The Ciao clp(FD) library. A modular CLP extension for Prolog

We present a new free library for Constraint Logic Programming over Finite Domains, included with the Ciao Prolog system. The library is entirely written in Prolog, leveraging on Ciao's module system and code transformation capabilities in order to achieve a highly modular design without compromising performance. We describe the interface, implementation, and design rationale of each modular component. The library meets several design goals: a high level of modularity, allowing the individual components to be replaced by different versions; highefficiency, being competitive with other TT> implementations; a glass-box approach, so the user can specify new constraints at different levels; and a Prolog implementation, in order to ease the integration with Ciao's code analysis components. The core is built upon two small libraries which implement integer ranges and closures. On top of that, a finite domain variable datatype is defined, taking care of constraint reexecution depending on range changes. These three libraries form what we call the TT> kernel of the library. This TT> kernel is used in turn to implement several higher-level finite domain constraints, specified using indexicals. Together with a labeling module this layer forms what we name the TT> solver. A final level integrates the CLP (J7©) paradigm with our TT> solver. This is achieved using attributed variables and a compiler from the CLP (J7©) language to the set of constraints provided by the solver. It should be noted that the user of the library is encouraged to work in any of those levels as seen convenient: from writing a new range module to enriching the set of TT> constraints by writing new indexicals

SPITZER observations of the λ Orionis cluster. II. Disks around solar-type and low-mass stars

We present IRAC/MIPS Spitzer Space Telescope observations of the solar-type and the low-mass stellar population of the young (~5Myr) λ Orionis cluster. Combining optical and Two Micron All Sky Survey photometry, we identify 436 stars as probable members of the cluster. Given the distance (450 pc) and the age of the cluster, our sample ranges in mass from 2 M_⊙ to objects below the substellar limit. With the addition of the Spitzer mid-infrared data, we have identified 49 stars bearing disks in the stellar cluster. Using spectral energy distribution slopes, we place objects in several classes: non-excess stars (diskless), stars with optically thick disks, stars with “evolved disks” (with smaller excesses than optically thick disk systems), and “transitional disk” candidates (in which the inner disk is partially or fully cleared). The disk fraction depends on the stellar mass, ranging from ~6% for K-type stars (R_C − J 4). We confirm the dependence of disk fraction on stellar mass in this age range found in other studies. Regarding clustering levels, the overall fraction of disks in the λ Orionis cluster is similar to those reported in other stellar groups with ages normally quoted as ~5Myr

A Comprehensive Review of the Effect of Honey on Human Health

Honey is a nutritious, healthy, and natural food, to which antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties have been attributed, mainly due to its content of phenolic compounds. The aim of this review is to analyze the available evidence of the effect of honey on humans. Fortyeight clinical trials published between 1985 and 2022 were analyzed, with a total of 3655 subjects. More beneficial effects of honey intake than no or negative effects on different cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, glucose tolerance, mucositis caused by chemo-radiotherapy, cough in children and wound healing, among others have been observed. Although the number of studies conducted to date is limited and the different investigations are not standardized, beneficial effects of honey intake have been observed, especially when its intake replaces the intake of other sweeteners. In addition, honey could be a safe adjuvant to be administered alongside drugs used for certain diseases.Programa Operativo de Empleo Juvenil (Youth Employment Program)Junta de Andalucía-Consejería de Universidad, Investigación e Innovación Research Project: P21_00777 M.P.-M

Fractionation and fluxes of metals and radionuclides during the recycling process of phosphogypsum wastes applied to mineral CO2 sequestration

The industry of phosphoric acid produces a calcium-rich by-product known as phosphogypsum, which is usually stored in large stacks of millions of tons. Up to now, no commercial application has been widely implemented for its reuse because of the significant presence of potentially toxic contaminants. This work confirmed that up to 96% of the calcium of phosphogypsum could be recycled for CO2 mineral sequestration by a simple two-step process: alkaline dissolution and aqueous carbonation, under ambient pressure and temperature. This CO2 sequestration process based on recycling phosphogypsum wastes would help to mitigate greenhouse gasses emissions. Yet this work goes beyond the validation of the sequestration procedure; it tracks the contaminants, such as trace metals or radionuclides, during the recycling process in the phosphogypsum. Thus, most of the contaminants were transferred from raw phosphogypsum to portlandite, obtained by dissolution of the phosphogypsum in soda, and from portlandite to calcite during aqueous carbonation. These findings provide valuable information for managing phosphogypsum wastes and designing potential technological applications of the by-products of this environmentally-friendly proposal.Junta de Andalucía P10-RNM-6300, P12- RNM-226

