¿És d'interès públic mantenir una xarxa de seguiment de ratpenats als espais naturals protegits de l'Alt Empordà?

Entre els anys 2001 a 2009 s’han realitzat diverses campanyes d’estudi de ratpenats a l’Alt Empordà, sobretot en espais naturals protegits. A banda d’unes 300 nits de camp, s’han realitzat nou conferències, s’ha editat material didàctic i generat desenes de notícies. Durant aquest període, s’han citat 25 espècies de ratpenats (86% de les catalanes). A l’Albera i l’AltaGarrotxa és on s’han trobat més espècies, segurament a causa de l’elevada diversitat d’hàbitats i presència de boscos ben conservats. Entre els diferents espais naturals, s’hi ha pogut confirmar connectivitat, sobretot gràcies als corredors fluvials amb vegetació de ribera existents. En general, aquest estudi mostra l’interès dels ratpenats com a bioindicadors de la qualitat del nostre entorn i convida investigadors i gestors a continuar fent campanyes de divulgació i sensibilitzacióBetween 2001 and 2009, several field studies on bats have been carried out in the Alt Empordà region, especially in protected areas. Besides 300 nights in the field, nine conferences were held, educational material has been edited and dozens of news articles have been published. During this period, 25 species of bats (86% of Catalan species) have been cited.Most species were found in the Albera mountain range and the Alta Garrotxa region, surely because of their elevated diversity of habitats and the presence of wellconserved forests. A connection between the different natural parks has been confirmed thanks to the river corridors and their vegetation. In general, this study is interested in bats as bioindicators of environmental quality and invites researchers and managers to continue outreach and awareness campaigns

Bat echolocation plasticity in allopatry: a call for caution in acoustic identification of Pipistrellus sp.

Animals modify their behaviours and interactions in response to changing environments. In bats, environmental adaptations are reflected in echolocation signalling that is used for navigation, foraging and communication. However, the extent and drivers of echolocation plasticity are not fully understood, hindering our identification of bat species with ultrasonic detectors, particularly for cryptic species with similar echolocation calls. We used a combination of DNA barcoding, intensive trapping, roost and emergence surveys and acoustic recording to study a widespread European cryptic species complex (Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Pipistrellus pygmaeus) to investigate whether sibling bat species could exhibit extreme echolocation plasticity in response to certain environmental conditions or behaviours. We found that P. pygmaeus occupied the acoustic niche of their absent congeneric species, producing calls with P. pipistrellus’ characteristic structure and peak frequencies and resulting in false positive acoustic records of that species. Echolocation frequency was significantly affected by the density of bats and by maternity rearing stage, with lower frequency calls emitted when there was a high density of flying bats, and by mothers while juveniles were non-volant. During roost emergence, 29% of calls had peak frequencies typical of P. pipistrellus, with calls as low as 44 kHz, lower than ever documented. We show that automatic and manual call classifiers fail to account for echolocation plasticity, misidentifying P. pygmaeus as P. pipistrellus. Our study raises a vital limitation of using only acoustic sampling in areas with high densities of a single species of a cryptic species pair, with important implications for bat monitoring

Impact of collaborative nursing care on the recovery process of mental health day hospital users: a mixed-methods study protocol

Introduction: Very few collaborative nursing care interventions have been studied and shown to be effective in the context of the paradigm shift towards recovery in mental health nursing. Understanding the changes produced in the recovery process of people with mental health problems can contribute to the design and implementation of new methodologies to offer effective and person-centred care. Methods and analysis: This is a mixed-methods study, which is structured in three phases. In phase one (baseline) and phase three (follow-up), quantitative data will be collected from patients at a mental health day hospitals based on a two-armed, parallel-design, non-randomised trial. In phase two, two groups will be established: an intervention group in which the intervention based on collaborative nursing care will be carried out through the codesign and implementation of activities through Participatory Action Research, and a control group in which the usual care dynamics will be continued. All the users of three mental health day hospitals who agree to participate in the study will be studied consecutively until the necessary sample size is reached. The outcomes used to evaluate the impact of the intervention will be the stage of the recovery process, the quality of the therapeutic relationship and the patient's level of positive mental health. Ethics and dissemination: This study has been approved by the institutional review board of the reference hospital, FIDMAG Hermanas Hospitalarias (PR-2020-10) in July 2020. All participants will be able to voluntarily withdraw from the study at any time. For this reason, users will be given a sheet with all the precise information about the study to be carried out and written consent will be requested. Preliminary and final results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international congresses

Tumor phenotype and breast density in distinct categories of interval cancer: results of population-based mammography screening in Spain

