Comparison between the reactivity of coal and synthetic coal models

A mixture of carbon compounds was pyrolysed under an inert atmosphere at different temperatures in a fixed bed reactor. The resultant chars were characterised in terms of texture and thermal behaviour. Textural characterisation of the chars was carried out by N2 and CO2 adsorption isotherms at −196 and 0 °C, respectively. Char isothermal reactivity in air at 500 °C, and in CO2 at 1000 °C, was performed in a thermogravimetric analyser (TGA). Temperature-programmed combustion tests under 20% oxygen in argon were also performed in the TGA linked to a mass spectrometer (TGA/MS). The results showed that char textural properties do not always relate well to their reactivity. Not only do physical properties (e.g. surface area, porosity) but also chemical properties (e.g. active sites concentration and distribution) play an important role in the reaction of carbonaceous material and oxidant. On the other hand, in terms of chemical composition the chars obtained from the mixture of carbon compounds were very similar to the chars produced under the same experimental conditions by a high volatile bituminous coal. The fact that carbon compounds are well known makes it easier to obtain knowledge about the functional groups present in synthetic char, and to study the mechanisms of heterogeneous reactions such as the reduction of NO with carbon.Peer reviewe

CO2 capture by adsorption with nitrogen enriched carbons

9 pages, 7 figures, 3 tables.-- Printed version published Sep 2007.-- Issue title: The 6th European Conference on Coal Research and its Applications.The success of CO2 capture with solid sorbents is dependent on the development of a low cost sorbent with high CO2 selectivity and adsorption capacity. Immobilised amines are expected to offer the benefits of liquid amines in the typical absorption process, with the added advantages that solids are easy to handle and that they do not give rise to corrosion problems. In this work, different alkylamines were evaluated as a potential source of basic sites for CO2 capture, and a commercial activated carbon was used as a preliminary support in order to study the effect of the impregnation. The amine coating increased the basicity and nitrogen content of the carbon. However, it drastically reduced the microporous volume of the activated carbon, which is chiefly responsible for CO2 physisorption, thus decreasing the capacity of raw carbon at room temperature.This work was carried out with financial support from the Spanish MEC (Project CTM2005-03075/TECNO). M.G.P. and C.P. acknowledge the support from the CSIC I3P Program co-financed by the European Social Fund.Peer reviewe

Effects of sex and sampling site on the relative proportion of pesticides in uropygial gland secretions of European Blackbirds (Turdus merula)

ETHICS AND PERMISSIONS This project was undertaken with all the necessary permits issued by the Regional Department of the Environment (Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Junta de Andalucía) and CSIC bio-ethics commit- tee. Ringing licences 66 042 and 660 019. Bio- Ethics permit: 25–05–15-254. Regional Depart- ment of the Environment Permit 2013_21_22- 2011_15 DGGMN 2014_2015.Data Availability Statement All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article. Data availability: the sequences from parasite lineages generated dur- ing the current study are available in MALAVI repository (http://130.235.244.92/Malavi/index. html) and GenBank (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genbank/). The lineages submitted are from Plasmodium SYAT05 (Plasmodium vaughani) and LINN1 (= pSPHUjJ 2), and three different lineages of Leucocy- tozoon: TUMER01, TUMER02 and NEVE01. The GenBank numbers are as follows: Leucocytozoon: ON730883 – Lineage NEVE01, ON730884 – Line- age TUMER02 and ON730885 – Lineage TUMER01; Plasmodium: ON730886 – Linage LINN1 and ON730887 – Lineage SYAT05.This study was funded by project P11-RNM-7038 from the Junta de Andalucía and projects CGL2015-65055-P and PGC2018-095704-B-I00 from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). A.D.F. was supported by a Severo- Ochoa grant from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (SVP-2014-068571). L.G. was supported by a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship from the European Commission (grant number 747729, EcoEvoClim).Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is a pesticide that was commonly used for decades worldwide. The use of DDT was banned in the 1970s and 1980s in Europe because of its high toxicity and persistence in the environment, bioaccumulation in living organisms and biomagnification through food webs. However, monitoring using both invasive and non-invasive methods has routinely reported the occurrence of DDT metabolites such as dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) in wild birds, providing valuable information about the exposure to pesticides and potential differences between species and over time. Here, we analysed the relative proportion of DDE in the uropygial gland secretions of European Blackbirds Turdus merula from two localities in southern Spain. Given the negative effects of this pollutant on animal immunity, we also tested for associations between the prevalence of haemosporidians and the relative proportion of DDE in their secretions. Relative proportions of DDE varied between sampling sites and were higher in females than in males, regardless of their age. In spite of the potential immunosuppressive effect of DDE, haemosporidian infection was not associated with DDE presence.Project P11-RNM-7038 from the Junta de AndalucíaProjects CGL2015-65055-P and PGC2018-095704-B-I00 from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and European Regional Development Fund (FEDER)Severo Ochoa grant from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (SVP-2014-068571)Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship from the European Commission (grant number 747729, EcoEvoClim

