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In this contribution we compile and summarize the available paleo-environmental lacustrine data for the last 20,000 years from the southern Central Pyrenees (from west to east: El Portalet, Tramacastilla, Basa de la Mora, Estanya, Redon, Montcortès and Marcelino lakes) and present a new sequence from mid altitude (Holocene record of Lake Estanya). Multiproxy analyses of lake records have identified large vegetation and hydrological changes during last glacial, deglaciation and the Holocene periods at millennial, centennial and even decadal scales and documented their timing, intensity and varied nature. The review indicates that landscape dynamics in the Pyrenees have been greatly controlled by both long term and abrupt climate changes and, since the Middle Holocene, and particularly since Medieval times, by human activities as new transforming agent. Although high internal variability characterized every site, common temporal trends are evidenced, as well as a suggestive western–eastern gradient superimposed to the expected altitudinal one (highlands versus lowlands). Thus, the long-term Central Pyrenees environmental history presents a relatively high degree of internal coherence across space and provides some past scenarios of landscape-climate interactions to evaluate the expected impacts of current and future Global Change.

Past Global Changes. Open Science Meeting (5º. 2017. Zaragoza), High-resolution, multi-proxy lake records from Iberian Mediterranean mountains with robust chronologies have allowed the identification of centennial to decadal scale paleohydrological fluctuations during the last 2000 years within the Iberian Peninsula. The dataset illustrates sharp regional gradients and timing differences when compared to climate changes recorded in Northern European records. Furthermore, these fluctuations show a large internal variability both in terms of timing and paleohydrological history in the Iberian Peninsula., Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, España, Institut de Ciències de la Terra Jaume Almera, España, Departamento de Geodinámica, Estratigrafía y Paleontología, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, España, Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, España, Departamento de Geografía, Prehistoria y Arqueología, Universidad del País Vasco, España

a b s t r a c t Objectives: To analyze the factorial structure of a new instrument to assess the quality of the family context (Etxadi-Gangoiti Scale) in a sample from the Gipuzkoa cohort of the Environment and Childhood (Infancia y Medio Ambiente (INMA)) study. Methods: Families in a sample of 433 two-year-old children were assessed in a home visit with subsequent analysis of the factorial structure and psychometric properties of the data. Results: An exploratory factorial analysis (principal axis factoring and varimax rotation) and a con“rm- atory factorial analysis were carried out; partial con“rmation of the original factorial structure of the instrument was obtained, which revealed the following factorial structures. Subscale (1): promotion of cognitive and linguistic development, social skills, psychomotor skills, and pretend play and imita- tion; subscale (2): promotion of independence and self-esteem, provision of optimal frustration, social and emotional quality of the relationship, and absence of physical punishment; subscale (3): paternal involvement, low exposure to family con”ict, low frequency of family con”ict, relationship with the extended family, social support, diversity of experiences, low frequency of stressful events, and low parental perception of stress. Discussion: The structure of the original instrument structure was partially con“rmed, which was attributed to the characteristics of the sample. We stress the importance of the variability obtained in the evaluation of the families, as well as of adequate indicators of reliability in such evaluation. The new instrument could be used in public health to identify de“cient family contexts and to design preventive interventions focused on parenting skills.

Palynological, sedimentological and geochemical analyses performed on the Villarquemado paleolake sequence (987 m a.s.l, 40°30′N; 1°18′W) reveal the vegetation dynamics and climate variability in continental Iberia over the last 13,500 cal yr BP. The Lateglacial and early Holocene periods are characterized by arid conditions with a stable landscape dominated by pinewoods and steppe until ca. 7780 cal yr BP, despite sedimentological evidence for large paleohydrological fluctuations in the paleolake. The most humid phase occurred between ca. 7780 and 5000 cal yr BP and was characterized by the maximum spread of mesophytes (e.g., Betula, Corylus, Quercus faginea type), the expansion of a mixed Mediterranean oak woodland with evergreen Quercus as dominant forest communities and more frequent higher lake level periods. The return of a dense pinewood synchronous with the depletion of mesophytes characterizes the mid-late Holocene transition (ca. 5000 cal yr BP) most likely as a consequence of an increasing aridity that coincides with the reappearance of a shallow, carbonate wetland environment. The paleohydrological and vegetation evolution shows similarities with other continental Mediterranean areas of Iberia and demonstrates a marked resilience of terrestrial vegetation and gradual responses to millennial-scale climate fluctuations. Human impact is negligible until the Ibero-Roman period (ca. 2500 cal yr BP) when a major deforestation occurred in the nearby pine forest. The last 1500 years are characterized by increasing landscape management, mainly associated with grazing practices shaping the current landscape., The funding for the present study derives from DINAMO (CGL-BOS 2009–07992), DINAMO2 (CGL-BOS 2012–33063), IBERIAN PALEOFLORA (CGL-BOS 2012–31717) and GRACCIE-CONSOLIDER (CSD2007-00067) projects, provided by the Spanish Inter-Ministry Commission of Science and Technology (CICYT). Josu Aranbarri acknowledges the predoctoral funding provided by the Basque Country Government (ref: FI-2010-5). Ana Moreno, Graciela Gil-Romera and Mario Morellón hold post-doctoral contracts funded by “Ramon y Cajal (ref: RYC-2008-02431)”, “Juan de la Cierva (ref: JCI2009-04345)” and “JAE DOC CSIC (ref: JAEDOC-2011-026)” programms, respectively. Eduardo García-Prieto is supported by a predoctoral FPI grant (BES-2010-038593). We are very greateful to Aida Adsuar, Beatriz Bueno and Raquel López-Cantero for their assistance in core sampling and laboratory procedures. Josu Aranbarri thanks collegues from the Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale, especially Alessandra Celant, for continuous encouragement. We would also like to thank Thomas M. Cronin, Anthony C. Stevenson and an anonymous reviewer for their valuable suggestions.

Please note that the middle name of coauthor Francisco Reinosa Segovia was misspelled (as “Rienosa”) is this article as originally published.

La secuencia de El Cañizar de Villarquemado (NE Península Ibérica) constituye un registro excepcional que cubre los últimos ca. 130 000 años de historia ambiental. Los análisis multidisciplinares que se han realizado hasta el momento incluyen un análisis palinológico preliminar y otros indicadores sedimentológicos, como susceptibilidad magnética, análisis geoquímicos de fluorescencia de rayos X (XRF), mineralogía y contenido en carbono orgánico e inorgánico (TOC/TIC). El modelo cronológico se ha realizado combinando dataciones AMS 14C en los 20 m superiores de sedimento y OSL (Luminiscencia Óptica Estimulada) en los 54 m restantes. La secuencia sedimentaria está esencialmente formada por la alternancia de fases con mayor desarrollo de humedales y turberas, con otras de depósitos distales de abanicos aluviales y episodios de lago carbonatado. Los resultados obtenidos hasta el momento confirman que el registro del Cañizar de Villarquemado responde a unas condiciones relativamente húmedas durante un probable MIS6-MIS5, con variaciones en la vegetación regional (esencialmente dominada por Juniperus) que aparecen siempre muy determinadas por la continentalidad de la zona, y que resultan atípicas para lo esperable durante un episodio interglacial como el Eemiense. De todos modos, los márgenes de error adscritos al modelo de edad impiden ciertas precisiones y aseveraciones al respecto. Durante el MIS3 se registra el periodo más árido de toda la secuencia, como confirman los resultados sedimentológicos y los polínicos de algunos intervalos ya disponibles. Sin embargo el MIS2 presenta una gran variabilidad tanto a nivel local, como indican las distintas asociaciones de facies y la vegetación acuática, como a nivel regional, como se deduce de la cubierta vegetal general. El comienzo del Holoceno se registra de manera muy abrupta en cuanto a cambios paleohidrológicos, pero mostrando de nuevo cierta resiliencia de la vegetación, dominada esta vez por pinos y no por Juniperus como en la base de la secuencia, y muy adaptada a las condiciones de extrema continentalidad. El posterior desarrollo de quercíneas junto con la presencia de pinos, apunta situaciones climáticas muy diferentes entre un posible MIS5 y el MIS1.

