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Green and scalable materials are essential to fulfill the need of electrification for transitioning into a fossil-fuels free society, and sustainability is a requirement for all new technologies. Rechargeable batteries are one of the most important elements for electrification, enabling the transition to mobile electronics, electrical vehicles and grid storage. We here report synthesis and characterization of polyelectrolyte complexes of alginate and chitosan, both biopolymers deriving from the sea, for transport of zinc ions in hydrogel electrolytes. We have used vibrational spectroscopy, thermal measurements and microscopy, as well as transport measurements with ohmic or blocking contacts. The transference number for zinc ions is close to 1, the conductivity is ≈10 mS/cm, with stability at Zn interfaces seen through 7000 cycles in symmetric zinc//zinc cell.

Objective: To evaluate the results of treatment of knee osteoarthritis with a single intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid in terms of pain reduction, joint function improvement and duration of effects. Method: Patients with clinical and radiological diagnosis of osteoarthritis at different stages of evolution in one or both knees were treated at the Pain Unit of a tertiary hospital. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics provided by the patient following the usual clinical practice were prospectively collected. Pain at rest, walking, up and down stairs, morning stiffness, time walking as well as time/quality sleep were recorded pre and post-treatment. At post-treatment visit the degree and duration of improvement experienced, as well as the investigator assessment were also recorded. The treatment consisted of a single intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid, with the possibility of a booster. Results: A total of 29 patients (52 knees) were included. Both knees were treated in 23 of them (n = 46) and only one knee in the remaining 6. The 92.3 % were osteoarthritic joints with an evolution > 12 months, with clinical grade 4-5 in 61.6 % (n = 32) and radiological grade III-IV of Kellgren & Lawrence in 67.7 % (n = 35), making 55.8 % of cases were classified as severe by the investigators. There was a significant improvement in all parameters of pain and function considered (p < 0.001). Walking time increased by over 100 % and 67.3 % of patients defined their quality of sleep as normal, compared to 38.5 % at baseline. The improvement was assessed by the investigator as good or very good in 73.1 % of cases. Conclusions: Our study confirms the effectiveness of a single injection of hyaluronic acid to reduce symptoms in patients with knee osteoarthritis with different grades of severity, with results that remain between 6 and 12 months and are especially significant in those patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis., Objetivo: Valorar los resultados del tratamiento de la artrosis de rodilla mediante una inyección intrarticular de ácido hialurónico en lo que se refiere a reducción del dolor, mejoría de la función articular y duración de los efectos. Método: Pacientes con diagnóstico clínico y radiológico de artrosis en diferentes fases de evolución en una o ambas rodillas, tratados en la Unidad del Dolor de un hospital de tercer nivel. Se recogió prospectivamente la información facilitada por el paciente siguiendo la práctica clínica habitual: características sociodemográficas y clínicas. Se realizaron valoraciones pre y postratamiento del dolor en reposo, a la deambulación y al subir/bajar escaleras, rigidez matutina, tiempo caminando y las horas/calidad del descanso nocturno. En la visita postratamiento se registraron, además, el grado de mejoría experimentada, duración de la misma y la satisfacción del investigador. El tratamiento consistió en una única inyección de ácido hialurónico por vía intrarticular, con posibilidad de una dosis de recuerdo. Resultados: Se incluyeron 29 pacientes (52 rodillas); en 23 se trataron ambas rodillas (n = 46) y en 6 una rodilla. El 92,3 % corresponden a articulaciones artrósicas con un tiempo de evolución > 12 meses, con grado clínico 4-5 en el 61,6 % de las rodillas tratadas (n = 32) y grado radiológico III-IV de Kellgren y Lawrence en el 67,7 % (n = 35), por lo que un 55,8 % de los casos fueron calificados como severos por los investigadores. Hubo una mejoría significativa en todos los parámetros de dolor y funcionalidad considerados (p < 0,001). El tiempo caminando se incrementó en más del 100 % y el 67,3 % de los pacientes definieron su calidad de sueño como normal, frente al 38,5 % inicial. La mejoría fue valorada por el investigador como buena o muy buena en el 73,1 % de los casos. Conclusiones: Nuestro trabajo confirma la eficacia de una única inyección de ácido hialurónico para reducir la sintomatología en pacientes con gonartrosis en d

