Consideraciones sobre la dinámica geomorfológica actual de laderas semiáridas de la Depresión del Ebro: el caso de la Val de las Lenas (término municipal de María de Huerva, Zaragoza, España)

[Resumen] En este trabajo se realiza una aproximación al funcionamiento geomorfológico actual de las vales del semiárido aragonés. Las investigaciones contemplan sucesivas aproximaciones, en las que se analizarán: (1) la evolución de humedad en el suelo en diferentes profundidades y posiciones de ladera, (2) las variaciones de la textura del depósito y (3) la simulación de lluvia. Los resultados indican la posible existencia de un funcionamiento hidrológico dislocado a lo largo de la ladera entre el talud superior y los niveles basales. A lo largo del relleno, además, la franja superior parece depender hidrológicamente de su proximidad al talud rocoso adyacente (funcionamiento alóctono), mientras que el depósito de val parece comportarse hidrológicmente de manera autóctona. Entre las partes altas y bajas del relleno de val se aprecia una inversión de las condiciones hídricas que definen su potencial biológico, cuyo reparto espacial es inverso al esperado.[Abstract] We have studied the geomorphological behaviour of slope in a semiarid landscape (NE inland Spain). The approach have been done by the analysis of soil water evolution, particle size analysis and rainfall simulation from top to bottom of slope. Results suggest the posibility of hidrological compartimentation between upper free face and talus; talus is not homogeneous, and there exist a strip in the contact zone with upper free face which change the hidrological regime from upper to lower part of talus

The response of Iberian rivers to the North Atlantic Oscillation

In this study we analyzed the influence of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) on the streamflow in 187 sub-basins of the Iberian Peninsula. Monthly and one-month lagged correlations were conducted to assess the spatio-temporal extent of the NAO influence on Iberian river discharges. Analysis of the persistence of the winter NAO throughout the year was also undertaken, together with analysis of streamflow anomalies during positive and negative NAO phases. Moving-window correlation analyses were conducted to assess potential changes in the temporal evolution of the NAO influence on Iberian streamflows. The results show that the NAO has a large impact on surface water resources throughout the Iberian Peninsula during winter, and in the Atlantic watershed during autumn. We showed that water resources management and snowmelt are causing the persistent dependence of streamflows on the previous winter NAO. We found that strongly positive streamflow anomalies occurred during winter, especially in the Atlantic watershed, and provide evidence of non-stationarity and spatial variability in the NAO influence on Iberian water resources

Diferencias en la evolución del paisaje entre dos municipios Prepirenaicos: Alquézar y Valle de Lierp, en la segunda mitad del siglo XX

Rapid socio-economical global changes happened during the second half of the 20th century, have radically altered territorial management in rural areas of the Mediterranean mountains, specifically, in the Pre Pyrenees (Huesca). Population decrease in young and economically active members, plus the change of the productive model entailed a land use transformation and subsequent landscape changes. Although the general model of landscape change is based on the decrease of human pressure on this territory, we should also take into account local characteristics related to biophysical and historical features. The comparison between two Pre Pyrenean municipalities: Alquézar and Valle de Lierp, shows these local differences, contextualized by the analyses of the Pre Pyrenean landscape composition. Consequently, a retrospective and multiscale study focused on the two sample municipalities –considering those as an operational management unit–, has been done. We have assessed landscape composition, configuration and structure on those units through component analyses, transition models and landscape indices. The methodological development of this work has been simplified by the use of GIS (ARC GIS 9) and FRAGSTAT, software of landscape ecology metrics.Los rápidos cambios socioeconómicos globales ocurridos durante la segunda mitad del siglo XX transformaron radicalmente el sistema de gestión territorial en el ámbito rural de la montaña mediterránea y, concretamente, en el Prepirineo oscense. La disminución de la población joven y activa económicamente, así como la transformación del modelo productivo, conllevaron un cambio en la estrategia tradicional de aprovechamiento y ocupaciones del suelo, que ha dejado su impronta en el paisaje. No obstante, las particularidades locales biofísicas e históricas condicionan la aparición de matizaciones al modelo de transformación general del paisaje, basado fundamentalmente en la disminución de la presión humana sobre el territorio. El contraste entre dos municipios en el ámbito del Prepirineo oscense (Alquézar y Valle de Lierp) ilustra estas variaciones, contextualizadas por el análisis de la composición del paisaje del Prepirineo oscense. Se realiza, por lo tanto, un estudio retrospectivo y multiescala centrado en la unidad operacional que constituye el municipio, donde se evalúa la composición, configuración y estructura del paisaje a través del análisis de sus componentes, de modelos de transición y de la aplicación de índices de paisaje. El desarrollo metodológico de este trabajo se ha simplificado gracias al empleo de SIG (ARC GIS.9) y FRAGSTAT, un programa de índices de ecología del paisaje