16 páginas, 2 figuras, [ES] En diciembre de 2012, se celebraron las primeras Jornadas IPErinas, reunión que permitió compartir al personal del Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (CSIC), muchos de los trabajos de investigación que actualmente se están llevando a cabo por los distintos grupos del centro. Estas Jornadas surgieron de la necesidad de compartir y difundir los principales objetivos y resultados más relevantes de nuevas líneas de investigación desarrolladas actualmente en el centro, como parte fundamental de la comunicación científica y transferencia de conocimiento a la sociedad. Bajo estas líneas, se presenta una reseña de la las primeras Jornadas IPErinas, a través de un breve resumen de las charlas presentadas., [EN] In December 2012, the first Jornadas IPErinas took place at the Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (CSIC). The aim of this meeting was to show many of the new research topics that nowadays are being developed in the Institute. This workshop grew out of the need to disseminate the main new research lines developed at the center, as a fundamental part of scientific communication and knowledge transfer to society. In this paper, we briefly review the topics presented in the first meeting Jornadas IPErinas, summarizing the oral contributions.

Background: Prenatal exposure to air pollutants has been suggested as a possible etiologic factor for the occurrence of autism spectrum disorder. Objectives: We aimed to assess whether prenatal air pollution exposure is associated with childhood autistic traits in the general population. Methods: Ours was a collaborative study of four European population-based birth/child cohorts—CATSS (Sweden), Generation R (the Netherlands), GASPII (Italy), and INMA (Spain). Nitrogen oxides (NO2, NOx) and particulate matter (PM) with diameters of ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5), ≤ 10 μm (PM10), and between 2.5 and 10 μm (PMcoarse), and PM2.5 absorbance were estimated for birth addresses by land-use regression models based on monitoring campaigns performed between 2008 and 2011. Levels were extrapolated back in time to exact pregnancy periods. We quantitatively assessed autistic traits when the child was between 4 and 10 years of age. Children were classified with autistic traits within the borderline/clinical range and within the clinical range using validated cut-offs. Adjusted cohort-specific effect estimates were combined using random-effects meta-analysis. Results: A total of 8,079 children were included. Prenatal air pollution exposure was not associated with autistic traits within the borderline/clinical range (odds ratio = 0.94; 95% CI: 0.81, 1.10 per each 10-μg/m3 increase in NO2 pregnancy levels). Similar results were observed in the different cohorts, for the other pollutants, and in assessments of children with autistic traits within the clinical range or children with autistic traits as a quantitative score. Conclusions: Prenatal exposure to NO2 and PM was not associated with autistic traits in children from 4 to 10 years of age in four European population-based birth/child cohort studies. Funding was provided as follows: ESCAPE Project— European Community’s Seventh Framework Program (FP7/2007-2011-GA#211250). CATSS, Sweden— Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare (FORTE), Swedish Research Council (VR) Formas, in partner hip with FORTE and VINNOVA (cross-disciplinary research program concerning children’s and young people’s mental health); VR through the Swedish Initiative for Research on Microdata in the Social And Medical Sciences (SIMSAM) framework grant 340-2013-5867; HKH Kronprinsessan Lovisas förening för barnasjukvård; and the Strategic Research Program in Epidemiology at Karolinska Institutet. Generation R, the Netherlands—The Generation R Study is conducted by the Erasmus University Medical Center in close collaboration with the School of Law and Faculty of Social Sciences of the Erasmus University Rotterdam; the Municipal Health Service Rotterdam area, Rotterdam; the Rotterdam Homecare foundation, Rotterdam; and the Stichting Trombosedienst & Artsenlaboratorium Rijnmond (STAR-MDC), Rotterdam. The general design of the Generation R Study is made possible by financial support from the Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam; the Erasmus University Rotterdam; the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw); the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO); and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. The Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) received funding from the Netherlands Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment to support exposure assessment. GASPII, Italy—grant from the Italian Ministry of Health (ex art.12, 2001). INMA, Spain— grants from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Red INMA G03/176 and CB06/02/0041 FIS-FEDER 03/1615, 04/1509, 04/1112, 04/1931, 05/1079, 05/1052, 06/1213, 07/0314, 09/02647, 11/01007, 11/02591, CP11/00178, FIS-PI041436, FIS-PI081151, FIS-PI06/0867, FIS-PS09/00090), PI13/1944, PI13_02032, PI14/0891, PI14/1687, MS13/00054, UE (FP7-ENV-2011 cod 282957, and HEALTH.2010.2.4.5-1); Generalitat de Catalunya-CIRIT 1999SGR 00241; La Fundació La Marató de TV3 (090430); Conselleria de Sanitat Generalitat Valenciana; Department of Health of the Basque Government (2005111093 and 2009111069); and Provincial Government of Gipuzkoa (DFG06/004 and DFG08/001). V.W.V.J. received an additional grant from the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw 90700303, 916.10159). A.G.’s work was supported by a research grant from the European Community’s 7th Framework Programme (FP7/2008–2013-GA#212652). A full roster of the INMA project investigators can be found online (http://www. proyectoinma.org/presentacion-inma/listado-investigadores/ en_listado-investigadores.html).

El desarrollo de edificios tobáceos de origen fluvial se asocia a menudo con las fases cálidas y húmedas durante el Cuaternario y son utilizados comúnmente como indicadores climáticos. Los depósitos de toba del río Queiles (5,8-4 ka BP) están formados principalmente por oncoides de tamaño variable y lentejones de marga con restos de carbón vegetal y polen, los cuales son unos excelentes archivos paleobotánicos. El contenido polínico y los datos antracológicos revelan un bosque de ribera bien desarrollado, en donde diversos elementos meso-termófilos como Corylus, Salix / Populus, Acer, caduco Quercus, Ulmus, Juglans, Castanea y Hedera definen el conjunto de floral local. A escala regional, los pinares y Quercus junto con arbustos como Olea y Pistacia son las especies predominantes. Este espectro sugiere el establecimiento de las condiciones climáticas húmedas y cálidas en el dominio Mediterráneo ibérico durante el Holoceno medio y tardío.

