When Density Matters: The Spatial Balance between Early and Latewood

Understanding the influence of the current climate on the distribution, composition, and carbon storage capacity of Mediterranean tree species is key to determining future pathways under a warmer and drier climate scenario. Here, we evaluated the influence of biotic and environmental factors on earlywood (EW) and latewood (LW) growth in Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.). Our investigation was based on a dense dendrochronological network (71 sites), which covered the entire distribution area of the species in the Iberian Peninsula (around 119.652 km2), and a high-resolution climate dataset of the Western Mediterranean area. We used generalized linear-mixed models to determine the spatial and temporal variations of EW and LW across the species distribution. Our results showed an intense but differentiated climatic influence on both EW and LW growth components. The climatic influence explained significant variations across the environmental gradients in the study area, which suggested an important adaptation through phenotypic plasticity and local adaptation to varying climatic conditions. In addition, we detected a clear spatial trade-off between efficiency and safety strategy in the growth patterns across the species distribution. Additionally, in more productive areas, the trees presented a higher proportion of EW (more efficient to water transport), while, in more xeric conditions, the LW proportion increased (more safety to avoid embolisms), implying an adaptation to more frequent drought episodes and a higher capacity of carbon depletion. We therefore concluded that Mediterranean forests adapted to dryer conditions might be more efficient as carbon reservoirs than forests growing in wetter areas. Finally, we advocated for the need to consider wood density (EW/LW proportion) when modeling current and future forest carbon sequestrations

Ancient and historical DNA in conservation policy

Although genetic diversity has been recognized as a key component of biodiversity since the first Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1993, it has rarely been included in conservation policies and regulations. Even less appreciated is the role that ancient and historical DNA (aDNA and hDNA, respectively) could play in unlocking the temporal dimension of genetic diversity, allowing key conservation issues to be resolved, including setting baselines for intraspecies genetic diversity, estimating changes in effective population size (N-e), and identifying the genealogical continuity of populations. Here, we discuss how genetic information from ancient and historical specimens can play a central role in preserving biodiversity and highlight specific conservation policies that could incorporate such data to help countries meet their CBD obligations.Peer reviewe

Good practice regarding smoking cessation management in Spain: Challenges and opportunities for primary care physicians and nurses

INTRODUCTION We analyze the activities carried out by primary care (PC) physicians and nurses with respect to smoking cessation and evaluate their self-reported training, knowledge, and behavior. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted including 1514 PC physicians and nurses from June 2016 to March 2017, in Spain. The main variable was Good Practice (GP) in attention to smokers. To identify associated factors, a multilevel logistic regression model was used adjusted for sex, age, type of center, contract, years of employment, tobacco consumption, and self-reported training/knowledge. RESULTS Of the 792 physicians and 722 nurses, 48.6% referred to GP in smoking cessation management. The finding related to: being a non-smoker (OR=1.8; 95% CI: 1.2-2.5) or ex-smoker (OR= 1.4; 95% CI: 1.02-2.1), having a good level of knowledge (OR=1.8; 95% CI: 1.3-2.4) and training (OR=2.4; 95% CI: 1.8-3.2), and, to a lesser extent, being female (OR=1.3; 95% CI: 1.03-1.7), and work experience >10 years (OR=1.4; 95% CI: 1.03-1.9). The main GP barriers were: lack of time (45.5%), organizational problems (48.4%), and 35.4% lack of training. CONCLUSIONS The GP of PC physicians and nurses regarding smoking cessation management is related to being non-smokers or ex-smokers, and having sufficient training and knowledge. Lack of time and organizational problems were considered to be the main barriers. The promotion of training activities in the Spanish National Health Service with the support of scientific societies is required

Uso de RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) para la docencia y divulgación de las Ciencias de la Tierra

Proyecto de Innovación docente enfocado a la elaboración de material audiovisual digital modular basado en las imágenes obtenidas con dron y enfocado a la enseñanza a nivel de grado y master, así como a la divulgación científica.Depto. de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y PaleontologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasFALSEsubmitte

Trends and outcome of neoadjuvant treatment for rectal cancer: A retrospective analysis and critical assessment of a 10-year prospective national registry on behalf of the Spanish Rectal Cancer Project

Introduction: Preoperative treatment and adequate surgery increase local control in rectal cancer. However, modalities and indications for neoadjuvant treatment may be controversial. Aim of this study was to assess the trends of preoperative treatment and outcomes in patients with rectal cancer included in the Rectal Cancer Registry of the Spanish Associations of Surgeons. Method: This is a STROBE-compliant retrospective analysis of a prospective database. All patients operated on with curative intention included in the Rectal Cancer Registry were included. Analyses were performed to compare the use of neoadjuvant/adjuvant treatment in three timeframes: I)2006–2009; II)2010–2013; III)2014–2017. Survival analyses were run for 3-year survival in timeframes I-II. Results: Out of 14, 391 patients, 8871 (61.6%) received neoadjuvant treatment. Long-course chemo/radiotherapy was the most used approach (79.9%), followed by short-course radiotherapy ± chemotherapy (7.6%). The use of neoadjuvant treatment for cancer of the upper third (15-11 cm) increased over time (31.5%vs 34.5%vs 38.6%, p = 0.0018). The complete regression rate slightly increased over time (15.6% vs 16% vs 18.5%; p = 0.0093); the proportion of patients with involved circumferential resection margins (CRM) went down from 8.2% to 7.3%and 5.5% (p = 0.0004). Neoadjuvant treatment significantly decreased positive CRM in lower third tumors (OR 0.71, 0.59–0.87, Cochrane-Mantel-Haenszel P = 0.0008). Most ypN0 patients also received adjuvant therapy. In MR-defined stage III patients, preoperative treatment was associated with significantly longer local-recurrence-free survival (p < 0.0001), and cancer-specific survival (p < 0.0001). The survival benefit was smaller in upper third cancers. Conclusion: There was an increasing trend and a potential overuse of neoadjuvant treatment in cancer of the upper rectum. Most ypN0 patients received postoperative treatment. Involvement of CRM in lower third tumors was reduced after neoadjuvant treatment. Stage III and MRcN + benefited the most

