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Technological change plays a decisive role in irrigated agriculture, which is particularly challenging in semiarid regions. The main objective of this paper is to assess four kinds of alternative technological improvements aimed at dealing with future water availability, especially in the case of extreme events like drought. We evaluate these technologies for a better understanding of what form should be applied in irrigated agriculture in a context of limits on natural resources. We develop a dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, whose production structure distinguishes between rainfed and irrigated crops, and between a variety of irrigated crops. Land use changes are also evaluated. As well as technological change, we consider the Water Framework Directive (EC 2000/60), which establishes water cost recovery as a key goal. Thus, we assess strategies that combine irrigation water pricing strategies and improved technology. Our results show that policy strategies that focus on fostering technical progress can mitigate the long-term economic effects of downward trends in water supplies, even in drought years. The study also confirms that the absence of price volatility achieved through a water pricing strategy could improve the sustainable use of water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT In Mediterranean temporary rivers, ecological resources greatly fluctuate because of the high hydrological variability throughout the year. However, flow regulation prevents this natural regime and commonly entails associated non-native species, which change the structure of aquatic communities. Nonetheless, few studies have tested the interaction of these two disruptive factors (flow regulation and non-native species) and their synergistic effects on the Eurasian otter ( Lutra lutra) diet at the river scale. The aim of this study was to compare the seasonal feeding habits of the otter between a temporary non-regulated stretch and two regulated stretches invaded by non-native species in a Mediterranean water course. The Bullaque River (Guadiana River Basin, central Spain) was seasonally sampled for otter spraints and prey abundance assessed from December 2009 to November 2010. Three stretches were considered: high (source, non-regulated), medium (transition, regulated) and low (confluence, regulated). Diet varied from native prey in the high stretch (amphibians, insects and endemic cyprinids) to non-native species in the low stretch (red-swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii and pumpkinseed sunfish Lepomis gibbosus). Seasonally, ingested biomass of native prey increased in spring. Diet was more diverse in the high stretch. Otters neutrally selected native cyprinids in the high stretch throughout the year, whereas crayfish was selected in the other two stretches. Overall results showed that flow regulation and non-native species have increased prey availability for the otter; however, this paper highlights the importance of maintaining natural regimes in Mediterranean temporary rivers to conserve native communities and thus minimally impact food webs in Iberian freshwaters. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Papers in Regional Science is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

ABSTRACT The extent of heathland decline is well documented in countries of the north and west of Europe, not so in southern European countries. In this paper, temporal changes produced in wet heathlands of Erica ciliaris and Erica tetralix in the last 26 years in NW Spain were analysed. Thirteen wet heathlands that had been studied in 1980 were again sampled in 2006. Plant species composition, cover, diversity, surface area occupied and soil pH were analysed in each sampling site. The results obtained showed changes in the management of almost all the sampling sites and in their surrounding area, with an increase in non-traditional practices (afforestation, repeated burning) with respect to 1980, resulting in a general decrease in the surface area occupied by these communities. A decrease of the woody cover and, as a result, an increase in the herbaceous cover was observed. Species richness did not show significant changes, but the identity of the species changed, with 73·9 per cent of the exclusive species of these communities declining or disappearing in favour of non-exclusive species. The pH values remained within the normal ranges for these communities, although a slight decrease was recorded. It was concluded that traditional management (cutting, grazing, sporadic burning) favoured the conservation of these ecosystems, with non-severe effects on the vegetation, and this should be noted by conservation planners. Management of the surrounding area should also be controlled to enhance preservation of these landscapes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use change as conversion pasture to forest produces several changes on hydrological cycle. In this paper, we analyse the effects on stream discharge of afforestation of a small watershed devoted to pasture using the HBV hydrological model. Streamflow data obtained over the first 10 years after planting were employed to evaluate the capacity of HBV model to simulate hydrological behaviour of catchment after afforestation. Obtained results indicate that the estimation of streamflow was accurate as reflected by statistics ( R2 = 0.90, NSC = 0.89 and PBIAS = 0.34). Afterwards, streamflow under pasture land use (if afforestation had not occurred) was simulated using hydrometeorological data collected during the period of study and model parameters optimized previously, together with two parameters, pcorr and cevpfo, that were adjusted for pasture conditions. The HBV model results indicate that afforestation produced a water yield reduction around 2000 mm (22% of total stream discharge) during the first 10 years of planting growth. The differences between forest and pasture land cover are increasing in all seasons year by year. The greatest streamflow reduction was observed in wet period (autumn and winter) with 76% of total reduction. In summer, streamflow reduction represents only 3% of total, however, represents 24.7% of discharge in this season. Streamflow reduction was related to increase of rainfall interception (mainly in wet periods) and the increase of evapotranspiration by plantation in dry periods. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding runoff processes is critical to issues of water quality. Therefore, the main purpose of this paper is to test a methodology that can be used when continuous electrical conductivity (EC) data are recorded in a single control point and no more data are available along the catchment. Although both non-tracer-based and tracer-based techniques have been used for two-component hydrograph separation, EC-based method proved to be more suitable to gain further insight into the runoff generation and can help clarifying water sources and flowpaths to the river. So the use of EC has allowed the separation of pre-event (Qp) and event (Qe) water contribution in different types of flood events, the assessment of temporal behaviour of related elements and the calculation of Qp/Qe ratio and regression equations. However, the weaker correlations of some elements with discharge and with this ratio lead us to admit the existence of at least one third component of flow, which is characterized by dissolved organic carbon, SO42− and Cl−. This component presumably comes from a far-stream source and through a subsurface flow and is the key for advancing in new findings on the catchment hydrology. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article sets out a theoretical model of the processes of mass nationalisation. The paper is divided into three sections. The first part shows nationalisation as a process of identity transmission that includes messages (national narratives), channels (national agencies) and recipients (national individuals). The second section analyses the processes of identity transmission into three spheres of nationalisation: the official public sphere, the non-official public sphere and the private sphere. The last part looks at the process of mass nationalisation from below and reflects on the mechanisms of individual acquisition and reproduction of national identities on a daily basis. The general model of nationalisation presented here is developed in a deductive way and is applicable to a number of countries all over the world. In this article, I illustrate the general model by giving examples of mass nationalisations in Spain over the last two centuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to calculate the market valuation of non-financial characteristics, namely, the social responsibility criteria (social, ethical and environmental) included in the Spanish Socially Responsible Investment Funds. The hedonic price method is applied for this purpose. This method relates the price of Socially Responsible Investment Funds with both financial and social responsibility characteristics. Because of the large number of social responsibility characteristics included in these funds, prior to application of the hedonic price method, the principal components factor analysis technique is used. The data are taken from the prospectus for each fund and from the data provided by the National Securities Market Commission. Results indicate that the Spanish market is sensitive to the social responsibility practices of companies. In particular, the market value practices related to environmental sustainability, the enforcement of labour rights, sustainable production and consumption and non-abusive market practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: This paper presents the history of badland generated in the Saldaña region, Spain; as well as the main responses eight decades after the start of restoration – in terms of vegetation, soil and erosive processes. The restoration consisted of intense reforestation and construction of more than 100 check dams and numerous wattle fences. Presently, the dense vegetation (87% cover) contrasts markedly with the degraded landscape from the early 20th century (5% cover). The thickness of litter and the natural presence of some species (Quercus pyrenaica, Paeonia broteroi and Lactarius deliciosus) clearly indicate the recovery of the site. The development of the forest cover shows that the intervention has the potential to recover almost 90% of the area. There is also evidence of soil regeneration, although some properties (erodibility, resistance to penetration and shear‐strength resistance) are not that different between the forested and degraded areas. In the restored zones, runoff is negligible, since a thick layer of moss covers the spillways of all the check dams. Erosion has almost been stopped by the effects of vegetation cover, litter and higher infiltration rates (infiltration rate in forested slopes is 43.4 times greater than in bare slopes). Sediment detachment, such as landslides, mudflows and piping, still occur, but are restricted to the degraded zones. Furthermore, even when sediments are mobilized from the upper degraded hillslopes during the larger storms events (2000–2010), check dams and the lower elevation restored forest‐buffers effectively work to reduce the sediment yield into the Carrión River by almost three orders of magnitude (<102 mg L‐1), compared with data from the 1930s and 1940s (>105 mg L‐1). Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To examine the perception of registered nurses and nursing assistants regarding the use of physical restraints with residents of nursing homes located in four of the regions of Spain; and to evaluate the relationship of these perceptions to the staff respondents' level of training. Design Cross-sectional multicenter and correlational study. The research was conducted in 2013 in 19 Spanish nursing homes with 2,940 residential beds. A total of 785 nurses (170 registered nurses and 615 nursing assistants) participated in the study. Methods The Perception of Restraint Use Questionnaire (PRUQ), consisting of 17 of the most cited reasons for using these devices, was used, as was a questionnaire capturing the sociodemographic characteristics and educational or experience level of staff respondents. Findings Nurses reported the most important uses for restraints as prevention of falls and avoidance of medical device interference. As indicated by an average PRUQ score of 3.47, staff respondents supported restraint use, especially nursing assistants (3.59) as compared to registered nurses (3.00). With regard to training: 83.7% had participated in little, if any, training and only 29.2% had read three or more documents related to restraint use; 66.6% believed that their training was inadequate. No correlation was found between the results of the PRUQ and the respondents´ sociodemographic characteristics or participation in training activities. No differences were found among nurses by region. Conclusions In contrast to papers published in other countries, nurses in this study still consider it necessary to apply restraints in everyday practice. The education of nursing staff regarding restraint and knowledge of alternatives is needed; they should at least be aware of international standards of care regarding physical restraint use. Clinical Relevance Most of the staff perceived their training related to the use of these devices as insufficient. Nursing assistants considered the use of restraints more important than did the registered nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This clinical technique article is focused on the use of prefabricated veneers to enhance the esthetic appearance of the anterior dentition in patients who needed an alternative esthetic solution more affordable than traditional porcelain veneers. Clinical considerations Because prefabricated composite veneer systems have been recently introduced, they are not widely used. The Componeer system ( Coltene, Altstätten, Switzerland) contains thin pre-polymerized hybrid composite shells, several shades of a direct hybrid composite resin, an etch-and-rinse adhesive system, and restorative