Control de la verticilosis del olivo mediante nutrientes, bioestimulantes e inductores de resistencia

Verticillium wilt of olive (Olea europaea; VWO), caused by the hemibiotrophic fungus Verticillium dahliae, is the most serious biotic challenge to this crop in the Mediterranean basin since it causes high levels of tree mortality and fruit yield reduction. Due to the lack of a truly efficient method to control VWO, an integrated management strategy is needed to reduce both pathogen dispersal and disease incidence in olive groves. Thus, the use of natural or biological compounds arises as a potential complementary and eco-friendly control tool against VWO. In this context, the Agroforestry Pathology Research Group AGR-216 from the University of Cordoba (Spain) has been developing an extensive research line on biocontrol of VWO since 2011, which has contributed markedly in generating knowledge on such topic towards to obtain potential biological solutions against the disease in the near future. To reach this goal, more than 280 compounds including microorganisms (fungi, bacteria), organic amendments (waste from animals and food industry), natural substances (essential oils, plant extracts), nutrients and resistance inducers have been tested through a massive screening under controlled conditions. Thus, the main goal of this PhD Thesis was to continue evaluating a broad diversity of biological treatments against the disease as well as determining the mode of action of the most effective treatments. To this end, the first objective of this PhD Thesis was to evaluate the effect of 32 compounds including microorganisms, biostimulants, copper fertilizers and resistance inducers against the V. dahliae in vitro and the disease progress in olive plants of cv. Picual. Among all the compounds tested, Phoma sp. and Aureobasidium pullulans fungal strains were the most effective in disease reduction in planta with foliar application; whereas two phosphite salts, one with copper and the other with potassium, were the most effective in disease reduction in planta when they were applied by irrigation, followed by A. pullulans and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strains. This study served to select the best candidates to conduct a set of experiments to determine their possible modes of action. The objective 2 was to evaluate the influence of the cultivar, biocontrol treatments and their interaction on the effect of olive stem extracts (OSE) on the viability of V. dahliae conidia. The results indicated that the influence of biological treatments against the pathogen depends on the genotype, since the higher the resistance of the cultivar, the lower the effect of the treatments on the ability of the OSE to inhibit the germination of conidia. In ‘Picual’, the biological control agent B. amyloliquefaciens and copper phosphite were the most effective treatments in inhibiting conidia germination by the OSE. The objective 3 was to set up a collection method for root exudates from young olive plants by testing three collection media (deionized distilled water, 0.01 M CaSO4 solution, Hoagland nutrient solution) and four collection periods (2, 4, 6, 12 h). Once the protocol was set up, the effect of root exudates from different cultivars , biocontrol treatments and their interaction on the viability of conidia and microsclerotia (MS) of V. dahliae was evaluated. In addition, the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) exudation level from the root exudates was estimated. A 0.01 M CaSO4 solution and 4 h may be regarded a preferential medium and timing combination to collect root exudates from olive. Root exudates induced the germination of V. dahliae conidia and MS, with genotype affecting significantly on this ability. Aureobasidium pullulans was the most effective biocontrol treatment to enhance the effectiveness of root exudates decreasing the viability of conidia and MS. DOC in the exudate solutions varied depending on the olive cultivars and/or on the biocontrol treatments. The objective 4 aimed to determine the effectiveness of A. pullulans, B. amyloliquefaciens and copper phosphite 3 enhancing the plant defence system in olive plants of cv Picual against V. dahliae by means of assessing biochemical parameters involved in plant resistance such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) response (H2O2) and plant hormones by relative gene expression. High levels of salicylic acid (SA) were detected on leaves from all treatment combinations, but without significant enhancements compared to the non-treated control. Regarding the gene expression related to SA, only the WRKY5 gene has shown a strong enhancement in the tr eatment with B. amyloliquefaciens. On the other hand, a high accumulation of jasmonic acid (JA) and JA-isoleucine in plants treated with A. pullulans was observed in leaf, stem and root tissues as well as in roots of plants treated with B. amyloliquefaciens and the copper phosphite 3. In parallel, the objective 5 was conducted to evaluate the influences of nutritional imbalances of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) in V. dahliae infection to olive. To this end, adjusted treatments with N excess (↑N+↑Na), K deficiency (↓K) a n d their combination (↑N+↑Na+↓K) were evaluated on the viability of V. dahliae MS; as well as on disease development in olive plants. In parallel, the potential indirect effect of the treatments through the stimuli of root exudates was evaluated on the viability of conidia and MS of V. dahliae. Treatments ↑N+↑Na and ↑N+↑Na+↓K decreases MS germination and disease progress; whereas ↓K significantly increases both parameters. Root exudates from treated plants increased V. dahliae conidia germination, but reduced MS germination. Finally, the objective 6 was a complementary study to characterize the bacterial microbiome of tomato plants to search for new potential biological control agents against V. dahliae by evolving the most effective bacterial strains towards Ave1 effector protein tolerance. All the knowledge generated through this PhD Thesis represents a relevant step towards the biological control of VWO, and opens a variety of new paths to explore to better understand the mechanism of action of biological treatments in olive trees against V. dahliae.La Verticilosis del olivo (Olea europaea; VO), causada por el hongo hemibiotrofo Verticillium dahliae, es el desafío biótico más grave para este cultivo en la cuenca mediterránea, ya que causa altos niveles de mortalidad en los árboles y reducción del rendimiento de la cosecha. Debido a la falta de un método realmente eficaz para el control de la VO, es necesaria una estrategia de gestión integrada para reducir tanto la dispersión del patógeno como la incidencia de la enfermedad en los olivares. De este modo, el uso de compuestos naturales o biológicos surge como una herramienta potencial de control complementaria y ecológica contra la VO. En este contexto, el Grupo de Investigación Patología Agroforestal AGR-216 de la Universidad de Córdoba (España) viene desarrollando desde 2011 una amplia línea de investigación sobre el biocontrol de la VO, que ha contribuido notablemente en la generación de conocimiento en este tema hacia la obtención de soluciones biológicas potenciales contra la enfermedad en un futuro próximo. Para alcanzar este objetivo, se han evaluado más de 280 compuestos que incluyen microorganismos (hongos, bacterias), enmiendas orgánicas (residuos de animales y de la industria alimentaria), sustancias naturales (aceites esenciales, extractos de plantas), nutrientes e inductores de resistencia mediante un cribado masivo en condiciones controladas. Así, el objetivo principal de esta Tesis Doctoral fue seguir evaluando una amplia diversidad de tratamientos biológicos contra la enfermedad, así como determinar el modo de acción de los tratamientos más eficaces. Para ello, el primer objetivo de esta Tesis Doctoral fue evaluar el efecto de 32 compuestos incluyendo microorganismos, bioestimulantes, fertilizantes cúpricos e inductores de resistencia contra V. dahliae in vitro, y el progreso de la enfermedad en plantas de olivo cv. Picual. De entre todos los compuestos evaluados, las cepas fúngicas Phoma sp. y Aureobasidium pullulans fueron las más eficaces en la reducción de la enfermedad en planta por aplicación foliar; mientras que dos sales de fosfito, una a base cobre y otra de potasio, fueron las más eficaces en la reducción de la enfermedad en planta cuando se aplicaron por riego, seguidas de las cepas de A. pullulans y Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Este estudio sirvió para seleccionar los mejores candidatos y realizar un conjunto de experimentos para determinar