Support and educational participation of families in the countries of southern Europe: an approach to the spanish and portuguese reality

Se presentan los resultados de una investigación en la que se le ha preguntado a los estudiantes universitarios de las ciudades de Granada, Lisboa y Melilla, cuál ha sido el apoyo y la participación de sus padres y madres durante su trayectoria educativa. La investigación comparada atribuye un conjunto de características a los países del sur de Europa que influyen sobre las interacciones diarias de sus habitantes. Mediante el análisis de las relaciones paterno-filiales en materia educativa se ha querido conocer cómo responde la familia, en los momentos de crisis económica, en la educación, si continúa existiendo una división de roles y, finalmente, cuál es el balance emocional experimentado por los estudiantes durante su trayectoria educativa. Para lograr desentrañar los discursos y vivencias, se ha empleado una metodología cualitativa.This report presents the results of an investigation into the support university students in Granada, Lisbon and Melilla have received from their parents during their educational years. Through comparative research we have identified a set of features from these southern Europe countries that influence the daily interactions on their inhabitants. This analysis of parents/children relationships in education has aimed a better understanding how the family responds within the moments of the economical crisis, if there is still a division of roles and, finally, the emotional experience of students throughout their time in education. In order to treat these discourses and experiences we have adopted a qualitative methodology

Disturbances in metabolic, transport and structural genes in experimental colonic inflammation in the rat: a longitudinal genomic analysis

Background: Trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS) induced rat colitis is one of the most widely used models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a condition whose aetiology and pathophysiology are incompletely understood. We have characterized this model at the genomic level using a longitudinal approach. Six control rats were compared with colitic animals at 2, 5, 7 and 14 days after TNBS administration (n = 3). The Affymetrix Rat Expression Array 230 2.0 system was used. Results: TNBS-induced colitis had a profound impact on the gene expression profile, which was maximal 5 and 7 days post-induction. Most genes were affected at more than one time point. They were related to a number of biological functions, not only inflammation/immunity but also transport, metabolism, signal transduction, tissue remodeling and angiogenesis. Gene changes generally correlated with the severity of colitis. The results were successfully validated in a subset of genes by real-time PCR. Conclusion: The TNBS model of rat colitis has been described in detail at the transcriptome level. The changes observed correlate with pathophysiological disturbances such as tissue remodelling and alterations in ion transport, which are characteristic of both this model and IBD.This study was supported by the Instituto de Investigación Carlos III (PI051651, PI051625), the Spanish Junta de Andalucía (ARM/LD 43035), the Ministry of Industry, and Fundación Genoma España

Stream-pit lake interactions in an abandoned mining area affected by acid drainage

Opencast mining of sulfide ore deposits may lead to the formation of anthropogenic acidic lakes with highly polluted waters. In these systems, it is crucial to understand the hydrological connections between surface and groundwater and their contribution to the pollutant load delivered to the downgradient streams. This study characterizes the interactions between surface and groundwater in an acidic pit lake using different geochemical tracers (i.e., REE and other trace metals). The San Telmo pit lake, located in one of the most pollutant sources of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB), can be considered as a flow-through pit lake except during dry periods, when it behaves as a terminal lake due to lower inputs by surface waters and higher outputs by evaporation. Results based on geochemical tracers indicate that the main inputs to the pit lake come from surface waters, with minor groundwater inputs rich in As, Cr, Cu, Fe and Pb. The contaminant load released from the mining area is very high (e.g., median values of 520 kg/day of Fe and 38 kg/day of Zn), causing the degradation of the fluvial network downstream. Most of released pollutants come from waste dumps located at the W of the mining zone (~50–70% of Al, Cd, Mg, Mn, Ni, SO4 and Zn and > 70% for Cu, Cr, Fe and, V), while the contribution of the water coming out the pit lake and other dumps is much lower. Thus, remediation efforts to improve the area and fluvial courses downstream must focus on the W waste dumps.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economic and Competitiveness through the projects CGL2016-78783-C2-1-R (SCYRE) and by H2020 European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT RawMaterials) through the projects Modular Recovery Process Services for Hydrometallurgy and Water Treatment (MORECOVERY). C.R Cánovas thanks the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for the Postdoctoral Fellowship granted under application reference RYC2019-027949-I. F. Macias was funded by the R&D FEDER Andalucía 2014–2020 call through the project RENOVAME (FEDER;UHU-1255729).The commentsand helpful criticisms of two anonymous reviewers and the support of Dr. Jose Virgilio Cruz (Associate Editor) have considerably improved the original manuscript and are also gratefully acknowledged. Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Huelva / CBUA

Proteomic Advances in Milk and Dairy Products

Proteomics is a new area of study that in recent decades has provided great advances in the field of medicine. However, its enormous potential for the study of proteomes makes it also applicable to other areas of science. Milk is a highly heterogeneous and complex fluid, where there are numerous genetic variants and isoforms with post-translational modifications (PTMs). Due to the vast number of proteins and peptides existing in its matrix, proteomics is presented as a powerful tool for the characterization of milk samples and their products. The technology developed to date for the separation and characterization of the milk proteome, such as two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) technology and especially mass spectrometry (MS) have allowed an exhaustive characterization of the proteins and peptides present in milk and dairy products with enormous applications in the industry for the control of fundamental parameters, such as microbiological safety, the guarantee of authenticity, or the control of the transformations carried out, aimed to increase the quality of the final productThis research was funded by GAIN (Axencia Galega de Innovación, Xunta de Galicia, Spain), grant number IN607A2019/01S

