Crisis migratoria, un reto para Europa

Considero fundamental la investigación que he emprendido a lo largo de estos meses sobre la crisis migratoria. Existe una tendencia a hablar de los refugiados como de una sola realidad homogénea, pobre, triste y catastrófica. Por reduccionismo o comodidad hablamos solo de los refugiados sirios. La realidad es que nos referimos a millones de personas actualmente desplazadas en nuestro planeta, de una punta a otra, sin terminar de encontrar su sitio. Procedentes de más de 50 países distintos y cuyos motivos de huida son multiétnicos y muy complejos social y políticamente. Generalizar en un tema con tantas aristas sin atender detenidamente cada uno de los casos que llegan a nuestras fronteras, puede que sea uno de los porqués claves a la fracasada gestión que está teniendo lugar en nuestro continente. La escasa tradición histórica y de lazos comunes, que en multitud de ocasiones tenemos con los países de origen de los refugiados, el poco peso de estos países poco desarrollados en la economía mundial, la escasez de corresponsales en estos continente, o el interés del público receptor pueden ser algunas de las respuestas al desconocimiento absoluto que genera esta tema en la mayor parte de la sociedad. Todos sabemos que en 2015 y 2016 ha habido una ola masiva de refugiados porque es el titular que no ha desaparecido de los informativos. Pero pocas personas conocen cuál es la nacionalidad de estos refugiados, qué motivos han tenido para dejar sus casas o cuál es la legislación europea que les ampara. Por este motivo, considero crucial esta investigación, he recogido la legislación europea pactada en un proyecto común de ayuda a los refugiados, he estudiado la puesta en práctica de esta legislación que Europa ha emprendido en sus distinto Estados, siendo en una amplia mayoría, más bien un incumplimiento de la misma. Por último, he tenido la oportunidad de centrarme en los testimonios personales de los protagonistas de este proyecto, los refugiados, así como de los trabajadores sociales que están en permanente trato con ellos.Universidad de Sevilla. Grado en Periodism

New observational approaches for optically complex waters based on high-resolution transmissometry

