The use of vegetation series to assess á and â vegetation diversity and their relationships with geodiversity in the province of Almeria (Spain) with watersheds as operational geographic units

Abstract With this paper we suggest that vegetation series is a useful conceptual tool to identify a clear level of biodiversity of land systems among the many possible logical levels. The suggestion is supported by the results of a case study carried out for the province of Almeria (Spain) using the watersheds as operational geographic units. The application of standard correlation analysis, simple and partial, the Mantel?s test, and the cluster analysis has shown that ? and ? vegetation diversities, based on vegetation series, are significantly predictive with respect to environmental heterogeneity expressed by pedodiversity, lithodiversity, and some parameters of digital elevation model. Being a product of the Braun Blanquet?s floristic approach, vegetation series could be the key to enter into vegetation databases for biodiversity analysis of land systems at many other levels of knowledge. Keywords: data mining, Mantel, nestedness, partial correlation, pedodiversity, Simpson, knowledge generatio

Islands of biogeodiversity in arid lands on a polygons map study: Detecting scale invariance patterns from natural resources maps

Abstract Many maps (geology, hydrology, soil, vegetation, etc.) are created to inventory natural resources. Each of these resources is mapped using a unique set of criteria, including scales and taxonomies. Past research indicates that comparing results of related maps (e.g., soil and geology maps) may aid in identifying mapping deficiencies. Therefore, this study was undertaken in Almeria Province, Spain to (i) compare the underlying map structures of soil and vegetation maps and (ii) investigate if a vegetation map can provide useful soil information that was not shown on a soil map. Soil and vegetation maps were imported into ArcGIS 10.1 for spatial analysis, and results then exported to Microsoft Excel worksheets for statistical analyses to evaluate fits to linear and power law regression models. Vegetative units were grouped according to the driving forces that determined their presence or absence: (i) climatophilous (ii) lithologic-climate; and (iii) edaphophylous. The rank abundance plots for both the soil and vegetation maps conformed to Willis or Hollow Curves, meaning the underlying structures of both maps were the same. Edaphophylous map units, which represent 58.5% of the vegetation units in the study area, did not show a good correlation with the soil map. Further investigation revealed that 87% of the edaphohygrophilous units were found in ramblas, ephemeral riverbeds that are not typically classified and mapped as soils in modern systems, even though they meet the definition of soil given by the most commonly used and most modern soil taxonomic systems. Furthermore, these edaphophylous map units tend to be islands of biodiversity that are threatened by anthropogenic activity in the region. Therefore, this study revealed areas that need to be revisited and studied pedologically. The vegetation mapped in these areas and the soils that support it are key components of the earth's critical zone that must be studied, understood, and preserved

El aprovechamiento de recursos vegetales en los niveles neolíticos del yacimiento de Los Murciélagos (Zuheros, Córdoba). Estudio arqueobotánico y de la función del utillaje

Sin resume

Recovery of rare earth elements from acidic mine waters: An unknown secondary resource

Acidic mine Drainage (AMD) is still considered one of the greatest mining sustainability challenges due to the large volumes of wastes generated and the high associated treatment cost. New regulation initiatives on sustainable development, circular economy and the need for strategic elements as Rare Earth Elements (REE) may overcome the traditional research initiatives directed to developing low cost treatment options and to develop research initiatives to identify the potential benefit of considering such AMD as a potential secondary resource. As an example, this study develops the integration of a three-stage process where REE are selectively separated from base metals (e.g. Fe, Al, Mn, Ca, Mg, Cd, Pb) and then concentrate to produce a rich REE by-product recovered as REE-phosphates. Selective separation of Fe (>99%) was achieved by total oxidation to Fe(III) and subsequent precipitation as schwertmannite at pH 3,6 ± 0.2. REE were then extracted from AMD using a sulfonic ion-exchange resin to produce concentrated REE sulfuric solutions up to 0.25 gREE/L. In a final stage selective separation of REE from Al(III), Ca(II) and Mg(II) and transitions elements (Cu, Zn, Ni) was achieved by precipitation with phosphate solutions under optimized pH control and total phosphate concentration. XRD analysis identified low-crystalline minerals. By using a thermal treatment the presence of PrPO4(s) and Cheralite (CePO4(s)) where Ce is substituted by La and Ca and Xenotime (YPO4(s)) were found as main minerals AlPO4(s) Ca,MgYPO4(s) were also identified.Peer ReviewedObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::13 - Acció per al ClimaObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::9 - Indústria, Innovació i InfraestructuraPostprint (published version

