Landscape and Environmental Impact Evaluation of Roundabouts

The interest of researchers and practitioners on roundabout solutions has been growing increasingly in the last decades. The often large areas occupied by this type of intersections require special attention on the use of ground and the preservation of the natural, environmental and architectural heritage. This aim also presents the opportunity for evaluating their impact on the landscape and environment. The paper proposes a new method developed for roundabout evaluation (but generalizable to other infrastructures and fields) borrowed from building technology and based on the needs, requirements and performance expected from an object rather than on prescriptions for and descriptions of its dimensions and quality. Applications on two roundabouts are presented in order to highlight practical developments. Their final evaluation sheets are presented and through them it is relatively easy to single out the problems and drawbacks of the roundabouts from the landscape point of view

Case studies of landscape and environmental impact evaluation of roundabouts

This paper is a follow-up to a previous one that presented a new method for evaluating the landscape and environmental impact of roundabouts borrowed from building technology and based on the needs, requirements and performance expected from an object rather than on prescriptions for and descriptions of its dimensions and quality. The proposed method aims at defining criteria to set up an information structure based on a need and performance approach capable of evaluating impacts on the landscape and environmental integration. After a brief résumé of the above-mentioned principles, two applications are presented in order to highlight two practical developments. The roundabouts on which the applications are focused are located in an urban and in a rural environment respectively in the Northern part of Italy. Obviously their analysis cannot be considered comprehensive of all possible cases but it covers a large proportion of them. Differences between the two roundabouts are many and they concern, besides the landscape and environment, geometrical dimensions, type of flow, presence of weekday users (pedestrians and bikers). The final evaluation sheets are presented and through them it is relatively easy to single out the problems and drawbacks of the roundabouts from the landscape point of view

Hydrologic and landscape changes in the Middle Ebro River (NE Spain): Implications for restoration and management

The changes of landscape (1927–2003), discharge regime and anthropic activities with the river-floodplain of one reach at the Middle Ebro River (NE Spain) were investigated with the objective to identify the factors that best explain the natural ecotope succession and propose a realistic restoration option with consideration of the landscape dynamics during the last century and the socio-economic context. Our results indicate that hydrological and landscape patterns have been dramatically changed during the last century as a consequence of human alteration of the fluvial dynamics within the studied reach. The magnitude and variability of river discharge events have decreased at the end of the last century, and flood protection structures have disrupted the river floodplain connectivity. As a result, the succesional pathways of riparian ecotopes have been heavily modified because natural rejuvenation no longer takes place, resulting in decreased landscape diversity. It is apparent from these data that floodplain restoration must be incorporated as a significant factor into river management plans if a more natural functioning wants to be retrieved. The ecotope structure and dynamics of the 1927–1957 period should be adopted as the guiding image, whereas current hydrologic and landscape (dykes, raised surfaces) patterns should be considered. Under the current socio-economic context, the more realistic option seems to create a dynamic river corridor reallocating dykes and lowering floodplain heights. The extent of this river corridor should adapt to the restored flow regime, although periodic economic investments could be an option if the desired self-sustained dynamism is not reached.The research was funded by the Department of the Environmental Science, Technology and University –Aragon government (Research group E-61 on Ecological Restoration)- and MEC (CGL2005-07059). The Spanish Research Council (CSIC) granted Alvaro Cabezas through the I3P program (I3P-EPD2003-2), which was financed by European Social Funds (UE).Peer reviewe

Hydrologic and landscape changes in the Middle Ebro River (NE Spain): implications for restoration and management

The changes of landscape (1927–2003), discharge regime and anthropic activities with the river-floodplain of one reach at the Middle Ebro River (NE Spain) were investigated with the objective to identify the factors that best explain the natural ecotope succession and propose a realistic restoration option with consideration of the landscape dynamics during the last century and the socio-economic context. Our results indicate that hydrological and landscape patterns have been dramatically changed during the last century as a consequence of human alteration of the fluvial dynamics within the studied reach. The magnitude and variability of river discharge events have decreased at the end of the last century, and flood protection structures have disrupted the river floodplain connectivity. As a result, the succesional pathways of riparian ecotopes have been heavily modified because natural rejuvenation no longer takes place, resulting in decreased landscape diversity. It is apparent from these data that floodplain restoration must be incorporated as a significant factor into river management plans if a more natural functioning wants to be retrieved. The ecotope structure and dynamics of the 1927–1957 period should be adopted as the guiding image, whereas current hydrologic and landscape (dykes, raised surfaces) patterns should be considered. Under the current socio-economic context, the more realistic option seems to create a dynamic river corridor reallocating dykes and lowering floodplain heights. The extent of this river corridor should adapt to the restored flow regime, although periodic economic investments could be an option if the desired self-sustained dynamism is not reached

