A GIS-based multivariate clustering for characterization and ecoregion mapping from a viticultural perspective

In wine-growing regions, zoning studies define areas according to their potential to produce specific wines and also identify the key drivers behind their variability and optimize vineyard management for sustainable viticulture. However, delineation of homogeneous zones is difficult because of the complex combination of factors which could affect zone classifications. One possibility to capture potential variability is the use of natural environmental properties as they are related to success in grape growing. With the aim of characterizing the spatial variability of the main vine-related environmental variables and determining different zones, climate and topographical data were obtained for Extremadura (southwestern Spain), an important wine region. Firstly, accurate maps of all climate indices were generated by using regression-kriging as the most suitable algorithm in which exhaustive secondary information on elevation was incorporated, and maps of topography-derived variables were obtained using GIS (Geographical Information System) tools. Secondly, principal component analysis and multivariate geographic classification were used to define homogeneous classes, resulting in three zones. Each zone was further characterized by overlaying the zonation map with a geology map and all enviromental layers. It was obtained that although a wide part of the Extremaduran territory has warm climate characteristics, the zones have different viticultural potential and a high proportion of the region lays on suitable substrate. This zonation in Extremadura is the basis for further zoning studies at more detailed field scale and the modeling of vineyard response to climate change

Yield potential probability maps using the Rasch model

Yield monitors commonly show that there are very large yield differences within a field which often differ from year to year. Because our ability to estimate reductions in growth and to quantify yield losses resulting from complex interactions and multiple stresses is limited, it does not appear feasible to analyse yield variability using a point to point strategy. For a farmer it is important to select parcels of land, or parts of a parcel, with a high yield probability. To analyse the high yield probability zones the Rasch model is used considering a multi-temporal yield data set. The Rasch measure for multi-temporal yield data makes it possible to place on a continuum axis the yield samples considered in terms of annual yield and vice versa. Using the Rasch measurement one can produce yield potential probabilistic maps taking into account each sample coordinate. From a quantitative point of view it is possible to find yield samples that do not support the model, or which do not reach the expected levels. Positive and negative mismatches can be analysed individually or according to a particular year yield. Thus, the Rasch model makes it possible to systematise the data, making it an effective tool for making appropriate decisions regarding areas with higher yield performance and greater stability over time. Also, it makes it possible to compare the yields of different samples and provide appropriate measures to correct, differentially, samples that obtained different inadequate levels

Memory span and general intelligence: a latent variable approach.

Abstract There are several studies showing that working memory and intelligence are strongly related. However, working memory tasks require simultaneous processing and storage, so the causes of their relationship with intelligence are currently a matter of discussion. The present study examined the simultaneous relationships among short-term memory (STM), working memory (WM), and general intelligence ( g). Two hundred and eight participants performed six verbal, quantitative, and spatial STM tasks, six verbal, quantitative, and spatial WM tasks, and eight tests measuring fluid, crystallized, spatial, and quantitative intelligence. Especial care is taken to avoid misrepresenting the relations among the constructs being studied because of specific task variance. Structural equation modelling (SEM) results revealed that (a) WM and g are (almost) isomorphic constructs, (b) the isomorphism vanishes when the storage component of WM is partialed out, and (c) STM and WM (with its storage component partialed out) predict g.

Nueva base de datos de precipitaciones y temperaturas para Extremadura en el periodo (1989-2018)

