Province Of Alicante Research Articles

The Current High Bird Colonisation Rate in a Major Mediterranean Island is Consistent With a More Intense Past Defaunation Compared to Nearby Mainland

ABSTRACTAimWe expand here previous own biogeographic work on the determinants of avian colonisation of a major land‐bridge Mediterranean island. So far we have explained mechanistically the high current rate of colonisation of the island which proceeds by overflow of mainland species with growing population trends and with prior experience as winter visitors. However, here we focus on the historical factors that have led to such a high colonisation rate.LocationMajorca Island and a nearby Iberian mainland coastal region with equivalent characteristics (Alicante province).Time PeriodTwenty‐five years (1991–2015).Major Taxa StudiedBirds.MethodsWe compared the pattern of species gain and loss in Majorca and Alicante during the study period.ResultsWe found that while Alicante only gained eight new species and lost one, Majorca lost none and gained 21 species as breeders (odds ratio 2.6). The process of species gains in 5‐year periods since 1991 showed a nonlinear pattern in both regions, with an abrupt decline in Alicante starting in 2006–2010 and final stagnation during 2011–2015, but just a smooth and recent pattern of slowdown in Majorca (2011–2015 on). Taxonomic diversity of colonising species at the family level, as well as habitat of colonisation, were quite similar between regions, but larger body size species were more common in Majorca.Main ConclusionsWe conclude that current differential colonisation rates between both regions are consistent with a more intense past defaunation of the resource‐poor region (Majorca) prior to modern rural flight that happened simultaneously in both regions. While Alicante could be approaching a theoretical carrying capacity in the number of species, Majorca is farther from it. We predict that the island will continue gaining species in the next few decades. Worldwide, further research on comparing wildlife recovery rates between regions with differential intensity of past wildlife defaunation is badly needed to understand biodiversity recovery processes.

Imported arboviral disease cases and entomological surveillance of Aedes albopictus in Valencian Autonomous Region (Spain) along 2022

Abstract The Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control (LEPC) of the University of Valencia, hired by the regional government of the Generalitat Valenciana, carried out the entomological surveillance of the Asian tiger mosquito along 2022 in the Valencian Autonomous Region, excepting the city of Valencia for which the surveillance was conducted by a private pest control company. The main purpose of this plan of action was both to continue the detection and monitoring of Aedes albopictus in the Valencian municipalities free of its presence until the end of 2021, and to carry out the entomological surveys related to imported arbovirus cases notified by the Regional Health System. The active search and detection of the mosquito breeding sites in both urban and peri-urban environments throughout the provinces of Alicante, Castellón and Valencia, has revealed the absence of new populations of this allochthonous mosquito in all those municipalities free of this species in December of 2021. Besides, the LEPC has conducted the mosquito surveys in 31 municipalities of the three provinces, in relation to the declaration of 33 cases of arthropod-borne diseases due to Chikungunya, dengue or Zika viruses, which were reported in travellers returning from countries of Latin America, Asia, or West Africa. The methods used to minimise the risk of local transmission of these viruses by Ae. albopictus were focused on detecting the presence of the tiger mosquito and other common native mosquito populations, at both adult and larval stages, in the surroundings of the residence of imported cases to guide the treatments of the detected resting and breeding sites. As result, tiger mosquito populations were recorded in 18 of the 33 municipalities where imported arbovirus cases were reported in 2022.

New uses of castles owned by municipalities in the province of Alicante (Spain) during the first quarter of the 21st century

The province of Alicante is an administrative unit belonging to the Valencian Community, one of the 17 autonomous communities that make up Spain, and it is located in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula. Its historical vicissitudes have motivated the existence of many castles. All of them mark the province from north to south and from east to west. After losing their military and/or residential functions, many castles were abandoned and became ruins of reference in their landscape. Their recovery began without a defined use in the second half of the 20th century. However, the tourist development of the province of Alicante, under the Costa Blanca brand, has turned these castles into a first-rate cultural and tourist resource. In this way, many actions have been carried out on their cultural and tourist use to learn about the history of the places where they are. For this reason, the present work is committed to reflect on the new uses of these castles during the first quarter of the 21st century and the remains for their preservation.