Hierarchical priority setting for restoration in a watershed in NE Spain, based on assessments of soil erosion and ecosystem services

31 páginas[EN] Maintaining and enhancing ecosystem services through the restoration of degraded ecosystems have become an important biodiversity conservation strategy. Deciding where to restore ecosystems for the attainment of multiple services is a key issue for future planning, management, and human well-being. Most restoration projects usually entail a small number of actions in a local area and do not consider the potential benefits of planning restoration at broad regional scales. We developed a hierarchical priority setting approach to evaluate the performance of restoration measures in a semiarid basin in NE Spain (the Martín River Basin, 2,112 km2). Our analysis utilized a combination of erosion (a key driver of degradation in this Mediterranean region) and six spatially explicit ecosystem services data layers (five of these maps plotted surrogates for soil retention and accumulation, water supply and regulation, and carbon storage, and one plotted a cultural service, ecotourism). Hierarchical maps were generated using a geographic information system that combined areas important for providing a bundle of ecosystem services, as state variables, with erosion maps, as the disturbance or regulatory variable. This was performed for multiple scales, thereby identifying the most adequate scale of analysis and establishing a spatial hierarchy of restoration actions based on the combination of the evaluation of erosion rates and the provision of ecosystem services. Our approach provides managers with a straightforward method for determining the spatial distribution of values for a set of ecosystem services in relation to ecological degradation thresholds and for allocating efforts and resources for restoration projects in complex landscapes.This work was funded by Endesa S.A. through the collaborative agreement Endesa-CSIC for scientific research. The first author wants to thank Belinda Reyers for the fruitful conversation and helpfulness showed in every moment and two anonymous referees for their constructive suggestions. M. Trabucchi was in receipt of grant from JAE-DOC Program for Advanced Study financed by the European Social Fund (ESF), Ref. I3P-BPD-2006.Peer reviewe

Efficacy of SSRIs on cognition of Alzheimer's disease patients treated with cholinesterase inhibitors.

Background: This study examines the joint effect on cognition of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and cholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) in depressed patients affected by Alzheimer’s disease (AD) living at home. Methods: The study was conducted in two different outpatient neurological clinics. 338 patients with probable ADwere treated with ChEis (donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine) as per the clinician’s judgment and were observed for nine months. At study entry, participants underwent a multidimensional assessment evaluating cognitive, functional and psychobehavioral domains. All patients were evaluated at baseline, after one (T1), three (T2) and nine months (T3). Patients were grouped in three different categories (patients not depressed and not treated with SSRIs, patients depressed and treated with SSRIs, and patients depressed but not treated with SSRIs). Results: At baseline 182 were diagnosed as not depressed and not treated with SSRIs, 66 as depressed and treated with SSRIs, and 90 as depressed but not treated with SSRIs. The mean change in MMSE score from baseline to nine months showed that depressed patients not treated worsened in comparison with those not depressed and not treated with SSRIs (mean change −0.8±2.3 vs 0.04±2.9; p = 0.02) and patients depressed and treated with SSRI (mean change −0.8±2.3 vs 0.1±2.5; p = 0.03). Conclusions: In AD patients treated with AChEIs, SSRIs may exert some degree of protection against the negative effects of depression on cognition

Mapping erosion risk at the basin scale in a Mediterranean environment with opencast coal mines to target restoration actions