Ponencia presentada en: XII Congreso de la Asociación Española de Climatología celebrado en Santiago de Compostela entre el 19 y el 21 de octubre de 2022.[ES]Se ha elaborado una nueva base de datos de precipitaciones medias mensuales y temperaturas máximas y mínimas medias mensuales, con la que se han analizado los datos de 142 estaciones meteorológicas obtenidos de la Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET) para el periodo (1989-2018). En este estudio se presentan los resultados de diferentes pruebas de homogeneización y relleno de 134, 172 y 176 series de temperaturas y precipitaciones provenientes de las estaciones ubicadas en la región de Extremadura. Para ello, se realizó un primer control de calidad de los datos cumpliendo con los requisitos de la Organización Meteorológica Mundial (OMM) y las recomendaciones indicadas por el Real Instituto Meteorológico de los Países Bajos (KNMI). Posteriormente se llevó a cabo la homogeneización de las series utilizando el software Climatol, en el que se han implementado diferentes funciones que permiten depurar los datos a través de un análisis de los valores atípicos y de la homogeneidad, así como la completación de las lagunas de las series. Los análisis confirman la obtención de unos niveles de depuración de los datos muy altos, confiables y de buena calidad; obteniendo así una nueva base de datos para posteriores estudios climáticos.[EN]A new database of monthly average rainfall and monthly average maximum and minimum temperatures has been developed, with which data from 142 weather stations obtained from the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET) for the period (1989-2018) have been analysed. This study presents the results of different homogenisation and backfilling tests of 134, 172 and 176 temperature and precipitation series from stations located in the region of Extremadura. For this purpose, a first quality control of the data was carried out in compliance with the requirements of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the recommendations indicated by the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI). Subsequently, the series were homogenised using Climatol software, in which different functions have been implemented to clean the data through an analysis of outliers and homogeneity, as well as filling in the gaps in the series. The analyses confirm the achievement of very high, reliable and good quality data cleaning levels, thus obtaining a new database for further climate studies.Esta investigación fue financiada por la Junta de Extremadura y el Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) a través de la ayuda al grupo de investigación Alcántara (TIC008), GR21006, y el Proyecto IB18001 “Análisis y modelización del impacto del cambio climático sobre la distribución de zonas vitícolas en Extremadura”

Interactive Graphic Simulation: An Advanced Methodology to Improve the Teaching-Learning Process in Nuclear Engineering Education and Training

Nowadays, computer simulators are becoming basic tools for education and training in many engineering fields. In the nuclear industry, the role of simulation for training of operators of nuclear power plants is also recognized of the utmost relevance. As an example, the International Atomic Energy Agency sponsors the development of nuclear reactor simulators for education, and arranges the supply of such simulation programs. Aware of this, in 2008 Gas Natural Fenosa, a Spanish gas and electric utility that owns and operate nuclear power plants and promotes university education in the nuclear technology field, provided the Department of Nuclear Engineering of Universidad Politécnica de Madrid with the Interactive Graphic Simulator (IGS) of “José Cabrera” (Zorita) nuclear power plant, an industrial facility whose commercial operation ceased definitively in April 2006. It is a state-of-the-art full-scope real-time simulator that was used for training and qualification of the operators of the plant control room, as well as to understand and analyses the plant dynamics, and to develop, qualify and validate its emergency operating procedures