Metal(loid) release from sulfide-rich wastes to the environment: The case of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (SW Spain)

Sulfide-mining wastes may lead to severe environmental and human health risks, especially challenging in abandoned mines without environmental regulation. This work is aimed at discussing the environmental problems associated with this type of wastes, the risks posed by metal(loid) exposure to living organisms, as well as the measures available to mitigate such risks, taking the case of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (SW Iberian Peninsula), as an example, worldwide. The release of metal(loid)s from these wastes upon weathering is strongly controlled by mineral assemblage, processing technique, grain size distribution, and occurrence of highly reactive secondary minerals. Exposure to these wastes may pose a severe risk for humans and animals, and thus, remediation measures must be adopted in abandoned mines. Among these measures, recovery of valuable metals from sulfide wastes could be a promising environmentally friendly solution; however, grade and mineralogical siting of valuable metals, as well as selective recovery methods, must be site-by-site investigated.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through the research projects SCYRE (CGL2016-78783- C2-1-R) and CAPOTE (CGL2017-86050-R). C.R Ca ́novas and M.D. Basallote thank the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for the Postdoctoral Fellowships granted under application references RYC2019- 027949-I and IJC2018-035056-I, respectively. F. Macı ́as was funded by the R&D FEDER Andalucı ́a 2014e2020 call through the project RENOVAME (FEDER; UHU-1255729). The authors would like to thank to the Guest Editor Dr. Georgios Bartzas and two anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments that notably improved the quality of the original manuscript.Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Huelva / CBU

Thallium in environmental compartments affected by acid mine drainage (AMD) from the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB): From rocks to the ocean

This works investigates the origin, behavior and fate of Tl in acid mine drainage (AMD) affected areas at catchment scale, following the path from rocks to the ocean. To address this issue, comprehensive data set of Tl in rocks, waters, secondary minerals, plants and other environmental compartments is presented, using the Iberian Pyrite Belt (SW Spain) as representative example. The content of Tl in host rocks (mean of 0.51 mg/kg) exhibits moderate positive correlations with elements such as K and Rb, whereas no correlations were observed in sulfides (27 mg/kg) between Tl, Fe and other metal/loids commonly found in these minerals, such as As, Pb, Cd, Cu or Zn. During sulfide oxidation processes, Tl is mobilized from sulfides, as evidenced by the depletion of Tl in gossans (1.8 mg/kg), and host rock minerals, leading to a Tl enrichment in AMD leachates (mean of 242 μg/L), with concentrations of up to 8.3 mg/L, several orders of magnitude higher than those reported in natural waters. The precipitation of secondary minerals, with large surface areas, may be a sink for Tl, especially in jarosite minerals (8.4 mg/kg). Thallium can be also removed during the treatment of AMD in alkaline passive treatment systems due mainly to sorption processes onto Fe and Al secondary minerals (i.e., schwertmannite and basaluminite, respectively). Mean Tl contents of 13 mg/kg have been observed in wastes dumped in abandoned mines of the IPB, mainly spoil heaps, slags, roasted pyrite, heap leaching wastes and tailings. However, there is no clear relationship between Tl content and the type of mining wastes. These wastes can suffer weathering, leading to an enrichment of Tl in soils. Previous studies reported that <25% of total Tl is easily extractable, being mainly adsorbed to crystalline Fe oxides in acidic soils and Al oxides in neutral-alkaline soils. Despite this, Tl may be translocated by plants. The translocation of Tl in plants of the IPB has not been properly addressed, however previous studies in other areas showed a low phytoavailability of Tl compared to Cd and Zn, although Tl translocation appears to be strongly controlled by plant species or by differences in Tl speciation. The weathering of rocks, mine wastes and soils may lead to the release of notable amounts of both dissolved and particulate Tl to the hydrosphere. In acidic conditions, Tl seems to be mainly transported by the dissolved phase in AMD-affected streams and rivers, with <15% being transported by the particulate matter. This latter Tl transport may be associated to its incorporation into diatoms and Fe minerals such as jarosite after replacement of Tl+ by H+ in their structure. Subsequent release by desorption processes from jarosite and diatoms in acidic conditions can occur. This process has also been observed in estuaries affected by AMD, thus, Tl transported by jarosite minerals in the particulate matter and diatoms are released back to the estuarine waters across the salinity gradient due to the increasing proportion of unreactive TlCl0 and K+ ions, which compete for adsorption sites in jarosite with Tl+. Thus, enhanced transport of Tl to the oceans is observed in AMD-affected systems.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness under the research project TRAMPA (MINECO; PID2020-119196RB-C21) and the Andalusian Regional Government under the AIHODIEL project (PYC20 RE 032 UHU) within the FEDER program. C.R Canovas thanks the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for the Postdoctoral Fellowship granted under application reference RYC2019-027949-I. M.D. Basallote thanks the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for the Postdoctoral Fellowship granted under application reference IJC2018-035056-I. Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Huelva /CBU

