Northwest Spain Research Articles

Immune checkpoint inhibitors in digestive tumors with mismatch repair deficiency or microsatellite instability (dMMR/MSI-H): Effectiveness, safety, and prognostic factors in real-world practice.

202 Background: ICIs have shown durable responses in dMMR/MSI-H digestive tumors in phase II-III clinical trials. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy, safety and prognostic factors in the context of real-world practice. Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter observational study of patients with dMMR/MSI-H digestive tumors treated with ICIs in routine clinical practice across seven university hospitals in northwest Spain. We analyzed clinicopathological characteristics, treatment response data, efficacy, and adverse events. Results: A total of 122 patients treated with ICIs between November 2015 and February 2024 were included. The median age was 70.4 years (range 29-89), and 52.4% were male. The most frequent origin was colorectal (54.9%; 67.2% located in the right colon and 37.3% BRAF V600mt), followed by gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (34.4%). 16.4% had >3 metastatic sites (including 30.3% liver metastases and 44.3% peritoneal metastases). Baseline performance status (ECOG PS) was 0/1/2 in 21.7%/58.7%/19.8%, respectively. 39.3% had received one prior line of treatment. 92.6% received pembrolizumab monotherapy. The objective response rate (ORR) was 77.7% (including 31.3% complete response, 46.4% partial response, 13.4% stable disease, and 8.9% progressive disease), and the disease control rate (DCR) was 90.1%. Median overall survival (OS) was 53.2 months (95% CI: 42.6 – 63.7 months), and progression-free survival (PFS) was 46 months (95% CI: 30.6 – 61.4 months). The most common grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events included nephritis (4.0%), hepatitis (3.3%), asthenia (2.5%), and pneumonitis (1.6%). 81.1% of patients discontinued treatment (including 24.6% due to progression, 21.3% after completing 2 years of treatment, and 14.8% due to toxicity). Potential prognostic factors identified in univariate analysis included ECOG PS, primary tumor resection, number of metastatic sites, and best treatment response. In multivariate analysis, a significant association was confirmed between ECOG PS, the presence of liver metastases, and best response to treatment with ICIs and overall survival. Conclusions: Our series confirms the efficacy and safety of ICIs in dMMR/MSI-H digestive tumors in routine clinical practice. The identified prognostic factors may be useful for identifying patients who could benefit the most from ICI treatment.

Calibration of GEDI footprint aboveground biomass models in Mediterranean forests with NFI plots: A comparison of approaches.

Observations from the NASA Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) provide global information on forest structure and biomass. Footprint-level predictions of aboveground biomass density (AGBD) in the GEDI mission are based on training data sourced from sparsely distributed field plots coincident with airborne laser scanning surveys. National Forest Inventories (NFI) are rarely used to calibrate GEDI footprint biomass models because their sampling and positional accuracy prevent accurate colocation with GEDI or ALS. This omission can limit the harmonization of jurisdictional biomass estimates from NFI's and GEDI; however, there are methods available to improve the colocation of NFI plots with GEDI footprints. Focusing on Mediterranean forests in Spain, we compared different approaches to the collocation of NFI and GEDI data: (i) simulated waveforms from ALS; (ii) nearest-neighbor on-orbit GEDI waveforms; and (iii) imputed GEDI waveforms imputed to NFI plot locations using a novel geostatistical method. These methods are potential solutions to improve the local performance of biomass models and address potential local systematic deviations between GEDI and NFI estimates. We assess the advantages and limitations of these methods to locally calibrate GEDI biomass models and quantify the impact of geolocation errors in reference NFI plot data. The new biomass models from each method were used to predict footprint level AGBD, which were then gridded for a province in the North-West of Spain. It was found that the imputation approach is not sensitive to common errors in NFI plot geolocation, but it can outperform ALS-based simulation in some cases, highlighting the benefit of information from multiple GEDI footprints proximate to NFI plots for improving biomass predictions. This research provides users with benchmark of available techniques to locally-calibrate GEDI footprint biomass models.

