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The projected growth of biodiesel world production has led to an increasing interest in finding new routes to valorize the large amount of glycerol produced linked to this biofuel obtaining process. One of these routes is glycerol transformation in value added products such as oxygen fuel additives. This review collects the latest advances in routes of glycerol valorization, considering the great majority of reactions with ketones and aldehydes, among other reactants. In order to justify the interest in these processes, this work includes a discussion of the main effects on fuel properties and engine performance. The characteristics that glycerol derivatives can provide to fuel blends, such as increasing in octane index, improving some cold flow properties or mitigating some negative aspects of other oxygenated compounds, such as environmental issues, flash point or gums formation will be exposed and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Understanding the forces shaping biodiversity patterns, particularly for groups of organisms with key functional roles, will help predict the responses of ecosystems to environmental changes. Our aim was to evaluate the relative role of different drivers in shaping the diversity patterns of vertebrate herbivores, a group of organisms exerting a strong trophic influence in terrestrial Arctic ecosystems. This biome, traditionally perceived as homogeneous and low in biodiversity, includes wide variation in biotic and physical conditions and is currently undergoing major environmental change. Location The Arctic (including the High Arctic, Low Arctic and Subarctic) Methods We compiled available data on vertebrate (birds and mammals) herbivore distribution at a pan-Arctic scale, and used eight variables that represent the most relevant hypotheses for explaining patterns of species richness. We used range maps rasterized on a 100 km × 100 km equal-area grid to analyse richness patterns of all vertebrate herbivore species combined, and birds and mammalian herbivores separately. Results Overall, patterns of herbivore species richness in the Arctic were positively related to plant productivity (measured using the normalized difference vegetation index) and to the species richness of predators. Greater species richness of herbivores was also linked to areas with a higher mean annual temperature. Species richness of avian and mammalian herbivores were related to the distance from the coast, with the highest avian richness in coastal areas and mammalian richness peaking further inland. Main conclusions Herbivore richness in the Arctic is most strongly linked to primary productivity and the species richness of predators. Our results suggest that biotic interactions, with either higher or lower trophic levels or both, can drive patterns of species richness at a biome-wide scale. Rapid ongoing environmental changes in the Arctic are likely to affect herbivore diversity through impacts on both primary productivity and changes in predator communities via range expansion of predators from lower latitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Epidemiological evidence suggests an association between psychological factors and functional dyspepsia (FD). Yet few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of psychological interventions have been conducted for FD. We conducted an RCT to evaluate the efficacy of psychotherapy among chronic FD. Methods One hundred fifty-eight consecutive patients with FD were randomized to medical therapy plus psychotherapy consisted in 8 group and 2 individual sessions focused on teaching techniques for coping with FD (intensive treatment (IT); n = 76) or medical therapy alone (conventional treatment (CT); n = 82). Patients completed validated self-reported questionnaires before and after the 10-week treatment and 6 months later. Linear mixed-effects models were used, in intention-to-treat analysis. Results At the end of treatment period, statistically significant improvements were observed for IT compared with CT for dyspepsia-related quality of life (DRQoL). DRQoL mean changes of 6.09 and 3.54 were obtained in IT and CT patients, respectively (p = < 0.0001); and SS mean changes of 11.55 and 4.57 were obtained in IT and CT patients, respectively (p = 0.0013) . Those improvements, measured by minimum clinically important difference (MCID), were clinically significant (DRQoL: 77% of the IT patients exceeded the MCID vs the 45% of the CT; SS: 75% vs 48%). Six months after treatment, those statistically significant improvements persisted for DRQoL (p = 0.0067) and for SS (p = 0.0405). Clinical improvements persisted for SS (63% vs 41%). Conclusions These findings suggest that adding psychotherapy to standard medical therapy improves short-term outcomes in patients with FD and may have long-term effects as well. The cost-effectiveness of intensive therapy needs to be evaluated. Registration number