Eficacia de las microcuencas en la supervivencia del pino carrasco (Pinus halepensis Mill.) y de la encina (Quercus ilex L. subsp. ballota (Desf.) Samp.) en distintos ambientes mediterráneos

Water is one of the most limiting factors in the forestation of Mediterranean areas, so that the survival and development of these areas is always connected to the availability of water resources. The aim of this study is to assess the efficiency of a series of hydraulic structures linked to land preparation, called minicatchments, as runoff collectors meant to increase water availability in the forestation. In order to do so, the amount of overland runoff reaching every seedling, as well as the survival of the reforestation in four places with different climatic and edaphic characteristics have been assessed. Results obtained show how water availability depends both on the amount of water reaching the bank and on the physical properties of the land. The areas that have normally been considered more difficult to restore due to a de-structured profile, to the presence of superficial physical crusts and to a scarce vegetal cover are the ones showing a better response to the technique of runoff collection trough minicatchments.Uno de los factores más limitantes para las repoblaciones de las zonas mediterráneas es el agua, de forma que la supervivencia y desarrollo de éstas siempre aparece ligado a la disponibilidad de recursos hídricos. En este trabajo se valora la eficacia de unas estructuras hidráulicas asociadas a la preparación del terreno, las microcuencas, que actúan como captadoras de escorrentías para aumentar la disponibilidad de agua en la repoblación. Para ello se ha medido la cantidad de agua que llega a las banquetas de plantación construidas con y sin microcuencas cuantificando la precipitación + escorrentía superficial aportada por el área de impluvio de cada banqueta y la supervivencia de una repoblación de encinas y pinos en cuatro localidades con características climáticas y edáficas diferentes. Los resultados obtenidos muestran como la disponibilidad de agua depende tanto de la cantidad de agua que llega a la banqueta cómo de las propiedades físicas del suelo, siendo las zonas que normalmente se han considerado más difíciles de restaurar por su perfil desestructurado, la presencia de costras físicas superficiales y la escasa cubierta vegetal, las que responden mejor a la técnica de captación de escorrentías mediante microcuencas

International lower limb collaborative (INTELLECT) study: a multicentre, international retrospective audit of lower extremity open fractures

Trauma remains a major cause of mortality and disability across the world1, with a higher burden in developing nations2. Open lower extremity injuries are devastating events from a physical3, mental health4, and socioeconomic5 standpoint. The potential sequelae, including risk of chronic infection and amputation, can lead to delayed recovery and major disability6. This international study aimed to describe global disparities, timely intervention, guideline-directed care, and economic aspects of open lower limb injuries

Study of Zn, Cu and Pb content in plants and contaminated soils in Sardinia

Trace elements in soils exist as components of several different fractions. In this work we have analyzed the relationship between these fractions. Specifically, total and extractable (with EDTA, calcium chloride and deionized water) Zn, Pb and Cu concentrations have been studied. In addition, their correlation with the concentration of these elements in plant leaves has been investigated. Soil and plant samples have been taken from Sulcis-Iglesiente, in southwest Sardinia (Italy), an area rich in mining tailings. This has made that the concentrations of the trace element under study in soils were varied. Three plants have been studied: Dittrichia viscosa, Cistus salviifolius and Euphorbia pithyusa subsp. cupanii. Soil samples beneath each of them at depths of 0-30 and 30-60 cm have been considered. The highest concentration of trace elements in the leaves of the studied species have been found for Zn. In general, the calcium-carbonate content and the crystalline and amorphous forms of iron in the soil have determined the concentration of metal in plant leaves. The soil concentrations that have been found with the extraction methods are uncorrelated with Pb and Cu concentrations in plants, but Zn is correlated with the fraction extracted with EDTA and calcium chloride