Ecological and physiological variance in T-cell mediated immune response in Cory's shearwaters

T-cell mediated immune response (CMI) hasbeen widely studied in relation to individual andfitness components in birds. However, few studieshave simultaneously examined individual and socialfactors and habitat-mediated variance in theimmunity of chicks and adults from the samepopulation and in the same breeding season. Weinvestigated ecological and physiological variancein CMI of male and female nestlings and adults in abreeding population of Cory's Shearwaters(Calonectrisdiomedea) in theMediterranean Sea. Explanatory variables includedindividual traits (body condition, carbon andnitrogen stable isotope ratios, plasma totalproteins, triglycerides, uric acid, osmolarity,β-hydroxy-butyrate, erythrocyte meancorpuscular diameter, hematocrit, andhemoglobin) and burrow traits(temperature, isolation, and physicalstructure). During incubation, immune responseof adult males was significantly greater than thatof females. Nestlings exhibited a lower immuneresponse than adults. Ecological and physiologicalfactors affecting immune response differed betweenadults and nestlings. General linear models showedthat immune response in adult males was positivelyassociated with burrow isolation, suggesting thatmales breeding at higher densities suffer immunesystem suppression. In contrast, immune response inchicks was positively associated with bodycondition and plasma triglyceride levels.Therefore, adult immune response appears to beassociated with social stress, whereas a trade-offbetween immune function and fasting capability mayexist for nestlings. Our results, and those fromprevious studies, provide support for anasymmetrical influence of ecological andphysiological factors on the health of differentage and sex groups within a population, and for theimportance of simultaneously considering individualand population characteristics in intraspecificstudies of immune response.

Social differences in avoidable mortality between small areas of 15 European cities: an ecological study

Health and inequalities in health among inhabitants of European cities are of major importance for European public health and there is great interest in how different health care systems in Europe perform in the reduction of health inequalities. However, evidence on the spatial distribution of cause-specific mortality across neighbourhoods of European cities is scarce. This study presents maps of avoidable mortality in European cities and analyses differences in avoidable mortality between neighbourhoods with different levels of deprivation. Methods: We determined the level of mortality from 14 avoidable causes of death for each neighbourhood of 15 large cities in different European regions. To address the problems associated with Standardised Mortality Ratios for small areas we smooth them using the Bayesian model proposed by Besag, York and Mollié. Ecological regression analysis was used to assess the association between social deprivation and mortality. Results: Mortality from avoidable causes of death is higher in deprived neighbourhoods and mortality rate ratios between areas with different levels of deprivation differ between gender and cities. In most cases rate ratios are lower among women. While Eastern and Southern European cities show higher levels of avoidable mortality, the association of mortality with social deprivation tends to be higher in Northern and lower in Southern Europe. Conclusions: There are marked differences in the level of avoidable mortality between neighbourhoods of European cities and the level of avoidable mortality is associated with social deprivation. There is no systematic difference in the magnitude of this association between European cities or regions. Spatial patterns of avoidable mortality across small city areas can point to possible local problems and specific strategies to reduce health inequality which is important for the development of urban areas and the well-being of their inhabitants

Inmigración, crisis económica y discursos radiofónicos: hacia un lenguaje excluyente

Los medios de comunicación juegan un rol fundamental en la percepción social del proceso migratorio y de las minorías étnicas. A través del análisis de un conjunto de emisiones de Catalunya Radio, RAC1 y la COPE, el estudio que presentamos pretende determinar si el discurso radiofónico se fundamenta en un lenguaje inclusivo que contribuye a la cohesión social, o bien promueve un sobredimensionamiento de los conflictos contribuyendo a extender la xenofobia. Coincidiendo con la crisis, el lenguaje excluyente se consolida y se extiende en los medios. El análisis desarrollado evidencia el uso de conceptos y estrategias discursivas que remiten, por una parte, al racismo moderno y, por otra, al lenguaje del odio, siendo frecuentes las imprecisiones, la invisibilidad u homogeneización de determinados colectivos, la contraposición nosotrosellos o enfoques basados en el conflicto que enfatizan las diferencias étnicas.

