Chemistry in Catalonia 1990-1995

The seven-year period studied here differs very little from the sixyear period described in the previous Report (1990-1995). Sustained growth was observed in almost all the indicators used to evaluate the resources invested and the scientific results obtained

Efecte del tipus d'embassament en el règim de cabals mínims a la conca del riu Ebre

En el marc dels cabals ambientals o “ecològics”, el coneixement de la regulació del règim de cabals mínims o baixos per part de les infraestructures hidràuliques pren especial importància. En aquest treball, es contrasta la hipòtesi de que la regulació del règim fluvial per part dels embassaments de regadiu i per part dels embassaments destinats a la producció d’energia hidroelèctrica produeix una alteració diferent en el règim de cabals mínims. Per fer-ho, es realitza l’anàlisi comparatiu del grau d’assoliment històric dels cabals mínims ecològics, determinats en el nou Pla de Conca de l’Ebre 2010-15, en 30 trams fluvials representatius de l’efecte d’aquests tipus d’embassaments. Els resultats obtinguts indiquen que la tipologia d’ús dels embassaments és determinant en la regulació dels cabals mínims. Els embassaments de reg produeixen una major alteració del règim de cabals mínims i presenten una diferent distribució i una major variabilitat intraanual en aquesta alteració que els embassaments hidroelèctrics.

Magmatic fluids in the Breccia-hosted epithermal Au-Ag deposit of Rosia Montana, Romania

The breccia-hosted epithermal Au-Ag deposit of Rosia Montana is located 7 kin northeast of Abrud, in the northern part of the South Apuseni Mountains, Romania. Estimated total reserves of 214.91 million metric toils (Mt) of ore at 1.46 g/t An and 6.9 g/t Ag (10.1 Moz of An and 47.6 Moz of Ag) make Rosia Montana one of the largest gold deposits in Europe. At this location, Miocene calc-alkaline magmatic and hydrothermal activity was associated with local extensional tectonics within a strike-slip regime related to the indentation of the Adriatic microplate into the European plate during the Carpathian orogenesis. The host rocks of the magmatic complex consist of pre-Mesozoic metamorphosed continental crust covered by Cretaceous turbiditic sediment (flysch). Magmatic activity at Rosia Montana and its surroundings occurred in several pulses and lasted about 7 m.y, Rosia Montana is a breccia-hosted epithermal system related to strong phreatomagmatic activity due to the shallow emplacement of the Montana dacite. The Montana dacite intruded Miocene volcaniclastic material (volcaniclastic breccias) and crops out at Cetate and Carnic Hills. Current mining is focused primarily on the Cetate open pit, which was mapped in detail, leading to the recognition of three distinct breccia bodies: the dacite breccia with a dominantly hydrothermal matrix, the gray polymict breccia with a greater proportion of sand-sized matrix support, and the black polymict breccia, which reached to the surface, contains carbonized tree trunks and has a dominantly barren elastic matrix. The hydrothermal alteration is pervasive. Adularia alteration with a phyllic overprint is ubiquitous; silicification and argillic alteration occur locally. Mineralization consists of quartz, adularia, carbonates (commonly Mn-rich), pyrite, Fe-poor sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite, and native gold and occurs as disseminations, as well as in veins and filling vugs within the Montana dacite and the different breccias. The age of mineralization (12.85 +/- 0.07 Ma) was determined by Ar-40- Ar-39 dating on hydrothermal adularia crystals from vugs in the dacite breccia in the Cetate open pit. Microthermometric measurements of fluid inclusions in quartz phenocrysts from the Montana dacite revealed two fluid types that are absent from the hydrothermal breccia and must have been trapped at depth prior to dacite dome emplacement: brine inclusions (32-55 -wt % NaCl equiv, homogenizing at T-h > 460 degrees C) and intermediate density fluids (4.9-15.6 wt % NaCl equiv, T, between 345 degrees-430 degrees C). Secondary aqueous fluid inclusion assemblages in the phenocrysts have salinities of 0.2 to 2.2 wt percent NaCl equiv and T-h of 200 degrees to 280 degrees C. Fluid inclusion assemblages in hydrothermal quartz from breccias and veins have salinities of 0.2 to 3.4 wt percent NaCl equiv and T-h, from 200 degrees to 270 degrees C. The oxygen isotope composition of several zones of an ore-related epithermal quartz crystal indicate a very constant delta O-18 of 4.5 to 5.0 per mil for the mineralizing fluid, despite significant salinity and temperature variation over time. Following microthermometry, selected fluid inclusion assemblages were analyzed by laser ablation-inductively coupled-plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICMS). Despite systematic differences in salinity between phenocryst-hosted fluids trapped at depth and fluids from quartz in the epithermal breccias, all fluids have overlapping major and trace cation ratios, including identical Na/K/Rb/Sr/Cs/Ba. Consistent with the constant near-magmatic oxygen isotope composition of the hydrothermal fluids, these data strongly indicate a common magmatic component of these chemically conservative solutes in all fluids. Cu, Pb, Zn, and Mn show variations in concentration relative to the relatively non-reactive alkalis, reflecting the precipitation of sulfide minerals together with An in the epithermal breccia, and possibly of Cu in an inferred subjacent porphyry environment. The magmatic-hydrothermal processes responsible for epithermal Au-Ag mineralization at Rosia Montana are, however, not directly related to the formation of the spatially associated porphyry Cu-Au deposit of Rosia Poieni, which occurred lout 3 m.y. later.