333 p., La presente Tesis Doctoral aborda la reconstrucción de la variabilidad climática rápida y su impacto en el paisaje vegetal del NE peninsular durante el Tardiglacial y el Holoceno a partir de datos multiproxy de alta resolución. Pretende discernir los mecanismos que han modulado la respuesta de los ecosistemas a partir de la correlación de secuencias sedimentológicas, geoquímicas, palinológicas y arqueobotánicas a lo largo de múltiples escalas espacio-temporales, siempre bajo una perspectiva global e integradora.Se ha optado por trabajar con registros sedimentarios paleolacustres localizados en el interior continental peninsular, región que se caracteriza por ser marginal desde el punto de vista paleambiental. La primera de las secuencias estudiadas, El Cañizar de Vilarquemado (987 m s.n.m, 40º30¿N; 1º18¿W) se ubica en la provincia de Teruel, concretamente en la Fosa del Jiloca y caracteriza la evolución hidrológica y vegetal de manera continua y precisa, cubriendo los últimos 13.500 años de historia. Por otro lado, el registro sedimentario de la Laguna de Conquezuela (1.124 m s.n.m, 41º11¿N; 2º33¿W), ubicado en el Valle de Ambrona, permite definir el paisaje vegetal de una zona de gran interés arqueológico, como es el Neolítico del interior peninsular.A pesar de que ambas secuencias se localizan en un enclave climático y biogeográfico similar, la historiade las ocupaciones humanas ha sido distinta a lo largo del tiempo, por lo que supone un marco de trabajo inimitable para indagar en los patrones de respuesta de los ecosistemas Mediterráneos continentales ante distintos factores de cambio ambiental (dinámica natural vs impacto antrópico). A grandes rasgos, ambos registros se definen por la resiliencia de un paisaje dominado por pinares y sabinares durante prácticamente los últimos 13.500 años. Los cambios ambientales de carácter árido como el Younger Dryas o los eventos 8.200 y 4.200 cal BP, son amortiguados por las poblaciones de coníferas que parecen no responder de manera inmediata al estrés climático. Será durante el Holoceno Medio (8.000-5.000 cal BP) cuando el bosque mixto Mediterráneo se expanda y dominen los encinares y quejigares en el ámbito continental, siguiendo el establecimiento de unas condiciones climáticas más térmicas y húmedas. Sin embargo, los proxies sedimentológicos y geoquímicos revelan una alta variabilidad hidrológica durante el Tardiglaciar y el Holoceno, independientemente a los patrones de inercia que definen a los ecosistemas terrestres.Las poblaciones Neolíticas asentadas en las inmediaciones de la Laguna de Conquezuela, modificaron de manera intensiva el paisaje vegetal del entorno. Los datos palinológicos revelan una progresiva deforestación de los pinares locales, a la vez que se expanden los taxones nitrófilos y ruderales (Cichorioideae, Asteroideae, Plantago, Urtica) sinónimo de la expansión de prados y zonas de cultivo. La presencia del polen de Cerealia, junto con los datos carpológicos obtenidos a lo largo del Valle de Ambrona, apunta a que la agricultura en el interior continental ya estaba presente ca. 7.200 cal BP. Durante el Calcolítico incrementa la presión antrópica en el paisaje forestal.Los resultados obtenidos en los registros lacustres han sido complementados mediante la caracterización paleobotánica de una serie de depósitos tobáceos ubicados en las inmediaciones de los cursos fluviales de Queiles y Val, colindantes al Parque Natural del Moncayo (Soria). Presentando una cronología Holocena, la flora contenida en los edificios carbonatados señala el establecimiento de unas condiciones húmedas durante el Holoceno Medio (9.500-4.000 cal BP), siendo común encontrar diversas especies planocaducifolias como Corylus, Acer, Ulmus y Quercus caducifolio, entre otros. A nivel regional se desarrolla el bosque esclerófilo dominado por Quercus ilex, acompañado por Olea, Pistacia y Rhamnus. Este paisaje similar al obtenido en Villarquemado entre 8.000-5.000 cal BP, infiere el establecimiento de unas condiciones térmicas y húmedas en el interior peninsular, favoreciendo el rápido desarrollo de los depósitos tobáceos a la vez que se expande la flora meso-termófila.Además, los datos paleobotánicos obtenidos en los edificios tobáceos de los ríos Queiles y Val, han aportado nuevas evidencias sobre la distribución pretérita del tejo (Taxus baccata) y el castaño (Castanea sativa), no comúnmente documentada en los diagramas polínicos y antracológicos disponibles para el Sistema Ibérico. En el caso del castaño, se ha discutido su origen nativo en el Macizo del Moncayo para las etapas previas a la colonización Romana en la región.Por último, se ha investigado la distribución del avellano (Corylus avellana) a lo largo de distintas escalas temporales con el fin de conocer cuál ha sido la influencia del clima en los patrones de distribución de las poblaciones. La sensibilidad de Corylus ante la variabilidad climática es asincrónica entre el mundo Eurosiberiano y el Mediterráneo. En las regiones Atlánticas, las poblaciones de avellano se expanden rápidamente en respuesta al incremento térmico y esencialmente pluviométrico durante el comienzo del Holoceno (11.700-8.000 cal BP), a diferencia del mundo continental donde aparece representado de manera esporádica. En las regiones Mediterráneas, será durante el Holoceno Medio (8.000-5.000 cal BP) cuando el avellano abarque su máxima distribución. Durante el Holoceno Tardío (post 5.000 cal BP) en cambio, el incremento de la aridez modulará la presencia de Corylus, dando lugar a la distribución que tenemos en la actualidad.La presente Tesis Doctoral ha arrojado nuevas evidencias sobre la dinámica vegetal durante el Holoceno en una región pobremente contextualizada paleoclimáticamente. Las nuevas secuencias publicadas han servido para delimitar bioestratigráficamente la historia de los ecosistemas terrestres durante los últimos 13.500 años, trabajo que sin duda servirá de comparación con otros depósitos localizados en un ambiente bioclimático similar. Se ha avanzado en el conocimiento sobre el rol humano en el modelado del paisaje vegetal gracias a la incorporación y combinación de los datos arqueológicos y arqueobotánicos junto con los estudios paleolacustres. Además de ello, se han obtenido nuevos perfiles polínicos y resultados antracológicos de diversos depósitos tobáceos, datos que sin duda serán indispensables a la hora de hacer síntesis biogeográficas a diversas escalas espacio-temporales.