Objective: To evaluate the results of treatment of knee osteoarthritis with a single intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid in terms of pain reduction, joint function improvement and duration of effects. Method: Patients with clinical and radiological diagnosis of osteoarthritis at different stages of evolution in one or both knees were treated at the Pain Unit of a tertiary hospital. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics provided by the patient following the usual clinical practice were prospectively collected. Pain at rest, walking, up and down stairs, morning stiffness, time walking as well as time/quality sleep were recorded pre and post-treatment. At post-treatment visit the degree and duration of improvement experienced, as well as the investigator assessment were also recorded. The treatment consisted of a single intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid, with the possibility of a booster. Results: A total of 29 patients (52 knees) were included. Both knees were treated in 23 of them (n = 46) and only one knee in the remaining 6. The 92.3 % were osteoarthritic joints with an evolution > 12 months, with clinical grade 4-5 in 61.6 % (n = 32) and radiological grade III-IV of Kellgren & Lawrence in 67.7 % (n = 35), making 55.8 % of cases were classified as severe by the investigators. There was a significant improvement in all parameters of pain and function considered (p < 0.001). Walking time increased by over 100 % and 67.3 % of patients defined their quality of sleep as normal, compared to 38.5 % at baseline. The improvement was assessed by the investigator as good or very good in 73.1 % of cases. Conclusions: Our study confirms the effectiveness of a single injection of hyaluronic acid to reduce symptoms in patients with knee osteoarthritis with different grades of severity, with results that remain between 6 and 12 months and are especially significant in those patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis., Objetivo: Valorar los resultados del tratamiento de la artrosis de rodilla mediante una inyección intrarticular de ácido hialurónico en lo que se refiere a reducción del dolor, mejoría de la función articular y duración de los efectos. Método: Pacientes con diagnóstico clínico y radiológico de artrosis en diferentes fases de evolución en una o ambas rodillas, tratados en la Unidad del Dolor de un hospital de tercer nivel. Se recogió prospectivamente la información facilitada por el paciente siguiendo la práctica clínica habitual: características sociodemográficas y clínicas. Se realizaron valoraciones pre y postratamiento del dolor en reposo, a la deambulación y al subir/bajar escaleras, rigidez matutina, tiempo caminando y las horas/calidad del descanso nocturno. En la visita postratamiento se registraron, además, el grado de mejoría experimentada, duración de la misma y la satisfacción del investigador. El tratamiento consistió en una única inyección de ácido hialurónico por vía intrarticular, con posibilidad de una dosis de recuerdo. Resultados: Se incluyeron 29 pacientes (52 rodillas); en 23 se trataron ambas rodillas (n = 46) y en 6 una rodilla. El 92,3 % corresponden a articulaciones artrósicas con un tiempo de evolución > 12 meses, con grado clínico 4-5 en el 61,6 % de las rodillas tratadas (n = 32) y grado radiológico III-IV de Kellgren y Lawrence en el 67,7 % (n = 35), por lo que un 55,8 % de los casos fueron calificados como severos por los investigadores. Hubo una mejoría significativa en todos los parámetros de dolor y funcionalidad considerados (p < 0,001). El tiempo caminando se incrementó en más del 100 % y el 67,3 % de los pacientes definieron su calidad de sueño como normal, frente al 38,5 % inicial. La mejoría fue valorada por el investigador como buena o muy buena en el 73,1 % de los casos. Conclusiones: Nuestro trabajo confirma la eficacia de una única inyección de ácido hialurónico para reducir la sintomatología en pacientes con gonartrosis en d

