On the improvement of the low energy neutrino factory

The low energy neutrino factory has been proposed as a very sensitive setup for future searches for CP violation and matter effects. Here we study how its performance is affected when the experimental specifications of the setup are varied. Most notably, we have considered the addition of the 'platinum' nu_{mu} -> nu_{e} channel. We find that, whilst theoretically the extra channel provides very useful complementary information and helps to lift degeneracies, its practical usefulness is lost when considering realistic background levels. Conversely, an increase in statistics in the 'golden' nu_{e} -> nu_{mu} channel and, to some extent, an improvement in the energy resolution, lead to an important increase in the performance of the facility, given the rich energy dependence of the 'golden' channel at these energies. We show that a low energy neutrino factory with a baseline of 1300 km, muon energy of 4.5 GeV, and either a 20 kton totally active scintillating detector or 100 kton liquid argon detector, can have outstanding sensitivity to the neutrino oscillation parameters theta13, delta and the mass hierarchy. For our estimated exposure of 2.8 x 10^{23} kton x decays per muon polarity, the low energy neutrino factory has sensitivity to theta13 and delta for sin^{2}(2theta13) > 10^{-4} and to the mass hierarchy for sin^{2}(2theta13) > 10^{-3}.Comment: 13 pages, 8 eps figures. Version published in PRD - experimental section with preliminary results removed, abstract and conclusions re-written accordingly, title changed, author list amended

Genetic characterization of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivars from Castilla La Mancha (Spain) using microsatellite markers

A total of 73 accessions of Vitis vinifera L., corresponding to local grape cultivars from Castilla La Mancha (Spain) mostly collected in the districts around the Serranía de Cuenca, were analyzed with 12 microsatellite markers in order to ascertain identity and to detect synonymy and homonymy. The allelic pattern of the 73 accessions belonged to 39 different cultivars: 23 coincided with those of known grape cultivars and 16 were different such as 'Flamenca', 'Churriago', 'Pintailla', and 'Gallera Negra'. Homonymous designations were also detected like 'Coloraillo', 'Moravia Dulce' and 'Botón de Gallo' and synonymous names such as 'Garnacha' and 'Tinto Basto', 'Machina', 'Tortosi' and 'Rojal' as well as 'Moravio' and 'Bobal'.

Plant residue chemical quality modulates the soil microbial response related to decomposition and soil organic carbon and nitrogen stabilization in a rainfed Mediterranean agroecosystem

Soils play a major role in the global carbon cycle and are crucial to the management of climate change. Changes in plant cover derived from different agricultural practices induce variations in the quality of plant residue inputs and in the soil microbial community structure and activity, which may enhance the storage and protection of organic carbon (OC) and nitrogen (N) within aggregates. The aim of this study was to assess how differences in the chemical composition of plant residues in combination with tillage management practices affect the local microbial community activity and structure, and subsequent soil aggregation and OC and N dynamics in an organic, rainfed almond (Prunus dulcis Mill.) orchard. In the laboratory, three types of plant residue (shoots, roots, and the combination of both) coming from different species belonging to each agricultural practice (reduced tillage, reduced tillage plus green manure, reduced tillage plus organic manure, and no-tillage) were mixed with their respective soils and the CO2 released was measured over 243 days at 60% WHC and 28 °C. Water-stable aggregates (including microaggregates within macroaggregates), enzymatic activities related to carbon (dehydrogenase and ß-glucosidase) and N (urease) cycling, and the microbial biomass and community structure through phospholipid fatty acid analysis, were measured at the end of the incubation period. Our results indicate that the chemical composition of plant residues controls the microbial community response, mediating decomposition and the incorporation of OC and N in stable aggregates. Therefore, the incorporation of labile and N-rich plant residues into the soil by reduced tillage is recommended since mixing roots and shoots from green manure increased the formation of free micro-aggregates and improved OC and N stabilization in our semiarid agroecosystem. © 2021 Elsevier LtdThis research was supported with funds from the Fundaci?n S?neca of the Murcia Region (projects 08757/PI/08, EMISEMUR 19350/PI/14 and DECADE 20917/PI/18). Parts of this research were performed within the framework of the project IMPASEC AGL2011-25069 funded by the Spanish Ministerio de Econom?a y Competitividad. Mar?a Almagro was supported by the Juan de la Cierva Program (Grant IJCI-2015-23500) and Antonio Ruiz-Navarro by the Fundaci?n General from the Spanish Research Council (CSIC, ConFuturo Progamme). We thank members of the Soil and Water Conservation Group - Eloisa Garc?a, Inmaculada Montoya, and Mar?a Jos? Espinosa - for helping us with the field and laboratory work, and Gonzalo Barber? for his useful advice with statistical analyses. We also thanks Gonzalo Herv?s, from the Instituto de Ganader?a de Monta?a of the Spanish Research Council, for performing the fiber fraction analysis. We are also grateful to Claire Chenu and two anonymous reviewers for their constructive and insightful comments on earlier versions of the manuscript