Introduction: The INMA project is a multicenter study based on prospective monitoring of mother-child cohorts in different Spanish geographical areas. Objective: To study the relationship between major environmental pollutants and child development in the pre-and postnatal phases. Material and Methods: The cohort groups share data collection methodology and tools (environmental exposure, biological samples, physical and neuropsychological examinations, diet questionnaires etc.) during intrauterine growth and monitored childhood development. Results: The levels of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in serum during the first trimester of pregnancy are reported, together with those for lead (Pb) and total mercury (Hg-T) in the umbilical cord, which are associated with the neuropsychological development analyzed to date. The POPs most frequently found were p, p’-DDE (99%) and PCB 153 (95%) with geometric mean in serum (ng / g-lipid) of 110.0 (p, p’-DDE) and 38.9 (PCB 153). The geometric mean and the maximum Pb level were 1.06 mg/dL and 19 mg/dL, respectively. The geometric mean Hg-T was 8.2 mg/L, with fish consumption being the main predictor. The Hg-T reference levels set by USEPA (6.4 mg/L) were exceeded in 64% of the samples. Conclusion: T The levels of POPs and Pb observed in the study areas were within the range of values previously described in earlier studies. The Hg levels require more in-depth assessment, as well as study of the possible associations with neuropsychological development.Introducción: El proyecto INMA es un estudio multicéntrico basado en el seguimiento prospectivo de cohortes de madres-hijos en distintas áreas de la geografía española. Objetivo: Estudiar la relación entre los principales contaminantes ambientales y el desarrollo de los niños y niñas en las fases pre y postnatales. Material y Métodos: El conjunto de las cohortes comparten metodología e instrumentos de recogida de información (exposición ambiental, muestras biológicas, exámenes del desarrollo físico y neuropsicológico, cuestionarios de dieta etc.) durante el crecimiento intrauterino y en las fases de seguimiento en la infancia. Resultados: Se presentan los niveles de Compuestos Orgánicos Persistentes (COP) en suero del primer trimestre de embarazo y de plomo (Pb) y mercurio total (Hg-T) de cordón umbilical y las asociaciones con el desarrollo neuropsicológico analizadas hasta la fecha. Los COP más frecuentemente encontrados fueron el p,p ́-DDE (99%) y el PCB 153 (95%) con medias geométricas en suero (ng/g-lípido) de 110,0 (p,p ́-DDE) y 38,9 (PCB 153). La media geométrica y el nivel máximo de Pb fueron 1,06 μg/dL y 19 μg/dL, respectivamente. La media geométrica de Hg-T fue de 8,2 μg/L, siendo el consumo de pescado el principal predictor. Un 64% de las muestras superan los niveles de referencia de Hg-T establecidos por la USEPA (6,4 μg/L). Conclusión: Los niveles de COP y Pb observados en las áreas de estudio se encuentran en el rango de valores ya descritos en estudios anteriores. Los niveles de Hg requieren una valoración más profunda, así como el estudio de las posibles asociaciones con el desarrollo neuropsicológico. Introdução: O projeto INMA é um estudo multicêntrico, que consiste no acompanhamento prospetivo de coortes mães-filhos em diferentes regiões de Espanha. Objetivo: Estudar a relação entre os principais poluentes ambientais e desenvolvimento da criança nas fases pré e pós-natal. Material e Métodos: Em todas as coortes é utilizada a mesma metodologia e instrumentos de recolha de dados (exposição ambiental, amostras biológicas, exames de desenvolvimento físico e neuro-psicológico, questionários de dieta, etc.) durante o crescimento intrauterino e nas fases de seguimento da infância. Resultados: Apresentam-se os níveis de poluentes orgânicos persistentes (POP) no soro do primeiro trimestre de gravidez, os valores de chumbo (Pb) e de mercúrio total (Hg-T) no cordão umbilical, e as associações com o desenvolvimento neuro-psicológico analisadas até à data. Os POP encontrados com maior frequência foram p,p ́-DDE (99%) e PCB 153 (95%) com uma média no soro (ng/g-lípido) de 110,0 (p,p ́-DDE) e 38,9 (PCB 153). A média e o nível máximo de Pb foram 1,06 μg/dL e 19 μg/dL, respetivamente. A média de Hg-T foi de 8,2 μg/L, sendo o consumo de peixe o principal responsável. Os níveis de Hg-T de referência estabelecidos pela USEPA (6,4 μg/L) foram ultrapassados em 64% das amostras. Conclusão: Os níveis de POP e Pb observados nas áreas de estudo apresentaram-se dentro dos valores descritos em estudos anteriores. Os teores de Hg requerem uma avaliação mais aprofundada, assim como o estudo das possíveis associações com o desenvolvimento neuro-psicológico.

Introduction: The INMA project is a multicenter study based on prospective monitoring of mother-child cohorts in different Spanish geographical areas. Objective: To study the relationship between major environmental pollutants and child development in the pre-and postnatal phases. Material and Methods: The cohort groups share data collection methodology and tools (environmental exposure, biological samples, physical and neuropsychological examinations, diet questionnaires etc.) during intrauterine growth and monitored childhood development. Results: The levels of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in serum during the first trimester of pregnancy are reported, together with those for lead (Pb) and total mercury (Hg-T) in the umbilical cord, which are associated with the neuropsychological development analyzed to date. The POPs most frequently found were p, p’-DDE (99%) and PCB 153 (95%) with geometric mean in serum (ng / g-lipid) of 110.0 (p, p’-DDE) and 38.9 (PCB 153). The geometric mean and the maximum Pb level were 1.06 mg/dL and 19 mg/dL, respectively. The geometric mean Hg-T was 8.2 mg/L, with fish consumption being the main predictor. The Hg-T reference levels set by USEPA (6.4 mg/L) were exceeded in 64% of the samples. Conclusion: T The levels of POPs and Pb observed in the study areas were within the range of values previously described in earlier studies. The Hg levels require more in-depth assessment, as well as study of the possible associations with neuropsychological development. Introducción: El proyecto INMA es un estudio multicéntrico basado en el seguimiento prospectivo de cohortes de madres-hijos en distintas áreas de la geografía española. Objetivo: Estudiar la relación entre los principales contaminantes ambientales y el desarrollo de los niños y niñas en las fases pre y postnatales. Material y Métodos: El conjunto de las cohortes comparten metodología e instrumentos de recogida de información (exposición ambiental, muestras biológicas, exámenes del desarrollo físico y neuropsicológico, cuestionarios de dieta etc.) durante el crecimiento intrauterino y en las fases de seguimiento en la infancia. Resultados: Se presentan los niveles de Compuestos Orgánicos Persistentes (COP) en suero del primer trimestre de embarazo y de plomo (Pb) y mercurio total (Hg-T) de cordón umbilical y las asociaciones con el desarrollo neuropsicológico analizadas hasta la fecha. Los COP más frecuentemente encontrados fueron el p,p ́-DDE (99%) y el PCB 153 (95%) con medias geométricas en suero (ng/g-lípido) de 110,0 (p,p ́-DDE) y 38,9 (PCB 153). La media geométrica y el nivel máximo de Pb fueron 1,06 μg/dL y 19 μg/dL, respectivamente. La media geométrica de Hg-T fue de 8,2 μg/L, siendo el consumo de pescado el principal predictor. Un 64% de las muestras superan los niveles de referencia de Hg-T establecidos por la USEPA (6,4 μg/L). Conclusión: Los niveles de COP y Pb observados en las áreas de estudio se encuentran en el rango de valores ya descritos en estudios anteriores. Los niveles de Hg requieren una valoración más profunda, así como el estudio de las posibles asociaciones con el desarrollo neuropsicológico. Introdução: O projeto INMA é um estudo multicêntrico, que consiste no acompanhamento prospetivo de coortes mães-filhos em diferentes regiões de Espanha. Objetivo: Estudar a relação entre os principais poluentes ambientais e desenvolvimento da criança nas fases pré e pós-natal. Material e Métodos: Em todas as coortes é utilizada a mesma metodologia e instrumentos de recolha de dados (exposição ambiental, amostras biológicas, exames de desenvolvimento físico e neuro-psicológico, questionários de dieta, etc.) durante o crescimento intrauterino e nas fases de seguimento da infância. Resultados: Apresentam-se os níveis de poluentes orgânicos persistentes (POP) no soro do primeiro trimestre de gravidez, os valores de chumbo (Pb) e de mercúrio total (Hg-T) no cordão umbilical, e as associações com o desenvolvimento neuro-psicológico analisadas até à data. Os POP encontrados com maior frequência foram p,p ́-DDE (99%) e PCB 153 (95%) com uma média no soro (ng/g-lípido) de 110,0 (p,p ́-DDE) e 38,9 (PCB 153). A média e o nível máximo de Pb foram 1,06 μg/dL e 19 μg/dL, respetivamente. A média de Hg-T foi de 8,2 μg/L, sendo o consumo de peixe o principal responsável. Os níveis de Hg-T de referência estabelecidos pela USEPA (6,4 μg/L) foram ultrapassados em 64% das amostras. Conclusão: Os níveis de POP e Pb observados nas áreas de estudo apresentaram-se dentro dos valores descritos em estudos anteriores. Os teores de Hg requerem uma avaliação mais aprofundada, assim como o estudo das possíveis associações com o desenvolvimento neuro-psicológico.

