Quick Analysis of Organic Amendments via Portable X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

The determination of heavy metals in soils and organic amendments, such as compost, manure, biofertilizer, and sludge, generally involves the digestion of samples with aqua regia, and the determination of those in the solution using various techniques. Portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) has many advantages in relation to traditional analytical techniques. However, PXRF determines the total elemental content and, until now, its use for the analysis of organic amendments has been limited. The objective of this work is the calibration of a PXRF instrument to determine the aqua regia-soluble elemental contents directly in solid samples of organic amendments. Our proposal will avoid the digestion step and the use of other laboratory techniques. Using a training set of samples, calibration functions were obtained that allow the determination of the aqua regia-soluble contents from the PXRF readings of total contents. The calibration functions (obtained by multiple linear regression) allowed the quantitative determination of the aqua regia-soluble contents of Fe, K, P, S, Zn, Cu, Pb, Sr, Cr, and Mn, as well as the organic matter content and a semi-quantitative assessment of Al, Ca, V, Ba, Ni, and As contents. The readings of Si, Fe, Al, Ca, K, or S were used as correction factors, indicating that the calibrations functions found are truly based on the chemical composition of the sample matrix. This study will allow a fast, cheap, and reliable field analysis of organic amendments and of other biomass-based materials.Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, and the European Regional Development Fund, European Union, (AEI/FEDER, UE), grant number CGL2016-78937-R

Short Communication. Physiological effects of Rhizopogon Roseolus on Pinus halepensis seedlings

Aim of study: The inoculation of forest seedlings with ectomycorrhizal fungi can improve the morphological and physiological qualities of plants, especially those used for regeneration of arid areas. Rhizopogon roseolus is an ectomycorrhizal fungus (ECM) commonly used for reforestation. In this study, the specific objectives were to know some morphophysiological effects of Rhizopogon Roseolus on Pinus halepensis seedlings under standard nursery conditionsArea of study: ETSI Montes and EUIT Forestal, Madrid.Material and Methods: In nursery, under well watered conditions and peat growing substrates, Aleppo pine seedlings were inoculated with R. roseolus. Five months after the inoculations, we examined the growth, water parameters (osmotic potential at full turgor [Ψπfull], osmotic potential at zero turgor [Ψπ0], and the tissue modulus of elasticity near full turgor [Emax]), mycorrhizal colonization, and concentration and content of macronutrients in the seedlings. Subsequently, a trial was conducted to assess the root growth potential.Main results: The mycorrhization decreased the height and diameter of mycorrhizal seedlings but increased the root weight and root branching. R. roseolus did not cause any significant effect on the regeneration of new roots or on any of the tested hydric parameters, but it did improve N uptake of the seedlings.Research highlights: The mycorrhizal inoculation increased the N uptake. The mycorrhizal inoculation caused opposite effects on some growth parametersKeywords: Osmotic adjustment; elastic adjustment; mineral nutrition; root growth potential; nursery; Rhizopogon roseolus;  Pinus halepensis.

Genealogical data of Boer and Nubian goats in Mexico

The pedigree file of the Boer and Nubian goat breeds in Mexico was constructed using the national database provided by the Asociación Mexicana de Criadores de Ganado Caprino de Registro. Field technicians routinely updated the goat national database by recording information from flocks participating in the performance-recording system. Information on animal identification number, parents, birth date, sex, breed, and farm of origin were used to undertake pedigree analyses using the ENDOG program (version 4.8). This paper presents a pedigree data file, tables and figures of characteristics of pedigree data, pedigree analyses, pedigree integrity, effective population size and genetic conservation index. The data can be used to estimate other population parameters, to monitor the genetic diversity of the Boer and Nubian goat breeds in Mexico, and also to design balanced breeding programs, maintaining genetic variation at reasonable levels and maximizing genetic progress in these populations.202

Análisis de variables relacionadas con el acceso y desempeño de las funciones directiva y docente en las nuevas universidades populares españolas. Un estudio a nivel nacional

