Notes breus (flora). Elatine brochonii Clavaud als Paisos Catalans = Elatine brochonii Clavaud in Catalan Countries

Nota breu de flora sobre la presència de Elatine brochonii Clavaud, recol·lectada a les depressions inundables de terrenys granítics de l''Alt Empordà (DG 98 i DG 99)

Notes breus (flora). Isoetes velata A. Br. i I. setacea Lam. a l'Alt Emporda = Isoetes velata A. Br. and I. setacea Lam. Alt Emporda region

Nota breu de flora sobre la presència de dos isoets amfibis que apareixen en algunes depressions inundables de terrenys granítics de l'Alt Empordà, a St. Climent Sescebes i Cantallops (DG 99), sovint acompanyant Elatine brochonii Clavaud

Caracterització florística de la plana litoral de l’Empordà

A floristic characterization of the Alt Empordà plain (N.E. Iberian Peninsula) is presented, including an appraisal of its recent evolution and present state. Eight different environments, correlated with lithological and edaphological features, are stablished on the basis of their floristic composition. The results will be of use in the management of the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park, which falls in its entirety within the study area

Avifauna dels alzinars del massís de Begur a la primavera

S'ha estudiat l'avifauna present a la primavera als alzinars del massís de Begur. Mitjançant la tècnica de les estacions d'escolta, s'ha determinat la composició de les poblacions d'ocells que es detecten als retalls de la comunitat de l'alzinar que actualment es localitzen a les fondalades i sectors més ombrívols del massís. L'anàlisi de la composició del poblament ha mostrat uns valors de riquesa total i de riquesa mitjana molt elevats. Els valors de preferències ecològiques i hàbits forestals presenten uns perfils de poblacions poc especialitzats forestalment en el conjunt de les espècies detectades; quan s 'analitzen les espècies que componen la fracció de les més freqüents (valor de freqüència relativa >50%), aleshores es mostra un perfil que s 'adiu més amb un caràcter forestal. L'origen de les espècies és marcadament paleàrtic

Anàlisi de l'avifauna de la Garriga del massís del Montgrí a la primavera

En aquest estudi es recullen les dades de les poblacions d'ocells que es detecten a la primavera a la comunitat arbustiva de la garriga del massís del Montgrí. Mitjançant la metodologia de les estacions d'escolta, s'han determinat diverses variables de composició del poblament avi faunístic. Destaquen la baixa riquesa total i mitjana, i la baixa freqüència relativa de les espècies contactades, en comparació amb d'altres comunitats mediterrànies. Com s'esperava, hi ha un elevat nombre d'espècies el nínxol ecològic d'explotació de les quals és el sotabosc. També destaca la presència d'espècies d'origen Paleàrtic i mediterrani. Aquesta última és una resposta de la permanència dels matollars mediterranis durant el Plistocè que va permetre una especiació, que ha romàs fins a l 'actualitat

Avifauna de les suredes baixempordaneses a la primavera

Es presenten els resultats de l 'estudi de les poblacions avi-faunístiques de les suredes baix empordaneses a la primavera. Fins ara les úniques dades de què es disposava eren dels anys vuitanta per a les suredes de les Gavarres i inexistents per a les de l'Ardenya. Mitjançant la metodologia de les estacions d'escolta, s'han censat les poblacions d'aus d'aquests massissos, durant el cicle reproductor. S ’han analitzat els paràmetres de composició del poblament, s'han calculat les freqüències relatives de les espècies per a cada massís, així com les preferències ecològiques de les espècies presents. La valoració d'aquestes anàlisis confirmen que els poblaments avi-faunísitics de les suredes de les Gavarres i Cadiretes a la primavera són força similars; l'única diferència significativa la mostren les preferències ecològiques de les espècies

Wine, beer, alcohol and polyphenols on cardiovascular disease and cancer

Abstract: Since ancient times, people have attributed a variety of health benefits to moderate consumption of fermented beverages such as wine and beer, often without any scientific basis. There is evidence that excessive or binge alcohol consumption is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, as well as with work related and traffic accidents. On the contrary, at the moment, several epidemiological studies have suggested that moderate consumption of alcohol reduces overall mortality, mainly from coronary diseases. However, there are discrepancies regarding the specific effects of different types of beverages (wine, beer and spirits) on the cardiovascular system and cancer, and also whether the possible protective effects of alcoholic beverages are due to their alcoholic content (ethanol) or to their non-alcoholic components (mainly polyphenols). Epidemiological and clinical studies have pointed out that regular and moderate wine consumption (one to two glasses a day) is associated with decreased incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension, diabetes, and certain types of cancer, including colon, basal cell, ovarian, and prostate carcinoma. Moderate beer consumption has also been associated with these effects, but to a lesser degree, probably because of beer"s lower phenolic content. These health benefits have mainly been attributed to an increase in antioxidant capacity, changes in lipid profiles, and the anti-inflammatory effects produced by these alcoholic beverages. This review summarizes the main protective effects on the cardiovascular system and cancer resulting from moderate wine and beer intake due mainly to their common components, alcohol and polyphenols.