Effectiveness of a co-management program with internal medicine on hip fracture patients at a regional hospital in northwest Spain. Co-inter-Monf study.

Hip fractures represent a serious public health problem with a high burden of mortality, morbidity, and resource use. Co-management has proven to enhance the clinical outcomes of hip fracture patients hospitalized in various settings. This study aims to evaluate whether the previously observed benefits of co-management can be achieved when such a program is implemented in a rural-based district hospital. A prospective, single-center observational study was conducted on hip fracture patients hospitalized for hip fracture. Patients were either co-managed by an internal medicine specialist with part-time dedication or not co-managed. The study was conducted in a rural hospital located in Galicia, Northwestern Spain, which serves a population of 45,000. A total of 207 patients were included in the study, of whom 97 received co-management. The majority of the patients who were co-managed were female (69.1%) and had a median age of 88years (interquartile range 83-92). The study showed a high burden of comorbidity with a median Charlson index of 6 points, along with high prevalence rates of dementia (46%), functional disability (50%), and chronic anticoagulant therapy (25%). Despite no differences in age, sex, or preadmission cognitive or functional status, the study found lower 30-day postdischarge mortality in co-managed patients (9.3%) compared with the 110 controls (20.0%, p = 0.049). The prevalence of osteoporosis treatment, both calcium/vitamin D (87.8% vs. 60.7%, p < 0.001) and bisphosphonates/denosumab/teriparatide (42.4% vs. 15.7%, p < 0.001), was higher in the co-managed patients at 30days after discharge. No differences were observed between the two groups in terms of in-hospital mortality and length of stay. The implementation of internal medicine co-management for hip fracture patients resulted in enhanced outcomes, particularly in the reduction of mortality within 30days of discharge as well as in the prevalence of osteoporosis treatment.

P1113 Efficacy and safety of Darvadstrocel (allogeneic stem cell therapy) at 6 and 12 months in refractory complex perianal fistulas in Crohn’s disease. Real clinical practice in the Northwest of Spain

P1113 Efficacy and safety of Darvadstrocel (allogeneic stem cell therapy) at 6 and 12 months in refractory complex perianal fistulas in Crohn’s disease. Real clinical practice in the Northwest of Spain

The Design and Application of a Regional Management Model to Set Up Wind Farms and the Adaptation to Climate Change Effects—Case of La Coruña (Galicia, Northwest of Spain)

The implantation of wind farms in the European territory is being deployed at an accelerated pace. In the proposed framework, the province of La Coruña in the autonomous community of Galicia is tested, with a wide deployment of this type of infrastructure in the territory initiated in the 80s, representing the third autonomous community with the largest exploitation of wind resources, which provides sufficient information, extrapolated to the entire community, to demonstrate the practical usefulness and potential of the method of obtaining the territorial model proposed in this article The regional has been used as the basic administrative subunit of the study variables, considering that the territory thus delimited could have common physical and cultural characteristics. The methodology presented in this article involves the collection and processing of public cartographic data on various factors most repeatedly or agreed upon in the consulted bibliography based on studies by experts in the technical, environmental, and environmental areas, including explanatory variables of risk in a broader context of climate change as the first contribution of this study. Another contribution is the inclusion in the model of the synergistic impact measured as the distance to wind farms in operation (21% of the total area of the sample) to which an area of influence of 4 times the rotor diameter of each of the wind turbines im-planted has been added as a legal and physical restriction. On a solid basis of selection of explanatory variables and with the help of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and multi-criteria analysis (MCDM), techniques widely documented in the existing literature for the determination of optimal areas for the implementation of this type of infrastructure, a methodological proposal is presented for the development of a strategic, long-term territorial model, for the prioritization of acceptable areas for the implementation of wind farms, including forecasts of increased energy demand due to the effect of climate change and the population dynamics of the study region that may influence energy consumption. This article focuses on the use of multivariate clustering techniques and spatial analysis to identify priority areas for long-term sustainable wind energy projects. With the proposed strategic territorial model, it has been possible to demonstrate that it is not only capable of discriminating between three categories of acceptable areas for the implementation of wind farms, taking into account population and climate change forecasts, but also that it also locates areas that could require conservationist measures to protect new spaces or to recover the soil because they present high levels of risk due to natural or anthropic disasters considered. The results show acceptable areas for wind energy implementation, 23% of the total area of the sample, 3% conservation as ecological spaces to be preserved, and 7% recovery due to high-risk rates. The findings show that coastal regions generally show a more positive carrying capacity, likely due to less dense development or regulatory measures protecting these areas. In contrast, certain inland regions show more negative values, suggesting these areas might be experiencing higher ecological disturbance from construction activities. This information highlights the importance of strategic site analysis to balance energy production with conservation needs. The study provides insights into wind farm deployment that considers the visual and ecological characteristics of the landscape, promoting sustainability and community acceptance. For this reason, these insights can be effectively used for advancing renewable energy infrastructures within the European Union’s energy transition goals, particularly under the climate and energy objectives set for 2030.

