Search Results (14)

Background: In recent years, extended reality has gained traction in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) for their ability to deliver engaging, task-specific, and multisensory therapeutic experiences. Aim: This systematic review investigates the application of Mixed Reality (MR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies in neurorehabilitation for individuals with MS. Method: A comprehensive systematic review was conducted across seven databases and seven eligible studies were identified involving MR/AR interventions targeting motor and cognitive functions, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The review protocol was prospectively registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). Data extraction was performed independently by the two reviewers and discrepancies were resolved by consensus or consultation with a third reviewer. Participants were predominantly diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS and presented mild to moderate disability. Technologies ranged from head-mounted displays to home-based AR platforms, with interventions addressing gait, upper-limb coordination, and dual-task performance. Outcome measures were mapped to the ICF framework, encompassing body function, activity, participation, and contextual factors. Results: Findings suggest short-term improvements in gait parameters, grip strength, and motor coordination, with enhanced engagement and usability reported. Methodological quality was moderate, with small sample sizes and heterogeneous protocols limiting generalizability. Risk of bias varied across study designs. Despite promising results, further research is needed to validate long-term efficacy, optimize cognitive load, and standardize intervention protocols. Conclusions: MR and AR may serve as effective complements to conventional and VR-based rehabilitation, particularly in personalized, task-oriented training for MS populations. Full article

The Mediterranean Sea faces escalating environmental pressures from the unsustainable exploitation of resources and insufficient management. Marine protected areas (MPAs), such as the Parc Natural del Montgrí, les Illes Medes i el Baix Ter (PNMMBT) on Spain’s Costa Brava, serve as critical refuges for biodiversity conservation. Between 2010 and 2019, we conducted systematic visual surveys of sea slugs (Mollusca: Heterobranchia) within the PNMMBT, documenting 8289 individuals representing 98 species: 76 Nudibranchia, 10 Sacoglossa, 5 Aplysiida, 3 Pleurobranchida, 2 Umbraculida, 1 Runcinida, and 1 Cephalaspidea. Temporal, spatial, and bathymetric distribution analyses revealed a steady increase in species richness over time, suggesting the MPA’s ecosystems appear to remain in relatively good condition. To further refine our assessment, we incorporated citizen science records from the MINKA platform, expanding the documented diversity to 141 species including 99 Nudibranchia, 12 Sacoglossa, 5 Aplysiida, 6 Pleurobranchida, 2 Umbraculida, 4 Runcinida, 10 Cephalaspidea, 1 Acteonimorpha, 1 Pteropoda, and 1 Ringiculimorpha. This integrated approach highlights the value and complementarity of structured scientific surveys and community-contributed data in biodiversity monitoring. Citizen science fosters public engagement in research and provides scalable, cost-effective data that would otherwise be logistically unfeasible to obtain. By bridging these methodologies, we demonstrate how participatory science enhances the detection of species distributions, tracks ecological shifts, and bolsters conservation strategies in the current era of global biodiversity decline. Full article

The Costa Brava, a Mediterranean coastal strip spanning ca. 250 km (in NE Spain), is a hotspot of plant invasions. To address this issue, the LIFE medCLIFFS project was launched to improve the management of invasive species along sea cliffs in the region. The initial phase of the project involved designing more than 100 transects distributed across the coastline, each 1 km in length, which were to be monitored by volunteers. During the fieldwork for transect design, we identified a total of 126 alien species. This is a substantial number, considering that the observations were confined to the transect areas. Notably, among the 126 observed taxa, 24 represented floristic novelties: 7 were new to the Costa Brava, 7 to the province of Girona, 4 to Catalonia, 1 to Spain, 1 to the Iberian Peninsula, and 4 to Europe. Additionally, we provide information on other alien taxa that, although not novel for the study area, could be significant for control and management efforts. These observations provide a foundation for compiling a comprehensive catalog of the alien flora of the Costa Brava. Full article

