Relevance of the mineralogical characterisation of serpentinites for their use as dimension stone: an example from Galicia, Spain

[EN]Workers carrying out actions involving potential hazards, like mining and quarrying, can be subject to health issues derived from those activities. The case of asbestosis has generated an alarm in the society. Natural stones are very different from each other and generalisation can cause, first an unwanted alarm, and secondly a big economic crisis in the sector of the natural stone, as it has happened before with other health issues related to exploitation and use of natural stone in architecture. This paper highlights the need for an appropriate mineralogical characterization of rocks of economic interest, such as serpentinites, to protect mining workers of health issues derived from fibrous minerals content. We have studied the possible presence of fibrous minerals in samples of serpentinites from an abandoned quarry in Galicia (North Western Spain) to consider the viability of its re-opening based on the Spanish health and safety regulations applicable to jobs at risk of exposure to asbestos. From our study, it can be concluded that there is a scarce amount of fibrous phases, pending on further studies to differentiate such fibrous minerals, and therefore the reopening of the serpentinite quarry should not be a health problem for the workers

The Importance of Preserving Small Heritage Sites: the Case of La Tuiza Sanctuary (Zamora, Spain).

[EN]For centuries, granite has been one of the most widely used natural stones for building heritage, especially in the north of the Iberian Peninsula. The sanctuary of La Tuiza in Lubian (Zamora, northwest of Spain), built with Calabor granite, dates from the eighteenth century and was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1995. The heritage importance of this site lies in its location, on the Sanabria route (Silver Route) of the Way of St James (Camino de Santiago), attracting visitors from all over the world. This work presents the complete characterisation of the building stone of both the monument and the original quarry and the qualitative description of the main pathologies that have been detected. The capillary water absorption coefficient is twice the value in the sanctuary compared to the quarry; the open porosity, water absorption at atmospheric pressure and sound speed propagation are slightly higher, and the compressive strength value is lower in the stones of the building. These differences reveal the incipient decay processes. In terms of pathologies, biological colonisation is scattered throughout the building, affecting the north face more intensely, and on the exterior, scaling is observed on the west face. Inside the sanctuary, deterioration is related to humidity due to capillary water infiltration, which causes conspicuous stains, efflorescence and biological colonisation in the western sidewalls. The authors recommend that measures be taken to prevent further deterioration and to protect this small site in order to maintain the cultural heritage linked to the local community.GIR CHARROCK The research was conducted in the frame of the European Region Development Funding (FEDER) to the Territorial Service of Culture and Tourism of Zamora, Junta de Castilla y Leon (Regional Government)

The decline in volatility in the US economy. A historical perspective

In this paper, we analyse the volatility of US GDP growth using quarterly series starting in 1875. We find structural breaks in volatility at the end of World War II and at the beginning of the Great Moderation period. We show that the Great Moderation volatility reduction is only linked to changes in expansions, whereas that after World War II is due to changes in both expansions and recessions. We also propose several methodologies to date the US business cycle in this long period. We find that taking volatility into account improves the characterization of the business cycle

The Great Moderation in historical perspective. Is it that great?

La Gran Moderación (GM) es un fenómeno ampliamente documentado en la literatura y se considera uno de los cambios más importantes en el ciclo económico de Estados Unidos. Todos los trabajos que la analizan usan datos posteriores a la II Guerra Mundial (II-GM), mientras que en este documento la GM se examina, por primera vez, en perspectiva histórica (desde 1875). Este período incluye cambios seculares en la estructura económica y una reducción sustancial de la volatilidad del PIB. Se detectan de forma robusta dos rupturas estructurales en volatilidad, que se localizan al final de la II-GM y en torno a 1984, lo que confirma la existencia de la GM al considerar una perspectiva de largo plazo. Además, se muestra que la naturaleza de la reducción en la volatilidad asociada a la GM está únicamente vinculada a las características de los períodos de expansión. Adicionalmente, se realiza un datado del ciclo económico de Estados Unidos en el largo plazo utilizando diferentes metodologías y se detecta que la volatilidad juega un papel primordial en la definición del ciclo económico, lo que tiene consecuencias muy relevantes para los económetras y forecastersThe Great Moderation (GM) is widely documented in the literature as one of the most important changes in the US business cycle. All the papers that analyze it use post-WWII data. In this paper, we set the GM for the first time against a long-dated historical backdrop, stretching back a century and a half, which includes secular changes in the economic structure and a substantial reduction of output volatility. We find two robust structural breaks in volatility at the end of WWII and in the mid-eighties, showing that the GM still holds in the longer perspective. Furthermore, we show that GM volatility reduction is only linked to expansion features. We also date the US business cycle in the long run, finding that volatility plays a primary role in the definition of the business cycle, which has important consequences for econometricians and forecaster

Dissecting US recoveries

En este trabajo, se propone un conjunto de medidas cuantitativas para capturar de forma más precisa las características de las recuperaciones económicas. Estas medidas se aplican a la economía de Estados Unidos, con datos posteriores a la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Un análisis clúster permite determinar la existencia de dos tipos diferentes de expansiones en Estados Unidos. Las recuperaciones anteriores a la Gran Moderación son claramente diferentes de las posterioresWe propose a set of new quantitative measures to characterise more fully the features of economic recoveries. We apply these measures to post-war US expansions and use cluster analysis to determine that there are two different types of recoveries in recent US economic history, with most expansions before 1984 (Great Moderation) looking quite different from those afte

