El complejo Turbidíctico del Carbonífero del Priorato (Tarragona)

Se caracterizan las facies de una sucesion de 2.250 m de potencia de sedimentos carboniferos turbiditicos de la parte central del Priorato (zona de las vilellas-Poboleda). En los materiales paleozoicos de este area se distinguen tres unidades Iitoestratigráficas carboniferas que integran el Complejo Turbidítico del Prioraro y que yacen discordantes sobre los materiales del Devónico medio-superior (unidad 1). Los materiales de la unidad inferior (unidad 2) se depositaron en un ambiente de talud - apron y constan fundamentalmente de areniscas que intercalan niveles deslizados de liditas, calizas y areniscas. Los depdsitos de las unidades 3 y 4 rnuestran diversas asociaciones de facies tipicas de ambientes de abanico submarino profundo. La unidad 3 muestra facies de llanura de cuenca y depositos arenosos de un canal intercalado. La unidad 4 esta constituida por tres megasecuencias negativas que corresponden a otros tantos episodios de progradacion de un sistema de lóbulo de abanico submarino. Se discuten las relaciones entre las asociaciones de facies de las tres unidades litoestratigraficas del complejo turbiditico y su asimilacidn a unidades deposicionales dentro de modelos de  sedimentaoidn submarina

Leveraging private investment to expand renewable power generation: Evidence on financial additionality and productivity gains from Uganda

Effectively mitigating climate change entails a quick upscaling and redirection of electricity infrastructure investment. Given that the bulk of greenhouse gas emissions increases until 2050 will come from low- and middle-income countries, finding cost-effective ways to mitigate climate change while meeting development targets is essential. However, recent research has shown some of the limitations of broad financing mechanisms, such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and existing carbon markets. This has resulted in a growing interest in designing novel investment support schemes, such as modifications of targeted feed-in-tariffs (FiTs) that may be more cost effective and better targeted towards particular outcomes when compared to traditional deployment subsidies or broad financing mechanisms. We evaluate the design and outcomes of one such novel support schemes: the GET FiT (Global Energy Transfer Feed-in Tariff) investment support scheme in Uganda, which has attracted ~ 453 million USD in private sector investment for 17 small-scale renewable energy projects (solar, hydro, bagasse) in only three years. Using financial modelling on detailed project-level data, we find that the majority of projects were additional and would therefore not have been built without the subsidy. In addition, using firm-level panel data, we show that power outages hamper manufacturing performance in Uganda. In the absence of reliable outage-data for the entire Ugandan territory, we use nightlight variations to proxy changes in outages. We show that outages have declined substantially since the introduction of GET FiT. Yet, our analysis also demonstrates that programmes to incentivise additional renewable generation in developing countries funded internationally or domestically should liaise closely with grid authorities to ensure that supply does not outstrip demand.European Union’s Horizon 2020 INNOPATHS project (Grant agreement no. 730403) The Department of Land Economy and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Cambridge Heinrich Böll Foundation

Inclusión de un producto fermentado de pescado en la dieta de guineas (Numida meleagris): desempeño productivo y calidad de la carcasa

Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) is a poultry species suitable for use in meat production to expand and diversify the local poultry industry because of its advantages of high consumer acceptance, resistance to common poultry diseases, and tolerance to poor management conditions. However, the poor feed conversion of this species increases feed costs and limits production. To reduce feed costs it is imperative to find locally available feedstuffs of low cost but with adequate nutritional value. The use of a fermented fish by-product meal (FFBPM) as a protein source in guinea diets could satisfy these criteria and reduce feed costs. This study with 180 birds was undertaken to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of a FFBPM in guinea diets on productive performance and carcass quality. Treatments consisted of FFBPM inclusion at levels of 0 (control), 5, and 10% in each of the starter, grower, and finisher diets. Feed and birds were weighed at 0, 35, 63, and 84 d to determine body weight (BW) and feed conversion. At 84 d, half the birds of each treatment were processed for evaluating carcass composition and determining yields of carcass and major cuts. Fasted live body weights, and plucked and dressed carcass weights were recorded and yields calculated. No significant differences in BW were observed among treatments at 0,63, and 84 d. At 35 d, BW was lower (P < 0.05) in birds with a 10% FFBPM inclusion. Feed conversion at 35 d was also higher with 10% FFBPM and lower in control birds, whereas those receiving 5% FFBPM did not differ from those of the other treatments. Birds fed 10% FFBPM showed significantly lower live, plucked, and dressed weights than those of the control and those fed 5% FFBPM. No differences among treatments were observed in yields of dressed carcass, major cuts, and the proportions of flesh, skin, and bone. However, the percentage of abdominal fats was significantly lower in birds fed a 10% FFBPM than in birds of the control and in those fed the 5% FFBPM level. The results of this study indicate that the inclusion of up to 5% FFBPM in guinea diets has no detrimental effect on bird performance and carcass quality. Thus, FFBPM could be a valuable feed ingredient to supply part of the dietary protein requirements of guinea fowl. La crianza de guinea (Numida meleagris) es una alternativa viable para aumentar la producción local de carne de aves debido a su buena aceptación por el consumidor, resistencia a enfermedades y tolerancia a condiciones de manejo adversas. Sin embargo, la pobre conversión alimenticia de estas aves aumenta los costos de alimentación, limitando su producción. Para reducir dichos costos es necesario utilizar ingredientes poco costosos pero de valor nutricional adecuado. La utilización de un subproducto fermentado de pescado (SPFP) como fuente de proteína en dietas de guinea podría satisfacer estos requisitos y reducir los costos de alimentación. El propósito de esta investigación fue evaluar el efecto de la inclusión de SPFP en dietas de guineas sobre el desempeño productivo y la calidad de la carcasa. Los tratamientos consistieron en la inclusión de 0, 5 y 10% SPFP en las dietas de iniciación, crecimiento y terminación. Se pesó el alimento y las aves a los 0, 35, 63 y 84 d para determinar el peso corporal y la conversión alimenticia. A los 84 d, se procesaron 90 aves para evaluar la calidad de la carcasa y determinar el rendimiento de la misma y sus componentes principales. Se midió su peso vivo en ayuno, peso desplumado y peso listo para cocinar y se calcularon los rendimientos. No se observaron diferencias significativas en peso corporal entre los tratamientos a los 0, 63 y 84 d. A los 35 d el peso corporal fue menor (P < 0.05) en aves a las que se les suministró un 10% SPFP. La conversión alimenticia a los 35 d fue mayor en aves a las que se les suministró 10% SPFP y menor en las aves control, mientras la de aquellas a las que se les suministró 5% SPFP fue similar a la del resto de los tratamientos. Las aves con 10% SPFP registraron un peso vivo, desplumado y listo para cocinar más bajo (P < 0.05) que las aves control y aquéllas con 5% SPFP. No se encontraron diferencias en el rendimiento de la carcasa, cortes principales ni en la proporción de carne, hueso y piel. Sin embargo, el porcentaje de grasa abdominal fue menor (P < 0.05) para las aves a las que se les suministró 10% SPFP y mayor en aves del grupo control. Los resultados de este experimento indican que la inclusión de hasta 5% SPFP en la dieta no tiene efectos detrimentales sobre el desempeño productivo y la calidad de carcasa. El SPFP podría ser un recurso alimentario útil para suplir parcialmente los requisitos proteicos de la guinea

Biology and new records of the invasive species Branchiomma bairdi (Annelida: Sabellidae) in the Mediterranean Sea

The first observations on the reproductive biology of the alien polychaete Branchiomma bairdi (McIntosh, 1885) (Sabellidae) in the Mediterranean Sea are provided as well as additional Mediterranean records of the species, which can help to understand its introduction and spreading. Re-examination of the specimens from Miseno harbour (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy) revealed the presence of B. bairdi in the central-Mediterranean since September 2004. The histological study of individuals collected in Malta revealed that the species is a simultaneous hermaphrodite, developing male and female gametes in the same body segments; embryos are brooded inside the parent tube. However, there is also evidence of asexual reproduction. The species shows a different reproductive pattern from the previously reported population from the eastern-Pacific; this demonstrates its great plasticity and adaptability. Branchiomma bairdi has an invasive behaviour, colonizing large areas in relatively short-time, and reaching relatively high densities (c.a. 50 individuals/m2). Its expansion to several Mediterranean localities is largely a consequence of the high capacity of this species to colonize extremely different habitats and substrates, the occurrence of sexual and asexual reproductive strategies, and the combination of both. Furthermore, B. bairdi appears to be particularly abundant in confined areas and areas degraded due to anthropogenic impacts. Finally, our findings strongly suggest that the pathway of introduction in the Mediterranean, previously hypothesized as the Suez Canal (Lessepsian migration), is most likely via the Strait of Gibraltar

A survey of recent introduction events, spread and mitigation efforts of mynas (Acridotheres sp.) in Spain and Portugal

