Biotic and Human Vulnerability to Projected Changes in Ocean Biogeochemistry over the 21st Century

Mora, Camilo ... et al.-- 14 pages, 6 figures, 1 tableOngoing greenhouse gas emissions can modify climate processes and induce shifts in ocean temperature, pH, oxygen concentration, and productivity, which in turn could alter biological and social systems. Here, we provide a synoptic global assessment of the simultaneous changes in future ocean biogeochemical variables over marine biota and their broader implications for people. We analyzed modern Earth System Models forced by greenhouse gas concentration pathways until 2100 and showed that the entire world's ocean surface will be simultaneously impacted by varying intensities of ocean warming, acidification, oxygen depletion, or shortfalls in productivity. In contrast, only a small fraction of the world's ocean surface, mostly in polar regions, will experience increased oxygenation and productivity, while almost nowhere will there be ocean cooling or pH elevation. We compiled the global distribution of 32 marine habitats and biodiversity hotspots and found that they would all experience simultaneous exposure to changes in multiple biogeochemical variables. This superposition highlights the high risk for synergistic ecosystem responses, the suite of physiological adaptations needed to cope with future climate change, and the potential for reorganization of global biodiversity patterns. If co-occurring biogeochemical changes influence the delivery of ocean goods and services, then they could also have a considerable effect on human welfare. Approximately 470 to 870 million of the poorest people in the world rely heavily on the ocean for food, jobs, and revenues and live in countries that will be most affected by simultaneous changes in ocean biogeochemistry. These results highlight the high risk of degradation of marine ecosystems and associated human hardship expected in a future following current trends in anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. © 2013 Mora et al.Peer Reviewe

Análisis estadístico de la litigiosidad experimentada en el Tribunal Económico Administrativo Regional de Cataluña (1990-2000)

En el informe que a continuación se detalla, se da noticia de la conflictividad observada en el TEAR de Cataluña durante la década de los noventa. En él se lleva a cabo un análisis cuantitativo y cualitativo sobre la gestión realizada por el citado centro

Análisis estadístico de la litigiosidad en los Tribunales de Justicia. Jurisdicción contencioso administrativa (período 1990/2000)

El presente trabajo contiene un estudio descriptivo sobre la litigiosidad observada en los Tribunales jurisdiccionales durante la década de los noventa. Su ámbito se circunscribe exclusívamente a la Jurisdicción Contencioso-Administrativa (Sección IV)

Heart Failure Monitoring System Based on Wearable and Information Technologies

In Europe, Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) are the leading source of death, causing 45% of all deceases. Besides, Heart Failure, the paradigm of CVD, mainly affects people older than 65. In the current aging society, the European MyHeart Project was created, whose mission is to empower citizens to fight CVD by leading a preventive lifestyle and being able to be diagnosed at an early stage. This paper presents the development of a Heart Failure Management System, based on daily monitoring of Vital Body Signals, with wearable and mobile technologies, for the continuous assessment of this chronic disease. The System makes use of the latest technologies for monitoring heart condition, both with wearable garments (e.g. for measuring ECG and Respiration); and portable devices (such as Weight Scale and Blood Pressure Cuff) both with Bluetooth capabilitie

Microstructural and XRD analysis and study of the properties of the system Ti-TiAl-B4C processed under different operational conditions

High specific modulus materials are considered excellent for the aerospace industry. The system Ti-TiAl-B4C is presented herein as an alternative material. Secondary phases formed in situ during fabrication vary depending on the processing conditions and composition of the starting materials. The final behaviors of these materials are therefore difficult to predict. This research focuses on the study of the system Ti-TiAl-B4C, whereby relations between microstructure and properties can be predicted in terms of the processing parameters of the titanium matrix composites (TMCs). The powder metallurgy technique employed to fabricate the TMCs was that of inductive hot pressing (iHP) since it offers versatility and flexibility. The short processing time employed (5 min) was set in order to test the temperature as a major factor of influence in the secondary reactions. The pressure was also varied. In order to perform this research, not only were X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses performed, but also microstructural characterization through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Significant results showed that there was an inflection temperature from which the trend to form secondary compounds depended on the starting material used. Hence, the addition of TiAl as an elementary blend or as prealloyed powder played a significant role in the final behavior of the TMCs fabricated, where the prealloyed TiAl provides a better precursor of the formation of the reinforcement phases from 1100 °C regardless of the pressur

