International University of Andalucía

The serious problems of agrarian unsustainability cannot be solvedthrough technological changes that lessen environmental impacts.Although technological change is important, it is also necessaryto change the agri-food system as a whole. Participatory actionresearch (PAR) is a methodological approach to collaborate withlocal communities. It enables us to advance in the restructuringof physical flows, economies, and information that support localfarming, as a means to achieve greater autonomy and self-man-agement. This article presents several case studies in Spain in whichPAR has been applied to build local organic food networks. Theseare characterized by a more sustainable use of local resources andthe development of short food supply chains

Over the last decade, several European Union (EU) Member States have experienced unprecedented processes of de-democratization with negative consequences for equality and social justice. Democracy as an ideal and practice is connected to equality, openness, universality, rights, inclusion, participation, and contestation. De-democratization in turn comes in many forms: in the spread of authoritarian radical right populism and an explicit backlash against democratic values and practices (Brown 2019; Runciman 2018). De-democratization exposes the fragility but also the resilience of democratic institutions and practices. Its consequences for equality include the growth of far-right parties with explicit anti-gender, anti-feminist, anti-migration, and/or homo-/transphobic components. On the one hand, these have potential spill-over effects on more mainstream parties and politics that can roll back their commitments to gender equality and even democratic values. On the other hand, civil society and movements, political parties and politicians, and political institutions can become more vocal about the...

This paper studies the economic implications of the circular economy and recycling activities from a macroeconomic perspective. The paper incorporates the circular economy into an otherwise standard neoclassical dynamic general equilibrium linear economy model, in which the production function depends on capital, labor, and raw materials. Raw materials are a composite of natural resources (the linear economy) and recycled material (the circular economy). Waste is a function of consumption but can be incorporated back into production activities through recycling. We find the existence of a positive S-shaped relationship between the optimal recycling rate and economic development, indicating that increasing the circularity of the economy is a necessary condition to augment social welfare in a growing economy. The optimal recycling rate depends positively on the pollution damage and waste content of final consumption goods. Simulation of the model supports the existence of a steady-state Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) relationship between the stock of waste and the output in the presence of a circular economy. Finally, we find that while a permanent improvement in recycling technology has positive effects on output, expanding the circularity of the economy, an increase in the cost of natural material has harmful effects on output, increasing waste accumulation and reducing recycling.

Abstract The temperature effect on photovoltaic modules is usually quantified by means of some coefficients relating the variations of the open‐circuit voltage, of the short‐circuit current, and of the maximum power to temperature changes. In this paper, comprehensive experimental guidelines to estimate the temperature coefficients when measurements are performed outdoors are given. In addition, a correction procedure is applied to the short‐circuit current to cancel out the influence of the fluctuations in the irradiance level. The experimental results shown in this paper refer to several single‐crystalline silicon modules that have been operating for 21 years. Consequently, the estimated values of the temperature coefficients also account for module ageing processes. The coefficients of determination achieved in the case of the temperature coefficients of the open‐circuit voltage and the maximum power are very close to one. Results concerning the temperature coefficients of the short‐circuit current are also suitable if they are previously corrected.