There is a growing concern for protection and conservation of coastal ecosystems, which require a proper understanding of ecosystem dynamics and the ability to detect and predict changes in the ecosystem state. For this purpose, there is general agreement on the requirement of multidisciplinary and multiscale observing systems, due to the complex physical and biogeochemical processes occurring in these environments at a wide range of time-space scales. In this sense, optical-based approaches arise as powerful tools since they allow to assess biogeochemical constituents at high temporal and spatial resolution. Moreover, the recent development of cost-effective, hyperspectral, compact and low power optical sensors has broadened their observational capabilities by allowing the assembly on a variety of platforms and by reducing the operational costs. Among the different optical properties, the beam attenuation coefficient presents numerous advantages due to the general availability and simplicity of operation and data processing of the required instrumentation (i.e. transmissometers). In this context, this thesis seeks to improve the capabilities for coastal waters monitoring and assessment by developing new observational strategies based on high resolution beam attenuation measurements. With this aim, the reliability of a recent commercially available advanced-technology transmissometer (i.e. VIPER, TriOS GmbH) has been determined by analyzing the instrument uncertainties and performance. Despite some issues related to the thermal management of the LEDs and the contamination of ambient light, VIPER measurements have been validated in the field by comparison with other transmissometers. Then, to evaluate to what extent is possible to retrieve environmental information from these measurements, attenuation data collected in the Mediterranean estuary of Alfacs Bay have been analyzed against laboratory-derived biogeochemical variables. The analysis has successfully used three major spectral features of the beam attenuation coefficient as qualitative proxies for the biogeochemical variables: coloured dissolved organic matter (CDOM), Chlorophyll a (Chl-a) and total suspended matter (TSM), allowing the detection of changes and patterns in these variables at high temporal and spatial resolution. Thereby, high-frequency in situ beam attenuation measurements are proposed as cost-effective, rapid and simple method to better understand the complex physical and biogeochemical interactions in coastal environments. Nevertheless, there are numerous factors affecting the attenuation signal, which restrict the capability of these measurements to quantitatively assess the biogeochemical constituents and involve that complementary optical data are required. For this reason, an additional approach has been investigated by including spectral absorption measurements collected in situ with a dual spectrophotometer widely used by the scientific community. An inversion model of attenuation and absorption data has been developed based on local material-specific inherent optical properties to quantitatively estimate CDOM, Chl-a and mineral suspended solids in optically complex waters. The advantages of this approach lie in the simple input requirements, the avoidance of error amplification, full exploitation of the available spectral information and the reasonably successful retrieval of constituent concentrations. In summary, this thesis has proposed two complementary beam attenuation-based approaches for complex coastal waters. On one hand, cost-effective and compact transmissometers allow to determine the scales of variability in the in-water constituents, providing a comprehensive overview of the biogeochemical processes. On the other hand, this information is highly valuable to define the optimal sampling strategy to be adopted with more sophisticated optical sensors required to estimate the concentration of the biogeochemical variables in a water body.Para la protección y conservación de los ecosistemas costeros es necesario un conocimiento exhaustivo de las dinámicas que los gobiernan. De esta manera se pueden desarrollar herramientas capaces de predecir y detectar cambios en su estado. Para ello, es necesario el uso de sistemas de observación multidisciplinares y multiescala, dada la complejidad de los procesos físico-biogeoquímicos y los numerosos cambios que se producen a diversas escalas espacio-temporales. Uno de los métodos más efectivos y utilizados para evaluar el estado biogeoquímico de las masas de agua a alta resolución espacio-temporal se basa en la medición de sus propiedades ópticas. Entre las distintas propiedades ópticas, la atenuación presenta numerosas ventajas, como por ejemplo la sencillez de uso y procesamiento de los instrumentos utilizados (los transmisómetros). En este contexto, el objetivo de esta tesis consiste en investigar nuevas técnicas de análisis de aguas costeras utilizando medidas de atenuación de la luz recogidas in situ a alta resolución espacio-temporal. En primer lugar, se ha determinado la fiabilidad de los datos recogidos por un transmisómetro de última generación caracterizado por su bajo coste y fácil manejo (VIPER, de TriOS GmbH). Los resultados aportan medidas fiables de atenuación en aguas costeras, a pesar de que este análisis también muestra una serie de limitaciones relacionadas con la gestión térmica de los LEDs y con la contaminación por luz ambiente. Una vez caracterizado el instrumento, se ha analizado el tipo de información ambiental que se puede extraer de estas medidas utilizando los datos de atenuación recogidos en la bahía mediterránea de los Alfacs y correlacionándolos con las variables biogeoquímicas obtenidas a partir de muestras discretas de agua. El estudio se basa en la utilización de tres parámetros calculados a partir del espectro de atenuación como indicadores de las tres principales variables biogeoquímicas (la materia orgánica disuelta coloreada -CDOM-, la clorofila-a y la concentración de material particulado). Esto ha permitido detectar cambios y patrones en dichas variables de una forma rápida, sencilla y económica. Este método se propone como una herramienta eficaz para entender las complejas interacciones físico-biogeoquímicas en las aguas costeras. Sin embargo, la señal de atenuación se ve afectada por la influencia de numerosos factores, lo que limita su capacidad para cuantificar los constituyentes biogeoquímicos e implica la necesidad de recurrir a medidas ópticas adicionales para lograr este fin. Por esta razón, se ha desarrollado otro método de observación que incluye, además de la atenuación, medidas de absorción, ambas recogidas con un espectrofotómetro doble ampliamente utilizado por la comunidad científica. Se ha desarrollado un modelo de inversión de los datos de atenuación y absorción basado en las propiedades ópticas inherentes específicas de cada constituyente, que fueron obtenidas a partir de muestras de agua de la zona de estudio (el mar de Liguria). Dicho modelo ha permitido cuantificar satisfactoriamente la concentración de CDOM, de clorofila-a y de partículas inorgánicas en aguas ópticamente complejas, utilizando datos de entrada muy sencillos y explotando toda la información espectral disponible. En resumen, esta tesis presenta dos aproximaciones basadas en medidas de atenuación que pueden considerarse complementarias. Por un lado, los transmisómetros de bajo coste y fácil manejo permiten determinar las escalas de variabilidad de los principales componentes biogeoquímicos para adquirir una idea global del funcionamiento del ecosistema. Por otro lado, esta información es de gran utilidad a la hora de definir la estrategia de muestreo a implementar con instrumentos más sofisticados que permitan cuantificar la concentración de dichas variables en zonas más localizadas.Postprint (published version