and name of trial registry: NCT01802710 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive farming practices and landscape heterogeneity promote biodiversity in agroecosystems. However, the effect of such practices might be landscape dependent; specifically, the effect might be greatest where the loss of heterogeneity has been the largest. In recent decades, agricultural intensification and landscape simplification have dramatically affected the Mediterranean region, where olive groves are one of the predominant crops. For instance, in Spain from 1996 to 2008, the amount of land dedicated to olive groves increased by 300,000 ha (12 %). In conventional olive farming, herbicides are applied intensively to minimize competition between crops and swards for water; however, to prevent erosion, many farmers are maintaining swards within crops. This practice likely benefits farmland biodiversity, although the heterogeneity of the surrounding landscape might influence the extent of these effects. This study assessed the effects of herbaceous cover on the abundance and species richness of songbird communities in six matched pairs of olive groves (ground cover or bare ground) in homogeneous and heterogeneous landscapes over a 3-year period. We predicted that (1) the presence of ground cover and landscape heterogeneity would have a positive effect on songbird communities, and (2) the effect would be greatest in homogeneous environments. Although bird community composition differed among landscape types and farming practices in the olive groves in southern Spain, the effect of ground cover was not landscape dependent. The presence of ground cover had a positive effect on the abundance and richness of songbirds, including sensitive species, but landscape heterogeneity did not have an effect. This study underscores the important role of agricultural practices in preserving farmland bird communities, while it also suggests that landscape heterogeneity might not be very important in Mediterranean perennial farming systems. The positive effects of ground cover can be important for preserving the wintering quarters of numerous European bird species, including species of conservation concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The role of VEGF in the nervous system is extensive; apart from its angiogenic effect, VEGF has been described as a neuroprotective, neurotrophic and neurogenic molecule. Similar effects have been described for enriched environment (EE). Moreover, both VEGF and EE have been related to improved spatial memory. Our aim was to investigate the neurovascular and cognitive effects of intracerebrally-administered VEGF and enriched environment during the critical period of the rat visual cortex development. Results showed that VEGF infusion as well as enriched environment induced neurovascular and cognitive effects in developing rats. VEGF administration produced an enhancement during the learning process of enriched animals and acted as an angiogenic factor both in primary visual cortex (V1) and dentate gyrus (DG) in order to counteract minipump implantation-induced damage. This fact revealed that DG vascularization is critical for normal learning. In contrast to this enriched environment acted on the neuronal density of the DG and V1 cortex, and results showed learning enhancement only in non-operated rats. In conclusion, VEGF administration only has effects if damage is observed due to injury. Once control values were reached, no further effects appeared, showing a ceiling effect. Our results strongly support that in addition to neurogenesis, vascularization plays a pivotal role for learning and memory. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The role of positive interactions has become widely accepted as a mechanism shaping community dynamics. Most empirical evidence comes from plant communities and sessile marine organisms. However, evidence for the relative role of positive interactions in organizing terrestrial animal communities is more limited, and a general framework that includes positive interactions among animals is lacking. The 'stress gradient hypothesis' (SGH) developed by plant ecologists predicts that the balance between positive and negative interactions will vary along gradients of biotic and abiotic stress, with positive interactions being more important in stressful environments. Paralleling the SGH, stress gradients for terrestrial herbivores could be equated to inverse primary productivity gradients, so we would expect positive interactions to prevail in more stressful, low productivity environments. However, this contradicts the typical view of terrestrial animal ecology that low primary productivity systems will foster intense competition for resources among consumers. Here we use alpine herbivores as a case study to test one of the predictions of the SGH in animal communities, namely the prevalence of positive interactions in low productivity environments. We identify