34 páginas, 9 figurasRiver basin restoration and management is crucial for assuring the continued delivery of ecosystem services and for limiting potential hazards. Human activity, whether directly or indirectly, can induce erosion processes and drastically change the landscape and alter vital ecological functions. Mapping erosion risk before future restoration-management projects will help to reveal the priority areas and develop a hierarchy ordered according to need. For this purpose, we used the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) erosion model. We also applied a novel technique called GPVI (Genetic Programming Vegetation Index) in the Martín River basin in NE Spain (2,112 km2), which has a large coalfield located in the southern part of the basin. Approximately two-thirds (69%) of the area of the Martín basin presents low and medium soil loss rates, and one-third (31%) of the area presents high (18%), very high (10%), and irreversible (3%) erosion rates. The southern part of the basin is the most degraded and is strongly influenced by the topography. This work allows us to locate areas prone to erosional degradation processes to help create a buffer around the river and locate “spots” in need of restoration. We also checked the error estimation of the methodology because our soil maps do not include rock and bare rock areas. The usefulness of applying RUSLE for predicting degraded areas and the consequent directing of soil conservation–restoration actions at the basin scale is demonstrated. We highly recommend a field survey of the selected areas to prove the goodness of the model estimations.This work is part of the research and assistance agreement between Endesa S.A. and CSICPyrenean Institute of Ecology (IPE-CSIC). Funding for this study was provided by Endesa S.A. A special acknowledge is given to Endesa Centro Minero Andorra (Teruel). Thanks are given to, J. M. Garcia Ruiz, S. Begueria, E. Nadal, E. Moran-Tejera, and J.J. Jimenez for reviewing and general advises during the development of this work, M. P. Errea, J. Zabalza, L. C. Alatorre for assistance with GIS analysis, M. Angulo for R factor map, M. Pazos with statistical analysis, and F. Reverberi for laboratory work. M. Trabucchi was in receipt of grant from JAE-CSIC (Ref. I3P-BPD-2006).Peer reviewe

Novel prokaryotic expression of thioredoxin-fused insulinoma associated protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (IA-2), its characterization and immunodiagnostic application

Background The insulinoma associated protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (IA-2) is one of the immunodominant autoantigens involved in the autoimmune attack to the beta-cell in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. In this work we have developed a complete and original process for the production and recovery of the properly folded intracellular domain of IA-2 fused to thioredoxin (TrxIA-2ic) in Escherichia coli GI698 and GI724 strains. We have also carried out the biochemical and immunochemical characterization of TrxIA-2icand design variants of non-radiometric immunoassays for the efficient detection of IA-2 autoantibodies (IA-2A). Results The main findings can be summarized in the following statements: i) TrxIA-2ic expression after 3 h of induction on GI724 strain yielded ≈ 10 mg of highly pure TrxIA-2ic/L of culture medium by a single step purification by affinity chromatography, ii) the molecular weight of TrxIA-2ic (55,358 Da) could be estimated by SDS-PAGE, size exclusion chromatography and mass spectrometry, iii) TrxIA-2ic was properly identified by western blot and mass spectrometric analysis of proteolytic digestions (63.25 % total coverage), iv) excellent immunochemical behavior of properly folded full TrxIA-2ic was legitimized by inhibition or displacement of [35S]IA-2 binding from IA-2A present in Argentinian Type 1 Diabetic patients, v) great stability over time was found under proper storage conditions and vi) low cost and environmentally harmless ELISA methods for IA-2A assessment were developed, with colorimetric or chemiluminescent detection. Conclusions E. coli GI724 strain emerged as a handy source of recombinant IA-2ic, achieving high levels of expression as a thioredoxin fusion protein, adequately validated and applicable to the development of innovative and cost-effective immunoassays for IA-2A detection in most laboratories.Fil: Guerra, Luciano Lucas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni; ArgentinaFil: Faccinetti, Natalia Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni; ArgentinaFil: Trabucchi, Aldana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni; ArgentinaFil: Rovitto, Bruno David. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni; ArgentinaFil: Sabljic, Adriana Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni; ArgentinaFil: Poskus, Edgardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni; ArgentinaFil: Iacono, Ruben Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni; ArgentinaFil: Valdez, Silvina Noemi. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral Prof. Ricardo A. Margni; Argentin

MicroRNAs in pulmonary arterial remodeling

Pulmonary arterial remodeling is a presently irreversible pathologic hallmark of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This complex disease involves pathogenic dysregulation of all cell types within the small pulmonary arteries contributing to vascular remodeling leading to intimal lesions, resulting in elevated pulmonary vascular resistance and right heart dysfunction. Mutations within the bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 gene, leading to dysregulated proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, have been identified as being responsible for heritable PAH. Indeed, the disease is characterized by excessive cellular proliferation and resistance to apoptosis of smooth muscle and endothelial cells. Significant gene dysregulation at the transcriptional and signaling level has been identified. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules that negatively regulate gene expression and have the ability to target numerous genes, therefore potentially controlling a host of gene regulatory and signaling pathways. The major role of miRNAs in pulmonary arterial remodeling is still relatively unknown although research data is emerging apace. Modulation of miRNAs represents a possible therapeutic target for altering the remodeling phenotype in the pulmonary vasculature. This review will focus on the role of miRNAs in regulating smooth muscle and endothelial cell phenotypes and their influence on pulmonary remodeling in the setting of PAH