accessories including finishing points and disks. The prefabricated restorations can be customized in the mouth for color and shape. The technique described in this article can be used to restore function and esthetics in one office visit. Conclusions The prefabricated composite veneer technique has some of the advantages of direct composite restorations, as only one session is required without the need to take impressions to send to the dental laboratory. This new treatment option may open new opportunities for dental professionals and their patients. However, it is paramount to carry out controlled clinical studies with this restorative technique prior to recommending it without restrictions in general practice. Clinical Significance The clinical technique described in this paper has the potential for being used routinely to lengthen anterior teeth, to correct malpositioned teeth, to mask discolorations, and to close diastemas. The technique can also be used to restore extensive caries lesions and tooth fractures, and to refurbish large old anterior restorations, especially when other treatment options are out of reach for the patient for financial reasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper continues the characterization of the lead isotopic fingerprint of ancient copper mines in the north-west of Spain. In this work, the lead isotopic compositions found in copper ores from the La Profunda mine are presented. Azurites and malachites sampled from this deposit were subjected to lead isotope analysis by multicollector ICP- MS. The results showed a clear radiogenic lead signature compatible with the presence of uranium-rich minerals (such as zeunerite) in the same mining complex. Moreover, a rare copper artefact, found in the galleries of the mine during its modern exploitation, was also analysed and showed that local mineral was used for its manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This paper presents the impact of non-homogeneous deposits of dust on the performance of a PV array. The observations have been made in a 2-MW PV park in the southeast region of Spain. The results are that inhomogeneous dust leads to more significant consequences than the mere short-circuit current reduction resulting from transmittance losses. In particular, when the affected PV modules are part of a string together with other cleaned (or less dusty) ones, operation voltage losses arise. These voltage losses can be several times larger than the short-circuit ones, leading to power losses that can be much larger than what measurements suggest when the PV modules are considered separately. Significant hot-spot phenomena can also arise leading to cells exhibiting temperature differences of more than 20 degrees and thus representing a threat to the PV modules' lifetime. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper was to compare the concentration of P in soil extracts prepared with water and a 'soil solution proxy' (' SSP', that is, a salt solution similar in ionic composition and strength to the actual soil solution) with that in 0.01 m CaCl2 extracts, which is usually taken as a measure of soil P intensity. Seventy widely ranging agricultural soils from the Mediterranean part of Spain were used. Soil/solution ratio was 1:10 and extraction time 3 days. For 0.01 m CaCl2, a short extraction time of 30 min was also used as the reference method. CaCl2-P(3 days) and CaCl2-P(30 min) were not significantly different for the 40 noncalcareous soils group, but CaCl2-P(3 days) was significantly larger than CaCl2-P(30 min) for the 30 calcareous soils group. The Water-P/CaCl2-P(30 min) ratio was not significantly related to any soil property, its mean being 6.3 for the noncalcareous and 5.8 for the calcareous soils group. The mean SSP-P/CaCl2-P(30 min) ratio was 2.6 for the noncalcareous and 3.1 for the calcareous soils group, and decreased slightly with increasing ionic strength of the soil solution in the noncalcareous soils group. These results are consistent with the promoting influence of the Ca ion and ionic strength on P adsorption by permanent-charge soils. The fact that extraction with 0.01 m CaCl2 generally results in underestimation of the actual concentration of P in the soil solution should be considered when CaCl2-P is used as a soil P test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The objective of this paper is to analyze why firms in some industries locate in specialized economic environments (localization economies) while those in other industries prefer large city locations (urbanization economies). To this end, we examine the location decisions of new manufacturing firms in Spain at the city level and for narrowly defined industries. First, we estimate firm location models to obtain estimates that reflect the importance of localization and urbanization economies in each industry. Then, we regress these estimates on industry characteristics related to the potential importance of labor market pooling, input sharing, and knowledge spillovers. Urbanization effects are high in knowledge-intensive industries, suggesting that firms locate in large cities to benefit from knowledge spillovers. We also find that localization effects are high in industries that employ workers whose skills are more industry-specific, suggesting that industries locate in specialized economic environments to share a common pool of specialized workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The built environment (BE) impacts on people's disability and health, in terms of overweight, depression, alcohol abuse, poor self-rated health and presence of psychological symptoms; it is reasonable to assume that BE also impacts on participation levels. This paper presents the validation of the COURAGE Built Environment Self-Reported Questionnaire (CBE-SR), an instrument designed to evaluate BE in the context of health and disability. Subjects participating to COURAGE, a cross-sectional study conducted on 10 800 citizens of Poland, Finland and Spain, completed a protocol inclusive of the CBE-SR. Psychometric properties and factor structure were analysed, and factor scores created. Gender differences, differences between persons from different age groups and persons reporting the environment as facilitating, hindering or neutral were calculated. Eight items were deleted so that the final version of CBE-SR comprises 19 items. Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.743 to 0.906, and test-retest stability was demonstrated for the majority of items. Four subscales were identified: Usability of the neighbourhood environment; Hindrance of walkable environment; Easiness of use of public buildings, places and facilities; and Risk of accidents and usability of the living place. Younger respondents reported their neighbourhood as more usable but perceived walkways as more hindering and public buildings as less easy to use; gender differences were almost inexistent. The CBE-SR is a four-scale instrument with good psychometric properties that measures the person-environment interaction. It is sensitive across age groups and is consistent with the subject's overall judgement of the degree to which the environment is facilitating or hindering. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Message Poor built environments have a negative impact on the level of a person's participation. However, instruments measuring the person-environment interaction are lacking., The CBE-SR is a valid and reliable instrument that researchers can use to assess the relationships between the intrinsic health state and the objective features of the environment., Understanding this relationship would provide further insight into the need of addressing the individual's functioning either by means of interventions directed to the individual or by making changes to the individual's environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the effect of participation by foreign capital and the spillovers from a foreign presence on the technical progress of Spanish manufacturing firms. The results show that foreign direct investment ( FDI) creates positive spillover effects for local firms, and when the presence of foreign capital and the absorptive capacity of spillovers from FDI are large, more technical progress ensues. Also, local companies in capital- and research and development ( R&D)-intensive industries experience larger positive FDI spillovers. For these reasons, government policies should aim to attract FDI, especially in the aforementioned industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the strategies employed by companies to differentiate themselves from others, in the food market, has been to market organic products according to the assumption that environmental values are an important influence on people's behavior. However, studies of the behavior of organic food consumers show that there is some debate on this subject. Although some studies associate organic food consumption with motives and attitudes in which the environment plays a predominant role, a greater number conclude that the motives for consuming this type of food are basically egoistic (related to health, food safety, or the quality or flavor of the food). This can lead to problems in deciding the central thrust of the marketing strategy. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the meaning and interpretations placed on the term 'organic,' and how they are integrated, as a way to explain consumption behavior. Qualitative research methods were adopted for this purpose. Four focus group sessions with different sociodemographic profiles, held in the cities of Madrid and Seville, in Spain, displayed two evident paradoxes, which could indicate that environmental motives are not important for consumers in this market. It is concluded that the term 'organic' plays an important role as a heuristic cue to superiority, irrespective of the consumer's knowledge about the real features of organic food. Three alternative models are presented to explain consumer behavior. These results could be useful to food companies, largely in connection with positioning this type of product and with their communications policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates the effects of a labor market reform in Spain that removed restrictions on fixed-term or temporary contracts. Our empirical results are based on longitudinal firm-level data that cover observations before and after the reform. We posit and estimate a dynamic labor demand model with indefinite and fixed-term labor contracts, and a general structure of labor adjustment costs. Experiments using the estimated model show important positive effects of the reform on total employment (i.e., a 3.5% increase) and job turnover. There is a strong substitution of permanent by temporary workers (i.e., a 10% decline in permanent employment). The effects on labor productivity and the value of firms are very small. In contrast, a counterfactual reform that halved all firing costs would produce the same employment increase as the actual reform, but much larger improvements in productivity and in the value of firms. (JEL J23, J32, J41 ) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the global population expected to increase to 9 billion by 2050 coupled with concerns about food security in relation to climate change and increasing prosperity in many parts of the world causing desire for a less monotonous diet, efficient use of resources such as food becomes ever more important. While the prevalence of obesity is a cause for concern in many parts of the world, many people still go to bed hungry, and in many communities, obesity co-exists with poor diet quality. The result is a series of complex and challenging nutrition problems, such as the access to nutritionally adequate and affordable diets and the development of dietary recommendations. Diet modelling is a useful tool to help identify solutions to such complex questions and this paper summarises a session on this topic at the International Congress of Nutrition that took place in September 2013. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on a follow-up study of a Content and Language Integrated Learning ( CLIL) pilot experience with bilingual postgraduate engineering students at a Spanish university. It aimed at examining learners' gains in listening and grammar skills after a CLIL course in English for a semester, in particular whether students' listening and grammar skills were affected similarly and whether participants' proficiency level played a role. Paired-sampled t-tests showed the difference between the mean scores in the pre-and post-listening test was significant but it was not for the pre-and post grammar tests. When students were distributed into three groups on the basis of their pre-test scores, a repeated measures ANOVA showed that less proficient students obtained higher gains in listening and grammar skills than more proficient students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This paper examines the scope, types, and degree of corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices currently employed in human resource management (HRM) in Spain, and its determinants. It analyses firm, employee, and job-related characteristics which affect the implementation of CSR in HRM. It also offers an overview of the current situation regarding CSR in HRM for a wide range of economic sectors, employees, job characteristics, and HRM practices. Information is obtained from employees rather than CEOs. Results show that companies do not engage in CSR practices to the same extent. The scope of CSR differs among types of HRM practices. The practices curently applied are grouped more according to type than to degree of responsibility. Another relevant result is that some variables such as a firm's dimension, have a clear effect on the likelihood that an employee benefits from responsible labour practices, but their effects generally vary for different types of practices. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In semi-arid environments, the characteristics of the land surface determine how rainfall is transformed into surface runoff and influences how this runoff moves from the hillslopes into river channels. Whether or not water reaches the river channel is determined by the hydrological connectivity. This paper uses a numerical experiment-based approach to systematically assess the effects of slope length, gradient, flow path convergence, infiltration rates and vegetation patterns on the generation and connectivity of runoff. The experiments were performed with the Connectivity of Runoff Model, 2D version distributed, physically based, hydrological model. The experiments presented are set within a semi-arid environment, characteristic of south-eastern Spain, which is subject to low frequency high rainfall intensity storm events. As a result, the dominant hydrological processes are infiltration excess runoff generation and surface flow dynamics. The results from the modelling experiments demonstrate that three surface factors are important in determining the form of the discharge hydrograph: the slope length, the slope gradient and the infiltration characteristics at the hillslope-channel connection. These factors are all related to the time required for generated runoff to reach an efficient flow channel, because once in this channel, the transmission losses significantly decrease. Because these factors are distributed across the landscape, they have a fundamental role in controlling the landscape hydrological response to storm events. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides an analysis of consumer preferences for product claims, specifically about origin and production methods. In particular, it addresses two important questions: i) whether consumers are willing to pay a premium for food products carrying these claims; and ii) whether local and organic claims are complements or substitutes. A choice experiment designed to estimate two-way interactions was undertaken in Spain for eggs. The findings show first, that consumers are willing to pay a positive premium price for an enhanced method of production (that of barn, free-range and/or organic instead of cage produced eggs) as well as for the proximity of production (local, regional and national over imported). Second, the findings show that consumer preferences for the claims are heterogeneous with two consumer segments being identified: 'origin preference', the larger segment, and the 'production method preference'. Results show that organic and local claims were complements for the larger first segment but that free-range and local/regional claims were substitutes for the second smaller segment. These results provide the marketing chains with insights applicable for pricing strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we address three challenges. First, we discuss how international new ventures ( INVs) are probably not explained by the Uppsala model as there is no time for learning about foreign markets in newly born and small firms. Only in the longer term can INVs develop experiential learning to overcome the liability of foreignness as they expand abroad. Second, we advance theoretically on previous research demonstrating that the multinationality−performance relationship of INVs follows a traditional S-shaped relationship, but they first experience a 'born global illusion' which leads to a non-traditional M curve. Third, using a panel data analysis for the period 1994-2008 we find empirically that Spanish INVs follow an inverted U curve in the very short term, where no learning takes place, but that experience gained over time yields an M-curve relationship once learning takes place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fossil mammal sites of late Miocene age ( ca 9 Ma) occur in hourglass-shaped, non-interconnected cavities up to 15 m deep, hosted in mudstone (mostly sepiolite), chert and carbonate bedrock in Cerro de los Batallones. This paper provides a model for the sedimentary infilling of the cavities, which functioned as traps for vertebrate faunas and contain one of the richest and best preserved Neogene mammal assemblages of the Iberian Peninsula. Generation of the mammal-bearing cavities started with the solution of underlying evaporites, which resulted in fissures that were subsequently enlarged by subsurface piping, a process rarely preserved in the ancient sedimentary record. The system of subterranean cavities evolved into a pseudokarst landscape, resulting in doline-like shafts reaching the ancient land surface. The sedimentary infilling of the cavities comprises both clastic and carbonate lithofacies that were investigated by outcrop observation, standard and scanning electron microscope petrography, mineralogical analysis, and stable isotope geochemistry. Gravel and breccia talus deposits, clast and mud-supported gravel, pebbly sandstone and mudstone are common detrital infill deposits mostly derived by overflow erosion of bedrock. The deposits containing the mammal bones are marls, and occur both in subsurface cavities and doline-like depressions. In the underground cavities, marlstone was mainly of clastic origin and accumulated in ponds scattered over the floor of the cavity. In contrast, marlstone deposits in the surface dolines formed mostly as a result of biochemical carbonate deposition in small shallow lakes subjected to fluctuation of the water level. The δ18O and δ13C carbonate values indicate different origins for the two kinds of marls. During the final phases of pipe infill the doline marlstone sealed the mammal sites, usually off-lapping the adjacent bedrock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current economic crisis is showing one of the main problems that many companies in financial distress have to face, namely, the impact of bankruptcy law in relation to companies and firms. This paper aims to analyze the bankruptcy law ex-ante efficiency when companies are in financial distress. To test it out, two research questions are submitted: (i) Is solvency, the criterion used in the Spanish law, the best one to assess the relative significance of the main indicators, which determine bankrupt firms? (ii) Is the Spanish bankruptcy law efficient according to solvency or are there better criteria? To answer them, a logistic regression model is conducted. The sample embraces 1,387 firms in Spain, the data being obtained from 12 Commercial Justice Courts complemented with financial information. The main conclusion is that the solvency criterion is adequate to classify bankrupt companies although currently Spanish Bankruptcy law is not as efficient as it could be. Additionally, the relevant companies' indicators, which explain the financial distress procedure, are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to develop a multiple-indicator multiple-cause model to explain dynamic capabilities generation. We use one of the main common effects of dynamic capabilities (operational, structural and strategic flexibility) to design a measurement tool for dynamic capabilities generation. Based on this measurement tool, we test the influence of several factors identified in the specialized literature as potential causes that trigger and promote dynamic capabilities generation. We use data