Monitorización de una excavación arqueológica usando fotogrametría y modelos digitales del terreno (MDT). El caso de estudio de Barranco León, Orce (Granada, España)

In this paper, we describe and discuss emergent digital technologies employed for monitoring the excavations at the archaeological site of Barranco León (Granada, Spain) between 2017 and 2020. The method entails the following material requirements: a total station, a conventional camera, a computer and a software that integrates photogrammetry algorithms; in terms of human resources, the presence of an engineer for the first day of the excavation to set up the methodological process and trained excavation staff to perform said method on a daily basis is necessary. Here we present the daily workflow for monitoring archaeological excavations introduced at the site, followed by an estimation of the costs and a summary of the results obtained. The method introduced here is based on the height difference of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) computed on successive days using photogrammetric techniques. It is a non-invasive method, which requires less than 8% of the economic resources of the excavation and can be carried out in less than 15 minutes. This allows the excavation director to have an accurate and visual idea of the excavation process in order to make appropriate decisions. In addition, from the results obtained in the method (differences in DEM of every two days), other derived results can be obtained such as the exact location of the archaeological remains extracted based on their size. These features highlight the relevance and applicability of this approach to a wide range of archaeological sites.En este artículo, describimos y discutimos las tecnologías digitales emergentes utilizadas para la monitorización de las excavaciones del yacimiento arqueológico de Barranco León (Granada, España) entre las campañas de 2017 y 2020. El método implica el uso de los siguientes recursos materiales: una estación total, una cámara de fotos convencional, un ordenador y un programa que integre algoritmos de fotogrametría; referente a los recursos humanos, es necesaria la presencia de un ingeniero durante el primer día de la excavación para establecer el proceso metodológico y un excavador entrenado para llevar a cabo dicho método diariamente. Aquí, presentamos un flujo de trabajo diario para la monitorización de la excavación de un yacimiento arqueológico, seguido de una estimación de los costos y un resumen de los resultados obtenidos. El método presentado se basa en la diferencia de altura de los modelos digitales del terreno (MDT) calculados en sucesivos días utilizando técnicas fotogramétricas. Es un método no invasivo, que requiere menos del 8% del coste total de la excavación y se puede llevar a cabo en menos de 15 minutos. Esto permite que el director de la excavación tenga una visión precisa y una idea visual del proceso de excavación para tomar las decisiones adecuadas. Además, a partir de los resultados obtenidos en el método (diferencias en MDT de cada dos días), se pueden obtener otros resultados derivados como la ubicación exacta de los restos arqueológicos extraídos en función de su tamaño.Junta de Andalucia BC.03.032/17FEDER 2020 Operative Program Research Project A-HUM-016-UGR1

Chemical and Energetic Properties of Seven Species of the Fabaceae Family

In this work, the chemical compositions and energetic properties of the wood and bark of seven Fabaceae species were determined to evaluate their dendroenergetic potential. Chemical composition, elemental, proximate and heating value analyses were conducted. In addition, an ash microanalysis was performed. The obtained results varied as follows: cellulose (from 20.21% in Parkinsonia aculeate bark to 58.83% in Albizia plurijuga sapwood), hemicelluloses (from 8.81% in Eysenhardia polystacya heartwood to 23.71% in Pakinsonia aculeate wood), lignin (from 12.88% in wood to 26.53% in bark of Parkinsonia aculeate), extractives (from 11.68% in sapwood to 36.17% in bark of Eysenhardia polystacya), carbon (from 42.4% in Albizia plurijuga bark to 49.5% in Eysenhardtia polystacya heartwood), hydrogen (from 6.4% in Eysenhardtia polystacya bark to 7.3% in Albizia plurijuga sapwood), oxygen (from 42.3% in Prosopis laevigata bark to 50.5% in Acacia pennatula bark), nitrogen (from 0.11% in Albizia plurijuga heartwood to 1.64% in Prosopis laevigata bark), sulfur (from 0.04% in Prosopis laevigata heartwood to 0.14% in Acacia farnesiana wood, Erythina caralloides bark, and Prosopis laevigata bark), ash (from 0.76% in Eysenhardtia polystacya heartwood to 11.49% in Acacia plurijuga bark), volatile material (from 70.08% in Eysenhardtia polystacya bark to 91.75% in Albizia plurijuga sapwood), fixed carbon (from 6.97% in Albizia plurijuga sapwood to 23.44% in Prosopis laevigata bark), and calorific value (from 17.36 MJ·kg-1 in Acacia pennatula bark to 21.23 MJ·kg-1 in Prosopis laevigata bark). The most abundant chemical elements in wood ash and bark ash are listed here: Ca˃K˃P˃Mg˃Na. According to the obtained results, the wood and bark of the seven Fabaceae species could be used to produce solid biofuels for local use. Additionally, highlighting the high concentrations of extractives was important, especially in the bark samples, which could be a potential source of phytochemicals