The malacological faunae of two algal habitats with different lighting conditions—a sciophilous wall and a photophilous one—both located in Tossa de Mar (Costa Brava, Girona, NE Spain), have been studied to examine the differences in the malacological communities, their distribution over time, and the role played by micromollusks in these algal habitats. Every two months, for a year, samples were collected via scuba diving and scraping standardized surfaces (20 × 20 cm) of the algal communities. In the laboratory, the samples were washed and filtered using two metal sieves (2 mm for coarse fraction and 513 µm for fine fraction). Mollusks were separated, identified, and later analyzed statistically to assess biodiversity indices and sample grouping. A total of 7913 mollusk specimens from 148 species (112 Gastropoda; 32 Bivalvia and 4 Polyplacophora) were identified across all samples, with 1669 specimens (84 species) from the sciophilous algae and 6244 specimens (133 species) from the photophilous algae. Moreover, 10 species accounted for 76.27% of the total abundance, with each species represented by over 100 specimens in the total samples. The gastropod Bittium latreillii was the most abundant species, with 2106 specimens recorded. Regarding the two fractions, 337 specimens (69 species) were found in the coarse fraction, while 7576 specimens (111 species) were found in the fine fraction. Significant differences were obtained between samples with respect to time, habitat type, and size fraction. The Shannon–Wiener biodiversity index values indicated differences between the two communities over time, as well as variations in biodiversity, with the photophilous community exhibiting higher values. It was demonstrated that algal thalli provide a highly suitable substrate for juvenile forms and micromollusks. Our findings, combined with the literature and various online citations, establish Tossa de Mar as the town on the Catalan coast with the best-documented malacological fauna. Full article

Swimming pools are key assets in the hotel industry. With climate change and water stress, more sustainable pools are needed in tourist areas. The study examines the relationship between hotel categories and the consumption of water in swimming pools in a Mediterranean coastal region facing water scarcity. The study focuses on the Costa Brava, with a focus on Lloret de Mar, a popular tourist destination. The research employs a combination of data analysis and the utilisation of evaporation models in order to estimate the consumption of water by swimming pools. The findings indicate that hotels in the higher categories, particularly those with three or four stars, contribute a notable proportion of the total water consumption due to their larger pool sizes and higher guest numbers. The study underscores the necessity for the implementation of sustainable water management strategies, particularly in the context of climate change. It recommends the utilisation of pool water-saving technologies as potential solutions. Furthermore, the paper highlights the broader environmental impact of tourism infrastructure on water resources and suggests policy measures to mitigate these effects. The research aligns with global sustainability goals such as the European Green Deal and the 2030 Agenda. Full article

Research on analogical reasoning has facilitated the understanding of response processes such as pattern identification and creative problem solving, emerging as an intelligence predictor. While analogical tests traditionally combine various composition rules for item generation, current statistical models like the Logistic Latent Trait Model (LLTM) and Embretson’s Multicomponent Latent Trait Model for Diagnosis (MLTM-D) face limitations in handling the inherent complexity of these processes, resulting in suboptimal model fit and interpretation. The primary aim of this research was to extend Embretson’s MLTM-D to encompass complex multidimensional models that allow the estimation of item parameters. Concretely, we developed a three-parameter (3PL) version of the MLTM-D that provides more informative interpretations of participant response processes. We developed the Generalized Multicomponent Latent Trait Model for Diagnosis (GMLTM-D), which is a statistical model that extends Embretson’s multicomponent model to explore complex analogical theories. The GMLTM-D was compared with LLTM and MLTM-D using data from a previous study of a figural analogical reasoning test composed of 27 items based on five composition rules: figure rotation, trapezoidal rotation, reflection, segment subtraction, and point movement. Additionally, we provide an R package (GMLTM) for conducting Bayesian estimation of the models mentioned. The GMLTM-D more accurately replicated the observed data compared to the Bayesian versions of LLTM and MLTM-D, demonstrating a better model fit and superior predictive accuracy. Therefore, the GMLTM-D is a reliable model for analyzing analogical reasoning data and calibrating intelligence tests. The GMLTM-D embraces the complexity of real data and enhances the understanding of examinees’ response processes. Full article

