Los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible y las Grandes Empresas Españolas: Un análisis de su Compromiso a partir de su Reporte No Financiero

[EN] This paper aims to analyse the level of commitment with the SDGs of large Spanish companies based on the information published in their Non-Financial Statements and their letters from the chairman. To achieve this objective and identify potential explanatory factors, a balanced sample of 58 Spanish companies, 29 listed and 29 unlisted, in 2019 has been used. The results of this study evidence: i) the greater commitment with the SDGs of companies which are exposed in the stock markets and those which are larger; ii) the relevance of the diversity into the boards of directors, in order to integrate the largest and the widest number of interests as well as those values and principles which are intrinsically associated to women directors; and iii) the greater emphasis on those SDGs related to well-known issues by these organizations, thanks to their greater experience in non-financial reporting, publishing documents such as corporate social responsibility or sustainability reports.[ES] El presente trabajo tiene como principal objetivo evaluar el nivel de compromiso con los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) de las grandes empresas españolas a partir de la información contenida en sus Estados de Información No Financiera (EINF) y las cartas de sus presidentes e identificar los posibles factores explicativos asociados a la propia organización. Para ello se ha contado con una muestra equilibrada de 58 compañías españolas, 29 cotizadas y 29 no cotizadas, en el ejercicio 2019. Los resultados obtenidos ponen de relieve: i) la mayor preocupación que despiertan los ODS entre las empresas expuestas en los mercados bursátiles y aquellas que son de mayor tamaño; ii) la importancia de contar con consejos de administración diversos, que integren el mayor número de intereses posibles así como aquellos valores y principios que se atribuyen de forma intrínseca a las mujeres; y iii) el mayor énfasis en aquellos ODS relacionados con aquellas temáticas ya conocidas por este tipo de organizaciones, gracias a su mayor experiencia en el reporting no financiero, publicando documentos como los informes de responsabilidad social corporativa o las memorias de sostenibilidad

Nuevo índice para evaluar anomalías de elementos traza en suelos: el caso del SE español

In this work, an index is established to detect anomalies in trace elements in the soil. This index, which relates the total concentration of each element with the regional geochemical background value of the element considered, was defined by studying the levels of trace elements from different soils located in SE Spain. In the area, a previous screening of trace elements detected seven zones with anomalies and revealed two conflictive areas: Sierra Gador and Cabo de Gata. In each zone, a second sampling was undertaken at two different depths (0-20 cm and 20-40 cm). The results indicate that the main anomalies were due to arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn). In Sierra Gador Pb was the element that registered the highest rate of enrichment with respect to the regional geochemical background, reaching values up to 270-fold higher in some samples. In this zone, more than 50% of the samples were anomalous in any of the trace elements studied (higher than regional geochemical background). In Cabo de Gata, As concentration was higher than the geochemical background in more than 40% of the samples; meanwhile Pb concentration was higher in 50% of the samples.En este trabajo establecemos un índice para detectar anomalías en el contenido de elementos traza en suelos. Este índice relaciona el contenido total de cada elemento traza con el fondo geoquímico regional, definido mediante el estudio de los niveles de elementos traza en diferentes suelos localizados en el sureste español. En un primer estudio sobre niveles de elementos traza en suelos del área de estudio detectaron siete zonas con anomalías, de las cuales dos fueron consideradas conflictivas: Sierra de Gádor y Cabo de Gata. En cada una de estas dos zonas se realizó un segundo estudio más exhaustivo a dos niveles de profundidad (0-20 y 20-40 cm). Los resultados indican que las principales anomalías correspondes a los niveles de As, Pb y Zn. En Sierra de Gádor el Pb es el elemento que presenta una mayor tasa de enriquecimiento con respecto al fondo geoquímico regional, con valores puntuales que lo superan hasta 270 veces. También en esta zona más del 50% de las muestras presentan anomalías en alguno de los elementos analizados. En Cabo de Gata el As supera el fondo geoquímico regional en más del 40% de las muestras; mientras que el Pb lo supera en el 50% de las muestras.This study has been made possible by the research Project no. 1550 of the Regional Environmental Department of the Andalusian Government