The Network Company in Catalonia : ICT, Productivity, Competitiveness, Salaries and Performance in Catalonia's Companies. Research report (synthesis document)

Resum en anglès del projecte de recerca L'empresa xarxa a Catalunya. TIC, productivitat, competitivitat, salaris i beneficis a l'empresa catalana té com a objectiu principal constatar que la consolidació d'un nou model estratègic, organitzatiu i d'activitat empresarial, vinculat amb la inversió i l'ús de les TIC (o empresa xarxa), modifica substancialment els patrons de comportament dels resultats empresarials, en especial la productivitat, la competitivitat, les retribucions dels treballadors i el benefici. La contrastació empírica de les hipòtesis de treball l'hem feta per mitjà de les dades d'una enquesta a una mostra representativa de 2.038 empreses catalanes. Amb la perspectiva de l'impacte de la inversió i l'ús de les TIC no s'aprecia una relació directa entre els processos d'innovació digital i els resultats de l'activitat de l'empresa catalana. En aquest sentit, hem hagut de segmentar el teixit productiu català per a buscar les organitzacions en què el procés de coinnovació tecnològica digital i organitzativa és més present i en què la intensitat de l'ús del coneixement és un recurs molt freqüent per a poder copsar impactes rellevants en els principals resultats empresarials. Això és així perquè l'economia catalana, avui, presenta una estructura productiva dual.

New stratigraphic data from the Lower Penninic between the Adula nappe and the Gotthard massif and consequences for the tectonics and the paleogeography of the Central Alps

New stratigraphic data along a profile from the Helvetic Gotthard massif to the remnants of the North Penninic basin in eastern Ticino and Graubunden are presented. The stratigraphic record together with existing geochemical and structural data, motivate a new interpretation of the fossil European distal margin. We introduce a new group of Triassic facies, the North-Penninic-Triassic (NPT), which is characterised by the Ladinian ``dolomie bicolori''. The NPT was located in-between the Brianconnais carbonate platform and the Helvetic lands. The observed horizontal transition, coupled with the stratigraphic superposition of a Helvetic Liassic on a Briaconnais Triassic in the Luzzone-Terri nappe, links, prior to Jurassic rifting, the Brianconnais paleogeographic domain at the Helvetic margin, south of the Gotthard. Our observations suggest that the Jurassic rifting separated the Brianconnais domain from the Helvetic margin by complex and protracted extension. The syn-rift stratigraphic record in the Adula nappe and surroundings suggests the presence of a diffuse rising area with only moderately subsiding basins above a thinned continental and proto-oceanic crust. Strong subsidence occurred in a second phase following protracted extension and the resulting delamination of the rising area. The stratigraphic coherency in the Adula's Mesozoic questions the idea of a lithospheric m lange in the eclogitic Adula nappe, which is more likely to be a coherent alpine tectonic unit. The structural and stratigraphic observations in the Piz Terri-Lunschania zone suggest the activity of syn-rift detachments. During the alpine collision these faults are reactivated (and inverted) and played a major role in allowing the Adula subduction, the ``Penninic Thrust'' above it and in creating the structural complexity of the Central Alps. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

