Els arbres singulars del Parc Natural de l'Alt Pirineu: estudi i proposta d'educació ambiental

Aquest estudi s’ha realitzat amb el principal objectiu de localitzar, analitzar i diagnosticar els arbres singulars subjectes a ser declarats monumentals dins el Parc Natural de l’Alt Pirineu. Concretament s’han inventariat la Vall Ferrera i la Vall de Cardós. L’objectiu secundari ha estat fer una proposta innovadora d’educació ambiental, utilitzant l’arbre com a un instrument pedagògic. S’han inventariat vint-i-tres arbres sent un d’ells ja declarat Arbre Monumental, “l’Avet del Pla de la Selva”. Primerament s’han localitzats els arbres amb l’ajuda dels tècnics del Parc, el coneixement popular i documentació. S’ha utilitzat una metodologia basada en estudis anteriors, mitjançant uns formularis de camp que recullen totes les característiques ecològiques i socioculturals de cada arbre. Posteriorment s’han analitzat les dades obtingudes i s’ha realitzat la diagnosi. S’ha proposat un mètode quantitatiu i un mètode qualitatiu (Rànquing d’Arbres Monumentals). Aquest últim valora cada arbre comparant-lo amb un llistat de tots aquells arbres monumentals de la mateixa espècie en el territori català realitzat per la Generalitat de Catalunya, segons tres paràmetres, l’alçada, el volt de canó i el diàmetre de la capçada. Finalment es proposa a cada arbre la protecció corresponent segons el seu estat de conservació i altres paràmetres. Un dels resultats obtinguts d’aquest estudi ha estat la realització d’una carpeta de material divulgatiu utilitzant cada arbre com a eix central per explicar el medi natural que l’envolta. Amb aquesta iniciativa es vol destacar l’important paper dels arbres monumentals com a connectors amb el medi natural i sociocultural i la necessitat de protegir en tots els Parcs Naturals els arbres singulars.

L'oficina judicial a Catalunya: mitjà real d'una justícia eficaç pel ciutadà del segle XXI

En aquest estudi es pretenia assolir la pràctica d'un sistema que només s'ha plantejat teòricament, doncs l'experiència acumulada, ja abans de la reforma orgànica de 2003, parteix de la figura dels serveis comuns, amb un criteri d'eficiència, racionalitat i economia per invertir en l'Administració de justícia catalana. Assumir i donar resposta jurídica concreta a tots els reptes tècnics pot fer-se des d'una perspectiva dogmàtica, tot i que el temps transcorregut també permet advertir exigències pràctiques a l'àmbit de la dogmàtica processal, el context socio-cultural i, naturalment, les necessitats laborals. En aquest sentit, els objectius s'introdueixen cap a la garantia d'un apropament material, conceptual i quotidià de l'Administració de justícia al ciutadà, establert com a eix inextricable del sistema, tenint present la de vegades despesa incomprensible en una realitat històricament menystinguda i deficitària, malgrat l'esforç pressupostari fet els darrers anys que, malgrat tot, no ha evitat discordances greus per manca de racionalitat i eficiència en el consum diari dels operadors implicats. Es pretén aconseguir, per mitjà del nou sistema d'oficina judicial estructurat, un avenç efectiu i econòmic a l'estat de la Justícia al país, especialment envers la dilació dels tràmits, a més de reclamar reformes legals, de caire processal especialment, que no es prestin a mers paràmetres d'ajust formal, sinó que incideix substantivament en millores per altre part reclamades fa temps per la doctrina científica. S'han aconseguit les fites definides des del punt de vista teòric, així com s'ha afrontat tots el problemes conceptuals i hipòtesis pràctiques més significatives, establint pautes de resposta sota la prèvia determinació de les qüestions debatudes i els conflictes habituals que correspon enfrontar. D'aquesta manera, s'ha estudiat la normativa en presència i la jurisprudència que hi dona actualitat pràctica, sense oblidar la doctrina d'autors. S'ha repassat el funcionament existent a l'oficina judicial i les previsions de la mateixa en un futur immediat, remarcant les noves tecnologies en ús i projectades, de igual manera que les bondats i crítiques de tots els operador jurídics actuants.