Automated measurement of magnesium/calcium ratios in gastropod shells using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for paleoclimatic applications

The chemical composition of mollusk shells offers information about environmental conditions present during the lifespan of the organism. Shells found in geological deposits and in many archeological sites can help to reconstruct past climatic conditions. For example, a correlation has been found between seawater temperature and the amount of some substituent elements (e.g., magnesium, strontium) in the biogenerated calcium carbonate matrix of the shell, although it is very species-specific. Here we propose the use laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to estimate Mg/Ca ratios in modern specimens of the common limpet Patella vulgata. An automated setup was used to obtain a sequence of Mg/Ca ratios across a sampling path that could be compared with the seawater temperatures recorded during the organism's lifespan. Results using four shells collected in different months of the year showed a direct relationship between the Mg/Ca ratios and the seawater temperature, although the sequences also revealed small-scale (short-term) variability and an irregular growth rate. Nevertheless, it was possible to infer the season of capture and the minimum and maximum seawater temperatures from the LIBS sequences. This fact, along with the reduction in sampling and measurement time compared with other spectrometric techniques (such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry [ICP-MS]), makes LIBS useful in paleoclimatic studies.The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This research was part of the projects TEC2013-47264-C2-1-R and HAR2013-46802-P, both funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. Asier García-Escázaga was funded by the University of Cantabria through a predoctoral grant and Igor Gutierrez-Zugasti was supported by the Juan de la Cierva programme (JCI-2012-12094) funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness

Peer tutoring: Wiki as a tool for learning in the pedagogues training

Esta comunicación presenta los resultados de un trabajo de investigación desarrollado en la Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación (US) por un equipo de profesores y alumnos adscritos al departamento de Didáctica y Organización Educativa, dentro de las asignatura Prácticum I y II de la Licenciatura de Pedagogía. Bajo el objetivo principal de detectar las necesidades formativas de los/as alumnos/as de Pedagogía sobre las condiciones académicas requeridas en las asignaturas Practicum I y II, se elaboró en cursos anteriores, un Programa de Acción Tutorial entre Iguales (PATI) en el que quedaron plasmadas las principales carencias formativas que los alumnos encontraron en sus prácticas externas. Para ello se administró un Cuestionario sobre detección de necesidades formativas del alumnado del prácticum de Pedagogía a una muestra de 104 estudiantes. Una vez recogidos los datos y analizados los resultados, se construyó de manera colaborativa un wiki (http://proyectopati.wikispaces.com). Durante el curso académico 2010-2011, continuando con la segunda fase del proyecto, los alumnos de quinto de Pedagogía han elaborado el wiki, bajo la supervisión de sus tutores, y se ha establecido un sistema de tutoría entre iguales con los alumnos de tercero de Pedagogía. Nuestro espacio wiki puede ser considerado como una biblioteca dónde compartir información, recoger, añadir notas o responder a preguntas de sus compañeros.This paper presents the results of a research work developed at the Faculty of Educational Sciences (U.S.) developed by a team of teachers and students assigned to the Department of Didactics and Educational Organization, within the subject Practicum I and II of the Degree of Education. Under the main objective to identify the training needs of the pupil of Pedagogy on the academic conditions required subjects Practicum I and II, was developed in previous courses, a Program of Action Tutorial Peer (PATI ), which were embodied the main training gaps were students when developing their placement. This questionnaire was administered on identification of training needs of students of pedagogy practicum in a sample of 104 students. Once data are collected and analyzed the results, the program was developed and built a wiki to collaboratively (http://proyectopati.wikispaces.com). During the 2010-2011 academic year, continuing the second phase of the project, students in grades 5 of Education have developed the wiki, under the supervision of their tutors, and has established a system of peer tutoring with students in 3 of pedagogy. Our wiki space has been like a library where we have shared information and consequently the students of 3 rd have used it to obtain information and gather ideas and students in grades 5 have been able to add notes or answer questions from their peers