Recovery of rare Earth elements from acidic mine waters by integration of a selective chelating ion-exchanger and a solvent impregnated resin

A polymeric ion-exchange resin, incorporating methyl-amino-phosphonic (TP260) functionalities, and a solvent impregnated resin (SIR) incorporating tri-methylpentylphosphinic acid (TP272), were evaluated for the selective separation of Rare Earth Elements (REE) from Transition (TE), post -Transition (PTE), and Alkaline Earth (AE) Elements in acidic mine waters (AMW). The influence of the functional groups nature and the acidity dependence were studied and their effects on efficiencies for REE removal and separation from TE/PTE were analysed Both resins provided good separation factors of REE from TE/PTE by acidity control of the treated effluent once Fe(III), the major component in AMW, had been removed by precipitation. The TP272 resin, containing tri-methylpentylphosphinic acid (Cyanex 272) onto the polymeric network, showed higher affinity towards Heavy REE (HRRE) than for Light REE (LRRE) by acidity control (pH > 4). Higher pre-concentration factors were achieved for TP272 impregnated resin (e.g., 20–30) in comparison with the TP260 phosphonic resin (2-5), as the pH extraction window is in the moderate pH region (1-5). The integration in series of both resins could be used to separate and recover HREE and LREE from TE/PTE from AMW generated concentrates could be used to recover REE as secondary resources for the clean energy technology industry.Peer ReviewedObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::9 - Indústria, Innovació i InfraestructuraObjectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::13 - Acció per al ClimaPostprint (author's final draft

Validating GIC modeling in the Spanish power grid by differential magnetometry

series of experiences and recommendations are presented concerning the derivation of geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) by use of the differential magnetometry method (DMM) under power lines. This indirect technique, intended to obtain observations to validate GIC models, is an alternative to measuring the current flow in the transformer neutrals. It is a non-intrusive and autonomous technique, as the procedure does not depend on the grid operator. In contrast, the selection of suitable sites devoid of human interferences, the need for power to supply the magnetometer, the data acquisition and transmission system, along with the choice of the appropriate instrumentation are difficulties that make not just any site suitable for installation and often require costly solutions. We focus on the methodology followed to estimate the GIC flowing in several transmission lines of the Spanish power grid with the aim of validating our GIC models, and we share our experience on the installation of the measuring points. Uncertainty inherent in the DMM is assessed, showing that noise is the main handicap, although it can be minimized with appropriate filtering. According to such experience, on some occasions only total DC currents above a significant fraction of 1 A give magnetic signatures well above the noise level, so this figure can roughly be considered as the threshold limit for detection. The low solar activity, combined with the mid-latitude condition of Spain, limited the significance of available recorded data, but we can already report and analyze the results for several minor geomagnetic storms

Atypical modulations of N170 component during emotional processing and their links to social behaviors in ex-combatants

ABSTRACT: Emotional processing (EP) is crucial for the elaboration and implementation of adaptive social strategies. EP is also necessary for the expression of social cognition and behavior (SCB) patterns. It is well-known that war contexts induce socio-emotional atypical functioning, in particular for those who participate in combats. Thus, ex-combatants represent an ideal non-clinical population to explore EP modulation and to evaluate its relation with SCB. The aim of this study was to explore EP and its relation with SCB dimensions such as empathy, theory of mind and social skills in a sample of 50 subjects, of which 30 were ex-combatants from illegally armed groups in Colombia, and 20 controls without combat experience. We adapted an Emotional Recognition Task for faces and words and synchronized it with electroencephalographic recording. Ex-combatants presented with higher assertion skills and showed more pronounced brain responses to faces than Controls. They did not show the bias toward anger observed in control participants whereby the latter group was more likely to misclassify neutral faces as angry. However, ex-combatants showed an atypical word valence processing. That is, words with different emotions yielded no differences in N170 modulations. SCB variables were successfully predicted by neurocognitive variables. Our results suggest that in ex-combatants the links between EP and SCB functions are reorganized. This may reflect neurocognitive modulations associated to chronic exposure to war experiences

Impact of functional group types in ion exchange resins on rare earth element recovery from treated acid mine waters

