Western Andalusia Research Articles

Reconstruction of total annual rainfall in Andalusia (Southern Spain) during the 16th and 17th centuries from documentary sources

This study describes a reconstruction of rainfall characteristics in Southern Spain from 1501 to 1700 AD, during the beginning of the period called the ‘Little Ice Age’. Weather information was taken from original documentary sources (urban annals, local and religious histories, municipal documents, relations, etc.) in the region. A numerical index was established to characterize the rainfall, its characteristics, evolution and geographical distribution. Results were characteristics compared with modern precipitation data and with the results of other studies of historical climate. The general conclusion is that rainfall in Western Andalusia increased from approximately 1550 to 1650 AD. Some perspectives for future research work are outlined.

Distribution of ITI phenotypes in the Iberian Peninsula: Negative correlation between ITI*3 frequencies and latitude in human populations.

The molecular phenotypes of ITI were analysed in samples from seven populations of the Iberian Peninsula (Galicia, Central Portugal, Castilla-Leon, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, Western Andalusia, and Eastern Andalusia) by means of IEF in ultrathin layer polyacrylamide gels followed by immunofixation-silver staining. The observed ITI*3 frequencies exhibit the highest values thus far reported in European populations. Regression analysis between ITI*3 frequencies and latitude reveals a negative correlation (r = -0.8798, P < 0.001). © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Determination of fatty acid and triacylglycerol composition of human very-low-density lipoproteins.

The fatty acid composition of human very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) was studied in a population from western Andalusia with a diet in which the fat content came mainly from olive oil. The lipid composition of VLDL, including the fatty acid composition of the phospholipids and triacylglycerols, was examined by capillary gas chromatography. Twenty-five peaks were resolved, ranging in chain length from 14 to 24 carbon atoms, including geometric and positional isomers. The major fatty acids present in phospholipids were 16:0, 18:0, 18:1(n - 9) and 18:2(n - 6), and in triacylglycerols were 18:1(n - 9), 16:0 and 18:2(n - 6). The major triacylglycerol was POO, followed by PLO and OOO. MLP, PPS and LLL were absent. The presence of a large amount of OOO in this fraction demonstrates that the triacylglycerol composition of the VLDL depends on the type of diet consumed.

Arguments and foundations of the prehistoric research in western Andalusia. Human settlement in the III millennium BC

Si contrastamos las estrategias interpretativas utilizadas desde Andalucia Occidental para la investigacion del III milenio podemos observar que han transcurrido por los mismos parametros teoricos y metodologicos que cualquier otro centro manipulador de informacion historica. Ahora bien, esta region se caracteriza por utilizarlos generalmente de manera destemporizada y dogmatica debido a circunstancias academicas y/o sociopoliticas, y si esto en determinados momentos favorecio la produccion historiografica, en otros lo ha desmerecido especialmente. Este trabajo pretende alcanzar una conciencia critica de la genesis y transcurso de la investigacion prehistorica en el Occidente de Andalucia y plasmar la opinion razonada de los autores de tal trayectoria.

Architecture of phoenician tradition in Carmona (Sevilla)

In this work a wall of phoenician tradition is analysed. This masonry, located at Carmona (Seville) and belonging to the type known as building with ashlar piers, was found in an archaeological context of the VE' century B.C. We compare this wall with eastern parallels and with other examples registred during the last years in western Andalusia.

Classical archaeology and ancient history. Discussing a misunderstanding in Andalusian historiographic traditions

This paper assesses the traditional research paradigm predominating in both Classical Archaelogy and Ancient History in Western Andalusia over the last twenty years.

Determination of fatty acid and triacylglycerol composition of human adipose tissue

The fatty acid composition of adipose tissue was studied in a population in western Andalusia with a diet in which the fat contribution is mainly from olive oil. The lipid composition of adipose tissue, including the fatty acid composition of triacylglycerols, was examined by capillary gas chromatography. Thirty-five peaks wer resolved, ranging in chain length from 12 to 24 carbon atoms, including geometric and positional isomers. The major triacylglycerol was POO, followed by PLO and OOO.