González and Fernández (2011) revealed that the Alto Guadalentín Basin, located in southern Spain, is affected by the highest subsidence rates measured in Europe (about 10 cm/yr) as a direct consequence of long-term aquifer exploitation. They used ERS and ENVISAT radar data spanning the 1992 – 2007 period. They identify a delayed transient nonlinear compaction of the Alto Guadalentín aquifer due to the 1990–1995 drought period. González et al. (2012) evaluated the relationship between crust unloading due to groundwater overexploitation and stress change on regional active tectonic faults in the same in relation with the May 2008 Lorca earthquake. Bonì et al. (2014) extended these previous studies using advanced DInSAR techniques and ALOS PALSAR (2007–2010) and COSMO-SkyMed (2011–2012) radar images for the time period 1992–2012. Additionally, the satellite measurements provide locally comparable results with measurements acquired by two permanent GNSS stations located in the study area. Furthermore, new geological and hydrogeological data were collected and analyzed in order to assess aquifer system compressibility and groundwater level changes in the past 50 years. The comparison of these data with advanced DInSAR displacement measurements allowed for a better spatial and temporal understanding of the governing mechanisms of subsidence due to overexploitation of the Alto Guadalentín aquifer system. But even though the aforementioned achievements have been reached, all regional studies of the area to date are based on satellite radar interferometry using just ascending or descending acquisitions, without any combination among them to obtain vertical and horizontal (E-W) components. Therefore, only the regional LOS displacement field is known and it is assumed to correspond to vertical displacement. However, it is important to obtain the 3D motion field in order to perform a correct interpretation of the observations, as well as to carry out an advanced numerical mode

Land subsidence associated to the overexploitation of aquifers represents a common hazard impacting extensive areas worldwide. Recently, González and Fernández (20101) revealed that the Alto Guadalentín Basin, located in southern Spain, is affected by the highest subsidence rates measured in Europe (about 10 cm/yr) as a direct consequence of long-term aquifer exploitation. They used ERS and ENVISAT radar data spanning the 1992¿2007 period. They identify a delayed transient nonlinear compaction of the Alto Guadalentín aquifer due to the 1990¿1995 drought period. Bonì et al. (2015) extend the previous studies using advanced DInSAR techniques to process ALOS PALSAR (2007¿2010) and COSMO-SkyMed (2011¿2012) radar images. The combination of multi-sensor SAR images with different resolutions allows for a wider monitoring time span of 20 years (1992¿2012) over the Alto Guadalentín Basin. All regional studies of the area to date are based on satellite radar interferometry using just ascending or descending acquisitions, without any combination among them to obtain vertical and horizontal (E-W) components. It is important to obtain the 3D motion field in order to perform a correct interpretation of the observations, as well as an advanced model of the aquifer evolution, to be consider for sustainable management plans of groundwater resources and hazard assessments. With this objective, a GNSS network has been defined and two surveys have been carried out in November 2015 and July 2016. Despite the limited time interval covered by the surveys, the results allow us to obtain, for the first time, the regional 3D displacement field associated to the exploitation of the aquifer. These results, although in a preliminary form, confirm previous observations and suggest that the ad-hoc establishment of small GNSS networks represent a valuable technique for the spatio-temporal monitoring of the 3D displacement field of areas subjected to extensive groundwater extraction.