An update on EMU sovereign yield spread drivers in times of crisis: A panel data analysis

We empirically investigate the determinants of EMU sovereign bond yield spreads with respect to the German bund. Using panel data techniques, we examine the role of a wide set of potential drivers. To our knowledge, this paper presents one of the most exhaustive compilations of the variables used in the literature to study the behaviour of sovereign yield spreads and, in particular, to gauge the effect on these spreads of changes in market sentiment and risk aversion. We use a sample of both central and peripheral countries from January 1999 to December 2012 and assess whether there were significant changes after the outbreak of the euro area debt crisis. Our results suggest that the rise in sovereign risk in central countries can only be partially explained by the evolution of local macroeconomic variables in those countries.

An update on EMU sovereign yield spread drivers in times of crisis: A panel data analysis

We empirically investigate the determinants of EMU sovereign bond yield spreads with respect to the German bund. Using panel data techniques, we examine the role of a wide set of potential drivers. To our knowledge, this paper presents one of the most exhaustive compilations of the variables used in the literature to study the behaviour of sovereign yield spreads and, in particular, to gauge the effect on these spreads of changes in market sentiment and risk aversion. We use a sample of both central and peripheral countries from January 1999 to December 2012 and assess whether there were significant changes after the outbreak of the euro area debt crisis. Our results suggest that the rise in sovereign risk in central countries can only be partially explained by the evolution of local macroeconomic variables in those countries.

La crisis o nuevos mecanismos de acumulación por desposesión de la reproducción

Desde que empezó la crisis hemos presenciado un doble proceso político que amenaza con socavar algunos de los avances más importantes en materia de igualdad de género realizados en época reciente. Por un lado, hemos asistido a un inmenso recorte del gasto público social y, por el otro, al ascenso por doquier de la derecha, la cual desempolva obcecada sus recetas de auxilio a la familia tradicional para salvarla de los supuestamente crecientes y virulentos ataques perpetrados sobre esta durante los últimos años. Estos dos procesos se encuentran profundamente relacionados y contribuyen a provocar nuevos y actualizados mecanismos de acumulación por desposesión del trabajo reproductivo no remunerado de las mujeres.

Factores Psicosociales y Organizaciones Saludables en tiempos de crisis

Presentación del Modelo de empresa saludable y sostenible y del Modelo para la intervención psicosocial laboral.

Organizaciones saludables en tiempo de crisis

Peer-reviewed

Juventud, trabajo y desempleo en los prolegómenos de la crisis económica en España. Reflexiones críticas

La elevada y preocupante cifra de desempleo juvenil hoy día en España invita a reflexionar sobre cómo era esta situación en los prolegómenos de la actual crisis económica y social. En el presente artículo se analiza y reflexiona si tras la explicación predominante, basada en la responsabilización del joven, se eludían otros aspectos interesantes a tener en cuenta. Para ello se aplica una metodología variada, basada en la revisión estadística y documental, complementada con observación participante y entrevistas (semiestructuradas y estructuradas) a jóvenes (16-19 años), a profesionales del ámbito educativo-ocupacional y a responsables de la administración local. La principal aportación realizada es, por un lado, la identificación, a partir del análisis empírico, de algunas reflexiones en torno a elementos que cuestionan el discurso culpabilizador hacia el joven, y por otro lado, la presentación de elementos exógenos a la figura del joven interesantes de incorporar en el análisis sobre jóvenes e inserción laboral.

Dinamitzar sectors d'alt valor afegit evitarà crisis

Segons dades de Biocat, Catalunya té el 21% de les empreses del sector biotecnològic espanyol que mouen més de 15.000 milions d'euros i ocupen més de 22.000 persones. A final del 2011, en el sector hi constaven 1.156 empreses i entitats, incloent-hi centres de recerca. De les 481 empreses, un 84% són d'origen català. Una part important són d'R+D+I i d'àmbit en què les universitats i centres de recerca catalans estan més ben situats en els rànquings internacionals

