Southern Spain Research Articles

Predatory Arthropods Associated with the Invasive Tipu Psyllid, Platycorypha nigrivirga, in Southern Spain.

Platycorypha nigrivirga Burckhardt (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) is a neotropical invasive species strictly associated with the tipu tree, Tipuana tipu (Benth.) Kuntze (Fabaceae: Papilionoideae). This psyllid has rapidly spread to several temperate areas of Spain and Portugal causing considerable problems in urban landscapes. The aim of this study was to determine the arthropod predator complex of this exotic insect and report the possibility of its biological control. Three urban green areas were surveyed in southern Spain during 2018 and 2019. Platycorypha nigrivirga populations increased during the spring months and reached a maximum level between late May and mid-June, declining greatly during the summer. A large complex of generalist predator species was found to exert a certain natural control on the pest, belonging to Anthocoridae (68.53%), Coccinellidae (18.39%), Chrysopidae (5.67%), Miridae (4.39%) and Araneae (3.02%). Anthocoris nemoralis (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) was the most abundant predatory species, followed by Orius laevigatus (Fieber) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) and Scymnus laetificus Weise (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). High levels of abundance of anthocorids coincided with the highest abundance of the pest, showing a significant relationship with the psyllid density. Anthocoris nemoralis seems to be a promising candidate to control P. nigrivirga in the urban green areas of southern Spain, but more studies are needed to define the optimum management strategies.

Testing machine learning algorithms for the prediction of depositional fluxes of the radionuclides 7Be, 210Pb and 40K

The monthly depositional fluxes of 7Be, 210Pb and 40K were measured at Malaga, (Southern Spain) from 2005 to 2018. In this work, the depositional fluxes of these radionuclides are investigated and their relations with several atmospheric variables have been studied by applying two popular machine learning methods: Random Forest and Neural Network algorithms. We extensively test different configurations of these algorithms and demonstrate their predictive ability for reproducing depositional fluxes. The models derived with Neural Networks achieve slightly better results, in average, although similar, having into account the uncertainties. The mean Pearson-R coefficients, evaluated with a k-fold cross-validation method, are around 0.85 for the three radionuclides using Neural Network models, while they go down to 0.83, 0.79 and 0.8 for 7Be, 210Pb and 40K, respectively, for the Random Forest models. Additionally, applying the Recursive Feature Elimination technique we determine the variables more correlated with the depositional fluxes of these radionuclides, which elucidates the main dependences of their temporal variability.

Long-term serological surveillance for West Nile and Usutu virus in horses in south-West Spain

West Nile virus (WNV) is a re-emerging zoonotic pathogen with increasing incidence in Europe, producing a recent outbreak in 2020 in Spain with 77 human cases and eight fatalities. However, the factors explaining the observed changes in the incidence of WNV in Europe are not completely understood. Longitudinal monitoring of WNV in wild animals across Europe is a useful approach to understand the eco-epidemiology of WNV in the wild and the risk of spillover into humans. However, such studies are very scarce up to now. Here, we analysed the occurrence of WNV and Usutu virus (USUV) antibodies in 2102 samples collected between 2005 and 2020 from a population of feral horses in Doñana National Park. The prevalence of WNV antibodies varied between years, with a mean seroprevalence of 8.1% (range 0%–25%) and seasonally. Climate conditions including mean minimum annual temperatures and mean rainy days per year were positively correlated with WNV seroprevalence, while the annual rainfall was negatively. We also detected the highest incidence of seroconversions in 2020 coinciding with the human outbreak in southern Spain. Usutu virus-specific antibodies were detected in the horse population since 2011. The WNV outbreak in humans was preceded by a long period of increasing circulation of WNV among horses with a very high exposure in the year of the outbreak. These results highlight the utility of One Health approaches to better understand the transmission dynamics of zoonotics pathogens.

Coping Strategies during Childbirth Related to Cultural Identity: Companionship, Choice of Analgesia and Maternal Satisfaction.

