Vaquita Conservation Efforts

This presentation provides an overview of a Special Session presentation held at the NAAFE Forum 2017 in March, 2017. The title of the special session was: Saving the World's Most Endangered Marine Mammal. The session was organized by Oriana Poindexter

Evaluation of management strategies of recreational use of mangrove forest in Mexico

The project looked at the case of a tourist boat ride on the coast of Nayarit (Mexico), which involves mangrove forests where crocodile watching is an important feature. The policy brief analyzes the case in terms of environmental economics, management strategies, market access and regulation, and policy outcomes

A Capacitance-To-Digital Converter for MEMS Sensors for Smart Applications

The use of MEMS sensors has been increasing in recent years. To cover all the applications, many different readout circuits are needed. To reduce the cost and time to market, a generic capacitance-to-digital converter (CDC) seems to be the logical next step. This work presents a configurable CDC designed for capacitive MEMS sensors. The sensor is built with a bridge of MEMS, where some of them function with pressure. Then, the capacitive to digital conversion is realized using two steps. First, a switched-capacitor (SC) preamplifier is used to make the capacitive to voltage (C-V) conversion. Second, a self-oscillated noise-shaping integrating dual-slope (DS) converter is used to digitize this magnitude. The proposed converter uses time instead of amplitude resolution to generate a multibit digital output stream. In addition it performs noise shaping of the quantization error to reduce measurement time. This article shows the effectiveness of this method by measurements performed on a prototype, designed and fabricated using standard 0.13 mu m CMOS technology. Experimental measurements show that the CDC achieves a resolution of 17 bits, with an effective area of 0.317 mm(2), which means a pressure resolution of 1 Pa, while consuming 146 mu A from a 1.5 V power supply.This work has been funded by Marie Curie project SIMIC, Grant Agreement No. 610484, funded by grants from the European Union (Research Executive Agency) and TEC2014-56879-R of CICYT, Spain.Publicad

Diatomeas (Bacillariophyceae) del marjal Oliva-Pego (Comunidad Valenciana, España)

As the result of a study of algal communities of Marjal Oliva- Pego, we present the diatoms collected at 4 different locations: the Bullent river, Ullal, close to the Bullent river, Bassa Sineu and Font Salat. Fifty one species of diatoms were identified, belonging to 28 genera, with 5 varieties and 1 form. Thirty five species (66 %) are reported as cosmopolite and 5 (9 %) with tropical inclination. Twenty five species came from brackish water and 7 from fresh water. Descriptions for each species and both taxonomic and ecological notes are presented. Two new species are reported for Spanish flora: Kolbesia amoena (Hustedt) Kingstom and Navicula subadnata Hustedt.Como resultado de un estudio de las comunidades algales del marjal Oliva-Pego se ofrece el resultado de cuatro recolecciones realizadas en cuatro puntos diferentes: río Bullent, Ullal cercano al río Bullent, Bassa Sineu y la Font Salat. Se identificaron 51 táxones de diatomeas, que corresponden a 28 géneros, con cinco variedades y una forma, de los cuales 25 son especies propias de aguas salobres o ligeramente salobres y siete de aguas dulces. Treinta y cinco especies (66 %) son cosmopolitas y cinco (9 %) tienen afinidades tropicales. Se ofrecen descripciones para cada una de ellas con notas taxonómicas y ecológicas, y se citan dos nuevas especies para España: Kolbesia amoena (Hustedt) Kingstom y Navicula subadnata Hustedt

Characterization of micromobility crashes in Spain (2016-2020)

