Potential contribution of distant sources to airborne Betula pollen levels in Northeastern Iberian Peninsula

We acknowledge the financial support of the European Commission for ENV4-CT98-0755; the Spanish Government for CGL2004-21166-E, CGL2005-07543/CLI, CGL2009-11205, CGL2012-39523-C02-01/CLI, CGL2012-39523-C02-02, CGL2016-75996-R, CTM2017-89565-C2-1, CTM2017-89565-C2-2, and CSD 2007-00067; the Catalan Government for 2005SGR00519, 2009SGR1102, and 2017SGR1692; Diputacio de Tarragona; Servei Meteorologic de Catalunya; Sociedad Espanola de Alergologia e Inmunologia Clinica (SEAIC); Laboratorios LETI PHARMA; Societat Catalana d'Allergia i Immunologia Clinica (SCAIC); J Uriach y Compania; S.A. This research contributes to the Maria de Maeztu Programme for Units of Excellence of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (CEX2019-000940-M). The authors gratefully acknowledge the NOAA Air Resources Laboratory (ARL) for their HYSPLIT transport and dispersion model and the synoptic charts used in this publication.Betula (birch) pollen is one of the most important causes of respiratory allergy in Northern and Central Europe. While birch trees are abundant in Central, Northern, and Eastern Europe, they are scarce in the Mediterranean territories, especially in the Iberian Peninsula (IP), where they grow only in the northern regions and as ornamental trees in urban areas. However, the airborne birch pollen patterns in Catalonia (Northeastern IP) show abrupt high concentrations in areas with usually low local influence. The intensity of the derived health problems can be increased by outbreaks due to long-range pollen transport. The present work evaluates the different potential contributions to Catalonia from the main source regions: Pyrenees, Cantabria, and the forests of France and Central Europe. To this end, we computed the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) back trajectories of air masses associated with the main Betula pollen peaks occurring simultaneously over different Catalan monitoring stations, and we studied their provenance over a 15-year period. The Vielha aerobiological station on the northern slopes of the Central Pyrenees was used to identify the dates of the pollen season in the Pyrenean region. In order to better understand the role of the Pyrenees, which is the nearest of the four birch forested regions, we classified the pollen peaks in the other Catalan stations into three groups based on the relationship between the peak and the pollen season in the Pyrenees. Our analysis of back-trajectory residence time, combined with the associated pollen concentration, reveals that two principal routes other than the Pyrenean forest sustain the northerly fluxes that enter Catalonia and carry significant concentrations of Betula pollen. This study has also allowed quantifying the differentiated contributions of the potential source regions. In addition, theWeather Research Forecast (WRF) mesoscale model has been used to study three specific episodes. Both models, HYSPLIT and WRF, complement each other and have allowed for better understanding of the main mechanisms governing the entry of birch pollen to the region.European Commission European Commission Joint Research Centre ENV4-CT98-0755Spanish GovernmentEuropean Commission CGL2004-21166-E CGL2005-07543/CLI CGL2009-11205 CGL2012-39523-C02-01/CLI CGL2012-39523-C02-02 CGL2016-75996-R CTM2017-89565-C2-1 CTM2017-89565-C2-2 CSD 2007-00067Diputacio de TarragonaSociedad Espanola de Alergologia e Inmunologia Clinica (SEAIC)Laboratorios LETI PHARMASocietat Catalana d'Allergia i Immunologia Clinica (SCAIC)J Uriach y CompaniaMaria de Maeztu Programme for Units of Excellence of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation CEX2019-000940-MCatalan Government 2005SGR00519 2009SGR1102 2017SGR169

Association between Eruption Sequence of Posterior Teeth, Dental Crowding, Arch Dimensions, Incisor Inclination, and Skeletal Growth Pattern