Microbial keratitis in north-western Spain: a review of risk factors, microbiological profile and resistance patterns.

To review the risk factors, clinical characteristics, and microbiological profiles of microbial keratitis cases, as well as the antibiotic resistance patterns of bacterial isolates in the region of Galicia, Spain. This retrospective case series includes patients with culture-positive non-viral microbial keratitis between 2010 and 2020, treated at nine hospitals within the region of Galicia, North-West Spain. The standard protocol involved Gram staining for bacterial infections and calcofluor white staining for fungal or amoebal infections, identification by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry or microscopy, and antimicrobial susceptibility interpreted according to EUCAST or CLSI guidelines. 780 microorganisms were isolated from corneal scraping cultures from 654 patients. 36.9% resided in urban areas, and 63.1% in rural areas. Isolates were more frequently collected in spring and summer. The median time to corneal scraping was 0 days (IQR 0-2), and the median time to epithelialisation was 24.0 days (IQR 11-49). Most cases had a single corneal infiltrate (509 cases; 77.8%) and affected the stroma (432; 66.1%), with small (< 3mm) epithelial defects (347; 53.1%). Significant risk factors included contact lens wear (24.2%) and exposure to organic matter (4.9%). The most frequent bacteria was CoNS (207; 26.4). Fungi (77; 9.9%) and amoebae (6; 0.8%) were less common. Steroid use and eyelid disease increased resistance in CoNS species. An increase in the percentage of MRSA (compared to MSSA) was detected over the study period (p = 0.045). In Galicia (Spain), microbial keratitis was mostly attributed to CoNS. An increase in MRSA keratitis was observed. Analysis of risk factors may help in suspecting antibiotic resistance. Surveillance programs for detecting the development of antimicrobial resistance are necessary to provide treatment guidelines based on local data.

Problematic Use of Video Games in Schooled Adolescents: The Role of Passion.

The present study aims to determine the predictive value of sociodemographic, academic, educational clinical psychological variables-ADHD diagnosis, emotional self-regulation, passion and emotional and behavioural symptoms-and modality of use of video games in adolescents who either make potentially problematic or severely problematic use of video games. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study in which 2.533 Galician students (region located in the northwest of Spain) aged between 11 and 20 years participated, who were selected through multistage random sampling. The mean age was 14.78 years (SD = 1.76). The analysis of the data seems to indicate that in the prediction of the problematic use of video games, different variables are combined, among which passion plays a capital role. In addition, the problematic use of video games is related to poor parental control, poor academic performance, use of addictive substances or to an earlier onset, as well as with the diagnosis of ADHD and with greater negative emotional and behavioural symptoms. The results of this study may be of interest for the design and implementation of preventive and corrective actions aimed at reducing the problematic or addictive use of video games.