potential mechanisms of facilitation and review the limited number of examples of interspecific interactions among alpine herbivores to assess the role of positive and negative interactions in structuring their communities. A meta-analysis showed no clear trend in the strength and direction of interactions among alpine herbivores. Although studies were biased towards reporting significant negative inter actions, we found no evidence of competition dominating in harsh environments. Thus, our results only partially support the SGH, but directly challenge the dominant view among animal ecologists. Clearly, a sound theoretical framework is needed to include competition, positive and neutral interactions as potential mechanisms determining the structure of animal communities under differing environmental conditions, and the stress-gradient hypothesis can provide a solid starting point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The location and use of warrens is a key factor in the population dynamics of the European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus L., which can influence stability and persistence in the long term. Within the species' original distribution range, its numbers have declined sharply in recent decades, which is a serious problem for the conservation of Mediterranean ecosystems. Artificial warrens are commonly used to bolster rabbit populations and the characterization of natural warrens in those areas might improve their efficiency. In this study, we use binomial generalized linear models to identify the factors associated with the location and use of warrens in a low-density area and we evaluate the effect of including the spatial structure of the data in the model. In addition, we generate a map that predicts the most suitable areas for artificial warrens. Contrary to what was expected, habitat variables are only secondary factors, and the location and use of warrens is influenced mainly by spatial factors, such as proximity to nearby warrens. Furthermore, the aggregated spatial pattern of warrens suggests that, at the local scale, for example, the hunting estate, intra-specific interactions might be playing a primary role in these low-density populations. To identify the most suitable sites for artificial warrens and, thereby, improve the efficiency of artificial warren building for conservation purposes, information about spatial structures should be included in models predicting natural warrens of European rabbits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Therapeutic ceiling of care is the maximum level of care deemed appropiate to offer to a patient based on their clinical profile and therefore their potential to derive benefit, within the context of the availability of resources. To our knowledge, there are no models to predict ceiling of care decisions in COVID-19 patients or other acute illnesses. We aimed to develop and validate a clinical prediction model to predict ceiling of care decisions using information readily available at the point of hospital admission. Methods: We studied a cohort of adult COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized in 5 centres of Catalonia between 2020 and 2021. All patients had microbiologically proven SARS-CoV-2 infection at the time of hospitalization. Their therapeutic ceiling of care was assessed at hospital admission. Comorbidities collected at hospital admission, age and sex were considered as potential factors for predicting ceiling of care. A logistic regression model was used to predict the ceiling of care. The final model was validated internally and externally using a cohort obtained from the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The TRIPOD Checklist for Prediction Model Development and Validation from the EQUATOR Network has been followed to report the model. Results: A total of 5813 patients were included in the development cohort, of whom 31.5% were assigned a ceiling of care at the point of hospital admission. A model including age, COVID-19 wave, chronic kidney disease, dementia, dyslipidaemia, heart failure, metastasis, peripheral vascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and stroke or transient ischaemic attack had excellent discrimination and calibration. Subgroup analysis by sex, age group, and relevant comorbidities showed excellent figures for calibration and discrimination. External validation on the Leeds Teaching Hospitals cohort also showed good performance. Conclusions: Ceiling of care can be predicted with great accuracy from a patient's clinical information available at the point of hospital admission. Cohorts without information on ceiling of care could use our model to estimate the probability of ceiling of care. In future pandemics, during emergency situations or when dealing with frail patients, where time-sensitive decisions about the use of life-prolonging treatments are required, this model, combined with clinical expertise, could be valuable. However, future