Historical Effects and Sorting Processes as Explanations for Contemporary Ecological Patterns: Character Syndromes in Mediterranean Woody Plants

Ecological patterns are not only a consequence of adaptive processes, but also influenced by phylogenetic constraints, historical effects, and sorting processes. In contrast to the attention paid to the influence of phylogeny on interspecific ecological patterns, historical effects and sorting processes have been considered less frequently. This article shows that, for the woody flora of western Andalusia, southwestern Spain, these factors may be of substantial importance for explaining covariation among life-history traits (and associated "character syndromes") in plant communities. Multivariate analysis of the covariation across genera of 10 qualitative characters (related to general habit and reproductive biology) revealed a dominant life history-reproductive gradient (called "dimension 1") defining two distinct groups of genera and associated syndromes. Syndromes may largely be explained by reference to historical effects and species sorting processes, without recourse to adaptive explanations. Lineage age (as estimated from paleontological and biogeographical data) explained a significant proportion of intergeneric variation in position along dimension 1. Many character associations contributing to the syndromes vanished after the sample was split into groups based on lineage age, and those remaining occurred exclusively within the group of "old" (pre-Mediterranean) genera. No supporting evidence was found for the contribution of differential extinction of pre-Mediterranean genera to observed syndromes. Differential diversification of lineages as a function of life-history and reproductive characteristics did contribute significantly.

Settlement evidence for the III millennium BC in western Andalusia

En el III milenio se asiste a la mas antigua eclosion demografica de este sector regional, humanizandose toda una amplia gama de paisajes, incluso algunos de ellos por primera vez. Tal circunstancia necesita ser explicada y no solo en base a esa cuantitativa expansion cultural, sino que habra que intentar reconocer que opciones la generaron y como un milenio despues se llega a resultados diferentes. En este trabajo partimos de una recopilacion y valoracion de la documentacion existente, hasta hoy desconectada por las diversas razones que la han determinado, con la intencion de patentizar donde y en que sentido ha de reforzarse la investigacion.

Distribution of F13A Phenotypes in Spain: A Particularly High Frequency of the F13A*2 Allele

The distribution of the phenotypes for coagulation factor XIIIA subunit (F13A) of autochthonous individuals from the following five Spanish populations was studied: Galicia, Castilla-León, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura and Western Andalusia. The frequency values obtained for F13A*2 ranged from 0.248 to 0.311. To date, these values are the highest recorded in the world.

The decline of the white stork Ciconia ciconia population of western Andalusia between 1976 and 1988: causes and proposals for conservation

The number of breeding pairs of white stork Ciconia ciconia in southwestern Spain declined by 11% between 1976 and 1988. Population changes have, however, differed in the various biotopes inhabited by the species. The areas with greater human activity, such as urbanization and more intensive agriculture, are those in which population reductions have occurred. These are in the Guadalquivir river valley. In the sierra (mountains), where there has been little land-use change, the number of pairs has declined less markedly. The marshes, which are the most protected, are the only areas where there has been a population increase. This has, however, been insufficient to compensate for the decline in other areas.

The dehesa: an agrosilvopastoral system of the Mediterranean region with special reference to the Sierra Morena area of Spain

A multidisciplinary team undertook a six-year investigation on the agro-ecological and socio-economic aspects of the dehesa system in the Sierra Norte area, a part of the Sierra Morena of the Sevilla Province, Western Andalusia, Spain. This paper summarizes its findings on the various agro-ecological features of the system and evaluates the system's functional aspects vis-a-vis the trends and developments in land use in the region over the past few centuries. The synergistic effects of tree cover on understorey grassland vegetation is discussed in terms of soil fertility build-up and favourable micro-climatic and hydrological features, and the potential use of this information in future research and development programmes to improve the dehesa system in the Mediterranean region is outlined.

Determining Optimum Fertilizer Combinations Through Goal Programming with Penalty Functions: An Application to Sugar Beet production in Spain

A goal programming model was used to analyse optimum fertilizer combinations. Under this approach, the fertilizer requirements, instead of being fixed values as in traditional linear programming, are considered targets which may or may not be achieved. A penalty system coupled to the goal programming model makes the specified lower and upper levels of nutrients more flexible and realistic. A simple example is used to expound the model, and then applied to real data to give optimum combinations of fertilizers for sugar beet in Western Andalusia (Spain).

Optimization of dynamic regional models

In this paper we consider several problems concerning the optimization of Dynamic Regional Models. In particular we describe the optimization of the model of a region. Western Andalusia, in Southern Spain. Fuzzy set theory is applied because of the inherent imprecisions in the judgements about goals and its tradeoffs. Multicriteria optimization is used due to the fact that, in most cases, the search for the optimal policies must be performed taking into account non conmensurable and conflicting objectives. We present a program package which incorporates these methodologies together with simulation, optimization and sensitivity analysis routines.