La reconnaissance des troubles musculo-squelettiques (TMS) comme maladies professionnelles: controverses sociales et trajectoires personnelles

La reconnaissance des troubles musculo-squelettiques (TMS) comme maladies professionnelles : controverses sociales et trajectoires personnelles¦Les TMS sont actuellement considérés comme des problèmes majeurs de santé au travail, mais leur reconnaissance comme maladies professionnelles reste controversée. L'objectif central de cette thèse est de comprendre, dans une perspective de psychologie socio-culturelle intégrant certains apports de la sociologie interactionniste, les conséquences que cette situation peut avoir pour des travailleuses et travailleurs souffrant de ces affections. Au préalable, il s'agira de saisir comment se constituent les controverses sur les TMS et pourquoi ces derniers sont si rarement reconnus comme maladies professionnelles en Suisse. Les principales données sont constituées de documents institutionnels et d'entretiens avec des ouvrières et ouvriers atteints de TMS.¦Les résultats montrent que les enjeux de la reconnaissance des maladies professionnelles ne se limitent pas aux prestations d'assurance et à la prise en charge des coûts engendrés par les maladies. En effet, leur non-reconnaissance contribue à définir les TMS comme des problèmes personnels plutôt que professionnels, ce qui peut entraver les capacités des ouvrières et ouvriers à agir sur leurs conditions de travail. En outre, les explications qui circulent sur les TMS par le biais de discours institutionnels ou informels ont des conséquences sur la manière dont une personne appréhende sa propre maladie. Ces explications de la maladie peuvent être des outils de compréhension, mais aussi contribuer à définir l'identité de la personne malade. Dans ce cas, la reconnaissance du caractère professionnel de la maladie touche aussi à des questions de reconnaissance sociale.¦MSDs are currently considered major occupational health problems, but their recognition as occupational illnesses remains controversial. The central objective of the thesis is to grasp, from a socio-cultural psychology perspective that integrates certain contributions of interactionist sociology, the consequences that these circumstances can have for workers suffering from such ailments. Further, the thesis first aims to understand how controversies about MSDs emerge and why these disorders are so rarely recognized as occupational illnesses in Switzerland. Most of the data used stems from institutional documents and from interviews with workers suffering from MSDs.¦The results show that the stakes of recognizing occupational illnesses are not limited to issues of insurance benefits and the coverage of costs generated by the disorders. In fact, the non-recognition of MSDs contributes to their characterization as personal rather than professional problems, which can in turn impede workers' ability to act to change their working conditions. Furthermore, accounts of and explanations about MSDs circulating by means of institutional or informal discourse have consequences on the way a person may perceive his or her own illness. Such explanations of the illness can be tools for understanding it, but they may also contribute to defining the identity of the affected person. In this case, the recognition of the occupational nature of the illness is also closely related to questions of social recognition.

Syndrome métabolique, diabète sucré et vulnérabilité: une approche "syndémique" de la maladie chronique [Metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus and vulnerability: a syndemic approach of chronic diseases].

The pandemic metabolic syndrome is generally attributed to our lifestyle. The current therapeutic strategies are centered on the behavioral changes and pharmacotherapy. A deeply analysis reveals the importance of the socio-cultural determinants with a "dose-responses effect according to the socio-economic level. The "syndemic" theory, which puts at the same level the socio-cultural environment, the behaviors and biomedecine, suggests a more holistic approach. This theory suggests introducing other partners of care, such cultural-mediators and welfare workers trained in the care, to have finally an approach centered on the roots of the causes. The healthcare networks centered on the management of the costs of health should not forget the socio-cultural dimension, unless wanting to select the good cases.

Imatges i paraules : poesia visual catalana a la primera avantguarda

Es pregunta pels trets característics de la poesia visual de la primera avantguarda, els que resten fidels a la inspiració europea i els que sorgeixen com a resposta particular mediatitzada per unes determinades condicions socioculturals, i de quina manera aquests trets prenen cos en la producció poètica.

