Agricultural use of compost under different irrigation strategies in a hedgerow olive grove under Mediterranean conditions – a comparison with traditional systems

Soil and water-efficient management are key factors in ensuring the olive sector's sustainable production practices. The use of compost based on olive waste (alperujo) as fertilizer could enhance ecosystem services while the need to transition to a zero-waste approach based on a circular economy is achieved. The present work includes a comparative study of the effect of alperujo compost (AC) vs. inorganic fertilization under different management systems: a traditional adult olive grove under rainfed conditions and a young hedgerow olive system, in which a factorial test of tree irrigation regimes (full, deficit and no irrigation) is implemented as well. At the hedgerow plots, the addition of AC and soil sampling time greatly impacted soil chemical parameters and, to a lesser extent, enzymatic activities, whereas irrigation regimes did not exert a marked influence. In the traditional rainfed system, the addition of AC proved to be an efficient tool for carbon sequestration. The first soil sampling revealed a clear stoichiometric relationship between soil organic matter (SOM) and the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) contents in both systems, whereas the correlations were weak and scarce in the second sampling at the hedgerow plots. This fact was related to the decay of the compost effect. Compost in combination with irrigation tended to trigger a certain priming effect on the native SOM with time since the carbon stocks were reduced between 6 % and 38 % from one sampling to the other in the hedgerow system, depending on the irrigation intensity. However, the deficit irrigation caused a less intense reduction of the SOM and essential nutrients representing the best alternative to maximizing the agronomic effects of the compost under a water-saving strategy. Recurrent application of compost would be necessary to maintain soil quality, especially with high tree densities. The combined management of AC and the deficit irrigation proved to be an efficient tool toward a zero-waste circular economy and a water conservation strategy.</p

Variabilidad radial y acimutal del flujo de savia en olivos plantados en seto

5 páginas.-- 4 figuras.-- Comunicación oral presentada en el XI Simposio Hispano-Portugués de Relaciones Hídricas en las Plantas, Sevilla 17-20 Sep. (2012)La heterogeneidad de densidad de flujo de savia tanto alrededor del tronco como en profundidad respecto al cambium es un hecho bien conocido que requiere ser analizado para un correcto uso e interpretación de las estimas de transpiración a partir de las medidas de flujo de savia. Por ello, se hizo un experimento en olivos ‘Arbequina’ de 5 años de edad en una plantación en seto (4 m x 1.5 m) donde se instalaron cuatro sondas por árbol, en tres árboles representativos de la plantación. Los resultados han mostradoque se puede reducir el número de sondas hasta una para estimar el flujo de savia en olivos plantados en seto de esta edad. La correlación obtenida para la densidad de flujo de savia relativa entre la sección más externa del xilema conductor y las interiores frente a la conductancia estomática relativa medida en hojas jóvenes y viejas aportó evidencias sobre la hipótesis de que los vasos exteriores están preferentemente conectados a las hojas jóvenes del año.N

The relationship between mindfulness and emotional intelligence as a protective factor for healthcare professionals: systematic review

Emotional intelligence is an essential trait and skill for healthcare professionals. Mind fulness meditation has proved to be effective in increasing the wellbeing of those who practice it, leading to better mental health, self-care and job satisfaction. This paper aims to identify the recent evidence on the relationship between mindfulness and emotional intelligence among healthcare professionals and students. A systematic review was conducted including the databases PubMed, Cinhal, PsycINFO and Web of Science. The main variables were emotional intelligence skills and mindfulness practice. Data were extracted according to the following outcomes: authors, year of publication, country, study design, participants, mindfulness training intervention, tools used in data collection and main results. The following inclusion criteria were applied: peer-reviewed articles; published in English or Spanish; published between 2010 and 2020; quantitative methodology; a study population of healthcare professionals or students; the relationship with the aim of the study. The Joanna Briggs Institute criteria were followed for assessing the methodological quality of the selected studies. Three researchers were involved in the review. After the selection process, 10 studies were selected out of the 197 references initially identified. These studies revealed a positive relation ship between mindfulness and emotional intelligence, particularly the capacity to regulate emotions. Furthermore, mindfulness is negatively related to emotional exhaustion. Training interventions based on mindfulness have proved to be useful in promoting emotional balance, emotional awareness, emotional acceptance, emotion recognition, expressive suppression and a reduction in emotional exhaustion. This study could serve as a basis for further research on the benefits of emotional intelligence and practicing mindfulness for the bio-psycho-social welfare of healthcare professionals