E-Health and Society : An Empirical Study of Catalonia. Research report (synthesis document)

Aquest estudi va analitzar la interacció del canvi organitzatiu, els valors culturals i el canvi tecnològic en el sistema sanitari català. L'estudi se subdivideix en cinc parts diferents. La primera és una anàlisi de contingut de webs relacionats amb la salut a Catalunya. La segona és un estudi dels usos d'Internet en qüestions relacionades amb la salut entre la població en general, les associacions de pacients i els professionals de la salut, i es basa en un sondeig per Internet adaptat a cada un d'aquests grups. La tercera part és un estudi de treball de camp dels programes experimentals duts a terme pel Govern català en diverses àrees i hospitals locals per a integrar electrònicament la història clínica dels pacients. La quarta és un estudi de les implicacions organitzatives de la introducció de sistemes d'informació en la gestió d'hospitals i centres d'assistència primària a l'Institut Català de Salut, el principal proveïdor de salut pública a Catalunya, i es basa en un sondeig per Internet i entrevistes en profunditat. La cinquena part és un estudi de cas dels efectes organitzatius i socials de la introducció de les tecnologies de la informació i la comunicació en un dels principals hospitals de Catalunya, l'Hospital Clínic de Barcelona. L'estudi es va dur a terme entre el maig del 2005 i el juliol del 2007.

Organic geochemistry of Jurassic-Cretaceous source rocks and oil seeps from the profile across the Adriatic-Dinaric carbonate platform

Organic geochemical and stable isotope investigations were performed to provide an insight into the depositional environments, origin and maturity of the organic matter in Jurassic and Cretaceous formations of the External Dinarides. A correlation is made among various parameters acquired from Rock-Eval, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry data and isotope analysis of carbonates and kerogen. Three groups of samples were analysed. The first group includes source rocks derived from Lower Jurassic limestone and Upper Jurassic ``Leme'' beds, the second from Upper Cretaceous carbonates, while the third group comprises oil seeps genetically connected with Upper Cretaceous source rocks. The carbon and oxygen isotopic ratios of all the carbonates display marine isotopic composition. Rock-Eval data and maturity parameter values derived from biomarkers define the organic matter of the Upper Cretaceous carbonates as Type I-S and Type II-S kerogen at the low stage of maturity up to entering the oil-generating window. Lower and Upper Jurassic source rocks contain early mature Type III mixed with Type IV organic matter. All Jurassic and Cretaceous potential source rock extracts show similarity in triterpane and sterane distribution. The hopane and sterane distribution pattern of the studied oil seeps correspond to those from Cretaceous source rocks. The difference between Cretaceous oil seeps and potential source rock extracts was found in the intensity and distribution of n-alkanes, as well as in the abundance of asphaltenes which is connected to their biodegradation stage. In the Jurassic and Cretaceous potential source rock samples a mixture of aromatic hydrocarbons with their alkyl derivatives were indicated, whereas in the oil seep samples extracts only asphaltenes were observed.

Halimium halimifolium (L.) Willk. in Willk. et Lange subsp. halimifolium al Maresme (NE de Catalunya) = Halimium halimifolium (L.) Willk. in Willk. et Lange subsp. halimifolium in the Maresme (NE Catalonia)

Nota breu sobre la descripció de Halimium halimifolium subsp. halimifolium al Maresme

Noves aportacions al coneixement florístic de l’Empordà - IV = A new contribution to the flora of the Empordà (Catalonia, NE Iberian Peninsula) - IV

En el decurs de les prospeccions florístiques realitzades en els darrers tres anys a les comarques de l’Alt i Baix Empordà, s’han herboritzat diversos tàxons singulars que completen algunes de les aportacions ja publicades anteriorment (Font et al., 1998). En aquest treball se cita per primer cop al Principat la composta Evax lusitanica. La resta detàxons són novetats per a aquestes comarques o bé suposen l’herborització recent d’espècies citades de molt antic que no havien estat indicades darrerament i que en alguns casos suposen les úniques o darreres localitats conegudes a Catalunya

Macròfits com a bioindicadors de la conca fluvial d'Alinyà

L’objectiu d’aquest projecte ha sigut analitzar la qualitat de l’aigua a la Conca fluvial d’Alinyà i esbrinar quins són els factors que la determinen. Per fer-ho s’han utilitzat els macròfits (mitjançant l’índex IM) com a bioindicadors de la qualitat dels boscos de ribera i de manera indirecta determinar la qualitat de l’aigua. Es conclou que els factors més influents en els resultats són: la maca de diversitat dels macròfits donada l’època de l’any del mostreig (a la tardor), l’augment de les masses forestals homogeneïtzant el paisatge, les fortes pluges d’enguany i la contaminació puntual al nucli urbà d’Alinyà.