Anisakis spp. as indicators of latitudinal movements of short‐finned pilot whales, Globicephala macrorhynchus, in the Northeast Atlantic

AbstractIn the Northeast Atlantic, it is unclear whether short‐finned pilot whales, Globicephala macrorhynchus (SFPWs), are transient or resident above 40°N. We used Anisakis spp. to identify the latitudes recently visited by a SFPW pod stranded in NW Spain (43°N) in 2020. Analysis of cox2 gene in 30 nematodes from 6 SFPWs revealed the presence of A. simplex sensu stricto (s.s.) (93.3%) and A. pegreffii (6.7%). Morphological analysis of 972 nematodes corroborated species molecular identification and relative proportions; in males (n = 66), the estimated proportions of A. simplex s.s. and A. pegreffii were 86.4% and 13.6%, respectively. These percentages resembled those reported in fish/cetaceans above 40°N, and L4 larvae or adults of A. typica (a tropical‐temperate species found in SFPWs up to 38°N–39°N) were not detected. Population structure of A. simplex s.s. + A. pegreffii in SFPWs suggested a continuous recruitment of nematodes starting at least 3 weeks before stranding. We interpret that either the SFPW pod was within the range of the species (perhaps as a recent northern shift) or represented a vagrant group that visited waters off Northwest Spain for a protracted period. Future analysis on nematode assemblages could shed light on movements and climate‐driven shifts in cetacean distribution.

Myths and Realities of Rural Schools. The Voice of Families and Teachers

Introduction. By invoking Shakespeare’s famous query, ‘to be or not to be, that is the question,’ this study examines rural schools by exploring the beliefs and myths surrounding them and contrasting these perceptions with the realities of daily life in 6 unitary rural schools located in the northwest of Spain. Aims. This study aims to listen to and shed light on the perspectives and feelings of families and teachers in rural schools with multi-grade classrooms. Method. Using a multiple case study design and triangulating qualitative instruments (photovoice, incomplete sentence prompts, and observation), we analyzed the evaluations and experiences of 76 families and 18 teachers concerning the context, the educational practice, and the internal sphere of rural schools. The data were processed through content analysis using ATLAS.ti 22 software, resulting in the identification of 8 categories and 3 dimensions: space and resources, coexistence, teaching and learning in rural schools. Results. The findings reveal several myths and idealizations held by teachers and families regarding the following aspects: the natural rural environment; facilities, infrastructures, resources, and services; coexistence; individualisation, multi-grade classrooms, and academic performance in rural schools. Conclusions. The study concluded that some of these myths do not align with the actual conditions of the studied environment. Rural schools can offer authentic, high-quality learning experiences on equal terms with other educational institutions, dependent on the mediation of the teaching teams that work in them. The study allows for reflection and provides information not only to visibility of rural schools and empower them but also to make decisions enable their educational improvement.

The strength of migration and stay aspirations: understanding harmonious, conflicting and indeterminate aspirations

Studies on migration aspirations have provided fresh perspectives for two decades by focusing on the changing nature of aspirations, the aspirations-cap/abilities nexus, and by offering a counterpoint through the ‘aspirations to stay’. Building from these, this article proposes a model to explain the intensity and strength of (im)mobility aspirations, given that these can be strong and specific but also weak, mild, conditional, and even conflicting. To do so, I focus on the preferences to migrate or to stay by examining how the two dimensions of (im)mobility – the intrinsic and the instrumental – interact. I study the different emotions and thoughts attached to (im)mobility, how life and migration aspirations are intertwined, and the ways in which migration and stay aspirations can co-exist. In doing so, I differentiate between three ideal-type strengths of aspirations: harmonious, conflicting, and indeterminate aspirations. Harmonious aspirations capture strong convictions about what is more convenient: staying or migrating. Conflicting aspirations stress that both migration and stay aspirations can be concurrently present and equally strong. Indeterminate aspirations represent uncertainty or indifference about where to be. With this focus, the paper provides a simple approach to orient research beyond ideal-type categories by incorporating complex, often contradictory emotions. The paper draws on 37 qualitative interviews in two former mining regions in North-West Spain to advance theorization on migration aspirations and decision-making and to question if the division between migration and stay aspirations is clear-cut.