The objective of this study is to ascertain whether cultural factors influence the way in which women deal with childbirth through the treatment of pain, companionship and maternal satisfaction. This study is a non-experimental, quantitative, ex post facto, cross-sectional study of women who gave birth in a border town in southern Spain. The sample consisted of 249 women. No relationship was found between cultural factors and the choice of epidural analgesia, alternative methods to alleviate pain, being accompanied nor maternal satisfaction. There was a significant relationship between the type of companionship and with maternal satisfaction. Cultural factors did not influence how women dealt with dilation and childbirth. Results found that the person accompanying the mother was important for increasing maternal satisfaction. The intercultural training of healthcare professionals is necessary.

Hidden communication codes in flamenco dance choreography

ABSTRACT Flamenco dance is emblematic of southern Spain. Its performance uniquely combines dancing, singing, and guitar playing. Improvisation differentiates it from other dances and this requires communication codes so that performers remain synchronised. The communication codes are: ‘llamada’, a signal to start singing; ‘remate’, for ending a section; ‘subida’, for speeding up the rhythm; and ‘desplante’, a static pose ending the others communication codes. This article describes these codes and analyses how they are used during performances. Thirty professional flamenco shows have been analysed and at least one of these communication codes was recorded in all these performances. The remate is observed in all; the desplante in 96.6%; and the llamada and subida were both identified in 66.7%. This information is relevant for choreographers, teachers, and students. The incorporation of communication codes into the curriculum for flamenco dance at schools would guarantee that students are properly trained for professional performances.

Trends in the production of olive oil amphorae at ceramic workshops in Roman Baetica: a chrono-proportional representation method

During the first few centuries AD, Rome and the imperial frontiers were supplied with olive oil from the province of Hispania Baetica (southern Spain). Vast quantities of oil were exported in Dressel 20 amphorae. But how did the agricultural economy of Baetica relate to global demand and how did it change over time? The author focuses on relative changes in agricultural output, using a new method to model fluctuations in amphora production based on more than 1000 waster sherds collected from 23 amphora workshops in the Guadalquivir Valley. The chrono-proportional representation method indicates variation in production between individual workshops and wider production districts, contributing to assessments of the scale and organisation of the Roman economy.

An evaluation of the feasibility of electrostatic separation for physical soil washing

We present the first application of electrostatic separation for soil washing. Soil samples were collected from the PTE-containing area of La Cruz in Linares, southern Spain. Using a single-phase high-tension roll separator with voltages ranging from 20 kV to 41.5 kV, we achieved yield values between 0.69% and 9%, with high recovery rates for certain elements such as Zn, Cu, and Mo. SEM-EDX analysis revealed three particle types, including a non-conductive fraction composed of feldspar, a middling fraction composed of mica, and a conductive fraction consisting of PTE-bearing slag grains. Attributive analysis showed that 41.5 kV was the optimal voltage for maximizing PTE concentration. Overall, electrostatic separation is a promising approach for treating soils contaminated with PTEs, particularly in dry climate areas impacted by mining activities.

Shall we play together? Game-based learning for engagement and classroom climate in Spanish socially deprived communities.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of a game-based learning (GBL) program on the classroom climate and engagement of high schools in socially deprived communities in Spain. The study included 277 students from two secondary schools located in Southern Spain, situated in Zones in Need of Social Transformation. Sampling was non-probabilistic and accidental, based on the accessibility of the school and the willingness of the management and teaching staff to participate in the GBL program. The study employed a control group and two experimental groups (cooperative games group only and cooperative and competitive games group) to compare pre-test and post-test data in both groups. The Brief Class Climate Scale and Engagement Inventory, validated in academic literature, were used as assessment instruments. The study used a series of ANOVA tests to compare the experimental groups with the control group. The results indicated statistically significant changes in all study variables. In all cases, the experimental groups demonstrated greater benefits than the control group. The study findings reveal that games can provide significant benefits to students, regardless of whether they are cooperative or competitive. The study provides evidence of the benefits of GBL in high schools located in socially deprived communities in Spain.