Towards Cost-Effective Operational Monitoring Systems for Complex Waters: Analyzing Small-Scale Coastal Processes with Optical Transmissometry

21 pages, 13 figures, 1 table, data availability https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.863589The detection and prediction of changes in coastal ecosystems require a better understanding of the complex physical, chemical and biological interactions, which involves that observations should be performed continuously. For this reason, there is an increasing demand for small, simple and cost-effective in situ sensors to analyze complex coastal waters at a broad range of scales. In this context, this study seeks to explore the potential of beam attenuation spectra, c(λ), measured in situ with an advanced-technology optical transmissometer, for assessing temporal and spatial patterns in the complex estuarine waters of Alfacs Bay (NW Mediterranean) as a test site. In particular, the information contained in the spectral beam attenuation coefficient was assessed and linked with different biogeochemical variables. The attenuation at λ = 710 nm was used as a proxy for particle concentration, TSM, whereas a novel parameter was adopted as an optical indicator for chlorophyll a (Chla) concentration, based on the local maximum of c(λ) observed at the long-wavelength side of the red band Chl-a absorption peak. In addition, since coloured dissolved organic matter (CDOM) has an important influence on the beam attenuation spectral shape and complementary measurements of particle size distribution were available, the beam attenuation spectral slope was used to analyze the CDOM content. Results were successfully compared with optical and biogeochemical variables from laboratory analysis of collocated water samples, and statistically significant correlations were found between the attenuation proxies and the biogeochemical variables TSM, Chl-a and CDOM. This outcome depicted the potential of high-frequency beam attenuation measurements as a simple, continuous and cost-effective approach for rapid detection of changes and patterns in biogeochemical properties in complex coastal environmentsThis study was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MESTRAL project, CTM2011-30489-C02-01) and by Total Foundation (PHYTOSCOPE project). MR-P was supported by a PhD fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (grants: BES-2012-054205 and EEBB-I-2014-08231). RG-A was supported by a PhD fellowship from the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level Personnel (CAPES-Brazil, grant 12362/12-3) in collaboration with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)Peer Reviewe

Assessing the impact of climate change on phytoplankton in Fram Strait: 1. particle absorption properties from continuous measurements of spectral absorption attenuation sensor meter (AC-S)

The decline of ArcGc sea ice as well as its resulting feedbacks is asserted to have great impacts on the Arctic phytoplankton, and caused large regional variations in primary production range in the Arctic Ocean and its marginal seas. Understanding and quantifying such impacts are critical to appreciate the Arctic as a system and allow diagnostic modeling of its current status and dynamics. To assess the above impacts of reduction in sea ice and then the changes in physical properties on Arctic phytoplankton, numerical models have emerged as valuable tools. In order to generate reliable results, a high quality Arctic Chl-a dataset is essential to improve parameterizations in the coupled ice-ecosystem-ocean circulation models. With the emergency of autonomous platforms (e.g. floats (Argo), autonomous vehicles), high spatial and temporal resolution measurements of biooptical parameters are achievable. However, new challenges arise from the automated way of observing the bio-optical properties of the ocean. Indeed, conversely to what happens when the same kinds of equipment are operated from a ship, these bio-optical data are collected in environmental condiGons that are out of the operator’s control. Therefore, new specific data processing and management procedures have to be developed for in situ bio-optical sensors which generate high spatial and temporal resolution measurements of bio-optical data. In this study, analytical bio-optical techniques are applied to develop quality controlled high quality pan-Arctic long-term information on total biomass of phytoplankton. The quantitative distribution of phytoplankton will be determined on long time scales covering the Fram Strait in the Arctic Ocean by the integration of measurements from various platforms that enable to retrieve the total biomass of phytoplankton