Spatial and interindustry interactions in labour productivity convergence: An Industrial Journey via Galician Shires, 2010–2018

Regions and industries are not isolated islands; so, when evaluating productivity growth, regional and sectoral growth paths should not be expected to generate independently. Moreover, accounting for spatial interactions via econometric models has become normal practice; but modelling interindustry dependencies has not. Thus, we expand labour productivity econometric convergence models by introducing interindustry spillovers in addition to spillovers that are spatial in nature. To illustrate our findings, we present an empirical application predicated upon Galicia (extreme northwest Spain), a region posing major challenges to such modelling. Our results point to the relevance of interindustry spillovers in explaining productivity growth. Furthermore, the approach allows us to better interpret covariates that explain the different growth paths across regions and industries, thus enabling more reliable policy recommendations. We find that interindustry dependencies transmit productivity shocks across regions. In addition, our results suggest that spatial and interindustry dependencies should be considered when formulating (sub)regional economic development policies. Finally, our approach corrects possible misspecification problems that arise from data scarcity. This makes it a viable alternative for multiregional econometric tests in which some sectoral detail is needed. It is particularly useful for sets of regions where data needed to populate such models is scarce.

ОСОБЛИВОСТІ СУЧАСНОЇ РЕГІОНАЛЬНОЇ ПОЛІТИКИ РЕГІОНУ ГАЛІСІЯ, ІСПАНІЯ

Galicia, an autonomous region in northwest Spain, has been actively shaping its regional development policies in recent years. This article examines the key features of Galicia’s modern regional policy, focusing on the region’s autono- my, EU influence, regional competitiveness, housing policies, and governance. The study is based on an analysis of relevant literature, policy documents, and statistical data. The findings indicate that Galicia’s regional policy is characte- rized by a high degree of autonomy, with the regional government (Xunta de Galicia) having significant decision-making power in areas such as education, health, and social services. The region’s policies are also heavily influenced by EU funding and initiatives, particularly the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which has supported projects related to innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable development. Galicia’s regional development strategies prioritize enhancing competitiveness through smart specialization, with a focus on innovative management of natural and cultural resources, healthy lifestyles, and industrial diversification. The region has also implemented housing poli- cies aimed at providing affordable housing and preventing foreclosures. The article also discusses the challenges facing Galicia, such as demographic de- cline, uneven development within the region, and the need to address climate change. Despite these challenges, Galicia has significant potential for future growth, driven by its natural resources, cultural heritage, and human capital. The study concludes that Galicia’s regional policy is a dynamic and evolving process, shaped by the interplay of local, national, and European factors. The region’s ability to adapt and innovate will be crucial in addressing the chal- lenges of the 21st century and ensuring sustainable and equitable development for all its citizens.

Farmland Abandonment and Afforestation—Socioeconomic and Biophysical Patterns of Land Use Change at the Municipal Level in Galicia, Northwest Spain

Farmland Abandonment and Afforestation—Socioeconomic and Biophysical Patterns of Land Use Change at the Municipal Level in Galicia, Northwest Spain

Streamflow forecasting with deep learning models: A side-by-side comparison in Northwest Spain

Accurate hourly streamflow prediction is crucial for managing water resources, particularly in smaller basins with short response times. This study evaluates six deep learning (DL) models, including Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), and their hybrids (CNN-LSTM, CNN-GRU, CNN-Recurrent Neural Network (RNN)), across two basins in Northwest Spain over a ten-year period. Findings reveal that GRU models excel, achieving Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) scores of approximately 0.96 and 0.98 for the Groba and Anllóns catchments, respectively, at 1-hour lead times. Hybrid models did not enhance performance, which declines at longer lead times due to basin-specific characteristics such as area and slope, particularly in smaller basins where NSE dropped from 0.969 to 0.24. The inclusion of future rainfall data in the input sequences has improved the results, especially for longer lead times from 0.24 to 0.70 in the Groba basin and from 0.81 to 0.92 in the Anllóns basin for a 12-hour lead time. This research provides a foundation for future exploration of DL in streamflow forecasting, in which other data sources and model structures can be utilized.