Limitations and usefulness of maximum daily shrinkage (MDS) and trunk growth rate (TGR) indicators in the irrigation scheduling of table olive trees

8 páginas.-- 7 figuras.-- 2 tablas.-- 32 referenciasMaximum daily trunk shrinkage (MDS) is the most popular indicator derived from trunk diameter fluctuations in most fruit trees and has been reported to be one of the earliest signs in the detection of water stress. However, in some species such as olive trees (. Olea europaea L.), MDS does not usually change in water stress conditions and trunk growth rate (TGR) has been suggested as better indicator. Most of this lack of sensitivity to drought conditions has been related to the relationship between the MDS and the water potential. This curvilinear relationship produces an uncertain zone were great variations of water potential do not imply any changes of MDS. The MDS signal, the ratio between measured MDS and estimated MDS with full irrigation, has been thought to be a better indicator than MDS, as it reduces the effect of the environment. On the other hand, though literature results suggest an effect of environment in TGR values, there are not clear relationship between this indicator and meteorological data. The aims of this work are, on one hand, to study the improvements of the baseline approach in the MDS signal and, on the other, study the influence of several meteorological variables in TGR. Three years' data from an irrigation experiment were used in to carry out the MDS analysis and six years' data for full irrigated trees during pit hardening period were used for TGR study. The comparison between MDS vs. water potential and MDS signal vs. water potential presented a great scattering in both relationships. Values of MDS signal between 1.1 and 1.4 were always identified with moderate water stress conditions (-1.4 to -2. MPa of water potential). However, since this MDS signal values are around the maximum in the curvilineal relationship with water potential, greater values of MDS signal (in the range of 1.1-1.4) were not necessary lower values of water potential. In addition, during low fruit load seasons MDS signal was not an accurate indicator. On the other hand, absolute values of several climatological measurements were not significantly related with TGR. Only daily increments explain part of the variations of TGR in full irrigated trees. In all the data analysed, the daily increment of average vapour pressure deficit was the best indicator related with TGR. The increase of this indicator decreased TGR values. In addition, the agreement between this indicator and TGR was affected for fruit load. Great yield seasons decrease the influence of VPD increment in TGR.This research was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN), (AGL2010-19201-CO4-03). Thanks are due to J. Rodriguez and A. Montero for help with field measurements.Peer reviewe

Níveis de calcidiol e manutenção da função muscular, capacidade funcional e densidade mineral óssea em uma população espanhola não selecionada.