Antibacterial suture vs silk for the surgical removal of impacted lower third molars. A randomized clinical study

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and microbiological impact of an antibacterial suture (Monocryl® Plus) in the surgical removal of I3M. Material and Methods: A "split-mouth", prospective pilot clinical study was designed involving 20 patients programmed for the surgical removal of I3M. Each side was randomly sutured with Monocryl® Plus or silk suture and removed for microbiological study 72 hours and 7 days after surgery. Presence of SSI, wound bleeding and the degree of discomfort associated with each type of suture material (scored by means of a visual analog scale) were evaluated. The level of contamination of each material was observed under the scanning electron microscope. Results: Wound bleeding upon suture removing was slightly greater after 72 hours and 7 days with black silk suture, though the differences were not statistically significant (p=0.752 and p=0.113, respectively). Patient discomfort was very similar with both types of suture material (p=0.861). Only one case of SSI was recorded with black silk suture after 72 hours. Microbiologically, the antibacterial suture showed a lesser presence of microorganisms (p<0.001, at 72h and p=0.033 at 7th day, respectively). The most common bacterial species included grampositive cocci (Streptococcus viridans group, Neisseria spp., Coagulasenegative Staphylococcus and Peptostreptococcus), gramnegative cocci (Veillonella), grampositive Bacilli (Lactobacillus), and gramnegative Bacilli (Prevotella). Conclusions: The greatest antibacterial effect of Monocryl Plus suture was observed after 72 hours. According to most authors, there is no doubt that this antibacterial suture can provide little safety in the control of SSI

La víctima en el aparato judicial

El contacto de la víctima del delito con la Administración de Justicia constituye ya de por sí una fuente importante de perjuicios. Factores como los económicos o la falta de información sobre sus derechos y el proceso penal pueden empeorar esta situación, dificultando el ejercicio de estos derechos y su participación en el proceso. En este boletín se resumen dos pequeños trabajos sobre la participación de la víctima en el proceso penal, realizados en los Juzgados de lo Penal de Málaga. Uno se basa en entrevistas con víctimas citadas para comparecer en el juicio penal. El otro, cuyos resultados se exponen brevemente en la última página de este boletín, es un estudio sobre la personación de la víctima en el procedimiento penal

Underway observations of inherent optical properties for the estimation of near-surface chlorophyll-a in the Fram Strait

Chlorophyll-a, the most important photosynthetic pigment of marine phytoplankton, is one of the basic marine biogeochemical variables. Chlorophyll-a concentration can be measured by applying high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques to filtered water samples, which is greatly limited by time and number of samples. The inherent optical properties (IOPs) of seawater are proved to have good linkage to biogeochemical variables. With the emergency of in situ optical sensors, high spatial and temporal resolution measurements of bio-optical properties are achievable, making it possible to understand ocean biogeochemical processes on a broader scale. However, data quality control of the optical sensors remains challenging because of biofouling and the instrumental instability. In this study, we established a ship-based flow-through system of Absorption Attenuation Spectra Meter (AC-s) and conducted continuous underway measurements of hyperspectral IOPs during the PS93.2 expedition to the Fram Strait. The system collected periodical measurements of total and 0.2 μm cartridge filtered absorption and attenuation, allowing for the calculation of particulate absorption and attenuation by differencing the corresponding IOPs of the total and filtered seawater. The continuous particulate absorption coefficients were then averaged to 1-min intervals, compared and corrected with discrete filter-pad measurements. The near-surface phytoplankton Chlorophyll-a concentrations were finally retrieved from the quality controlled hyperspectral particulate absorption based on empirical orthogonal functions in the Fram Strait

