Investigations on the distribution of air transport traffic and CO2 emissions within the European Union

This study analyses the structure of air traffic and its distribution among the different countries in the European Union, as well as traffic with an origin or destination in non-EU countries. Data sources are Eurostat statistics and actual flight information from EUROCONTROL. Relevant variables such as the number of flights, passengers or cargo tonnes and production indicators (RPKs) are used together with fuel consumption and CO2 emissions data. The segmentation of air traffic in terms of distance permits an assessment of air transport competition with surface transport modes. The results show a clear concentration of traffic in the five larger countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and UK), in terms of RPKs. In terms of distance the segment between 500 and 1000 km in the EU, has more flights, passengers, RTKs and CO2 emissions than larger distances. On the environmental side, the distribution of CO2 emissions within the EU Member States is presented, together with fuel efficiency parameters. In general, a direct relationship between RPKs and CO2 emissions is observed for all countries and all distance bands. Consideration is given to the uptake of alternative fuels. Segmenting CO2 emissions per distance band and aircraft type reveals which flights contribute the most the overall EU CO2 emissions. Finally, projections for future CO2 emissions are estimated, according to three different air traffic growth and biofuel introduction scenarios

A new species of Farlowella (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the upper Bermejo River, La Plata River basin, northwestern Argentina

A new species of Farlowella is described from the Bermejo River basin, in Salta and Jujuy provinces, northwestern Argentina. The new species belongs to the Farlowella nattereri species group. The new species is diagnosed by the following combination of characters: marbled rostrum, five rows of lateral plates series, relatively short snout (snoutmouth length less than 50.0% of head length), complete half-moon shaped spot on caudal fin, and short predorsal distance (37.8-41.8% of standard length).Se describe una nueva especie de Farlowella de la cuenca del Río Bermejo, en las provincias de Salta y Jujuy, en el noroeste de Argentina. La nueva especie pertenece al grupo de Farlowella nattereri. La nueva especie se diagnostica con la siguiente combinación de caracteres: rostro veteado, cinco hileras de placas laterales en el cuerpo, hocico relativamente corto (longitud hocico-boca menor a 50.0% longitud cabeza), mancha en forma de media luna completa en la aleta caudal, y distancia predorsal corta (37.8-41.8% longitud estándar)Fil: Teran, Guillermo Enrique. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - Tucumán. Unidad Ejecutora Lillo; ArgentinaFil: Ballen, Gustavo A. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Alonso, Felipe. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Museo de Ciencias Naturales. Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del NOA; ArgentinaFil: Aguilera, Gaston. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - Tucumán. Unidad Ejecutora Lillo; ArgentinaFil: Mirande, Juan Marcos. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - Tucumán. Unidad Ejecutora Lillo; Argentin

Post-fire ecological restoration in Latin American forest ecosystems: insights and lessons from the last two decades

Wildfires are responsible for a substantial loss of forest ecosystem services globally and represent a major driving force of forest degradation across Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC). The detrimental effect of forest fires is particularly relevant in regions where fire has been historically absent or has rarely occurred. Nowadays, there is an increasing interest to promote and develop ecological restoration (ER) following fire. LAC constitutes a hotspot where work and interest in ER has been steadily increasing over the last decades, mainly due to the drive of a new generation of young and experienced ecologists and foresters. Despite the increasing attention in post-fire restoration in the region, there is a dearth of initiatives compiling and organizing all the available information on this topic. This work aims to address such constraint, providing current information on post-fire ER in LAC forests. After a brief contextualization of environmental and social consequences of wildfires, we collect and discuss recent advances on restoring degraded forests. From the conifer Mexican ecosystems to the Southern Patagonian evergreen forests, we look back over the last two decades (2000–2020) mainly discussing experiences of success and failure, as well as limitations of implementing approaches based on passive/natural restoration or active/assisted restoration. Furthermore, we also explore other aspects of the restoration process, including those related to social participation and community engagement (e.g. education in restored areas), the use of fire regulation and management to reduce fire risks and increase ecosystem resilience, educational aspects and intermediate approaches as agroforestry and silviculture practices. In the last sections, we identify three major categories of specific constraints that condition ER, including environmental limitations (biotic and abiotic factors), technical/management factors and the socio-economic challenge of restoration. Finally, we briefly discuss future perspectives for ER in LACPS was funded by the Regional Council of Education, University and Professional Training (Consellería de Educación, Universidade e Formación Profesional) from the Government of Galicia (Xunta de Galicia) through the Postdoctoral Plan “Axudas de apoio á etapa de formación posdoutoral nas universidades do Sistema universitario de Galicia”, (Ref - ED481B-2019-088). GS was funded by the Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico (Fondecyt Regular REF-1191905), and the “Fondo Interno para la Adquisición de Equipamiento Científico de la Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción (FIAEC 2019). RG was funded by Fondecyt (REF - 11170516). RG, AP were funded by Grant ANID PIA/BASAL FB210006. AF was funded by CERNAS, Centro de Estudos de Recursos Naturais, Ambiente e Sociedade (FCT-UID00681-2020-2023)S