Climate change, large fires, and cultural landscapes in the mediterranean basin: An analysis in southern Spain

Understanding the factors that influence fire regimes in Mediterranean climates is essential to reduce their risk. This research uses Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station (CHIRPS) and Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite resources to evaluate recent changes in land surface temperature, precipitation, and vegetation and their effects in the occurrence of large fires in the Mediterranean Basin. The results of the analysis of 335 fire events occurred in southern Spain from 2001 to 2020 show an increase in hazardous meteorological factors linked to droughts and thermal anomalies. The study also examines the potential of preserving traditional landscapes to minimize such risk. In fact, the maintenance and recovering of traditional agro-pastoral activities is an effective option to reduce flammability and increase the resilience of cultural landscapes in hazardous climatic conditions.

Impact of alternative water policies for drought adaptation in the Guadalquivir Mediterranean river basin, southern Spain

Study regionThe Guadalquivir Basin in Spain as a representative Mediterranean basin. Study focusThe aim of this study is to assess the adaptive capacity of Mediterranean basins to long periods of severe drought. To do so, a hydro-economic model has been developed that includes a spatial representation of the major economic uses of water and enables an analysis of the economic and environmental effects of alternative water management policies under a single event of water scarcity. New hydrological insights for the regionResults highlight the trade-offs among economic uses of water and environmental flow requirements since water resources in the Guadalquivir are fully allocated. Moreover, the increase of irrigated perennial crops area will aggravate vulnerability to drought by limiting the adaptive capacity of the basin. Survival irrigation is the first option for farmers to adapt to the simulated extreme drought. 148,000 ha are shifted from normal irrigation to survival irrigation in the Drought Management Protocol scenario. These findings call for policy interventions to ensure greater management flexibility toward optimising water use while meeting environmental goals. For instance, enabling water trading among farmers would reallocate 22 % more water to the upper basin, reducing drought losses by 22 M EUR. The hydro-economic model developed here can be adapted to basins elsewhere and the results show that it can be a useful tool to guide the design of efficient water management policies to address severe droughts in water-stressed basins.

A comparison of 210Pbxs, 137Cs, and Pu isotopes as proxies of soil redistribution in South Spain under severe erosion conditions

PurposeThe use of fallout radionuclides as proxies for the study of soil redistribution processes in semiarid environments of Southern Spain has been restricted to 137Cs. The potential and limitations of alternative proxies such as 239+240Pu and 210Pbxs should be explored given the expected constrains imposed by the features of the study area.Materials and methodsFour soil and one sediment cores were collected in a highly eroded area to test the feasibility of these proxies under demanding conditions. The use of gamma spectrometry and ICP-MS did allow exploring the potential of 210Pbxs and Pu isotopes against the well-established tracer, 137Cs. The activity ratios 239+240Pu/137Cs were explored to evaluate the previous evolution of the sampling sites. Soil redistribution rates were estimated using the model MODERN.Results and discussionDespite all the profiles showed intense perturbation, Pu isotopes showed the highest potential thanks to higher sensitivity and sample throughput. The deviations of 239+240Pu/137Cs inventory ratios (0.012–0.158) from the global fallout average (0.026 ± 0.003) suggest that the sediment core was a deposition site involving alternate episodes of topsoil removal and incorporation from different sources. The calculated erosion rates ranged 34–43 t ha−1 year−1, being in good agreement for 137Cs and 239+240Pu. 210Pbxs was not used due to low-quality data.ConclusionsThe use of Pu as a tracer of soil redistribution processes in semiarid areas seems to be promising even under severe erosion conditions. The use of 210Pbxs is not recommended in this area due to its low concentration.Graphical