Influence of social factors and environmental behaviour in the knowledge and opinion about circular economy

The United Nations and the European Union, as well as other public institutions, are engaged in significant efforts to advance the promotion of the Circular Economy. The dissemination of messages regarding such initiatives to the citizens is of great importance, as this is expected to serve as a catalyst for the transition from a linear to a Circular Economy. Therefore, the objective is to analyse the knowledge and opinion about the Circular Economy in the province of Alicante (Spain) on a convenience sample and stratified into groups by gender, age, studies and environmental behaviour. This analysis will determine whether the efforts to disseminate knowledge and improve opinion about the Circular Economy are succeeding. The results indicate that there is an accurate knowledge and good opinion about Circular Economy in the scenario analysed in Alicante province (Spain), but a lot of work should be done to improve it both through greater involvement of society and companies, and by publicizing the benefits of the Circular Economy to the society.

Mapping frost risk in fruit trees using GIS-based analysis: a case study in the province of Alicante (Spain)

Mapping frost risk in fruit trees using GIS-based analysis: a case study in the province of Alicante (Spain)

Counter-Mapping in Geographic Education: A Novel Approach to Understanding Urban and Cultural Dynamics in Cities

This study assessed the impact of counter-mapping on university students’ perception and knowledge of their cities, focusing on cultural diversity, urban dynamics, and social challenges. Using a quasi-experimental design with pretests and posttests in the province of Alicante, Spain, changes in the understanding of urban geography, everyday life, and cultural diversity were analyzed among 54 Geography Didactics students. Likert scale surveys and open-ended questions were employed, complemented by statistical and qualitative analyses, to measure knowledge and perceptions before and after the counter-mapping project. The results indicate that although quantitative correlations did not show statistically significant significance, qualitative analysis revealed significant and profound learning. Participants uncovered the hidden layers of their urban environments and gained a better understanding of the complexities and challenges of their cities. The project promoted the development of critical skills such as analytical thinking, active research, and effective communication, proving to be a valuable pedagogical tool that surpasses the limitations of traditional teaching methods and encourages active and committed citizenship. This inclusive and multidimensional approach enriches the diversity of experiences and knowledge, significantly contributing to the teaching of urban subjects, community engagement, and social responsibility and laying the groundwork for the proper tourist, cultural, social, or urban planning of city spaces.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Influenza Vaccination Coverage of Healthcare Personnel in Alicante, Spain.

Influenza is a health problem and vaccination is the most effective measure to prevent it. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vaccination coverage (VC) against influenza in healthcare workers (HCWs). A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Dr. Balmis University General Hospital in the province of Alicante (Spain), in which vaccination data were collected retrospectively. Adverse effects (AEs) were detected via telephone call between 15 and 30 days after vaccination. The existence of significant changes in VC between the different seasons studied was evaluated using Chi square with a statistical significance level of p < 0.05. A total of 8403 HCWs vaccinated throughout the different seasons were studied. The vaccination coverage of HCWs for influenza pre-COVID-19 pandemic (2019/20 season) was 51.9%; increased during the pandemic to 67.9% (2020/21 season) and 65.5% (2021/22 season); and, after the pandemic, it decreased to 42.7% (2022/23 season) (p < 0.05). The most frequent reason for vaccination during the periods evaluated was "self-protection", followed by "protection of patients" and "protection of family members". Of all HCWs evaluated, 26.6% (1460/5493) reported at least one AE. During the COVID-19 pandemic, HCWs' influenza vaccination coverage fluctuated considerably. There has been an increase in VC during the most critical moments of the pandemic, both in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons, which has, subsequently, decreased in the 2022/2023 season, to levels below pre-pandemic (2019/2020 season), which justifies implementing specific measures to recover VC in Spain.