Comparison of aromatic composition of an endangered variety ('Albilla Dorada') with other recognized aromatic varieties

'Albilla Dorada' is a local and endangered grape variety. It was correctly identified beforehand by analysing six microsatellite regions recommended by the GENRES 081 project plus six other additional regions, resulting in one new genotype not described for any variety according to the literature consulted. The object of this paper is to characterize the aromatic composition of this grape vine genotype not previously described. The minority volatile compounds in the grapes were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and compared with those of eight known aromatic cultivars: 'Albillo Real', 'Macabeo', 'Malvasía Aromática', 'Gewürztraminer', 'Viognier', 'Malvasía Riojana', 'Riesling' and 'Moscatel de Grano Menudo'. Statistically significant differences between varieties were found as regards the different fractions making up the aromatic composition. 'Albilla Dorada' differed from the rest in that it had higher proportions of alcohols, benzene alcohols and norisoprenoids. In the case of the terpene fraction, it was the variety with the highest proportions of citronellol and terpene hydroxides. Results of this work point out 'Albilla Dorada' is a variety with a singular aromatic identity and highlight the necessity of recovering it before its total disappearance.

Fluvial geomorphological dynamics and land use changes: impact on the organic carbon stocks of soil and sediment

The drainage basin of the Turrilla river (SE of Spain) went through important land cover changes since 1950s; from mainly an agrarian scenario in 1956 to other depopulated and forested in 2015. This study analyzes the effects of land use changes on fluvial dynamics and their relationship with the organic carbon (OC) stock in fluvial sedimentary deposits as well as in the soil of the basin. Methods included a fluvial geomorphological analysis and a land use change analysis in combination with OC databases of soil and sediment. Results showed that the fluvial channel experienced important morphological changes related to different erosion processes and stabilization of fluvial deposits, induced by land use changes in the drainage area. The active channel decreased 63% in the study period, while bank erosion and gully erosion increased (34% and 21 %, respectively). Alluvial fans and alluvial plain were also extended (21% and 7 %, respectively) and alluvial bars were colonized by vegetation. Sediment was impoverished in OC compared to catchment soils (0.24 enrichment ratio sediment/soil). However the increase of OC stock (Mg ha-1) was very similar between soil (25 %) and sediment (23 %). The total reservoir of OC (Mg) increased 27% in sediments and 25% in the catchment soils. Results show the large influence of geomorphological dynamics on the OC reservoir at the catchment scale. A very high potential of fluvial sediments to increase OC sinks was observed, particularly in scenarios where the active channel is narrowed and the fluvial channel is encroached with vegetation, facilitating the input of OC in sediment. The potential of sediment to sequester organic carbon could be very useful in planning and management of fluvial sedimentary zones in climate change mitigation policies. © 2019, Universidad Austral de Chile. All rights reserved.Este estudio ha recibido apoyo financiero del proyecto DISECO (CGL2014-55405-R) del Plan Nacional de Ciencia del Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad de España, del proyecto SOGLO (P7/24 IAP BELSPO) del gobierno de Bélgica. AHM recibió apoyo financiero para una estancia en la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (Argentina) del Banco de Santander mediante el Convenio Becas de Intercambio Latinoamérica (Programa ILA). CBF recibió apoyo financiero para dos estancias en el extranjero del programa Salvador de Madariaga 2017 (Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte, Gobierno de España) y del programa Jiménez de la Espada 2017 (Fundación Séneca, Agencia de Ciencia y Tecnología de la Región de Murcia). MAB fue parcialmente financiada por un contrato Juan de la Cierva-Incorporación (Ref: IJCI-2015-23500). Todas estas estancias permitieron el trabajo continuado en la redacción de este artículo