EL TARRO BLANCO TADORNA TADORNA (L.) EN EL SURESTE ESPAÑOL

The Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) is one of the most representative among the duck species in the wetlands of south-eastern Spain, and the only one of numerical significance in some of them. In our country, the species has changed its status from being considered an ocasional winter visitor to a regular winter presence, having also settled as a breeder in some localities. The south-eastern of Spain is one of the main winter quarters of Shelduck in our country, and the only area where it breeds besides the Ebro Delta. This paper summanzes a number of observations on Shelduck made in this area from 1976 to 1985, regarding the numerical evolution of the wintering and breeding populations, together with several data on its biology and ecology. The study area includes anumber of wetlands belonging to the provinces of Murcia (Salines of San Pedro del Pinatar, Marchamalo and Rasall) and Alicante (Salines of Santa Pola, La Mata Lagoon and El Hondo Reservoirs). Excepting for the latter, flooded with freshwatercomingfrom the Segurariver, al1 these areas are hypersaline lagoons transformed by man for salt production. The wetlands of south-eastern Spain set up the second or third winter quarter, in importante, in the Iberian Peninsula, after the Marismas of the Guadalquivir and the Ebro Delta. Data on wintering Shelduck are scarce until the winterof 1980-81, which may be partly due to a poor prospectingeffort. However, from this winter onwards the population has markedly increased, the presence of the wintering birds becoming more regular. The total winter figures show marked oscilations, both between and within years, but the general trend of the population is to increase. The main wintering localities are the Salines of San Pedro del Pinatar and La Mata Lagoon. The first evidence of Shelduck breeding in south-eastern Spain comes from the Salines of San Pedro del Pinatar, where a pair settled in 1976. From 1982 onwards, the species has also bred in La Mata Lagoon and, less regularly, in the Salines of Rasall (from 1982 to 1984), Santa Pola(at least two years) and El Hondo Reservoirs (only in 1985). The increase in the number of breeding pairs and the settlement of new breeding colonies usually occurs two years after a good breeding success, when the birds reared locally reach maturity. However, this increase may also be explained by immigration, mainly from the Camargue (France). Birds hatched in this locality have been reponed wintering in the spanish mediterranean coast, and the increase in the breedingpopulation of south-eastern Spain probably reflects the great success of the french breeding colony. The use of rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) urrows by Shelduck for nesting has been confirmed in La Mata Lagoon, and there is strong evidende ofthe choice of similar sites in other localities. The number of Shelducklings per brood is low compared with the average figures given for the species. The occurrence of multiple nesting is rare. Ducklingsurvival changes markedly between localities, from almost 100% in La MataLagoon to the loss of al1 the ducklings of a pair breeding in the Salines of Rasall in three breeding seasons. In the Salines of San Pedro del Pinatar, duckling survival seems related to hatching date, the pairs breeding later in the season losing almost al1 their ducklings as an effect of human pressure, while the earliest ones fledge almost al1 their young. In other localities, like the Salines of Santa Pola, the absence of a regular breeding population is discussed in terms of the availability and interspecific competence for nesting sites.El Tarro blanco (Tadorna tadorna) es una de las especies de anátidas más representativa de las zonas húmedas del sureste español, y la única numéricamente importante en algunas de ellas. En la península ibérica la especie ha pasado de ser considerada como invernante ocasional a regularizar su presencia invernal e instalarse con reducidos contingentes reproductores en algunas localidades. El sureste de España constituye uno de los principales puntos de invernada del Tamo blanco y, junto con el Delta del Ebro, la única zona donde se reproduce con asiduidad. El presente trabajo reúne un conjunto de observaciones sobre Tadorna tadorna recogidas en dichas zonas durante el período 1976-1986, relativas a la evolución numérica de las poblaciones invernante y reproductora de la especie, junto con diversos aspectos de su biología y ecología. El área estudiada comprende un conjunto de medios inundados situados en las provincias de Murcia (Salinas de San Pedro del Pinatar, Marchamalo y Rasall) y Alicante (Salinas de Santa Pola, Laguna de La Mata y Embalses de El Hondo). Con excepción de la última, de aguas dulces procedentes del río Segura, todas estas localidades poseen características hipersalinas y se hallan sometidas a un aprovechamiento salinero. Las zonas húmedas del Sureste español constituyen el segundo o tercer núcleo en importanciade invemada de Tadorna tadorna en la península ibérica, por detrás de las Marismas del Guadalquivir y a un nivel similar al Delta del Ebro. Los datos sobre Tarros blancos invernantes son escasos hasta la temporada 1980-81. Esto puede deberse, en parte, a un reducido esfuerzo prospectivo. No obstante, a partir de este invierno la población se incrementa notablemente; la presencia de los individuos invernantes se hace más regular. Hasta la actualidad, el número total de invernantes ha experimentado importantes oscilaciones, aumentando probablemente cuando los inviernos son más duros en el norte de Europa, pero la tendencia general es ascendente. Las dos principales localidades de invernada son las Salinas de San Pedro del Pinatar y la Laguna de La Mata. La primera noticia sobre reproducción del Tarro blanco en el sureste español corresponde a una pareja que crió en 1976 en las Salinas de San Pedro del Pinatar. A partir de 1982 la especie cría también en la Laguna de La Mata, y con menor asiduidad lo ha hecho también en las Salinas del Rasall (entre 1982 y 1984). Santa Pola (como mínimo dos años) y Embalses de El Hondo (sólo en 1985). El número total de parejas reproductoras ha aumentado de 1 a8 entre 1976 y 1985. Por lo general, el aumento del número de parejas nidificantes, y la colonización de nuevas localidades, tiene lugar dos años después de una temporada de importante éxito reproductor, coincidiendo con la madurez de los individuos criados localmente. No obstante, deben producirse fenómenos de inmigración a partir de otras localidades, fundamentalmente la Camarga francesa. Se han detectado jóvenes criados en dicha localidad invernando en diversos puntos del litoral ibérico, y probablemente el incremento del número de invernantes en el sureste, y la presencia de individuos reproductores, en un reflejo directo del éxito de la colonia nidificante del sur de Francia. Se ha comprobado la nidificación de Tadorna tadorna en madrigueras de conejo (Oryctolagus cuniculus) en zonas arenosas de la Laguna de La Mata, y existen indicios de la utilización de emplazamientos similares en otras localidades. El número de pollos nacidos por pareja es bajo en relación a las cifras habituales para la especie, siendo rara la realización de puestas conjuntas. La supervivencia de los pollos varía notablemente entre localidades, desde prácticamente el 100% de la Laguna de La Mata, hasta la desaparición de todos los pollos en las Salinas del Rasall en las tres temporadas de cría. La fecha de eclosión parece influir en la supervivencia en las Salinas de San Pedro del Pinatar, donde las nidadas más tardías suelen perderse íntegras por efecto de la presión humana, frente al éxito casi total de las más tempranas. En otras localidades, como las Salinas de Santa Pola, la ausencia de una población reproductora estable se discute en función de la disponibilidad de emplazamientos para el nido y la competencia por éstos con otras especies

