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In this paper, we describe an interactive web application (deaR-shiny) to measure efficiency and productivity using data envelopment analysis (DEA). deaR-shiny aims to fill the gap that currently exists in the availability of online DEA software offering practitioners and researchers free access to a very wide variety of DEA models (both conventional and fuzzy models). We illustrate how to use the web app by replicating the main results obtained by Carlucci, Cirà and Coccorese in 2018, who investigate the efficiency and economic sustainability of Italian regional airport by using two conventional DEA models, and the results given by Kao and Liu in their papers published in 2000 and 2003, who calculate the efficiency scores of university libraries in Taiwan by using a fuzzy DEA model because they treat missing data as fuzzy numbers.
Rafael Benítez; Vicente Coll-Serrano; Vicente Bolós. deaR-Shiny: An Interactive Web App for Data Envelopment Analysis. Sustainability 2021, 13, 6774 .
AMA StyleRafael Benítez, Vicente Coll-Serrano, Vicente Bolós. deaR-Shiny: An Interactive Web App for Data Envelopment Analysis. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (12):6774.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRafael Benítez; Vicente Coll-Serrano; Vicente Bolós. 2021. "deaR-Shiny: An Interactive Web App for Data Envelopment Analysis." Sustainability 13, no. 12: 6774.
This paper examines the interdependence between green financial instruments, represented by green bonds and green stocks, and a set of major conventional assets, such as Treasury, investment-grade and high-yield corporate bonds, general stocks, crude oil, and gold. To that end, a novel wavelet-based network approach that allows for assessing the degree of interconnection between green financial products and traditional asset classes across different investment horizons is applied. The empirical results show that green bonds are tightly linked to Treasury and investment-grade corporate bonds, while green stocks are strongly tied to general stocks, regardless of the specific time period and investment horizon considered. However, despite their common climate-friendly nature, there is no a remarkable association between green bonds and green stocks. This means that these green investments constitute basically two independent asset classes, with a distinct risk-return profile and aimed at a different type of investor. Furthermore, green financial products have a weak connection with high-yield corporate bonds and crude oil. These findings can have important implications for investors and policy makers in terms of investment decision, hedging strategies, and sustainability and energy policies.
Román Ferrer; Rafael Benítez; Vicente Bolós. Interdependence between Green Financial Instruments and Major Conventional Assets: A Wavelet-Based Network Analysis. Mathematics 2021, 9, 900 .
AMA StyleRomán Ferrer, Rafael Benítez, Vicente Bolós. Interdependence between Green Financial Instruments and Major Conventional Assets: A Wavelet-Based Network Analysis. Mathematics. 2021; 9 (8):900.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRomán Ferrer; Rafael Benítez; Vicente Bolós. 2021. "Interdependence between Green Financial Instruments and Major Conventional Assets: A Wavelet-Based Network Analysis." Mathematics 9, no. 8: 900.
In this work, we show the usefulness of a new Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) method, called Unweighted TOPSIS (uwTOPSIS), in helping decision making, aiming at achieving the objectives of sustainable development. uwTOPSIS is a new TOPSIS approach that does not require the decision-maker to determine the relative importance of each criterion. This makes the method more robust, since the results no longer depend on slight variations of such weights, and sustainable decisions therefore become more stable. In order to illustrate its applicability in real world problems, the results obtained with uwTOPSIS have been compared with those provided in two known study cases: the classification of Green Star hotels in Istanbul and the EU regional Social Progress Index (SPI). Moreover, all the results shown in this work can be easily reproduced since all the computations have been carried out using R statistical programming language through a self-developed package, uwTOPSIS, and the code used is included.
Rafael Benítez; Vicente Liern. Unweighted TOPSIS: a new multi-criteria tool for sustainability analysis. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology 2020, 28, 36 -48.
