Chionanthus megistocarpus (Oleaceae), a new species from the Western Cordillera of Colombia

[EN] We describe a new species of Chionanthus (Oleaceae), from the Subandean forests of the Western Cordillera of Colombia. C. megistocarpus is similar to the Ecuadorian species C. colonchensis, but presents leaves with longer petioles [(12–)15–30(–35) mm], with obtuse leaf blades, without abaxial domatia, with longer inflorescences (10–20 cm long) and the largest fruits for this genus in the Neotropics (4.5–5 cm long).[ES] Se describe una especie nueva de Chionanthus (Oleaceae) de los bosques subandinos de la Cordillera Occidental de Colombia. Chionanthus megistocarpus es afín a la especie ecuatoriana C. colonchensis, pero presenta hojas con peciolos más largos [(12–)15–30(–35) mm], láminas obtusas, sin domacios axilares asociados a las venas del envés, inflorescencias más largas (10–20 cm) y los frutos más grandes en este género en el Neotrópico (4.5–5 cm de largo).To the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), and the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for financing the project CGL 2010–19747Peer reviewe

Chionanthus abriaquiensis Fern. Alonso & Cogollo (Oleaceae), una nueva especie de Colombia

[EN] Chionanthus abriaquiensis Fern. Alonso & Cogollo (Oleaceae), a new species from the cloud forests of Colombia, is described and illustrated. This species clearly differs from the previously known Chionanthus L. in Mesoamerica and Northern South America for the long petiolate leaves, the number of secondary veins on the blades, and very long axillary inflorescences. An identification key for the species of Chionanthus from Northern South America and Panama is also presented.[ES] Se describe e ilustra Chionanthus abriaquiensis Fern. Alonso & Cogollo (Oleaceae), una nueva especie de los bosques nublados de Colombia. Esta especie se diferencia claramente de las previamente conocidas de Mesoamérica y del Norte de Suramérica por presentar hojas largamente pecioladas, el número de venas secundarias en las láminas foliares y las inflorescencias axilares muy largas. Se presenta también una clave para identificar las especies de Chionanthus del norte de Sudamérica y Panamá.Al Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) y al Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad por la financiación del proyecto CGL 2010-19747Peer reviewe

Game Analytics Evidence-Based Evaluation of a Learning Game for Intellectual Disabled Users.

Learning games are becoming popular among teachers as educational tools. However, despite all the game development quality processes (e.g., beta testing), there is no total assurance about the game design appropriateness to the students' cognitive skills until the games are used in the classroom. Furthermore, games designed speci cally for Intellectual Disabled (ID) users are even harder to evaluate because of the communication issues that this type of players have. ID users' feedback about their learning experience is complex to obtain and not always fully reliable. To address this problem, we use an evidence-based approach for evaluating the game design of Downtown, A Subway Adventure, a game created to improve independent living in users with ID. In this paper we exemplify the whole process of applying Game Analytics techniques to gather actual users' gameplay interaction data in real settings for evaluating the design. Following this process, researchers were able to validate different game aspects (e.g., mechanics) and could also identify game aws that may be dif cult to detect using formative evaluation or other observational-based methods. Results showed that the proposed evidence-based approach using Game Analytics information is an effective way to evaluate both the game design and the implementation, especially in situations where other types of evaluations that require users' involvement are limited.post-print1129 K

Effects of litter mixing on litter decomposition and soilproperties along simulated invasion gradients of non-nativetrees

Aims Plant invasions generally lead to mixtures betweennative and non-native litter. We assess the interactionsbetween leaf litters from two invasive non-native trees(Robinia pseudoacia or Ailanthus altissima) and the nativePopulus alba on litter decomposition, nutrient releaseand soil properties along two gradients of invasion.Methods Microcosms with field-collected soil coveredby varying proportions of native and non-native littersimulated the two invasion gradients. We assessed theproportion of remaining litter mass and nutrient mass(N, P, C), and soil C, N-NO3−, total N, and pH, fivetimes throughout a period of 11 months. Observedvalues were compared to the expected values on theassumption of no interactions.Results Litter mass and C mass decayed slower inRobinia and faster in Ailanthus than in Populus. Thethree species immobilized N and P. Soil properties didnot differ across pure litters. Both litter mixture gradientsshowed additive or antagonistic interactions onlitter decomposition, whereas N and P mass were equalor higher than expected. The proportion of non-nativelitter in the mixture had non-linear effects on mostvariables, suggesting that the impact of these nonnativetrees on litter decay levels off or even declinesas they become more abundant.Conclusion The impacts of Ailanthus and Robinia litteron soil processes should not be derived from singlespecies experiments, both due to non-additive effectsand to non-linear responses to litter abundance.Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y UniversidadesComunidad de Madri

Can the life-history strategy explain the success of the exotic trees Ailanthus altissima and Robinia pseudoacacia in Iberian floodplain forests?