work is needed to evaluate the use of this prediction tool outside COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Manganese oxide systems were prepared in the form of laminar octahedral compounds (birnessites) or octahedral molecular sieves (cryptomelanes) in order to test their efficiency as catalysts for the abatement of volatile organic compounds. Gelation routes and redox–reflux methods with different precursors were chosen such as KMnO4/glucose, KMnO4/polyvinyl alcohol for birnessites and KMnO4/Mn-oxalate, KMnO4/Mn-sulphate and KMnO4/Mn-acetate for cryptomelanes. Birnessite, prepared using glucose as the reducing agent, showed a high activity in the total oxidation of acetone in spite of the moderate surface area. Cryptomelanes, prepared from Manganese carboxylates, present the classical fibrous morphology with a high surface area and were extremely active for acetone total oxidation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The use of austenitic stainless steel (AISI 304) as metallic substrate for catalytic devices is explored in this work as well as an alternative procedure to the washcoating of the active phase. Catalyst deposition on austenitic stainless steel takes advantage of the manganese concentration of this alloy by direct growing of the new catalytic phase on the monolith surface during the synthesis. Manganese oxide (OMS) is chosen as active phase and VOC abatement by total oxidation as catalytic test. It is possible to coat metallic monoliths by growing the catalytic phase, manganese oxide (OMS), in situ during the reflux synthesis of cryptomelane. This preparation strategy needs a proper metal surface modification but is possible to deposit a large amount of catalyst in a very adherent form. The metallic coating shows similar adherences to those found using Fecralloy substrates even thought, in the case of the monolith prepared by repeated washcoating on AISI 304, new phases seem to be produced showing quite higher activity in total oxidation of ethyl acetate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Exposure to environmental stressors can impair children's health and their cognitive development. The effects of air pollution, lead, and chemicals have been studied, but there has been less emphasis on the effects of noise. Our aim, therefore, was to assess the effect of exposure to aircraft and road traffic noise on cognitive performance and health in children. Methods: We did a cross-national, cross-sectional study in which we assessed 2844 of 3207 children aged 9-10 years who were attending 89 schools of 77 approached in the Netherlands, 27 in Spain, and 30 in the UK located in local authority areas around three major airports. We selected children by extent of exposure to external aircraft and road traffic noise at school as predicted from noise contour maps, modelling, and on-site measurements, and matched schools within countries for socioeconomic status. We measured cognitive and health outcomes with standardised tests and questionnaires administered in the classroom. We also used a questionnaire to obtain information from parents about socioeconomic status, their education, and ethnic origin. Findings: We identified linear exposure-effect associations between exposure to chronic aircraft noise and impairment of reading comprehension (p=0.0097) and recognition memory (p=0.0141), and a non-linear association with annoyance (p<0.0001) maintained after adjustment for mother's education, socioeconomic status, longstanding illness, and extent of classroom insulation against noise. Exposure to road traffic noise was linearly associated with increases in episodic memory (conceptual recall: p=0.0066; information recall: p=0.0489), but also with annoyance (p=0.0047). Neither aircraft noise nor traffic noise affected sustained attention, self-reported health, or overall mental health. Interpretation: Our findings indicate that a chronic environmental stressor-aircraft noise-could impair cognitive development in children, specifically reading comprehension. Schools exposed to high levels of aircraft noise are not healthy educational environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Editor COVID-19 is a disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 of the genus Betacoronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). As mentioned above, skin lesions appear to be a sign within patients suffering from COVID-19. Conflicts of interest Dr. Cabrera-Hernández, Dr Solano-Solares, Dr Chica-Guzmán, Dr Fernández-Guarino, Dr Fernández-Nieto, Dr Ortega-Quijano, Dr de-Andrés-Martín, Dr Moreno, Dr Carretero-Barrio, Dr García-Abellás, Dr González-de-Olano and Dr de-la-Hoz-Caballer have nothing to disclose. [Extracted from the article]

