La dimensión ambiental de las relaciones internacionales

Conferencia de Dª Cristina Narbona, ministra de Medio Ambiente, en el Real Instituto Elcano el 12 de septiembre de 2006

La prevención del cambio climático: ¿Límites tecnológicos o políticos?

Los científicos investigan, desde hace varias décadas, la influencia de la actividad humana sobre la evolución del clima, así como las consecuencias previsibles del creciente calentamiento del planeta. A pesar de que los resultados de dichas investigaciones han sido cada vez más concluyentes —y hoy día puede afirmarse que existe un amplio consenso en la comunidad científica en esta materia—, la gran mayoría de los gobiernos y de las empresas sigue sin tomarse suficientemente en serio la urgencia de prevenir el cambio climático. Ni siquiera la evidencia de la subida de la temperatura media del planeta durante la última década del siglo XX —la más calurosa de los ¡ últimos mil años—, ni el espectacular incremento de los fenómenos metereológicos extremos huracanes, inundaciones sequías...— han conseguido cuestionar el tópico todavía dominante, según el cual para limitar las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero habría que asumir costes económicos y sociales inabordables en términos políticos y empresariales. Por supuesto, la ¡ afirmación anterior tiene carácter general, ya que determinados países —en particular de la Unión Europea— y algunas grandes empresas han emprendido ya actuaciones desde una visión integral y de largo plazo, que exige cambios en el modelo de desarrollo hasta ahora predominante. Pero la obstinación de la Administración de Bush, que se niega a aceptar los compromisos derivados del ¡ protocolo de Kioto, así como la ausencia de cualquier esfuerzo riguroso en buena parte de los países desarrollados —entre los que, lamentablemente, destaca la situación de España— y la presión de potentes intereses económicos, condiciona negativamente nuestras previsiones. En la presentem exposición argumentativa, se intenta poner en valor los avances tecnológicos y las medidas políticas y empresariales más favorables para la prevención del cambio climático, y se analiza la evolución registrada en España, así como las perspectivas más inmediatas

Thermal 3D CFD Simulation with Active Transparent Façade in Buildings

In recent years active façades have acquired greater importance given their capacity to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. One such type is the so-called Active Transparent Façade (ATF). A 3D numerical model based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the Finite Element Method (FEM) has been generated to simulate the thermal performance of buildings equipped with this type of façade. This model is introduced for general application and allows the design parameters to be adapted for this system. The case study of Le Corbusier’s proposal for the City of Refuge in Paris, the clearest example of previous use of an ATF is examined. In addition, a proposal is presented for the energy improvement of Le Corbusier’s original solution. In order to do so, the conditions for the supply of air into the ATF cavity and in the mechanical ventilation system are assessed to guarantee comfort conditions

Thermal 3D CFD Simulation with Active Transparent Façade in Buildings

In recent years active façades have acquired greater importance given their capacity to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. One such type is the so-called Active Transparent Façade (ATF). A 3D numerical model based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the Finite Element Method (FEM) has been generated to simulate the thermal performance of buildings equipped with this type of façade. This model is introduced for general application and allows the design parameters to be adapted for this system. The case study of Le Corbusier’s proposal for the City of Refuge in Paris, the clearest example of previous use of an ATF is examined. In addition, a proposal is presented for the energy improvement of Le Corbusier’s original solution. In order to do so, the conditions for the supply of air into the ATF cavity and in the mechanical ventilation system are assessed to guarantee comfort conditions

The role of phenotypic plasticity in shaping ecological networks

Plasticity-mediated changes in interaction dynamics and structure may scale up and affect the ecological network in which the plastic species are embedded. Despite their potential relevance for understanding the effects of plasticity on ecological communities, these effects have seldom been analysed. We argue here that, by boosting the magnitude of intra-individual phenotypic variation, plasticity may have three possible direct effects on the interactions that the plastic species maintains with other species in the community: may expand the interaction niche, may cause a shift from one interaction niche to another or may even cause the colonization of a new niche. The combined action of these three factors can scale to the community level and eventually expresses itself as a modification in the topology and functionality of the entire ecological network. We propose that this causal pathway can be more widespread than previously thought and may explain how interaction niches evolve quickly in response to rapid changes in environmental conditions. The implication of this idea is not solely eco-evolutionary but may also help to understand how ecological interactions rewire and evolve in response to global changeJunta de Andalucía, Grant/Award Number: P18-FR- 3641Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and UniversitiesGrant/Award Number: PID2020-116222GB- 100PID2021-126456N