sus posibles modos de acción. El objetivo 2 fue evaluar la influencia del cultivar, los tratamientos de biocontrol y su interacción en el efecto de los extractos de tallo de olivo (OSE) sobre la viabilidad de los conidios de V. dahliae. Los resultados indicaron que la influencia de los tratamientos biológicos contra el patógeno depende del genotipo, ya que cuanto mayor es la resistencia del cultivar, menor es el efecto de los tratamientos sobre la capacidad de los OSE para inhibir la germinación de los conidios. En 'Picual', el agente de control biológico B. amyloliquefaciens y el fosfito de cobre fueron los tratamientos más efectivos para inhibir la germinación de conidios por parte del OSE. El objetivo 3 fue establecer un método de recolección de exudados radiculares de plantas jóvenes de olivo, probando tres medios de recolección (agua destilada desionizada, solución de CaSO4 0,01 M, solución nutritiva Hoagland) y cuatro períodos de recolección (2, 4, 6, 12 h). Una vez establecido el protocolo, se evaluó el efecto de los exudados radiculares de diferentes cultivares, los tratamientos de biocontrol y su interacción sobre la viabilidad de los conidios y miscrosclerocios (MS) de V. dahliae. Además, se estimó el nivel de exudación de carbono orgánico disuelto (DOC) de los exudados radiculares. La solución de CaSO4 0,01 M y 4 h puede considerarse la combinación preferente de medio y tiempo para recoger los exudados de las raíces del olivo. Los exudados radiculares indujeron la germinación de conidios y MS de V. dahliae, y el genotipo afectó significativamente a esta capacidad. Aureobasidium pullulans fue el tratamiento de biocontrol más efectivo para aumentar la eficacia de los exudados radiculares disminuyendo la viabilidad de los conidios y los MS. El DOC en las soluciones de exudado varió en función de los cultivares de olivo y/o de los tratamientos de biocontrol. El objetivo 4 pretendía determinar la eficacia de A. pullulans, B. amyloliquefaciens y fosfito de cobre 3 en la mejora del sistema de defensa de las plantas de olivo cv Picual frente a V. dahliae mediante la evaluación de los parámetros bioquímicos implicados en la resistencia de la planta, como la respuesta de las especies reactivas del oxígeno (ROS) (H2O2) y las hormonas vegetales mediante expresión de genes relativa. Se detectaron altos niveles de ácido salicílico (SA) en las hojas de todas las combinaciones de tratamiento, pero sin mejoras significativas en comparación con el control no tratado. En cuanto a la expresión de genes relacionados con el SA, sólo el gen WRKY5 mostró un fuerte aumento en el tratamiento con B. amyloliquefaciens . Por otro lado, se observó una alta acumulación de ácido jasmónico (JA) y JA-isoleucina en las plantas tratadas con A. pullulans en los tejidos de la hoja, el tallo y la raíz, así como en las raíces de las plantas tratadas con B. amyloliquefaciens y el fosfito de cobre 3. En paralelo, el objetivo 5 se llevó a cabo para evaluar la influencia de los desequilibrios nutricionales de nitrógeno (N) y potasio (K) en la infección de V. dahliae en olivo. Para ello, se evaluaron tratamientos ajustados con exceso de N (↑N+↑Na), déficit de K (↓K) y su combinación (↑N+↑Na+↓K) sobre la viabilidad de MS de V. dahliae; así como sobre el desarrollo de la enfermedad en lplantas de olivo. Paralelamente, se evaluó el potencial efecto indirecto de los tratamientos a través de los de los exudados radiculares sobre la viabilidad de los conidios y MS de V. dahliae. Los tratamientos ↑N+↑Na y ↑N+↑Na+↓K disminuyen la germinación de MS y el progreso de la enfermedad; mientras que ↓K aumenta significativamente ambos parámetros. Los exudados radiculares de las plantas tratadas aumentaron la germinación de conidios de V. dahliae, pero redujeron la germinación de MS. Finalmente, el objetivo 6 fue un estudio complementario para caracterizar el microbioma bacteriano de plantas de tomate en busca de nuevos agentes potenciales de control biológico contra V. dahliae mediante la evolución de las cepas bacterianas más eficaces hacia la tolerancia a la proteína efectora Ave1. Todo el conocimiento generado a través de esta Tesis Doctoral representa un paso relevante hacia el control biológico de la VO, y abre una diversidad de nuevos caminos a explorar para entender mejor el mecanismo de acción de los tratamientos biológicos en olivos contra V. dahliae