Micromobility has a direct impact on the urban area, since it tries to make cities more liveable, o:ffering an alternative transport option that contributes to reduce air and noise pollution. Additionally, it promotes intennodality, promotes money savings, reduces parking space and helps to avoid road congestion in cities that have their own lanes for the use of micromobility vehicles such as bicycles, stand-up e-scooters (escooters) and other personal mobility vehicles (PMVs). In Spain, micromobility has significantly increased in recent years, through the increase in the supply and demand for bicycles and other PMVs, mainly e-scooters. There are many reasons that have motivated users to prioritize the bicycle and the other PMVs over other means of tra.nsport. In addition to the growing concern for health and the environment, the COVID-19 pandemic has also driven the growth in the use ofthe different PMVs in 2020. Accordmg to data from Global Public Transport Report, published by the mobility application Moovit, 31 % of Spanianis have used bicycles, scooters or e-scooters in 2020, increasing their use by 7% since 2019. However, in parallel and because of the increase in PMVs exposure, the number of crashes involving users of these vehicles has also increased in recent years. For this reason, among road safety researchers, interest and concern for the study of this kind of crashes have also increased The aim of this research is to characterize the crashes in Spain in which at least one PMV (bicycle, e-scooter or other PMV) is involved between the years 2016 and 2020

Functionalism and Caprice in Stonecutting. The Case of the Nativity Chapel in Burgos Cathedral

Starting from the inaugural text of Philibert de L'Orme, stereotomic treatises and manuscripts are subject to the opposing forces of reason and fancy. The Nativity Chapel in Burgos Cathedral provides an outstanding case study on this subject. It was built in 1571-1582 by Martín de Bérriz and Martín de la Haya, using an oval vault resting on trumpet squinches to span a rectangular bay. Bed joints and rib axes are not planar curves, as usual in oval vaults. This warping is not capricious; we shall argue that it is the outcome of a systematic tracing method. As a result of this process, the slope of the bed joints increases slightly in the first courses, but stays fairly constant after the third course; this solution prevents the upper courses from slipping. Thus, in the Nativity Chapel of Burgos Cathedral, the constraints of masonry construction fostered a singular solution verging on capriccio. It is also worthwhile to remark that the warping of the joints is not easily appreciable to the eye and that the tracing process does not seem to start from a previous conception of the resulting form. All this suggests that we should be quite careful when talking about the whimsical character of Late Gothic and Early Renaissance; in some occasions, apparent caprice is the offspring of practical thinking

Cianotoxinas: efectos ambientales y sanitarios. Medidas de prevención

Background. Before the events of cyanobacteria toxic blooms are widespread and are increasing in frequency globally, with negative effects on human health, pets, cattle, and wildlife, we integrated the information on the subject for general knowledge, as these events will increasingly have a greater incidence and frequency in a context of global warming. Goals. To reveal the environmental impacts of cyanotoxins, their causes, and acknowledge the need for knowledge about them in order to implement measures that will reduce their negative effects. Methods. We present a review of several studies encompassing historical aspects and incorporating the first studies into the current context, in order to enumerate the most frequent cyanotoxins in inland water. Results. We discuss the symptoms that cyanotoxins cause in vertebrates, as well as reference levels to avoid intoxication by ingestion or contact; the methods used for detection, and the effects on aquatic ecosystems. Conclusions. We draw attention to the need for integral management of algal blooms and systematic monitoring.Antecedentes. Ante los eventos de florecimientos de cianobacterias cada vez más frecuentes a nivel global, cuyos efectos son tóxicos y negativos para la salud humana, las mascotas, los animales del campo, la vida acuática y silvestre, es indispensable hacer pública la información más relevante respecto a este tema, ya que estos eventos tendrán cada vez más una mayor incidencia y frecuencia en un contexto de calentamiento global. Objetivos. Entre los objetivos principales de esta investigación destacan exhibir los impactos ambientales que causan las cianotoxinas, así como sus causas, y reconocer la falta de conocimiento sobre éstas, lo que ha impedido emprender medidas que disminuyan sus efectos negativos. Métodos. Se llevó a cabo una revisión de diversos estudios abarcando aspectos históricos e incorporando los primeros estudios hasta el contexto actual, con el fin de mostrar una breve descripción de las cianotoxinas más importantes y frecuentes en las aguas continentales. Resultados. Fue posible evidenciar los principales daños que causan en vertebrados y las consecuencias que provocan en los ecosistemas acuáticos, así como los niveles de referencia para evitar intoxicaciones por ingestión o contacto; también averiguar los métodos que se emplearon para su detección. Conclusiones. Es necesario hacer hincapié en la urgencia de atender integralmente los florecimientos algales y su monitoreo sistemático