from a survey of 200 CEOs of Spanish firms to test the model. The results show that only organizations whose managers have perceived a high degree of environmental dynamism have generated dynamic capabilities. The results also show that knowledge codification and technical innovation are significantly related to dynamic capabilities generation. We attempt to shed light on current theoretical debates about dynamic capabilities generation and provide a practical guide to explain the origin and results of dynamic capabilities that have been tested empirically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Papers in Regional Science is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Papers in Regional Science is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper aims to explore what performance management tools are implemented in practice in Spanish local governments and whether they have led to an improvement in public management and accountability. We also analyse the usefulness of performance reporting, comparing it with that of accrual financial reporting. The results show that most of the entities that have introduced performance indicators do not use them for decision-making or accountability. After two decades of reforms in financial and management systems, financial directors still consider that budgetary reporting is the most useful, basically because the control of expenditure is still based on the budget. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to enrich the analysis on the significance of the individual firm resources in a cluster and the effects of diverse cluster relationships, including local and non-local ones, on firms' innovation capacity. On questioning the commonly accepted direct and positive impact, we explore the joint and non-linear effects of internal resources and inter-organisational relationships on innovation. Data from 251 footwear manufacturers located in the Spanish Vinalopó cluster were used to explore the proposed causal relationships. According to findings, the impact of each factor on product innovation is not homogeneous. Internal innovation efforts and cooperation with local suppliers positively affect the creation of new products, while collaboration with local customers and extra-cluster linkages presents an inverted U-shaped relationship with product innovation. Finally, a number of implications may be drawn for policy makers, practitioners, and future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unbalanced sex ratio in rural areas is currently an endemic problem in most western countries that needs to be addressed if socially sustainable rural development is to be achieved. Higher percentages of females migrating from rural areas to the cities have given rise to an unequal spatial distribution of the sex ratio along the urban-rural gradient. In this paper it is proposed that temporal changes in rural-urban sex ratio differences in the young professional age group who are mostly independent and living outside the parental home should be included as a relevant factor in the framework of multi-criteria monitoring of rural development policies. As a case in point, an analysis is carried out in continental Spain between 2000 and 2010 using the 30-39-year-old age group to focus on young people who for the most part have left the parental home. The overall results show that the sex ratio gap between rural and urban areas decreased during the decade in rural municipalities, independently of their size, which are contiguous to or at an intermediate distance from urban areas, as it did also in more remote medium-sized and large rural municipalities. The gap did not vary significantly in the case of smaller and more remote rural municipalities, though there were specific regional tendencies upward or downward. The method can be applied to other study areas at different spatial and temporal scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Participatory Action Research (PAR) aims to articulate knowledge production and transformative action. In this paper, we outline the sociopolitical background to our interest in LGBT and trans-collectives as an important territory where PAR might make some intervention in the social conditions of LGBT lives by transforming dominant forms of representation that have emerged from a history of psychological and medical pathology. We present two projects, from UK and Spain that utilize post-structuralist informed methods (interviews, photo-production, discourse analysis, narrative production) within a PAR framework. We examine their potential for problematising representations of sexuality and gender by reflecting on the knowledge produced and the transformative action they provoke. We rethink power relationships inherent in PAR concepts of 'participation' and 'empowerment' through a post-structuralist lens and argue that the achievements of PAR projects can be better understood as 'co-produced artifacts'. These (e.g. photo-exhibition) are co-owned by community members and researchers and their deployment in different settings (e.g. community or university) impacts on the meanings they convey and the action they provoke. Finally, we argue that through the use of post-structuralist methods PAR can enable effective transformative action, but caution against the practice of reinstating normative representations in the invitation to participate under specific identity categories (e.g. LGBT, Trans, mental health service user). PAR projects can do this by considering naturalized definitions of who is vulnerable or marginalized as the object and field of social transformation, and the starting point for collective and political action. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Please cite this paper as: Cuevas et al. (2013) Spread of different rhinovirus B genotypes in hospitalized children in Spain. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 7(5), 623-628. Human Rhinovirus (HRV) classification is an evolving process. New genotypes have been described within HRV-A and HRV-C species, but only one has been accepted related to HRV-B. From 2003 to 2010, a total of 3987 nasopharyngeal aspirate samples were taken from pediatric patients admitted to the Severo Ochoa Hospital in Madrid (Spain). After viral analysis, 949 (23·8%) tested positive to HRV. A random selection of 397 (42%) positive samples showed that 39 (9·8%) were HRV-B. The sequencing of partial VP4/VP2 coding region revealed the spread of 13 of 25 defined HRV-B serotypes and three putative new genotypes. Such results remark the high diversity of HRV-B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This paper analyzes the development of e-government, both as an overall process and in each of the three stages identified in the prior literature (e-government, e-governance and e-democracy) in order to determine the expansion of the use of e-government with the purpose of encouraging citizens' engagement and ability to obtain public services and exchange information with their government online. The analysis has focused on 102 Spanish municipalities, which allow us a more homogeneous comparative analysis. First, we perform a content analysis of their web pages, based on an information index. Also, we undertake some descriptive analyses and graphical figures. The results obtained demonstrate that Spanish municipalities show high information transparency in economic, environmental and social matters, allowing the undertaking of administrative proceedings online and actively promoting the participation of interest groups in strategic, sustainable and managerial issues. However, the Spanish legislation needs to regulate the development of local government e-administration in order to improve the current one-way e-participatory status towards a two-way relationship of mutual feedback and finally to a partner relationship between government and society. Also, the diversity in e-government development suggests that it is not theoretically adequate to consider it as an aggregate concept, requiring research to focus on particular applications in order to obtain useful insights. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Semprius has a novel micro-cell based approach that addresses the cost, performance and reliability requirements of high concentration photovoltaic systems. A design that has a geometric concentration ratio of >1100 suns and three-junction 0.36 mm2 micro-transfer printed cells is now complete. A module efficiency of 33.9% at a direct normal irradiance of 850 W/m2 and cell temperature of 25°C has been independently validated for this design by the Instituto de Energia Solar at the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid. This is the highest measured module efficiency for any PV module, designed for commercial use. Several research, development and demonstration (RD&D) systems have been installed with these modules to collect early on-sun data and validate the technology. This paper presents module characterization and on-sun system results from a 3.5-kWp RD&D system installed at Instituto de Sistemas Fotovoltaicos de Concentracion, Puertollano, Spain by Semprius and Siemens. In addition, results from cleaning experiments and thermal performance of the system are presented from another RD&D system in Tucson. Comparisons of the performance of the Tucson RD&D system with co-located one-axis Si and fixed-tilt Si systems are also presented. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The debate surrounding the financial needs of investors and the impact on society of investment is considered to be an important research topic due to the growth of socially responsible financial markets. The main objective of this research is to study society's perception about socially responsible investing (SRI) and to identify investor's preferences regarding environmental, social and governance criteria, their real-life investment needs and the most relevant sustainable financial products. To examine society's perception of SRI, we conducted a field survey among Spanish investors. The results show that SRI is at an early stage and Spanish investors need more exact information regarding social, environmental, and governance criteria in order to invest in socially responsible companies and products. This paper offers some guidelines that could be used by Spanish institutions, managers and investors and by foreign managers when approaching the Spanish market, in order to promote the growth of socially responsible financial products. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Given that prioritization of programmes is a key concern in Local Agenda 21 processes, the aim of this paper is to explore how the Analytic Network Process (ANP) can provide greater consistency and legitimacy to prioritization of local action plans. Through the analysis of an experience in the municipality of Benetusser in Spain, the study shows how ANP, by modelling reality as a network of multiple and mutual interrelations, embraces complexity and translates it into a set of operational questionnaires that help participants to reflect on their preferences and think deeply on the real implications of programmes for sustainable development. In the case study, citizens, technical staff and politicians of Benetusser carried out the prioritization process by defining a set of criteria and assessing the programmes in an interrelated way. The experience shows that the ANP procedure not only allows prioritization to be dealt with in an organized and systematic way, but also enables reflective thinking on sustainable development and the role of Local Agenda 21 itself. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Spanish economic crisis has led to a significant reduction in housing sales, and therefore, there has been a decrease in housing prices. In this paper, we analyze changes in the average housing price throughout Spain. We use quarterly data from a random sample of 150 municipalities from the first quarter (Q1) of 2005, before the financial crisis started, to Q1 2010. Our analysis uses generalized estimating equation and generalized linear mixed model approaches. Data published for Q2, Q3, and Q4 2010 are compared with the data fitted using these models. Finally, the methods are compared with time-series models. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This paper analyses the evaluation of residential care from the perspective of the adolescents in care. Twelve discussion groups were carried out in 12 different centres in Catalonia (Spain). A total of 66 adolescents aged between 16 and 18 years of age participated. The data contributed by the discussion groups were analysed and categorized using descriptive analysis matrices. Most notable from the results is that the majority of those interviewed call for increased emotional involvement from the social workers, more contact with their families and re-educational intervention within their families, which renders the return to these possible within a shorter period of time. Data provided by the adolescents lead us to reconsider the concept of optimum professional distance and to suggest replacing it with optimum professional proximity; this would be based on emotional involvement and not on emotional distance, although not on emotional dependence either. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objectives Lipoatrophy is a long-term adverse effect of some antiretrovirals that affects quality of life, compromises adherence and may limit the clinical impact of HIV treatments. This paper explores the effect of tenofovir/emtricitabine ( TDF/ FTC) on the amount of limb fat in patients with virological suppression. Methods A randomized, prospective clinical trial was performed to compare continuation on a zidovudine/lamivudine ( ZDV/3TC)-based regimen with switching to a TDF/ FTC-based regimen in terms of the effect on limb fat mass as assessed by DEXA over a 72-week period. Results Eighty patients were included (39 in the TDF/ FTC arm and 41 in the ZDV/3 TC arm) and 73 completed the study (37 and 36, respectively). In the switch arm, limb fat increased by a median of 540 g from baseline ( P = 0.022), while in the ZDV/3TC arm it decreased by a median of 379 g ( P = 0.112; p between groups = 0.007). Subjects with baseline limb fat ≤ 7200 g, previous time on ZDV > 5 years or a body mass index > 25 kg/m2 experienced higher limb fat gains than other subjects, and these differences were statistically significant. Haemoglobin increased by a median of 1.0 g/d L in the TDF/ FTC arm ( P < 0.001) and remained unchanged in the ZDV/3TC arm (p between groups = 0.0002). There were no significant differences between groups in other secondary endpoints (body weight, total body and trunk fat content, total body bone mineral density, laboratory parameters, CD4 cell count and viral load). Conclusions Switching from a ZDV/3TC-based to a TDF/ FTC-based regimen led to a statistically significant improvement in limb fat, in contrast to the progressive loss of limb fat in subjects continuing ZDV/3TC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moroccans are the largest group of immigrants in Spain. Once they arrive at the new place, one of their first necessities is to access shelter. Focusing on the south-eastern region of Murcia in Spain and combining quantitative and qualitative data, I explore the process of housing market integration of Moroccan migrants. Special attention is paid to the dynamics of this process and the role that the interaction between the supply side and the foreign demand of accommodation plays. Thereby, I will emphasise how an unfavourable structure of the housing market, along with behaviour of local private landlords on the supply side leads to considerable problems concerning the housing market integration of migrants in Spain. Thus, this paper aims to give a more accurate interpretation of the dynamics influencing the housing outcomes of migrants in the studied area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to analyse the influence of individual variables and some spatial mobility characteristics of regional labour markets on overeducation in Spain. To achieve this aim, we use microdata from the Spanish Budget Household Survey to estimate a probit model for the probability of overeducation while accounting for sample selection and the presence of data at different levels (individuals and territory). The obtained results permit us to conclude that the sizes of local labour markets and the possibility of extending the job search to other labour markets by commuting are relevant factors in explaining overeducation in the Spanish labour market. In spite of differences in labour market institutions, our results are very similar to those obtained for other countries, particularly when working with more recent data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A gender perspective has been incorporated in transnational migration studies over the last two decades in Spain. According to feminist inquiry, research has focused mainly on four areas: transnational maternities, transformation in global care regimes, multiple discrimination experiences and change in gender relations by means of migration. In this paper, we suggest that there is a fifth area that has been neglected: one that studies the ways in which governmentality practices, performed within service provision aimed at migrant populations, are enacted in host societies. We argue that mechanisms of categorisation developed in service provision in Spain contribute to the construction of the category of 'Third World Women'. A set of discourses and practices that are based on gender and cultural assignation related with stereotyped understandings of migrated women in host societies, situating them as suitable workers for current care regimes within these societies. These mechanisms have an important impact on life situations experienced by many migrated women as they are integrated into a low waged and undervalued work market. Further developments must be made in this last area of inquiry from a critical standpoint, in order to avoid the reproduction of discriminatory practices within institutional intervention settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the viability of the management of a transboundary fishery. In a deterministic dynamic framework, we consider a fish stock with two age groups, juveniles and adults, exploited by two countries having a different impact on the age groups. A regulatory agency defines an annual total allowable catch and its allocation between the two countries. We consider allocations satisfying a set of constraints representing viability conditions. The constraints include a minimal quota and minimal profit for each country. We compare intertemporal viable trajectories with the trajectory resulting from a cooperative game in which the two countries agree on the maximization of the fishery's total profit. While the cooperative solution consists in allocating the whole fishing effort to the most efficient country, the viable solution ensures a limitation of inequalities but reduces the overall economic outcome. The results are illustrated for the Bay of Biscay anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus L.), exploited by Spain and France, with two different types of gear, the purse seine for Spain and the pelagic trawl for France. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper empirically analyses the factors that determine the profitability of Spanish banks for the period of 1999-2009. We conclude that the high bank profitability during these years is associated with a large percentage of loans in total assets, a high proportion of customer deposits, good efficiency and a low doubtful assets ratio. In addition, higher capital ratios also increase the bank's return, but only when return on assets (ROA) is used as the profitability measure. We find no evidence of either economies or diseconomies of scale or scope in the Spanish banking sector. Finally, our study reveals differences in the performance of commercial and savings banks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT In this paper, we analyse reunification processes from family foster care, both kinship and non-kinship, and the variables associated with them in a Spanish sample. Data collection was carried out after a review of child protection and foster care files, and those responsible for the cases were also consulted. The cases studied were closed, which made it possible to assess the final outcome of the fostering. We found that only one-fifth of the children return to their birth family after the fostering, and that those in non-kinship are less likely to do so. Seven factors were associated with family reunification processes: age of the child, kinship care with family co-operation, drug dependence in parents, neglect due to alcoholism, foster care under voluntary arrangement with visits, short-term fostering with family co-operation and parental impossibility due to imprisonment. The contribution of these data takes on particular importance given that the Spanish child protection system keeps no official statistics on the development or outcome of its interventions and records even less information on the factors associated with such outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]