Algae and tidal waste revalorization as reiforcing fibers in papermaking

Motivation: Cellulose is the basic component of the cell wall of vegetables and therefore, it is considered the most abundant polymer on earth (1). Cellulose has numerous biotechnological applications, from traditional uses such as production of pulp and paper products, to engineering of new materials.Now, the main cellulose source is wood pulp from trees and woody species (2). This timber has a large proportion of lignin associated to the cellulose of its vegetal wall. The lignin is a very irregular compound which intercalates between the cellulose fibrils of the vegetable wall, being extremely difficult to degrade, and increasing the costs of cellulose extraction and the pollution generated by the processes  wastes (3 ). Most algae have not lignin associated to the cellulose of the plant cell wall, so the cellulose extraction is easier, less expensive and produces a microcrystalline cellulose with chemical properties that can optimize the use of traditional cellulose in some applications as paper production, cosmetics, medicines and membrane filtration.Similarly, the use of algae from tidal debris presents a number of advantages such as use of a waste to turn it into a product with added value. The tidal algae use lead to a decrease of the environmental impact compared to obtaining other reinforcing fibers from deforestation. There are few references regarding methodologies of macroalgal cellulose extraction, so it is intended to develop an extraction protocol using clean technologies that minimize environmental impact and optimize the extraction yield of cellulose, solving the problems associated with current production.Methods: The species collected and used in this experiment were: Ulva sp, Cladophora sp & Enteromorpha sp. Once they are dried,we proceed to the cellulose extraction, for that purpose We desing a own protocol according to several references and our previous knowledges. We used a tested model based in 15 experiments with differents values for the three main variables: Temperature, time and reagent concentration (4).In order to define the extracted cellulose, X ray diffraction analyses, electron microscopy scanning and papermaking and measure of the final product properties have been done

Cellulose from algae as a promising alternative for papermaking

Reducing the environmental and energy impact in pulp and paper industry could be achieved replacing the cellulose from wood sources for other raw materials with low lignin content. In this sense, and considering the tons of algae and tidal waste removed each year on our shores and its scarcity of lignin, these residues maybe an adequate source of cellulose.  In papermaking, lignin must be removed and separated from the cellulose fibres; this step  is responsible of the generation of hazardous contaminants and an elevated consumption of energy [1]. Previous studies have characterized the algae Ulva lactuca  [2] and the results indicated that this algae presents appreciable contents of hemicellulose (20.6%) and cellulose (9.0%) and very low quantities of lignin (1.7%), high fibres  contents (54.0%), minerals (19.6%), protein (8.5%) and lipids (7.9%). Based on these premises, the aim of this work is to design a protocol for extracting cellulose from the green marine alga Ulva sp. Algae were collected in Punta Entina Sabinal in Almería (Spain) in the summer of 2015. Ash, water solubility, removable with ethanol-benzene, lignin and holocellulose cellulose were determined gravimetrically based on the TAPPI standards.Then, the extraction of cellulose was carried out using non-contaminant reactives as soda and hydrogen peroxide [3]. Obtained pulps were refined and mixed with pine pulps in order to obtain high quality sheets.  Regarding the mechanical properties, sheets were characterized by measuring weight, whiteness index, tear index, percent elongation, breaking length, burst index and tensile index.Cellulosic pulp obtained by soda pulping and hydrogen peroxide bleaching using Ulva sp. have been demonstrated to be a promising alternative to traditional raw materials.  The process is less contaminant than classical processes as kraft and valorizes the marine residue with a low content in lignin

Effect of mass loading on the generation of eps in a tributary enriched with glucose