Offensive Transitions in High-Performance Football: Differences Between UEFA Euro 2008 and UEFA Euro 2016

Coaches, footballers and researchers agree that offensive transitions are one of the most important moments in football today. In a sport where defense over attack dominates, with low scores on the scoreboard, the importance of these actions from the offensive point of view becomes very important. Despite this, scientific literature is still very limited on this topic. Therefore, the objectives set out in the present investigation have been two: first, by means of a proportion analysis and the application of a chi-square test, it was intended to describe the possible differences between the offensive transitions made in the UEFA Euro 2008 and UEFA Euro 2016; then, through different multivariate analyzes based on logistic regression models, it was intended to know the possible differences among the proposed models. Using observational methodology as a methodological filter, 1,533 offensive transitions corresponding to the observation of the quarter final, semifinal, and final quarter of UEFA Euro 2008 and UEFA Euro 2016 have been analyzed. The results obtained have shown that offensive transitions between both championships have changed throughout both UEFA Euro, as well as some of the variables or behaviors associated with them (p < 0.05). The predictive models considered, although they have been developed from the same predictor variables, have also yielded different results for both championships, evidencing predictive differences among themselves. These results allow to corroborate that the offensive phase in high level football, specifically in what refers to moments of transition defense-attack, have evolved over these 8 years. At the applied level, the results of this research allow coaches to have current and contemporary information on these actions, potentially allowing them to improve their offensive performance during competition

Economic Assessment of Small Scale Longline Fisheries in Oaxaca, Mexico: A Cross Section Data Approach

During last decade, the excluding efficiency of circle hooks for sea turtle has given positive and successful outcomes in Oaxaca, Mexico. The research seeks: 1) determine if the change of fishing gear provides positive benefits to local small scale longline fishermen, 2) estimate the benefit and cost functions, 3) determine the parameters variates and its influence in both models, and 4) estimate a Cobb-Douglas production function. Using unrestricted sampling with proportional assignment, 540 surveys were conducted through May to September 2015. Two benefit models were estimated (EE1-R1 and EE1-NR), the first one is restricted to boats using Selar rumenophthalmus, Ophioscion vermiculatus and Caranx caballus as bait, and the second model is unrestricted. Two models were also estimated for catch, the first (EC1-R1) includes boats using only longline, and the second (EC2-R2) restricted to boats using the bait species mentioned. For model EE1-R1 cost and income are statistically significant at 0.01%, showing elastic and inelastic elasticities respectively. For benefit model EE1-NR, significant variates at 0.01% are price, catch and coast distance. For EC1-R1 significant parameters are coast distance, catch weight and time (hours longline left in water). Significant parameters for model EC2-R2 are coast distance and number of caught fish. Finally, a Cobb-Douglas production function was also estimated, using fishermen as labor and hooks in longline as capital, the factor elasticities are inelastic and, lastly, the small scale longline fishery has decreasing returns to scale. Models highlights the importance of the use of bait species in Oaxaca´s small scale longline fishery

Strategies for Fishery Subsidy Reform

Subsidies can directly support unsustainable fishing practices that harm both ecosystems and long-term social and economic benefits. Globally, fishery subsidies total around US$27 billion, yet their impacts on fishing dynamics are specific to given regions or particular fisheries and fishery subsidies within a nation have markedly different effects when applied to artisanal versus industrial, or managed versus open-access conditions. A range of subsidy reform strategies are critically assessed, drawing on a review of over 30 case studies worldwide to determine patterns in their usefulness and necessary conditions for implementation. Strategies with best overall results are explicitly reorienting subsidies away from capacity-enhancement, and/or conditioning them on specific sustainability performance metrics. Decoupling subsidies from fishing (e.g. providing direct aid to fishers) has unpredictable and unclear results, whereas buyback programs have mostly, and sometimes significantly, poor outcomes. Eliminating subsidies is perhaps the simplest strategy, but is also the most difficult to implement from a social and political perspective. There are clear patterns in effective and beneficial subsidy reform strategies, though key factors for any policy to succeed are clear short- and long-term goals; creative design; transparent implementation; and strong socio-political will