Abstract In this paper, the results of the analysis of the degradation of a set of single‐crystalline silicon modules after 21 years are presented. The comparison of the main electrical parameters and the series and of the shunt resistances measured in 1996 and 2017 is performed, so that the annual degradation rate is evaluated. In addition, a detailed analysis of the parameter uncertainties has been performed in order to determine its impact on the results. A visual inspection of the modules has also been carried out in order to show the correlation with the variation of the electrical performance. Finally, the temperature coefficients of the degraded modules have been estimated and compared with the nominal ones. The results shown in the paper reveal that the mean annual degradation rate in terms of power is close to 0.9%.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging cancers due to its high mortality rates. Considering the late diagnosis and the limited survival benefit with current treatment options, it becomes imperative to optimize early detection, prognosis and prediction of treatment response. To address these challenges, significant research efforts have been undertaken in recent years to develop liquid-biopsy-based biomarkers for pancreatic cancer. In particular, an increasing number of studies point to cell-free DNA (cfDNA) methylation analysis as a promising non-invasive approach for the discovery and validation of epigenetic biomarkers with diagnostic or prognostic potential. In this review we provide an update on recent advancements in the field of cfDNA methylation analysis in pancreatic cancer. We discuss the relevance of DNA methylation in the context of pancreatic cancer, recent cfDNA methylation research, its clinical utility, and future directions for integrating cfDNA methylation analysis into routine clinical practice.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly widespread in today's society. This type of technology, and more specifically chatbots as virtual assistants, can be implemented and integrated as a support tool in educational environments. This article proposes the creation of chatbots in the subject of didactic of geometry of the Degree of Primary Education of the Faculty of Education at the University of Málaga, carried out by 120 students in two groups. The aim is to analyse these chatbots, as well as the students' evaluation and satisfaction with them. To this end, the students were given brief training so that they could generate their own bots and know how to integrate them into a social network and then use them. The results of the questionnaire show that the students have shown interest in the generation of their chatbot and its integration into the social network, have improved their digital competence, as well as demonstrating a high degree of satisfaction with their AI creations, along with the idea that this type of experience can be transferred to other subjects and educational contexts.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is the most lethal cancer with a dismal prognosis mainly due to diagnosis at advanced stage and ineffective treatments. CA19-9 levels and computed tomography (CT) imaging are the main standard criteria for evaluating disease progression and treatment response. In this study we explored liquid biopsy-based epigenetic biomarkers for prognosis and monitoring disease in patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC). METHODS: Plasma samples were collected from 44 mPDAC patients at the time of diagnosis, and in 15 of them, additional samples were obtained during follow-up of the disease. After cell-free DNA (cfDNA), isolation circulating levels of methylated NPTX2, SPARC, BMP3, SFRP1 and TFPI2 genes were measured using digital droplet PCR (ddPCR). BEAMing technique was performed for quantitation of RAS mutations in cfDNA, and CA19-9 was measured using standard techniques. RESULTS: NPTX2 was the most highly and frequently methylated gene in cfDNA samples from mPDAC patients. Higher circulating NPTX2 methylation levels at diagnosis were associated with poor prognosis and efficiently stratified patients for prediction of overall survival (6.06% cut-off, p = 0.0067). Dynamics of circulating NPTX2 methylation levels correlated with disease progression and response to therapy and predicted better than CA19-9 the evolution of disease in mPDAC patients. Remarkably, in many cases the disease progression detected by CT scan was anticipated by an increase in circulating NPTX2 methylation levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our study supports circulating NPTX2 methylation levels as a promising liquid biopsy-based clinical tool for non-invasive prognosis, monitoring disease evolution and response to treatment in mPDAC patients.

Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo evaluar los cambios espaciales de la vegetación en la Sierra Madrigal; estado de Tabasco, en un área de 3 642 ha, en el período 1973-2003. Con base en la fotointerpretación de fotografías aéreas y verificación de campo, se elaboró la cartografía de vegetación y usos del suelo de los años 1973, 1984 y 2003 a escala 1:20 000. Se caracterizó la vegetación y los usos del suelo, se obtuvieron los índices de cambio de uso del suelo, y se compararon algunas propiedades del suelo con base en los tipos de la vegetación. La selva alta perennifolia de ramón (Brosimum alicastrum) y huapaque (Dialium guianense) tuvo una pérdida del 80% de su superficie en 30 años; las principales causas de esta pérdida fueron los incendios forestales que condujeron a la formación de vegetación secundaria (56%) y la ampliación de los pastizales (10%) para la ganadería de bovinos. La eliminación de la selva provocó, asimismo, disminución de los contenidos de materia orgánica y nitrógeno, lo que indica degradación de suelos en la capa de 0 a 30 cm de profundidad.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the impact of the 2020–2022 pandemic on the levels of fear and anxiety in pregnant women and to identify risk and protective factors. Methods: A systematic review was conducted. Electronic databases were consulted for studies published between January 2020 and August 2022. The methodological quality was assessed using a critical appraisal tool for non-randomised studies. Results: Seventeen studies were included in the review. A high prevalence of levels of fear and anxiety were observed. Risk factors such as unplanned pregnancy, poor support from partners, or intolerance of uncertainty were identified for high levels of fear. Regarding anxiety, risk factors such as maternal age, social support, financial status, or concern about being able to maintain antenatal follow-ups were identified. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the mental health of pregnant women through increased levels of fear and anxiety. It has not been possible to establish a relationship between significant factors such as gestational age or health emergency control measures with high levels of fear or anxiety.