Intraepithelial paracrine Hedgehog signaling induces the expansion of ciliated cells that express diverse progenitor cell markers in the basal epithelium of the mouse mammary gland

The Hedgehog signaling pathway regulates embryo patterning and progenitor cell homeostasis in adult tissues, including epidermal appendages. A role for the Hh pathway in mammary biology and breast cancer has also been suggested. The aim of this study was to analyze Hh signaling in the mouse mammary gland through the generation of transgenic mice that express Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) under the control of the mammary-specific WAP promoter (WAP-Shh mice). To identify mammary cells capable of activating the Hh pathway we bred WAP-Shh mice to Ptch1-lacZ knock-in mice, in which the expression of a nuclear-targeted β-galactosidase reporter protein (β-gal) is driven by the endogenous Patched 1 gene regulatory region. After two cycles of induction of transgenic Shh expression, we detected areas of X-gal reactivity. Immunohistochemical analysis showed nuclear β-gal staining in clusters of mammary cells in WAP-Shh/Ptch1-lacZ bitransgenic mice. These were epithelial cells present in a basal location of displastic ducts and alveoli, adjacent to Shh-expressing luminal cells, and overexpressed epithelial basal markers keratin 5, 14 and 17 and transcription factor p63. Absence of smooth muscle actin expression and a cuboidal morphology differentiated Hh-responding cells from flat-shaped mature myoepithelial cells. Groups of cells expressing stem cell markers integrin β3 and keratins 6 and 15 were also detected within Hh-responding areas. In addition, we found that Hh-responding cells in the mammary glands of WAP-Shh/Ptch1-lacZ mice were ciliated and exhibited a low proliferation rate. Our data show the paracrine nature of hedgehog signaling in the epithelial compartment of the mouse mammary gland, where a subset of basal cells that express mammary progenitor cell markers and exhibit primary cilia is expanded in response to secretory epithelium-derived Shh.This work was supported by MCINN Grant no. SAF2006 03244, Fundación Marcelino Botín and Federación Española Cáncer de Mama (FECMA)

Underway spectrophotometry in the Fram Strait (European Arctic Ocean): a highly resolved chlorophyll a data source for complementing satellite ocean color

Satellite remote sensing of chlorophyll a concentration (Chl-a) in the Arctic Ocean is spatially and temporally limited and needs to be supplemented and validated with substantial volumes of in situ observations. Here, we evaluated the capability of obtaining highly resolved in situ surface Chl-a using underway spectrophotometry operated during two summer cruises in 2015 and 2016 in the Fram Strait. Results showed that Chl-a measured using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) was well related (R2 = 0.90) to the collocated particulate absorption line height at 676 nm obtained from the underway spectrophotometry system. This enabled continuous surface Chl-a estimation along the cruise tracks. When used to validate Chl-a operational products as well as to assess the Chl-a algorithms of the aqua moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS-A) and Sentinel-3 Ocean Land Color Imager (OLCI) Level 2 Chl-a operational products, and from OLCI Level 2 products processed with Polymer atmospheric correction algorithm (version 4.1), the underway spectrophotometry based Chl-a data sets proved to be a much more sufficient data source by generating over one order of magnitude more match-ups than those obtained from discrete water samples. Overall, the band ratio (OCI, OC4) Chl-a operational products from MODIS-A and OLCI as well as OLCI C2RCC products showed acceptable results. The OLCI Polymer standard output provided the most reliable Chl-a estimates, and nearly as good results were obtained from the OCI algorithm with Polymer atmospheric correction method. This work confirms the great advantage of the underway spectrophotometry in enlarging in situ Chl-a data sets for the Fram Strait and improving satellite Chl-a validation and Chl-a algorithm assessment over discrete water sample analysis in the laboratory