Phenotypic plasticity guides Moricandia arvensis divergence and convergence across the Brassicaceae floral morphospace

Authors thank Raquel Sánchez, Angel Caravantes, Isabel Sánchez Almazo, María José Jorquera, and Iván Rodríguez Arós for helping us during several phases of the study. We also thank all contributors to the pollinator database (Table  S1 ) for kindly sending us unpublished information on Brassicaceae floral visitors. This research is supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (CGL2015‐63827‐P, CGL2017‐86626‐C2‐1‐P, CGL2017‐86626‐C2‐2‐P, UNGR15‐CE‐3315), Junta de Andalucía (P18‐FR‐3641, IE19_238 EEZA CSIC), LIFE18 GIE/IT/000755, and Xunta de Galicia (CITACA), including EU FEDER funds. This is a contribution to the Research Unit Modeling Nature, funded by the Consejería de Economía, Conocimiento, Empresas y Universidad, and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), reference SOMM17/6109/UGR.Many flowers exhibit phenotypic plasticity. By inducing the production of several phenotypes, plasticity may favour the rapid exploration of different regions of the floral morphospace. We investigated how plasticity drives Moricandia arvensis, a species displaying within-individual floral polyphenism, across the floral morphospace of the entire Brassicaceae family. We compiled the multidimensional floral phenotype, the phylogenetic relationships, and the pollination niche of over 3000 species to construct a family-wide floral morphospace. We assessed the disparity between the two M. arvensis floral morphs (as the distance between the phenotypic spaces occupied by each morph) and compared it with the family-wide disparity. We measured floral divergence by comparing disparity with the most common ancestor, and estimated the convergence of each floral morph with other species belonging to the same pollination niches. Moricandia arvensis exhibits a plasticity-mediated floral disparity greater than that found between species, genera and tribes. The novel phenotype of M. arvensis moves outside the region occupied by its ancestors and relatives, crosses into a new region where it encounters a different pollination niche, and converges with distant Brassicaceae lineages. Our study suggests that phenotypic plasticity favours floral divergence and rapid appearance of convergent flowers, a process which facilitates the evolution of generalist pollination systems.CITACAConsejería de Economía, Conocimiento, Empresas y UniversidadMinisterio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades UNGR15‐CE‐3315European Regional Development FundXunta de GaliciaJunta de Andalucía IE19_238 EEZA CSIC, LIFE18 GIE/IT/00075

Stability of petal color polymorphism: the significance of anthocyanin accumulation in photosynthetic tissues

Background: Anthocyanins are the primary source of colour in flowers and also accumulate in vegetative tissues, where they have multiple protective roles traditionally attributed to early compounds of the metabolic pathway (flavonols, flavones, etc.). Petal-specific loss of anthocyanins in petals allows plants to escape from the negative pleiotropic effects of flavonoid and anthocyanins loss in vegetative organs, where they perform a plethora of essential functions. Herein, we investigate the degree of pleiotropy at the biochemical scale in a pink-white flower colour polymorphism in the shore campion, Silene littorea. We report the frequencies of pink and white individuals across 21 populations and underlying biochemical profiles of three flower colour variants: anthocyanins present in all tissues (pink petals), petal-specific loss of anthocyanins (white petals), and loss of anthocyanins in all tissues (white petals). Results: Individuals lacking anthocyanins only in petals represent a stable polymorphism in two populations at the northern edge of the species range (mean frequency 8–21%). Whereas, individuals lacking anthocyanins in the whole plant were found across the species range, yet always at very low frequencies (\u3c 1%). Biochemically, the flavonoids detected were anthocyanins and flavones; in pigmented individuals, concentrations of flavones were 14–56x higher than anthocyanins across tissues with differences of \u3e 100x detected in leaves. Loss of anthocyanin pigmentation, either in petals or in the whole plant, does not influence the ability of these phenotypes to synthesize flavones, and this pattern was congruent among all sampled populations. Conclusions: We found that all colour variants showed similar flavone profiles, either in petals or in the whole plant, and only the flower colour variant with anthocyanins in photosynthetic tissues persists as a stable flower colour polymorphism. These findings suggest that anthocyanins in photosynthetic tissues, not flavonoid intermediates, are the targets of non-pollinator mediated selection

