Analysis of Representativeness of the Paramo Ecosystem in the Conservation Modalities of the Chimborazo Province

The paramo ecosystem has ecological, social, cultural and economic importance due to the ecosystemic services of supply, regulation, support and culture that it provides to local populations for their well-being, therefore, it needs to be conserved and managed from an ecosystemic approach. The objective of this work is to analyze the conservation modalities that protect the paramo ecosystem in the Chimborazo province. To conduct the research, a systematic review of 30 cartographic sources was carried out, and documentary information on 7 variables of the paramo ecosystem was made, provided by institutions in charge of managing the province's natural resources, and found in articles consulted in scientific and academic databases. Additionally, gray literature has been included through manual search. The results indicate that the Chimborazo province has 17.93% of its extension under conservation modality, through 121 protected natural spaces, distributed in 3 modalities. The paramo ecosystem represents 36.40% of the province's size, and is made up of 9 vegetation formations. 15.10% of this ecosystem are under conservation modality, however, only 3 of the 121 spaces have planning documents for the management of these spaces. Keywords: paramo ecosystem, ecosystem services, conservation modalities. Resumen El ecosistema páramo tiene importancia ecológica, social, cultural y económica por los servicios ecosistémicos de abastecimiento, regulación, soporte y culturales que suministra a las poblaciones locales para su bienestar, por tanto, requiere ser conservado y manejado desde un enfoque ecosistémico. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar las modalidades de conservación que protegen el ecosistema páramo en la provincia de Chimborazo. Para llevar a cabo la investigación se realizó una revisión sistémica de 30 fuentes de información cartográfica y documental sobre 7 variables del ecosistema páramo, facilitadas por instituciones encargadas del manejo de los recursos naturales de la provincia, y encontradas en artículos consultados en bases de datos científicas y académicas, adicionalmente se ha incluido literatura gris mediante la búsqueda manual. Los resultados indican que la provincia de Chimborazo tiene 17,93% de su extensión bajo modalidad de conservación, a través de 121 espacios naturales protegidos, distribuidos en 3 modalidades. El ecosistema páramo representa el 36,40% de la extensión de la provincia y está conformada por 9 formaciones vegetales. El 15,10% de éste ecosistema se encuentran bajo modalidad de conservación, sin embargo, únicamente 3 de los 121 espacios poseen documentos para el manejo de estos espacios. Palabras clave: ecosistema páramo, servicios ecosistémicos, modalidades de conservación

Análisis y diagnóstico de la Iglesia de Santiago en Jerez de la Frontera (España)

The church of Santiago (Jerez de la Frontera, Spain) has its origin in a small chapel built in the XIII century. Three naves added in the XV century gave rise to the current temple. The church has been modified along the history due to two main reasons: (I) the interest for its enlargement and embellishment and (II) to solve some structural problems documented since the XVII century. The most relevant problems that have affected the structure can be summarized in two partial collapses (1695 and 1956) and the substitution of two columns (1902 and 1928) to prevent new catastrophes. However, at the beginning of the XXI century important damage in columns and walls caused to close the temple and initiate an ample investigation on the church and its structural behaviour. The conclusions of this analysis, together with a preliminary proposal for restoration, are the main goal of this paper.La Iglesia de Santiago (Jerez de la Frontera, España) tiene su origen en una pequeña capilla del siglo XIII. En el siglo XV se le añadieron tres naves, dando como resultado el templo actual. La Iglesia se ha modificado en determinadas ocasiones debido principalmente a: (I) el interés por ampliarla y embellecerla y (II) solucionar algunos problemas estructurales documentados desde el siglo XVII. De estos últimos, los más relevantes en relación a la estructura pueden resumirse en dos colapsos parciales (1695 y 1956) y la sustitución de dos pilares (1902 y 1928) para evitar otras dos catástrofes. Al inicio del siglo XXI, la nueva aparición de daños en pilares y muros condujo al cierre del templo y al inicio de una investigación sobre el comportamiento estructural de la iglesia. Las conclusiones de este análisis, junto a una propuesta preliminar para su reparación, constituyen el objetivo principal de este artículo

