Fragmentation in Araucaria araucana forests in Chile: quantification and correlation with structural variables

Landscape fragmentation is one of the main threats to South American temperate forests due to population growth, conversion of native forests to plantations of exotic species and non-sustainable timber harvesting. The lack of forest connectivity can interfere with pollination, seed dispersal, biodiversity and landscape quality. Species with relatively limited seed dispersal are potentially more sensitive to the landscape fragmentation. Araucaria araucana (Mol.) K. Koch is a long-lived, slow-growing, relict conifer in South America’s temperate forests with large seeds possessing a limited dispersal range. The objective of the study was to identify priority areas for Araucaria conservation based on fragmentation quantification and correlation with structural variables and regeneration conditions. Results from the FRAGSTATS® and CONEFOR® software indicated that Araucaria connectivity has increased in sites located in the central Andean Range in comparison to other sites, because of reduced human and livestock pressure as well as the relative absence of commercial plantations. The proximity index ranged from 6.01 m to 34834.2 m, and the probability of connectivity has significantly increased (175663 ha) in the central Andean Range. Significant relationships were found between the Simpson’s index (or the probability of connectivity) and basal area, and between the mean largest patch index and crown diameter. The largest patch index (r = 0.6; p < 0.05) and the area-weighted mean proximity index (r = 0.767; p < 0.05) were the most important landscape metrics influencing Araucaria regeneration. Furthermore, the integration of spatial pattern analysis obtained from satellite images and aerial photographs with forest and regeneration characterization from field sampling allowed to identify the most vulnerable areas. The methodology presented here can assist in the identification of target areas for spatial conservation, including management needs under the current budget restrictions.Trabajo financiado por: Universidad de Córdoba (Chile). Servicio de Investigación. Beca 207-141-018-1.0 Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores. Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo. Becas A/023099/09, A/030789/10 Gobierno de Extremadura. Consejería de Economía, Competitividad e Innovación. Ayuda EconómicapeerReviewe

West Nile virus neutralizing antibodies in wild birds from southern Spain

West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging vector-borne arbovirus with a zoonotic life-cycle whose main reservoir hosts are birds. In humans and horses, WNV infections rarely result in clinical disease but on occasions - depending on factors such as climatic conditions, insect communities and background immunity levels in local populations - they can lead to outbreaks that threaten public and animal health. We tested for the presence of WNV antibodies in 149 birds belonging to 32 different species. Samples were first tested using a bird-specific ELISA kit and then both positive and doubtful results were confirmed by neutralization tests using WNV and Usutu virus. WNV antibodies were confirmed in a resident Sylvia melanocephala juvenile, supporting the idea of local transmission of WNV in southern Spain in 2013. In addition, the serum from an adult blackbird (Turdus merula) showed neutralization of both WNV and Usutu virus. We discuss our results in light of the occurrence of WNV on horse farms in southern Spain in 2013.Peer reviewe

Importance of Heat Transfer Phenomena in Small Turbochargers for Passenger Car Applications

[EN] Nowadays turbocharging the internal combustion engine has become a key point in the reduction on pollutant emissions and the improvement on engine performance. The matching between the turbocharger and the engine is vital due to the highly unsteady flow the turbocharger works with. In the present paper the importance of the heat transfer phenomena inside small automotive turbochargers will be analyzed. This phenomenon will be studied from the point of view of both the turbine and the compressor in one-dimensional modelling. The goodness of the model will be demonstrated predicting turbine and compressor outlet temperatures. An accurate prediction of these parameters will be key designing the intercooler and the after treatment devices. A series of tests in a gas stand with steady and pulsating hot flow in the turbine side will be modeled to show the good agreement in turbocharger enthalpies prediction.This paper is partially supported by the Universitat Politècnica de València PAID-06-11 2034.Serrano Cruz, JR.; Olmeda González, PC.; Arnau Martínez, FJ.; Reyes Belmonte, MA.; Lefebvre, A. (2013). Importance of Heat Transfer Phenomena in Small Turbochargers for Passenger Car Applications. SAE International Journal of Engines. 6(2):1-13. doi:10.4271/2013-01-0576S1136

Housing economic valuation in the metropolitan area of Puebla, Mexico

Objective: The purpose of this research was to identify the sale value of homes in the metropolitan area of the city of Puebla, using the hedonic price technique to determine a model that takes into consideration relevant variables that explain the housing prices.Methodology: An overall problem is land mismanagement. The location of the homes can affect their price. A hedonic price model helps to determine the relative importance of the variables in the final price. This information provides an initial perspective to the people who are interested in acquiring a home in the study area. The model was built based on the information collected from 182 properties and it was analyzed using theSPSS software version 28.0.0.0.Results: The most significant variables that determine housing prices, which presented a multiple valuation coefficient of 64.3%. The effect of the variables on the housing value was determined by means of elasticities.Study Limitations: There were no limitations for this report.Conclusions: The following variables were significant: new home, number of bathrooms, built‐up area, private security, distance to the downtown of Puebla, and distance to a park

Análisis de la disponibilidad a pagar por carne de cerdo libre de antibióticos, un enfoque de Experimentos de Elección