Management Strategies for Early Blight in Potatoes: Assessment of the TOMCAST Model, Including the Aerobiological Risk Level and Critical Phenological Period

The use of pesticides is an efficient approach for pest management. However, their increasing application in recent decades has come under the spotlight of world policies. In this context, this study addresses the usefulness of a forecasting model (TOMCAST) combined with aerobiological information and a plant development model (physiological days, PDays) for the control of early blight in potatoes in Northwest Spain. Control plots were compared to treated plots, according to the original TOMCAST model and the daily Alternaria spp. concentration, meteorological factors, and phenological and epidemiological observations were monitored for better adjustment of the TOMCAST model to the weather conditions of the geographical area during three crop seasons. The results of the linear regression analysis showed a strong relationship between the parameters included in TOMCAST (leaf wetness and temperature) and the Alternaria spp. conidia concentration. In addition, an unbalanced pattern of trapped conidia was detected throughout the growing season, with an increase near the flowering stage. The epidemiological parameters (infection period, r-AUDPC, maximum severity value, and total and commercial yields) showed significant differences between the cultivars in the control and the TOMCAST plots in terms of r-AUDPC and the maximum severity value. Given the study’s results, the original TOMCAST model was improved with aerobiological and phenological information. The improved model recommends a first spray on a day when the following three requirements are met: Ten accumulated disease severity values (DSVs) according to the TOMCAST model, two days with an aerobiological level greater than 10 conidia/m3, and a PDays value greater than 200. This will reduce the number of fungicide treatments used to control early blight in potato crops, promoting the principles of sustainable agriculture.

Detecting Gaps in Knowledge: The Case of the Anisakis in Northwestern Spain

In the marine environment, fish parasites are present in most seafood species. The most common are nematodes of the genus Anisakis, which can parasitize human tissues, causing anisakiasis and allergies—in some cases with a strong reaction, such as anaphylactic shock. This happens when people ingest live or dead larvae present in the muscles or viscera of a wide range of fish and cephalopods. Consumer education has been positioned as one of the most effective alternatives for its prevention. This study, carried out in Asturias (northwest Spain), sought to identify the seafood products that present the greatest risk of anisakiasis for consumers, taking into account their consumption, the prevalence of Anisakis, and consumer knowledge about this parasitosis. In the results, hake (Merluccius merluccius) and cod (Gadus morhua), frequently consumed in the region and with high parasite prevalence, do not pose a great risk because they are consumed when well cooked. Instead, sardine (Sardina pilchardus), highly consumed and less parasitized, and anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), highly parasitized and less consumed, would exhibit a medium risk. Young participants know more about the risks of anisakiasis from raw seafood. The gaps detected in the knowledge about the ability of temperature treatments to eliminate parasites, especially in allergic people, must be addressed for better prevention. We suggest campaigns adapted to the population sectors.

Unlocking rivers' hidden diversity and ecological status using DNA metabarcoding in Northwest Spain.

Rivers are crucial ecosystems supporting biodiversity and human well-being, yet they face increasing degradation globally. Traditional river biomonitoring methods based on morphological identification of macroinvertebrates present challenges in terms of taxonomic resolution and scalability. This study explores the application of DNA metabarcoding analysis in both bulk and environmental DNA (eDNA) samples for comprehensive assessment of macrozoobenthic biodiversity, detection of invasive and endangered species, and evaluation of river ecological status in northwestern Spain. DNA metabarcoding of homogenized bulk samples and water eDNA revealed a mean of 100 and 87 macrozoobenthos species per sample respectively. However, the specific composition was significantly different with only 27.3% of the total species being shared. It was not possible to identify all the OTUs to species level; only 17.43% and 49.4% of the OTUs generated could be identified to species level in the bulk and eDNA samples, respectively. Additionally, a total of 11 exotic species (two first records for the Iberian Peninsula and another three first records for Asturias region) and one endangered species were detected by molecular tools. Molecular methods showed significant correlations with morphological identification for EQR values (Ecological Quality Ratio) of IBMWP index, yet differences in inferred river ecological status were noted, with bulk samples tending to indicate higher status. Overall, DNA metabarcoding offers a promising approach for river biomonitoring, providing insights into biodiversity, invasive species, and ecological status within a single analysis. Further optimization and intercalibration are required for its implementation in routine biomonitoring programmes, but its scalability and multi-tasking capabilities position it as a valuable tool for integrated monitoring of river ecosystems.