Estudio del proceso histórico durante la Prehistoria y la Antigüedad en la cuenca del Alto Almanzora (Almería)

In this paper we will make known the starting points, preliminary results and new considerations regarding the population distribution through out Prehistory and Ancient Times in the Almanzora Valley (Almería). Prehistoric settlements have been localised both in the valley and the mountains, and since the Iberian period, dwellings have concentrated in the valley.En este trabajo se exponen los puntos de partida, resultados preliminares y nuevas consideraciones en torno al poblamiento durante la Prehistoria y la Antigüedad en la cuenca del Alto Almanzora (Almería). El poblamiento prehistórico se ha constatado tanto en el ámbito del valle como en el de montaña, mientras que a partir de época ibérica, éste se centrará en el fondo del valle

Effects of estuarine water mixing on the mobility of trace elements in acid mine drainage leachates

This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under the research project TRAMPA (PID2020-119196RB- C21). C.R. C´anovas, A. Parviainen and M.D. Basallote also acknowledge the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for the Postdoctoral Fellowships granted under application references RYC2019-027949-I, IJCI-2016-27412 and IJC2018-035056-I, respectively. We would also like to thank Dr. Geoff MacFarlane for the editorial handling and two anonymous reviewers for the support and comments that significantly improved the quality of the original paper. Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Huelva/CBUA.This research reports the effects of pH increase on contaminant mobility in acid mine drainage from the Iberian Pyrite Belt by seawater mixing in the laboratory, simulating the processes occurring in the Estuary of Huelva (SW Iberian Peninsula). Concentrations of Al, Fe, As, Cu and REY in mixing solutions significantly decreased with increasing pH. Schwertmannite precipitation at pH 2.5–4.0 led to the total removal of Fe(III) and As. Subsequently, iron-depleted solutions began to be controlled by precipitation of basaluminite at pH 4.5–6.0, which acted as a sink for Al, Cu and REY. Nevertheless, as the pH rises, schwertmannite becomes unstable and releases back to solution the previously retained As. Moreover, other elements (S, Zn, Cd, Ni and Co) behaved conservatively in mixing solutions with no participation in precipitation processes. Some toxic elements finally end up to the Atlantic Ocean contributing to the total pollutant loads and environmentally threatening the coastal areas

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes (Mart.) Solms) and water duckweed. (Lemna Spp.) to reduce the hardness of irrigation water

La contaminación del agua de riego representa uno de los problemas más importantes para la producción agrícola, ya que afecta significativamente a la economía por la pérdida de cultivos, debido a esto la búsqueda de métodos de remediación son muy importantes. El uso de plantas acuáticas representa una técnica alterna como fitorremediación a los métodos físicos utilizados frecuentemente. El presente estudio muestra la reducción alcanzada de la dureza del agua de riego de la empresa Flores del Cotopaxi S.A., para lo cual se utilizó plantas acuáticas como lechuguín y lenteja de agua. Para determinar las características de la muestra de agua de riego proveniente de la cuenca de Río Blanco se analizó antes y después de ser sometidas a tratamiento los siguientes parámetros: pH, conductividad eléctrica, dureza total, nitratos, y sulfatos, de la misma manera se realizó un conteo de ufc/gramo de raíz de cada planta acuática. La investigación permitió concluir que el lechuguín es la planta acuática más idónea en la absorción de minerales, logrando una reducción de 218 a 154 mg CaCO3/l como parámetro de dureza, control de pH en condiciones neutras en un rango de 7.27-6.57, y disminución de la conductividad, nitritos y sulfatos, dado que sus raíces son más fuertes, y según las pruebas microbiológicas realizadas el contenido de microorganismos es mayor.Contaminated irrigation water has been one of the most influential problems in agricultural production as it is positively correlated to the loss of crops, thereby significantly affecting the economy. It is therefore very essential for the scientific research to devise remediation methods to minimize or eliminate pollutants from the irrigation water.The utilization of aquatic plants can serve an alternative technique for Phytoremediation in contrast to the frequently used physical methods. The present study shows the reduction in the hardness of the irrigation water of the Flores del Cotopaxi S.A. company, for which aquatic plants such as lechuguín and duckweed were used. To sample the Río Blanco basin irrigation water sample characteristics, the parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, total hardness, nitrates and sulfates were analyzed before and after the treatment. Additionally, the count of cfu / gram roots of each aquatic plants was conducted. This investigation had allowed us to conclude that lechuguín is the most suitable aquatic plant in mineral absorption, achieving a reduction of 218 to 154 mg of CaCO3 / l as a hardness parameter, pH control in neutral conditions in a range of 7.27-6.57 and decrease in conductivity, nitrites and sulfates given their stronger roots, and greater content of microorganisms according to the microbiological tests that were carried out