Las termas y el Suburbium marítimo de Baelo Claudia. Avance de un reciente descubrimiento

Entre los años 2010 y 2012, la Universidad de Cádiz y la Junta de Andalucía han desarrollado investigaciones arqueológicas en la zona extramuros de la ciudad hispanorromana, en el marco del Proyecto General de Investigación “La economía marítima y las actividades haliéuticas en Baelo Claudia”. Se presentan en esta sede los primeros resultados, que han permitido identificar la existencia de un suburbium occidental en la ciudad, entre el cauce del arroyo de las Villas, la playa y la necrópolis oeste, cuya existencia se ha podido confirmar por datos geofísicos y arqueológicos. En él han podido ser excavadas parcialmente unas estructuras que se han identificado con unas termas suburbanas, activas entre el s. II y el V d.C., habiéndose excavado una piscina del frigidarium y algunas estancias calefactadas, con hallazgos muy significativos como parte de la decoración marmórea y escultórica del complejo, que en época tardorromana fue amortizado intencionalmente por motivos posiblemente religiosos. Estos hallazgos son de gran interés, pues además de verificar la existencia de un segundo complejo balneario público en la ciudad plantean la importancia del poblamiento periurbano, una línea de investigación totalmente inédita hasta la fechaBetween the year 2010 and 2012, the University of Cadiz and the Regional Government (Junta de Andalucía) have developed archaeological activities in the zone outside the hispano-roman city, in the frame of the General Project of Research titled “The maritime economy and the halieutic activities in Baelo Claudia”. We are presenting in this paper the first results, which have allowed to identify the existence of a western suburbium outside the city, between the riverbed of the so called “arroyo de las Villas”, the beach and the western necropolis, whose remains have been confirmed by geophysical and archaeological techniques. Inside this area a few structures have been excavated, identified as a Roman baths complex, active from the 2nd up to the 5th century a.D. A big pool, part of the frigidarium and some heated rooms have been unearthed, with very significant findings as part of the marmoreal and sculptural decoration of the complex, which in late roman times was intentionally broken into pieces possibly by religious motives. These findings are of great interest, since beside confirming the existence of the second public thermae of the city they raise the importance of the peri-urban buildings, a new line of research up to dat

An assessment of observed and simulated temperature variability in Sierra de Guadarrama

This work provides a first assessment of temperature variability at interannual and decadal timescales in Sierra de Guadarrama, a high mountain protected area of the Central System in the Iberian Peninsula. Observational data from stations located in the area and simulated data from a high-resolution simulation (1 km) with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, fed from ERA Interim reanalysis, are used in order to analyse the temperatura variability in the period 2000–2018. Comparison among all datasets allows evaluation of the realism of the model simulations. The results show that the model tends to underestimate the observational mean temperatures and anomalies at high-altitude stations. A linear mean temperature vertical gradient of −5.81 ◦C/km is observed, but it is overestimated by the model (−6.56 ◦C/km). The variability of the daily temperature anomalies for both observations and, to a lesser extent, simulations increases with height. The added value that the WRF offers against the use of the ERA Interim is evaluated. The results show that the WRF provides a better performance than the reanalysis, as it shows smaller biases with respect to observational temperature anomalies. Finally, the study of temperature trends over the Sierra de Guadarrama and its surroundings for the period 2000–2018 shows a warming in the area, significantly pronounced in autumn. When extended to the last decades, observations show that this warming has been happening since the first half of the 20th century, especially during the period 1970–2018, but not as much as during 2000–2018.This research was funded by CEI Moncloa UPM-UCM-Ciemat Cooperation Agreement: GuMNet (Guadarrama Monitoring Network) Initiative, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación: GreatModelS (RTI2018-102305-B-C21d), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación: GreatModelS (RTI2018-102305-B-C21d), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación: ILModels (CGL2014-59644-R/CLI)