La pandemia de la Covid-19 ha provocado una transformación digital en la docencia universitaria aún por valorar y analizar en todas sus dimensiones. Ante ello, las instituciones han desarrollado diferentes estrategias, también en red, para formar al profesorado. El presente artículo expone un programa universitario, los #webinarsUNIA, enmarcado en los planes anuales de formación al profesorado de la Universidad desde 2013-14 pero en abierto y sin coste para cualquier persona interesada. Nos centramos en los resultados de la edición 2020-21, con una veintena de seminarios como respuesta a las demandas formativas docentes fruto de la sobrevenida y rápida virtualización de los programas durante la pandemia, y que reunió a 10.933 participantes de diversa procedencia geográfica. Para medir su satisfacción se diseñaron encuestas con “alfa de Cronbach” 0,789 que consideraron, entre otras dimensiones, organización, docentes, contenidos y formato de las actividades. La evaluación fue opcional y obtuvo una muestra de 1.908 respuestas (34% de quienes concluyeron la formación). Los resultados fueron en general muy positivos, atendiendo al principio de pertinencia en los objetivos, necesidades recogidas en un sondeo previo al diseño y oportunidad en el formato. Además, abrieron paso a la generación de nuevos recursos y productos de aprendizaje en formato SPOC de gran utilidad para capacitar sobre competencias digitales, innovación educativa y e-learning a un gran número de docentes en el escenario de la Covid-19.

El olivar andaluz sufrió momentos críticos a lo largo del siglo XX, hasta el punto de ser considerado como un «cultivo problema» durante las décadas que precedieron a la incorporación de España en la actual Unión Europea. Desde entonces ha conocido una coyuntura económica excepcional, como atestiguan su enorme expansión superficial y el notable incremento de sus rendimientos. En este trabajo nos acercamos a las causas que explican la consolidación de uno de los monocultivos más característicos del sur peninsular, señalando la diversidad de situaciones que conviven bajo un paisaje aparentemente monótono y analizando algunos casos que pueden ilustrar bien el conjunto de cambios experimentados desde 1986. [fr] La culture de l’olivier andalou a connu des moments critiques tout au long du XXème siècle, au point d’être considérée comme une «culture problème» pendant les décennies qui ont précédé l’entrée de l’Espagne dans l’Union européenne. Dès lors, l’oliveraie a vécu une conjoncture économique exceptionnelle, sa forte expansion superficielle et l’augmentation remarquable de ses rendements en sont témoins. Cet article explique les causes de la consolidation d’une des monocultures les plus caractéristiques du sud de la péninsule Ibérique, en mettant l’accent sur la diversité des situations qui cohabitent dans un paysage apparemment monotone et en analysant quelques cas qui illustrent bien l’ensemble des changements vécus depuis 1986 .