Ailanthus altissima and Robina pseudoacacia are two successful invasive species of floodplains in central Spain. We aim to explain their success as invaders in this habitat by exploring their phenological pattern, vegetative and sexual reproductive growth, and allometric relations, comparing them with those of the dominant native tree Populus alba. During a full annual cycle we follow the timing of vegetative growth, flowering, fruit set, leaf abscission and fruit dispersal. Growth was assessed by harvesting two-year old branches at the peaks of vegetative, flower and fruit production and expressing the mass of\ud current-year leaves, stems, inflorescences and infrutescences per unit of previous-year stem mass. Secondary growth was\ud assessed as the increment of trunk basal area per previous-year basal area. A. altissima and R. pseudoacacia showed\ud reproductive traits (late flowering phenology, insect pollination, late and long fruit set period, larger seeds) different from P. alba and other native trees, which may help them to occupy an empty reproductive niche and benefit from a reduced competition for the resources required by reproductive growth. The larger seeds of the invaders may make them less dependent on gaps for seedling establishment. If so, these invaders may benefit from the reduced gap formation rate of flood-regulated rivers of the study region. The two invasive species showed higher gross production than the native, due to the higher size of pre-existing stems rather than to a faster relative growth rate. The latter was only higher in A. altissima for stems, and in R. pseudoacacia for reproductive organs. A. altissima and R. pseudoacacia showed the lowest and highest reproductive/vegetative mass ratio, respectively. Therefore, A. altissima may outcompete native P. alba trees thanks to a high potential to overtop coexisting plants whereas R. pseudoacacia may do so by means of a higher investment in sexual reproduction

Sinopsis de Chionanthus (Oleaceae) en Colombia y países limítrofes y descripción de una nueva especie

A synoptic review of Chionanthus species (Oleaceae) from Colombia and neighboring countries is presented, in which new information, taxonomic and chorological, is disclosed, and a new species, Ch. vargasii, from the Central Cordillera of Colombia. This species resembles Ch. abriaquiensis, but has coriaceous leaves, with shorter petioles and woolly domatia along the veins of the underside, and shorter inflorescences. Chionanthus guianensis and Ch. panamensis are cited for the first time in Colombia and the known distribution in Colombia of Ch. compactus, Ch. implicatus, and Ch. pubescens is extended. In addition, the reviewed material of Ch. avilensis, Ch. colonchensis, Ch. ligustrinus, and Ch. wudackii, all present in neighboring countries, is also commented. Finally, a key is included to facilitate the identification of the species of the north of South America.Se presenta una revisión sinóptica de las especies de Chionanthus (Oleaceae) de Colombia y países limítrofes, en la que se da a conocer nueva información, taxonómica y corológica, y se describe una especie nueva, Ch. vargasii, de la Cordillera Central de Colombia. Esta especie se asemeja a Ch. abriaquiensis, pero tiene hojas coriáceas, con peciolos más cortos y domacios lanosos en las venas del envés, e inflorescencias más cortas. Se citan por primera vez para Colombia Ch. guianensis y Ch. panamensis y se amplía la distribución conocida en Colombia de Ch. compactus, Ch. implicatus y Ch. pubescens. Además, se comenta también el material revisado de Ch. avilensis, Ch. colonchensis, Ch. ligustrinus y Ch. wudackii, todos presentes en países colindantes. Por último, se incluye una clave para facilitar la identificación de las especies del norte de Sudamérica

The New Zealand mudsnail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum): ecological impacts and distribution of this exotic species in the Iberian Peninsula

Las especies exóticas invasoras constituyen una de las principales causas de pérdida de biodiversidad. Debido a la complejidad del proceso de invasión, algunas especies muestran comportamiento invasor en unos ecosistemas pero no en otros. Una especie con un comportamiento ambiguo respecto a su carácter invasor es el caracol del cieno de Nueva Zelanda (Potamopyrgus antipodarum). La inclusión de esta especie en el reciente catálogo español de especies exóticas invasoras obliga a establecer su seguimiento e incrementar el conocimiento sobre su distribución en España. En el presente estudio se ha revisado la distribución de la especie en la península ibérica y los impactos ecológicos que ocasiona. En España la especie se ha citado en 30 de las 46 provincias, mientras que en Portugal aparece en 6 de 18. Muchas de las provincias afectadas son costeras, especialmente las que cuentan con las citas más antiguas. Respecto a los impactos más destacables que genera destaca su capacidad para cambiar la estructura de las comunidades de invertebrados a las que afecta, aunque en determinados casos no se han descrito tales cambios. La revisión de trabajos muestra una carencia de estudios que indiquen los mecanismos de dispersión de la especie entre distintas cuencas en la Península Ibérica, aspecto muy importante para evitar la expansión de la especie en los ecosistemas acuáticos peninsulares.Biological invasions are one of the main causes of biodiversity lost. Given the complexity of the invasion processes, some species have shown invasive behaviour in some ecosystems but not in others. A species with an ambiguous invasive behaviour is the New Zealand mudsnail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum). This species has been recently included as an invasive exotic species in Spanish law, which makes necessary the management and the knowledge of its distribution in Spain. In this study we have reviewed the distribution and ecological impacts of this species in the Iberian Peninsula. In Spain this species has been cited in 30 out of the 46 provinces, whereas in Portugal it has been cited in 6 out of 18. Most of the affected provinces are in the coast, especially in the provinces with the oldest quotes. Among the most important impacts caused by this species are its ability to change the structure of the invaded invertebrate communities. However, such impacts have not been reported in some case studies. The present review shows a lack of studies on the dispersal mechanisms of mudsnail throughout the Iberian Peninsula. This is an essential point to prevent the spread of this species throughout the aquatic ecosystems of the Iberian Peninsula.Ministerio de Ciencia e InnovaciónUniversidad de AlcaláRed REMEDINAL de la Comunidad de Madri

Can the life-history strategy explain the success of the exotic trees Ailanthus altissima and Robinia pseudoacacia in Iberian floodplain forests?