Analysis of real-time data gathered using a mobile application from patients treated after code stroke activation in Alicante

IntroductionManagement of code stroke (CS) is complex, and the collection of information for subsequent evaluation is crucial. We present data obtained using a mobile application on the management of CS between 2020 and 2021 at the Hospital General Universitario Dr. Balmis (HGUB), a tertiary-level hospital that is the reference centre for endovascular treatment (EVT) in the province of Alicante. Material and methodsWe conducted a prospective, observational study of all patients attended after CS activation at the HGUB in 1 year. Data were collected using a specifically designed mobile application (CODICT). We present a descriptive analysis of patients' baseline characteristics, call flow, acute phase care, treatment rates, and mortality and functional outcomes at discharge and at 3 months in patients receiving EVT. ResultsA total of 1018 CS activations were recorded. Revascularisation treatment (intravenous fibrinolytic treatment [IVT], EVT, or EVT+IVT) was performed in 252 patients (24.75%), of whom 177 (17.38%) received EVT, amounting to a mean rate of 9.43 per 100 000 population. By healthcare district, the lowest rate was 3.16 and the highest was 16.40. A total of 49.32% of patients receiving EVT presented favourable functional status (mRS≤2) at 90 days. ConclusionThe data collected during IC care can be traced in real time through mobile applications. The potential of this approach is demonstrated by the volume of data collected during 1 year. These data show considerable disparities in access to EVT in the province of Alicante, which could be suggested as an area for improvement.

Type designations for Centaurea saxicola and Cirsium valentinum (Asteraceae)

Nomenclatural types of the names Centaurea saxicola and Cirsium valentinum are discussed. A specimen collected by Ángel Guirao in 1852 in Orihuela (Alicante province, Spain) and preserved at P is designated as the neotype of C. saxicola. A specimen preserved at E and collected by Porta and Rigo in 1891 in Valencian Community (Spain) is designated as the second-step lectotype of C. valentinum.

Genetic and clinical characterization of a novel FH founder mutation in families with hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer syndrome

BackgroundHereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant hereditary syndrome. Previously, we published the largest cohort of FH mutation carriers in Spain and observed a highly recurrent missense heterozygous variant, FH(NM_000143.4):c.1118A > G p.(Asn373Ser), in 104 individuals from 31 apparently unrelated families. Here, we aimed to establish its founder effect and characterize the associated clinical phenotype.ResultsHaplotype analysis confirmed that families shared a common haplotype (32/38 markers) spanning 0.61–0.82 Mb, indicating this recurrent variant was inherited from a founder ancestor. Cutaneous and uterine leiomyomatosis were diagnosed in 64.6% (64/99) and 98% (50/51) of patients, respectively, and renal cell cancer was present in 10.4% (10/96). The pathogenic FH_c.1118A > G variant is a Spanish founder mutation that originated 12–26 generations ago. We estimate that the variant may have appeared between 1370 and 1720. Individuals carrying this founder mutation had similar frequency of renal cell cancer and a higher frequency of renal cysts and leiomyomas than those in other cohorts of this syndrome.ConclusionsIn the Spanish province of Alicante there is a high prevalence of HLRCC because of the founder mutation FH c.1118A > G; p.(Asn373Ser). The characterization of founder mutations provides accurate and specific information regarding their penetrance and expressivity. In individuals with suspected HLRCC from the province of Alicante, genetic testing by direct analysis of the founder FH c.1118A > G; p.(Asn373Ser) mutation may be a faster and more efficient diagnostic tool compared with complete gene sequencing.

A probable case of an "Hourglass" epidermoid cyst located in the posterior fossa in an individual from Ibi, Alicante, Spain (12th-13th centuries AD).

