Influence of different factors on relative air humidity in Zaragoza, Spain

In this study, the spatial patterns of relative air humidity and its relation to urban, geographical and meteorological factors in the city of Zaragoza (Spain) is discussed. We created a relative humidity database by means of 32 urban transects. Data were taken on different days and with different weather types. This data set was used to map the mean spatial distribution of urban dry island (UDI). Using stepwise multiple regression analysis and Landsat ETM+ images the relationships between mean UDI and the main geographic-urban factors: topography, land cover, and surface reflectivity, have been analyzed. Different spatial patterns of UDI were determined using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) (Varimax rotation). The three components extracted accounted for 91% of the total variance. PC1 accounted for the most general patterns (similar to mean UDI); PC2 showed a shift of dry areas to the SE and PC3 a shift to NW. Using data on wind direction in Zaragoza, we have found that the displacement of dry areas to the SE (PC 2) was greater during NW winds while the shift to the NW (PC 3) was produced mainly by SE winds

Summer drought reconstruction in Northeastern Spain inferred from a tree-ring latewood network since 1734

Drought recurrence in the Mediterranean is regarded as a fundamental factor for socioeconomic development and the resilience of natural systems in context of global change. However, knowledge of past droughts has been hampered by the absence of high-resolution proxies. We present a drought reconstruction for the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula based on a new dendrochronology network considering the Standardized Evapotranspiration Precipitation Index (SPEI). A total of 774 latewood width series from 387 trees of P. sylvestris and P. uncinata was combined in an interregional chronology. The new chronology, calibrated against gridded climate data, reveals a robust relationship with the SPEI representing drought conditions of July and August. We developed a summer drought reconstruction for the period 1734– 2013 representative for the northeastern and central Iberian Peninsula. We identified 16 extremely dry and 17 extremely wet summers and four decadal scale dry and wet periods, including 2003–2013 as the driest episode of the reconstruction

Temperature variability in the Iberian Range since 1602 inferred from tree-ring records

Tree rings are an important proxy to understand the natural drivers of climate variability in the Mediterranean Basin and hence to improve future climate scenarios in a vulnerable region. Here, we compile 316 tree-ring width series from 11 conifer sites in the western Iberian Range. We apply a new standardization method based on the trunk basal area instead of the tree cambial age to develop a regional chronology which preserves high- to low-frequency variability. A new reconstruction for the 1602-2012 period correlates at g''0.78 with observational September temperatures with a cumulative mean of the 21 previous months over the 1945-2012 calibration period. The new IR2Tmax reconstruction is spatially representative for the Iberian Peninsula and captures the full range of past Iberian Range temperature variability. Reconstructed long-term temperature variations match reasonably well with solar irradiance changes since warm and cold phases correspond with high and low solar activity, respectively. In addition, some annual temperature downturns coincide with volcanic eruptions with a 3-year lag

Temperature variability of the Iberian Range since 1602 inferred from tree-ring records

Tree rings are an important proxy to understand the natural drivers of climate variability in the Mediterranean Basin and hence to improve future climate scenarios in a vulnerable region. Here, we compile 316 treering width series from 11 conifer sites in the western Iberian Range. We apply a new standardization method based on the trunk basal area instead of the tree cambial age to develop a regional chronology which preserves high to low-frequency variability. A new reconstruction for the 1602–2012 period correlates at ??0.78 with observational September temperatures with a cumulative mean of the 21 previous months over the 1945– 2012 calibration period. The new IR2Tmax reconstruction is spatially representative for the Iberian Peninsula and captures the full range of past Iberian Range temperature variability. Reconstructed longterm temperature variations match reasonably well with solar irradiance changes since warm and cold phases correspond with high and low solar activity, respectively. In addition, some annual temperature downturns coincide with volcanic eruptions with a 3-year lag

Characterization of the UHI in Zaragoza (Spain) using a quality-controlled hourly sensor-based urban climate network

The study of the urban heat island (UHI) is of great importance in the context of climate change, where increasingly frequent and intense extreme thermal events will generate lethal effects in cities. In this work, we characterize the UHI of the urban area of Zaragoza (Spain) using a thermohygrometric network of hourly observatories composed of 21 sensors, from March 2015 to February 2021. Due to the diversity of urban spaces and the high volume of information (˜ 995, 000 observations), we performed an exhaustive quality control. Incorporating a synoptic analysis to better identify atmospheric situations not recorded by sensors. The results indicate that 1.6% of observations are removed, mainly due to outliers and hourly variability. We demonstrate that the UHI displays the classical center-periphery pattern with intensity values around 2 °C, but with variations due to the urban structure. We also observe seasonal UHI variations that intensify, especially in winter and autumn nights. Finally, this characterization confirms the differences in UHI intensity are due to their structural and climatic characteristics, which can ultimately guide the logical urban planning design of Zaragoza, and other Mediterranean-like cities with a similar urban environment

Gender differences in the incidence of and risk factors for hip fracture: A 16-year longitudinal study in a southern European population