Introduction: Vitamin D has beneficial effects that supposedly contribute to the maintenance of musculoskeletal function. Objective: To analyze in an unselected population the effect of calcidiol levels on the muscular function of both hands, on the activities of daily living and on changes in bone mineral density (BMD). Material and methods: The cohort of the EVOS study was used, which performed, among others, measurements of muscle strength of grasping both hands, questions related to the difficulty in performing daily activities, densitometric study of the lumbar and hip spine and biochemistry for determination calcidiol levels. Results: Calcidiol values ​​≥20 ng / mL were associated with increased grip muscle strength in both hands. After adjusting for age, sex, BMI and seasonality, calcidiol levels &lt;20 ng / mL were independently associated with decreased muscle grip strength only in the left hand (OR = 2.35, 95% CI 1.03 -5, 38) Likewise, the inability or difficulty in "picking up a book or object on a high shelf" and "getting out of bed" was significantly associated with calcidiol levels &lt;20 ng / mL. Calcidiol levels &lt;20 ng / mL were associated with greater losses of BMD in the femoral neck and in the total hip. These associations were maintained in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions: The maintenance of calcidiol levels ≥20 ng / mL was associated with greater muscle grip strength in the hands, maintenance of daily activities and less loss of BMD in the hip. This study corroborates the usefulness of maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D to maintain musculoskeletal function.Introdução: A vitamina D tem efeitos benéficos que supostamente contribuem para a manutenção da função músculo-esquelética. Objetivo: Analisar em uma população não selecionada o efeito dos níveis de calcidiol na função muscular de ambas as mãos, nas atividades da vida diária e nas alterações na densidade mineral óssea (DMO). Material e métodos: Utilizou-se a coorte do estudo EVOS, que realizou, entre outras, medidas de força muscular de preensão nas duas mãos, questões relacionadas à dificuldade na realização das atividades diárias, estudo densitométrico da coluna lombar e quadril e bioquímica para determinação dos níveis de calcidiol. Resultados: Valores de calcidiol ≥20 ng / mL foram associados ao aumento da força muscular de preensão em ambas as mãos.&nbsp;Após o ajuste para idade, sexo, IMC e sazonalidade, os níveis de calcidiol &lt;20 ng / mL foram associados de forma independente à diminuição da força de preensão muscular apenas na mão esquerda (OR = 2,35, IC 95% 1,03-5, 38)&nbsp;Da mesma forma, a incapacidade ou dificuldade em "pegar um livro ou objeto em uma prateleira alta" e "sair da cama" foi significativamente associada a níveis de calcidiol &lt;20 ng / mL.&nbsp;Níveis de calcidiol &lt;20 ng / mL foram associados a maiores perdas de DMO no colo do fêmur e no quadril total.&nbsp;Essas associações foram mantidas na análise multivariada. Conclusões: A manutenção de níveis de calcidiol ≥20 ng / mL foi associada a maior força de preensão muscular nas mãos, manutenção das atividades diárias e menor perda de DMO no quadril.&nbsp;Este estudo corrobora a utilidade de manter níveis adequados de vitamina D para manter a função músculo-esquelética

Health-related quality of life with palbociclib plus endocrine therapy versus capecitabine in postmenopausal patients with hormone receptor–positive metastatic breast cancer: Patient-reported outcomes in the PEARL study

Background: The PEARL study showed that palbociclib plus endocrine therapy (palbociclib/ET) was not superior to capecitabine in improving progression-free survival in postmenopausal patients with metastatic breast cancer resistant to aromatase inhibitors, but was better tolerated. This analysis compared patient-reported outcomes. Patients and methods: The PEARL quality of life (QoL) population comprised 537 patients, 268 randomised to palbociclib/ET (exemestane or fulvestrant) and 269 to capecitabine. Patients completed the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23 and EQ-5D-3L questionnaires. Changes from the baseline and time to deterioration (TTD) were analysed using linear mixed-effect and stratified Cox regression models, respectively. Results: Questionnaire completion rate was high and similar between treatment arms. Significant differences were observed in the mean change in global health status (GHS)/QoL scores from the baseline to cycle 3 (2.9 for palbociclib/ET vs. -2.1 for capecitabine (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4–8.6; P = 0.007). The median TTD in GHS/QoL was 8.3 months for palbociclib/ET versus 5.3 months for capecitabine (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.55–0.89; P = 0.003). Similar improvements for palbociclib/ET were also seen for other scales as physical, role, cognitive, social functioning, fatigue, nausea/vomiting and appetite loss. No differences were observed between the treatment arms in change from the baseline in any item of the EQ-5D-L3 questionnaire as per the overall index score and visual analogue scale. Conclusion: Patients receiving palbociclib/ET experienced a significant delay in deterioration of GHS/QoL and several functional and symptom scales compared with capecitabine, providing additional evidence that palbociclib/ET is better tolerated. Trial registration number: NCT02028507 (ClinTrials.gov). EudraCT study number: 2013-003170-27. © 2021 The Author(s