Prevención secundaria tras un síndrome coronario agudo. Resultados a medio plazo de un programa de rehabilitación cardiaca

Introducción Los Programas de Rehabilitación Cardiaca han adquirido gran relevancia como herramienta para mejorar el pronóstico y la calidad de vida de pacientes que han presentado un síndrome coronario agudo. Objetivo Evaluar los resultados de un programa de rehabilitación cardiaca a medio plazo. Materiales y métodos Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de 121 pacientes que presentaron un síndrome coronario agudo y fueron incluidos en el programa de rehabilitación cardiaca. Se analizaron las características demográficas, antropométricas, analíticas y de capacidad funcional a la inclusión, tras finalizar el programa presencial y a los 12 meses. Resultados La edad media fue 54 ± 7 años. El factor de riesgo cardiovascular más prevalente fue el sobrepeso/obesidad (88, 4%). Tras la finalización del programa de rehabilitación cardiaca disminuyeron significativamente los valores de colesterol LDL (81, 1 ± 28, 7 vs. 76, 5 ± 31, 5 mg/dl; p 0, 03). Un porcentaje significativo de diabéticos alcanzaron objetivos de Hb A1c < 7% (50% vs. 68, 5%; p 0, 01). El perímetro abdominal mostró una disminución estadísticamente significativa (100, 8 ± 12, 8 vs. 99, 5 ± 12, 3 cm; p 0, 004). El 89, 3% de los pacientes mejoraron su capacidad funcional. En la revisión anual la mayoría de los parámetros estudiados mostraron una discreta tendencia negativa. Un 47, 36% de los fumadores a la inclusión mantenían el hábito tabáquico al año. Conclusiones Los programas de rehabilitación cardiaca mejoran el control de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular, cambios de estilo de vida y capacidad funcional en los pacientes que han sufrido un síndrome coronario agudo. Es preciso reforzar las estrategias de control para mantener estos beneficios a medio-largo plazo. Introduction: Cardiac rehabilitation programmes have become a very important tool for improving the prognosis and quality of life of patients that have suffered an acute coronary syndrome. Objective: To evaluate the medium-term results of a cardiac rehabilitation programme. Materials and methods: A descriptive study of 121 patients that presented with an acute coronary syndrome and were included in a cardiac rehabilitation programme. An analysis was performed on the demographic and anthropometric characteristics, as well as laboratory tests and functional capacity on inclusion, after finishing the programme, and at 12 months. Results: The mean age of the patients was 54 ± 7 years. The most prevalent cardiovascular risk factor was overweight / obesity (88.4%). After finishing the cardiac rehabilitation programmes, the LDL Cholesterol values significantly decreased (81.1 ± 28.7 vs. 76.5 ± 31.5 mg/dl; P =.03). A significant percentage of diabetics reached objectives of an Hb A1c < 7% (50% vs. 68.5%; P =.01). The abdominal circumference showed a statistically significant decrease (100.8 ± 12.8 vs. 99.5 ± 12.3 cm; P =.004). An improvement in functional capacity was observed in 89.3% of the patients. In the annual review, the majority of the parameters studied showed a slight negative trend. Just under half (47.36%) of smokers at inclusion maintained the tobacco habit at one year. Conclusions: Cardiac rehabilitation programmes improve the control of cardiovascular risk factors, changes in life style and functional capacity in patients that had suffered an acute coronary syndrome. Control strategies need to be enforced in order to maintain these benefits in the medium-long term

Reef fish assemblages and fisheries in Parque Nacional del Este, Dominican Republic