Objectives To analyze independently in men and women the incidence rate of and risk factors for hip fracture in a southern European population. Illiteracy, dementia, clinically significant depression and disability were factors to receive special emphasis. Study design A community sample of 4803 individuals aged over 55 years was assessed in a two-phase case-finding study in Zaragoza, Spain, and was followed up for 16 years. Medical history and psychiatric history were collected with standardized instruments, including the History and Aetiology Schedule, the Geriatric Mental State (GMS) scale, and a Risk Factors Questionnaire. Operational criteria were used to define covariates, including diagnostic criteria for both dementia and depression. The statistical analysis included calculations of incidence rate, IR; women/men incidence rate ratio (IRR); and Hazard Ratios (HR) in multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models. Main outcome measures Cases of hip fracture (International Classification of Diseases, WHO) identified in the treating hospitals, validated by blinded researchers. Results Hip fractures were more frequent among women than men (IRR = 3.1). Illiteracy (HR = 1.55) and depression (HR = 1.44) increased the risk in women, and smoking (HR = 2.13) and disability in basic activities of daily living (HR = 3.14) increased the risk in men. Dementia was associated with an increased risk in an univariate analysis, but the association disappeared (power = 85% in men, 95% in women) when disability was included in the multivariate models. Conclusions The IR of hip fractures was three times higher among women. Illiteracy and clinically significant depression among women and active smoking and disability (HR = 3.14) among men independently increased the risk, but dementia did not

Strain balanced quantum posts for intermediate band solar cells

In this work we present strain balanced InAs quantum post of exceptional length in the context of photovoltaics. We discuss the general properties of these nanostructures and their impact in the practical implementation of an intermediate band solar cell. We have studied the photocurrent generated by strain balanced quantum posts embedded in a GaAs single crystal, and compared our results with quantum dot based devices. The incorporation of phosphorous in the matrix to partially compensate the accumulated stress enables a significant increase of the quantum post maximum length. The relative importance of tunneling and thermal escape processes is found to depend strongly on the geometry of the nanostructures. tunneling and thermal escape processes is found to depend strongly on the geometry of the nanostructures

Effectiveness of an mHealth intervention combining a smartphone app and smart band on body composition in an overweight and obese population: Randomized controlled trial (EVIDENT 3 study)

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) is currently among the supporting elements that may contribute to an improvement in health markers by helping people adopt healthier lifestyles. mHealth interventions have been widely reported to achieve greater weight loss than other approaches, but their effect on body composition remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to assess the short-term (3 months) effectiveness of a mobile app and a smart band for losing weight and changing body composition in sedentary Spanish adults who are overweight or obese. Methods: A randomized controlled, multicenter clinical trial was conducted involving the participation of 440 subjects from primary care centers, with 231 subjects in the intervention group (IG; counselling with smartphone app and smart band) and 209 in the control group (CG; counselling only). Both groups were counselled about healthy diet and physical activity. For the 3-month intervention period, the IG was trained to use a smartphone app that involved self-monitoring and tailored feedback, as well as a smart band that recorded daily physical activity (Mi Band 2, Xiaomi). Body composition was measured using the InBody 230 bioimpedance device (InBody Co., Ltd), and physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results: The mHealth intervention produced a greater loss of body weight (–1.97 kg, 95% CI –2.39 to –1.54) relative to standard counselling at 3 months (–1.13 kg, 95% CI –1.56 to –0.69). Comparing groups, the IG achieved a weight loss of 0.84 kg more than the CG at 3 months. The IG showed a decrease in body fat mass (BFM; –1.84 kg, 95% CI –2.48 to –1.20), percentage of body fat (PBF; –1.22%, 95% CI –1.82% to 0.62%), and BMI (–0.77 kg/m2, 95% CI –0.96 to 0.57). No significant changes were observed in any of these parameters in men; among women, there was a significant decrease in BMI in the IG compared with the CG. When subjects were grouped according to baseline BMI, the overweight group experienced a change in BFM of –1.18 kg (95% CI –2.30 to –0.06) and BMI of –0.47 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.80 to –0.13), whereas the obese group only experienced a change in BMI of –0.53 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.86 to –0.19). When the data were analyzed according to physical activity, the moderate-vigorous physical activity group showed significant changes in BFM of –1.03 kg (95% CI –1.74 to –0.33), PBF of –0.76% (95% CI –1.32% to –0.20%), and BMI of –0.5 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.83 to –0.19). Conclusions: The results from this multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial study show that compared with standard counselling alone, adding a self-reported app and a smart band obtained beneficial results in terms of weight loss and a reduction in BFM and PBF in female subjects with a BMI less than 30 kg/m2 and a moderate-vigorous physical activity level. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to ensure that this profile benefits more than others from this intervention and to investigate modifications of this intervention to achieve a global effect

The prevalence of mild cognitive impairment in diverse geographical and ethnocultural regions: The COSMIC Collaboration

Background Changes in criteria and differences in populations studied and methodology have produced a wide range of prevalence estimates for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods Uniform criteria were applied to harmonized data from 11 studies from USA, Europe, Asia and Australia, and MCI prevalence estimates determined using three separate definitions of cognitive impairment. Results The published range of MCI prevalence estimates was 5.0%-36.7%. This was reduced with all cognitive impairment definitions: performance in the bottom 6.681% (3.2%-10.8%); Clinical Dementia Rating of 0.5 (1.8%-14.9%); Mini-Mental State Examination score of 24-27 (2.1%-20.7%). Prevalences using the first definition were 5.9% overall, and increased with age (P < .001) but were unaffected by sex or the main races/ethnicities investigated (Whites and Chinese). Not completing high school increased the likelihood of MCI (P = .01). Conclusion Applying uniform criteria to harmonized data greatly reduced the variation in MCI prevalence internationally

Milagro limits and HAWC sensitivity for the rate-density of evaporating Primordial Black Holes

postprin