This paper aims at examining how a change in organizational structure affects a firm performance. In a competitive environment, firms have to “share” customers who want a given product/service. Since integration impacts prices, which is a major choice criterion for customers, it thus impacts sales and profits. A model is proposed that integrates production costs and reduction of the double marginalization effect. Thus, it enables to compare the monetary performance of independent and vertically integrated structures. The computational results stress the organization performance depending on the substitutability of the produced goods.

The sedimentological, geochemical and palynological analyses performed in the Conquezuela palaeolake (41°11′N; 2°33′W; 1124 m a.s.l.) provide a detailed, multiproxy palaeoenvironmental reconstruction in one of the key areas of inner Iberian Neolithic colonization. Combined with archaeobotanical and archaeological data from well-dated settlements along the Conquezuela–Ambrona Valley we investigate how environmental conditions may affect both socio-economic adaptations and livelihood strategies of prehistoric communities. The first evidences of early Neolithic occupation in the valley ca. 7250–6450 cal yr BP (5300–4500 BC) coincided with the onset of a period (7540–6200 cal yr BP, 5590–4250 BC) with higher water availability and warmer climate as alluvial environments were substituted by carbonate-wetland environments in the basin. The Conquezuela record supports an early Neolithic colonization of the inner regions of Iberia favored by warmer and humid climate features and with preferential settlement patterns associated to lakes. The maximum human occupation of the valley occurred during the mid–late Neolithic and Chalcolithic (6200–3200 cal yr BP, 4250–1250 BC) as evidenced by the high number of archaeological sites. Although a number of hydrological oscillations have been detected during this period, the intense landscape transformation at basin-scale, leading to a deforested landscape, was largely a consequence of widespread farming and pastoral practices. Socio-economic activities during Bronze, Iron and Roman times modified this inherited landscape, but the second largest ecosystem transformation only occurred during Mediaeval times when a new agrarian landscape developed with the expansion of stockbreeding transhumance. The current vegetation cover characterized by patches of holm and marcescent oaks and fields reflects an intense human management combining both extensive herding with agrarian activities in order to transform the previous forested landscape into a dehesa-like system., The funding for the present study derives from DINAMO2 (CGL-BOS 2012-33063) and AGRIWESTMED (ERC Grant Agreement #230561) projects, provided by the Spanish Inter-Ministry Commission of Science and Technology (CICYT) and the European Research Council under the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007–2013). XRF data were obtained at the XRF Core Scanner Laboratory (CRG Marine Geosciences, University of Barcelona). Josu Aranbarri acknowledges the predoctoral funding provided by the Basque Country Government (ref: FI-2010-5). Graciela Gil-Romera hold a post-doctoral contract funded by “Juan de la Cierva” (ref: JCI2009-04345) program. Eduardo García-Prieto and Maria Leunda are supported by predoctoral FPI grants BES-2010-038593 and BES-2013-063753, respectively. We also thank Elena Royo for her help with the lab procedures and the two anonymous referees for their valuable suggestions.

The Upper Arba de Biel constitutes a small valley in north-eastern Spain where a detailed study of five archaeological sites (Peña-14, Legunova/Rambla, Valcervera and Paco-Pons) has been performed, defining the recurrent prehistoric occupation from the Late Magdalenian until the Chalcolithic. The aim of this study focuses on exploring the main drivers of long-term human persistence on a particular humid shelter located in the Pre-Pyrenean area. The combination of a multiproxy dataset evidenced by the detailed synthesis of lithic tools and pottery, faunal remains, pollen and charcoal assemblages has been integrated with a GIS approach and a regional cultural and palaeoenvironmental contextualization. After an occupation gap that coincides with the second half of the Younger Dryas and the first Holocene millennia synchronous to other archaeological records found in NE Iberia, the Arba de Biel valley was recurrently visited by small hunter–gatherer groups along the Mesolithic and by herders during the Neolithic. These people profited this territory, independently of environmental changes, because the easy access to a wide spectre of economic resources (flint nodules, diverse vegetation supplies, varied preys, etc.,) in a heterogeneous mosaic-type landscape. The valley main habitation spots (Peña-14, Legunova/Rambla and Valcervera) could have been occupied at the same time by small groups that did not interfere each other. The use of the fifth rockshelter (Paco-Pons) seems to be related to the exploitation of copper mineral outcrops in the Neolithic and for metallurgical activities during the Chalcolithic. These last prehistoric visits to the valley reflect a notable shift in the human employment of the shelters: they cease to be living points to be used as funerary deposits., This work has partially benefitted from financial and technical support provided by the Projects: HAR2014-59042-P Transiciones climáticas y adaptaciones sociales en la Prehistoria de la Cuenca del Ebro, CGL2012-33063 DINAMO 2: Dinámica de la vegetación Mediterránea: Los cambios climáticos abruptos y la influencia del fuego en el NE de la Península Ibérica durante el Pleistoceno Superior y Holoceno (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation) and CSO2013-46863-C3-3-R Herramientas cartográficas para una gobernanza inteligente en las ciudades digitales: análisis territorial de las condiciones de vida (Spanish Ministry of Economy and Innovation), and the Consolidated Research Groups H07-Primeros Pobladores del Valle del Ebro and E68-Cuaternario y Geomorfología (Aragón Government). The authors also participate in the Research Network CTPR4/12 PalMesoPyr: “Entre el Ebro y el Garona. Los Pirineos durante el Paleolítico y el Mesolítico” (CTP-Comunidad de Trabajo de los Pirineos). R. Domingo is a Ramón y Cajal Research Fellow (ref: RyC2013-12613, Spanish Ministry of Economy and Innovation). J. Aranbarri acknowledges the predoctoral funding provided by the Basque Country Government (ref: FI-2010-5). M. Alcolea acknowledges the predoctoral funding of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Innovation (ref: BES 2012-0553828). R. Laborda acknowledges the predoctoral funding provided by the Aragón Government (ref: B041/12).