Methodology for Determining Gully Widths in Multi-Temporal Studies in Olive Groves of Southern Spain

This study describes a new methodology for estimating gully widths based on their digitized borders. The procedure adapts a previous method developed to determine the mean displacement between two 3D linestrings, considering them continuously, which represents an advance over conventional approaches. In addition to the calculation of the average horizontal distance, it also considers the calculation of widths by sections of a given length in order to analyze differences in their behavior compared to the results for the entire gully. The method is also adapted to multi-temporal studies to analyze the evolution of the gully by comparing width values from several dates. Application was carried out with a large number of linestrings representing gullies of a wide area of olive groves, which were digitized from orthoimages with 0.5 m resolution of two dates. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method for characterizing gullies and analyzing their evolution between several dates both completely and by sections, allowing the detection of critical areas of gully development. Therefore, these results can be used as input data to improve gully erosion susceptibility maps and to define zones for preventive or corrective actions.

A Case-Control Study of Cognitive Function in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease Before and After Hemodialysis in Southern Spain.

BACKGROUND Cognitive problems are frequent in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) treated with hemodialysis. However, previous studies used only a single cognitive screening test or a small number of cognitive indices, which is inadequate for an exhaustive evaluation of cognitive deficits. This case-control study aimed to evaluate cognitive function in patients with ESRD before and after hemodialysis at centers in southern Spain, and included analysis of associations between cognitive function and duration of hemodialysis, biochemistry, body composition, and treatment variables. MATERIAL AND METHODS Cognitive performance was evaluated in 42 healthy participants (HPs) and in 43 ESRD patients, before and after hemodialysis. The tests measured verbal and visual memory, sustained/selective attention, and processing speed. The diagnostic criterion for ESRD was a glomerular filtration rate.

Good practices in perinatal bereavement care in public maternity hospitals in Southern Spain

ObjectiveTo assess the attitudes and care practices of midwives and nurses in the province of Granada in relation to death care and perinatal bereavement, to determine their degree of adaptation to international standards and to identify possible differences in personal factors among those who best adapt to international recommendations. DesignA local survey of 117 nurses and midwives from the five maternity hospitals in the province was conducted using the Lucina questionnaire developed to explore professionals' emotions, opinions, and knowledge during perinatal bereavement care. Adaptation of practices to international recommendations was assessed using the CiaoLapo Stillbirth Support (CLASS) checklist. Socio-demographic data were collected to establish their association with increased compliance with recommendations. FindingsThe response rate was 75.4%, the majority were women (88.9%), with a mean age of 40.9 (SD=1.4) and 17.4 (SD= 10.58) years of work experience. Midwives were the most represented (67.5%) and reported having attended more cases of perinatal death (p = 0.010) and having more specific training (p<0.001.) Of these, 57.3% would recommend immediate delivery, 26.5% would recommend the use of pharmacological sedation during delivery and 47% would take the baby immediately if the parents expressed their wish not to watch them. On the other hand, only 58% would be in favour of taking photos for the creation of memories, 47% would bathe and dress the baby in all cases, and 33.3% would allow the company of other family members. The percentage that matched each recommendation on memory-making was 58%, 41.9% matched the recommendations on respect for the baby and parents, and 23% and 10.3% matched the appropriate delivery and follow-up options, respectively. The factors associated with 100% of the recommendations, according to the care sector, were being a woman, a midwife, having specific training and having personally experienced the situation. Key conclusionsAlthough the levels of adaptation observed are more favourable than in other nearby contexts, serious deficiencies are identified in the province of Granada with respect to internationally agreed recommendations on perinatal bereavement care. More training and awareness-raising of midwives and nurses is needed, which also considers factors related to better compliance. Implication for practiceThis is the first study to quantify the degree of adaptation to international recommendations in Spain reported by midwives and nurses, as well as the individual factors associated with a higher level of compliance. Areas for improvement and explanatory variables of adaptation are identified, which allow support for possible training and awareness-raising programmes aimed at improving the quality of care provided to bereaved families.