Fishing Eco-Efficiency of Ports in Northwest Spain

Fishing is an essential economic activity and source of livelihood for millions of people worldwide. However, overfishing and unsustainable practices have led to a decline in fish populations and the degradation of marine ecosystems. Moreover, fishing activities can contribute to climate change through the emission of greenhouse gases (e.g., carbon dioxide and methane) from fishing vessels and seafood transportation. To mitigate the environmental impacts of fishing activities, sustainable fishing practices must be implemented to minimize the negative impacts of fishing on the environment while maintaining the productivity and diversity of fish populations and ecosystems. These practices include using selective fishing gear, avoiding fishing in vulnerable habitats, implementing fishery management plans, and reducing the carbon footprint of the fishing industry. To this end, and as a first step in defining efficient and effective measures towards the sustainability of capture fishing activity, an analysis of the environmental sustainability of the Galician fishing sector, one of the main European regions in this field, is presented in this work. An ecosystem-based indicator (ecological footprint, calculated by adding the so-called fishing ground footprint and the carbon footprint) was employed to quantify the main impacts of capture fishing during extractive activity. The catch composition and fuel consumption of the fleet based on the vessels’ power, and economic benefits, were the parameters used in this analysis. The results showed that ports with larger vessels and fleets seem to be more eco-efficient than those concentrating smaller vessels in targeting lower trophic level species.

Dispersal history of SARS-CoV-2 in Galicia, Spain.

The dynamics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission are influenced by a variety of factors, including social restrictions and the emergence of distinct variants. In this study, we delve into the origins and dissemination of the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron-BA.1 variants of concern in Galicia, northwest Spain. For this, we leveraged genomic data collected by the EPICOVIGAL Consortium and from the GISAID database, along with mobility information from other Spanish regions and foreign countries. Our analysis indicates that initial introductions during the Alpha phase were predominantly from other Spanish regions and France. However, as the pandemic progressed, introductions from Portugal and the United States became increasingly significant. The number of detected introductions varied from 96 and 101 for Alpha and Delta to 39 for Omicron-BA.1. Most of these introductions left a low number of descendants (<10), suggesting a limited impact on the evolution of the pandemic in Galicia. Notably, Galicia's major coastal cities emerged as critical hubs for viral transmission, highlighting their role in sustaining and spreading the virus. This research emphasizes the critical role of regional connectivity in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and offers essential insights for enhancing public health strategies and surveillance measures.

WEATHER-DRIVEN FLUCTUATIONS IN DAILY BEACH TOURISM: INSIGHTS FROM COASTAL DESTINATION DYNAMICS IN SPAIN

Tourism dynamics are profoundly influenced by weather conditions, particularly in regions celebrated for their climatic appeal. The Rías Baixas, a renowned coastal destination in northwest Spain, presents an exemplary case for examining this interplay. This study aims to enhance comprehension of how tourists alter their daily activities in response to weather changes, providing valuable insights for improved planning and management in the tourism sector. Faced with the methodological challenge of accurately measuring daily tourist flows, especially in areas such as beaches without entry registers, this study innovatively uses daily vehicle traffic intensity data in access areas to quantify tourist behavior patterns. Positive correlations are observed between the arrival of vehicles and sunshine. For tourism businesses, short-term weather forecast information, as well as a better understanding of travelers’ behavior, is crucial for decision making and operational planning.