Enrique Valero

Temporal pattern of wild ungulate-related traffic accidents in northwest Spain

Wildlife-related accidents are a serious problem in different countries and describing their temporal pattern allows for the development of measures to mitigate them. We described the temporal pattern of wild ungulate-related accidents occurring between January 2006 and December 2010 in the Autonomous Region of Galicia, northwest of Spain. We examined the temporal distribution of the accidents according to months, phenological and hunting seasons, days of the week and time of the day. From the 6,255 wild ungulate-related traffic accidents analysed, 36.5% were related to roe deer Capreolus capreolus and 62.8% were related to wild boar Sus scrofa. The monthly distribution of accidents was not random but follows a characteristic pattern for each species. Roe deer-related accidents have their maximum in April and May, coinciding with the breeding season, followed by July, coinciding with the rut. Wild boar-related accidents have their maximum between October and January, coinciding with the hunting season but also with months with the longest nights. Both roe deer- and wild boar-related accidents showed an increase at weekends, specially on Sundays. During the hunting season, the wild boar-related accidents showed a marked peak on the same day. This weekly pattern was explained by drivers’ behaviour and by hunting. For roe deer, peaks of accidents occurred between 19:00 and 22:00 (about dusk) and between 05:00 and 08:00 (about dawn). For wild boar, 69% of accidents occurred between 18:00 and 23:00, coinciding with dusk and night. This daily pattern of accidents was explained by the behaviour of the species.

Accessibility and Mobile Learning Standardization

Every Web user should have access to the information and experiences available online. Accessibility means that people with disabilities can navigate and interact with the Web. We address accessibility for mobile learning and its implications as far as learning technology (LT) standards is concerned. We consider accessibility not only as the needs and preferences of those users with a disability, but also as the needs and preferences of all users, regardless of the situation or circumstances. This paper reviews the main LT specifications and standards in relation with their suitability for mobile learning. In addition, a new contribution to this LT standardization process is proposed: the inclusion of a device profile in some of these specifications.

Harvesting green algae from eutrophic reservoir by electroflocculation and post-use for biodiesel production

Each year there are more frequent blooms of green algae and cyanobacteria, representing a serious environmental problem of eutrophication. Electroflocculation (EF) was studied to harvest the algae which are present in reservoirs, as well as different factors which may influence on the effectiveness of the process: the voltage applied to the culture medium, run times, electrodes separation and natural sedimentation. Finally, the viability of its use to obtain biodiesel was studied by direct transesterification. The EF process carried out at 10V for 1min, with an electrode separation of 5.5cm and a height of 4cm in culture vessel, obtained a recovery efficiency greater than 95%, and octadecenoic and palmitic acids were obtained as the fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). EF is an effective method to harvest green algae during the blooms, obtaining the greatest amount of biomass for subsequent use as a source of biodiesel.

Road and traffic factors correlated to wildlife–vehicle collisions in Galicia (Spain)

Abstract Context. Wildlife–vehicle collisions (WVC) are one of the major risk factors for the safety of drivers, as well as a great danger to wildlife that moves through the territory. In recent decades, given the growth of these accidents, some researches emerged to understand what are the main causes of this phenomenon and find the best solutions for implementation and try to solve this problem. Aims. The aim of the present study was to analyse the road and traffic characteristics of road segments with a high occurrence of WVC in north-western Spain, specifically, the collisions with wild ungulates (roe deer and wild boar). Methods. A nearest-neighbour analysis was used to analyse the spatial distribution of the WVC spots, and so as to identify these hotspots of accidents, we performed a hotspot analysis using the routine nearest-neighbour hierarchical cluster. Then, we calculated the WVC density of each road segment (KP). The existence of differences in the values of variables between high and low accident densities was analysed using a Mann–Whitney U-test for the continuous variables, and a χ2-test for the categorical ones. Then, multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify which variables could predict the existence of KPs with a high density of WVC. Key results. Our results showed that the daily traffic volume, the width of the road, the number of lanes and speed limit affect whether a particular road marker has a high or low density of WVC. Conclusions. We conclude that high WVC is frequently characterised by wider lanes and shoulders, as well as gentler slopes, whereas in the sections with narrower roads and a shorter curvature radius, there are some conditions (low visibility and speed reduction) that reduce the probability of having an accident with ungulates. However, the speed at which it is possible to drive on a given road section is closely related to the occurrence of WVC. Implications. These findings emphasise the importance of including mitigation measures in the decision-making when planning and designing infrastructure.

Pellets valorization of waste biomass harvested by coagulation of freshwater algae

There is a comparison of different coagulants: calcium chloride (20, 60, 120 and 180 mg/L); sodium alginate (10 and 20 mg/L) and tannins of Eucalyptus globulus bark (10 and 20 mg/L) in order to make the most of each method. The results show that 20 mg/L of tannin achieved a recovery efficiency of 95.35±1.16, sodium alginate 90.49±0.53 and 84.04±2.29 for calcium chloride. Taking into account the economic side of the coagulants, obtaining tannins is a profitable process. Bark is waste biomass obtained in the forestry process; therefore it does not involve extra costs. Finally, the feasibility of making pellets from harvested algae was studied, and the results suggest that waste biomass pellets may be used as fuel in boilers in a mixture <54% with other waste sources as Eucalyptus g. branches.

Corrigendum to: Road and traffic factors correlated to wildlife–vehicle collisions in Galicia (Spain)

Enrique ValeroA, Juan PicosA and Xana ÁlvarezA,B AAF4 Research Group. Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Engineering, Forestry Engineering College, University of Vigo, Campus A Xunqueira s/n, 36005 Pontevedra, Spain. BCorresponding author. Email: giaf4_5@vigo.es Volume 42, Issue 1, 2015, 25–34, doi: 10.1071/WR14060 One author (Laura Lagos) was missing from the author list. The author list and addresses should have read as follows: Enrique ValeroA, Juan PicosA, Laura LagosB and Xana ÁlvarezA,C AAF4 Research Group. Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Engineering, Forestry Engineering College, University of Vigo, Campus A Xunqueira s/n, 36005 Pontevedra, Spain. BInstitute of Research and Food Analysis, University of Santiago de Compostela, c/Constantino Candeira s/n. Campus Sur, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain. CCorresponding author. Email: giaf4_5@vigo.es