Se evaluó el efecto de una enzima (proteasas, amilasas, celulolasas y galactosidasas) sobre la productividad y calidad de la canal en pavos en confinamiento y semi-confinamiento en la etapa de finalización. Un diseño completamente al azar con arreglo factorial 2 x 2 fue utilizado con 800 pavos White Diamond (nueve semanas de edad, 5084 g peso vivo) a los tratamientos: sistema (confinamiento y semi-confinamiento) y enzima (0 y 0,1% como % DM total de la dieta) para un total de cuatro tratamientos, 5 replicas por tratamiento, 40 pavos por réplica. La ganancia de peso (WG), peso vivo (LW), consumo de alimento (FI), consumo de forraje (FGI) y la calidad de la canal (CY) fueron registrados semanalmente por ocho semanas. Los pavos bajo el sistema de semi-confinamiento tuvieron mayor peso final, ganancia de peso total, ganancia de peso diaria, peso de la canal caliente y fría, así como menor conversión alimenticia que los pavos en el sistema de confinamiento. El porcentaje de la canal fría y caliente fue similar en los pavos en ambos sistemas. La enzima incrementó el peso corporal final, ganancia de peso total, ganancia diaria promedio, peso de la canal caliente y fría, así como también disminuyó la conversión alimenticia en pavos bajo el sistema de semi-confinamiento. El consumo de alimento y el porcentaje de la canal caliente y fría no fueron afectados por las enzimas. La enzima tuvo un efecto benéfico en las características de crecimiento y calidad de la canal en pavos bajo el sistema de semi-confinamiento., The aim of the present study was to evaluate an enzyme preparation with protease, amylase, cellulase, beta-galactosidase and pentosanase activity on productive and carcass performance of turkeys under a confined or semi-confined system. Eight hundred White Diamond turkeys (nine weeks old, 5084 g body weight) were randomly assigned to a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement: factor system (confined and semi-confined) and enzyme (0 and 0.1% as DM of total diet) four treatments, 5 replicas per treatment. Weight gain (WG), live weight (LW), feed intake (FI), forage intake (FGI), and carcass yield (CY) were recorded weekly for eight weeks. Turkeys under semi-confined system had higher final body weight, total gain, average daily gain, hot and cold carcass weight as well as less feed conversion than those under confined system. Hot and cold dressing was similar in turkeys under both systems. Enzyme increased final body weight, total gain, average daily gain, hot and cold carcass weight as well as reduced feed conversion ratio in turkeys under semi-confined system. Feed intake, hot and cold carcass dressing was not affected by enzymes. Enzyme preparation had a beneficial effect on growth and carcass performance of turkeys in a semi-confined system.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate an enzyme preparation with protease, amylase, cellulase, beta-galactosidase and pentosanase activity on productive and carcass performance of turkeys under a confined or semi-confined system. Eight hundred White Diamond turkeys (nine weeks old, 5084 g body weight) were randomly assigned to a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement: factor system (confined and semi-confined) and enzyme (0 and 0.1% as DM of total diet) four treatments, 5 replicas per treatment. Weight gain (WG), live weight (LW), feed intake (FI), forage intake (FGI), and carcass yield (CY) were recorded weekly for eight weeks. Turkeys under semi-confined system had higher final body weight, total gain, average daily gain, hot and cold carcass weight as well as less feed conversion than those under confined system. Hot and cold dressing was similar in turkeys under both systems. Enzyme increased final body weight, total gain, average daily gain, hot and cold carcass weight as well as reduced feed conversion ratio in turkeys under semi-confined system. Feed intake, hot and cold carcass dressing was not affected by enzymes. Enzyme preparation had a beneficial effect on growth and carcass performance of turkeys in a semi-confined system., Se evaluó el efecto de una enzima (proteasas, amilasas, celulolasas y galactosidasas) sobre la productividad y calidad de la canal en pavos en confinamiento y semi-confinamiento en la etapa de finalización. Un diseño completamente al azar con arreglo factorial 2 x 2 fue utilizado con 800 pavos White Diamond (nueve semanas de edad, 5084 g peso vivo) a los tratamientos: sistema (confinamiento y semi-confinamiento) y enzima (0 y 0,1% como % DM total de la dieta) para un total de cuatro tratamientos, 5 replicas por tratamiento, 40 pavos por réplica. La ganancia de peso (WG), peso vivo (LW), consumo de alimento (FI), consumo de forraje (FGI) y la calidad de la canal (CY) fueron registrados semanalmente por ocho semanas. Los pavos bajo el sistema de semi-confinamiento tuvieron mayor peso final, ganancia de peso total, ganancia de peso diaria, peso de la canal caliente y fría, así como menor conversión alimenticia que los pavos en el sistema de confinamiento. El porcentaje de la canal fría y caliente fue similar en los pavos en ambos sistemas. La enzima incrementó el peso corporal final, ganancia de peso total, ganancia diaria promedio, peso de la canal caliente y fría, así como también disminuyó la conversión alimenticia en pavos bajo el sistema de semi-confinamiento. El consumo de alimento y el porcentaje de la canal caliente y fría no fueron afectados por las enzimas. La enzima tuvo un efecto benéfico en las características de crecimiento y calidad de la canal en pavos bajo el sistema de semi-confinamiento.