Motivation: This essay establishes the relationship of microorganisms in the development of wastewater treatment in WWTP systems, counting on the fundamental role of extracellullar polymeric susbtances (EPSs), composed of high molecular weight natural polymers such as exopolysaccharides, proteins, DNA, lipids, among others. These EPSs, secreted by the microorganisms themselves, constitute the structure we know as bacterial biofilms. Filamentous bacteria are a fundamental part of the formation of the floc macrostructure (Jenkins, 1993), however, their proliferation can destabilize the purification process. In this way, we will relate this concept through the addition of different concentrations of glucose, in pilot plant systems and we will observe its repercussion on the mass loads of active sludge.Methods: In this section we can distinguish two points that, although they are closely related, their methodologies are clearly differentiated. On the one hand, there are physicochemical analyzes of the properties of water (SS, COD, NH4) and active sludge (SS and MLSS), by means of standardized methods (APHA, AWWA, WPCF , 1992). On the other hand, the study of the quality of active sludge is at 3 scales: (1) Macro- and microscopic evaluation, (2) Evaluation of filamentous microorganisms (EMASESA, 1997) (Arnáiz et al, 1999) and (3) Evaluation of the microfauna by methods of Madoni Index (Madoni, 1994) and Shanon Index (Margalef, 1981). All this is included in a final report that establishes a clear conclusion about the existing bioindicator organisms, as well as the quality of the sludge and the predictable quality of the treated water. Results: We found significant relationships between the observed physicochemical parameters of the SS of the mixed liquor and the performance of the COD. Also agree parameters such as the floccular size observed to the microscope in relation to the CM studied (Garrido et al, 1988. On the other hand, these relationships become more complex in the microbiological community of the mud, where the filamentous bacteria are favored against the microfaunamore quickly in those with a larger mass load. Conclusions: Filamentous bacteria are favorable under conditions of alteration of substrate and oxygen, probably because of their surface density for their uptake. Therefore, an excessive COD input in the system can cause a change in the micro-community of the active sludge and therefore in the purification system

Role of MLSS as a chelating agent in a variety of toxic wastewater treatment plant

Motivation: The world's population is increasing, therefore, the treatment of wastewater is important for drinking water. The wastewater may contain pathogens, suspended solids, nutrients, inorganic contaminants such as heavy metals and sulfates and organic as detergents. For treating wastewater, there are several steps: pretreatment, primary treatment, secondary and tertiary.This study aims to see the effect of various toxic, thiosulfate and mercury, and different types of detergents in the organisms containing in three systems: a culture of protists, a extended aeration plant (pilot plant) and a conventional plant (Wastewater Treatment Plant). Also it aims to evaluate the role of suspended solids (MLSS) as a chelating agent, and bioindicator effect paramecium and copepods.Methods: Biodiversity of the samples is evaluated by observation optical microscopy at 24, 48 and 72 hours after the addition of different amounts of selected toxic agents. Complementing the amount of MLSS and the percentage of volatiles is calculated, and realization corresponding respirometry. The bioindicator effect of the two organisms elected is estimated observing their morphology and survival after 24 hours of the addition of different toxic.Results: The biodiversity of the WTP conventional is more affected with toxic than the other systems, however, the results were different detergents according to the type and can’t be generalized. Paramecium and copepods are affected by certain quantities of toxics.Conclusions: The MLSS of activated sludge from WTP conventional protect microorganisms against toxic that can bring wastewater containing, allowing their survival and degradation of organic matter from wastewater as it acts as a chelating agent, which reduces soluble toxic principle. Specifically in the case of detergents, the limit values allowed of anionic detergents (15 mg/L) and total (40 mg/L) according to the Official Gazette of the province of Seville the day 30-06-2015 should be reviewed since not all detergents act in the same way on organisms in wastewater treatment plants. Copepods and Paramecium may be good bioindicators of certain toxic spills