AMA StyleRafael Benítez, Vicente Liern. Unweighted TOPSIS: a new multi-criteria tool for sustainability analysis. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology. 2020; 28 (1):36-48.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRafael Benítez; Vicente Liern. 2020. "Unweighted TOPSIS: a new multi-criteria tool for sustainability analysis." International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology 28, no. 1: 36-48.
We introduce a new wavelet tool, the windowed scale index, to study the degree of non-periodicity of time series. The windowed scale index is based on some recently defined tools, such as the windowed scalogram and the scale index. This novel measure is appropriate for non-stationary time series whose characteristics change over time and, therefore, it can be applied to a wide variety of disciplines. Furthermore, we revise the concept of the scale index and pose a theoretical problem: it is known that if the scale index of a function is not zero then it is non-periodic, but if the scale index of a function is zero, then it is not proved that it has to be periodic. This problem is solved for the particular case of the Haar wavelet, reinforcing the interpretation of the windowed scale index as a useful tool to quantify non-periodicity. In addition, the applicability of this wavelet-based measure is illustrated through several examples, including an economic application which compares the non-periodicity of two major commodities in the world economy, such as crude oil and gold. Finally, we discuss the relationship between non-periodicity and unpredictability, comparing the windowed scale index with the sample entropy.
Vicente J. Bolós; Rafael Benítez; Román Ferrer. A New Wavelet Tool to Quantify Non-Periodicity of Non-Stationary Economic Time Series. Mathematics 2020, 8, 844 .
AMA StyleVicente J. Bolós, Rafael Benítez, Román Ferrer. A New Wavelet Tool to Quantify Non-Periodicity of Non-Stationary Economic Time Series. Mathematics. 2020; 8 (5):844.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVicente J. Bolós; Rafael Benítez; Román Ferrer. 2020. "A New Wavelet Tool to Quantify Non-Periodicity of Non-Stationary Economic Time Series." Mathematics 8, no. 5: 844.
The management of high-quality timber plantations prioritizes obtaining high productions with short rotation cycles, which results in high economic and environmental costs, similar to intensive agricultural systems. The suppression of the herbaceous understorey by ploughing, and the use of fertilizers to boost tree growth potentially pose high environmental risks. Managing these plantations as silvopastoral systems (e.g. by introducing livestock and sowing legume-rich pastures) could reduce environmental risks. However, this management shift can only be effective if it is accompanied by an increased complementarity in the use of soil resources to maintain production. We evaluated rooting systems, tree water status and growth, pasture production, soil moisture and nitrate content in the soil solution in a 13-year-old hybrid walnut (Juglans major × regia) plantation under alternative management schemes. The management aimed at reducing herbaceous understorey cover (grazing, ploughing and mowing) and fertilizer usage (no fertilization, inorganic fertilization and legume sowing). Grazed and mowed plots had higher root surface density than ploughed plots. Ploughed plots also showed lower values of soil water (in summer) and tree leaf water potential than grazed and mowed plots. Tree growth and nitrate content in the soil solution was higher in ploughed than grazed or mowed plots. Fertilized and sown plots had higher understorey biomass and lower soil water (in summer) than unfertilized plots. Tree growth was higher in fertilized than unfertilized plots, with intermediate values in sown plots. Managing high-quality timber plantations under silvopastoral schemes with improved legume-rich forages might be a feasible way to reduce the high ecological maintenance costs of these plantations, without compromising their productivity.
M. Lourdes López-Díaz; Rafael Benítez; Victor Rolo; Gerardo Moreno. Managing high quality timber plantations as silvopastoral systems: tree growth, soil water dynamics and nitrate leaching risk. New Forests 2020, 51, 985 -1002.
AMA StyleM. Lourdes López-Díaz, Rafael Benítez, Victor Rolo, Gerardo Moreno. Managing high quality timber plantations as silvopastoral systems: tree growth, soil water dynamics and nitrate leaching risk. New Forests. 2020; 51 (6):985-1002.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. Lourdes López-Díaz; Rafael Benítez; Victor Rolo; Gerardo Moreno. 2020. "Managing high quality timber plantations as silvopastoral systems: tree growth, soil water dynamics and nitrate leaching risk." New Forests 51, no. 6: 985-1002.