A new species ofTrichogramma [T. Cordubensis n. sp.] [Hym.: Trichogrammatidae], parasitoid ofHeliothis eggs in cotton crops in the sw of spain

Trichogramma cordubensis n. sp. is a parasite ofHeliothis armigera Hb. eggs in cotton crops in western Andalusia. Reproduced onEphestia kuehniella Zeller eggs, it is described morphologically and compared withT. chilonis Ishii andT. evanescens Westwood as both present similarities with this species.T. cordubensis can be distinguished in the male genitalia by the shape of the dorsal expansion of the gonobase and the size, shape and relative position of the median ventral projection. Male antennal setae are longer inT. cordubensis than in the other 2 species. In addition, unlikeT. chilonis andT. evanescens, T. cordubensis is thelytokous at 20°C. in our laboratory, though males and gynandromorphs can be obtained by altering the rearing temperature, this being another difference of this species.

Rôle du tourisme et des loisirs dans la nouvelle organisation de l'espace en Andalousie occidentale

The role of tourist and leisure activities in the new organization of territorial development in Western Andalusia. After presenting the possibilities of the different fields of tourist and leisure activities in western Andalusia (historical and cultural visits, seaside activities, rural activities, leisure potential near large towns), the author analyses in each of the cases the tourist and leisure practices and achievements which are linked to them. He describes existing facilities and the projects that are at present under way, and comes out in favour of a global and integrated development plan for tourist and leisure areas in western Andalusia which would give maximum importance to the use of the various fields discussed.

The Peninsular Expansion of Castilian

The Peninsular Expansion of Castilian

Twopictonia (perisphinctidae) from the subbetic upper jurassic of spain

Two ammonites belonging to the genusPictonia Bayle, 1878 (subgenusPachypictonia Schneid, 1940) are described from the Lower Kimmeridgian of the Subbetic of Western Andalusia, this being the first evidence of the presence of this genus in the Mediterranean (Tethydian) Upper Jurassic.

En Andalousie occidentale : systèmes de transports et développement économique (XVIe-XIXe siècle)

Apprécier, évaluer, et si possible mesurer l'effet d'un système de transports sur les mouvements de fond d'une économie dans un cadre régional, c'est une entreprise difficile et pourtant digne d'être tentée. Pour analyser le jeu et le poids respectif des facteurs qui concourent au développement d'une région, ou l'inhibent, il peut paraître de saine méthode de les isoler dans un premier temps. C'est ce que nous tentons dans cette étude, bien que le domaine considéré, l'Andalousie occidentale — ou basse —, ne soit pas le lieu idéal pour un exercice de ce genre. D'abord parce que ce n'est pas une région naturelle ou économique aux limites incontestables. Ensuite parce que la documentation, sans être négligeable, laisse à désirer. Une source essentielle, les recettes des péages, n'a cependant pas encore été exploitée systématiquement comme instrument de mesure.

Rostrosdemujer.org: analysis of gender stereotypes in the media. The construction and assessment of a website/Rostrosdemujer.org: análisis de estereotipos de géneros en los medios de comunicación. Construcción y validación de un website

En el presente trabajo se describe el proceso de construcción y evaluación del website «www.rostrosdemujer.org», ludotecavirtual que forma parte del proyecto «Rostros de Mujer», propuesta educativa y lúdica destinada a la Red creada con el fin de ofrecer recursos para el análisis de estereotipos femeninos en la publicidad. Se trata de una apuesta por la educación mediática dirigida al estudio de la publicidad en los medios, que con frecuencia presentan una imagen superficial y desigual de la mujer frente al hombre. En este artículo se muestran el proceso de diseño y el funcionamiento de la ludoteca virtual que permite a los usuarios desvelar y hacer una lectura crítica de diversos anuncios publicitarios. También se describe la evaluación llevada a cabo con una muestra de 110 sujetos pertenecientes a cuatro colectivos sociales, de las cuatro provincias de Andalucía occidental.Como principales conclusiones se destaca el hecho de que la educación audiovisual ayuda a identificar los estereotiposde género en la publicidad y contribuye a formarse un criterio propio acerca de la forma como se venden los productos y la utilización de los modelos de hombre y mujer, asimismo se constata la necesidad de desarrollar propuestas como la aquí descrita, ya que éstas pueden favorecer el posicionamiento de la ciudadanía en pro de una educación mediática.