Is Cervical Stabilization Exercise Immediately Effective in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain and Upper Cervical Spine Dysfunction? Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of a single exercise session with manual therapy techniques in the segments of the upper cervical spine (C0–1, C1–2 and C2–3), against a single exercise session in patients with chronic neck pain and mobility deficits in the upper cervical spine. Methods: A single-blind randomized controlled trial was performed. Fifty-eight patients were recruited (29 for the manual therapy and exercise group and 29 for the exercise group) who presented chronic neck pain and upper cervical spine dysfunction. The exercise focused on the deep muscles. The manual therapy combined manipulations and mobilizations with these exercises. Cervical range of motion, flexion-rotation test, pressure pain threshold and pain intensity were measured by a blind evaluator before and after the intervention. Results: Compared to pre-intervention, after intervention, the exercise group was significantly lower in terms of the range of motion, flexion-rotation test, and pressure pain threshold (p < 0.05). The manual therapy and exercise group improved in upper cervical flexion, the flexion-rotation test and intensity of pain (p < 0.05). Conclusions: It may be necessary to normalize the mobility of the upper cervical spine before cervical stabilization training, in patients with chronic neck pain and mobility deficits in the upper cervical spine

The Star Formation History of M32

We use deep HST ACS/HRC observations of a field within M32 (F1) and an M31 background field (F2) to determine the star formation history (SFH) of M32 from its resolved stellar population. We find that 2-5Gyr old stars contribute \som40%+/- 17% of M32's mass, while 55%+/-21% of M32's mass comes from stars older than 5 Gyr. The mass-weighted mean age and metallicity of M32 at F1 are =6.8+/-1.5 Gyr and =-0.01+/-0.08 dex. The SFH additionally indicates the presence of young (<2 Gyr old), metal-poor ([M/H]\sim-0.7) stars, suggesting that blue straggler stars contribute ~2% of the mass at F1; the remaining \sim3% of the mass is in young metal-rich stars. Line-strength indices computed from the SFH imply a light-weighted mean age and metallicity of 4.9 Gyr and [M/H] = -0.12 dex, and single-stellar-population-equivalent parameters of 2.9+/-0.2 Gyr and [M/H]=0.02+/-0.01 dex at F1 (~2.7 re). This contradicts spectroscopic studies that show a steep age gradient from M32's center to 1re. The inferred SFH of the M31 background field F2 reveals that the majority of its stars are old, with \sim95% of its mass already acquired 5-14 Gyr ago. It is composed of two dominant populations; \sim30%+/-7.5% of its mass is in a 5-8 Gyr old population, and \sim65%+/-9% of the mass is in a 8-14 Gyr old population. The mass-weighted mean age and metallicity of F2 are =9.2+/-1.2 Gyr and =-0.10+/-0.10 dex, respectively. Our results suggest that the inner disk and spheroid populations of M31 are indistinguishable from those of the outer disk and spheroid. Assuming the mean age of M31's disk at F2 (\sim1 disk scale length) to be 5-9 Gyr, our results agree with an inside-out disk formation scenario for M31's disk.Comment: Accepted to ApJ. 24 pages, 18 figures. A high-resolution version can be downloaded from http://www.astro.rug.nl/~monachesi/monachesi-sfh.pd

Effectiveness of Protein Supplementation Combined with Resistance Training on Muscle Strength and Physical Performance in Elderly: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the combination of resistance training (RT) and protein supplementation (PS), compared to RT alone or combined with a placebo (plS), in the improvement of muscle strength and physical performance. The search strategy in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Sciences databases found a total of 294 studies. Once inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, 16 studies were included for the qualitative analysis. A total of 657 healthy elderly (>60 years) participants were analysed. Finally, 15 articles were included in the quantitative analysis with one being excluded due to issues with data availability. Upper-limb, lower-limb, and handgrip strength were the primary outcomes of the meta-analysis. The secondary outcomes, related to physical performance, were Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), gait speed, and the five-chair-rise test (5CRT). The main results of the meta-analysis show no statistical differences for upper-limb (SMD: 0.56, 95% CI: -0.09, 1.21, p = 0.09, I2 = 68%), lower-limb (SMD: 0.00, 95% CI: -0.18, 0.18, p = 1.0, I2 = 11%), and handgrip strength (SMD: 0.03, 95% CI: -0.26, 0.32, p = 0.84, I2 = 0%) between the RT + PS and the RT alone (or combined with plS). Moreover, no statistical differences were found relating to physical performance. In view of these results, protein supplementation combined with RT does not provide additional benefits compared to RT alone or with plS in healthy elderly adults

Variaciones espaciales y temporales de las condiciones bioclimáticas en la España peninsular (1951-2010)