Background: Prenatal exposure to air pollutants has recently been identified as a potential risk factor for neuropsychological impairment. Objectives: To assess whether prenatal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and benzene were associated with impaired development in infants during their second year of life. Methods: Regression analyses, based on 438 mother–child pairs, were performed to estimate the association between mother exposure to air pollutants during pregnancy and neurodevelopment of the child. The average exposure to PM2.5, NO2 and benzene over the whole pregnancy was calculated for each woman. During the second year of life, infant neuropsychological development was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. Regression analyses were performed to estimate the association between exposure and outcomes, accounting for potential confounders. Results: We estimated that a 1 μg/m3 increase during pregnancy in the average levels of PM2.5 was associated with a −1.14 point decrease in motor score (90% CI: −1.75; −0.53) and that a 1 μg/m3 increase of NO2 exposure was associated with a −0.29 point decrease in mental score (90% CI: −0.47; −0.11). Benzene did not show any significant association with development. Considering women living closer (≤100 m) to metal processing activities, we found that motor scores decreased by −3.20 (90% CI: −5.18; −1.21) for PM2.5 and −0.51 (−0.89; −0.13) for NO2, while mental score decreased by −2.71 (90% CI: −4.69; −0.74) for PM2.5, and −0.41 (9% CI: −0.76; −0.06) for NO2. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that prenatal residential exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 adversely affects infant motor and cognitive developments. This negative effect could be higher in the proximity of metal processing plants. Keywords: Cognitive development, Psychomotor development, Particle matter, PM2.5

La cosificación se refiere a la representación de una mujer a través de su cuerpo o partes de éste. La utilización masiva por parte de adolescentes de las Redes Sociales Digitales, hacen de éste fenómeno una forma tangible de discriminación sexista. Este estudio, tiene como objetivo analizar la cosificación de las adolescentes en las redes sociales y su influencia en la autoestima de cada joven. Para ello, se han aplicado diferentes escalas a 1087 adolescentes de 11 centros educativos de Guipúzcoa. Los resultados muestran diferencias de género en la utilidad de redes sociales digitales y en los niveles de cosificación. En concreto, los adolescentes utilizan más las redes sociales digitales para el ocio, mientras ellas las utilizan para relacionarse con su entorno, por lo que están más expuestas a opiniones externas. Además, se ha observado un patrón de conducta cosificadora entre las adolescentes, mientras que ellos muestran mayores niveles de sexismo.

[EN] The sedimentological, geochemical and palynological analyses performed in the Conquezuela palaeolake (41°11' N; 2°33'W; 1124 m a.s.l.) provide a detailed, multiproxy palaeoenvironmental reconstruction in one of the key areas of inner Iberian Neolithic colonization. Combined with archaeobotanical and archaeological data from well-dated settlements along the Conquezuela-Ambrona Valley we investigate how environmental conditions may affect both socio-economic adaptations and livelihood strategies of prehistoric communities. The first evidences of early Neolithic occupation in the valley ca. 7250-6450 cal yr BP (5300-4500 BC) coincided with the onset of a period (7540-6200 cal yr BP, 5590-4250 BC) with higher water availability and warmer climate as alluvial environments were substituted by carbonate-wetland environments in the basin. The Conquezuela record supports an early Neolithic colonization of the inner regions of Iberia favored bywarmer and humid climate features and with preferential settlement patterns associated to lakes. The maximum human occupation of the valley occurred during the mid-late Neolithic and Chalcolithic (6200-3200 cal yr BP, 4250-1250 BC) as evidenced by the high number of archaeological sites. Although a number of hydrological oscillations have been detected during this period, the intense landscape transformation at basin-scale, leading to a deforested landscape, was largely a consequence of widespread farming and pastoral practices. Socio-economic activities during Bronze, Iron and Roman times modified this inherited landscape, but the second largest ecosystem transformation only occurred duringMediaeval timeswhen a newagrarian landscape developedwith the expansion of stockbreeding transhumance. The current vegetation cover characterized by patches of holm andmarcescent oaks and fields reflects an intense human management combining both extensive herdingwith agrarian activities in order to transform the previous forested landscape into a dehesa-like system.

6 páginas.- Presentación elaborada para las III Jornadas IPErinas, celebradas el 11 de diciembre de 2014.

Understanding long-term fire ecology is essential for current day interpretation of ecosystem fire responses. However palaeoecology of fire is still poorly understood, especially at high-altitude mountain environments, despite the fact that these are fire-sensitive ecosystems and their resilience might be affected by changing fire regimes. We reconstruct wildfire occurrence since the Lateglacial (14.7. cal. ka BP) to the Mid-Holocene (6. cal. ka BP) and investigate the climate-fuel-fire relationships in a sedimentary sequence located at the treeline in the Central Spanish Pyrenees. Pollen, macro- and micro-charcoal were analysed for the identification of fire events (FE) in order to detect vegetation post-fire response and to define biomass-fire interactions. mean fire intervals (mfi) reduced since the Lateglacial, peaking at 9-7.7. cal. ka BP while from 7.7 to 6. cal. ka BP no fire is recorded. We hypothesise that Early Holocene maximum summer insolation, as climate forcing, and mesophyte forest expansion, as a fuel-creating factor, were responsible for accelerating fire occurrence in the Central Pyrenees treeline. We also found that fire had long-lasting negative effects on most of the treeline plant communities and that forest contraction from 7.7. cal. ka BP is likely linked to the ecosystem's threshold response to high fire frequencies. © 2014 Elsevier B.V., This research has been funded by the projects DINAMO (CGL2009-07992) (funding EGPF — grant ref. BES-2010-038593 and MSC), DINAMO2 (CGL2012-33063), ARAFIRE (2012 GA LC 064), GRACCIE-CONSOLIDER (CSD2007-00067). GGR was funded by the Juan de la Cierva Program (grant ref. JCI2009-04345) and JAE-Doc CSIC Program, LLM was supported by a postdoctoral MINT fellowship funded by the Institute for the Environment (Brunel University), AMC is a Ramón y Cajal fellow (ref: RYC-2008-02431), APS holds a grant funded by the Aragon Government (ref. 17030G/5423/480072/14003) and JAE holds a grant funded by the Basque Country Government (BFI-2010-5). We are indebted to Beatriz Bueno and Aida Adsuar for sampling processing and laboratory analyses and to César Morales del Molino for productive discussions on the ideas of this paper. We are grateful to Steven M. Holland for providing the free software to calculate rarefaction (Analytic Rarefaction), which is available at http://strata.uga.edu/software/.

64 páginas.- Presentación realizada para el 5th International Limnogeological Congress, celebrado en Constanza (Alemania) entre el 31 de agosto y el 3 de septiembre de 2011., Numerous small and relatively deep karstic lakes originated during an Upper Pliocene - Pleistocene karstification phase affecting Mesozoic and Triassic limestone formations in the Iberian Range. Their geographic location with Atlantic and Mediterranean influences and the direct correlation with the aquifers makes these lacustrine systems very sensitive to hydrological and environmental variability. The recent depositional subenvironments and the sediment sequences of two lakes in Cuenca province (El Tobar and La Parra) have been analyzed using a multiproxy strategy in order to reconstruct the Late Holocene paleoenvironmental history. Detailed sedimentological descriptions have been complemented with compositional analyses (TOC, TIC, TN), microscopic observations of smear slides and XRF core scanner data. The sequences have been dated with 14C AMS and 210Pb techniques. El Tobar (40°32'N 3°56'E 1200 m a.s.l.; 20 m depth) is the largest lake in the region, and it consists on a shallower monomictic and a deeper meromictic sub-basin with a hypersaline hypolimnion. We obtained six long cores (up to 7.8 m long) and 20 short cores. A basal AMS date in one of the long cores is 2050 ± 30 14C yr BP and preliminary 210Pb dating confirms a very high sedimentation rate. The sequence is finely laminated, with intervals composed of organic and clastic couplets. The Laguna de la Parra (39°58'N 1°52'E 1000 m a.s.l.; 116 m of diameter and 17,5 m depth) belongs to the Cañada del Hoyo lake complex. The lake is monomictic and freshwater. Two long sediment cores (up to 6.92 m long) and 24 short cores were recovered from the deepest part of the lake. The preliminary chronological model based on nine 14C AMS dates shows that lacustrine deposition started about 1500 years ago. Both lake sequences show complex lateral and vertical facies changes illustrating the interaction of depositional, biological and hydrochemical processes. The hydrological and geochemical evolution demonstrates a rapid response of these lacustrine systems to anthropogenic and climate forcing, during last 2000 years while highlights differences due to the particular limnological properties of each lake. We study the relationships of facies distribution and lake level fluctuations through the analyses of three main processes affecting the sedimentary infill: clastic input, endogenic mineral formation and mixing conditions. XRF results help us to reconstruct the depositional environments, particularly, clastic input, endogenic carbonate deposition, redox evolution and organic productivity. The two sequences show a coherent scenario of lower lake levels during early medieval times and increased lake levels during the Little Ice Age. Besides, these two case studies underline the complex interplays and feedbacks of climate variability in the context of variable human landscapes and activities during the last 2000 years and they may enhance our ability to predict the environmental consequences of climate change in Mediterranean climate mountain areas.