Smart city and smart destination planning: Examining instruments and perceived impacts in Spain

The impact of technology on tourist cities and destinations has led to the emergence of renewed management approaches that seek to adapt the planning processes to new challenges and opportunities derived from the smart scenario. The smart city and smart tourist destination approaches are aimed at improving efficiency in management, the quality of life of the residents and the tourist experiences. However, little is known about how these ideas are being translated into real policies and whether they are having a real impact. The objective of this paper is to understand how the smart approach is being deployed in the planning processes of Spanish tourist cities and destinations, and its implications in terms of the governance, sustainability and data-driven public management. The planning instruments that guide the smart strategies of different Spanish cities are identified and analysed. This is complemented with a questionnaire administered among managers of the smart city and smart destination initiatives. The findings reveal the diversity of smart initiatives, their benefits and limitations. The results contribute to generating a necessary debate on the implications of the smart discourse for urban and tourism planning and enrich the international debate around this approach.Depto. de GeografíaFac. de Geografía e HistoriaTRUEUnión Europea-H2020Generalitat Valencianapu

Recomendaciones basadas en la evidencia del grupo andaluz para la reflexión e investigación en nutrición (Garin) para el manejo del paciente con síndrome de intestino corto

In order to develop evidence-based recommendations and expert consensus for the nutritional management of patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS), we conducted a systematic literature search using the PRISMA methodology plus a critical appraisal following the GRADE scale procedures. Pharmacological treatment with antisecretory drugs, antidiarrheal drugs, and somatostatin contributes to reducing intestinal losses. Nutritional support is based on parenteral nutrition; however, oral intake and/or enteral nutrition should be introduced as soon as possible. In the chronic phase, the diet should have as few restrictions as possible, and be adapted to the SBS type. Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) should be individualized. Single-lumen catheters are recommended and taurolidine should be used for locking the catheter. The HPN’s lipid content must be greater than 1 g/kg per week but not exceed 1 g/kg per day, and omega-6 fatty acids (ω6 FAs) should be reduced. Trace element vials with low doses of manganese should be used. Patients with chronic SBS who require long-term HPN/fluid therapy despite optimized treatment should be considered for teduglutide treatment. All patients require a multidisciplinary approach and specialized follow-up. These recommendations and suggestions regarding nutritional management in SBS patients have direct clinical applicability

INRISCO: INcident monitoRing in Smart COmmunities

Major advances in information and communication technologies (ICTs) make citizens to be considered as sensors in motion. Carrying their mobile devices, moving in their connected vehicles or actively participating in social networks, citizens provide a wealth of information that, after properly processing, can support numerous applications for the benefit of the community. In the context of smart communities, the INRISCO [1] proposal intends for (i) the early detection of abnormal situations in cities (i.e., incidents), (ii) the analysis of whether, according to their impact, those incidents are really adverse for the community; and (iii) the automatic actuation by dissemination of appropriate information to citizens and authorities. Thus, INRISCO will identify and report on incidents in traffic (jam, accident) or public infrastructure (e.g., works, street cut), the occurrence of specific events that affect other citizens' life (e.g., demonstrations, concerts), or environmental problems (e.g., pollution, bad weather). It is of particular interest to this proposal the identification of incidents with a social and economic impact, which affects the quality of life of citizens.This work was supported in part by the Spanish Government through the projects INRISCO under Grant TEC2014-54335-C4-1-R, Grant TEC2014-54335-C4-2-R, Grant TEC2014-54335-C4-3-R, and Grant TEC2014-54335-C4-4-R, in part by the MAGOS under Grant TEC2017-84197-C4-1-R, Grant TEC2017-84197-C4-2-R, and Grant TEC2017-84197-C4-3-R, in part by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and in part by the Galician Regional Government under agreement for funding the Atlantic Research Center for Information and Communication Technologies (AtlantTIC)