Geologia de l'Ardenya i formes granítiques asociades

Es descriuen i cartografien els conjunts litologics que afloren al massís de l'Ardenya. S'estudien en detall els trets litologics i estructurals de les roques plutòniques que s'hi troben, per poder analitzar fil per randa les característiques i la gènesi de les diferents formes granítiques que s'hi han desenvolupat

Differential effects of polyphenols and alcohol of red wine on the expression of adhesion molecules and inflammatory cytokines related to atherosclerosis: a randomized clinical trial

Background: Few clinical studies have focused on the alcoholindependent cardiovascular effects of the phenolic compounds of red wine (RW). Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effects of ethanol and phenolic compounds of RW on the expression of inflammatory biomarkers related to atherosclerosis in subjects at high risk of cardiovascular disease. Design: Sixty-seven high-risk, male volunteers were included in a randomized, crossover consumption trial. After a washout period, all subjects received RW (30 g alcohol/d), the equivalent amount of dealcoholized red wine (DRW), or gin (30 g alcohol/d) for 4 wk. Before and after each intervention period, 7 cellular and 18 serum inflammatory biomarkers were evaluated. Results: Alcohol increased IL-10 and decreased macrophage-derived chemokine concentrations, whereas the phenolic compounds of RW decreased serum concentrations of intercellular adhesion molecule- 1, E-selectin, and IL-6 and inhibited the expression of lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 in T lymphocytes and macrophage-1 receptor, Sialil-Lewis X, and C-C chemokine receptor type 2 expression in monocytes. Both ethanol and phenolic compounds of RW downregulated serum concentrations of CD40 antigen, CD40 ligand, IL-16, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. Conclusion: The results suggest that the phenolic content of RW may modulate leukocyte adhesion molecules, whereas both ethanol and polyphenols of RW may modulate soluble inflammatory mediators in high-risk patients. The trial was registered in the International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number Register at http://www. isrctn.org/ as ISRCTN88720134

Differential effects of polyphenols and alcohol of red wine on the expression of adhesion molecules and inflammatory cytokines related to atherosclerosis: a randomized clinical trial

Background: Few clinical studies have focused on the alcoholindependent cardiovascular effects of the phenolic compounds of red wine (RW). Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effects of ethanol and phenolic compounds of RW on the expression of inflammatory biomarkers related to atherosclerosis in subjects at high risk of cardiovascular disease. Design: Sixty-seven high-risk, male volunteers were included in a randomized, crossover consumption trial. After a washout period, all subjects received RW (30 g alcohol/d), the equivalent amount of dealcoholized red wine (DRW), or gin (30 g alcohol/d) for 4 wk. Before and after each intervention period, 7 cellular and 18 serum inflammatory biomarkers were evaluated. Results: Alcohol increased IL-10 and decreased macrophage-derived chemokine concentrations, whereas the phenolic compounds of RW decreased serum concentrations of intercellular adhesion molecule- 1, E-selectin, and IL-6 and inhibited the expression of lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 in T lymphocytes and macrophage-1 receptor, Sialil-Lewis X, and C-C chemokine receptor type 2 expression in monocytes. Both ethanol and phenolic compounds of RW downregulated serum concentrations of CD40 antigen, CD40 ligand, IL-16, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. Conclusion: The results suggest that the phenolic content of RW may modulate leukocyte adhesion molecules, whereas both ethanol and polyphenols of RW may modulate soluble inflammatory mediators in high-risk patients. The trial was registered in the International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number Register at http://www. isrctn.org/ as ISRCTN88720134

The impact of adopting a CLIL approach on EFL learners reading skills in Catalonia school

En els últims anys, un gran nombre de docents i escoles han estat introduint programes AICLE a les escoles catalanes. A la majoria d’escoles, però, només s'ensenya anglès com a llengua estrangera, la qual cosa, limita les oportunitats d'estar en contacte amb la llengua estrangera en un context diferent. L’objectiu d'aquest estudi és analitzar si els infants milloren en les seves habilitats lectores i comprovar si existeix un avantatge significatiu respecte els alumnes que només estudien anglès com a llengua estrangera. L’estudi empíric que us presento a continuació, compara els resultats obtinguts en dues proves de comprensió lectora. A les proves hi van participar dos grups d’alumnes de cinquè de d’Educació Primària. Un dels grups seguia un programa AICLE (1 hora a la setmana i , a més aprenia anglès coma llengua estrangera); l’altre grup només estudiava anglès com a llengua estrangera. L'objectiu principal d'aquest projecte d'investigació és esbrinar si els programes AICLE tenen un impacte en les habilitats lectores en llengua anglesa dels alumnes. Així doncs, humilment intentaré contribuir a la literatura existent sobre els beneficis de l’AICLE.