Studies on structural, morphological, and optical properties of Cr2O3 nanoparticles: Synthesized via one step combustion process by different fuels

Esta investigación presenta un nuevo método de síntesis de un solo paso para obtener Cr2O3 nanoestructurado a partir de una solución de nitrato de cromo y un combustible como ácido aspártico, o lisina, o trihidroximetilaminometano, o etilendiaminotetraacético. Una vez obtenido los polvos fueron calcinados a 500ºC. Luego se caracterizaron mediante difracción de rayos X (DRX), microscopía electrónica de barrido (MEB), microscopía electrónica de transmisión (TEM), espectroscopía infrarroja por transformada de Fourier (FTIR), espectroscopía por UV-Visible y técnicas de Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET). Estos polvos serán utilizados en superficies absorbedoras como cermts o pinturas selectivas solares. En las cenizas y los polvos calcinados obtenidos se identificó la estructura cristalina del Cr2O3, correspondiente al sistema romboédrico y al grupo espacial R-3c. El tamaño promedio de cristalita de los productos obtenidos estuvo entre 29 y 45 nm, donde para las cenizas el tamaño fue menor en comparación a los polvos obtenidos para todos los combustibles utilizados. Es probable que para un incremento de la temperatura el tamaño de cristalita crezca. Un área específica de 167 m2 /g fue determinada para las cenizas obtenidas con ácido aspártico. Este fue el mayor valor observado en la literatura específica y podría utilizarse para reacciones de catálisis, mientras que el resto de los valores obtenidos para las cenizas fue mayor en comparación a los polvos calcinados para todos los combustibles. El tamaño promedio de partícula observado a través de TEM resultó entre 50 y 100 nm aproximadamente. La energía de Band Gap determinada resultó entre 3.055 eV y 3.078 eV, esta variable aumenta suavemente con la temperatura de calcinación. Para confirmar esta tendencia se deberían realizar mayor cantidad de experimentos.This research presents a novel one-step solution combustion synthesis to obtain nano-structured Cr2O3 from chrome nitrate solution and one fuel such as aspartic acid (Asp) or Lysine (Lys), or trihydroxymethylamino methane (Tris) or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Edta). Once obtained, the ashes were calcined at 500°C. The powders were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), infrared spectroscopy with Fourier transform (FTIR), UV-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-VIS) spectroscopy and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) techniques. These powders will be used in solar absorbing surfaces: in composites (o cermets) and painted coatings. Within the obtained ashes and calcined powders, it was identified a Cr2O3 crystalline structure corresponding to the rhombohedral system and to the R-3c spatial group. The average crystallite size was determined for ashes and calcined powders, this value was in nanometric range between 29 and 45 nm, where for ashes were in general minor than calcined powders in all cases. It is probable that with an increment of the temperature, crystallite size would grow. A specific area of 167 m2/g was determined for asp-ashes. This was a highest value observed in specific literature and it could be used in catalysis reactions, while the area values of ashes was higher than calcined powders value for each fuel. The average particle size observed through TEM resulted in 50 nm to 100 nm approximately. The determined Energy band gap resulted in 3.055eV to 3.078 eV approximately. The Energy band gap slightly increased with calcination temperature. Further trials and investigation will confirm the mentioned tendencies.Fil: Palermo, Valeria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas "Dr. Jorge J. Ronco". Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Gardey Merino, María Celeste. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional de Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Vazquez, Patricia Graciela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas "Dr. Jorge J. Ronco". Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Alonso, José A.. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; EspañaFil: Romanelli, Gustavo Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas "Dr. Jorge J. Ronco". Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, Marina. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional de Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Lassa, Maria Silvina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; Argentin

Effect of Maternal Dietary Condensed Tannins from Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) on Gut Health and Antioxidant-Immune Crosstalk in Suckling Lambs