Background: We conducted research to investigate the effects of the eruption sequence of posterior teeth, arch dimensions, and incisor inclination on dental crowding. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional analytic study was performed on 100 patients (54 boys and 46 girls; mean ages: 11.69 and 11.16 years, respectively). Seq1 (canine-3-/second premolar-5-) or Seq2 (5/3) eruption sequences were recorded in maxilla, and Seq3 (canine-3-/first premolar-4-) or Seq4 (4/3) eruption sequences in mandible; tooth size, available space, tooth size-arch length discrepancy (TS-ALD), arch lengths, incisor inclination and distance, and skeletal relationship were noted. Results: The most common eruption sequences in the maxilla and mandible were Seq1 (50.6%), and Seq3 (52.1%), respectively. In the maxilla, posterior tooth sizes were larger in crowded cases. In the mandible, anterior and posterior tooth sizes were larger in crowded patients. No relationship between incisor variables and the maxillo-mandibular relationship and dental crowding was found. A negative correlation between inferior TS-ALD and the mandibular plane was found. Conclusions: Seq1 and Seq 2 in the maxilla and Seq 3 and Seq 4 in the mandible were equally prevalent. An eruption sequence of 3–5 in the maxilla and 3–4 in the mandible is more likely to cause crowding.BIOCRAN (Craniofacial Biology, Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics) Research GroupDepartment of Clinical Spaecialties (DECO), University Complutense of Madri

Exploring Impact of Rare Variation in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus by a Genome Wide Imputation Approach

The importance of low frequency and rare variation in complex disease genetics is difficult to estimate in patient populations. Genome-wide association studies are therefore, underpowered to detect rare variation. We have used a combined approach of genome-wide-based imputation with a highly stringent sequence kernel association (SKAT) test and a case-control burden test. We identified 98 candidate genes containing rare variation that in aggregate show association with SLE many of which have recognized immunological function, but also function and expression related to relevant tissues such as the joints, skin, blood or central nervous system. In addition we also find that there is a significant enrichment of genes annotated for disease-causingmutations in the OMIM database, suggesting that in complex diseases such as SLE, such mutations may be involved in subtle or combined phenotypes or could accelerate specific organ abnormalities found in the disease. We here provide an important resource of candidate genes for SLE

Application of a source-receptor model to determine source areas of pollen in Catalonia (NE Spain)

In this study we characterize the long-range transport of allergenic pollen to the North East of Spain. To this end, cluster analysis of back-trajectories and a source-receptor model was applied to a dataset of 10 years of airborne monitoring data corresponding to the period 2000-2009. The aim of the study is to examine and interpret the main transport routes and source areas affecting levels in Catalonia for a total of 20 pollen types. The cluster analysis of trajectories revealed that trajectories entering to the region by East France represent well the long distant transport of some taxa which are scarce in the Catalan territory or present only in limited areas (Ambrosia, Betula, Corylus and Fagus) together with other common in Catalonia (Fraxinus, Quercus deciduous type and Pistacia) showing agreement with the source areas obtained from the source-receptor methodology: Whereas, for taxa with local/regional sources (Artemisia, Castanea, total Poaceae, Plantago, total Polygonaceae, Olea, total Quercus and Quercus evergreen type) with high concentration levels associated to situations of recirculation over the Iberian Peninsula, the source-receptor model did not show reliable source regions.Peer Reviewe

WeMO effects on the amount and the chemistry of winter precipitation in the north-eastern Iberian Peninsula

The cluster classification of provenances at a site in the NE Iberian Peninsula indicated that in the period of extended winter (December to March, DJFM) fast Atlantic air flows correspond to positive WeMO index (WeMOi), while negative WeMOi are associated to Mediterranean circulations. The amount of winter precipitation was inversely correlated with winter WeMOi. Wet deposition fluxes of marine-derived (Na+, Mg2+ and Cl) and anthropogenic-derived (NO3 and K+) ions were significantly (and negatively) related to winter WeMOi. The negative phase of WeMO causes the entry of air masses from the Mediterranean into the Iberian Peninsula, that are enriched with marine ions. For NO3 this result suggests the advection over the Mediterranean of polluted air masses from southern Europe and the scavenging and deposition of this pollution by rain during WeMO negative phases. This will carry long-range pollutants to the NE Iberian Peninsula, but local pollutants may also contribute, as precipitation events from the Mediterranean (associated to negative WeMOi) may incorporate local anthropogenic emissions that build up during the winter anticyclonic episodes typical of the region.Postprint (published version