Epidermoid bone cysts are rare, unilocular, and slow growing. They develop by the accumulation of ectodermal remnants, and they may be congenital or acquired. The most common locations for these bone cysts are the distal phalanges, followed by the skull. This paper documents an adult male from the Islamic (twelfth and thirteen centuries CE) burial site of Ibi in the Province of Alicante, southeast Spain. This individual had a cranial lesion in the form of a roughly elliptical hole in the posterior fossa (left occipital region). The lesion was examined macroscopically and using X-ray photography. Based on the shape of the lesion, the most likely diagnosis would appear to be a benign tumour, a so-called "hourglass" epidermoid cyst. No direct link between this tumour and the cause of death can be established.

An Atlas of Surra in Spain: A Tool to Support Epidemiological Investigations and Disease Control.

Trypanosomosis is a global animal issue, causing significant economic losses, particularly in Africa. In Spain, only one pathogenic species, Trypanosoma evansi, has been identified so far. It was first detected in a dromedary camel in the Canary Islands in 1997. Since then, numerous cases of the disease, known as Surra, have been diagnosed, prompting various studies and efforts in control and surveillance. Given the lack of a comprehensive database that consolidates the most relevant data in this area, the development of a national atlas, with a focus on the Canary Islands, to incorporate all available information on T. evansi in Spain became a necessity. For the development of the atlas, a repository was constructed, encompassing a range of datasets and documents spanning from 1997 to 2022. Information from each source, and in particular georeferenced locations and results of blood tests on animals, were extracted and integrated into a comprehensive database. A total of 31 sources were analysed, providing a total of 99 georeferenced locations and 12,433 animal samples. Out of these samples, 601 (mostly from dromedaries) were found to be positive for T. evansi. The Card Agglutination Test for T. evansi (CATT/T. evansi), a serological test, was the most commonly used diagnostic method, and it showed a higher prevalence for all tested animal species. Positive cases were mainly concentrated in the Canary Islands, specifically in the eastern islands, with isolated cases found in the province of Alicante (Iberian Peninsula). This atlas provides an overview of the history and occurrence of Surra in Spain, and it represents a valuable tool for future control initiatives and for research. Still, the need for more studies remains, especially for further testing of potential hosts other than camelids and for the examination of their potential transmission vectors.

Epidemiology and molecular characterization of adult genetic myopathies in a southeastern region of Spain.

Genetic myopathies constitute a collection of rare diseases that significantly impact patient functionality and quality of life. Early diagnosis of genetic myopathies can prevent future complications and provide families with genetic counselling. Despite the substantial impact of genetic myopathies on the adult population, the global epidemiology of these disorders is inadequately addressed in the literature. To enhance understanding of both the epidemiology and genetics of these disorders within the province of Alicante, situated in southeastern Spain. Between 2020 and 2022, a prospective observational study was conducted at the Alicante Health Area-General Hospital, enrolling patients aged 16 years or older with suspected genetic myopathies. Sociodemographic, clinical, and genetic data were collected. The reference date for prevalence calculation was established as December 31, 2022. Official demographic data of the health area were used to set the population at risk. In total, 83 patients were identified with confirmed genetically related myopathy, resulting in an overall prevalence of 29.59 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The diagnostic yield for molecular genetic testing was found to be 69.16%. The most prevalent genetic myopathies identified included myotonic dystrophy (27.5%), dystrophinopathies (15.7%), and facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (15.7%). The prevalence of GMs can vary considerably depending on the geographical region and the studied population. The analysis of diagnostic yield suggests that genetic studies should be considered useful in the diagnosis of genetic myopathies.

Protocol of the oncological physical exercise unit of the province of Alicante

The Oncological Physical Exercise Unit (UEFO) of the province of Alicante, was created by the Spanish Association Against Cancer and Kinetic Performance (EBT of the University of Alicante) with the aim of promoting healthcare, educational and research activities focused on the benefits of physical exercise in oncological disease and its impact on the quality of life of patients, and together with the better tolerance of oncological treatments. The Unit is made up of members of the GICAFD research group of the University of Alicante and professionals with professional experience in different areas of health and physical exercise.