Health issues and the production of differentiated foods influence the consumers' decisions and lead them to opt for products with particular organoleptic characteristics. The objective of this research was to estimate the preferences and willingness to pay for antibiotic-free pork in the municipality of Texcoco, State of Mexico, in order to determine the existence or absence of an incentive for the commercialization of antibiotic-free pork. The Discrete Choice Method of Experiments was used. The attributes considered in the design were: color, fat content, and presence of antibiotics. A survey of 196 consumers was carried out for this purpose. The results were analyzed with the NLOGIT 4.0 software, using a mixed logit model. The most valued attribute was antibiotic content, which means that respondents would be willing to pay an additional premium of $30.65 MXN/kg for antibiotic-free pork. It was found that the higher the income and the higher the frequency of pork consumption, the greater the willingness to pay an additional premium for antibiotic-free meat. A WTP of$5.78 MXN was determined for meat with normal fat, and of $3.73 MXN for red meat. Pork consumers in the eastern part of the State of Mexico would be willing to pay an additional premium for antibiotic-free pork and for such quality aspects as fat content and color.Los problemas de salud y la producción de alimentos diferenciados influyen en las decisiones de los consumidores y los orienta a optar por productos con características organolépticas particulares. El objetivo de esta investigación fue estimar las preferencias y disposición a pagar por carne de cerdo libre de antibióticos en el municipio de Texcoco, Estado de México, para determinar la existencia o no de un incentivo para la comercialización de carne de este tipo. Se utilizó el Método de Experimentos de Elección Discreta. Los atributos considerados en el diseño fueron: color, contenido de grasa y presencia de antibióticos. Para ello se aplicó una encuesta a 196 consumidores. Los resultados se analizaron con el software NLOGIT 4.0, mediante un modelo logit mixto. El atributo más valorado fue contenido de antibióticos, lo que significa que los entrevistados estarían dispuestos a pagar una prima adicional de$30.65 MXN/kg de carne de cerdo libre de antibióticos. Se encontró que, a mayor ingreso y a mayor frecuencia de consumo en carne de cerdo, mayor disposición a pagar una prima adicional por carne libre de antibióticos. Se determinó una DAP de $5.78 MXN por carne con grasa normal y de$3.73 MXN más por carne de color rojo. Los consumidores de carne de cerdo del oriente del Estado de México estarían dispuestos a pagar una prima adicional por carne de cerdo libre de antibióticos y aspectos de calidad como contenido de grasa y color

Hands-on training in industrial cybersecurity for a multidisciplinary Master's degree

[EN] As a response to the scarcity of workforce with essential competences for Industry 4.0, academic institutions are making an effort to propose specialized educational programs. In this context of digitalization, industrial cybersecurity is an increasingly important aspect. Nevertheless, industrial cybersecurity is a challenging topic that requires the understanding of both information technologies and the operation of industrial facilities. Furthermore, practical training requires realistic environments to be useful. For this reason, in this work, we present a hands-on activity on a remotely accessible training platform to complement the theoretical concepts of a Master's degree course that deals with the introduction to industrial cybersecurity. This platform presents the students a realistic automation environment with industrial hardware and software. The educational experience has been assessed with regard to the students’ perception and its technical operation. The platform was found useful for learning and motivating, although the perceived degree of difficulty needs to be adjust to promote students’ self-confidence.SIThis work is the result of collaboration between the SUPPRESS research group and Schneider Electric, through the framework agreement between Schneider Electric and the Universidad de León.The work of José Ramón Rodríguez-Ossorio was supported by a grant of the Research Programme of the University of León 2020.The work of Guzmán González-Mateos was supported by a grant of the Research Programme of the University of León 2021

Only virgin type of olive oil consumption reduces the risk of mortality. Results from a Mediterranean population-based cohort

Evidence on the association between virgin olive oil (OO) and mortality is limited since no attempt has previously been made to discern about main OO varieties. We examined the association between OO consumption (differentiating by common and virgin varieties) and total as well as cause-specific long-term mortality. 12,161 individuals, representative of the Spanish population ≥18 years old, were recruited between 2008 and 2010 and followed up through 2019. Habitual food consumption was collected at baseline with a validated computerized dietary history. The association between tertiles of OO main varieties and all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality were analyzed using Cox models. After a mean follow-up of 10.7 years (129,272 person-years), 143 cardiovascular deaths, and 146 cancer deaths occurred. The hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval) for all-cause mortality in the highest tertile of common and virgin OO consumption were 0.96 (0.75–1.23; P-trend 0.891) and 0.66 (0.49–0.90; P-trend 0.040). The HR for all-cause mortality per a 10 g/day increase in virgin OO was 0.91 (0.83–1.00). Virgin OO consumption was also inversely associated with cardiovascular mortality, with a HR of 0.43 (0.20–0.91; P-trend 0.017), but common OO was not, with a HR of 0.88 (0.49–1.60; P-trend 0.242). No variety of OO was associated with cancer mortality. Daily moderate consumption of virgin OO (1 and 1/2 tablespoons) was associated with a one-third lower risk of allcause as well as half the risk of cardiovascular mortality. These effects were not seen for common OO. These findings may be useful to reappraise dietary guideline