Se evaluó el efecto de una enzima (proteasas, amilasas, celulolasas y galactosidasas) sobre la productividad y calidad de la canal en pavos en confinamiento y semi-confinamiento en la etapa de finalización. Un diseño completamente al azar con arreglo factorial 2 x 2 fue utilizado con 800 pavos White Diamond (nueve semanas de edad, 5084 g peso vivo) a los tratamientos: sistema (confinamiento y semi-confinamiento) y enzima (0 y 0,1% como % DM total de la dieta) para un total de cuatro tratamientos, 5 replicas por tratamiento, 40 pavos por réplica. La ganancia de peso (WG), peso vivo (LW), consumo de alimento (FI), consumo de forraje (FGI) y la calidad de la canal (CY) fueron registrados semanalmente por ocho semanas. Los pavos bajo el sistema de semi-confinamiento tuvieron mayor peso final, ganancia de peso total, ganancia de peso diaria, peso de la canal caliente y fría, así como menor conversión alimenticia que los pavos en el sistema de confinamiento. El porcentaje de la canal fría y caliente fue similar en los pavos en ambos sistemas. La enzima incrementó el peso corporal final, ganancia de peso total, ganancia diaria promedio, peso de la canal caliente y fría, así como también disminuyó la conversión alimenticia en pavos bajo el sistema de semi-confinamiento. El consumo de alimento y el porcentaje de la canal caliente y fría no fueron afectados por las enzimas. La enzima tuvo un efecto benéfico en las características de crecimiento y calidad de la canal en pavos bajo el sistema de semi-confinamiento., The aim of the present study was to evaluate an enzyme preparation with protease, amylase, cellulase, beta-galactosidase and pentosanase activity on productive and carcass performance of turkeys under a confined or semi-confined system. Eight hundred White Diamond turkeys (nine weeks old, 5084 g body weight) were randomly assigned to a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement: factor system (confined and semi-confined) and enzyme (0 and 0.1% as DM of total diet) four treatments, 5 replicas per treatment. Weight gain (WG), live weight (LW), feed intake (FI), forage intake (FGI), and carcass yield (CY) were recorded weekly for eight weeks. Turkeys under semi-confined system had higher final body weight, total gain, average daily gain, hot and cold carcass weight as well as less feed conversion than those under confined system. Hot and cold dressing was similar in turkeys under both systems. Enzyme increased final body weight, total gain, average daily gain, hot and cold carcass weight as well as reduced feed conversion ratio in turkeys under semi-confined system. Feed intake, hot and cold carcass dressing was not affected by enzymes. Enzyme preparation had a beneficial effect on growth and carcass performance of turkeys in a semi-confined system.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate an enzyme preparation with protease, amylase, cellulase, beta-galactosidase and pentosanase activity on productive and carcass performance of turkeys under a confined or semi-confined system. Eight hundred White Diamond turkeys (nine weeks old, 5084 g body weight) were randomly assigned to a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement: factor system (confined and semi-confined) and enzyme (0 and 0.1% as DM of total diet) four treatments, 5 replicas per treatment. Weight gain (WG), live weight (LW), feed intake (FI), forage intake (FGI), and carcass yield (CY) were recorded weekly for eight weeks. Turkeys under semi-confined system had higher final body weight, total gain, average daily gain, hot and cold carcass weight as well as less feed conversion than those under confined system. Hot and cold dressing was similar in turkeys under both systems. Enzyme increased final body weight, total gain, average daily gain, hot and cold carcass weight as well as reduced feed conversion ratio in turkeys under semi-confined system. Feed intake, hot and cold carcass dressing was not affected by enzymes. Enzyme preparation had a beneficial effect on growth and carcass performance of turkeys in a semi-confined system., Se evaluó el efecto de una enzima (proteasas, amilasas, celulolasas y galactosidasas) sobre la productividad y calidad de la canal en pavos en confinamiento y semi-confinamiento en la etapa de finalización. Un diseño completamente al azar con arreglo factorial 2 x 2 fue utilizado con 800 pavos White Diamond (nueve semanas de edad, 5084 g peso vivo) a los tratamientos: sistema (confinamiento y semi-confinamiento) y enzima (0 y 0,1% como % DM total de la dieta) para un total de cuatro tratamientos, 5 replicas por tratamiento, 40 pavos por réplica. La ganancia de peso (WG), peso vivo (LW), consumo de alimento (FI), consumo de forraje (FGI) y la calidad de la canal (CY) fueron registrados semanalmente por ocho semanas. Los pavos bajo el sistema de semi-confinamiento tuvieron mayor peso final, ganancia de peso total, ganancia de peso diaria, peso de la canal caliente y fría, así como menor conversión alimenticia que los pavos en el sistema de confinamiento. El porcentaje de la canal fría y caliente fue similar en los pavos en ambos sistemas. La enzima incrementó el peso corporal final, ganancia de peso total, ganancia diaria promedio, peso de la canal caliente y fría, así como también disminuyó la conversión alimenticia en pavos bajo el sistema de semi-confinamiento. El consumo de alimento y el porcentaje de la canal caliente y fría no fueron afectados por las enzimas. La enzima tuvo un efecto benéfico en las características de crecimiento y calidad de la canal en pavos bajo el sistema de semi-confinamiento.