Linear paraffins can be selectively separated from the rest of components of kerosene (branched hydrocarbons, aromatics and naphthenes) by means of liquid phase adsorption on 5A zeolite using the technology of simulated moving bed (SMB). In previous works, the kinetic and equilibrium parameters required for modelling and design of the SMB unit were obtained for pure n-paraffins and n-paraffin mixtures. However, the simulation of the SMB process indicated the presence of n-C5, used as a desorbent, in the separation zone, especially after the feed mixture is introduced. This finding motivated this work, in which n-paraffin mixtures (n-C10, n-C12, n-C14) including n-C5 were studied to address its influence in the process. The kinetic and equilibrium parameters for these mixtures were obtained and included in the model for the simulation of an SMB unit. While mixtures without n-C5 preferentially adsorbed shorter n-paraffins, it was found that including n-C5 in the mixtures reverses the selectivity of the adsorbent. In this case, longer n-paraffins are preferentially adsorbed, matching the trend observed for pure n-paraffins. In addition, n-C5 significantly increases the mobility of n-paraffins, as indicated in their higher mass transfer coefficients. The model was validated by comparing the predicted performance with the reported separation achieved by a commercial SMB unit that separates n-paraffins from hydrotreated kerosene fractions. The predicted separation performance is very similar to that achieved in our previous works, slightly improving the purity (99.6%) of the extract as a trade for a small loss in recovery (95.4%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been associated to a wide clinical spectrum of skin manifestations, including chilblain-like, urticarial, vesicular, maculopapular, livedoid and vasculitic lesions, among others.1,2 However, the exact pathophysiology for the appearance of skin lesions is still unknown. This delayed injection-site reaction shows similar features to COVID-19 exanthems.3 Whether it corresponds to a hypersensitivity reaction to the spike protein or to different components of the vaccine is still unknown. A delayed hypersensitivity reaction at the injection site of Moderna (mRNA-1273)7 and Pfizer-BioNTech, Puurs, Belgium (BNT162b2)8 vaccines has been recently described in the mass media as "COVID-arm". [Extracted from the article]

Background: The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with outcomes after surgery for colorectal cancer and to design and internally validate a simple score for predicting perioperative mortality. Methods: Patients undergoing surgery for primary invasive colorectal cancer in 22 centres in Spain between June 2010 and December 2012 were included. Clinical variables up to 30 days were collected prospectively. Multiple logistic regression techniques were applied and a risk score was developed. The Hosmer–Lemeshow test was applied and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC, with 95 per cent c.i.) was estimated. Results: A total of 2749 patients with a median age of 68·5 (range 24–97) years were included; the male : female ratio was approximately 2 : 1. Stage III tumours were diagnosed in 32·6 per cent and stage IV in 9·5 per cent. Open surgery was used in 39·3 per cent, and 3·6 per cent of interventions were urgent. Complications were most commonly infectious or surgical, and 25·5 per cent of patients had a transfusion during the hospital stay. The 30‐day postoperative mortality rate was 1·9 (95 per cent c.i. 1·4 to 2·4) per cent. Predictive factors independently associated with mortality were: age 80 years or above (odds ratio (OR) 2·76), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR 3·62) and palliative surgery (OR 10·46). According to the categorical risk score, a patient aged 80 years or more, with COPD, and who underwent palliative surgery would have a 23·5 per cent risk of death within 30 days of the intervention. Conclusion: Elderly patients with co‐morbidity and palliative intention of surgery have an unacceptably high risk of death. Elderly co‐morbid patients at high risk [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linear paraffins are widely used in the manufacturing of industrial and domestic detergents. Some adsorbents selectively separate these linear hydrocarbons by adsorption from petroleum feedstocks. LTA molecular sieves (5A zeolite) adsorb linear paraffins while excluding the rest of the components of kerosene (branched hydrocarbons and aromatics). Equilibrium and kinetic parameters are available in the literature for light paraffins in the vapour phase, however, there is scarce information concerning high molecular weight paraffins in liquid phase, especially at the operating conditions of commercial processes. In a previous work, the equilibrium and kinetics of high molecular weight n-paraffins C5, C10, C14 and C18 were studied for the adsorption in liquid phase on 5A zeolite. The aim of this work is to study the equilibrium and kinetics of n-paraffins C12 and C16, as well as mixtures of n-paraffins C10, C12 and C14 in the same conditions. n-pentane has been included in the study as it is mainly used as desorbent