This paper analyzes the spatial distribution of bioclimatic changes between the two climate normal periods (1951-1980 and 1981-2010) in the Spanish mainland. The analyses are performed using high density monthly datasets of precipitation, MOPREDAS, and mean temperatures, MOTEDAS. Both datasets cover the period of 1951-2010 and have been analyzed in their grid version (10x10 km). The characterization of the total amount of pixels (5234) followed the .Global Bioclimatics. from Rivas-Martinez to identify its Continentality, Macrobioclimate, Bioclimate, Bioclimatic Variant, Thermotype and Ombrotype. The results were quantified in spatial percentages of occupancy for each of the Bioclimatic Units and for each normal period. During the second period, Continentality, annual and summer Xericity, extension of all Mediterranean Bioclimates, Thermicity and dry Ombrotypes increased. Spatial comparison between the two periods suggests consistent gradual changes between Bioclimatic Units and spatial coherence. Results suggest that changes have occurred mostly in northern Spanish mainland and that they have not been as intense or extensive as one might think from previous studies.Hemos analizado los cambios de las condiciones bioclimáticas de la España peninsular en las décadas más recientes mediante la clasificación Worldwide Bioclimatic Classification System. La comparación entre las treintenas 1951-1980 y 1981-2010 ha permitido identificar cambios en los niveles más bajos de la clasificación (Continentalidad, y régimen térmico y ombrotérmico), no observándose grandes variaciones espaciales en la distribución de los niveles elevados (Macrobioclimas, Bioclimas/Variantes), pero sí en el nivel de Piso Bioclimático (Termotipos y Ombrotipos). Los resultados sugieren que los cambios ocurridos en las condiciones bioclimáticas han afectado con preferencia a la mitad norte peninsular, y no han sido tan intensos ni extensos como cabría pensar de anteriores estudios

The ACS LCID project. VI. The SFH of the Tucana dSph and the relative ages of the isolated dSph galaxies

We present a detailed study of the star formation history (SFH) of the Tucana dwarf spheroidal galaxy. High quality, deep HST/ACS data, allowed us to obtain the deepest color-magnitude diagram to date, reaching the old main sequence turnoff (F814 ~ 29) with good photometric accuracy. Our analysis, based on three different SFH codes, shows that Tucana is an old and metal-poor stellar system, which experienced a strong initial burst of star formation at a very early epoch (~ 13 Gyr ago) which lasted a maximum of 1 Gyr (sigma value). We are not able to unambiguously answer the question of whether most star formation in Tucana occurred before or after the end of the reionization era, and we analyze alternative scenarios that may explain the transformation of Tucana from a gas-rich galaxy into a dSph. Current measurements of its radial velocity do not preclude that Tucana may have crossed the inner regions of the Local Group once, and so gas stripping by ram pressure and tides due to a close interaction cannot be ruled out. On the other hand, the high star formation rate measured at early times may have injected enough energy into the interstellar medium to blow out a significant fraction of the initial gas content. Gas that is heated but not blown out would also be more easily stripped via ram pressure. We compare the SFH inferred for Tucana with that of Cetus, the other isolated LG dSph galaxy in the LCID sample. We show that the formation time of the bulk of star formation in Cetus is clearly delayed with respect to that of Tucana. This reinforces the conclusion of Monelli et al. (2010) that Cetus formed the vast majority of its stars after the end of the reionization era implying, therefore, that small dwarf galaxies are not necessarily strongly affected by reionization, in agreement with many state-of-the-art cosmological models. [abridged]Comment: Accepted for publication on ApJ, 19 pages, 10 figures, 2 tables. A version with full resolution figures is available at http://www.iac.es/project/LCID/?p=publication

Red Dots: A temperate 1.5 Earth-mass planet candidate in a compact multi-terrestrial planet system around GJ 1061

Abstract Small low-mass stars are favourable targets for the detection of rocky habitable planets. In particular, planetary systems in the solar neighbourhood are interesting and suitable for precise characterisation. The Red Dots campaigns seek to discover rocky planets orbiting nearby low-mass stars. The 2018 campaign targeted GJ 1061, which is the 20th nearest star to the Sun. For three consecutive months we obtained nightly, high-precision radial velocity measurements with the HARPS spectrograph. We analysed these data together with archival HARPS data. We report the detection of three planet candidates with periods of 3.204 ± 0.001, 6.689 ± 0.005 and 13.03 ± 0.03 days, which are close to 1:2:4 period commensurability. After several considerations related to the properties of the noise and sampling, we conclude that a 4th signal is most likely explained by stellar rotation, although it may be due to a planet. The proposed three-planet system (and the potential four-planet solution) is long-term dynamically stable. Planet-planet gravitational interactions are below our current detection threshold. The minimum masses of the three planets range from 1.4±0.2 to 1.8±0.3 M⊕. Planet d, with msin i = 1.64 ± 0.24M⊕, receives a similar amount of energy as Earth receives from the Sun. Consequently it lies within the liquid-water habitable zone of the star and has a similar equilibrium temperature to Earth. GJ 1061 has very similar properties to Proxima Centauri but activity indices point to lower levels of stellar activity