Evolution of the Residual Pollution in Soils after Bioremediation Treatments

This study is focused on one of the most important spills that ever happened in Europe, the Aznalcóllar’s mine spill. The extensive application of phytostabilization in the area led to the implementation of the Guadiamar Green Corridor (GGC). Soil physicochemical properties were analyzed and the total concentration of Pb, As, Zn and Cu was measured by X-ray fluorescence (XRF); bioassay using Lactuca sativa L. was applied to assess potential toxicity. Two decades after the accident, some soils affected by residual contamination continue to appear in the area. According to regulatory levels, Pb and As concentrations are exceeded in around 13%and 70%, respectively, in the uppermost part of the soils (first 10 cm). The change in soil properties after bioremediation treatment positively promoted the reduction in the potential mobility of pollutants by the increase in pH, CaCO3 content and organic carbon. Anyway, the bioassay with Lactuca sativa, indicated that around 25% of the soils showed toxicity by the reduction of the root elongation in relation to the control samples. Our results indicate that monitoring of the GGC is still needed, together with the application of soil recovery measures to reduce the potential toxicity in some sectors of the affected area.This research was funded by the Research Project RTI 2018-094327-B-I00 (Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities) and the Research Groups RNM-269 and RNM-101 (Junta de Andalucía, Spain)

Incidencia de diarreas en menores de 5 años y su relación con la calidad y disponibilidad del agua para uso y consumo humano en Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo León (México)

Debido a que el agua para uso y consumo humano puede ser un vehículo en la propagación deenfermedades transmisibles, se llevó en Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo León, un estudio de casos ycontroles no apareados con la finalidad de establecer la relación de la calidad y disponibilidad delagua de uso y consumo humano con la ocurrencia de diarreas en menores de 5 años, que fueronatendidos en los Servicios de Salud., durante julio a octubre de 1998. Durante el período de estudio,se identificaron 42 casos y 42 controles. El factor que se encontró asociado de manera significativacon la probabilidad de enfermar por diarrea fue el nivel de cloración en rangos menores a 0.50 mg/ltscon un Odds Ratio de 4.14 (IC 95% 1.62-10.60) y una fracción etiológica del 75.9%.AbstractBecause the water for use and human consumption can be a vehicle in the propagation oftransferable illnesses, it was taken in Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo León, a study of cases and controlsnot matched up with the purpose of establishing the relationship of the quality and readiness of theuse water and human consumption with the occurrence of diarrheas in smaller than 5 years that wereassisted in the Services of Health., during July to October of 1998. During the period of study, 42cases and 42 controls were identified. The factor that was associated of significant way with theprobability of making sick for diarrhea was the cloración level in smaller ranges to 0.50 mg/lts with aOdds Ratio 4.14 (IC 95% 1.62-10.60) and a etiologic fraction of 75.9%.Palabras clave: agua, calidad, disponibilidad, Nuevo León, Sabinas Hidalgo, water, quality, acces

El uso de la plataforma WebCT en la formación de los estudiantes

Esta experiencia está estrechamente relacionada con la metodología que hemos venido realizando en los últimos cursos académicos. Los estudiantes se han organizado individualmente, parejas o en grupos para trabajar las actividades correspondientes a cada tema a través de la plataforma Virtual WebCT y, se ha dedicado el tiempo de créditos prácticos para su puesta en común en el aula. La metodología se ha basado en estrategias propias de una enseñanza activa y autónoma, centrada en la figura del alumno como elemento clave del sistema de formación y con una participación del profesor/ tutor como dinamizador y facilitador del proceso de aprendizaje. Siendo objetivo prioritario lograr que los alumnos utilicen las diversas herramientas para la participación y la interacción con otros/as compañeros/as, con la profesora y los propios materiales

Technosols Derived from Mining, Urban, and Agro-Industrial Waste for the Remediation of Metal(loid)-Polluted Soils: A Microcosm Assay