En áreas de clima cálido las altas temperaturas limitan el crecimiento y desarrollo del cultivo, la calidad de su producción y los beneficios generados, por lo que la refrigeración del aire del invernadero es un objetivo prioritario para paliar estos efectos adversos. Junto a la ventilación natural, el sombreo mediante blanqueo de la cubierta es la práctica más usual entre los productores del área mediterránea. Pero esta técnica es poco homogénea, no selectiva y no graduable, inconvenientes que pueden ser superados con técnicas como el sombreo mediante pantallas móviles o la refrigeración evaporativa. Este trabajo presenta la evaluación de tres técnicas de refrigeración en invernadero parral con un cultivo de pimiento: sombreo mediante blanqueo, sombreo con pantalla móvil y nebulización a baja presión. El tratamiento nebulización fue el que más redujo la temperatura del aire dentro del invernadero en los periodos de más calor, siendo su consumo de agua de 319 mm, mientras que el aporte de agua de riego fue de 520 mm. El sistema de refrigeración, con 6,5 kg m-2 de producción comercial y el empleo de pantalla interior de sombreo con 6,7 kg m-2 no mejoraron los resultados obtenidos con el blanqueo tradicional (7,1 kg m-2) empleado por los productores de la zona., In warm climates, high temperature can limit growth and development of greenhouse crops and their product quality. Therefore greenhouse cooling has a high-priority to reduce these adverse effects. Together with natural ventilation, shade produced by whitewashing the greenhouse roof is the most usual cooling method in the whole of the Mediterranean area. However, this technique is not homogeneous; it is not selective and not adjustable. This inconvenience can be overcome by the use of other techniques such as shading with folding or rolling screens and/or evaporative cooling. This work evaluates three cooling techniques in parral greenhouses using a sweet pepper crop: whitening, shading with a mobile internal screen and cooling with a low pressure fog system. The latter gave the highest reduction in air temperature in the greenhouse in warm periods. However, final water consumption in the fog system was 319 mm, whereas irrigation water consumption was 520 mm. The evaporative cooling system, with 6.5 kg m-2 of marketable production and the use of interior shade screens (with 6.7 kg m-2), did not increase the yield obtained by means of traditional whitening (7.1 kg m-2) used by growers in the area.