Ion-exchange (IX) resins incorporating single functional groups (sulfonic or amino-phosphonic) and two functional groups (sulfonic and phosphonic) were evaluated for selective recovery of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) from acidic mine waters (AMW). The composition of AMW solution, complexing properties of the functional group, and acidity were investigated as key parameters for concentration and separation of REEs from transition elements (TEs). Fe has to be removed from AMW to enable REE recovery and here the AMW was treated with NaOH solutions to reach pH 3.9 where Fe(III) was selectively removed (=99%) by precipitation of schwertmannite. Single functional IX resin containing a sulfonic group displayed a higher REE recovery efficiency and separation ratio than observed for the bi-functional resin (sulfonic/phosphonic). Concentration factors for REEs between 30 and 40 were achieved using regeneration cycles with H2SO4. The performance of the aminophosphonic resin showed lower separation factors for REEs from TEs than the two resins containing sulfonic groups. IX resins performance was improved by tuning the acidity to match the functional group reactivity, where pH adjustment to the range of 0.5–2.0 provided the highest REE/TE separation factor for the single sulfonic resin followed by the bifunctional resin. The integration of an elution cycle using Na2-EDTA/NH4Cl mixtures strongly increases the concentration factors of REE and Light REE (LREE) concentration factors of up to 260 were achieved for the single functional sulfonic resin.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Determinación del índice de infestación por Varroa destructor en colonias de Apis mellifera, en condiciones naturales

The objective of this research was to determine the infestation index by Varroa destructor in colonies of Apis mellifera without control measures, in the province of Santiago de Chuco, La Libertad, Peru; since there are no studies on this subject in the área. For which we proceeded to identify the places where the hives were that did not have any type of control for the various pests, such as varroa, which has implications for the bee population and the products they make such as honey, propolis, royal jelly and wax. To determine the infestation index of Varroa destructor on Apis mellifera , the test described by David De Jong, known as “bee washing”, was used. For which 4 colonies of bees that were in natural conditions were evaluated, determining that colony C-1 had an infestation index of 7.4%, which indicates that it is in a medium intensity, the other colonies C-2, C-3, and C-4 had an infestation index of 3.2%, 3.6% and 2.2% respectively, which means that they have a low intensity; therefore, it is concluded that in bee colonies without any type of control, the varroa infestation rate is higher when it is closer to human populations. In addition, it was determined that the varroa infestation index is inverse to altitude.La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo determinar el índice de infestación por Varroa destructor en colonias de Apis mellifera sin medidas de control, en la provincia de Santiago de Chuco, departamento La Libertad, Perú; ya que no existen estudios sobre este tema en la zona. Para lo cual se procedió a identificar los lugares donde se encontraban las colmenas que no tenían ningún tipo de control para las diversas plagas, como la varroa, que tiene implicancia en la población de abejas y en los productos que elaboran como miel, propóleo, jalea real y cera. Para la determinación del índice de infestación de Varroa destructor sobre Apis mellifera , se usó la prueba descrita por David De Jong, conocida como “lavado de abejas”. Para cual se evaluaron 4 colonias de abejas que se encontraban en condiciones naturales, determinándose que la colonia C-1 tuvo un índice de infestación de 7,4 %, lo que indica que se encuentra en una intensidad media, las demás colonias C- 2, C-3, y C-4 tuvieron un índice de infestación de 3,2%, 3,6% y 2,2% respectivamente lo que significa que tienen una intensidad baja; por lo que se concluye que en colonias de abejas sin ningún tipo de control, el índice de infestación por varroa es más alto cuando está más cerca de poblaciones humanas. Además, se determinó que el índice de infestación por varroa es inverso a la altitud

Comparación de la resistencia flexural de resinas acrílicas actueles para prótesis completas

Fil: Atala, José Luis. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Cátedra de Prostodoncia II A; Argentina.Fil: Ibañez, Claudio Arturo Antonio. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Cátedra de Prostodoncia I A; Argentina.Fil: Ocampo, Marcelo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Cátedra de Prostodoncia II A; Argentina.Fil: Cabral, Ricardo Juan. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Cátedra de Materiales Dentales; Argentina.El material más utilizado en la elaboración de las prótesis dentales es el polimetacrilato de metilo; no está exento de limitaciones, sobre todo en términos de resistencia flexural y resistencia al impacto.Fil: Atala, José Luis. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Cátedra de Prostodoncia II A; Argentina.Fil: Ibañez, Claudio Arturo Antonio. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Cátedra de Prostodoncia I A; Argentina.Fil: Ocampo, Marcelo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Cátedra de Prostodoncia II A; Argentina.Fil: Cabral, Ricardo Juan. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología. Cátedra de Materiales Dentales; Argentina.Otras Ciencias de la Salu