Test de escucha dicótica para niños hispanohablantes: validación de unas nuevas series de pares de palabras y de sílabas en castellano

Introducción. El test de escucha dicótica verbal (TED) estima la dominancia hemisférica cerebral para el lenguaje. Objetivo. Validar ocho nuevas series dicóticas para niños castellanohablantes. Sujetos y métodos. Hay un grupo de referencia estratificado, con 40 niños diestros de 3,5 a 7,5 años, de ambos sexos, normohablantes del castellano, y un grupo clínico de 12 niños con parálisis cerebral hemiparética derecha, inteligencia media e índice superior a –2z en una prueba de repetición de frases. Cada serie dicótica opone 20 pares de palabras, números o sílabas, o trenes de dos o tres números o sílabas, con proporción equilibrada de consonantes sonoras y sordas, duración y acento. Con el número de respuestas, bajo atención libre, desde los oídos derecho e izquierdo, se calcula el índice de lateralización (IL) hemisférica. Se contrastan las series más adecuadas con arreglo a la edad. Resultados. Con un rango de 0 a 200, los IL ≥ 112 indican dominancia hemisférica izquierda, mientras que los IL ≤ 88 señalan dominancia del hemisferio derecho. En cada niño del grupo de referencia, se constata dominancia hemisférica izquierda para el lenguaje, sin influencia de la edad ni del sexo. En cambio, 10 de 12 (83%) sujetos del grupo clínico presentan dominancia hemisférica derecha. Esta doble disociación muestra la validez de nuestras series en una primera estimación de la dominancia cerebral para el lenguaje. Conclusiones. Las series de pares dicóticos en castellano aquí presentadas son válidas para estimar la dominancia hemis- férica para el lenguaje en niños, utilizando el TED bajo atención libre

Within-individual phenotypic plasticity in flowers fosters pollination niche shift

Phenotypic plasticity, the ability of a genotype of producing different phenotypes when exposed to different environments, may impact ecological interactions. We study here how within-individual plasticity in Moricandia arvensis flowers modifies its pollination niche. During spring, this plant produces large, cross-shaped, UV-reflecting lilac flowers attracting mostly long-tongued large bees. However, unlike most co-occurring species, M. arvensis keeps flowering during the hot, dry summer due to its plasticity in key vegetative traits. Changes in temperature and photoperiod in summer trigger changes in gene expression and the production of small, rounded, UV-absorbing white flowers that attract a different assemblage of generalist pollinators. This shift in pollination niche potentially allows successful reproduction in harsh conditions, facilitating M. arvensis to face anthropogenic perturbations and climate change.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad | Ref. CGL2015-71634-PMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad | Ref. CGL2015-63827-PAgencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. CGL2017-86626-C2-1-PAgencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. CGL2017-86626-C2-2-PMinisterio de Economía y Competitividadd | Ref. UNGR15-CE-3315Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad | Ref. RYC-2012-12277Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad | Ref. UNGR15-CE-3315Junta de Andalucía | Ref. P18-FR-3641Fundación BBVA | Ref. PR17_ECO_0021Xunta de Galici

A Multitrait Genetic Study of Hemostatic Factors and Hemorrhagic Transformation after Stroke Treatment

BACKGROUND: Thrombolytic recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA) treatment is the only pharmacologic intervention available in the ischemic stroke acute phase. This treatment is associated with an increased risk of intracerebral hemorrhages, known as hemorrhagic transformations (HTs), which worsen the patient\u27s prognosis. OBJECTIVES: to investigate the association between genetically determined natural hemostatic factors\u27 levels and increased risk of HT after r-tPA treatment. METHODS: Using data from genome-wide association studies on the risk of HT after r-tPA treatment and data on 7 hemostatic factors (factor [F]VII, FVIII, von Willebrand factor [VWF], FXI, fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and tissue plasminogen activator), we performed local and global genetic correlation estimation multitrait analyses and colocalization and 2-sample Mendelian randomization analyses between hemostatic factors and HT. RESULTS: Local correlations identified a genomic region on chromosome 16 with shared covariance: fibrinogen-HT, P = 2.45 × 10 CONCLUSION: We identified 4 shared loci between hemostatic factors and HT after r-tPA treatment, suggesting common regulatory mechanisms between fibrinogen and VWF levels and HT. Further research to determine a possible mediating effect of fibrinogen on HT risk is needed