Improving landslide inventories by combining satellite interferometry and landscape analysis: the case of Sierra Nevada (Southern Spain)

An updated and complete landslide inventory is the starting point for an appropriate hazard assessment. This paper presents an improvement for landslide mapping by integrating data from two well-consolidated techniques: Differential Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR) and Landscape Analysis through the normalised channel steepness index (ksn). The southwestern sector of the Sierra Nevada mountain range (Southern Spain) was selected as the case study. We first propose the double normalised steepness (ksnn) index, derived from the ksn index, to remove the active tectonics signal. The obtained ksnn anomalies (or knickzones) along rivers and the unstable ground areas from the DInSAR analysis rapidly highlighted the slopes of interest. Thus, we provided a new inventory of 28 landslides that implies an increase in the area affected by landslides compared with the previous mapping: 33.5% in the present study vs. 14.5% in the Spanish Land Movements Database. The two main typologies of identified landslides are Deep-Seated Gravitational Slope Deformations (DGSDs) and rockslides, with the prevalence of large DGSDs in Sierra Nevada being first revealed in this work. We also demonstrate that the combination of DInSAR and Landscape Analysis could overcome the limitations of each method for landslide detection. They also supported us in dealing with difficulties in recognising this type of landslides due to their poorly defined boundaries, a homogeneous lithology and the imprint of glacial and periglacial processes. Finally, a preliminary hazard perspective of these landslides was outlined.

A new species of Hoplitis (Stenosmia) from southern Iberia (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)

A new species of the Hoplitis subgenus Stenosmia has recently been found in southern Portugal and Spain. Preliminary studies suggest that it is oligolectic on Frankeniaceae. Observations have been made of nesting females – a first for this subgenus from the Iberian Peninsula.

Epidemiological Profile of Patients with Vulvovaginal Candidiasis from a Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinic in Southern Spain.

Epidemiological data on women suffering from vulvovaginal candidiasis and its recurrence are outdated and vague. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of women diagnosed with vulvovaginal candidiasis, as well as the epidemiological profile and associated risk factors in the province of Granada (Spain). Data from the Centre for Sexually Transmitted Infections of the Granada province between 2000 and 2018 (N = 438) were used in this study. Associations between sociodemographic and sexual behaviour variables with vulvovaginal candidiasis were analysed using the Chi-square test and bivariate logistic regression. The prevalence of candidiasis was 14.6%. The sociodemographic profile corresponded to a woman aged 25.14 ± 4.8 years on average, who is of Spanish nationality (60.9%), a student (55.7%), in non-active employment (59.7%), with a higher education (56.7%), single (93.5%), and under 30 years of age (79.7%). Variables associated with this diagnosis were the absence of oro-genital contact (OR = 1.99; 95% CI = 0.25-0.74), having a regular partner (OR = 1.99; 95% CI = 1.05-3.75), and age of sexual debut, with the probability increasing by 12% (95% CI = 1.00-1.24) with each year. In this context, vulvovaginal candidiasis infection is common, and its epidemiological profile is contradictory, so our results do not suggest a relevant role of sexual risk behaviours in the diagnosis. Further research is needed to improve the estimates and factors associated with this infection.

Learner identity in secondary post-compulsory education students from Areas in Need of Social Transformation: an example of resilience