in the cyclic simulated moving bed (SMB) commercial process. Pure component isotherms were obtained, as well as a multicomponent isotherm. By comparing them, it was observed that selectivities are significantly lower in mixtures (for example, selectivity towards C14 with respect to C12 is lowered from 2.84 for pure paraffins to 1.05 for mixtures). A theoretical model has been developed to describe the column adsorption dynamics of the studied systems. The model has been included in an SMB simulation program (SMBSIM), and the model prediction has been validated by comparison with the separation performance data reported for a commercial SMB unit that separates normal paraffins from a hydrotreated kerosene fraction The model predicts the separation of linear paraffins with 99.2% purity and 96.3% recovery (5% error obtained for n-paraffin concentration in the extract and non-adsorptives in the raffinate). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methane aromatization is a promising technology for the transformation of natural gas to added-value products. The main objective of this work was to obtain a catalyst with suitable performance and good mechanical stability for methane aromatization reaction in fluidized bed reactors. The selected catalyst was Mo/H-ZSM-5/bentonite mixture. Mo/ZSM-5 was chosen as the active material, since it provides good selectivity to aromatics but the particle size of the zeolite was too small for operation in a fluidized bed and a binder was needed. We prepared two series of catalysts with two different zeolites. We tested several heating velocities (1, 7 and 10 °C min-1) in the different stages of catalyst synthesis. Methane conversion and selectivity to aromatic products improved when using gentle thermal treatments, increasing 2% and 10%, respectively, for the best catalyst tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeTo explore the utility of a specific immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosisin a population of immunosuppressed idiopathic chronic posterior uveitis patients, by means of a tuberculosis-specific interferon-γrelease assay.DesignProspective, interventional case series.MethodsA total of 31 referred patients with severe idiopathic chronic uveitis or panuveitis and 52 controls were screened for a specific immune response to tuberculosis. After ruling-out specific uveitis entities, presumed tuberculosis-related uveitis was initially considered when ophthalmologic findings were consistent with tubercular uveitis, and a specific immune response to M. tuberculosisconfirmed by QuantiFERON, despite inability to detect M. tuberculosis. Clinical responses to antitubercular treatment were recorded.Results:The prevalence of an immune response to M. tuberculosiswas 15.38% in controls and 32.25% in uveitis patients (OR=2.619, P=0.07). Two patients were QuantiFERON indeterminate (6.4%). After excluding seven specific uveitis entities (OR=3.66, P=0.03), eight QuantiFERON-positive and one QuanTIFERON-negative uveitis patients were initially treated for presumed tuberculosis-related uveitis. All but one had no evidence of active systemic involvement. None had been previously diagnosed with tuberculosis, but unsuccessfully treated with immunosuppressors. After a 9-month tuberculostatic treatment, seven QuantiFERON -positive and one QuantiFERON-negative patients exhibited decreased intraocular inflammation, visual acuity improvement, and no relapses. Estimated QuantiFERON sensitivity and specificity were 82 and 100%, respectively, with a PPV=100% and an NPV=86%.Conclusions:QuantiFERON was useful for antituberculous treatment decision-making in chronic posterior uveitis immunosuppressed patients from areas with an intermediate-high prevalence of tuberculosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild boar Sus scrofa L. rooting is a large and frequent disturbance, very extended all over the world. However, its impact in some sensitive habitats, such as alpine and subalpine grasslands remains unknown. These grasslands are considered important sites for biological conservation and traditional grazing activities, and are frequently affected by wild boar rootings. In this study, we selected three study sites representing a range of scenarios in Pyrenean alpine and subalpine grasslands, with differing protection status and grazing management. We assessed the extent of wild boar rooting, and determined the main variables that influence their distribution, taking into account the interactions among them. Our results showed that wild boar rooting significantly affected alpine and subalpine grasslands in the Pyrenees especially in protected non-hunting areas (up to 12% of the surface). The distribution of disturbed areas was influenced by a hierarchical suite of variables, among which vegetation, that is certain plant communities, was the most important. The apparent preference for dense grasslands might be associated with its soil depth, soil hardness and