Aplication of LED technology for food quality control

Motivation: Currently, there are numerous chemical methods to analyze compounds, however, these involve a large investment and highly qualified personnel. In this work, Light Emission Diode has been used as a cheap and simple method to easily detect, the existence of: a) cheese whey in different representative samples of water b) rice syrup in different types of commercial honeys.Methods: Six different colour LEDs (orange, pink, ultraviolet, blue, green and white) were used in this research as a light source to measure the emission spectra of water and honey samples. The water and honey samples were prepared adding known concentrations of cheese whey( from 1% to 20%, 1800 samples) and rice syrup (1%-8%, 480 samples), to waters from five different rivers and reservoirs in Madrid; and to five different honeys, respectively. The phenomenon measured with this technology is fluorescence. The emited fluorescence is measured at a right angle from the light source, using a fiber spectrometer. The output of the spectrometer is collected in a computer. It is necessary to apply a linear regression model to obtain the concentration from the intensity values.This information is taken from a fluorescence emission spectrum.Results: In the whey emission spectra (for each LED), the increase in cheese whey concentrations were seen by an increase in its intensity. The honey spectra have different profiles as well as intensities for each honey, so the difference in syrup concentration is also detected by an intensity increase.In addition, the analysis of the measurements has obtained an efficiency of approximately 90%.Conclusions: It has been demonstrated that LED technology can be a potencial and important first approach to determine contaminants or adulterants in water and honey samples. It is also a cheap and user-friendly technique which could be useful in the food quality control sector

Food in the fight against cardiovascular disease

Motivation: Stroke is the second cause of death in Spain, affecting 120,000 people every year and therefore causing great impact at an individual, family and social level. However, 90% of cases can be prevented. There is currently no clear specific pharmacological treatment for the primary prevention of ICTUS, as a consequence the fight against this disease focuses on controlling modifiable risk factors and triggering causes through healthy lifestyle habits. The main objective of this work is to develop software capable of calculating the cardiovascular risk for a person between 40 and 65 years old, based on the parameters used at the doctor’s office for the same purpose, as well as evaluating the level of knowledge of the disease amongst the population.Methods: For the development of the software a System-On-Chip (SOC), whose programming language is based on C++, has been used. In addition, the application is based on the SCORE cardiovascular risk table for low-risk countries such as Spain. Finally, in order to assess the level of knowledge of the disease, surveys have been carried out within interviewees aged approximately between 13 and 65 using Google forms.Results: A portable prototype called ALIC v.0 has been designed and built to calculate cardiovascular risk by entering the necessary parameters such as sex, smoking habit, age, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In addition, it makes nutritional and healthy habit recommendations according to the patient's profile. Regarding the survey, more than 250 people have been surveyed, most of them being between 13 and 30 years old and having a high degree of education.Conclusions: ALIC v.0 is a pioneering prototype capable of calculating cardiovascular risk and whose programming is easy to adapt with the aim of allowing its future and continuous improvement. The portability of ALIC makes its use at the doctor's office or in the patient's own home possible, thing which is useful in order to keep track of the patient by sending the data to the doctor. Concerning the survey, almost all of the respondents think that they don’t have enough information about ICTUS but they consider it to be a disease of great concern and with serious aftereffects, which has a high mortality rate

Modelo de gestión de documentos docentes en un centro universitario, basado en hipervínculos