The aim of this research is to propose a more sustainable swimming pool, in terms of water and energy, in the Costa Brava area. The methodology is focused on the creation of a descriptive water and energy model for swimming pools and their monitoring, to propose the transition to a more sustainable swimming pool, in the context of climate change. The research is characterized by an exploratory, descriptive, and simulation approach to adapt swimming pools to the new requirements. Two significant impacts are highlighted from the perspective of water and energy stress—the carbon footprint, related to environmental impact and climate change, and the new business models of the sector, for a more sustainable tourism, with more sustainable pools. In terms of water balance, evaporation is an important variable and there are technical solutions on the market to control it, such as the use of covers. Furthermore, the modeling and simulation carried out helps to calculate the variable as a tool for improvement. For energy balance, in outdoor pools, pumping is an important variable and there are technologies, such as speed variation, that make it possible to reduce this. Furthermore, it should be noted that this research represents an important tool for the improvement of sustainability and operability for the various stakeholders, especially owners and governments, to face climate change, which is becoming increasingly critical for many regions. Full article

The pandemic has accelerated the search for innovative product/process/service solutions in city markets as well as the search for “open innovation challenges” more in line with current needs. The aim of the research is to understand the adaptation mechanisms of the local food system and, in particular, of the public space of the market system. The article analyses the change produced by the COVID-19 pandemic in the municipal markets of Sant Feliu de Guixols, Costa Brava, Spain. The data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire administered to food sellers and contextually to a group of consumers. Factor analysis and the AGIL model were applied to the data collected and were confirmed with cluster analysis. The analysis highlights that the resilience of sellers is no longer sufficient and in many cases, they have equipped themselves with innovative solutions to meet the new customer demands arising from the pandemic (food delivery, e-commerce, take-away food, digital media, etc.). The document concludes with a discussion of food markets and innovations introduced in this period. Further studies can focus on the relationships between food practices and the transformation of urban spaces so that the food market can support new social practices that promote the food transition. The change would represent a switch which would provide traditionally less powerful actors, such as producers, the opportunity to reformulate the food supply chain in a way more linked to the territory. It would also create a resilient dimension for managing other possible food crises and present a challenge to achieving the ultimate goals of the businesses. Full article

This paper introduces a geoethical dilemma in the coastal zone of the Tordera Delta as a case study with the objective of showing the contribution of geoethics to the governance of coastal social-ecological systems. The Tordera Delta, located in Costa Brava, Catalonia, constitutes a social-ecological system that suffers from intense anthropization mainly due to tourist pressures causing a cascade of different environmental problems impacting the Delta functions. The massive sun and beach tourism brought human well-being and economic development to the region, but has caused an intense urbanization of the coastline that altered the coastal dynamics, eroded its beaches, and degraded many ecosystem services, a process that is being worsened today by the climate change events such as the rising sea level or the magnitude of the storms (“llevantades”), typical of the Western Mediterranean coast. Posing the problem of governance in terms of a geoethical dilemma enables discerning among the values connected to the intrinsic meaning of coastal landscapes and the instrumental values that see beaches as goods (commodities) for tourism uses. Finally, the paper reflects on options to overcome this dichotomy of values by considering meaning values as elements that forge cultural identities, contributing to highlighting this societal challenge in the Tordera Delta area, as a case study that can be useful for similar ecosystems. Full article

In 2015, the town of El Port de la Selva in Spain implemented soil-aquifer treatment (SAT) using tertiary treated wastewater effluents to replenish the local potable aquifer. This study evaluated the initial phase of this indirect potable water reuse system including a characterization of hydraulic conditions in the aquifer and monitoring of microbial contaminants and 151 chemicals of emerging concern (CECs). The combined treatment resulted in very low abundances of indicator bacteria, enteric viruses and phages in the monitoring wells after three days of infiltration and a reduction of antibiotic microbial resistance to background levels of local groundwater. After tertiary treatment, 94 CECs were detected in the infiltration basin of which 15 chemicals exceeded drinking water thresholds or health-based monitoring trigger levels. Although SAT provided an effective barrier for many chemicals, 5 CECs were detected above health-based threshold levels in monitoring wells after short hydraulic retention times. However, additional attenuation is expected due to dilution prior to abstraction via downstream drinking water wells and during granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration, which was recently installed to mitigate residual CECs. Overall, the results demonstrate that indirect potable water reuse can be a reliable option for smaller communities, if related risks from microbial and chemical contaminants are adequately addressed by tertiary treatment and subsequent SAT, providing sufficient hydraulic retention times for pathogen decay and CEC removal. Full article