diversity of feeding resources. The importance of other variables, such as topography, distance to primary resources or grazing management, was site dependent. A broad understanding of the effects of variables and their relationships provide insights into the actual factors affecting the rooting selection. We hypothesize that the selection of feeding habitat, followed by the conditions of the soil to be uprooted and human management, are the main underlying factors that shape the distribution of wild boar rooting in alpine and subalpine grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background Exposure to environmental stressors can impair children's health and their cognitive development. The effects of air pollution, lead, and chemicals have been studied, but there has been less emphasis on the effects of noise. Our aim, therefore, was to assess the effect of exposure to aircraft and road traffic noise on cognitive performance and health in children. Methods We did a cross-national, cross-sectional study in which we assessed 2844 of 3207 children aged 9-10 years who were attending 89 schools of 77 approached in the Netherlands, 27 in Spain, and 30 in the UK located in local authority areas around three major airports. We selected children by extent of exposure to external aircraft and road traffic noise at school as predicted from noise contour maps, modelling, and on-site measurements, and matched schools within countries for socioeconomic status. We measured cognitive and health outcomes with standardised tests and questionnaires administered in the classroom. We also used a questionnaire to obtain information from parents about socioeconomic status, their education, and ethnic origin. Findings We identified linear exposure-effect associations between exposure to chronic aircraft noise and impairment of reading comprehension (p=0·0097) and recognition memory (p=0·0141), and a non-linear association with annoyance (p<0·0001) maintained after adjustment for mother's education, socioeconomic status, longstanding illness, and extent of classroom insulation against noise. Exposure to road traffic noise was linearly associated with increases in episodic memory (conceptual recall: p=0·0066; information recall: p=0·0489), but also with annoyance (p=0·0047). Neither aircraft noise nor traffic noise affected sustained attention, self-reported health, or overall mental health. Interpretation Our findings indicate that a chronic environmental stressor-aircraft noise-could impair cognitive development in children, specifically reading comprehension. Schools exposed to high levels of aircraft noise are not healthy educational environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work has calculated the organisational environmental and social footprint of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) in 2016. First, input and output data flows of the UPV/EHU activity were collected. Next, the environmental and social impacts of the academic activity were modelled, using the Ecoinvent 3.3 database with the PSILCA-based Soca v1 module in openLCA software. In order to evaluate the environmental impacts, CML and ReCiPe LCIA methods were used. The Social Impact Weighting Method was adjusted for the assessment of specific social impacts. The modelling has identified some hotspots in the organisation. The contribution of transport (8,900 km per user, annually) is close to 60% in most of the environmental impacts considered. The life cycle of computers stands out among the impacts derived from the consumption of material products. More than half of environmental impacts are located outside the Basque Country. This work has also made it possible to estimate some of the impacts of the organisational social footprint, such as accidents at work, only some of which occur at the UPV/EHU. Traces of child labour and illiteracy have also been detected in the social footprint that supports the activity of the UPV/EHU. Some of the social and environmental impacts analysed are not directly generated by the UPV/EHU, but they all demand attention and co-responsibility. Based on the modelling performed, this work explores alternative scenarios and recommends some improvement actions which may reduce (in some cases over 30%) the environmental and social impacts of the UPV/EHU's activity. These scenarios and improvement actions will feed a process with stakeholders in the UPV/EHU based on the Multi-criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methodology. [Display omitted] • The environmental and social footprint of the UPV/EHU was calculated. • Three campuses, with different transport needs, and around 47,000 users in the year 2016. • Impacts were modelled using Ecoinvent 3.3 and Soca (PSILCA) databases in openLCA software. • More than half of the environmental impacts derive from transport needs. • Most of the environmental impacts are located outside the Basque Country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]