Using multi-scale spatial prioritization criteria to optimize non-natural mortality mitigation of target species

Non-natural mortality is a major threat to animal conservation worldwide. Its origins are extremely diverse and include infrastructures that cause animal casualties. Its effects are widely felt and so prioritization criteria are necessary when implementing mitigation actions. Most of the threats causing non-natural mortality have in common the fact that they are distributed unevenly across several spatial scales. Thus, here we present a protocol for prioritizing conservation measures in: (i) population fractions suffering from high levels of non-natural mortality whose demographic effects are the most serious, and in (ii) areas with the highest risk of casualties due to heterogeneities in both spatial use by individuals and the inherent hazards of the infrastructures causing mortality. To do so, the protocol consist of 5 steps: 1) to identify sink populations over large geographical areas; 2) to identify sink areas of high mortality within target populations; 3) to identify areas intensively used by individuals in target areas; 4) to identify spatial points or individual infrastructures showing high mortality risk; and 5) using direct evidence of casualties to complete information on high-risk sites and infrastructures. To show the potential of this protocol, we use as an example the mitigation of mortality due to electrocution in Bonelli's eagle in SW Europe, where this species is of conservation concern. Thanks to the retrofitting of dangerous pylons, we demonstrate that our protocol can help restore Bonelli's eagle territories to levels that will ensure the persistence of the studied population. In addition, we show that our criteria enhance the optimization of resource investment in mortality mitigation as our criteria identify the pylons with the most devastating effects on the population. To summarize, we provide the basis for a framework applicable to many different species and scenarios whose costs in terms of mitigation actions and benefits in terms of population viability prospects can be explicitly calculated

Quick diagnosis units: predictors of time to diagnosis and costs

Financial crisis has forced health systems to seek alternatives to hospitalization-based healthcare. Quick diagnosis units (QDUs) are cost-effective compared to hospitalization, but the determinants of QDU costs have not been studied. We aimed at assessing the predictors of costs of a district hospital QDU (Hospital Plató, Barcelona) between 2009 and 2016. This study was a retrospective longitudinal single center study of 404 consecutive outpatients referred to the QDU of Hospital Plató. The referral reason was dichotomized into suggestive of malignancy vs other. The final diagnosis was dichotomized into organic vs nonorganic and malignancy vs nonmalignancy. All individual resource costs were obtained from the finance department to conduct a micro-costing analysis of the study period. Mean age was 62 ± 20 years (women = 56%), and median time-to-diagnosis, 12 days. Total and partial costs were greater in cases with final diagnosis of organic vs nonorganic disorder, as it was in those with symptoms suggestive or a final diagnosis of cancer vs noncancer. Of all subcosts, imaging showed the stronger correlation with total cost. Time-to-diagnosis and imaging costs were significant predictors of total cost above the median in binary logistic regression, with imaging costs also being a significant predictor in multiple linear regression (with total cost as quantitative outcome). Predictors of QDU costs are partly nonmodifiable (i.e., cancer suspicion, actually one of the goals of QDUs). Yet, improved primary-care-to-hospital referral circuits reducing time to diagnosis as well as optimized imaging protocols might further increase the QDU cost-effectiveness process. Prospective studies (ideally with direct comparison to conventional hospitalization costs) are needed to explore this possibility

Darreres intervencions arqueològiques al poblat neolítc de La Draga i a l'estany de Banyoles (Banyoles, Pla de l'Estany)

Presentem les darreres actuacions arqueològiques (2008 - present) desenvolupades al poblat neolític de La Draga i l'entorn lacustre de Banyoles. Aquestes intervencions s'emmarquen dins del projecte de recerca La Draga i les ocupacions lacustres prehistòriques de l'Estany de Banyoles dins del context de la l'Europa Occidental (2008-2013). Els esforços d'aquest projecte han anat dirigits vers l'assoliment de dos objectius, d'una banda, entendre la dinàmica de l'ocupació prehistòrica de l'Estany de Banyoles, tant en els moments previs com posteriors a les ocupacions neolítiques de La Draga, i de l'altra, caracteritzar les estratègies econòmiques i organitzatives dels pobladors neolítics que es van establir a La Draga

Workshop Eurmaroc 2012

[Castellà] Workshop Eurmaroc 2012 es un taller interuniversitario de arquitectura y patrimonio desarrollado en dos fases: estancia en Valle del Draa (Marruecos) durante 15 días (septiembre 2012) y posterior elaboración de 3 proyectos territoriales, urbanísticos y arquitectónicos de intervención, participando estudiantes y profesores de las escuelas de Arquitectura y Edificación de las Universidades de Granada, Politécnica de Cataluña y Alicante. [English] Workshop Eurmaroc 2012 is a multi university workshop about architecture and construction, which has been developed in two phases: at Draa River (Morocco) during 15 days (September 2012) and three projects about territory, urban and architecture. Students and professors belonging the Schools of Architecture and Building at University of Granada, Politècnica of Catalonia and Alicante have participatedPostprint (published version

El Castellet de Banyoles (Tivissa): Una ciudad ibérica en el curso inferior del río Ebro

While recurrently cited in the specialized bibliography, until recent years Castellet de Banyoles was only really known by the findings of monetary hoards and some luxury ritual vases, in addition to the Hellenistic-type pentagonal towers flanking the site entrance. Excavation work since 1998 has enabled precise dating of the first settlement between the last third of the 3^rd century BC and early 2</sup>nd</sup> century BC, and has revealed the existence at that time of a Punic-type compartments wall, as well as an extensive dwelling area, which probably corresponds to a specific gens. Houses of different types and sizes are attested, as well as a possible sanctuary. With an area of 4.5 ha, Castellet de Banyoles is a small city that brought together the entire population of the Mora basin, following a mononuclear model unprecedented in the northern Iberian world. This is likely explained by strategic reasons in a turbulent historical context due to the Barcid expansion in the Iberian Peninsula and the Second Punic War.<br><br>Aunque es un yacimiento recurrentemente mencionado en la bibliografía especializada, hasta hace pocos años el Castellet de Banyoles sólo era realmente conocido por los hallazgos monetarios y de elementos suntuarios de carácter ritual, a parte de las torres pentagonales de tipo helenístico que flanquean su puerta. Los trabajos realizados desde 1998 han permitido precisar la datación del primer asentamiento entre el último tercio del siglo III a.C. y principios del II a.C., y han mostrado la existencia en ese momento de una muralla de compartimentos de tipo púnico. También han traído a luz un extenso sector de hábitat —que probablemente corresponde a un grupo gentilicio—, con casas de distintos tipos y tamaños, y un posible santuario. Con una superficie de 4,5 ha, se trata de una pequeña ciudad que agrupaba toda la población de la hoya de Móra, siguiendo un modelo mononuclear inédito en el mundo ibérico septentrional, y que tal vez se explique por razones estratégicas en un contexto histórico convulso a causa de la expansión bárquida y la segunda guerra púnica

Còdol : revista de les cooperatives d'ensenyament

Entrevista a: Rafael Ángel Bosch Sans (Conseller d’Educació, Cultura i Universitats del Govern de les Illes Balears).Entrevista a: Rafel Àngel Bosch i Sans (Conseller d’Educació, Cultura i Universitats del Govern de les Illes Baelars).ES