Use of drama techniques as a methodology to teach english in infant education by teachers in Catalonia

L’aprenentatge de la llengua anglesa com a llengua estrangera és una oportunitat que cada vegada més escoles de Catalunya presenten a l’etapa d’educació Infantil. La metodologia utilitzada per introduir aquesta llengua és variada en cada cas. Aquesta recerca es centra en l’estudi de l’ús de tècniques dramàtiques com a metodologia per ensenyar anglès a infantil. A partir d’un qüestionari contestat per 129 professors d’anglès de Catalunya s’ha analitzat la percepció que tenen sobre les tècniques dramàtiques i la seva utilització. Els resultats mostren una manca de coneixement general sobre la metodologia.

Fertilizing Methods and Nutrient Balance at the End of Traditional Organic Agriculture in the Mediterranean Bioregion: Catalonia (Spain) in the 1860s

By reconstructing the nutrient balance of a Catalan v illage circa 1861-65 we examine the sustainability of organic agricultural sy stems in the northwest Mediterranean bioregion prior to the green rev olution and the question of whether the nutrients extracted f rom the soil were replenished. With a population density of 59 inhabitants per square km, similar to other northern European rural areas at that time, and a lower liv estock density per cropland unit, this v illage experienced a manure shortage. The gap was f illed by other labour-intensiv e way s of transf erring nutrients f rom uncultiv ated areas into the cropland. Key elements in this agricultural sy stem were v iney ards because they hav e f ew nutrient requirements, and woodland and scrublands as sources of relev ant amounts of nutrients collected in sev eral ways.

Cultural Planning and community sustainability: The case of the Cultural Facilities Plan of Catalonia (PECCAT 2010-20)

The government of Catalonia has developed a planning framework that seeks to establish the provision of cultural facilities throughout the country. The Cultural Facilities Plan of Catalonia (PECCAT) is based on an analysis of historical gaps and establishes a minimum spatial scheme. The plan responds to problems associated with the absence of a former similar instrument, which has led to an inconsistent and inappropriate cultural infrastructure that fails to fulfill its fundamental mission of securing the cultural rights of the population. The paper sets forth the aims of this policy and describes the objectives and basic characteristics of the plan and the expected outcomes. With the plan, the government of Catalonia seeks to rebalance the infrastructure within the territory and to ensure universal access to basic cultural services, while avoiding a logic of standardization and taking local communities into account. With the development of local plans in the municipalities, local governments encourage community participation processes to adapt and decide on priorities for action based on needs assessments and cultural opportunities for local sustainable development. The local plans focus on local cultural strengths, take advantage of opportunities, and aim to realize the cultural dynamics of a place through establishing an infrastructure that can best respond to the needs and cultural demands of the local communities, taking into account economic, social, and environmental sustainability.

New technologies and nursing: use and perception of primary healthcare nurses about electronic health record in Catalonia, Spain

This study was aimed to analyze and assess the use and perception of electronic health records (EHRs) by nurses. The study sample included 113 nurses from different shifts of primary health facilities in Catalonia, Spain, devoted to adult as well as pediatric outpatients using EHRs throughout the year 2010. A majority of the sample (87.5%) were women and 12.5% were men. The average age was 44.27 years and the average time working in primary healthcare was 47.15 months. A majority (80.4%) received specific training on the use of the EHR and 19.6% did not. The use of the application required side technical support (mean: 3.42) and it is considered necessary to learn more about the performance of the application (mean: 3.50). The relationship between the average ratings that nurses have about the EHR and age shows that there is no statistically significant linear relationship (r = - 0.002, p-value = 0.984). As to how long they have used the EHRs, there are significant differences (r= -0.304, p-value = 0.00), so the more time the nurse takes using the EHR, the greater degree of satisfaction is shown. In addition, there are significant differences between nurses" perceptions regarding the EHR and gender (t = - 0.421, p-value = 0.675). Nurses assessed as positive the contribution of the EHRs in their nursing care day work (average score: 2.55/5). Considering that the usability of the EHR device is assessed as satisfactory, the results of the perception of nurses show that we must also take into account the training and emphasize the need for a side technical support in the implementation process of the EHR. Doing so, the positive perception that nurses have in regard to information and communication technology in general and with respect to the EHR in particular may be increased.