A large number of services have been privatized in recent decades, leaving less responsibility for public administration management. This trend has resulted in an intense debate on which services should be guaranteed and the equity and efficiency criteria that should be applied in their provision. The move to privatize the potable water supply in one of the main international tourist destinations—the Costa Brava (Spain)—can be included within this context. Our aim is to identify and characterize the main water governance systems on the Costa Brava in order to explore the different forms of water supply governance. To this end, an analysis has been carried out to explain the different interrelations between the expansion of tourism and the management of water supply infrastructures. The insufficient technical and financial resources of local and regional governments encourage the entry of private initiatives. In this process, we must also take into account the consolidation of a larger customer market linked to tourism development. Our main conclusion is that water governance models in coastal tourist destinations such as these are determined not only by territorial needs and the lack of technical capacity, but also by the emergence of business opportunities in the private sector. Full article

Fusarium culmorum is a soil-borne fungus able to cause Fusarium head blight, one of the most important cereal diseases worldwide, which can result in significant yield losses of up to 50% and which jeopardizes food and feed safety due to the mycotoxins produced. In the study presented herein, the enhancement of the antifungal activity against this pathogen, resulting from the addition of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to different polyphenol-stevioside inclusion compounds, dispersed either in a chitosan oligomers hydroalcoholic solution or in a choline chloride:urea:glycerol deep eutectic solvent, was investigated in vitro. The polyphenols assayed were curcumin, ferulic acid, gallic acid and silymarin. Four composite concentrations (62.5, 125, 250 and 500 µg·mL⁻¹), with and without AgNPs, were assessed, finding noticeable differences in mycelial growth inhibition, with EC₅₀ and EC₉₀ values ranging from 118 to 579 µg·mL⁻¹ and from 333 to 2604 µg·mL⁻¹, respectively. The obtained results evidenced the improved efficacy of the composites with AgNPs, a superior performance of the composites based on curcumin and ferulic acid, and the advantages of the deep eutectic solvent-based dispersion medium over the chitosan oligomers-based one. The reported composites hold promise for crop protection applications. Full article

Phytophthora cinnamomi, responsible for “root rot” or “dieback” plant disease, causes a significant amount of economic and environmental impact. In this work, the fungicide action of nanocomposites based on silver nanoparticles and polyphenol inclusion compounds, which feature enhanced bioavailability and water solubility, was assayed for the control of this soil-borne water mold. Inclusion compounds were prepared by an aqueous two-phase system separation method through extraction, either in an hydroalcoholic solution with chitosan oligomers (COS) or in a choline chloride:urea:glycerol deep eutectic solvent (DES). The new inclusion compounds were synthesized from stevioside and various polyphenols (gallic acid, silymarin, ferulic acid and curcumin), in a [6:1] ratio in the COS medium and in a [3:1] ratio in the DES medium, respectively. Their in vitro response against Phytophthora cinnamomi isolate MYC43 (at concentrations of 125, 250 and 500 µg·mL⁻¹) was tested, which found a significant mycelial growth inhibition, particularly high for the composites prepared using DES. Therefore, these nanocomposites hold promise as an alternative to fosetyl-Al and metalaxyl conventional systemic fungicides. Full article

The aim of this study was to investigate guest profiles at a hotel that has created a best-practices water management model to determine how different types of guests contribute to saving water during their stay. To do this, we analyzed levels of environmental awareness and pro-environmental behavior among the guests. Information was gathered through 648 structured surveys with guests at Hotel Samba in the Spanish seaside resort of Lloret de Mar between September 2015 and August 2016. Cluster analysis revealed four profiles of guests with different sociodemographic characteristics and different levels of awareness and proactivity in relation to water conservation. We combined our findings to develop a framework that illustrates how the two dimensions of environmental awareness and pro-environmental behavior are related in this setting. This article provides new insights into how hotel guests’ environmental awareness and engagement can influence a hotel’s water-saving efforts. These insights should help hotel operators to devise new, guest-centered strategies for saving water. Full article