©2006 The American Physical Society. XAS facilities at BM29 in ESRF and the technical support from O. Mathon are acknowledged. The authors thank I. Rosa for technical assistance in sample preparation. Financial support rom the Spanish MCyT and “Junta de Andalucía” is also acknowledged., Palladium nanoparticles capped with different protective systems in a size range between 1.2 and 2.4 nm have been obtained by varying the preparation chemical method. Magnetization curves for all the samples show hysteresis loops, evidencing a ferromagnetic or a permanent magnetism in the nanoparticles. The microstructure of the nanoparticles has been analyzed by x-ray absorption and transmission electron microscopy. The nature of the magnetic behavior found for all these Pd nanoparticles (NPs) is different depending on their sizes and structural features and is explained on the basis of two different suggested mechanisms. The particles protected by means of a surfactant (tetralkylammonium salts), present a ferromagnetic order related to the factors increasing the density of states just below the Fermi level. Whereas, when the nanoparticles are stabilized by covalent bonds with protective species (thiol derivatized alkane chains or surface oxidized Pd NPs), the increase of the 4d density of holes, localized by the bonded atoms (S or O), is giving rise to the observed ferromagneticlike behavior., Spanish MCyT, Junta de Andalucía, Depto. de Física de Materiales, Fac. de Ciencias Físicas, TRUE, pub

Spanish version of SANREM guidelines for monitoring biodiversity in highlands in Ecuador.

Measurements of heat consumption in a parral type greenhouse, equipped with an air-heating system, were carried out in south-eastern Spain (Almería) during the 1998/99 winter. From the daily values of heat consumption (Qd, MJ m-2 d-1) recorded in five identical greenhouses heated to different night temperature set-points (Tc), and data of minimum outside air temperature (Te,min), relationships between Qd and the temperature difference (DTmin = Tc - Te,min) were established. Linear regressions between Qd and DTmin gave satisfactory fits (R2 ranging from 0.75 to 0.83), considering that Te,min was the only input data for the model. When all data were pooled, the correlation was curvilinear, the best fit to a 2nd order polynomial being Qd = 0.049 DTmin2 - 0.001 DTmin + 1.107 (R2 = 0.89). Validation of this model was performed using data obtained during other years, giving a fair agreement at the daily (R2 = 0.86), 10-day (R2 = 0.95) and yearly (R2 = 0.99) time scales. This simple model could be of interest to growers for decision-making related to the choice of set-point temperature and crop planning in heated greenhouses., Se realizaron medidas de consumo de energía de la calefacción por aire caliente en invernaderos tipo parral durante la campaña 1998/99 en el sureste de España (Almería). Se determinaron relaciones adecuadas, para cinco invernaderos calentados a diferentes temperaturas nocturnas de consigna (Tc), entre los valores de consumos diarios de energía (Qd, MJ m-2 d-1) y la diferencia (DTmin) entre la temperatura de consigna de calefacción y la temperatura mínima exterior (Te,min). La regresión lineal entre Qd y DTmin fue satisfactoria (R2 varió entre 0,75 y 0,83), considerando que Te,min fue la única variable de entrada para el modelo. Cuando se analizaron todos los datos en conjunto, la correlación fue curvilínea, siendo el mejor ajuste para un polinomio de 2º orden, Qd = 0,049 DTmin2 - 0,001 DTmin + 1,107 (R2 = 0,89). La validación de este modelo fue realizada utilizando datos de otros años, mostrando un ajuste adecuado para los periodos diarios (R2 = 0,86), 10-días (R2 = 0,95) y anuales (R2 = 0,99). Este sencillo modelo puede ser de interés para los agricultores a la hora de tomar decisiones sobre el mercado, escoger la temperatura de consigna y programar el periodo de calefacción del invernadero.