Bird community effects on avian malaria infections

In community assembly processes, interspecific interactions play an important role in shaping community diversity, especially at the local scale. Changes in species richness or abundance can modify local infectious disease dynamics, either reducing or increasing the risk of transmission within the community. This study evaluates the effects of bird community on avian haemosporidians infections in a Neotropical region. Bird samples were collected from areas surrounding three dams, and molecular analysis were performed to identify blood-parasitic haemosporidia infecting the birds. Generalized linear models were used to analyze the relationships between the bird community and the prevalence, number of infections, and richness of avian haemosporidian lineages. Non-significant effects of bird community dominance and richness on the prevalence of avian parasites and the number of infections of Haemoproteus were found. However, there was evidence of an amplification effect. Host dominance was associated with the total number of infections, the number Plasmodium infections and the expected richness of Plasmodium lineages, while the expected richness of Haemoproteus lineages was associated with the richness of bird species. These findings highlight the role of host community dominance and richness in the dynamics of parasite infections, potentially influenced by the availability of competent hosts. This study contributes significantly to our understanding of blood parasite diversity in tropical birds within a relatively understudied region of South America.This research was funded by Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM) and the Universidad de Antioquia through the cooperation Grant CT-2017–001714. JMP was financed by the grant PID2020-118205GB-I00 from MCIN/ AEI/10.13039/501100011033 of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation

Multifractal characterization of seismicity: the case of Carterbury region (New Zealand), 2000 -2018

The Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation (MF-DF) algorithm is applied to measure the complexity of two time series, the inter-event hypocentral distance Δδ(t), and the inter-event time series Δτ(t) In particular, we apply this methodology to the seismic sequences produced in the Carterbury region during 18 years (2000-2018). Results indicate a clear multifractal behavior of Δδ(t) and Δτ(t). Moreover, an increses in the complexity is observed when a large event occurs . These results suggest that the MF-DF algorithm could be useful as a seismic precursor index

Two cases of subcutaneous dirofilariasis in Barcelona, Spain

In recent years, the number of reported cases of human dirofilariasis in Europe has increased and the circulation of Dirofilaria spp. in mosquitoes in several European countries has been proven. We report here two likely autochthonous cases of subcutaneous human dirofilariasis from Barcelona, Spain, caused by Dirofilaria repens. The potential for an increase in human infection is high given the number of cases published recently and the ability of vectors to spread through the Mediterranean basin

Morpho-physiological plant quality when biochar and vermicompost are used as growing media replacement in urban horticulture

Peat moss is the most used soilless substrate in the production of container plants in floriculture. Nevertheless, the drainage of peat bogs due to the peat extraction has increased the necessity of seeking products that could replace the peat that is used in plant production. Therefore, a comparative study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a biochar (B) - vermicompost (V) mixture, as a partial substitute for peat-based substrates, on the morpho-physiological characteristics of ornamental plants. Different blends containing B and V were compared to a baseline peat-based substrate (S) as control in the cultivation of two ornamental bedding plant species that are widely used in urban areas: geranium (Pelargonium peltatum) and petunia (Petunia hybrida). Plant growth and physiological parameters were assessed. Results showed that it is possible to grow container plants of these two species with commercial quality, using a peat-based substrate mixed with biochar and/or vermicompost (up to 30% V and 12% B). Plants in these substrates showed a similar or enhanced physiological response to those grown in the control using commercial peat-based substrate.This work was partially supported by the projects CTQ2013-46804-C2-1-R and CGL2016-76498-R of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and the European Regional Development Funds (ERDF). The authors wish to thank the Horticultural Department and Carbon Sequestration and Management Center of Ohio State University for providing materials and facilities for this investigation. Similarly, the authors are deeply grateful to the following people: Mrs. Loewe and Dr. J. Altland from Application Technology Research Unit at Wooster OSU campus for their laboratory assistance in determining the physical properties substrate mixtures. Miss S. Stieve and Dr P. Jourdan from the Ornamental Germoplam Center at Columbus OSU campus are also thanked for their laboratory assistance in the accurate and precise weighing of leaves

Urbanization correlates with the prevalence and richness of blood parasites in Eurasian Blackbirds (Turdus merula)

