EU-wide methodology: towards operationalisation of the SEEA EA condition accounts in the EU

The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 anticipates the development of an EU-wide methodology to map, assess and achieve good condition of ecosystems. The Joint Research Centre (European Commission) has led the development of such methodology, making use of the System of Environmental Economic Accounting - Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA EA) of United Nations as reference framework. Specifically, the EU-wide methodology follows the rules of the SEEA-EA ecosystem condition accounts, presenting useful insights to operationalise this framework for all ecosystem types in the EU. The EU-methodology provides a comprehensive set of condition variables per ecosystem type as well as recommendations on methods for setting reference levels and thresholds to determine good ecosystem condition. In this presentation, we introduce the EU-wide methodology, its relationship with the SEEA-EA, and the challenges identified during the development of this work. Regarding challenges, the presentation will introduce those that could be mitigated through further advances in Earth Observation data. The case of urban ecosystems will be used to illustrate the challenges in a practical form, to facilitate their comprehension by a broad audience. To conclude, the presentation will open a discussion on the role of Earth Observation for the mapping and assessment of good ecosystem condition, and which should be the next steps

Adopting a cross-scale approach for the deployment of a green infrastructure

The implementation of a Green Infrastructure (GI) involves several actors and governance scales that need adequate knowledge support. The multifunctionality of GI entails the implementation of a cross-scale approach, which combines assessments conducted at different levels and active stakeholder engagement. This paper provides a methodology to implement a cross-scale approach to support the deployment of a Regional GI. The methodology was tested in Lombardy Region (north-west of Italy), considering three relevant territorial scales and relative strategic and planning policies. The continental level representing the overall policy-context; the regional level, with its key role for guaranteeing landscape coherence and connectivity and the local level where planning actions are effectively designed and implemented. The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the EU GI strategy were used as references for the continental level; at the regional level, a proposal of Regional GI was evaluated focusing on two Provinces (Varese and Lecco), three regional parks (Ticino, Adda Nord and Campo dei Fiori). At the local scale, the new development plan of the Municipality of Cassano d'Adda (Milan metropolitan area) was evaluated considering different possible scenarios. The regional GI was evaluated with respect to the capacity to provide Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES). CES were mapped using the ESTIMAP-recreation model. The model was adapted to the regional and local level with the active engagement of local stakeholders. Additionally, census data were analysed to obtain an overview of the equitable distribution of the CES amongst inhabitants. Results show that, in 78% of the census blocks of the study area, inhabitants have a high-value recreation resource within 4 km (31% within 4 km and 47% within 300 m). Unmet demand characterises 22% of the census blocks in the study area, clustered in zones with a high population density. The regional GI covers almost completely the two Provinces and the regional parks. In Varese Province: 68% of the territory is included in the regional GI, 82% of the census blocks local demand for recreation opportunities is met, but the population density is higher where the demand is unmet. The Province is characterised by a relatively old population (share of people older than 65 years 23.4%). In Lecco Province, 80% of the territory is included in the regional GI, in 96% of the blocks the local demand is met and the local population is relatively old (share of elderly population 22.12%). The three regional parks present significant differences, strongly influenced by the territorial context. The Campo dei Fiori Park is almost completely included in the regional GI. The entire local population has nature-based recreation opportunities in their close vicinity. Nevertheless, the population density is very low and citizens are relatively old. The majority of the Parco Adda Nord is included in the regional GI providing recreation opportunities to 90% of the census blocks within the Park boundaries. A total of 70% of Ticino Park is included in the regional GI, where local residents are relatively old (share of elderly population 23.78%) and 90% of local census blocks are close to nature-based opportunities. At local scale, we explored how the approach can be used to estimate changes in the CES potential provision and how this can be integrated into a site management plan. This paper demonstrated that the combination of studies in a cross-scale perspective enhances the understanding of GI multifunctionality. It provides a framework to adapt CES mapping models to the local setting with active stakeholders engagement. Moreover, it demonstrates that also highly urbanised areas, such as the Lombardy Region in Italy, can play a role in the deployment of a continental GI and can support biodiversity and nature protection