Variables Influencing the Accuracy of 3D Modeling of Existing Roads Using Consumer Cameras in Aerial Photogrammetry

Point cloud (PC) generation from photogrammetry–remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) at high spatial and temporal resolution and accuracy is of increasing importance for many applications. For several years, photogrammetry–RPAS has been used to recover civil engineering works such as digital elevation models (DEMs), triangle irregular networks (TINs), contour levels, orthophotographs, etc. This study analyzes the influence of variables involved in the accuracy of PC generation over asphalt shapes and determines the most influential variable based on the development of an artificial neural network (ANN) with patterns identified in the test flights. The input variables were those involved, and output was the three-dimension root mean square error (3D-RMSE) of the PC in each ground control point (GCP). The result of the study shows that the most influential variable over PC accuracy is the modulation transfer function 50 (MTF50). In addition, the study obtained an average 3D-RMSE of 1 cm. The results can be used by the scientific and civil engineering communities to consider MTF50 variables in obtaining images from RPAS cameras and to predict the accuracy of a PC over asphalt based on the ANN developed. Also, this ANN could be the beginning of a large database containing patterns from several cameras and lenses in the world market.The article processing charge (APC) was funded by the Research Group “Ingeniería Cartográfica” (Grant No. PAIDI-TEP-164 from the Regional Government of Andalucía) from the University of Jaén

Polyphenolic Profile, Sugar Consumption and Organic Acids Generation along Fermentation of Infusions from Guava (Pisidium guajava) by the Kombucha Consortium

The kombucha beverage is typically prepared from black tea, sweetened with sucrose, inoculated with previously fermented liquid broth and/or tea fungus pellicle, and incubated. Alternative sources have been used for kombucha beverages. Guava leaves have been used for long time as traditional medicine. It is found in many commercially available botanical supplements in form of decoction, milled and used as comprises. They are rich in polyphenolic compounds. Several changes are produced during fermentation of the beverages. The main objective of the present work is to characterize fermentation process of guava leaves infusions by kombucha and studying possible chemical changes in their polyphenolic profile. Infusions from guava leaves were prepared and fermented by the kombucha consortium. The pH, titrable acidity, polyphenolic compounds, sugar consumption, organic acid along the fermentation was made by UPLC-ESI-MS. Kombucha from Camellia sinensis (CS) was made as a control. Higher rate of sucrose consumption was observed for Kombucha made with CS, also, higher production of organic acids (acetic and succinic acid) was observed too. Both behaviors were related to the content of glucose. The flavan-3-ols were diminishing along the fermentation time, with the exception of epigallocatechin in Camellia sinensis, Flavan-3-ol content in Guava leaves was low. Higher content of dicaffeoyl quinnic acid was observed for both systems in special for CS, falling after a maximum peak; minor constituents of hydroxycinnamic acids were stable along the fermentation for both systems

Not seen before. Unveiling depositional context and Mammuthus meridionalis exploitation at Fuente Nueva 3 (Orce, southern Iberia) through taphonomy and microstratigraphy

Meat consumption by early hominins is a hotly debated issue. A key question concerns their access to large mammal carcasses, including megafauna. Currently, the evidence of anthropic cut marks on proboscidean bones older than -or close to- 1.0 Ma are restricted to the archaeological sites of Dmanisi (Georgia), Olduvai (Tanzania), Gona (Ethiopia), Olorgesailie (Kenya) and La Boella (Spain). During an inspection of the almost complete carcass of Mammuthus meridionalis (FN3-5-MPS) from the Oldowan site of Fuente Nueva 3 (Orce, Spain, c. 1.2 Ma), a few traces compatible with human-made cut marks and carnivore tooth marks were found. From this finding and previous interpretations the following questions arise: When and under what conditions was FN3-5-MPS deposited? What is the nature of the marks found on the surface of the bones of this mammoth? To answer, we have conducted a high-resolution analysis of these remains, combining both taphonomic and microstratigraphic data. Our results, using microstratigraphic and micromorphological analyses of sediments based on thin-sections, show that this individual was deposited in a marshy environment. Subsequently, the carcass was exploited by hominins and large felids that left their marks on the surface of some of its bones. For this purpose, the identification and characterisation of both cut marks and tooth marks were performed using high-resolution 3D modelling, geometric morphometrics, and artificially intelligent algorithms. Based on the anatomical position of both the cut and tooth marks, we propose that both the hominins and the saber-toothed cats had early access to the animal. Finally, this paper shows how an interdisciplinary approach can shed detailed light on the particular story regarding the death and processing of the carcass of a female mammoth, deposited at Fuente Nueva 3.This research has been carried out thanks to projects PID 2021.125098NB.I00 funding by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDER Una manera de hacer Europa and ProyExcel_00274 funding by Dirección General de Planificación de la Investigación (Consejería de Universidad, Investigación e Innovación, Junta de Andalucía). In addition, this research has been supported by the following projects of the Spanish government: PID2021-122533NB-I00, PID2021-123092NB-C21, PID2022-136832NB-I00. We also acknowledge the support provided by the PALARQ Foundation through the project Ref: PR2004_19/01