Els documents d'informació docent (guies docents, temaris, normes, etc.) constitueixen un recurs imprescindible en l'ensenyament superior, especialment per als alumnes. La seva rellevància s'ha accentuat aquests últims anys, d'una banda, amb l'engegada de l'espai europeu d'ensenyament superior (EEES), que ha rellançat la necessitat de fonts d'informació docent, i, de l'altra, amb la difusió de l'ús de les tecnologies de la informació i la comunicació (TIC), que ha facilitat l'accés a aquestes fonts. Per aquest motiu, la gestió d'aquests documents actualment constitueix un dels procediments clau en l'organització de la docència de centres universitaris. L'objectiu d'aquest article és presentar un nou model de gestió de documents docents en relació amb el centre incorporat per mitjà del desenvolupament d'un programari: SGD2F2. Aquest model mira de solucionar els inconvenients que s'evidencien en el model de gestió de documents docents utilitzat habitualment als centres. Encara que aquesta proposta ha estat desenvolupada en l'àmbit d'una facultat concreta, podria ser aplicada, amb algunes modificacions, a qualsevol centre o òrgan universitari de gestió de docència. Documents containing teaching information (course guides, curricula, rules, etc.) constitute an essential resource in higher education, particularly for students. Their importance has been stressed over the last few years, on the one hand by the creation of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), which has re-emphasised the need for sources of teaching information, and on the other by the widespread use of information and communication technologies (ICTs), which provide easy access to such sources. Consequently, the management of such documents is now one of the key procedures that university centres need to apply to the organisation of teaching. With this in mind, the main objective of this article is to present a new centre-level model for the management of teaching documents, implemented via a new software package developed for that purpose: SGD2F2. This new model represents an attempt to overcome the drawbacks that many centres experience when using the current model to manage teaching documents. Although this proposal has been developed for a particular faculty, by making a few alterations it could be adapted for use by any university centre or body responsible for the management of teaching.Los documentos con información docente (guías docentes, temarios, normas, etc.) constituyen un recurso imprescindible en la enseñanza superior, especialmente para el alumnado. Su relevancia se ha acentuado en estos últimos años, por un lado, con la puesta en marcha del espacio europeo de educación superior (EEES), que ha relanzado la necesidad de fuentes de información docente, y, por otro, con la difusión del uso de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC), que ha facilitado el acceso a dichas fuentes. Por este motivo, la gestión de tales documentos constituye en la actualidad uno de los procedimientos clave en la organización de la docencia de centros universitarios. El objetivo de este artículo es presentar un nuevo modelo de gestión de documentos docentes en relación con el centro implementado a través del desarrollo de un software: SGD2F2. Este modelo trata de solventar los inconvenientes evidenciados en el modelo de gestión de documentos docentes habitualmente utilizado en los centros. Aunque esta propuesta ha sido desarrollada en el ámbito de una facultad en concreto, podría ser aplicada, con algunas modificaciones, a cualquier centro u órgano universitario de gestión de docencia

Evaluation of different chemical agents as settling enhancers in an activated sludge of a WWTP.

Currently, the few studies carried out on the sedimentability of activated sludge from a WWTP, make it possible to continue to act on them using different chemical agents that can positively influence the solution of various problems caused by poor sedimentability. To do this, a pilot plant was built to simulate a phase of the WWTP, constituted by a tank of water supply decanted from the Tablada WWTP, a biological reactor, a decanter and a reservoir where we collected the treated water. To carry out the study, first, was started the plant  in which the floccules typical of an active sludge were formed gradually. A study of V30 and V60 was done on them to observe the capacity of sedimentability and to obtain an optimum. It was not possible to obtain the optimum sought, so that finally active sludge was used from the tanks of the Tablada WWTP. On this mud, progressive additions of different chemical agents such as talc, bentonite and TW 4650 VHM polymer were made at different concentrations, carrying out a subsequent study of the treated water obtained after the addition. The analysis made in the treated water were COD, Matches and Nitrogens, to verify that they were within the optimal parameters valid in a WWT

Discovering Rehabilitation trends in Spain: A bibliometric analysis

The main purpose of this study is to offer an overview of the rehabilitation research area in Spain from 1970 to 2018 through a bibliometric analysis. Analysis of performance and a co-word science mapping analysis were conducted to highlight the topics covered. The software tool SciMAT was used to analyse the themes concerning their performance and impact measures. A total of 3,564 documents from the Web of Science were retrieved. Univ Deusto, Univ Rey Juan Carlos and Basque Foundation for Science are the institutions with highest relative priority. The most important research themes are IntellectualDisability, Neck-Pain and Pain