Mediação artística. Intervenção social através da arte e da cultura em Honduras

Honduras es un país inseguro, corrupto y subdesarrollado. La situación de riesgo y vulnerabilidad social permanente son situaciones ineludibles de intervención perentoria. Las disciplinas artísticas y enfoques socioeducativos que apuntan hacia el desarrollo cultural y comunitario son alcanzados por la mediación artística. Hacer cultura contra la barbarie es el sentido más palpable en varios de los proyectos de mediación artística realizados por organizaciones independientes, internacionales y estatales en el país. La UNAH (Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras), en tanto rectora de la educación superior en Honduras, ha desarrollado durante 5 años, desde el 2015, el diplomado de Enseñanza de las Artes Visuales en Contextos de riesgo de Exclusión Social. Tal formación ha sido creada bajo la colaboración bilateral de Honduras y España y se materializa en la formación en la educación artística más actual del mundo global; no obstante, haciendo énfasis en la Metodología Artísticas de Enseñanza (MAE) en contextos de alta vulnerabilidad social. Con las MAE y el arte visual contemporáneo hondureño se cumplen dos aspectos fundamentales: la aplicación del precepto metodológico y el reconocimiento de la fortaleza de contar con artistas que ejercen un papel crítico y constructivo. Los logros alcanzados demuestran que la formación recibida ha afectado positivamente a la promoción del arte hondureño, a los participantes, y a las zonas prioritarias elegidas.Honduras is an insecure, corrupt and underdeveloped country. The situation of risk and permanent social vulnerability are unavoidable situations of peremptory intervention. The artistic disciplines and socioeducational approaches that point towards cultural and community development are achieved by art mediation. Making culture against barbarism is the most palpable sense in several of the art mediation projects carried out by independent, international and state organizations in the country. UNAH (Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras), as the rector of higher education in Honduras, has developed for 5 years, since 2015, the diploma course of Teaching of the Visual Arts in Contexts of risk of Social Exclusion. Such training has been created under the bilateral collaboration of Honduras and Spain and is embodied in the most current artistic education training in the global world; however, emphasizing the Artistic Teaching Methodology (MAE) in contexts of high social vulnerability. With the MAE and contemporary Honduran visual art, two fundamental aspects are fulfilled: the application of the methodological precept and the recognition of the strength of having artists who play a critical and constructive role. The achievements achieved show that the training received has positively affected the promotion of Honduran art, the participants, and the priority areas chosen.Honduras é um país inseguro, corrupto e subdesenvolvido. A situação de risco e a vulnerabilidade social permanente são situações inevitáveis de intervenção peremptória. As disciplinas artísticas e as abordagens socioeducacionais que apontam para o desenvolvimento cultural e comunitário são alcançadas pela mediação artística. Tornar a cultura contra a barbárie é o sentido mais palpável em vários dos projetos de mediação artística realizados por organizações independentes, internacionais e estatais no país. A UNAH (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras), como reitora do ensino superior em Honduras, desenvolve há 5 anos, desde 2015, o diploma de Ensino de Artes Visuais em Contextos de Risco de Exclusão Social. Esse treinamento foi criado sob a colaboração bilateral de Honduras e Espanha e está incorporado no mais atual treinamento em educação artística do mundo global; no entanto, enfatizando a Metodologia do Ensino Artístico (MAE) em contextos de alta vulnerabilidade social. Com o MAE e a arte visual contemporânea de Honduras, dois aspectos fundamentais são cumpridos: a aplicação do preceito metodológico e o reconhecimento da força de ter artistas que desempenham um papel crítico e construtivo. As realizações alcançadas mostram que o treinamento recebido afetou positivamente a promoção da arte hondurenha, os participantes e as áreas prioritárias escolhidas

Histology of the skin of the blanca serrana goat bred in different production systems

Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo caracterizar la piel de caprinos de raza Blanca Serrana Andaluza, criados en sistemas de producción intensivo y extensivo. Fueron sacrificados 31 animales de la raza Blanca Serrana Andaluza (16 en extensivo y 15 en intensivo) con 20 kg de peso vivo. Se encontraron diferencias significativas (p0,05) entre los dos sistemas de producción analizados. Las características de la piel de los chivos revelaron pieles de primera calida

Melatonin-doped polymeric nanoparticles induce high crystalline apatite formation in root dentin