The two greatest : great recession vs. great moderation

Muchos autores han concluido que la Gran Recesión representa el fi nal de la Gran Moderación de los años ochenta y noventa. Este trabajo, con un minucioso análisis de los datos, muestra que esto no es cierto. La volatilidad del PIB permanece moderada a pesar del tumulto generado por la Gran Recesión. Este resultado tiene importantes implicaciones de política económica porque una menor volatilidad del PIB (la característica principal de la Gran Moderación) se puede asociar con recuperaciones más lentasMany have argued that the Great Recession of 2008 marked the end of the Great Moderation of the eighties and nineties. Through painstaking empirical analysis of the data, this paper shows this is not the case. Output volatility remains subdued despite the turmoil created by the Great Recession. This finding has important implications for policymaking since lower output volatility (the hallmark of the Great Moderation) is associated with weaker recoverie

Wisconsin card sorting test-learning potential: Usefulness for assessing children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Gómez-Pérez, M. M., Mata, S., Serrano, F., & Calero, M. D. (2020). Wisconsin card sorting test-learning potential: Usefulness for assessing children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50, 4230-4242, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04488-2 This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04488-2This study analyzes the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test-Learning Potential (WCST-LP) in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) versus children with typical development (TD). Its main aim was to assess: the test’s construct validity; the effect of IQ on its pretest and LP scores; and whether the WCST-LP held any relationship to cognitive/EF and social abili- ties. Participants were 105 children (43 with ASD/62 with TD). Results showed evidence of construct validity in an ASD population (improvements from pretest to posttest), that full IQ influenced pretest performance but did not affect LP, and that a relationship between LP and verbal and social abilities existed only in children with ASD. Conclusions indicate the appropriateness of the WCST-LP in ASD prognosis assessment.The research reported in this paper is funded by the Junta de Andalucía (HUM-129 & HUM-820), and the Research project (Excel- lence call, 2012) [P12-SEJ-560

Study of the fetal and maternal microbiota in pregnant women with intrauterine growth restriction and its relationship with inflammatory biomarkers: A case-control study protocol (SPIRIT compliant)

In general terms, fetal growth restriction (FGR) is considered the impossibility of achieving the genetically determined potential size. In the vast majority of cases, it is related to uteroplacental insufficiency. Although its origin remains unknown and causes are only known in 30% of cases, it is believed to be related to an interaction of environmental and genetic factors with either a fetal or maternal origin. One hypothesis is that alterations in the gastrointestinal microbiota composition, and thus alteration in the immune response, could play a role in FGR development. We performed an observational, prospective study in a subpopulation affected with FGR to elucidate the implications of this microbiota on the FGR condition. A total of 63 fetuses with FGR diagnosed in the third trimester as defined by the Delphi consensus, and 63 fetuses with fetal growth appropriate for gestational age will be recruited. Obstetric and nutritional information will be registered by means of specific questionnaires. We will collect maternal fecal samples between 30 to 36 weeks, intrapartum samples (maternal feces, maternal and cord blood) and postpartum samples (meconium and new-born feces at 6 weeks of life). Samples will be analyzed in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Nutrition and Food Technology Institute of the University of Granada (UGR), for the determination of the gastrointestinal microbiota composition and its relationship with inflammatory biomarkers. This study will contribute to a better understanding of the influence of gastrointestinal microbiota and related inflammatory biomarkers in the development of FGR. Trial registration: NCT04047966. Registered August 7, 2019, during the recruitment stage. Retrospectively registered. Ongoing research. Keywords: fetal growth restriction, gastrointestinal microbiota, inflammatory biomarker

Proteomics in drug hypersensitivity

21 p.-4 fig.-1 tab.Drug hypersensitivity reactions result from the activation of the immune system by drugs or their metabolites. The clinical presentations of drug hypersensitivity can range from relatively mild local manifestations to severe systemic syndromes that can be life-threatening. As in other allergic reactions, the causes are multifactorial as genetic, metabolic and concomitant factors may influence the occurrence of drug hypersensitivity. Formation of drug protein adducts is considered a key step in drug adverse reactions, and in particular in the immunological recognition in drug hypersensitivity reactions. Nevertheless, non-covalent interactions of drugs with receptors in immune cells or with MHC clefts and/or exposed peptides can also play an important role. In recent years, development of proteomic approaches has allowed the identification and characterization of the protein targets for modification by drugs in vivo and in vitro, the nature of peptides exposed on MHC molecules, the changes in protein levels induced by drug treatment, and the concomitant modifications induced by danger signals, thus providing insight into context factors. Nevertheless, given the complexity and multifactorial nature of drug hypersensitivity reactions, understanding the underlying mechanisms also requires the integration of knowledge from genomic, metabolomic and clinical studies.This work has been supported by grants SAF2012-36519 and SAF2015-68590R from MINECO/FEDER and RETIC RD12/0013/0008 from ISCIII to D.P.-S., and by RETIC RD12/0013/0001 and CP15/00103 from ISCIII, and PI-0699-2011 and PI-0179-2014 from Junta de Andalucía to M.I.M.Peer reviewe

Effectiveness of Manualised Interpersonal Problem-Solving Skills Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Children with Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) frequently present a defi cit in interpersonal and social problem solving skills. The Interpersonal Problem-Solving Skills Programme for Children (SCIChildren) comprises 10 weekly, one hour sessions working on interpersonal abilities from a mediation strategy for training purposes. Method: The fi rst study explores the effectiveness of training through pre- and post-treatment evaluations of a sample of 22 children with ASD (7-13 years of age). The second study replicates the programme with 15 children who were assessed three times (three months before the programme starts, at the beginning of the training and at the end of it). Results: In the fi rst study, signifi cant differences were found in outcome measures (a parent-report subscale of a socialisation measure and child performance on one subscale and total scores of an interpersonal problem-solving skills task). Results in the second study showed no signifi cant changes in absence of the treatment during the waiting period and signifi cant changes after the treatment in the socialisation measure. Conclusions: These fi ndings suggest that the SCI-Children program causes positive impact on the participants. Further evaluation is warranted.post-print320 K