La repercusión de la crisis en las entidades financieras: el caso de Lleida

Tras dos décadas con todo a favor para las entidades bancarias españolas, sobre todo para las cajas de ahorros, en cuento a su crecimiento y su expansión, la llegada de la crisis actual ha cambiado toda esta tendencia. El proceso de reestructuración del sistema bancario español a partir de 2009 provoca grandes transformaciones dentro del sector financiero, que afectan especialmente a las mismas cajas. Estos cambios son visibles a diferentes escalas del territorio. Por ello en este trabajo descubriremos el comportamiento de las oficinas bancarias en la ciudad de Lleida, especialmente durante el reciente período para averiguar las repercusiones que pueden tener estas medidas en una ciudad de tamaño medio, pero para ello encuadraremos nuestro trabajo en otras escalas territoriales.

Ecological fallacy in a time series context: evidence from the Spanish regional unemployment rates

The ecological fallacy (EF) is a common problem regional scientists have to deal with when using aggregated data in their analyses. Although there is a wide number of studies considering different aspects of this problem, little attention has been paid to the potential negative effects of the EF in a time series context. Using Spanish regional unemployment data, this paper shows that EF effects are not only observed at the cross-section level, but also in a time series framework. The empirical evidence obtained shows that analytical regional configurations are the least susceptible to time effects relative to both normative and random regional configurations, while normative configurations are an improvement over random ones.

La importancia de una buena gestión de comunicación en situaciones de crisis. El caso de ébola en España

Aquest Treball Final de Grau se centra en la gestió de comunicació en les situacions de crisis institucionals, donat que aquestes han demostrat que la imatge és un dels actius més rellevants en les organitzacions. Per atenuar totes les conseqüències negatives de les crisis, s’ha de comprometre’s a la preparació i a la prevenció dels riscos des de tots els punts de vista. Les crisis ben gestionades poden ser oportunitats per reposicionar una marca i, a la vegada, enfortir-la. Per aquest motiu, una bona gestió de crisis és la base per intentar evitar una crisis o, en el cas que succeeixi, sortir il·lès de les conseqüències i millorar la imatge de l’entitat. A més a més, per recalcar la importància d’una bona preparació abans que esdevingui la crisis, s’analitza un cas - la crisis sanitària de l’ebola a España - on es reflexa clarament la necessitat d’estar previngut.

Los efectos de la sociedad en los museos: del boom a la crisis de ideas = The effects of the society in museums: from boom to the ideas crisis

This paper compares different times of museums considering the situation of the past two decades. It reflects on the upswing and down, knowing that partake of the latter and we are in a deep crisis and unsustainable policies dictating contradictory. This situation raises the museums with their own project and creative professionals can better overcome difficulties because they do not suffer crisis of ideas. Some paradoxes are evident as the case of Greece, the place where the museums are repositories of highly relevant cultural values and the same institutions that have enhanced their improvement in the years of the upswing, they currently require, cuts that put them in a position risk. Similarly we can see that policies are applied to thin the identity of museums since they rely on adjustments that do not study each particular case. Alternatively there is the creativity and efforts of managers and professionals in general and cooperative work. It gives details of some of our participatory projects that go in this direction and to be successfully applied

¿Crisis de la cultura? = Crisis of the culture?

Culture has several meanings: civilization, creation, knowledge, life… We analyze how each one suffers the so-called crisis of culture. Civilization lives the crisis as «liquidity», according to Bauman’s diagnosis, with significant negative impact on education. The creation and enjoyment of cultural products, such as museums, suffer its crisis as fragility resulting from the civilization crisis, notably in the form of consumerist banality or pure entertainment. Culture as knowledge and as life is analyzed under the joint notion «humanistic culture». This, which in turn is creation, knowledge and life has its specific corruption in the elitist knowledge, merely theoretical. The hallmark of genuine humanism contains an essential component, the dimension of ethical and political commitment. The crisis in the humanistic studies, noted by Nussbaum, threats the values of humanistic culture; in particular is a political risk, because democracy is a system that needs to sustain and improve the values of humanistic culture. In the background, and beyond the differences between the cultural meanings, there is a unique cultural crisis, a crisis of ethics and politics at a time