Competencia global y educación literaria: fundamentos teóricos y aportes críticos

E El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar los resultados de una revisión teórica sistemática de alcance internacional sobre la noción emergente de competencia global, identificando su potencial para la educación literaria. Las fuentes revisadas son artículos y trabajos de investigación publicados en los últimos quince años, y seleccionados en bases de datos especializadas. El estudio revela cómo la competencia global se configura desde la movilización de dimensiones como comprender múltiples perspectivas, comunicar eficazmente con audiencias diversas, indagar sobre el mundo y emprender acciones éticamente responsables, junto con componentes como la conciencia intercultural y la alfabetización crítica. En este escenario educativo, se analiza el papel que debe desempeñar una educación literaria que conecte al alumnado con el mundo, acompañándole en el descubrimiento, análisis e interpretación de cuestiones globales y multiculturales, desde la literatura infantil y juvenil. Como conclusión, se afirma que esta perspectiva implica la revisión del canon literario y la aplicación de propuestas metodológicas de mediación que focalicen la gestión del aula y las estrategias de interacción comunicativa a partir de los textos

Competencia global y educación literaria: fundamentos teóricos y aportes críticos

E El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar los resultados de una revisión teórica sistemática de alcance internacional sobre la noción emergente de competencia global, identificando su potencial para la educación literaria. Las fuentes revisadas son artículos y trabajos de investigación publicados en los últimos quince años, y seleccionados en bases de datos especializadas. El estudio revela cómo la competencia global se configura desde la movilización de dimensiones como comprender múltiples perspectivas, comunicar eficazmente con audiencias diversas, indagar sobre el mundo y emprender acciones éticamente responsables, junto con componentes como la conciencia intercultural y la alfabetización crítica. En este escenario educativo, se analiza el papel que debe desempeñar una educación literaria que conecte al alumnado con el mundo, acompañándole en el descubrimiento, análisis e interpretación de cuestiones globales y multiculturales, desde la literatura infantil y juvenil. Como conclusión, se afirma que esta perspectiva implica la revisión del canon literario y la aplicación de propuestas metodológicas de mediación que focalicen la gestión del aula y las estrategias de interacción comunicativa a partir de los textos

Phytochemical evaluation of white (Morus alba L.) and black (Morus nigra L.) mulberry fruits, a starting point for the assessment of their beneficial properties

Abstract This study evaluated, for the first time, the phenolic content of white ( Morus alba ) and black mulberry ( Morus nigra ) fruits with proven market aptitudes and grown in Spain, one of the main European producers. The antioxidant activity and mineral composition of these promising berry fruits were also assessed. Black mulberry clones showed higher antioxidant activity and amounts of phenolic compounds than white mulberry clones, although a wide intra-species variability was noted, according to principal component analysis. The total anthocyanins varied significantly among clones of M. nigra . These results are keys for the design of future dietary intervention studies examining the role of mulberry fruits in disease risk reduction. They can also be used for the development of mulberry derived-products rich in phenolic compounds

(Poly)phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of white (Morus alba) and black (Morus nigra) mulberry leaves: Their potential for new products rich in phytochemicals

Abstract The (poly)phenolic fingerprint and antioxidant activities of the leaves of white and black mulberry clones grown in Spain, one of the main European producers, were evaluated for the first time in order to examine their phytochemical potential. Data showed that mulberry leaves are rich in caffeoylquinic acids (6.8–8.5 mg/g dw) and flavonols (3.7–9.8 mg/g dw). It was also evidenced that a wide intra-species variability existed according to principal component analysis. These results can be useful for value-added utilisation of this underused vegetal matrix by the food/pharma industries. In addition, owing to their (poly)phenolic composition with proven biological activities, these data can serve as starting point for further nutritional studies with mulberry leaf-derived products