Consumer Focused Review of Men's Food Behaviour

Increasing attention has been paid to the burden of ill-health experienced by men in many Western countries. In Europe and internationally, the Republic of Ireland has been leading the way by developing a national policy for men’s health. In most countries around the world, women now have a longer life expectancy than men. Similarly, on the island of Ireland, in spite of recent increases in men’s life expectancy, men continue to have higher death rates at all ages and from all leading causes of death. In Northern Ireland, in 2010, men’s life expectancy at birth was 77.08 years (81.53 years for women), while in the Republic of Ireland, figures published in 2009 revealed that men’s life expectancy at birth was 76.8 years (compared to 81.6 years for women). Key health issues for men include circulatory diseases, cancers and respiratory diseases. In relation to food and health, obesity has been highlighted as a major concern in relation to men’s health. While physiological difference between men and women explain some of the variation in the rate and/or onset of disease (e.g., protective effects of oestrogen in relation to the onset of cardiovascular diseases), other factors, such as socio-cultural influences, which are the main focus of this report, also play an important role. It is acknowledged that men and women experience different influences and motivations with respect to their knowledge and attitudes of and behaviours towards food and health. The purpose of this report is therefore not to compare men with women or to encourage men to model themselves on women in relation to their food and health behaviour. Rather, the goal is to provide recommendations to improve communications, resources, interventions, education and services targeted at boys and men in relation to food.

The initial epidemiological studies in the low endemicity schistosomiasis area in esteio, Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost Brazilian State, 1997 to 2000

Nor Biomphalaria glabrata neither Schistosoma mansoni were reported from Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost Brazilian state before 1997. Their detection next to the Sinos River, Esteio, confirmed predictions of schistosomiasis expansion to the south. Parasitological examinations both in snails and fecal samples from the human population were performed from 1997 to 2000. The last 3 out of 5 surveys were performed after a preliminar serological screening procedure in a risk group identified at a population census. A total of 11 infected individuals were found infected and snails from 2 different sites were positive for S. mansoni. Samples from these 2 and other sites were identified as B. glabrata. Egg counts in feces were below 1 per gram in 6 out of 11 patients. Some socio-cultural perceptions of water contact activities next to the Sinos River may cause difficulties to control efforts, but they also may be partially acting against a very rapid increase in transmission intensity. The southernmost schistomiasis mansoni foci in Americas rise the alert for its ongoing expansion.

Related factors to human toxocariasis in a rural community of Argentina

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between toxocariasis frequency and demographic, environmental, sanitary variables, eosinophylia, and other intestinal parasites in a rural population of Argentina. Serological examination of 100 individuals was carried out by using ELISA technique for the detection of anti-toxocara antibodies. Eosinophiles in peripheral blood, presence of intestinal parasites, and demographic, environmental, and socio-cultural data were evaluated. Eighty-one feces samples of dogs belonging to the studied people were analyzed to detect eggs of Toxocara canis. Thirty of them were from 30 dogs and 51 were pools from dog feces. Samples of dirt from around the homes (n: 47) and from public park (n: 4) were taken. To determine the associations, the c² and Fisher tests were used. The seroprevalence was 23%. Eosinophilia in peripheral blood was detected in 86.95% seropositive individuals and in 37.66% seronegative individuals (p < 0.001, OR = 11.03). Of the 23 people with positive serology, 69.56% had at least one intestinal parasite. All individuals with positive serology had dogs in their homes. Among the dog owners there was a significant association between the presence of anti-toxocara antibodies and home flooding. Eggs of T. canis were detected in the feces of 5/81 dogs and three of these dogs belonged to individuals with positive serology. Eggs of Toxocara spp. were found in 41.17% of the dirt samples, eight of which came from the area surrounding the homes of individuals with positive serology (p = 0.032; OR = 4.36). Taking into account all the variables influencing the frequency of toxocariasis in this population, the implementation of Public Health programs specifically focused on anti-parasitic treatment of dogs is recommended.