Introduction: Interval cancers are tumors arising after a negative screening episode and before the next screening invitation. They can be classified into true interval cancers, false-negatives, minimal-sign cancers, and occult tumors based on mammographic findings in screening and diagnostic mammograms. This study aimed to describe tumor-related characteristics and the association of breast density and tumor phenotype within four interval cancer categories. Methods: We included 2,245 invasive tumors (1,297 screening-detected and 948 interval cancers) diagnosed from 2000 to 2009 among 645,764 women aged 45 to 69 who underwent biennial screening in Spain. Interval cancers were classified by a semi-informed retrospective review into true interval cancers (n = 455), false-negatives (n = 224), minimal-sign (n = 166), and occult tumors (n = 103). Breast density was evaluated using Boyd’s scale and was conflated into: 75%. Tumor-related information was obtained from cancer registries and clinical records. Tumor phenotype was defined as follows: luminal A: ER+/HER2- or PR+/HER2-; luminal B: ER +/HER2+ or PR+/HER2+; HER2: ER-/PR-/HER2+; triple-negative: ER-/PR-/HER2-. The association of tumor phenotype and breast density was assessed using a multinomial logistic regression model. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results: Forty-eight percent of interval cancers were true interval cancers and 23.6% false-negatives. True interval cancers were associated with HER2 and triple-negative phenotypes (OR = 1.91 (95% CI:1.22-2.96), OR = 2.07 (95% CI:1.42-3.01), respectively) and extremely dense breasts (>75%) (OR = 1.67 (95% CI:1.08-2.56)). However, among true interval cancers a higher proportion of triple-negative tumors was observed in predominantly fatty breasts (<25%) than in denser breasts (28.7%, 21.4%, 11.3% and 14.3%, respectively; <0.001). False-negatives and occult tumors had similar phenotypic characteristics to screening-detected cancers, extreme breast density being strongly associated with occult tumors (OR = 6.23 (95% CI:2.65-14.66)). Minimal-sign cancers were biologically close to true interval cancers but showed no association with breast density. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that both the distribution of tumor phenotype and breast density play specific and independent roles in each category of interval cancer. Further research is needed to understand the biological basis of the overrepresentation of triple-negative phenotype among predominantly fatty breasts in true interval cancers

The experiences of family members of persons with intellectual disabilities who used residential care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: The global COVID-19 pandemic has shown the vulnerability of some population groups, including persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Aim: The present paper will provide more clarity and understanding of the experiences of family members of persons with IDD housed in residential facilities in Catalonia within the period of maximum restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods and procedures: Semi-structured interviews were conducted using an interpretive phenomenological qualitative approach. Study participants consisted of 14 relatives of IDD individuals who were institutionalized in residence facilities or homes. The guiding questions emerged from group discussions with relatives of those with IDD who did not participate in the subsequent interviews. Drawing from this group, the factors that were identified to have had the greatest impact on their lives were later used to guide the interviews. Data collection was carried out in face-to-face individual interviews that were recorded together with the observations of two researchers between February and October 2022. Results: Our analysis identified 4 main themes that developed into additional factors: the decision to stay at home or in the residence, fear, illness, and protocol. Individuals with IDD lost their daily routines, suffered from social isolation, and did not understand the situation. Conclusion: The results of this study allow for a better understanding of the experiences of families of persons with IDD in residential centres during the lockdown by identifying their needs and how to better support them in the future. Outcomes and results: Knowledge and understanding of these events should allow for better management of similar situations in the future

Autophagy-mediated NCOR1 degradation is required for brown fat maturation and thermogenesis

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis affects energy balance, and thereby it has the potential to induce weight loss and to prevent obesity. Here, we document a macroautophagic/autophagic-dependent mechanism of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG) activity regulation that induces brown adipose differentiation and thermogenesis and that is mediated by TP53INP2. Disruption of TP53INP2-dependent autophagy reduced brown adipogenesis in cultured cells. In vivo specific-tp53inp2 ablation in brown precursor cells or in adult mice decreased the expression of thermogenic and mature adipocyte genes in BAT. As a result, TP53INP2-deficient mice had reduced UCP1 content in BAT and impaired maximal thermogenic capacity, leading to lipid accumulation and to positive energy balance. Mechanistically, TP53INP2 stimulates PPARG activity and adipogenesis in brown adipose cells by promoting the autophagic degradation of NCOR1, a PPARG co-repressor. Moreover, the modulation of TP53INP2 expression in BAT and in human brown adipocytes suggests that this protein increases PPARG activity during metabolic activation of brown fat. In all, we have identified a novel molecular explanation for the contribution of autophagy to BAT energy metabolism that could facilitate the design of therapeutic strategies against obesity and its metabolic complications

