880 $\mu$m of 30 sub-mm cores previously identified with APEX/LABOCA at 870$\mu$m in the Barnard 30 cloud. The main goal is to characterize the youngest and lowest mass population in the cloud. As a result, we report the detection of five (out of 30) spatially unresolved sources with ALMA, with estimated masses between 0.9 and 67 M$_{\rm Jup}$. From these five sources, only two show gas emission. The analysis of multi-wavelength photometry from these two objects, namely B30-LB14 and B30-LB19, is consistent with one Class II- and one Class I low-mass stellar object, respectively. The gas emission is consistent with a rotating disk in the case of B30-LB14, and with an oblate rotating envelope with infall signatures in the case of LB19. The remaining three ALMA detections do not have infrared counterparts and can be classified as either deeply embedded objects or as starless cores if B30 members. In the former case, two of them (LB08 and LB31) show internal luminosity upper limits consistent with Very Low Luminosity objects, while we do not have enough information for LB10. In the starless core scenario, and taking into account the estimated masses from ALMA and the APEX/LABOCA cores, we estimate final masses for the central objects in the substellar domain, so they could be classified as pre-BD core candidates.Comment: Published in A&

Análisis de la diversidad estructural en paisajes dinámicos afectados por incendios forestales mediante LiDAR-PNOA

Los datos LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) del PNOA (Plan Nacional de Ortofoto-grafía Aérea) constituyen una fuente de datos con infinidad de aplicaciones aún por desarrollar. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar la capacidad de dichos da-tos para la estimación de la biodiversidad estructural, útil para la gestión forestal, en masas forestales regulares de Pinus halepensis Miller afectadas por incendios foresta-les de manera recurrente. Las masas analizadas están localizadas en los Montes de Zuera y Sierra de Luna, en la depresión central del Ebro (Zaragoza). El material utiliza-do como fuente de información son los datos LiDAR-PNOA de la segunda cobertura de baja densidad de puntos (2 – 1,1 puntos m-2), que al estar en un nivel de procesa-miento inicial requirieron su filtrado con el algoritmo MCC v.2.1., para discernir entre puntos pertenecientes al suelo y los pertenecientes a vegetación. Como métricas de biodiversidad estructural se aplicaron los índices LHDI (LiDAR height diversity Index) y LHEI (LiDAR height evenness index), además de diversas métricas relacionadas con la estructura vertical y la continuidad horizontal de la vegetación. Con el test de Kruskal Wallis, para contrastar las hipótesis, se analizaron las diferencias entre medias de to-das las variables por diferentes agrupaciones; resultando existir en todos los casos di-ferencias significativas. Si se analizan los incendios recientes se observa la agrupación de la mayoría de los retornos en los primeros intervalos de altura. En torno al 80% de los retornos se ubican entre 0,5 y 3 m, lo que muestra un bajo índice de diversidad estructural y de equidad por el predominio del estrato arbustivo. En cambio, con el pa-so del tiempo la proporción de retornos se redistribuye entre un mayor número de ran-gos de altura, a causa del crecimiento del estrato arbóreo, generando así un aumento de la diversidad estructural y de la equidad. Una vez calculados y analizados los índices y métricas se procedió a realizar una clasificación digital supervisada, utilizando dichas variables para comprobar si los diferentes patrones de diversidad estructural permiten diferenciar la ocurrencia o no de un incendio previo y la fecha del mismo. Se utilizaron por tanto dos leyendas, una enfocada a la delimitación de áreas quemadas y no que-madas, con una precisión global de 82,75%, y otra a la identificación de las diferentes fechas de incendio, así como la zona no quemada, con una precisión del 52,5%. Los resultados demuestran la utilidad de la información derivada de los datos LiDAR-PNOA para generar información referida a la delimitación de áreas incendiadas

