Habitat Characterization of Juvenile Atlantic Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) in Isle of Youth, Cuba

Tarpon is considered a ‘Vulnerable’ species by IUCN but is also a highly prized recreational species. It is reportedly abundant in Cuba and may be threatened by high levels of fishing pressure. However, the current knowledge about Tarpon habitat characteristics and ecology in Cuba is very poor, which limit any attempt for its management and conservation. Here we summarize abiotic characteristics of juvenile Tarpon habitats in Lanier Swamp, Isle of Youth, Cuba, which is a RAMSAR site and Faunal Refuge. Three locations in Lanier Swamp were sampled for juvenile Tarpon presence during 2015-2017: Colony Lagoon (CL), Punta Francés Lagoon (PFL) and San Pedro (SP) river system. Abiotic characteristics were sampled from these same sites in January 2017. The smallest Tarpon (~150 mm fork length (FL, n= 22) occurred at CL, characterized by shallower waters with extreme salinities (0.6 and 50.8), less connection with the sea, and more protection from sunlight. In contrast, larger juvenile Tarpon (~630 mm FL, n= 20) were captured at SP, the location with the greatest connectivity to the ocean and greatest depth (~353 cm). The main results suggest that water depth, salinity, sunlight exposure and spatial dimensions are important habitat characteristics. Additionally, this study demonstrates the importance of coastal mangroves as juvenile Tarpon habitat and highlights the potential of using Tarpon as an umbrella species with broader conservation benefits. This study is an important first step to understanding Tarpon habitat use patterns in Cuba and developing a comprehensive conservation plan. Resumen El sábalo es considerado especie ‘Vulnerable’ según la UICN, pero también es altamente apreciado en la pesca recreativa. Se ha registrado como una especie abundante en Cuba y pudiera estar amenazado por altos niveles de presión pesquera. Sin embargo, el conocimiento actual sobre los hábitats y la ecología del sábalo en Cuba es escaso, lo cual limita cualquier intento de manejo y conservación. En este estudio se describen las características abióticas de hábitats de sábalos juveniles en la Ciénaga de Lanier, Isla de la Juventud, Cuba; área que es sitio RAMSAR y Refugio de Fauna. Tres localidades en la Ciénaga de Lanier fueron muestreados para juveniles por la presencia de sábalos juveniles durante 2015-2017: Laguna Colony (CL), Laguna Punta Francés (PFL) y sistema rivereño San Pedro (SP). Se tomaron muestras de las características abióticas de estos mismos sitios en enero de 2017. Los sábalos más pequeños (~150 mm de longitud horquilla (LH, n= 22) habitaron sitios en CL menos profundos, con salinidades extremas (0,6 and 50,8), menos conectados con el mar, y más protegidos de la luz solar. Los sábalos juveniles más grandes (~630 mm LH, n= 20) fueron capturados en SP, la localidad con mayor conectividad con el mar y mayor profundidad (~353 cm). Los resultados encontrados sugieren que la profundidad del agua, salinidad, exposición solar y dimensión espacial, son importantes características del hábitat. Adicionalmente, se demuestra la importancia de los manglares como hábitats de sábalos juveniles y se resalta el potencial de emplear al sábalo como especie sombrilla con amplios beneficios en la conservación. Este estudio es una importante contribución para entender los patrones de uso del hábitat de los sábalos en Cuba y desarrollar un plan de conservación integral

Concentración, Hold-up e Información de las Colocaciones Bancarias: Evidencia de Empresas Chilenas

In this paper we empirically study bank-client relationships using a sample of Chilean manufacturing firms. We examine whether concentration and the duration of bank-client relationships affect the volume of bank lending. Our results indicate that lower concentration, measured by the number of banks a firm borrows from, is associated ith a large and positive effect on borrowing. The length of borrower-lender relationships has a positive—although not always statistically significant—effect on the amount borrowed.

Análisis de la demanda internacional de turismo cultural en España en el periodo 2005-2013

Las motivaciones turísticas que tradicionalmente se han formulado desde los organismos internacionales como la Organización Mundial del Turismo para explicar la elección de un destino por parte de los turistas resultan insuficientes para categorizar los nuevos flujos. En este sentido, las distintas fuentes estadísticas emanadas de los organismos oficiales de España vienen ampliándose en los últimos años en base a la variedad en las motivaciones que inducen a los turistas a elegir un destino en función de sus características o singularidades empaquetadas en productos turísticos. De esta manera, encabezan las tipologías turísticas enmarcadas en torno a la cultura, el sol y la playa o el medioambiente las motivaciones que llevan a los turistas internacionales la elección de España como destino. A partir de las cifras registradas por los distintos organismos: Instituto de Estudios Turísticos, Ministerio de Educación Cultura y Deportes, etc. se puede pormenorizar el análisis de los datos, concretando significativos aspectos de la demanda turística cultural para cada una de las regiones españolas, de tal forma que se puedan establecer comparaciones territoriales de los datos estadísticos normalizados

Análisis de la demanda internacional de turismo en España en el periodo 2001-2013: el turismo cultural