Parque National del Este is the second largest protected area in the Dominican Republic, comprising 110 km2 of terrestrial habitats located in the southeastern Dominican Republic. Established in 1975, the park delineation did not include the adjacent marine area, despite its long history of commercial fisheries. Since 1994, several U.S. and Dominican partner organizations have conducted scientific investigations of the marine resources of the area. This paper provides data on the status of snapper and groupers reef assemblages and finfish fisheriescollected during 1995 1997. Methods used in the study included: 1) visual transects (20 m x 5 m) of predatory fishes in coral reef habitats and 2) fishermen interviews to obtain data on fishing methods and catch composition. Predatory fishes, particularly groupers and snappers, are rare and generally small (\u3c 30 cm TL). Larger size snappers (Lutjanus griseus, L. analis) and groupers (Mycreroperca bonaci, M. tigris and M. venenosa) were absent in the visualtransect surveys. Only two Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) were found in 142 transects among 7 reef areas. Among groupers, red hind (E. guttatus), coney (E. fulvus) and graysby (E. cr ue nt atu s) dominated the grouper assemblage in visual transect surveys, as well as in fishermen’s catch. Yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus) was the most abundant snapper species in reefs and in fishermen’s catch. Fishermen interviews (n = 120) showed that hook-and-line, traps, and spears were the most commonly used methods. The catch composition reflects the artisanal nature of the fishery. A significant alteration of the park’s fish assemblages due to overfishing is apparent. The designation of zones with different degree of protection (including a no-take zone) is recommended. This plan includes specific regulations on the use of fishing gears, and others regarding minimum size, closed season. These measures should be included in the oncoming Coastal Management Plan, and will allow to: i) evaluate the potential for fisheries recovery ii) protect what little spawning stock biomass remains in the area, and iii) protect nursery grounds important for juvenile stages. There are few data on the potential contribution of up-current areas (Eastern Caribbean) to reef fish recruitment in the park. A research program addressed to this subject is also recommended

Identidad ocupacional en docentes de carreras de la salud y su relación con las practicas pedagógicas

Background: Occupational identity is defined as the perception of occupational interests, abilities, goals, and values, and the structure of the meanings that link these self-perceptions to career role. We developed an occupational identity questionnaire suitable to be used with university teachers. Aim: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Occupational Identity Questionnaire (OIQ) and relate its results with those of the Teaching Practices questionnaire. Material and Methods. The OIQ and Teaching Practices Questionnaire were answered by 311 university teachers along Chile, who were selected through a non-probabilistic volunteer sampling. An exploratory factor analysis was performed and the internal consistency of each factor was calculated with Cronbach’s Alpha. Spearman correlations were used to explore the relationship between the two questionnaires. Results: Two factors were identified in OIQ: Teaching Vocation and Sense of Competence. Cronbach’s Alpha was 0.75 for teaching vocation and 0.82 for the sense of competence. There was a moderate direct relationship between teaching vocation, sense of competence and the results of the Teaching Practices Questionnaire. Conclusions: OIS has an adequate internal consistency, its factorial structure showed two different types of identities and it is directly related to the results of the Teaching Practices Questionnair

Immobilization of the white-rot fungus Anthracophyllum discolor to degrade the herbicide atrazine

Herbicides cause environmental concerns because they are toxic and accumulate in the environment, food products and water supplies. There is a need to develop safe, efficient and economical methods to remove them from the environment, often by biodegradation. Atrazine is such herbicide. White-rot fungi have the ability to degrade herbicides of potential utility. This study formulated a novel pelletized support to immobilize the white-rot fungus Anthracophyllum discolor to improve its capability to degrade the atrazine using a biopurification system (BS). Different proportions of sawdust, starch, corn meal and flaxseed were used to generate three pelletized supports (F1, F2 and F3). In addition, immobilization with coated and uncoated pelletized supports (CPS and UPS, respectively) was assessed. UPS-F1 was determined as the most effective system as it provided high level of manganese peroxidase activity and fungal viability. The half-life (t1/2) of atrazine decreased from 14 to 6 days for the control and inoculated samples respectively. Inoculation with immobilized A. discolor produced an increase in the fungal taxa assessed by DGGE and on phenoloxidase activity determined. The treatment improves atrazine degradation and reduces migration to surface and groundwater.Grant CONICYT/FONDAP/15130015Grant FONDECYT 112096