6 páginas. Presentación elaborada para las II Jornadas IPErinas, celebradas el 12 de diciembre de 2013.

Iodine supplementation during pregnancy is a common practice in developed countries. However, scant evidence is available regarding the safety and effectiveness of maternal iodine supplementation with regard to child neuropsychological development. We previously reported an inverse association between iodine supplementation and the psychomotor development of infants in a birth cohort from Valencia, Spain. In the present study, we assessed this association in a wider sample of mother and child pairs from 3 other regions in Spain. Neuropsychological development was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development in 1,519 infants (median age, 16 months) between 2006 and 2009. In multivariate analyses, maternal consumption of 150 μg/day or more of iodine from supplements was related to a 1.5-fold increase in the odds of a psychomotor score less than 85 (95% confidence interval: 0.8, 2.9) and to a 1.7-fold increase in the odds of a mental score less than 85 (95% confidence interval: 0.9, 3.0). Findings previously reported in the Valencia cohort were only partially verified. The results of the present study suggest that, at least in these regions, iodine supplementation does not improve infant neuropsychological development at 1 year of age. Further research is needed on the risks and benefits of supplementary iodine for both maternal thyroid function and child neurodevelopment.

In December 2012, the first Jornadas IPErinas took place at the Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (CSIC). The aim of this meeting was to show many of the new research topics that nowadays are being developed in the Institute. This workshop grew out of the need to disseminate the main new research lines developed at the center, as a fundamental part of scientific communication and knowledge transfer to society. In this paper, we briefly review the topics presented in the first meeting Jornadas IPErinas, summarizing the oral contributions., En diciembre de 2012, se celebraron las primeras Jornadas IPErinas, reunión que permitió compartir al personal del Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (CSIC), muchos de los trabajos de investigación que actualmente se están llevando a cabo por los distintos grupos del centro. Estas Jornadas surgieron de la necesidad de compartir y difundir los principales objetivos y resultados más relevantes de nuevas líneas de investigación desarrolladas actualmente en el centro, como parte fundamental de la comunicación científica y transferencia de conocimiento a la sociedad. Bajo estas líneas, se presenta una reseña de la las primeras Jornadas IPErinas, a través de un breve resumen de las charlas presentadas.

[EN] El Cañizar de Villarquemado sequence (North-eastern Iberian Peninsula) stands as an exceptional palaeoenvironmental record for the last 130 000 years. The preliminary multidisciplinary study carried out so far include pollen and sedimentological analyses, comprising geochemical, X ray fluorescence (XRF), mineralogical, organic and inorganic content (TOC/TIC) analyses. The chronological model has been established combining AMS 14C on the first 20 m of sediment and OSL methods on the remaining 54 m to the bottom. The sedimentary sequence is essentially formed by alternating facies of peatbogs and wetlands with those of distal alluvial fan deposits and others of carbonate lake. The results currently obtained support relatively humid conditions at El Cañizar de Villarquemado during a likely MIS6-MIS5 period, as errors linked to the age model prevent us to guarantee precisely the period boundaries. Despite indications of humidity, the regional vegetation variations during the MIS6-MIS5 period, essentially represented by Juniperus, were constrained by the intense continentality of the area, resulting in unexpected pollen assemblages for an interglacial period as the Eemian. The most arid phase of the sequence is registered during the MIS3, as shown by the available sedimentological and palynological results, while the MIS2 presents greater local and regional variability as proved by the sedimentary facies and aquatics and the other pollen spectra, respectively. The Holocene presents an abrupt onset regarding palaeohydrology while terrestrial vegetation, dominated by pine instead than Juniperus as in the sequence's bottom, show a resilient response as these are well adapted communities to extreme continentality. The later development of both, evergreen and marcescent Quercus, together with the presence of pine woodland, indicate very different climatic conditions between the MIS5 and MIS1 interglacial periods. © Universidad de La Rioja., [ES] La secuencia de El Cañizar de Villarquemado (NE Península Ibérica) constituye un registro excepcional que cubre los últimos ca. 130 000 años de historia ambiental. Los análisis multidisciplinares que se han realizado hasta el momento incluyen un análisis palinológico preliminar y otros indicadores sedimentológicos, como susceptibilidad magnética, análisis geoquímicos de fluorescencia de rayos X (XRF), mineralogía y contenido en carbono orgánico e inorgánico (TOC/TIC). El modelo cronológico se ha realizado combinando dataciones AMS 14C en los 20 m superiores de sedimento y OSL (Luminiscencia Óptica Estimulada) en los 54 m restantes. La secuencia sedimentaria está esencialmente formada por la alternancia de fases con mayor desarrollo de humedales y turberas, con otras de depósitos distales de abanicos aluviales y episodios de lago carbonatado. Los resultados obtenidos hasta el momento confirman que el registro del Cañizar de Villarquemado responde a unas condiciones relativamente húmedas durante un probable MIS6-MIS5, con variaciones en la vegetación regional (esencialmente dominada por Juniperus) que aparecen siempre muy determinadas por la continentalidad de la zona, y que resultan atípicas para lo esperable durante un episodio interglacial como el Eemiense. De todos modos, los márgenes de error adscritos al modelo de edad impiden ciertas precisiones y aseveraciones al respecto. Durante el MIS3 se registra el periodo más árido de toda la secuencia, como confirman los resultados sedimentológicos y los polínicos de algunos intervalos ya disponibles. Sin embargo el MIS2 presenta una gran variabilidad tanto a nivel local, como indican las distintas asociaciones de facies y la vegetación acuática, como a nivel regional, como se deduce de la cubierta vegetal general. El comienzo del Holoceno se registra de manera muy abrupta en cuanto a cambios paleohidrológicos, pero mostrando de nuevo cierta resiliencia de la vegetación, dominada esta vez por pinos y no por Juniperus como en la base de la secuencia, y muy adaptada a las condiciones de extrema continentalidad. El posterior desarrollo de quercíneas junto con la presencia de pinos, apunta situaciones climáticas muy diferentes entre un posible MIS5 y el MIS1., Este trabajo ha sido financiado gracias a los proyectos nacionales DINAMO (CGL2009-07992), DINAMO2 (CGL2012-33063), LIMNOCLIBER (REN2003- 09130-C02-02), LIMNOCAL (CGL2006-13327-C04-01), GRACCIE-CONSOLIDER (CSD2007-00067), CGL2012-38358 y CGL2009-06988/BOS, y al proyecto regional del Gobierno de Aragón-DGA P196/2005. Varios autores (Moreno, Gil-Romera, García-Prieto y Aranbarri) agradecen la financiación recibida de los programas Ramón y Cajal, Juan de la Cierva, Formación de Personal Investigador-FPI y Gobierno Vasco, respectivamente. Además, este trabajo no hubiera sido posible sin la ayuda de la Fundación de la Laguna del Cañizar y su director, José Carlos Rubio, y sin la colaboración de Aida Adsuar, Beatriz Bueno y Raquel López en el procedimiento analítico llevado a cabo en el laboratorio del IPE-CSIC.

