Physicochemical Foliar Traits Predict Assemblages of Litter/ Humus Detritivore Arthropods

Plant functional traits influence the decomposition of their own residues occurring underneath individual plant species. Arthropods associated to litter are critical components influencing decomposition. Nevertheless, few studies have established a direct relation between plant traits and belowground arthropods. To address this relation at the individual plant species scale, this study was conducted in the Guánica dry forest, Puerto Rico, by selecting five tree species and ten isolated trees/species where variations due to neighbor trees are reduced. Mature green leaves, litter, and associated arthropods were sampled from November 2004 through September 2005. Collected arthropods were counted and classified, and abundances were standardized to ind/m2. Arthropod abundance did not differ among plant species, but richness, and species and trophic composition were different among the plant species. Predators, omnivores, and sucking herbivores showed a similar species composition among plant species, while detritivore was the only trophic groups with a different species composition among plants. These results are further supported by canonical correspondence analysis results showing that detritivore arthropod species composition covaries with the physicochemical characteristics of mature green leaves of plants. These findings support that the plant idiosyncratic characteristics affect the structure of litter/humus arthropods up to the first consumer level

First Insights into the Resilience of the Soil Microbiome of a Tropical Dry Forest in Puerto Rico

This study evaluated the effect that tree species traits and wet/dry periods display on soil microbial communities in a tropical dry forest in Puerto Rico. Understanding the ecological role of soil microorganisms in tropical dry forests and how they relate to different tree species is necessary to protect these fragile forest ecosystems. Thus, by using 454 pyrosequencing, we explored how microbial diversity was affected by dominant tree species during the wettest and driest periods at the Guánica Dry Forest. We found that 9 out of 17 phyla were more abundant during the dry period demonstrating that soil communities have adapted to historically low rainfall patterns. The most abundant phyla during both periods were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. During the dry period, Actinobacteria increased significantly (p < 0.0001), whereas Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes decreased significantly (p < 0.0001; p < 0.001). Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) also demonstrated that soil microbes are shaped by wet and dry periods, thus axis 1 of CCA explained 80% of the variation. This study offers baseline information in order to help elucidate how microbial diversity is affected by climate change in tropical areas and extrapolate this information to agricultural areas in order to develop better management practices

Tree Species and Precipitation Effect on the Soil Microbial Community Structure and Enzyme Activities in a Tropical Dry Forest Reserve

We examined the soil microbial community structure and soil enzyme potential within three dominant tree species at a tropical dry forest during five months. Changes within microbial community in response to sampling periods and tree species were evaluated using fatty acid methyl-ester and enzymes potential. We found that both tree species and precipitation determined microbial community structure and enzyme potential. This is the first study that provides insight into the soil microbial community at Guánica Dry Forest, a valuable contribution that will help elucidate strategies for better management and protection of the soil biota of the area

Vertical Arthropod Dynamics across Organic Matter Fractions in Relation to Microclimate and Plant Phenology

Plant diversity is a key factor influencing belowground dynamics including microclimate and decomposer arthropod communities. This study addresses the effect of individual plant species on belowground arthropods by focusing on seasonal variations in precipitation, temperature and arthropods along the vertical organic matter profile. In the Guanica Dry Forest, Puerto Rico, microclimate was described and 5 plant species and 10 trees/species were selected. Under each tree, for one year, temperature was measured and samples collected along the organic matter fractions. Collected arthropods were standardized to ind/m2, identified to Order/Family and assigned to morphotypes. The annual temperature pattern was similar for all species and OM fractions. Arthropod abundance was similar among plant species and higher in humus than in litter fractions. Richness and species composition were different among plant species and OM fractions. All plant species and OM fractions showed low arthropod abundance and richness, and similar arthropod species composition in the dry season, while in the wet season abundance and richness were higher and species composition varied across plant species and OM fractions. These data suggest that arthropods form specific assemblages under plant species and stages of decomposition that, during the dry season, represent a subgroup adapted to extreme environmental conditions

Aprender a votar con las elecciones al Parlamento Europeo. Una simulación innovadora del proceso electoral diseñado para el alumnado de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria

Aquest article descriu una experiència didàctica innovadora duta a terme durant l’any 2014 en paral·lel a les eleccions al Parlament Europeu. L'experiència es va centrar en la simulació i avaluació participativa en nou instituts amb aproximadament 800 alumnes de tercer i quart curs de secundaria obligatòria a Catalunya. En aquest cas en concret, l’objectiu principal era fomentar el coneixement dels elements del sistema democràtic europeu en l’alumnat de secundària. El projecte consistia a motivar la participació activa de l'alumnat mostrant-los diverses vies de participació convencional i no convencional. El projecte va culminar amb la simulació educativa de l'exercici del vot dos dies abans de les eleccions reals estatals, coincidint amb l’ambient electoral del comicis al Parlament Europeu durant el maig del 2014. En aquest article s’exposen les bases teòriques i metodològiques que fonamenten aquesta experiència, es descriu el procés de disseny i elaboració dels materials didàctics del programa, i s’explica l’execució de l’experiència didàctica, viscuda per l'alumnat, l'equip de professorat i l'equip de recerca, fruit de implementació del projecte a les aules dels diferents centres escolars participants viscuts per l’alumnat, l’equip de professorat i l’equip de recerca. També, es profunditza en les valoracions i recomanacions assenyalades per part del professorat participant.This article describes an innovative teaching experience carried out with secondary students to coincide with the 2014 European Parliament elections. Just under 800 students, aged 15–16, participated in the assessment and education simulation of these elections in May 2014 in nine secondary schools in Catalonia. The principal goal of the project was to increase student knowledge of the European democratic system and the general election process. The project was also aimed at encouraging students’ future active engagement both in conventional forms of participation such as voting, and in other forms of participation. The culmination of the project was a simulation of election day, two days’ prior to the actual European Parliament elections in Spain. This paper outlines the theoretical and methodological basis of this experience, the process of the design and development of the teaching materials and programme, and the execution of the teaching experience from the perspective of the participating students, teaching staff and research group. It highlights the assessments and recommendations made by the participating teachers.Este artículo describe una experiencia didáctica innovadora llevada a cabo en el año 2014 en paralelo a las elecciones al Parlamento Europeo. La experiencia se centra en la simulación y evaluación participativa en nueve institutos con cerca de 800 alumnos de tercer y cuarto curso de secundaria obligatoria en Cataluña. En este caso en concreto, el principal objetivo era fomentar el conocimiento de los elementos del sistema democrático europeo en el alumnado de secundaria. El proyecto consistía en motivar la participación política activa del alumnado mostrando varias vías de participación convencional y no convencional. El proyecto culminó con la simulación educativa del ejercicio del voto dos días antes de las elecciones reales estatales, coincidiendo con el ambiente electoral de los comicios al Parlamento Europeo durante mayo de 2014. En el presente artículo se exponen las bases teóricas y metodológicas que fundamentan esta experiencia, se describe el proceso de diseño y elaboración de los materiales didácticos del programa y se explica la ejecución de la experiencia didáctica, fruto de su implementación en las aulas de los distintos centros de educación secundaria participantes, vivida entre el alumnado, el equipo de profesores y el equipo investigador. También se profundiza en las valoraciones y recomendaciones señaladas por parte del profesorado participante

Variabilidad en visualización de datos: retos y posibilidades

Los sistemas de visualización de la información nos permiten visualizar datos usando abstracciones de los mismos, por ejemplo, usando gráficos de barras o de tartas. No obstante, la diversidad de visualizaciones dificulta la correcta elección de los sistemas más apropiadospara cada conjunto de datos. La ingeniería de líneas de producto y sistemas de alta variabilidad ha generado múltiples técnicas que permiten la configuración óptima de productos software dados unos requisitos o características. En este trabajo proponemos el uso y adaptación de las técnicas de configuración, derivación y análisis automático existentes en el área de líneas de producto software al contexto de la visualización. Permitiendo de esta forma el guiado sobre las opciones de configuración para visualizar un conjunto de datos.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad RTI2018-101204-B-C22Agencia Estatal de Investigación TIN2017-90644-RED

Comparison of the touch-screen and traditional versions of the Corsi block-tapping test in patients with psychosis and healthy controls

Background: Working memory (WM) refers to the capacity system for temporary storage and processing of information, which is known to depend on the integrity of the prefrontal cortex. Impairment in working memory is a core cognitive deficit among individuals with psychotic disorders. The Corsi block-tapping test is a widely-used instrument to assess visuospatial working memory. The traditional version is composed of 9 square blocks positioned on a physical board. In recent years, the number of digital instruments has increased significantly; several advantages might derive from the use of a digital version of the Corsi test. Methods: This study aimed to compare the digital and traditional versions of the Corsi test in 45 patients with psychotic disorders and 45 healthy controls. Both groups completed a neuropsychological assessment involving attention and working memory divided into the two conditions. Results: Results were consistent between the traditional and digital versions of the Corsi test. The digital version, as well as the traditional version, can discriminate between patients with psychosis and healthy controls. Overall, patients performed worse with respect to the healthy comparison group. The traditional Corsi test was positively related to intelligence and verbal working memory, probably due to a more significant effort to execute the test. Conclusions: The digital Corsi might be used to enhance clinical practice diagnosis and treatment.The digital version can be administered in a natural environment in real-time. Further, it is easy to administer while ensuring a standard procedure

Synthesis and characterization of nano Fe and Mn (hydr)oxides to be used as natural sorbents and micronutrient fertilizers

Fe and Mn (hydr)oxides are widely used as contaminant sorbents in water/wastewater systems but their potential use as micronutrient fertilizers is still poorly known. In this research, four nano-metal (hydr)oxides (amorphous Mn oxide (AMO), Fe-Mn binary oxide (FMBO), two-line ferrihydrite (2L-Fh) and goethite) were successfully synthesized and completely characterized (infrared and Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction particle size, specific surface area, point of zero charge). AMO, FMBO and 2L-Fh were introduced to interact with AgNO3 (20.0 µM) and TlNO3 (100.0 µM) diluted solutions for three days to check their potential capability as potential Ag+ and Tl+ adsorbents. AMO and FMBO (4% w/w) were tested as nanofertilizers by arranging a hydroponic bioassay for 35 days on white lupin culture as a Mn-hyperaccumulator plant model. AMO structure was identified as an amorphous mixture of Mn oxides while FMBO was an Fe dopped birnessite. Both materials were efficient in extracting Ag+ and Tl+ although large Mn concentration was released from FMBO to the solutions. AMO and FMBO promoted Fe and Mn nutrition in plants. Synthetic iron chelate (Fe-EDDHA), present in the nutrient dissolution, could be adsorbed onto AMO surface by producing Fe and Mn accumulation in roots and increasing Mn uptake rate without toxicity symptoms. Therefore, AMO and FMBO not only demonstrated their efficiency as adsorbents, but also displayed they would be promising nanomaterials as micronutrient fertilizer