First genotyping of Giardia lamblia from human and animal feces in Argentina, South America

The purpose of this study was to investigate the genotypes of Giardia lamblia from human and animal feces and their epidemiological and clinical characteristics in Argentina, South America. Seventy isolates, 60 from humans (adults and children), eight from dogs and two from cows were processed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Data corresponding to demographic, socio-cultural and environmental variables and presence/absence of signs/symptoms were collected. The triosephosphate isomerase gene was amplified from 43 (71.66%) of the 60 human fecal samples. Among these, 3/43 (6.98%) were genotype AII and 40/43 (93.02%) were genotype B. Assemblage AII was detected in three children who lived together in a shantytown and they were oligosymptomatic and none had diarrhea. This genotype was not found in animals. Genotype B showed a high prevalence in both adults and children. It was also found in polysymptomatic people, many of whom presented diarrhea. It was also found only in one dog. The present study represents the first contribution to the knowledge of G. lamblia genotypes in Argentina.

The relationships between technology and open education in the development of a resilient higher education

The place of technology in the development of coherent educational responses to environmental and socio-economic disruption is here placed under scrutiny. One emerging area of interest is the role of technology in addressing more complex learning futures, and more especially in facilitating individual and social resilience, or the ability to manage and overcome disruption. However, the extent to which higher education practitioners can utilise technology to this end is framed by their approaches to the curriculum, and the socio-cultural practices within which they are located. This paper discusses how open education might enable learners to engage with uncertainty through social action within a form of higher education that is more resilient to economic, environmental and energy-related disruption. It asks whether open higher education can be (re)claimed by users and communities within specific contexts and curricula, in order to engage with an uncertain world.

Desencuentros comunicativos dentro y fuera del aula L2 para inmigrantes adultos

In the past few years, the studies on communicative troubles emerging in intercultural communication highlight cultural differences. Some disciplines have created training guides where those differences are made explicit so that in the case of international communication misunderstandings are avoided. Examples can be found in non-verbal communication protocols for health services and in the business world. In this regard the field of second-language teaching is beginning to include the socio-pragmatic features of language in the teaching materials. For this reason, this dissertation attempts to describe the communicative conflicts that arise in conversation between immigrants and natives in the city of Barcelona. Thanks to the theoretical and methodological tools provided by Conversation Analysis and Discourse Analysis, we can ethnographically analyze the interviews held with the informants, and the interactions they had with Barcelonan people, by taking into account the linguistic and paralinguistic features which are salient in the interaction (Gumperz y Roberts, 1991; Gumperz, 1992; Hérédia, 1996 y Trognon y Saint-Dizier, 1999). For this purpose, we first examine the causes that produce the conflict as well as the consequences that derive from it. Second, we describe the strategies that the speakers use in the negotiation of the meaning that generated the misunderstanding. Although it is obvious that the nature of the conversations, the personal characteristics of the participants and the context of the conversations have a noticeable influence on the participants’ communicative attitudes (Hinnenkamp, 1987; Codó, 2003; van Dijk, 2003 y Bertrán, 2009), there are somemisunderstandings that none of the interlocutors are able to detect or solve. The results show that not all of the misunderstandings that emerge in intercultural communication have a negative effect and, therefore, its usage in the L2 teaching classroom is essential for acquiring socio-cultural and intercultural competence (Miquel, 1997; Oliveras, 2000 y Miquel y Sans 2004).

Les poètes dans les inscriptions grecques de Rome : esquisse d'une approche socioculturelle

Cette étude basée sur le dépouillement des IGUR propose une approche socioculturelle des poètes grecs ou hellénophones qui ont séjourné à Rome à l'époque impériale, du Ier siècle après J.-C. à la fin du IVe siècle. Le nombre des inscriptions mentionnant des noms de poètes est relativement élevé (15). La première partie examine l'origine de ces artistes, le choix et le statut de la langue employée dans les inscriptions, les problèmes d'identité qui sont posés. La seconde partie étudie la considération et les possibilités de carrière que les poètes de langue grecque ont pu trouver à Rome ; elle distingue différentes catégories professionnelles et analyse les principales fonctions de ces poètes ainsi que leurs rapports avec le pouvoir impérial. Based on peruse of IGUR, this study offers a socio-cultural approach of Greek or Greek-speaking poets that stayed in Rome during Imperial times, from the first century AD to the end of the fourth century. Inscriptions relating poets names are relatively numerous (15). In the first part, we will discuss the artists' origin, the choice and status of the language used in the inscriptions, the problems of identities they raised. In the second part, we will discuss what kind of esteem and career opportunities Greek speaking poets could meet in Rome ; we would distinguish the different professional categories of those poets and analyse their main functions as well as their relationships with Imperial power.