Aves del departamento del Cauca - Colombia

The Cauca department with its biogeographic diversity is one of the most diverse departments in bird species of Colombia. Looking for quantify the richness reported to the date and look at their geographical distribution, we made a information compilation about bird records in the department of Cauca by reviewing publications and ornithological collections in several world museums. We obtained a list of 1,102 species, including 18 endemic spp., 96 north migratory spp. and 41 nationally endangered spp.. This check list is a suitable tool for bird study in Cauca and is a reference to understand different bird topics in southwestern Colombia

Plant characterization of genetically modified maize hybrids MON-89Ø34-3 × MON-88Ø17-3, MON-89Ø34-3 × MON-ØØ6Ø3-6, and MON-ØØ6Ø3-6: alternatives for maize production in Mexico

Environmental risk assessment (ERA) of genetically modified (GM) crops is a process to evaluate whether the biotechnology trait(s) in a GM crop may result in increased pest potential or harm to the environment. In this analysis, two GM insect-resistant (IR) herbicide-tolerant maize hybrids (MON-89Ø34-3 9 MON-88Ø17-3 and MON-89Ø34-3 9 MON-ØØ6Ø3-6) and one herbicide-tolerant GM hybrid (MON-ØØ6Ø3-6) were compared with conventional maize hybrids of similar genetic backgrounds. Two sets of studies, Experimental Phase and Pilot Phase, were conducted across five ecological regions (ecoregions) in Mexico during 2009–2013, and data were subject to meta-analysis. Results from the Experimental Phase studies, which were used for ERA, indicated that the three GM hybrids were not different from conventional maize for early stand count, days-tosilking, days-to-anthesis, root lodging, stalk lodging, or final stand count. Statistically significant differences were observed for seedling vigor, ear height, plant height, grain moisture, and grain yield, particularly in the IR hybrids; however, none of these phenotypic differences are expected to contribute to a biological or ecological change that would result in an increased pest potential or ecological risk when cultivating these GM hybrids. Overall, results from the Experimental Phase studies are consistent with those from other world regions, confirming that there are no additional risks compared to conventional maize. Results from Pilot Phase studies indicated that, compared to conventional maize hybrids, no differences were detected for the agronomic and phenotypic characteristics measured on the three GM maize hybrids, with the exception of grain moisture and grain yield in the IR hybrids. Since MON-89Ø34- 3 9 MON-88Ø17-3 and MON-89Ø34-3 9 MONØØ6Ø3- 6 confer resistance to target insect pests, they are an alternative for farmers in Mexico to protect the crop from insect damage. Additionally, the herbicide tolerance conferred by all three GM hybrids enables more cost-effective weed management

Persistence of COVID-19 Symptoms after Recovery in Mexican Population

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a highly contagious infectious disease that has caused many deaths worldwide. Despite global efforts, it continues to cause great losses, and leaving multiple unknowns that we must resolve in order to face the pandemic more effectively. One of the questions that has arisen recently is what happens, after recovering from COVID-19. For this reason, the objective of this study is to identify the risk of presenting persistent symptoms in recovered from COVID-19. This case-control study was conducted in one state of Mexico. Initially the data were obtained from the participants, through a questionnaire about symptoms that they had at the moment of the interview. Initially were captured the collected data, to make a dataset. After the pre-processed using the R project tool to eliminate outliers or missing data. Obtained finally a total of 219 participants, 141 recovered and 78 controls. It was used confidence level of 90% and a margin of error of 7%. From results it was obtained that all symptoms have an associated risk in those recovered. The relative risk of the selected symptoms in the recovered patients goes from 3 to 22 times, being infinite for the case of dyspnea, due to the fact that there is no control that presents this symptom at the moment of the interview, followed by the nausea and the anosmia with a RR of 8.5. Therefore, public health strategies must be rethought, to treat or rehabilitate, avoiding chronic problems in patients recovered from COVID-19