Achieving adequate integration and success at school in the post-compulsory stages involving situations where there is a risk of social exclusion is a real identity challenge for adolescents. In this research, we used a convenience sampling and selected two high schools located in Areas in Need of Social Transformation in Seville (southern Spain). We studied the learner identity of all their students in the first and second grade of secondary post-compulsory education (N = 70). These students present a trajectory of resilience, as they remained in the education system despite facing many difficulties. In this exploratory research, their identity as learners was analysed through an interview applied in a focus group format (N = 12), where their supports, strengths and psycho-social obstacles that facilitate/hinder their stay in the education system in the post-compulsory stage were also identified. Results show that adolescents have a good attitude towards academic training, based on the conviction that, in the future, they will be able to achieve a higher quality of life and a rapid insertion in skilled jobs. The image students have of themselves combines a negative perception of their lack of work habits, the difficulty of self-regulation and the little effort made, with a more positive view of their agency in the process, highlighting their intellectual and academic capacity and their effort when they set out to do so. Family, teachers and peers play a role in the resilience and identity construction of the adolescents, through protecting them, developing positive perceptions and expectations, stimulating control and effort and attributing successes and failures to students. Programmes based on the participation of the target group are essential for the design and improvement of psychosocial intervention programmes in these contexts.

Modelling aboveground biomass and productivity and the impact of climate change in Mediterranean forests of South Spain

One of the main challenges under global warming is understanding and predicting the effects of increased aridity on the carbon sink role of forests, particularly in Mediterranean regions. Forest inventories monitor the real state of the forest at a high temporal and financial cost. Cloud computing tools and high spatio-temporal resolution datasets generate fast and low-cost remote sensing data. Our objective is to understand the underlying variables explaining carbon storage (aboveground biomass) and forest productivity of Mediterranean forests using remote and in field-based variables and predict expected future trends. Then, we quantify the potential effects of a hypothetical increase in aridity under climate change on aboveground biomass and forest productivity. We included remote sensing indices (NDVI), abiotic factors (climate, soil and topography) and biotic factors (forest structure) as key variables of forest biomass and productivity in a large and heterogeneous Mediterranean region (Andalusia, southern Spain). We used around 7000 forest plots from the second and the third Spanish National Forest Inventory (1995 and 2006) considering the eight most abundant species (Olea europaea, Pinus pinea, P. pinaster, P. halepensis, P. nigra, P. sylvestris, Quercus ilex subsp ballota, and Q. suber). The variance explained by the models ranged from 25% in Q. ilex forests to 65% in P. sylvestris forests. Aridity affected all-species and Quercus biomass and most productivity models. NDVI and tree density had a strong positive effect on forest biomass and productivity with a significant interaction effect in all-species models, whereas aridity had a negative effect on both. The predicted increase in aridity under future climate change scenarios could seriously reduce forest biomass by 18% and productivity by 16%. Our study suggests that aridity is a key factor determining forest biomass and productivity in Mediterranean forests, that could potentially lead to reductions of their carbon sink role.

Assessment of Intrinsic Vulnerability Using DRASTIC vs. Actual Nitrate Pollution: The Case of a Detrital Aquifer Impacted by Intensive Agriculture in Cádiz (Southern Spain)

The degradation of groundwater quality due to nitrate is a widespread issue in heavily agricultural areas and a major concern for public health. Improving knowledge of the intrinsic vulnerability of aquifers with respect to the actual contamination is crucial for adequate water management and for complying with the European directives aimed at protecting this valuable resource. In this study, we applied the well-established DRASTIC method to assess the intrinsic vulnerability of the Benalup aquifer, a detrital aquifer located in the southern Iberian Peninsula that supports important agricultural activity. The model was compared with in situ measurements of this ion, evidencing a lack of agreement between the most vulnerable zones and those that display higher nitrate concentrations. This fact should not be interpreted as an inadequacy in the vulnerability model, but as a result of several factors such as (i) the marked heterogeneity in land uses and the spatial variability in contaminant sources, (ii) the construction and exploitation characteristics of the water boreholes, (iii) the sampling procedure and depth to the water table, and (iv) transport and degradation processes within the porous medium. All these aspects can lead to discrepancies between the actual distribution of contamination and vulnerability models such as DRASTIC. All these factors should be carefully considered in the design of a sampling network in order to achieve a representative picture indicating the extent of contamination and the overall chemical quality of the system.