Ailanthus altissima and Robina pseudoacacia are two successful invasive species of floodplains in central Spain. We aim to explain their success as invaders in this habitat by exploring their phenological pattern, vegetative and sexual reproductive growth, and allometric relations, comparing them with those of the dominant native tree Populus alba. During a full annual cycle we follow the timing of vegetative growth, flowering, fruit set, leaf abscission and fruit dispersal. Growth was assessed by harvesting two-year old branches at the peaks of vegetative, flower and fruit production and expressing the mass of current-year leaves, stems, inflorescences and infrutescences per unit of previous-year stem mass. Secondary growth was assessed as the increment of trunk basal area per previous-year basal area. A. altissima and R. pseudoacacia showed reproductive traits (late flowering phenology, insect pollination, late and long fruit set period, larger seeds) different from P. alba and other native trees, which may help them to occupy an empty reproductive niche and benefit from a reduced competition for the resources required by reproductive growth. The larger seeds of the invaders may make them less dependent on gaps for seedling establishment. If so, these invaders may benefit from the reduced gap formation rate of flood-regulated rivers of the study region. The two invasive species showed higher gross production than the native, due to the higher size of pre-existing stems rather than to a faster relative growth rate. The latter was only higher in A. altissima for stems, and in R. pseudoacacia for reproductive organs. A. altissima and R. pseudoacacia showed the lowest and highest reproductive/vegetative mass ratio, respectively. Therefore, A. altissima may outcompete native P. alba trees thanks to a high potential to overtop coexisting plants whereas R. pseudoacacia may do so by means of a higher investment in sexual reproduction

Augmented robotics dialog system for enhancing human-robot interaction

Augmented reality, augmented television and second screen are cutting edge technologies that provide end users extra and enhanced information related to certain events in real time. This enriched information helps users better understand such events, at the same time providing a more satisfactory experience. In the present paper, we apply this main idea to human-robot interaction (HRI), to how users and robots interchange information. The ultimate goal of this paper is to improve the quality of HRI, developing a new dialog manager system that incorporates enriched information from the semantic web. This work presents the augmented robotic dialog system (ARDS), which uses natural language understanding mechanisms to provide two features: (i) a non-grammar multimodal input (verbal and/or written) text; and (ii) a contextualization of the information conveyed in the interaction. This contextualization is achieved by information enrichment techniques that link the extracted information from the dialog with extra information about the world available in semantic knowledge bases. This enriched or contextualized information (information enrichment, semantic enhancement or contextualized information are used interchangeably in the rest of this paper) offers many possibilities in terms of HRI. For instance, it can enhance the robot's pro-activeness during a human-robot dialog (the enriched information can be used to propose new topics during the dialog, while ensuring a coherent interaction). Another possibility is to display additional multimedia content related to the enriched information on a visual device. This paper describes the ARDS and shows a proof of concept of its applications.The authors gratefully acknowledge the funds provided by the Spanish MICINN (Ministry of Science and Innovation) through the project “Aplicaciones de los robots sociales”, DPI2011-26980 from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. The research leading to these results has received funding from the RoboCity2030-III-CM project (Robótica aplicada a la mejora de la calidad de vida de los ciudadanos. fase III; S2013/MIT-2748), funded by Programas de Actividades I+D en la Comunidad de Madrid and co-funded by the Structural Funds of the EU

Sound synthesis for communicating nonverbal expressive cues

Non-verbal sounds (NVS) constitute an appealing communicative channel for transmitting a message during a dialog. They provide two main benefits, such as they are not linked to any particular language, and they can express a message in a short time. NVS have been successfully used in robotics, cell phones, and science fiction films. However, there is a lack of deep studies on how to model NVS. For instance, most of the systems for NVS expression are ad hoc solutions that focus on the communication of the most prominent emotion. Only a small number of papers have proposed a more general model or dealt directly with the expression of pure communicative acts, such as affirmation, denial, or greeting. In this paper we propose a system, referred to as the sonic expression system (SES), that is able to generate NVS on the fly by adapting the sound to the context of the interaction. The system is designed to be used by social robots while conducting human robot interactions. It is based on a model that includes several acoustic features from the amplitude, frequency, and time spaces. In order to evaluate the capabilities of the system, nine categories of communicative acts were created. By means of an online questionnaire, 51 participants classified the utterances according to their meaning, such as agreement, hesitation, denial, hush, question, summon, encouragement, greetings, and laughing. The results showed how very different NVS generated by our SES can be used for communicating.Publicad