J.D.I. was funded by a postdoctoral contract (TAHUB-104) from the program ‘Andalucía Talent Hub’ (Marie Sklodowska Curie actions - COFUND). A.D.F. was funded by the ‘Severo Ochoa’ grant (SVP-2014-068571) from MICINN (Spain). J.A. was funded by a grant from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (CT45/15-CT46/15). During the writing of this manuscript, J.F. was supported by the MICINN project PID2021-123761OB-I00 supported by FEDER funds, J.M.P. by the MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 [grant number PID2020-118205GB-I00] and by the Junta de Andalucía, Consejería de Universidad, Investigación e Innovación (Proyecto: P21_00049), while J.D.I. was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2019-107423GA-I00 / SRA (State Research Agency / 10.13039/501100011033).Urbanization is increasing worldwide, producing severe environmental impacts. Biodiversity is affected by the expansion of cities, with many species being unable to cope with the different human-induced stressors present in these landscapes. However, this knowledge is mainly based on research from taxa such as plants or vertebrates, while other organisms like protozoa have been less studied in this context. The impact of urbanization on the transmission of vector-borne pathogens in wildlife is still unclear despite its relevance for animal and human health. Here, we investigated whether cities are associated with changes in the prevalence and richness of lineages of three vector-borne protozoans (Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon) in Eurasian blackbirds (Turdus merula) from multiple urban and forest areas in Europe. Our results show important species-specific differences between these two habitat types. We found a significant lower prevalence of Leucocytozoon in urban birds compared to forest birds, but no differences for Plasmodium and Haemoproteus. Furthermore, the richness of parasite lineages in European cities was higher for Plasmodium but lower for Leucocytozoon than in forests. We also found one Plasmodium lineage exclusively from cities while another of Leucocytozoon was only found in forests suggesting a certain level of habitat specialization for these protozoan vectors. Overall, our findings show that cities provide contrasting opportunities for the transmission of different vector-borne pathogens and generate new scenarios for the interactions between hosts, vectors and parasites.Marie Sklodowska Curie actions - COFUND: TAHUB-104MICINN ‘Severo Ochoa’ SVP-2014-068571Universidad Complutense de Madrid CT45/15-CT46/15MICINN PID2021-123761OB-I00FEDERMCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 PID2020-118205GB-I00Junta de Andalucía P21_00049Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2019-107423GA-I00 / SRA (State Research Agency / 10.13039/501100011033

Habitat-dependent Culicoides species composition and abundance in blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) nests

Wild birds are hosts of Culicoides from as early on as the nesting stage when constrained to their nests. However, the environmental factors which determine the abundance and composition of Culicoides species within each bird nest are still understudied. We sampled Culicoides from Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) nests found in two types of forest located in southern Spain. Firstly, we monitored the abundance of Culicoides species in bird nests from a dry Pyrenean oak deciduous forest and a humid mixed forest comprising Pyrenean and Holm oaks throughout two consecutive years. During the third year, we performed a cross-fostering experiment between synchronous nests to differentiate the role of rearing environment conditions from that of the genetically determined or maternally transmitted cues released by nestlings from each forest. We found 147 female Culicoides from 5 different species in the birds’ nests. The abundance of Culicoides was higher in the dry forest than in the humid forest. Culicoides abundance, species richness, and prevalence were greater when the nestlings were hatched later in the season. The same pattern was observed in the cross-fostering experiment, but we did not find evidence that nestling’s features determined by the forest of origin had any effect on the Culicoides collected. These results support the notion that habitat type has a strong influence on the Culicoides affecting birds in their nests, while some life history traits of birds, such as the timing of reproduction, also influence Culicoides abundance and species composition.This study was partially funded by projects within the National Plan of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competition (CGL2014-55969-P and CGL2017-84938-P), the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2020-118205GB-I00), and the Andalusian government (A.RNM.48.UGR20), co-funded with FEDER funds from the European Union. JLRS and EP were supported by Erasmus+ grants from the European Union. JGB was supported by a FPU predoctoral contract from the Spanish Ministry of Education (FPU18/03034)

Developing Tools for Networks of Processors

A great deal of research eort is currently being made in the realm of so called natural computing. Natural computing mainly focuses on the denition, formal description, analysis, simulation and programming of new models of computation (usually with the same expressive power as Turing Machines) inspired by Nature, which makes them particularly suitable for the simulation of complex systems.Some of the best known natural computers are Lindenmayer systems (Lsystems, a kind of grammar with parallel derivation), cellular automata, DNA computing, genetic and evolutionary algorithms, multi agent systems, arti- cial neural networks, P-systems (computation inspired by membranes) and NEPs (or networks of evolutionary processors). This chapter is devoted to this last model