Ewes fed sainfoin (a source of condensed tannins "CT") may influence the homeostasis of the gastrointestinal tract of suckling lambs. This study investigated the effects of CT from sainfoin in the maternal diet on plasma fructosamine, faecal coccidian excretion, and gene expression of immune and antioxidant markers in jejunum and ileum of suckling lambs. Twelve Rasa Aragonesa lambs with their dams were selected. The maternal diet was based on fresh sainfoin (SAINFOIN, n = 6) and sainfoin + polyethylene-glycol (SAINFOIN + PEG, as a CT-binder, n = 6) plus a daily supplement of 200 g barley in both groups. A lower percentage of lambs that shed more than 10 oocysts/g faeces was observed in SAINFOIN compared to the SAINFOIN + PEG group (p = 0.07). Jejunal gene expression of transforming growth factor-β1, tumour necrosis factor-α, and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) 1 and 4 were lower in the SAINFOIN group (p < 0.05). In contrast, ileal catalase and GPX2 expression were increased in the SAINFOIN group (p < 0.05). Overall, the results suggest that the presence of CT in the dams' diets has a positive effect on reducing excreted coccidian oocysts and favours antioxidant-immune crosstalk at gut level in suckling lambs.This research was funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities of Spain and the European Regional Development Funds, grant number INIA RTA2017-00008-C02-01 and 02

Comparative Analysis of the Effects of Spectrum and Module Temperature on the Performance of Thin Film Modules on Different Sites

The electric behavior under natural sunlight of thin film PV modules is more difficult to predict than that of crystalline silicon ones owing to the higher sensitivity to the spectral distribution of the former when compared with the latter, among some other factors. The purpose of this work is aimed at looking into the influence of the spectral irradiance and the module temperature on the outdoor performance of recent commercially available a- Si, CdTe and a-Si/μc-Si modules in sites with different climates in Spain. This paper is addressed to present the results of a 12-month experimental campaign experienced by modules of these thin film technologies carried out in the utilities of the CIEMAT/DER (Madrid, continental climate) and those of the University of Málaga (Málaga, Mediterranean climate). For each one of the tested specimens, contour graphs of their performance ratio (PR) as a function of module temperature and average photon energy (APE) are shown. A strong dependence of PR on APE is noticeable at module temperatures below some 45º C so that as a general trend, the module performance improves as APE increases. However, the tested a-Si and a-Si/uc-Si modules show little sensitivity to module temperature within some specific ranges of values of APE which lie in the vicinity of the APE value for the AM1.5G spectrum. Last, spectral gains achieved at high values of APE together with cold temperatures yield figures of PR above 1 in some cases

Anomalous widespread arid events in Asia over the past 550,000 years

Records of element ratios obtained from the Maldives Inner Sea sediments provide a detailed view on how the Indian Monsoon System has varied at high-resolution time scales. Here, we present records from International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Site U1471 based on a refined chronology through the past 550,000 years. The record's high resolution and a proper approach to set the chronology allowed us to reconstruct changes in the Indian Monsoon System on a scale of anomalies and to verify their relationships with established records from the East Asian Monsoon System. On the basis of Fe/sum and Fe/Si records, it can be demonstrated that the Asia continental aridity tracks sea-level changes, while the intensity of winter monsoon winds responds to changes in Northern Hemisphere summer insolation. Furthermore, the anomalies of continental aridity and intensity of winter monsoon winds at millennial-scale events exhibit power in the precession band, nearly in antiphase with Northern Hemisphere summer insolation. These observations indicate that the insolation drove the anomalies in the Indian Summer Monsoon. The good correspondence between our record and the East Asian monsoon anomaly records suggests the occurrence of anomalous widespread arid events in Asia.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Depression recurrence is accompanied by longer periods in default mode and more frequent attentional and reward processing dynamic brain-states during resting-state activity

Recurrence in major depressive disorder (MDD) is common, but neurobiological models capturing vulnerability for recurrences are scarce. Disturbances in multiple resting-state networks have been linked to MDD, but most approaches focus on stable (vs. dynamic) network characteristics. We investigated how the brain's dynamical repertoire changes after patients transition from remission to recurrence of a new depressive episode. Sixty two drug-free, MDD-patients with ≥2 episodes underwent a baseline resting-state fMRI scan when in remission. Over 30-months follow-up, 11 patients with a recurrence and 17 matched-remitted MDD-patients without a recurrence underwent a second fMRI scan. Recurrent patterns of functional connectivity were characterized by applying Leading Eigenvector Dynamics Analysis (LEiDA). Differences between baseline and follow-up were identified for the 11 non-remitted patients, while data from the 17 matched-remitted patients was used as a validation dataset. After the transition into a depressive state, basal ganglia-anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and visuo-attentional networks were detected significantly more often, whereas default mode network activity was found to have a longer duration. Additionally, the fMRI signal in the basal ganglia-ACC areas underlying the reward network, were significantly less synchronized with the rest of the brain after recurrence (compared to a state of remission). No significant changes were observed in the matched-remitted patients who were scanned twice while in remission. These findings characterize changes that may be associated with the transition from remission to recurrence and provide initial evidence of altered dynamical exploration of the brain's repertoire of functional networks when a recurrent depressive episode occurs.</p