Use of tablets in higher education: an experience with iPads

En el marco de la tendencia creciente del m-learning, la presente investigación se propuso analizar la disposición hacia el uso de tablets, describir el potencial de estos dispositivos para la realización de actividades académicas y personales, e identificar las condiciones requeridas para la incorporación de dicha herramienta en el aula en un contexto universitario peruano. Dispositivos Apple iPad 2 fueron entregados en calidad de préstamo a un grupo de 18 estudiantes y 3 profesores de las carreras de Educación y Psicología de una universidad privada de Lima para su utilización durante el semestre académico 2012-2. Se empleó el cuestionario del modelo unificado de aceptación y uso de tecnología (UTAUT), cuyos supuestos se cumplieron parcialmente. Se halló una correlación positiva y fuerte entre la intención de uso y la expectativa de desempeño, la actitud hacia el uso de tecnología y la influencia social. Además, concluida la experiencia, se encontró un incremento en el puntaje de las escalas de expectativa de esfuerzo, autoeficacia e intención de uso. De la información recogida mediante las observaciones de clase y los grupos focales, se apreció que los participantes se sintieron satisfechos con la experiencia y tuvieron calificativos positivos hacia ella por los múltiples usos dados a la herramienta en actividades académicas y no académicas. Se evidenció la importancia de planificar la integración del dispositivo a los contenidos curriculares, de modo que se lograse un uso significativo y estratégico. No obstante, al tratarse de una primera aproximación, se identificaron ciertas limitaciones en el uso del iPad y algunas dificultades a lo largo del proyectoIn the context of the growing trend of m-learning, this research aimed to analyze the disposition toward the use of tablets, describe the potential of these devices for conducting academic and personal activities, and identify the conditions required for the incorporation of this tool in the classroom in a Peruvian university context. Apple iPad 2 devices were given on loan to a group of 18 students and 3 teachers from Education and Psychology of a private university in Lima for use during the 2012-2 academic semester. Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) questionnaire was used, whose assumptions were partly accomplished. It was found a strong positive correlation between usage intention and performance expectancy, attitude toward using technology, and social influence. In addition, once the experience finished, it was found an increase in the score of effort expectancy, self-efficacy and usage intention. From the information gathered through classroom observations and focus groups, it was found that participants were satisfied and had positive opinions about the experience, where the tool and its applications were used in multiple ways in academic and non-academic activities. Also it was shown the importance of planning the integration of the tool according to the curriculum content, so that participants could use the device significantly and strategically. However, being a first approach, some limitations in the use of iPad and some difficulties along the project were identified

Preference by Donkeys and Goats among Five Mediterranean Forest Species : Implications for Reducing Fire Hazard

During the second half of the 20th century, European countries experienced an increase in their forest area due to the global change. Consequently, there has been an increase in large forest fires, mainly in the Mediterranean basin, and this has forced the development of several types of prevention programs. One of them is the control of the understory by livestock. In this sense, browsing with a combination of donkeys and goats could be a good option, as both animals usually feed on forest species. However, little is known about their preferences for the key species of the Mediterranean forest. Using a cafeteria test, the preferences and consumption of both animals have been determined for five typical species of the Mediterranean forest, such as Quercus ilex, Pinus halepensis, Phillyrea latifolia, Rubus ulmifolius, and Brachypodium retusum. Results showed that donkeys and goats could act complementarily in the reduction of the fuel biomass of forests. Donkeys appear to act more on fine fuel, such as B. retusum, and goats on the more pyrophyte species, in this case P. halepensis. In addition, given that donkeys are at severe risk of extinction in Europe, this role of providing ecosystem services could contribute to their conservation. Despite this study only showing that goats and donkeys would consume all five presented plant species and that there are some differences in consumption during a short-term test, it constitutes a useful first step for conservation and fire prevention in the Mediterranean forests

CAR FOLLOWING TECHNIQUES: THE ROLE OF THE HUMAN FACTOR RECONSIDERED

[EN] Engineering and psychophysiological car following models emerge in the late 1950s (Saifuzzaman & Zheng, 2014). Such models differ in their ground concepts and explanatory mechanisms, but both assume a fundamental tenet: following each other, drivers invariably attempt to couple, keeping safety distance. More recent models focus on the spontaneous emergence of traffic jams that results from the properties of a system of interacting vehicles (i.e., without bottlenecks). In an experimental setting Sugiyama et al., (2008) have successfully recreated the conditions that allow the observation of the typical soliton wave going backwards through several car clusters. When certain speed, density and inter-vehicular distance join, so do traffic jams. Some of us have built upon these and other factors (e.g., wave movement in nature) exploring the mathematical properties of a system with three incognita that also needs three variables to be solved (Melchor & Sánchez, 2014). Two canonical car-following techniques emerge as a consequence: Driving to keep safety Distance (DD) vs Inertia (DI). Also a basic question: can drivers actually understand and follow either way, or do they stick to a basic normative driving behavior? This paper summarizes the results after three experimental studies done with a driving simulator. Several performance measures from individual drivers (accelerations, decelerations, average speed, distance to leader, and so on) were taken. As an overall indicator, results consistently announce in the three studies that DI trips consume less fuel (about 20%) than DD ones.Blanch Micó, MT.; Lucas Alba, A.; Bellés Rivera, T.; Ferruz Gracia, AM.; Melchor-Galán, Ó.; Delgado Pastor, L.; Ruíz Jimenez, F.... (2016). CAR FOLLOWING TECHNIQUES: THE ROLE OF THE HUMAN FACTOR RECONSIDERED. En XII Congreso de ingeniería del transporte. 7, 8 y 9 de Junio, Valencia (España). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 851-858. https://doi.org/10.4995/CIT2016.2015.3341OCS85185