Use of LiDAR Technology for the Study and Analysis of Construction Phases and Deformations in the Gothic Church of Biar (Spain)

This work provides new data on the church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in Biar, combining the investigation of documentary sources with the analysis of the geometry obtained using LiDAR technology and the study of stone materials. This monument has a Proto-Renaissance façade of great architectural value, as it was the first building in the province of Alicante, in Spain, to use Renaissance decorations at the beginning of the 16th century. Its main façade reflects the four centuries of its construction from the 15th to the 18th centuries. The building has been digitised using LiDAR technology and photogrammetry. The graphic representation of the point cloud obtained from the aforementioned techniques makes it possible to study deformations in colour gradient with respect to a reference plane. The results obtained after the analysis of these data show that the method used in this work has served to detect and corroborate the constructive evolutions of the church obtained from the documentary sources investigated. This work serves as an example for similar works, proposing the incorporation of the analysis of anomalies in the geometry of the facings as a new variable that should be considered to complement the rest of the usual studies, bringing to light deformations and irregularities that at first sight may go unnoticed.

A new asymmetric rhynchonellide from the Cretaceous of the Eastern Prebetic (Southeastern Spain)

The external and internal features and the microstructure of the asymmetric rhynchonellides from the Albian–Cenomanian (Cretaceous) transition from the Alicante Province (Eastern Prebetic, Southeastern Spain) have been herein studied. Previous authors placed these rhynchonellides in Cyclothyris difformis, consequently attributing an unquestionable Cenomanian age (Upper Cretaceous) to the deposits in which they appear. The long dorsally concave crura and the leptinoid pattern microstructure of the shell confirm their attribution to the genus Cyclothyris. However, among other diagnostic criteria (e.g., ribbing pattern, relative width), C. difformis shows facultative type of asymmetry; while the forms studied here show obligate asymmetry. Therefore, the new species Cyclothyris ementitum sp. nov. is formally described, being characterized by the biconvexity of its shell, its obligate type of asymmetry and an ornamentation of around 25 ribs on each valve. Thus, the study and revision of these rhynchonellides has contributed to updating the record and distribution of the asymmetric Cretaceous rhynchonellides of the genus Cyclothyris. This work opens a new line of research to better understand the biostratigraphical calibration of the Cretaceous sediments from the Eastern Prebetic, and a new insight into the possible origin of the obligate asymmetry present in C. ementitum.

Impact of socioeconomic level on the physical condition of schools: A motor gap

The objective of this study was to analyse the physical condition of students in the third cycle of Primary Education from various educational centres in the Province of Alicante, in relation to their socioeconomic level. The study sample was made up of a total of 240 students from the third cycle of Primary Education, specifically 136 boys and 104 girls, from various schools located in three different geographical environments in the province of Alicante (urban, rural, coastal). A correlational and descriptive study was carried out. To measure the socioeconomic level of the students, families completed the Social Class Questionnaire; Regarding the anthropometric and motor condition of the students, body composition, musculoskeletal capacity, aerobic capacity and motor capacity were evaluated, for which the ALPHA-Fitness battery was used. In addition, to measure the students' adherence to the Mediterranean diet and extracurricular sports activity, the students filled out the KIDMED and PAQ-C questionnaires (Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children) respectively. The results showed that the students in the study with a higher socioeconomic level have a better physical condition in terms of body composition, musculoskeletal capacity, aerobic capacity and motor capacity. Therefore, it is necessary to implement programs and activities that encourage the practice of physical activity and the acquisition of healthy habits, especially in the most disadvantaged areas.