The interest in studying the mechanical and adhesive properties of cells has increased in recent years. The cytoskeleton is known to play a key role in cell mechanics. However, the role of the microtubules in shaping cell mechanics is not yet well understood. We have employed Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) together with confocal fluorescence microscopy to determine the role of microtubules in cytomechanics of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs). Additionally, the time variation of the adhesion between tip and cell surface was studied. The disruption of microtubules by exposing the cells to two colchicine concentrations was monitored as a function of time. Already, after 30 min of incubation the cells stiffened, their relaxation times increased (lower fluidity) and the adhesion between tip and cell decreased. This was accompanied by cytoskeletal rearrangements, a reduction in cell area and changes in cell shape. Over the whole experimental time, different behavior for the two used concentrations was found while for the control the values remained stable. This study underlines the role of microtubules in shaping endothelial cell mechanics.
Andreas Weber; Jagoba Iturri; Rafael Benítez; Spela Zemljic-Jokhadar; José L. Toca-Herrera. Microtubule disruption changes endothelial cell mechanics and adhesion. Scientific Reports 2019, 9, 1 -12.
AMA StyleAndreas Weber, Jagoba Iturri, Rafael Benítez, Spela Zemljic-Jokhadar, José L. Toca-Herrera. Microtubule disruption changes endothelial cell mechanics and adhesion. Scientific Reports. 2019; 9 (1):1-12.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndreas Weber; Jagoba Iturri; Rafael Benítez; Spela Zemljic-Jokhadar; José L. Toca-Herrera. 2019. "Microtubule disruption changes endothelial cell mechanics and adhesion." Scientific Reports 9, no. 1: 1-12.
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) combined with fluorescence microscopy has been used to quantify cytomechanical modifications induced by resveratrol (at a fixed concentration of 50 µM) in a breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) upon temporal variation. Cell indentation methodology has been utilized to determine simultaneous variations of Young’s modulus, the maximum adhesion force, and tether formation, thereby determining cell motility and adhesiveness. Effects of treatment were measured at several time-points (0–6 h, 24 h, and 48 h); longer exposures resulted in cell death. Our results demonstrated that AFM can be efficiently used as a diagnostic tool to monitor irreversible morpho/nano-mechanical changes in cancer cells during the early steps of drug treatment.
Jagoba Iturri; Andreas Weber; Alberto Moreno-Cencerrado; Maria Dm Vivanco; Rafael Benítez; Stefano Leporatti; José Luis Toca-Herrera. Resveratrol-Induced Temporal Variation in the Mechanical Properties of MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells Investigated by Atomic Force Microscopy. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2019, 20, 3275 .
AMA StyleJagoba Iturri, Andreas Weber, Alberto Moreno-Cencerrado, Maria Dm Vivanco, Rafael Benítez, Stefano Leporatti, José Luis Toca-Herrera. Resveratrol-Induced Temporal Variation in the Mechanical Properties of MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells Investigated by Atomic Force Microscopy. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2019; 20 (13):3275.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJagoba Iturri; Andreas Weber; Alberto Moreno-Cencerrado; Maria Dm Vivanco; Rafael Benítez; Stefano Leporatti; José Luis Toca-Herrera. 2019. "Resveratrol-Induced Temporal Variation in the Mechanical Properties of MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells Investigated by Atomic Force Microscopy." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 20, no. 13: 3275.
