University of Almería

About: University of Almería is a education organization based out in Almería, Spain. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 4674 authors who have published 10905 publications receiving 233036 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Almeria & Universidad de Almería.

A study of NAO variability and its possible non-linear influences on European surface temperature

Abstract: The relationship between European winter temperature spatial and temporal modes of variability and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) has been studied during the period 1852–1997. Temporal modes of variability of the NAO and temperatures are analysed using wavelet transform. Results show that the NAO presents a strong non-stationary behaviour. The most important feature is the existence of a quasi-periodic oscillation, with a period between 6–10 years and maximum amplitude of eight years, during the periods 1842–1868 and 1964–1994. Between 1875 and 1939 the spectra of the NAO is almost white. The possible relationship between the occurrence of extreme events of the NAO and its spectral behaviour has been analysed. The results indicate that quasi-periodic oscillations in the NAO do not lead to more extreme episodes, but rather that an extreme value of the oscillation is more likely to persist for few years. Particularly energetic modes of coherent variability between temperature and NAO are found between 2–6 years for 1857–1879 and 1978–1984, and between 6–10 years from 1961 to 1991. The relationship between the NAO and temperatures as a function of the state of the oscillation has been studied using composites. Empirical evidence has been found suggesting that winter temperatures, in a great part of the study area, do not vary in a linear manner with respect to phase and intensity of the NAO. Regions in the study area differ in sensitivity to changes in the NAO. The spatial patterns of variability of the temperatures are found to be independent of the NAO spectra.

Microalgae research worldwide

Abstract: In this paper, worldwide research trends in the microalgae field are analyzed based on a bibliometric study. We have reviewed the number of publications and their distribution, as well as the most relevant journals and keywords, to determine the evolution and latest tendencies in this field. The results confirm that this is a fast-growing area in terms of the number of publications. The most relevant journals on this subject are Bioresource Technology and Algal Research. Although the majority of papers come out of the USA, the institutions with larger number of publications are actually located in China, France and Spain. The most frequently cited strains are Chlorella and Chlamydomonas. The main keywords that appear in over 1000 articles are generally related to microalgae cultivation applications such as ‘biomass, biofuel, and lipids’ while others are related to the methodology; for instance, ‘bioreactor’. Of all the keywords, ‘biomass’ stands out, as it appears in almost 20% of publications. Bibliographic analysis confirms that Microalgae Biotechnology is a very active field, where scientific productivity has exponentially increased over recent years in tandem with industrial production. Therefore, expectations are high in this field for the near future.

Solar photocatalytic disinfection of agricultural pathogenic fungi: Fusarium species

Abstract: The ability of solar-only and solar photocatalytic (TiO2) disinfection batch-process reactors to inactivate fungal pathogens was evaluated. The photocatalytic disinfection of five wild strains of the Fusarium genus (F. equiseti, F. oxysporum, F. anthophilum, F. verticillioides, and F. solani), a common plant pathogen in Spain and around the world, was successfully achieved. Different disinfection times (1–6 h) were necessary to inactivate a fungus concentration in water of 103 CFU/mL to almost zero by solar photocatalysis. The order of sensitivity to solar disinfection was F. oxysporum > F. solani > F. verticillioides > F. anthophilum > F. equiseti. The presence of the TiO2 photocatalyst under solar radiation showed a positive effect on lost fungus viability. The photocatalytic disinfection times were shorter and disinfection better than for solar-only disinfection. The order of photocatalytic sensitivity was different from solar disinfection: F. verticillioides > F. oxysporum > F. solani > F. anthophilum > F. equiseti.