Measurements of heat consumption in a parral type greenhouse, equipped with an air-heating system, were carried out in south-eastern Spain (Almería) during the 1998/99 winter. From the daily values of heat consumption (Qd, MJ m-2 d-1) recorded in five identical greenhouses heated to different night temperature set-points (Tc), and data of minimum outside air temperature (Te,min), relationships between Qd and the temperature difference (DTmin = Tc - Te,min) were established. Linear regressions between Qd and DTmin gave satisfactory fits (R2 ranging from 0.75 to 0.83), considering that Te,min was the only input data for the model. When all data were pooled, the correlation was curvilinear, the best fit to a 2nd order polynomial being Qd = 0.049 DTmin2 - 0.001 DTmin + 1.107 (R2 = 0.89). Validation of this model was performed using data obtained during other years, giving a fair agreement at the daily (R2 = 0.86), 10-day (R2 = 0.95) and yearly (R2 = 0.99) time scales. This simple model could be of interest to growers for decision-making related to the choice of set-point temperature and crop planning in heated greenhouses., Se realizaron medidas de consumo de energía de la calefacción por aire caliente en invernaderos tipo parral durante la campaña 1998/99 en el sureste de España (Almería). Se determinaron relaciones adecuadas, para cinco invernaderos calentados a diferentes temperaturas nocturnas de consigna (Tc), entre los valores de consumos diarios de energía (Qd, MJ m-2 d-1) y la diferencia (DTmin) entre la temperatura de consigna de calefacción y la temperatura mínima exterior (Te,min). La regresión lineal entre Qd y DTmin fue satisfactoria (R2 varió entre 0,75 y 0,83), considerando que Te,min fue la única variable de entrada para el modelo. Cuando se analizaron todos los datos en conjunto, la correlación fue curvilínea, siendo el mejor ajuste para un polinomio de 2º orden, Qd = 0,049 DTmin2 - 0,001 DTmin + 1,107 (R2 = 0,89). La validación de este modelo fue realizada utilizando datos de otros años, mostrando un ajuste adecuado para los periodos diarios (R2 = 0,86), 10-días (R2 = 0,95) y anuales (R2 = 0,99). Este sencillo modelo puede ser de interés para los agricultores a la hora de tomar decisiones sobre el mercado, escoger la temperatura de consigna y programar el periodo de calefacción del invernadero.

Spanish version of SANREM guidelines for monitoring biodiversity in highlands in Ecuador.

© American Physical Society, Depto. de Física de Materiales, Fac. de Ciencias Físicas, TRUE, pub

©2004 American Physical Society. XAS facilities at BM29 in ESRF and the technical support from O. Mathon are acknowledged. The authors thank J. Llopis and I. Rosa for helping with optical measurements and sample preparation, respectively. Financial support from the Spanish MCyT under Projects No. MAT2002-04246-C05-05 and No. BQU2002-03734 is acknowledged., We report on the experimental observation of magnetic hysteresis up to room temperature in thiol-capped Au nanoparticles with 1.4 nm size. The coercive field ranges from 860 Oe at 5 K to 250 Oe at 300 K. It is estimated that the Au atoms exhibit a magnetic moment of mu=0.036mu(B). However, Au nanoparticles with similar size but stabilized by means of a surfactant, i.e., weak interaction between protective molecules and Au surface atoms, are diamagnetic, as bulk Au samples are. The apparent ferromagnetism is consequently associated with 5d localized holes generated through Au-S bonds. These holes give rise to localized magnetic moments that are frozen in due to the combination of the high spin-orbit coupling (1.5 eV) of gold and the symmetry reduction associated with two types of bonding: Au-Au and Au-S., Spanish MCyT, Depto. de Física de Materiales, Fac. de Ciencias Físicas, TRUE, pub

©2003 The American Physical Society., The onset of ferromagnetism has been experimentally observed in small Pd particles of average diameter 2.4 nm. High-resolution studies reveal that a high percentage of the fcc particle exhibits single and multiple twinning boundaries. The spontaneous magnetization close to 0.02 emu/g seems to indicate that only a small fraction of atoms holds a permanent magnetic moment and contributes to ferromagnetism. The possible origin of ferromagnetism is briefly discussed according to different models recently reported., Depto. de Física de Materiales, Fac. de Ciencias Físicas, TRUE, pub