Temporal Changes in Tourists’ Climate-Based Comfort in the Southeastern Coastal Region of Spain

In the context of climate change, where the average temperature has risen in recent decades on the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula, bioclimatic indicators show an increase in thermal discomfort. This is especially relevant in regions with a clear focus on mass and seasonal sun and beach tourism, with a large number of tourists experiencing discomfort in hot and humid summer environments. The research analyses the temporal evolution (1967–2022) of the coasts of the provinces of Alicante and Murcia (Spain) using the Climate Comfort Index (CCI), divided into four different regions. Used are 14 coastal meteorological observatories divided into four regions. Trend analysis was performed using the Mann–Kendall (MKT) and Theil–Sen (TSE) tests. The results revealed a loss of climate comfort during the summer season (−0.3 to −0.4/decade), as well as an expansion of the warm period toward June and early September, with an increase of 38.7 days in “hot” thermal comfort. The increase in thermal discomfort in the summer is influenced by an increase in average temperature (0.5 to 0.7 °C/decade) and a reduction in the average relative humidity (−1.0 to −2.1%/decade) and wind speed (−0.2 to −0.9 km/h/decade). In the last 22 years (2000–2022), decreases (p ≤ 0.05) have been recorded in July and September (−0.2 to −0.4/decade), reaching “excessive heat” climatic comfort thresholds for the first time. Finally, there has been an increase in thermal comfort in winter, especially during December in recent years (2000–2022).

Deterministic seismic hazard analysis from physics-based earthquake simulations in the Eastern Betics (SE Iberia)

The low frequency of large destructive earthquakes in the Eastern Betics (SE Iberian Peninsula), not recorded in the instrumental seismic catalog, complicate the estimation of the maximum ground motion that could be reached. Knowing the characteristics and behavior of these large seismic ruptures is crucial for the study of seismic hazard. In this work, we have used a physics-based earthquake simulator to generate a 100 kyr catalog of seismic ruptures associated with seismogenic faults bordering the quaternary Guadalentin and Bajo Segura basins. From these ruptures, we have selected maximum earthquake scenarios, and those associated with certain probabilities of exceeding a severe magnitude from the synthetic catalog. The estimation of maximum peak accelerations (PGA) by means of ground motion prediction equations include a possible site amplification that we have calculated from a detailed geotechnical classification of soils. According to the simulations, the modeled faults have the capacity to generate maximum earthquakes with magnitudes ranging MW 6.7–7.4. Densely populated urban areas located along the Guadalentin valley, such as Lorca, could be subject to site-dependent PGA values close to 0.6 g on the Alhama de Murcia fault trace. Similar ground motion would affect the coastline of SE Alicante province when evaluating the maximum simulated event in the Bajo Segura offshore fault. But already from magnitudes around MW ∼ 6, PGA estimations exceed critical values of 0.5 g at the south side of the Bajo Segura basin and the city of Murcia, highly dependent of ground-motion amplification induced by thick deposits of very soft and saturated soils. Our scenarios reflect that other factors such as fault geometry, kinematics and the capability observed in the simulations to generate multi-fault ruptures also affect the spatial distribution of maximum ground motion in this region. We expect that this evaluation could contribute as an improvement guideline for future strong motion prediction studies prior to the settlement of new urban infrastructures in the Eastern Betics.

Damage Identification of Railway Bridges through Temporal Autoregressive Modeling.

The damage identification of railway bridges poses a formidable challenge given the large variability in the environmental and operational conditions that such structures are subjected to along their lifespan. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a novel damage identification approach exploiting continuously extracted time series of autoregressive (AR) coefficients from strain data with moving train loads as highly sensitive damage features. Through a statistical pattern recognition algorithm involving data clustering and quality control charts, the proposed approach offers a set of sensor-level damage indicators with damage detection, quantification, and localization capabilities. The effectiveness of the developed approach is appraised through two case studies, involving a theoretical simply supported beam and a real-world in-operation railway bridge. The latter corresponds to the Mascarat Viaduct, a 20th century historical steel truss railway bridge that remains active in TRAM line 9 in the province of Alicante, Spain. A detailed 3D finite element model (FEM) of the viaduct was defined and experimentally validated. On this basis, an extensive synthetic dataset was constructed accounting for both environmental and operational conditions, as well as a variety of damage scenarios of increasing severity. Overall, the presented results and discussion evidence the superior performance of strain measurements over acceleration, offering great potential for unsupervised damage detection with full damage identification capabilities (detection, quantification, and localization).