Bioresources for Third-Generation Biofuels

Modern societies’ welfare relies greatly on fossil fuels. The current energy model, based on the extensive utilization of fossil fuels, is affected by economic and environmental problems. The United States Department of Energy 2009 report estimates that, within the next two decades, global energy consumption will double (Conti, 2009). On the other hand, the European Commission 2009 report indicates that the management of climate change problems in Europe, since 2000, has been globally unfavourable. Nevertheless, there are some positive signs, such as the 1.4% reduction in 2007 of CO2 emissions with respect to the figures obtained from 2000 to 2004 in the European Union of Fifteen (E-15). However, considering the 27 European states (E-27), and paying attention to the consumption and production of renewable energy and biofuels, the reduction in emissions has not fulfilled the European Union objectives. Among the motives of this negative evaluation, the fall in the companies’ productivity, increased transport and industry emissions and the reduction in research and development areas can be cited (Radermacher, 2009). First- and secondgeneration biofuels could ameliorate or solve the associated fossil fuel depletion problems, although their recent implantation has raised some doubts. The main problems associated with biofuels are the food vs. fuel controversy; the agricultural and forestry land usage and the actual sustainability of biofuels’ production. Third-generation biofuels, based on the microbiological processing of agricultural, urban and industrial residues, could be a possible solution. However, several technical problems must be solved to make them economically viable and easily affordable for the industry (Robles-Medina et al., 2009).We thank the Junta de Andalucía (Spain) for funding this study through project reference P08-RNM-04180 and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology for funding through project reference CTM2009-09270. M. Manzanera received grants from the Programa Ramón y Cajal, (Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia MEC, Spain, and ERDF, European Union)

The Effects of Plant-Associated Bacterial Exopolysaccharides on Plant Abiotic Stress Tolerance

This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry for Economy and Competitiveness and the European Union, within the context of the research project CGL2017-91737-EXP and by the Andalusian Regional Government and the European Union under the aegis of research project P18-RT-976.Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are beneficial soil microorganisms that can stimulate plant growth and increase tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Some PGPR are capable of secreting exopolysaccharides (EPS) to protect themselves and, consequently, their plant hosts against environmental fluctuations and other abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, or heavy metal pollution. This review focuses on the enhancement of plant abiotic stress tolerance by bacterial EPS. We provide a comprehensive summary of the mechanisms through EPS to alleviate plant abiotic stress tolerance, including salinity, drought, temperature, and heavy metal toxicity. Finally, we discuss how these abiotic stresses may affect bacterial EPS production and its role during plant-microbe interactions.Spanish Ministry for Economy and CompetitivenessEuropean Commission P18-RT-976 CGL2017-91737-EXPAndalusian Regional Governmen

Experience of good practice in an occupational accident mutual insurance society, based on the voice of patients and professionals

Atenció centrada en el pacient; Satisfacció del pacient; Mútues asseguradoresPatient-centered care; Patient satisfaction; Mutual insurance societiesAtención centrada en el paciente; Satisfacción del paciente; Mutuas aseguradorasIn Spain, the protection of workers’ health is organized through what are known as occupational accident mutual insurance societies. While health protection is a fundamental issue within a mutual society, dimensions, such as patient quality and safety, are measured in the same way as in the conventional healthcare sector. However, in mutual societies, it is traditionally acknowledged that experiences of medical evaluation systems of healthcare provision and quality improvement are less frequent. The following is an example of how a Quality Plan has been structured within an organization with these characteristics, and instruments and measures have been developed to capture information in decision making from the perspective of patients and professionals. The Quality Plan represents the ongoing commitment of this organization to achieve patient-centered care. These changes revolve around these measures and, therefore, it is defined as a good practice

Programa nacional de mejora y conservación de los recursos genéticos de la encina y el alcornoque frente a la seca

Como respuesta a la gravedad de los procesos de decaimiento y mortalidad de la encina y el alcornoque, que amenazan la sostenibilidad de sus masas en la Península Ibérica, en el año 2019 se constituyó el subgrupo de trabajo “Mejora genética y fisiológica”, que forma parte del grupo de trabajo “Seca”, coordinado por el MITECO. Este subgrupo incluye a científicos y técnicos de varias administraciones y numerosos centros de investigación y Universidades y una empresa pública, expertos en mejora genética, fitopatología, ecología, propagación vegetativa, bioquímica y biología molecular. El programa tiene como objetivo la selección de genotipos de Quercus ilex y Q. suber tolerantes al estrés hídrico y a la podredumbre radical provocada por Phytophthora cinnamomi. A partir del estudio de 18 poblaciones y de 194 árboles “escape” seleccionados en focos de seca, se espera seleccionar un material apto para restaurar zonas afectadas por problemas de decaimiento. Se presenta una síntesis de las primeras actividades de caracterización e identificación de árboles escape en focos de seca, ensayos de invernadero para el estudio de la variabilidad poblacional en cuanto a vigor y tolerancia al estrés, recogida de muestras vegetales y edáficas para el análisis genético, molecular y de microbioma, identificación de marcadores moleculares asociados a resiliencia y micropropagación del material de mayor valor potencial

El sistema sanitario y el sistema nacional de salud, septiembre 2014

Recurs d'aprenentatge de la Universitat Oberta de Catalunya.Recurso de aprendizaje de la "Universitat Oberta de Catalunya".Learning material of the "Universitat Oberta de Catalunya"

El sistema sanitario y el sistema nacional de salud, septiembre 2014

Recurs d'aprenentatge de la Universitat Oberta de Catalunya.Recurso de aprendizaje de la "Universitat Oberta de Catalunya".Learning material of the "Universitat Oberta de Catalunya"