Le Briançonnais, terrain exotique dans les Alpes ?

New reconstructions of the Western Alps from late Early Jurassic till early Tertiary are proposed. These reconstructions use deep lithospheric data gathered through recent seismic surveys and tomographic studies carried out in the Alps. The present day position, under the Po plain, of the southern limit of the European plate (fig. 1), allows to define the former geometry of the Brianconnais peninsula. The Brianconnais domain is regarded as an exotic terrane formerly belonging to the European margin until Late Jurassic, then transported eastward during the drift of Iberia (fig. 5). Therefore, on a present day Western Alps cross section, a duplication of the European continental margin can be recognized (fig. 10). Stratigraphic and sedimentological data along a zone linking the Pyrenean fracture zone to the Brianconnais, can be related to a rifting event starting in Oxfordian time. This event is responsible for the Late Jurassic till mid-Cretaceous drift of Iberia opening, first the northern Atlantic, then the Gulf of Biscay. Simultaneously, the drift of the Brianconnais will open the Valais ocean and close the Piemontese ocean. The resulting oblique collision zone between the Brianconnais and the Apulian margin generates HP/LT metamorphism starting in Early Cretaceous. The eastward drift of the Brianconnais peninsula will eventually bring it in front of a more northerly segment of the former European margin. The thrusting of the Brianconnais unto that margin takes place in early Tertiary (fig. 9), following the subduction of the Valais ocean. The present nappe pile results not only from continent/continent frontal collision, but also from important lateral displacement of terranes, the most important one being the Brianconnais. The dilemma of `'en echelon'' oceanic domains in the Alps is an outcome of these translations. A solution is found when considering the opening of a Cretaceous Valais ocean across the European margin, running out eastward into the Piemontese ocean, where the drift is taken up along a former transform fault and compensated by subduction under the Apulian margin (fig. 8). In the Western Alps we are then dealing with two oceans, the Piemontese and the Valaisan and a duplicated European margin. In the Eastern Alps the single Piemontese ocean is cut by newly created oceanic crust. All these elements will be incorporated into the Penninic structural domain which does not represent a former unique paleogeographic area, it is a composite accretionary domain squeezed between Europe and Apulia.

Profile, cost and pattern of prescriptions for polymedicated patients in Catalonia (Spain).

OBJECTIVES: Polypharmacy is one of the main management issues in public health policies because of its financial impact and the increasing number of people involved. The polymedicated population according to their demographic and therapeutic profile and the cost for the public healthcare system were characterised. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Primary healthcare in Barcelona Health Region, Catalonia, Spain (5 105 551 inhabitants registered). PARTICIPANTS: All insured polymedicated patients. Polymedicated patients were those with a consumption of ≥16 drugs/month. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The study variables were related to age, gender and medication intake obtained from the 2008 census and records of prescriptions dispensed in pharmacies and charged to the public health system. RESULTS: There were 36 880 polymedicated patients (women: 64.2%; average age: 74.5±10.9 years). The total number of prescriptions billed in 2008 was 2 266 830 (2 272 920 total package units). The most polymedicated group (up to 40% of the total prescriptions) was patients between 75 and 84 years old. The average number of prescriptions billed monthly per patient was 32±2, with an average cost of 452.7±27.5. The total cost of those prescriptions corresponded to 2% of the drug expenditure in Catalonia. The groups N, C, A, R and M represented 71.4% of the total number of drug package units dispensed to polymedicated patients. Great variability was found between the medication profiles of men and women, and between age groups; greater discrepancies were found in paediatric patients (5-14 years) and the elderly (≥65 years). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides essential information to take steps towards rational drug use and a structured approach in the polymedicated population in primary healthcare.