El objetivo del trabajo es profundizar en el conocimiento de la demanda de turismo en España. Para ello el trabajo se centra en el turismo receptor en general y en el turismo cultural en particular. El análisis se realiza a partir de los datos que ofrecen las fuentes estadísticas oficiales de ámbito nacional. La principal conclusión es la clara aportación de este sector al producto interior bruto de España y la creciente importancia en nuestro país de nuevas tipologías de turismo sensibilizadas con el medio ambiente, como es el turismo cultural

Biosynthesis of Antitumoral and Bactericidal Sanguinarine

A simple, rapid, and reliable TLC method for the separation and determination of sanguinarine has been established. This intensively studied biologically active alkaloid has a wide range of potentially useful medicinal properties, such as antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, and antitumoral activities. Sanguinarine has also been incorporated into expectorant mixtures and has a strong bactericidal effect upon gram-positive bacteria, particularly Bacillus anthracis and staphylococci. These medicinal properties are due to the interaction of sanguinarine with DNA. A fibre-optic-based fluorescence instrument for in situ scanning was used for quantitative measurements. The sanguinarine was determined over the range 5–40 ng and a detection limit of 1.60 ng. The method was applied to the quantification of sanguinarine in tissue culture extracts of Chelidonium majus L

Influence of Design Parameters on Fresh Properties of Self-Compacting Concrete with Recycled Aggregate—A Review

[EN] This article presents an overview of the bibliographic picture of the design parameter’s influence on the mix proportion of self-compacting concrete with recycled aggregate. Design parameters like water-cement ratio, water to paste ratio, and percentage of superplasticizers are considered in this review. Standardization and recent research on the usage of recycled aggregates in self-compacting concrete (SCC) exploit its significance in the construction sector. The usage of recycled aggregate not only resolves the negative impacts on the environment but also prevents the usage of natural resources. Furthermore, it is necessary to understand the recycled aggregate property’s role in a mixed design and SCC properties. Design parameters are not only influenced by a mix design but also play a key role in SCC’s fresh properties. Hence, in this overview, properties of SCC ingredients, calculation of design parameters in mix design, the effect of design parameters on fresh concrete properties, and the evolution of fresh concrete properties are studied.S

Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in Nd-Co alloy films nanostructured by di-block copolymer templates

et al.Nd-Co amorphous magnetic films with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy have been grown on nanostructured templates prepared with self-organized di-block poly(styrene)-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) copolymer layers with a periodic structure of 60 nm spaced pores. These templates modify both the magnetic film topography and mechanical strain on a local scale. The effect of these structural changes is particularly noticeable in the low thickness range of the magnetic films where the transition from in-plane to out-of plane magnetization takes place. The Nd-Co films grown on the copolymer template present lower perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and, also, stronger stripe domain pinning effects in comparison with reference films grown on flat Si substrates. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.Work supported by Spanish MEC under Grants FIS2008-06249 and Consolider CSD2007-00010 and by CAM under Grant S2009/MAT-1726.Peer Reviewe

Analysis of the mechanical properties of wood attacked by Xylotrechus arvicola (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) larvae, and its influence on the structural properties of the plant

Xylotrechus arvicola is an invasive insect on Vitis vinifera in the main wine-producing regions of the Iberian Peninsula. X. arvicola larvae bore into the grapevine wood and make galleries, which cause structural damages to the plant. The aim of this study was to investigate how grapevine wood infested by larvae affects the mechanical properties of the plant in comparation with those of uninfested wood. Samples of grapevine wood uninfested and infested by larvae were collected from vineyards. Compression and flexural strengths as well as simulated structures of grapevine wood in field, in relation to harvest weight by variety, were used to quantify the wood mechanical properties. Infested wood endured a lower strength and normal tension, and exhibited a reduction in the structural capacities in the simulation of harvest weight of 'Cabernet-Sauvignon' variety (up to 62.0 %). 'Tempranillo' (despite its high mechanical slenderness values) and 'Cabernet-Sauvignon', were the varieties that showed a higher resistance on trunks and branches, respectively. A lower bending moment was observed on the infested branches of all varieties. Changes in the mechanical properties of infested wood suggest a decrease in mechanical resistance of wood attacked by larvae that could contribute to the rupture of the infested grapevine over time. Grapevine wood attacked by X. arvicola larvae could be more sensitive to mechanical external factors in vineyards such as strong winds, harvest weight and vibration exerted by harvesting machines

Effect of pores on the mechanical and durability properties on high strength recycled fine aggregate mortar

[EN] Larger consumption of natural fine aggregates (NFA) leads to an increase in cost, energy, and negative environmental impact. On the contrary, the larger production of construction waste results in the generation of recycled fine aggregate (RFA), which requires safe disposal. The aim of study, is to the hunt for such alternatives, compares the mortar mechanical and durability properties with and without RFA. High strength mortar specimens were produced with mix proportion as 1:3 using RFA as partial replacement for NFA as 0%, 25%, 50% and 100%. The mechanical and durability performance of all specimens was assessed in the terms of compressive strength, flexural strength, water absorption and mercury intrusion porosimetry. Mechanical performance is confirmed by microscopic studies. The main results display that the mortar with 25% of RFA, performed better, which are related to pore structures and their distribution. It is noted that the, pores also increase with the increase in RFA content. The effect of pores on the strength and their relationships are assessed.SIAuthor wish to thank for the supports and guidance given by faculties from University of Leon, Leon, Spain and Coimbatore Institute of Technology, Coimbatore, Indi