Deficit irrigation and emerging fruit crops as a strategy to save water in Mediterranean semiarid agrosystems

Water scarcity in Mediterranean climate areas will be progressively aggravated by climate change, population increase and urban, tourism and industrial activities. To protect water resources and their integrity for future use and to improve biodiversity, besides following advanced deficit irrigation strategies in fruit cultivation, attention could well be directed towards what are at present underused plant materials able to withstand deficit irrigation with minimum impact on yield and fruit quality. To this end, the state of the art as regards deficit irrigation strategies and the response of some very interesting emerging fruit crops [jujube (Zizyphus jujuba Mill.), loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.), pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) and pomegranate (Punica granatum L.)] are reviewed. The strengths and weaknesses of deficit irrigation strategies and the mechanisms developed by these emerging fruit crops in the face of water stress are discussed. The response of these crops to deficit irrigation, with special attention paid to the effect on yield but also on fruit quality and health-related chemical compounds, was analysed in order to assess their suitability for saving water in Mediterranean semiarid agrosystems and to analyze their potential role as alternatives to currently cultivated fruit crops with higher water requirements. Finally, the factors involved in establishing an identity brand (hydroSOS) to protect fruits obtained under specific DI conditions are discussed

Participatory scenario planning in place-based social-ecological research: insights and experiences from 23 case studies

Participatory scenario planning (PSP) is an increasingly popular tool in place-based environmental research for evaluating alternative futures of social-ecological systems. Although a range of guidelines on PSP methods are available in the scientific and grey literature, there is a need to reflect on existing practices and their appropriate application for different objectives and contexts at the local scale, as well as on their potential perceived outcomes. We contribute to scenarios theoretical and empirical frameworks by analyzing how and why researchers assess social-ecological systems using place-based PSP, hence facilitating the appropriate uptake of such scenario tools in the future. We analyzed 23 PSP case studies conducted by the authors in a wide range of social-ecological settings by exploring seven aspects: (1) the context; (2) the original motivations and objectives; (3) the methodological approach; (4) the process; (5) the content of the scenarios; (6) the outputs of the research; and (7) the monitoring and evaluation of the PSP process. This was complemented by a reflection on strengths and weaknesses of using PSP for the place-based social-ecological research. We conclude that the application of PSP, particularly when tailored to shared objectives between local people and researchers, has enriched environmental management and scientific research through building common understanding and fostering learning about future planning of social-ecological systems. However, PSP still requires greater systematic monitoring and evaluation to assess its impact on the promotion of collective action for transitions to sustainability and the adaptation to global environmental change and its challenges

Uncovering Ecosystem Service Bundles through Social Preferences

Ecosystem service assessments have increasingly been used to support environmental management policies, mainly based on biophysical and economic indicators. However, few studies have coped with the social-cultural dimension of ecosystem services, despite being considered a research priority. We examined how ecosystem service bundles and trade-offs emerge from diverging social preferences toward ecosystem services delivered by various types of ecosystems in Spain. We conducted 3,379 direct face-to-face questionnaires in eight different case study sites from 2007 to 2011. Overall, 90.5% of the sampled population recognized the ecosystem’s capacity to deliver services. Formal studies, environmental behavior, and gender variables influenced the probability of people recognizing the ecosystem’s capacity to provide services. The ecosystem services most frequently perceived by people were regulating services; of those, air purification held the greatest importance. However, statistical analysis showed that socio-cultural factors and the conservation management strategy of ecosystems (i.e., National Park, Natural Park, or a non-protected area) have an effect on social preferences toward ecosystem services. Ecosystem service trade-offs and bundles were identified by analyzing social preferences through multivariate analysis (redundancy analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis). We found a clear trade-off among provisioning services (and recreational hunting) versus regulating services and almost all cultural services. We identified three ecosystem service bundles associated with the conservation management strategy and the rural-urban gradient. We conclude that socio-cultural preferences toward ecosystem services can serve as a tool to identify relevant services for people, the factors underlying these social preferences, and emerging ecosystem service bundles and trade-offs