Un estudio sobre los recientes episodios de introducción, la propagación y las iniciativas de mitigación de los minás (Acridotheres sp.) en España y Portugal El miná común, Acridotheres tristis, está catalogado entre las 100 especies más invasoras del mundo. En el presente artículo combinamos las observaciones ya existentes con un estudio de campo para determinar los procesos de invasión de tres especies de minás en España y Portugal. Los resultados sugieren que hubo al menos 22 introducciones accidentales e independientes desde comienzos de los años 90 en la península ibérica y en tres archipiélagos. Si bien el miná oscuro (A. ginginianus) no ha llegado a establecerse, hay poblaciones reproductoras de miná común en cuatro islas. Las iniciativas de erradicación permitieron eliminar esas poblaciones insulares, pero la especie se mantiene en el estuario del Tajo (Portugal). En esta región existe también una población reproductora de miná crestado (A. cristatellus), que ha crecido exponencialmente en la última década. Es necesario combinar las campañas de erradicación con acciones preventivas, cuyo objetivo sea detener el comercio de estas especies en Europa, para evitar nuevas introducciones accidentales.The common myna Acridotheres tristis is listed among the world’s 100 worst invasive alien species. We combined previous records with a field survey to update the extent and fate of myna introductions in Spain and Portugal. Results suggest that there have been at least 22 independent accidental introductions of three myna species throughout the Iberian peninsula and three archipelagos since the early 1990s. While bank mynas (A. ginginianus) did not become established elsewhere, common mynas reached breeding populations on four islands. Eradication efforts allowed the extirpation of these breeding island populations, but common mynas continue to breed in the Tagus Estuary (continental Portugal). In this region, there is also a breeding population of crested mynas (A. cristatellus), which was undergone an exponential population growth in the last decade. To avoid further accidental introductions, eradication campaigns should be combined with preventive actions aiming to stop the trade of these species in Europe.Un estudio sobre los recientes episodios de introducción, la propagación y las iniciativas de mitigación de los minás (Acridotheres sp.) en España y Portugal El miná común, Acridotheres tristis, está catalogado entre las 100 especies más invasoras del mundo. En el presente artículo combinamos las observaciones ya existentes con un estudio de campo para determinar los procesos de invasión de tres especies de minás en España y Portugal. Los resultados sugieren que hubo al menos 22 introducciones accidentales e independientes desde comienzos de los años 90 en la península ibérica y en tres archipiélagos. Si bien el miná oscuro (A. ginginianus) no ha llegado a establecerse, hay poblaciones reproductoras de miná común en cuatro islas. Las iniciativas de erradicación permitieron eliminar esas poblaciones insulares, pero la especie se mantiene en el estuario del Tajo (Portugal). En esta región existe también una población reproductora de miná crestado (A. cristatellus), que ha crecido exponencialmente en la última década. Es necesario combinar las campañas de erradicación con acciones preventivas, cuyo objetivo sea detener el comercio de estas especies en Europa, para evitar nuevas introducciones accidentales

Evidence of the spin Seebeck effect in Ni-Zn ferrites polycrystalline slabs

We report on the observation of the spin Seebeck effect in Ni-Zn ferrites slabs with different Zn concentration. All samples have a spinel structure confirmed by XRD and TEM. We fully characterize the magnetic properties by VSM and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Samples exhibit a nonmonotonic magnetization behavior depending on the structural inversion parameter, however we found a spin Seebeck response voltage of about 25.5 nV/K independent of the magnetization and the inversion degree

Observation of huge thermal spin currents in magnetic multilayers

Thermal spin pumping constitutes a novel mechanism for generation of spin currents; however their weak intensity constitutes a major roadblock for its usefulness. We report a phenomenon that produces a huge spin current in the central region of a multilayer system, resulting in a giant spin Seebeck effect in a structure formed by repetition of ferromagnet/metal bilayers. The result is a consequence of the interconversion of magnon and electron spin currents at the multiple interfaces. This work opens the possibility to design thin film heterostructures that may boost the application of thermal spin currents in spintronics

Characteristic length scale of the magnon accumulation in Fe3O4/Pt bilayer structures by incoherent thermal excitation

The dependence of Spin Seebeck effect (SSE) with the thickness of the magnetic materials is studied by means of incoherent thermal excitation. The SSE voltage signal in Fe3O4/Pt bilayer structure increases with the magnetic material thickness up to 100 nm, approximately, showing signs of saturation for larger thickness. This dependence is well described in terms of a spin current pumped in the platinum film by the magnon accumulation in the magnetic material. The spin current is generated by a gradient of temperature in the system and detected by the Pt top contact by means of inverse spin Hall effect. Calculations in the frame of the linear response theory adjust with a high degree of accuracy the experimental data, giving a thermal length scale of the magnon accumulation (Λ) of 17 ± 3 nm at 300 K and Λ = 40 ± 10 nm at 70 K.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science (through Project No. MAT2014-51982-C2-R, including European social fund), the Aragon Regional government (Project No. E26), and Thermo-Spintronic Marie Curie CIG Project (Grant Agreement No. 304043).Peer Reviewe