Iodine supplementation during pregnancy is a common practice in developed countries. However, scant evidence is available regarding the safety and effectiveness of maternal iodine supplementation with regard to child neuropsychological development. We previously reported an inverse association between iodine supplementation and the psychomotor development of infants in a birth cohort from Valencia, Spain. In the present study, we assessed this association in a wider sample of mother and child pairs from 3 other regions in Spain. Neuropsychological development was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development in 1,519 infants (median age, 16 months) between 2006 and 2009. In multivariate analyses, maternal consumption of 150 mu g/day or more of iodine from supplements was related to a 1.5-fold increase in the odds of a psychomotor score less than 85 (95% confidence interval: 0.8, 2.9) and to a 1.7-fold increase in the odds of a mental score less than 85 (95% confidence interval: 0.9, 3.0). Findings previously reported in the Valencia cohort were only partially verified. The results of the present study suggest that, at least in these regions, iodine supplementation does not improve infant neuropsychological development at 1 year of age. Further research is needed on the risks and benefits of supplementary iodine for both maternal thyroid function and child neurodevelopment.

[EN] The study of the magnetic properties and their variations with time in lacustrine sediment cores allow deducing paleoenvironmental changes in the last millennia. This study presents a multiproxy approach that integrates geochemical, sedimentological and magnetic properties records from a long core (~6 m) of the Marboré Lake at 2500 m. a.s.l. in the West-central Pyrenees. The core spans over the last 12.7 ky cal BP. Facies, geochemical composition and magnetic properties clearly identify sedimentological environments with a great glaciar influence from 12.7-11.7 ky cal BP, including the Youger Dryas. These colder periods (YD) are characterized by a lower content in ferromagnetic minerals s.l. The beginning of the Holocene is marked by a slightly increase in the lake bioproductivity. During 9.2- 4.1 ky cal BP the increase in bioproductivity, higher content of detrital carbonates and a general decrease in the concentration and variety of the ferromagnetic s.l. minerals are coherent with a more humid period. The transition ca. 5-4.5 ky cal BP is the most significant change during the whole Holocene and it is characterized by an increase in the ferromagnetic minerals s.l., a decrease in TOC and detrital carbonates, which are interpreted as a response to an increase of aridity. © Universidad de La Rioja., [ES] El estudio de las propiedades magnéticas y sus variaciones en el tiempo en sondeos lacustres permiten deducir cambios paleoambientales de los últimos milenios. Este estudio presenta una aproximación multiproxy integrando indicadores geoquímicos y sedimentológicos con propiedades magnéticas analizadas en un sondeo largo (~6 m) del Lago de Marboré a 2500 m.s.n.m. en el Pirineo Centro-Occidental que cubre los últimos ~12.7 ka cal BP. Facies, composición geoquímica y propiedades magnéticas identifican claramente ambientes sedimentarios con gran influencia glaciar en el periodo 12.7-11.7 ka cal BP, incluyendo el Younger Dryas (YD). Estos periodos más fríos (YD) están caracterizados por menor contenido en minerales ferromagnéticos s.l. El comienzo del Holoceno está marcado por un ligero aumento de la bioproductividad en el lago. Durante el periodo 9.2-4.1 ka cal BP el aumento de la bioproductividad, la mayor presencia de carbonatos detríticos, y una disminución generalizada en la concentración y variedad de minerales ferromagnéticos s.l. son coherentes con un periodo de clima más húmedo. La transición ca. 5-4.5 ka cal BP es el cambio más significativo de todo el Holoceno caracterizada por un aumento en la concentración de los minerales magnéticos, un descenso en TOC y de carbonatos detríticos que se interpretan como una respuesta al incremento de la aridez., Proyecto financiado por el Organismo Autónomo de Parques Nacionales HORDA: Dinámica glacial, clima y vegetación en el Parque Nacional de Ordesa-Monte Perdido durante el Holoceno (ref: 83/2009).

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (pp′DDE) are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic environmental pollutants with potential neurotoxic effects. Despite a growing body of studies investigating the health effects associated with these compounds, their specific effects on early neuropsychological development remain unclear. We investigated such neuropsychological effects in a population-based birth cohort based in three regions in Spain (Sabadell, Gipuzkoa, and Valencia) derived from the INMA [Environment and Childhood] Project. The main analyses in this report were based on 1391 mother–child pairs with complete information on maternal levels of organochlorine compounds and child neuropsychological assessment (Bayley Scales of Infant Development) at age 14 months. We found that prenatal PCB exposure, particularly to congeners 138 and 153, resulted in impairment of psychomotor development (coefficient=−1.24, 95% confidence interval=−2.41, −0.07), but found no evidence for effects on cognitive development. Prenatal exposure to pp′DDE or HCB was not associated with early neuropsychological development. The negative effects of exposure to PCBs on early psychomotor development suggest that the potential neurotoxic effects of these compounds may be evident even at low doses. Keywords: Child development, Organochlorine compounds, Polychlorinated biphenyls, Hexachlorobenzene, Dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene, Neuropsychology

Background: A wide range of neuropsychological development outcomes in children are currently measured in a large number of birth cohort and child cohort studies. Methods: We summarized neuropsychological development assessment protocols from a number of birth cohort studies, reviews and specific books on child neuropsychology into a unifying conceptual framework. Results: We suggest that neuropsychological development can be differentiated into two levels, i.e. functional and clinical. The functional level includes the skills, abilities, capacities and knowledge acquired during maturation of the brain as a result of the development of neural networks. It can be further divided into cognitive, psychomotor and social-emotional development subdomains. The clinical level includes the assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders or the presence of symptoms (subclinical symptomatology) of these disorders in populations under investigation in environmental epidemiology studies. Conclusions: Through explicit recognition of these levels of outcomes, and in using this framework, epidemiologists will be better able to design research through the informed selection of individual levels of outcomes. The framework also serves to standardize disparate terminologies across this field and allows for pooling of epidemiological data on neuropsychological endpoints where essentially similar levels of outcomes have been analyzed using different tests.

Se presenta una demostración del trabajo realizado para crear un sistema de traducción automática entre el euskera batua estándar y el vizcaíno estándar (un dialecto del euskera). La estandarización y la generación de datos lingüísticos de ambas variantes, y los progresos tecnológicos realizados en Apertium, han facilitado el manejo de datos de forma más eficiente para crear este traductor de código abierto. This is a demonstration of the work procedure to create a machine translation system between standard Basque and Biscayan (a Basque dialect). The standardization and creation of linguistic data of both variants, and the technological progress made on Apertium, have helped to manage data on a more efficient way to create this open-source software translator.