Patrons de transport atmosfèric i tendències en la química de la precipitació del Montseny

L’objectiu d’aquest estudi és interpretar els canvis de la química de la pluja dels últims vint-i-cinc anys al Montseny. Els mètodes d’anàlisi estadístic de trajectòries (TSMs) indiquen que en el período 1984-1993 els contaminants antropogènics (SO42–,H+ i NO3–) que es dipositaven al Montseny procedien principalment de l’Europa Central i Oriental. La disminució significativa de les concentracions de SO4 2– i H+ reflecteix la reducció de les emissions de sofre al centre d’Europa. En el período 1998-2009, l’origen de SO42–, H+ i NO3– es pot atribuir al trànsit marítim al mar del Nord i als països de l’est d’Europa i el nord d’Àfrica.Postprint (published version

Promoting teacher competencies towards sustainability conducted through STEAM interventions in IndagaSTEAM Escuela Project.

Education improves constantly, so lifelong learning and continuing education/professional development are a way of being updated on almost every innovative knowledge approach and learning strategy. STEM education contributes to scaffold a holistic educational framework curriculum. In this line, to establish School Culture supporting STEM education is relevant to foster an education reform at all levels. Place-based learning STEM approach in real-life contexts provides school subjects meaningful elements either for teachers/professors or students. Furthermore, when implementing constructivist teaching-learning approach, problem-based learning, and connections with real world items in the classroom, STEM approach is very efficient, specially using inquiry-based strategies. However, STEM Education goal refers to a holistic integration of STEM areas across the curriculum, although it seems to lack specific scientific literature related to how STEM acronym (and disciplines) should be implemented, because the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. IndagaSTEAM Escuela Project is an experience to promote transfer of learning for students during their teacher training at schools -for compulsory education- to develop students' key competencies, conducted through cooperation between schools and universities by mentoring interventions. The Project program considers the following points: a) Teacher/Student centered approach, b) A curricula reform, new organizational system and new teaching materials, c) HE & School projects implementing inquiry-based learning and place-based learning, d) Teaching and activities selection and design for Professionals and Students, and e) Activity impact evaluation to aim the goal. The program professional development of participants (teachers) is mainly focused on empowering and motivating learners to become active sustainability citizens, fostering critical thinking, and participating in shaping a sustainable future.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Are the Pyrenees a barrier for the transport of birch (Betula) pollen from Central Europe to the Iberian Peninsula?

This work provides a first assessment of the possible barrier effect of the Pyrenees on the atmospheric transport of airborne pollen from Europe to the North of the Iberian Peninsula. Aerobiological data recorded in three Spanish stations located at the eastern, central and western base of the Pyrenees in the period 2004–2014 have been used to identify the possible long range transport episodes of Betula pollen. The atmospheric transport routes and the origin regions have been established by means of trajectory analysis and a source receptor model. Betula pollen outbreaks were associated with the meteorological scenario characterized by the presence of a high-pressure system overm over Morocco and Southern Iberian Peninsula. France and Central Europe have been identified as the probable source areas of Betula pollen that arrives to Northern Spain. However, the specific source areas are mainly determined by the particular prevailing atmospheric circulation of each location. Finally, the Weather Research and Forecasting model highlighted the effect of the orography on the atmospheric transport patterns, showing paths through the western and easternmost lowlands for Vitoria-Gasteiz and Bellaterra respectively, and the direct impact of air flows over Vielha through the Garona valley.Peer ReviewedPreprin