Cada vez y con más frecuencia las instituciones de educación no formal están cobrando una mayor importancia en la formación continua de nuestros ciudadanos. El presente trabajo recoge una investigación realizada a nivel nacional sobre una de estas instituciones que en la actualidad cuenta con más de dos millones de alumnos. Estamos hablando de las Universidades Populares españolas que en la actualidad se encuentran expandidas por veintidós provincias de once comunidades autónomas: Andalucía, Aragón, Castilla La Mancha, Castilla León, Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Madrid, Murcia y Valencia. En esta investigación se utilizaron tres tipos de cuestionarios dirigidos a cada uno de los estamentos ligados a este proyecto: los directivos, los monitores y los alumnos. A su vez, se realizó un estudio de caso en la Universidad Popular de Loja (Granada), con el objetivo de dotar de significado a los datos estadísticos obtenidos del estudio a nivel nacional. De esta forma se han caracterizado y descrito las principales tareas de las Universidades Populares españolas y la visión que de ellas tienen los tres grupos implicados en su vida diari

Reactions with light exotic nuclei

CNR*13 - Fourth International Workshop on Compound Nuclear Reactions and RelatedExperimental cross sections for the 6He+120Sn are analysed. Elastic scattering angular distributions and alpha particle production cross sections have been measured and are compared with the total reaction cross section

Noble gas variation during partial crustal melting and magma ascent processes

Noble gas isotopes, although present in trace amounts, are generally more reliable and less ambiguous recorders of their source than the major volatile species. In volcanic settings in particular, this advantage derives from their chemical inertness, as noble gas isotopic and elemental fractionations are strongly coupled to their source and modified only by physical processes during magma ascent and eruption. The Neogene volcano El Hoyazo (Betic Cordillera, SE Spain) is a highly favourable natural laboratory to study the links between partial crustal melting processes occurring at depth and the eruptive products at the surface, because partially melted crustal xenoliths are preserved in silicic lavas. Comparing the noble gas isotopic compositions of xenoliths and lavas has the potential to yield new insights into volatile behaviour during melting processes at inaccessible depths in the crust. At El Hoyazo, noble gases trapped in lava glasses, and the fluid/melt inclusions within xeno- and phenocrysts, provide novel information on: (i) their response to the crustal melting process including mechanisms such as magma mixing (and crustal assimilation) of two endmembers: i.e. the extracted felsic melt from the country metapelitic crust, and the basic-intermediate magma from the underplating in the region. The results reveal significant modification of magmatic noble gases by the interaction with the partially melted crust; (ii) noble gas variations during degassing and magma ascent, showing higher atmospheric influence in the lava samples from shallower depths than in the deeper lavas and minerals; and (iii) higher magmatic influence in crystals of garnet from deeper lava than in both shallower crystals of amphibole, and garnet crystals within the crustal xenoliths. In addition, we find that noble gases in melt inclusions are also likely accumulating in their shrinkage bubbles, and not only remaining dissolved in the melt.Postprint3,51

Expanding and Collapsing Scalar Field Thin Shell

This paper deals with the dynamics of scalar field thin shell in the Reissner-Nordstr$\ddot{o}$m geometry. The Israel junction conditions between Reissner-Nordstr$\ddot{o}$m spacetimes are derived, which lead to the equation of motion of scalar field shell and Klien-Gordon equation. These equations are solved numerically by taking scalar field model with the quadratic scalar potential. It is found that solution represents the expanding and collapsing scalar field shell. For the better understanding of this problem, we investigate the case of massless scalar field (by taking the scalar field potential zero). Also, we evaluate the scalar field potential when $p$ is an explicit function of $R$. We conclude that both massless as well as massive scalar field shell can expand to infinity at constant rate or collapse to zero size forming a curvature singularity or bounce under suitable conditions.Comment: 15 pages, 11 figure

Use of in vivo-induced antigen technology to identify bacterial genes expressed during solea senegalensis infection with Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida

The marine fish pathogen Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida (Phdp) is responsible for important outbreaks affecting several fish species including flatfish Solea senegalensis. The aim of this work was to identify in vivo-induced expressed immunogenic proteins using pooled sera from fish that have experienced photobacteriosis. In vivo induced immunogenic proteins included inosine-5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase (Impdh) and alkyl hydroperoxide reductase (AhpC), two proteins involved in peptide synthesis: serine hydroxymethyl transferase (Shmt) and alanyl-tRNA synthetase (AlaRS) and the non-ribosomal peptide synthetase involved in the synthesis of the siderophore piscibactin (Irp2)

De semillas a bioenergía: un camino de conversión para la valorización de semillas de ricino y jatrofa

The world’s energy matrix can be diversified with biodiesel from castor and jatropha oil. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess a conversion path for the valorization of castor and jatropha seeds. The results showed the maximum extraction of castor oil at 90 °C, 2 rpm, and 6 mm nozzle, achieving a yield of 36.97% and for jatropha oil at 100 °C, 1.5 rpm, and 10 mm nozzle, achieving a yield of 20.11%. The acid value and cloud point of castor and jatropha oil were 0.797 and 23.44 mg KOH/g, 10±1 °C and 12±0.55 °C, respectively; while the pour point was -3 °C for both. The acid value and cloud point for biodiesels ranged from 0.26-0.43 mg KOH/g, and -12.50-6.10 °C, respectively. The viscosity of oils and biodiesel ranged from 0.02-1.3 P. GC-MS indicated 66.38% of methyl ricinoleate in castor biodiesel and 31.64% of methyl oleate in jatropha biodiesel. The HHV for castor and jatropha biodiesel ranged from 32.37-40.25 MJ/kg.La matriz energética mundial puede diversificarse con biodiesel de ricino y de jatrofa. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la ruta de conversión de las semillas de ricino y jatrofa. Los resultados mostraron que la máxima extracción de aceite de ricino se dio a 90 °C, 2 rpm, y boquilla de 6 mm, alcanzando un rendimiento de 36,97% y para el aceite de jatrofa fue a 100 °C, 1,5 rpm, y boquilla de 10 mm, obteniendo un rendimiento de 20,11%. El índice de acidez y punto de nube del aceite de ricino y jatrofa fue de 0,797 y 23,44 mg de KOH/g, 10 ± 1 °C y 12 ± 0,55 °C, respectivamente, mientras que el punto de fluidez fue de -3 °C para ambos. El índice de acidez y el punto de nube del biodiésel de ricino y jatropha fueron 0,43 y 0,26 mg KOH/g, -12,50 °C y 6,10 °C, respectivamente. La viscosidad dinámica de los aceites y el biodiesel osciló entre 0,02 y 1,3 P. El análisis GC-MS indicó 66,38% de ricinoleato de metilo en biodiesel de higuerilla y 31,64% de oleato de metilo en biodiesel de jatrofa. El HHV para el biodiésel de ricino y jatrofa osciló entre 32,37 y 40,25 MJ/kg

Evolution of Phenolic Content, Antioxidant Capacity and Phenolic Profile during Cold Pre-fermentative Maceration and Subsequent Fermentation of Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine

The phenolic compound profile and content of red wines are modified during the maceration-fermentation process by several factors that alter the extractability of the compounds and by reactions that phenolic compounds undergo, and can be directly related to the quality of the final wine and its beneficial effects on the consumer. The aim of this study was to determine the change in phenolic content and profile during cold pre-fermentative maceration and fermentation without the removal of grape pomace. Total phenolics,flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins and antioxidant capacity were determined by spectrophotometric methods, and the phenolic profile was determined by HPLC-MS on each day of the maceration-fermentation process. The results showed a variation in the content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity over time, but the final phenolic content showed no significative difference compared with the initial content (1 268 mg GAE/L and 1 115 mg GAE/L respectively). The phenolic profile showed that flavonoids were theprincipal compounds in wine and that they increased at the end of the winemaking. Condensed tannins also increased during fermentation, while anthocyanins and some phenolic acids decreased at the end of the process. The final content of phenolic compounds was similar to the initial one, but there was a change in the different fractions of phenolic compounds at the end of fermentation