This work was funded by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and European Regional Development Fund( MINECO/AEI/FEDER/UE) Project number PID2020-114694RBI00. Funding for open access charge: University of Granada / CBUA.Objective. To investigate the effect of novel polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) doped with melatonin (ML) on nano-hardness, crystallinity and ultrastructure of the formed hydroxyapatite after endodontic treatment. Methods. Undoped-NPs and ML-doped NPs (ML-NPs) were tested at radicular dentin, after 24 h and 6 m. A control group without NPs was included. Radicular cervical and apical dentin surfaces were studied by nano-hardness measurements, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Mean and standard deviation were analyzed by ANOVA and StudentNewman-Keuls multiple comparisons (p < 0.05). Results. Cervical dentin treated with undoped NPs maintained its nano-hardness values after 6 m of storage being [24 h: 0.29 (0.01); 6 m: 0.30 (0.02) GPa], but it decreased at apical dentin [24 h: 0.36 (0.01); 6 m: 0.28 (0.02) GPa]. When ML-NPs were used, nano-hardness was similar over time [24h: 0.31 (0.02); 6 m: 0.28 (0.03) GPa], at apical dentin. Root dentin treated with ML-NPs produced, in general, high crystallinity of new minerals and thicker crystals than those produced in the rest of the groups. After 6 m, crystals became organized in randomly oriented polyhedral, square polygonal block-like apatite or drop-like apatite polycrystalline lattices when ML-NPs were used. Undoped NPs generated poor crystallinity, with preferred orientation of small crystallite and increased microstrain. Significance. New polycrystalline formations encountered in dentin treated with ML-NPs may produce structural dentin stability and high mechanical performance at the root. The decrease of mechanical properties over time in dentin treated without NPs indicates scarce remineralization potential, dentin demineralization and further potential degradation. The amorphous stage may provide high hydroxyapatite solubility and remineralizing activity.Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and European Regional Development Fund( MINECO/AEI/FEDER/UE) PID2020-114694RB-I00University of Granada/CBU

Class-B CpG-ODN formulated with a nanostructure induces type I interferons-dependent and CD4+T cell-independent CD8+T-Cell response against unconjugated protein antigen

There is a need for new vaccine adjuvant strategies that offer both vigorous antibody and T-cell mediated protection to combat difficult intracellular pathogens and cancer. To this aim, we formulated class-B synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide containing unmethylated cytosine-guanine motifs (CpG-ODN) with a nanostructure (Coa-ASC16 or coagel) formed by self-assembly of 6-0-ascorbyl palmitate ester. Our previous results demonstrated that mice immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) and CpG-ODN formulated with Coa-ASC16 (OVA/CpG-ODN/Coa-ASC16) elicited strong antibodies (IgG1 and IgG2a) and Th1/Th17 cellular responses without toxic systemic effects. These responses were superior to those induced by a solution of OVA with CpG-ODN or OVA/CpG-ODN formulated with aluminum salts. In this study, we investigated the capacity of this adjuvant strategy (CpG-ODN/Coa-ASC16) to elicit CD8+ T-cell response and some of the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in adaptive response. We also analyzed whether this adjuvant strategy allows a switch from an immunization scheme of three-doses to one of single-dose. Our results demonstrated that vaccination with OVA/CpG-ODN/Coa-ASC16 elicited an antigen-specific long-lasting humoral response and importantly-high quality CD8+ T-cell immunity with a single-dose immunization. Moreover, Coa-ASC16 promoted co-uptake of OVA and CpG-ODN by dendritic cells. The CD8+ T-cell response induced by OVA/CpG-ODN/Coa-ASC16 was dependent of type I interferons and independent of CD4+ T-cells, and showed polyfunctionality and efficiency against an intracellular pathogen. Furthermore, the cellular and humoral responses elicited by the nanostructured formulation were IL-6-independent. This system provides a simple and inexpensive adjuvant strategy with great potential for future rationally designed vaccines.Fil: Chiodetti, Ana Laura. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Sánchez Vallecillo, María Fernanda. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Dolina, Joseph S.. La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology; Estados UnidosFil: Crespo, Maria Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Marin, Constanza. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Schoenberger, Stephen P.. La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology; Estados UnidosFil: Allemandi, Daniel Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica; ArgentinaFil: Palma, Santiago Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica; ArgentinaFil: Pistoresi, Maria Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Moron, Victor Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Maletto, Belkys Angélica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; Argentin