Tendències demogràfiques de l'avifauna de les Balears del 1975 al 2000

Tendències demogràfiques de l'avifauna de les Balears del 1975 al 2000. En el present treball, s'avalua segons l'experiència dels autors l'evolució demogràfica de 134 espècies i poblacions insulars dels aucells de les Balears en els darrers 25 anys. El mètode ha estat de contrast de les opinions dels firmants, i té sols el valor de l'apreciació general de les tendències de les espècies. 59 espècies es troben en expansió, 53 en regressió i 22 es consideren estables. Es proposa una fórmula d'anàlisi dels distints grups de l'avifauna, considerant el sumatori de les tendències de les espècies de cada grup, i comparant els resultats amb una operació aritmètica que genera un índex de -10 a + 10, segons l'estat de conservació de les espècies de cada grup. En termes generals, destaca el bon estat de conservació de les aus marines, els rapinyaires diürns i les aus de zones humides. En general, l'avifauna sedentària i hivernal presenta uns índexs favorables de conservació. En canvi, els passeriformes granívors i insectívors, lligats ecològicament als terrenys de cultiu, tant de reguiu com de secà, pateixen una regressió significativa. L'avifauna migratòria i estival no es troba en situació tan favorable com la sedentària i l'hivernal. Els esforços de conservació s'haurien de concentrar en les espècies de regressió constatada, i en els grups en situació desfavorable. La protecció legal específica i la gestió dels espais naturals protegits han suposat resultats molt importants per a la protecció de l'avifauna balear. En canvi, les espècies i grups que depenen de l'activitat agrària, i que són afectats per biocides i pràctiques agrícoles tecnificades, estan en regressió. Seria convenient un increment dels esforços de conservació en el seu favor. Com a proposta de futur, és molt aconsellable que s'incrementin els esforços de quantificació científica de l'avifauna, sigui amb recomptes absoluts de la població, sigui amb estudis de densitat, que permetrien tant una valoració més sòlida de les tendències, com el càlcul d'índex més real que el que s'ha obtingut per aquest treball.Demographic trends of the avifauna of the Balearic Islands from 1975 to 2000. In this paper we evaluate, according to the personal experience of the authors, the demographic evolution of 134 species and the insular birds populations of the Balearics over the past 25 years. The method used has been the contrast of opinions of the authors, and its only value is the general perception in the tendencies of the species. 59 species are in expansion, 53 in regression and 22 are stable. A formula is proposed to analyse the different groups of the avifauna, considering the sum of the tendencies in the species of each group. In general terms, we could point out the good state of conservation of sea birds, birds of prey and waders. In general, sedentary and wintering birds show a good conservation index. On the contrary, the Passeriformes, seed eaters and insectivorous, tied ecologically to arable land either by irrigation or dry farming, are in regression. The migratory and summer avifauna are not in such a good situation as the sedentary and wintering. Work should concentrate on the species that are in regression and on those groups that are in an unfavourable situation. Good results have been shown in natural areas with legal protection and management. On the contrary, those species that depend on farming activities that include technified practices, are in regression. It would be convenient that efforts were made to increase their conservation. As a future proposal, an increase in scientific quantification of the avifauna is advised, whether with absolute counts of the population, with density studies that would allow a more solid evaluation of the tendencies, or with more realistic calculations than those given in this paper

Technical viability study for behavioral monitoring of wildlife animals in Doñana: An 802.15.4 coverage study in a Natural Park

The study and monitoring of wildlife and in semi-freedom has always been a subject of great interest. In recent years the technology allows to design low cost systems that facilitate these tasks: microcontrollers, low-power wireless networks, sensors. GPS, satellite and VHF has been used for position tracking and localization of wildlife. Our aim is to design a low-cost system for local monitoring of wildlife (collar or harness) with local memory and remote access. It will use multiples sensors for behavioral and health monitoring and fuse the processed information locally to reduce the stored data, but allowing to be sporadically transmitted through wireless networks. This collar will be based on an embedded low-power microcontroller with 802.15.4 transceiver and a set of sensors to provide data (activity and health) of the animal under monitoring: accelerometers, compass, humidity, temperature, light, microphone, heart rhythm. This collar is called mote in wireless sensors network (WSN) terminology. Only when one mote is closer to an 802.15.4 mote and under request, the collar will dump the information to a host database server through the 802.15.4 network. In this paper we present a viability study of the WSN for Doñana Natural Park for different mote transmission powers, frequencies and distances for coverage. ZigBee and XBee mote has been proven.Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas RDB-ICTS 39/201