This research was funded by the project RTI2018-094327-B-I00 (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation). A.A.-G. thanks the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for their predoc- toral fellowship granted under application references FPU-18/02901; M.P.-L. thanks the Research Project RTI2018-094327-B-I00 (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation) for his contract; and A.R-F. thanks the Junta de Andalusia Post-doctoral Operating Research Program FEDER 2014-2020 (ref. E-RNM-444-UGR20) for her contract.Supplementary Materials: The following supporting information can be downloaded at https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/toxics11100854/s1This study evaluated the effectiveness of six Technosols designed for the remediation of polluted soils (PS) by metal(loid)s at physicochemical, biological, and ecotoxicological levels and at a microcosm scale. Technosols T1–T6 were prepared by combining PS with a mix of organic and inorganic wastes from mining, urban, and agro-industrial activities. After two months of surface application of Technosols on polluted soils, we analysed the soil properties, metal(loid) concentration in total, soluble and bioavailable fractions, soil enzymatic activities, and the growth responses of Trifolium campestre and Lactuca sativa in both the Technosols and the underlying polluted soils. All Technosols improved the unfavourable conditions of polluted soils by neutralising acidity, increasing the OC, reducing the mobility of most metal(loid)s, and stimulating both the soil enzymatic activities and growths of T. campestre and L. sativa. The origin of organic waste used in the Technosols strongly conditioned the changes induced in the polluted soils; in this sense, the Technosols composed of pruning and gardening vermicompost (T3 and T6) showed greater reductions in toxicity and plant growth than the other Technosols composed with different organic wastes. Thus, these Technosols constitute a potential solution for the remediation of persistent polluted soils that should be applied in large-scale and long-term interventions to reinforce their feasibility as a cost-effective ecotechnology.Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation RTI2018-094327-B-I00, FPU-18/02901Junta de Andalusia FEDER 2014-2020 E-RNM-444-UGR2

Removing lead from water with carboxylate dendrimers and magnetic nanoparticles modified with carboxylate dendrimers

Contamination of water with heavy metals as lead (Pb2+) is a relevant problematic issue. In this work, we have tested diferent types of dendritic materials for lead removal from water and further recovery. The systems employed are magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) modifed with monocarboxylate and dendritic carboxylate ligands, and they are compared to pristine MNP and carbosilane dendrimers. They are all efective at removing Pb2+, but the key variations are in their recyclability. The usage of a fltering membrane was required for dendrimers, which was signifcantly degraded by the acidic media. In terms of MNP, those that were covered by dendritic molecules were clearly less damaged in acidic media. Finally, isotherm analysis revealed that Pb2+ interacts diferently with unmodifed and modifed MNP.Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER¿BBN)Ministerio de Ciencia e InnovaciónComunidad de MadridUniversidad de Alcal

A hierarchical architecture for recognising intentionality in mental tasks on a brain-computer interface

A brain-computer interface (BCI), based on motor imagery EEG, uses information extracted from the electroencephalography signals generated by a person who intends to perform any action. One of the most important issues of current research is how to detect automatically whether the user intends to send some message to a certain device. This study presents a proposal, based on a hierarchical structured system, for recognising intentional and non-intentional mental tasks on a BCI system by applying machine learning techniques to the EEG signals. First-level clustering is performed to distinguish between intentional control (IC) and non-intentional control (NC) state patterns. Then, the patterns recognised as IC are passed on to a second stage where supervised learning techniques are used to classify them. In BCI applications, it is critical to correctly classify NC states with a low false positive rate (FPR) to avoid undesirable effects. According to the literature, we selected a maximum FPR of 10%. Under these conditions, our proposal achieved an average test accuracy of 66.6%, with an 8.2% FPR, for the BCI competition IIIa dataset. The main contribution of this paper is the hierarchical approach, based on machine learning paradigms, which performs intentional and non-intentional discrimination and, depending on the case, classifies the intended command selected by the user.This work was partially supported by the ERDF/Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities - National Research Agency/PhysComp project, TIN2017-85409-P and by the Department of Education, Universities and Research of the Basque Government (ADIAN research group, grant IT980-16)

Desarrollo a distancia de la maestría en docencia para la educación media superior (MADEMS) de la Univesidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)

The general characteristics of the Master’s degree program MADEMS and the strategic actions required to organize the distance education program are described. The possibilities for generalization and collaboration with high schools and colleges in Mexico and in other countries are examined. Furthermore, the implications of this program in the context of educational spaces in which our institution is involved are also considered. This is done by taking into account that this program provides a multidisciplinary model with a multiplicative effect and that it is also a project which contributes to education, training, innovation, cooperation and development.Describimos las características generales de la MADEMS y las acciones estratégicas necesarias para impartir la modalidad a distancia. También comentamos sus posibilidades de generalización y colaboración con centros de educación media y superior en México y en otros países, así como las implicaciones que tiene este posgrado en el marco de los espacios educativos en los cuales participa la institución, en tanto modelo de programa multidisciplinario, experiencia de efecto multiplicador y proyecto donde convergen aportaciones a la educación, la capacitación, la innovación, la cooperación y el desarrollo