En la escala nacional, la caracterización de la precipitación representa un papel fundamental en el comportamiento de los sistemas agroecológicos del país y en las actividades humanas. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo caracterizar los grupos de estaciones climáticas con precipitaciones homogéneas en el estado Anzoátegui. Para la determinación de los grupos se realizó el análisis de agrupamiento jerárquico y el análisis de componentes principales (acp ) usando 40 estaciones climáticas ubicadas en el estado oriental para el periodo 1970-2000. Posteriormente, se realizó la caracterización en base a la magnitud de la precipitación, tipo de régimen de lluvia y origen de la misma. El método y los resultados de esta investigación son de gran utilidad para varias disciplinas y sirven para tomar decisiones que pueden afectar las actividades humanas.À l’échelle nationale, la caractérisation des précipitations joue un rôle fondamental dans le comportement des systèmes agroécologiques du pays et dans les activités humaines. L’objectif de cette étude est de caractériser les groupes de stations climatiques ayant des précipitations homogènes dans l’état d’Anzoátegui. Pour la détermination des groupes, l’analyse de classification hiérarchique et l’analyse de composantes principales (acp ) ont été effectuées en utilisant 40 stations climatiques situées dans l’état de l’Est pour la période 1970-2000. Par la suite, la caractérisation a été faite sur la base de l’ampleur de la précipitation, le type de régime des précipitations et l’origine de celle-ci. La méthode et les résultats de cette recherche sont très utiles pour plusieurs disciplines et servent à prendre des décisions qui peuvent affecter les activités humainesAt the national level the characterization of the precipitation plays a key role in the behavior of the country’s agro-ecological systems and in the human activities. The present study aims to characterize groups with homogeneous precipitation seasons in Anzoategui state. To determine the groups hierarchical cluster analysis and Principal Component Analysis (pc a) using 40 weather stations located in the eastern state for the 1970-2000 period was performed. Subsequently, the characterization is based on the amount of precipitation, rainfall regime type and its origin. The method and the results of this research are so useful for several disciplines and serve to make decisions that can affect human activities.

O hábito alimentar dos culicídeos foi estudado através da técnica de precipitina. As coletas foram realizadas no km 52 da rodovia Transpantaneira (MT-060), a 65km da sede do município de Poconé (MT). Bimestralmente, de dezembro de 2002 a dezembro de 2003, foram realizadas capturas em armadilha Shannon e CDC automática à base de CO2 das 15:00h às 21:00h. Foram utilizados os seguintes anti-soros: ave, roedor, humano, cavalo, boi, capivara e sapo. Das 2.134 fêmeas capturadas, 1.946 (92,2%) foram coletadas em armadilha de Shannon e 188 (8,8%) em armadilha CDC. Desse total, 276 fêmeas (13,0%) estavam ingurgitadas e próprias para o teste de precipitina, sendo 235 (85,1%) coletadas em armadilha de Shannon e 41 (14,9%) em CDC. Verificou-se que 84,2% dos espécimes analisados reagiram para uma fonte alimentar e 15,8% para duas fontes. As espécies Mansonia titillans (Walker), Culex nigripalpus (Theobald), Aedeomyia squamipennis (Theobald) e Psorophora albigenu (Peryassu) foram as mais freqüentes e reagiram para todos os anti-soros. Os anofelinos Anopheles albitarsis (Lynch-Arribalzaga), An. matogrossensis (Lutz & Neiva) e An. triannulatus (Neiva & Pinto), com poucos espécimes, reagiram para cinco anti-soros. As demais espécies apresentaram positividade que variou de três a seis anti-soros. As estimativas do índice alimentar (feeding index) revelaram resultados positivos para oito espécies de culicídeos, destas cinco apresentaram preferência marcante para o hospedeiro capivara.

A fluorescent hybrid material (PPH‐S‐CdSe), which comprises cadmium selenide sulphide nanoparticles assembled onto thiol functionalised porous phosphate heterostructures (PPH‐SH), was synthesised in aqueous media. This material presents a high stability towards photo‐degradation. The obtained nanocomposite was characterised by various techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. This fluorescent material showed a red emission at 576 nm combined with other at 473 nm, explained as different CdS 0.42 Se 0.58 nanoparticles size, supported by TEM images. It was suitable for latent fingermark analysis in a wide range of surfaces. Because of its sensitivity and low cost, it is an actual alternative to conventional powdering materials. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Esta experiencia docente tiene como objetivo proponer un modelo de gestión del conocimiento organizacional para el programa de capacitación desarrollado por el departamento de agrometeorología del Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrícolas (INIA) del estado Anzoátegui, Venezuela. Se utilizó el protocolo de solución de problemas, derivado de la aplicación de ciclos de aprendizaje, denominado TADIR (Traducción, Análisis, Diseño, Implementación y Revisión). Se estableció la diversificación de las formas de promover las actividades, tareas, resultados, productos generados por el proyecto, antes, durante y posterior a su ejecución, de manera fácil y completa, así como la conciencia en la población sobre las bondades de la agrometeorológica y su importancia para el desarrollo agrícola del país. Los resultados de esta investigación pueden estar al servicio de la misma organización de manera directa e indirecta y de otras que quieran asumir el reto de contribuir al proceso de transformación que vive la nación.