The Imprint of Droughts on Mediterranean Pine Forests

Triggered by frequent high temperatures and scarce precipitation, droughts are a recurrent phenomenon in the Mediterranean Basin, causing significant impacts on forests. We analyzed the effects of drought intensity, duration, and seasonality on tree growth by investigating the relationship between the Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) at different time scales and tree-ring width (TRW) in three pine species (Pinus halepensis Mill., P. sylvestris L, and P. uncinata Ramond ex A.DC) throughout a dense dendrochronological network in the Mediterranean Basin. We used generalized linear mixed models to predict such values over the entire distribution of the analyzed species. Furthermore, in areas where the species coexist, we analyzed the same parameters to highlight differences in their responses to similar climatic conditions. Our results showed that the maximum intensity of drought-affected conifers occurred more in the southern areas of the Spanish Mediterranean coast, especially P. halepensis, with maximum values of r = 0.67, while in the rest of the study area, the intensity decreased with elevation; we obtained maximum values of r = 0.40 and r = 0.33 for P. sylvestris and P. uncinata, respectively. This spatial distribution was also related to the duration of the drought impacts, showing that areas with lower intensity had shorter durations (2&ndash;4 months). We observed a latitudinal pattern in the seasonality of the drought impacts, with earlier growing seasons at high elevations (June&ndash;August) and later ones in the semi-arid Mediterranean. Similar intensity impacts were found in P. halepensis and P. sylvestris coexistence zones, although P. halepensis had a much longer duration and an earlier beginning of seasonality. Higher intensity, duration, and seasonality of drought effects were observed for P. sylvestris in areas where P. sylvestris and P. uncinata are distributed sympatrically. Understanding the plasticity and climatic response of these common southern European species to different types of droughts is crucial in the context of climate change where droughts are increasing in frequency and intensity

First scientific observations with MEGARA at GTC

On June 25th 2017, the new intermediate-resolution optical IFU and MOS of the 10.4-m GTC had its first light. As part of the tests carried out to verify the performance of the instrument in its two modes (IFU and MOS) and 18 spectral setups (identical number of VPHs with resolutions R=6000-20000 from 0.36 to 1 micron) a number of astronomical objects were observed. These observations show that MEGARA@GTC is called to fill a niche of high-throughput, intermediateresolution IFU and MOS observations of extremely-faint narrow-lined objects. Lyman-α absorbers, star-forming dwarfs or even weak absorptions in stellar spectra in our Galaxy or in the Local Group can now be explored to a new level. Thus, the versatility of MEGARA in terms of observing modes and spectral resolution and coverage will allow GTC to go beyond current observational limits in either depth or precision for all these objects. The results to be presented in this talk clearly demonstrate the potential of MEGARA in this regard

Innovation in virtual contents via digital technologies: 3D Geological Models and virtual field trips in Earth Sciences subjects.

La adquisición de datos digitales nos ha llevado a obtener Modelos 3D de afloramientos de campo y de muestra rocosas que permiten establecer una enseñanza en detalle de numerosos aspectos docentes en la mayoría de las asignaturas de los grados de Geología, Ingeniería Geológica y en asignaturas relacionadas con la Geología en el Grado de Ingeniería Civil y Territorial. Los modelos tridimensionales, además de favorecer la observación de la realidad, facilitan la compresión y el análisis de materiales geológicos y aportan un valor añadido a las prácticas de campo y de laboratorio tradicionales, ya que el acceso a la hoja web donde están incluidos los modelos 3D permite el aprendizaje y la observación desde diferentes dispositivos electrónicos de forma inmediata y rápida. El estudio de rocas en muestra de mano es de vital importancia para un Geólogo o un Ingeniero civil, ya que representa la primera aproximación que realiza de reconocimiento de las características del terreno. Estos modelos realizados presentan una gran calidad de datos, con alta precisión, proporcionando una forma sencilla y económica de documentar material rocoso para distintos ámbitos, desde colecciones docentes a colecciones museísticas o incluso siendo de utilidad para realizar investigación.The acquisition of digital data has led us to obtain 3D models of field outcrops and rock samples that allow to establish a detailed teaching of numerous educational aspects in most of the subjects of the degrees of Geology, Geological Engineering and subjects related to Geology in the Degree of Civil and Territorial Engineering. Three-dimensional models, in addition to favoring the observation of reality, facilitate the compression and analysis of geological materials and provide added value to traditional field and laboratory practices, since access to the web page where the models are included 3D allows learning and observation from different electronic devices immediately and quickly. The study of rocks in a hand sample is of vital importance for a Geologist or a Civil Engineer, since it represents the first approximation made to recognize the characteristics of the terrain. These models have a high quality of data, with high precision, providing a simple and inexpensive way to document rock material for different areas, from teaching collections to museum collections or even being useful for research.Depto. de Mineralogía y PetrologíaFac. de Ciencias GeológicasFALSEProyecto Innovación Docente UCMsubmitte