RF characterisation of new coatings for future circular collider beam screens

For the future high energy colliders being under the design at this moment, the choice of a low surface impedance beam screen coating material has become of fundamental importance to ensure sufficiently low beam impedance and consequently guaranteed stable operation at high currents. We have studied the use of high-temperature superconducting coated conductors as possible coating materials for the beam screen of the FCC-hh. In addition, amorphous carbon coating and laser-based surface treatment techniques are effective surface treatments to lower the secondary electron yield and minimise the electron cloud build-up. We have developed and adapted different experimental setups based on resonating structures at frequencies below 10 GHz to study the response of these coatings and their modified surfaces under the influence of RF fields and DC magnetic fields up to 9¿T. Taking the FCC-hh as a reference, we will show that the surface resistance for REBCO-CCs is much lower than that of Cu. Further we show that the additional surface modifications can be optimised to minimise their impact on the surface impedance. Results from selected coatings will be presented.Work supported by CERN under Grants FCC-GOV-CC-0210 (KE4945/ATS), FCC-GOV-CC-0209 (KE4946/ATS) and FCC-GOV-CC0208 (KE4947/ATS). ICMAB funding through RTI2018-095853-B-C21 SuMaTe from MICINN and co-financing by the European Regional Development Fund, 2017-SGR 1519 from Generalitat de Catalunya, and COST Action NANOCO-HYBRI (CA16218) from EU, the Center of Excellence award Severo Ochoa CEX2019-000917-S. UPC funding through the Unit of Excellence Maria de Maetzu MDM2016-0600. N. Tagdulang and A. Romanov acknowledge MSCA-COFUND-2016-754397 for the PhD grant.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Evaluation of the nonlinear surface resistance of REBCO coated conductors for their use in the FCC-hh beam screen

To assess the feasibility of using high-temperature superconductors for the beam screens of future circular colliders, we have undertaken a study of the power dependence of the microwave surface resistance in state-of-the-art REBCO coated conductors at about 8 GHz and 50 K. We have employed a dielectric resonator to produce radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic fields on the surface of the coated conductors having amplitudes similar to those generated by proton bunches circulating in the vacuum chamber of the proposed future circular collider Hadron-Hadron (FCC-hh) at CERN We show that surface resistances in REBCO coated conductors without artificial pinning centers are more affected by a RF magnetic field than those containing nano-inclusions. Despite that, at 8 GHz, 50 K, and 9 T, most REBCO coated conductors studied outperform copper in terms of surface resistance, with the best sample having a 2.3 mΩ surface resistance while being subject to an RF field 2.5 times stronger than that in the FCC-hh. We also extrapolate the measured data to 16 T and 1 GHz, the actual FCC-hh dipole magnetic field, and the mid-beam frequency spectrum, demonstrating the possibility of lowering the surface resistance of the vacuum chamber by up to two orders of magnitude compared to copper. Further, we discuss the correlation between the time structure of the electromagnetic fields provided by vector network analyzers compared to the proton bunches' time structure in the collider and present the effect of low alternating magnetic fields on vortex displacement and the possibility of demagnetization of superconducting samples.The authors acknowledge the support and samples provided by Bruker HTS GmbH, Fujikura Ltd, SuNAM CO Ltd SuperOx, SuperPower Inc. and Theva Dünnschichttechnik GmbH. This work was supported by CERN under Grant Nos. FCC-GOV-CC-0072/KE3358, FCC-GOV-CC-0153/KE4106 and FCC-GOV-CC-0208/KE4947/ATS. UPC funding was also provided through the Unit of Excellence María de Maeztu MDM2016-0600. N Tagdulang and A Romanov acknowledge MSCA-COFUND-2016-754397 for the PhD Grant. ICMAB authors acknowledge RTI2018-095853-B-C21 SuMaTe from MICINN and co-financing by the European Regional Development Fund; 2017-SGR 1519 from Generalitat de Catalunya and COST Action NANOCO-HYBRI (CA16218) from EU, the Center of Excellence award Severo Ochoa CEX2019-000917-S.With funding from the Spanish government through the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000917-S).Peer reviewe

Pla de millora de l’accés als mètodes anticonceptius de llarga durada

Mètodes anticonceptius; Pla de millora; Salut sexualMétodos anticonceptivos; Plan de mejora; Salud sexualContraceptive methods; Improvement plan; Sexual healthAquest Pla s’orienta de forma general a la millora de la salut sexual i reproductiva, i de forma específica a la millora de l’accés de la població als mètodes anticonceptius i està dissenyat per evitar les barreres més comunes: la informació, el cost i l’accés al mètode i permetre avançar per garantir els drets sexuals i reproductius i l’equitat contraceptiva

Rúbriques per a l'avaluació de competències

Podeu consultar la versió castellana a recurs relacionat.Aquest Quadern és una introducció a l’ús de rúbriques per a l’avaluació dels aprenentatges en l’Educació Superior. Basat en el curs «Elaboració de rúbriques per a l’avaluació de les competències transversals», organitzat per l’Institut de Ciències de l’Educació de la Universitat de Barcelona, ha recollit el resultat de la participació de professorat d’enenyaments diversos de la UB, amb la ánalitat de col·laborar interdisciplinàriament en l’elaboració de rúbriques per avaluar les competències transversals, en primer lloc, i d’elaborar rúbriques sobre les pròpies assignatures en segon lloc.Per tal d’elaborar les rúbriques sobre les competències transversals, s’han definit les competències, s’han establert indicadors i criteris d’avaluació. Considerem que el resultat de l’anàlisi, de les definicions, dels indicadors i de les mateixes rúbriques, no és generalitzable però constitueix un material de primera mà per al desenvolupament i implementació de les rúbriques en l’avaluació de les assignatures a partir dels models oferts