Protocol for the modeling the epidemiologic transition study: a longitudinal observational study of energy balance and change in body weight, diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity has increased in societies of all socio-cultural backgrounds. To date, guidelines set forward to prevent obesity have universally emphasized optimal levels of physical activity. However there are few empirical data to support the assertion that low levels of energy expenditure in activity is a causal factor in the current obesity epidemic are very limited. METHODS: The Modeling the Epidemiologic Transition Study (METS) is a cohort study designed to assess the association between physical activity levels and relative weight, weight gain and diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk in five population-based samples at different stages of economic development. Twenty-five hundred young adults, ages 25-45, were enrolled in the study; 500 from sites in Ghana, South Africa, Seychelles, Jamaica and the United States. At baseline, physical activity levels were assessed using accelerometry and a questionnaire in all participants and by doubly labeled water in a subsample of 75 per site. We assessed dietary intake using two separate 24-h recalls, body composition using bioelectrical impedance analysis, and health history, social and economic indicators by questionnaire. Blood pressure was measured and blood samples collected for measurement of lipids, glucose, insulin and adipokines. Full examination including physical activity using accelerometry, anthropometric data and fasting glucose will take place at 12 and 24 months. The distribution of the main variables and the associations between physical activity, independent of energy intake, glucose metabolism and anthropometric measures will be assessed using cross-section and longitudinal analysis within and between sites. DISCUSSION: METS will provide insight on the relative contribution of physical activity and diet to excess weight, age-related weight gain and incident glucose impairment in five populations' samples of young adults at different stages of economic development. These data should be useful for the development of empirically-based public health policy aimed at the prevention of obesity and associated chronic diseases.

El reto del paisaje urbano en China, del Mall Comercial al espacio público

Las categorías del espacio introvertido y extrovertido definen por excelencia la estructura espacial, que ordena el ámbito de lo privado y lo público en la ciudad. La dualidad del espacio abierto y cerrado, vinculado a la estructura espacial de la ciudad clásica China, quedaba ordenado, justificado y vinculado mediante una estructura espacial muy definida. Sin embargo en el modelo de ciudad contemporánea, aflora la cuestión de la integración de estas categorías espaciales y su articulación dentro de una estructura urbana heterogénea y fuertemente alterada. ¿Cuáles serán los factores de cambio de la transición de un espacio comunitario introvertido a un espacio cívico abierto? Este proceso es un proceso que debe discurrir a un doble nivel espacial y político. Debe discurrir en paralelo a la transición de las categorías espaciales que ordenan identitariamente el ámbito urbano y la progresiva transición socio-cultural y política de una sociedad que debe gradualmente identificar y adoptar como propias las instituciones de gobierno local y su escenario, la ciudad.

Sexuality in the puerperium: the experience of a group of women

Puerperium is a period of great changes in women's lives, in physiological, psychological and socio-cultural terms. Female sexuality is a broad topic that should be explored vis-à-vis the singularity of woman's experiences which themselves vary at different moments in time. This article is part of the project: Sexuality in the Puerperium, the objective of which was to understand what women's experience of their sexuality is in the postpartum period. Observation and semi-structured interview were used. The research approach was qualitative and narrative was used as the conceptual and methodological method. Six primiparas who gave birth in a public hospital in São Paulo took part in the study. Observation took place in the in-patients unit in the immediate post-partum period. The interviews were conducted in the women´s homes. The results of the study have enabled an understanding to be formed of the meanings and changes in sexuality during the postpartum period as well as of the experiences every woman faces in her new roles, relationships and difficulties.