Medical discourse and municipal policy on prostitution : Palma 1862-1900

During the 19th century, prostitution aroused strong emotions in most European cities. Palma de Mallorca was no exception and, in common with many Spanish cities at that time, regulated this activity. The objectives of this paper are to analyze the Mallorcan medical discourse on syphilis, evaluate the concept of venereal disease as social stigma and, finally, examine municipal policy on prostitution

The Arnold conjecture for singular symplectic manifolds

In this article, we study the Hamiltonian dynamics on singular symplectic manifolds and prove the Arnold conjecture for a large class of bm-symplectic manifolds. More precisely, we prove a lower bound on the number 1-periodic Hamiltonian orbits for b2m-symplectic manifolds depending only on the topology of the manifold. Moreover, for bm-symplectic surfaces, we improve the lower bound depending on the topology of the pair (M, Z). We then venture into the study of Floer homology to this singular realm and we conclude with a list of open questions.Preprin

Sistemas de gestión para la renovación de recetas médicas: estrategia para optimizar su utilización

ResumenObjetivoMejorar el cumplimiento de los pacientes con el sistema de medicación repetida. Evaluar los motivos de impuntualidad en la recogida de las recetas y su relación con el incumplimiento terapéutico declarado por el mismo paciente.DiseñoEstudio de intervención cuasiexperimental antes-después con grupo control.EmplazamientoCentro de atención primaria que atiende a una población de 62.981 habitantes.ParticipantesPacientes con enfermedades crónicas incluidos en el sistema de gestión de medicación repetida (100 en el grupo control y 100 en el grupo intervención) que son impuntuales al recoger las recetas.IntervencionesSesión informativa-educativa consistente en una breve entrevista con la farmacéutica del centro de atención primaria, en la que se educaba al usuario en el cumplimiento del sistema de medicación repetida y del tratamiento, se identificaban los motivos de impuntualidad y se realizaba el test de Morisky-Green.Mediciones principalesPuntualidad de los pacientes en las recogidas de recetas posteriores a la intervención. Motivo de impuntualidad en la recogida de reclutamiento. Cumplimiento terapéutico según el test de Morisky-Green.ResultadosGlobalmente se obtuvo una mejora absoluta de la puntualidad del 17% en el grupo intervención (el 60% de los pacientes del grupo intervención y el 43% del grupo control fueron puntuales tanto en la primera como en la segunda recogida de seguimiento). Las mujeres del grupo intervención fueron más puntuales. No se observaron diferencias por edad, número de medicamentos o motivo de impuntualidad.ConclusionesEs posible mejorar el cumplimiento de los pacientes con el sistema de medicación repetida mediante una sencilla intervención informativa-educativa.AbstractObjectiveTo improve patient compliance with a repeat prescription system. To evaluate the reasons for not being punctual in collecting prescriptions and the non-compliance declared by the patients themselves.DesignQuasi-experimental study before and after intervention including a control group.SettingPrimary health care centre which serves a population of 62,981 inhabitants.ParticipantsPatients with chronic diseases included in the repeat prescription management system (100 in the control group and 100 in the intervention group) who were unpunctual in collecting their prescriptions.InterventionsAn informative-educational session consisting of a short interview with the pharmacist from Primary Health Care Centre, in which the patient was educated on compliance of the repeat prescription system and treatment. The reasons for the unpunctuality were identified and the Moriskey-Green test was performed.Main measurementsPunctuality of the patients in collecting their prescriptions after the intervention. Reasons for unpunctuality recorded at recruitment. Therapeutic compliance according to the Moriskey-Green test.ResultsThere was an overall absolute improvement of 17% in punctuality in the intervention group (60% of the patients in the intervention group and 43% in the control group were punctual in the first as well as in the second follow up. Women were more punctual in the intervention group. There were no differences seen due to age, number of medications or reason for unpunctuality.ConclusionsIt is possible to improve patient compliance with the prescription renewal system using a simple informative-educational intervention

Designing Human-friendly Cities

Designing human-friendly cities

Spectroscopic properties of stars with debris discs

The question of the origin and evolution of planetary systems is of fundamental importance for astrophysics. Dusty debris discs are signatures of planetary systems and, therefore, constitute valuable tools to provide new light in our understanding of how planetary systems form and evolve. We present the first results of a spectroscopic programme of a sample of stars with debris discs. High-resolution echelle spectra are used to determine metallicities and abundances. Properties of stars with debris discs, are compared with those of stars hosting planets, as well as 'normal' starsThis work was supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN), Plan Nacional de Astronomía y Astrofísica, under grant AYA2008-0172