Introducción. La utilidad primordial de los datos sobre el clima para planificar el desarrollo sostenible en áreas agrícolas y hacer frente a todas las consecuencias del cambio climático ya ha quedado firmemente establecida en diferentes programas y políticas a nivel mundial. Objetivo. Analizar la variabilidad espacio temporal de la precipitación e identificar las zonas homogéneas a partir de datos mensuales y anuales (1969-1999) provenientes de las estaciones climatológicas en Carabobo, Venezuela. Materiales y métodos. Para definir subgrupos de estaciones pluviométricas que caractericen zonas homogéneas se aplicaron técnicas multivariadas (análisis de componentes principales y análisis de conglomerados) basadas en la similitud del comportamiento de las series de datos de lluvia anual precipitada. Finalmente se elaboró el mapa de distribución espacial de la precipitación mediante la interpolación kriging. Resultados. Se lograron identificar cuatro grupos de estaciones con comportamiento similar en lo que se refiere a los procesos pluviométricos. Esta investigación permitió conocer el comportamiento espacial y temporal de la precipitación, caracterizada por la marcada estacionalidad producto de la influencia directa de la Zona de Convergencia Intertropical. La tendencia mostró un patrón de distribución espacial con una gradación que va de menor a mayor en sentido noreste a sureste. Conclusiones. Este estudio permitió estimar la regularidad espacial del comportamiento de la lluvia y del grado de heterogeneidad de este elemento climático año tras año, que a su vez representa el inicio de la planificación estratégica a nivel regional.

Since the approval of the European Landscape Convention, social perception has been accepted as one of landscape’s defining components and, therefore, any strategy for its planning, protection or management has to be in possession of knowledge produced by citizen participation procedures. The Convention did not formally state what these procedures are and no methodology has been agreed upon for guaranteeing their inclusion in landscape analysis and praxis. This article puts forward a methodological proposal to this end that has been designed, tested and put into practice in the compiling of the Landscape Catalogue of the Province of Seville (Andalusia, Spain). Arguments put forward to support the methodological choices made are evaluated with the aim that this proposal might be of use for other initiatives to create a theoretical and practical corpus for social participation in landscape policies.

Este trabajo pretende ser una aproximación inicial a la serie de transformaciones profundas que ha experimentado el monocultivo olivarero existente en la provincia de Jaén. En particular, nos hemos centrado en analizar el impacto que ha tenido la masiva aplicación del factor agua, toda vez que ha significado la aparición de una nueva imagen y caracterización del sector tanto en términos agroambientales como económicos y paisajísticos.

PURPOSE: The aim of this work was to investigate the association between anticholinergic burden or anticholinergic drug use and xerostomia and/or xerophtalmia in elderly through a systematic review of the published literature. METHODS: A search was carried out in 3 databases (CINAHL, Embase and Pubmed). Studies conducted in people ≥65 years of age, who took anticholinergic medications, and measured the association between the anticholinergic burden or the use of these medications with the prevalence of xerostomia and / or xerophthalmia, published up to August 2022, were selected. Studies published in languages other than Spanish and/or English were excluded. RESULTS: One thousand two hundred eleven articles were identified, 10 were selected for this review: six cross-sectional studies, two cohorts, one case-control and one randomized controlled clinical trial. A total of 3535 patients included in the different studies were studied. The most used scales were the Anticholinergic Drug Scale (ADS) and the Anticholinergic Risk Scale (ARS). Four articles studied the relationship between the use of anticholinergic medication and the prevalence of xerostomia and / or xerophthalmia, finding a positive relationship with xerostomia in all of them. Another 6 measured the relationship between anticholinergic burden and xerostomia and / or xerophthalmia. Four found a positive relationship between anticholinergic burden and xerostomia and/or xerophthalmia. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest a clear relationship between the use of anticholinergic drugs or anticholinergic burden and the presence of xerostomia. This relationship was less conclusive in the case of xerophthalmia.