A smart water network consists of a large number of devices that measure a wide range of parameters present in distribution networks in an automatic and continuous way. Among these data, you can find the flow, pressure, or totalizer measurements that, when processed with appropriate algorithms, allow for leakage detection at an early stage. These algorithms are mainly based on water demand forecasting. Different approaches for the prediction of water demand are available in the literature. Although they present successful results at different levels, they have two main drawbacks: the inclusion of several seasonalities is quite cumbersome, and the fitting horizons are not very large. With the aim of solving these problems, we present the application of pattern similarity-based techniques to the water demand forecasting problem. The use of these techniques removes the need to determine the annual seasonality and, at the same time, extends the horizon of prediction to 24 h. The algorithm has been tested in the context of a real project for the detection and location of leaks at an early stage by means of demand forecasting, and good results were obtained, which are also presented in this paper.
Rafael Benítez; Carmen Ortiz-Caraballo; Juan Carlos Preciado; José M. Conejero; Fernando Sánchez Figueroa; Alvaro Rubio-Largo. A Short-Term Data Based Water Consumption Prediction Approach. Energies 2019, 12, 2359 .
AMA StyleRafael Benítez, Carmen Ortiz-Caraballo, Juan Carlos Preciado, José M. Conejero, Fernando Sánchez Figueroa, Alvaro Rubio-Largo. A Short-Term Data Based Water Consumption Prediction Approach. Energies. 2019; 12 (12):2359.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRafael Benítez; Carmen Ortiz-Caraballo; Juan Carlos Preciado; José M. Conejero; Fernando Sánchez Figueroa; Alvaro Rubio-Largo. 2019. "A Short-Term Data Based Water Consumption Prediction Approach." Energies 12, no. 12: 2359.
Different types of sensors along the distribution pipelines are continuously measuring different parameters in Smart WAter Networks (SWAN). The huge amount of data generated contain measurements such as flow or pressure. Applying suitable algorithms to these data can warn about the possibility of leakage within the distribution network as soon as the data are gathered. Currently, the algorithms that deal with this problem are the result of numerous short-term water demand forecasting (WDF) approaches. However, in general, these WDF approaches share two shortcomings. The first one is that they provide low-frequency predictions. That is, most of them only provide predictions with 1-hour time steps, and only a few provide predictions with 15 min time steps. The second one is that most of them require estimating the annual seasonality or taking into account not only data about water demand but also about other factors, such as weather data, that make their use more complicated. To overcome these weaknesses, this work presents an approach to forecast the water demand based on pattern recognition and pattern-similarity techniques. The approach has a twofold contribution. Firstly, the predictions are provided with 1 min time steps within a time lead of 24 hours. Secondly, the laborious estimation of annual seasonality or the addition of other factors, such as weather data, is not needed. The paper also presents the promising results obtained after applying the approach for water demand forecasting to a real project for the detection and location of water leakages.
Juan Carlos Preciado; Álvaro E. Prieto; Rafael Benitez; Roberto Rodríguez-Echeverría; José María Conejero. A High-Frequency Data-Driven Machine Learning Approach for Demand Forecasting in Smart Cities. Scientific Programming 2019, 2019, 1 -16.
AMA StyleJuan Carlos Preciado, Álvaro E. Prieto, Rafael Benitez, Roberto Rodríguez-Echeverría, José María Conejero. A High-Frequency Data-Driven Machine Learning Approach for Demand Forecasting in Smart Cities. Scientific Programming. 2019; 2019 ():1-16.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJuan Carlos Preciado; Álvaro E. Prieto; Rafael Benitez; Roberto Rodríguez-Echeverría; José María Conejero. 2019. "A High-Frequency Data-Driven Machine Learning Approach for Demand Forecasting in Smart Cities." Scientific Programming 2019, no. : 1-16.
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is today an established tool in imaging and determination of mechanical properties of biomaterials. Due to their complex organization, those materials show intricate properties such as viscoelasticity. Therefore, one has to consider that the loading rate at which the sample is probed will lead to different mechanical response (properties). In this work, we studied the dependence of the mechanical properties of endothelial cells on the loading rate using AFM in force spectroscopy mode. We employed a sharp, four‐sided pyramidal indenter and loading rates ranging from 0.5 to 20 μm/s. In addition, by variation of the load (applied forces from 100 to 10,000 pN), the dependence of the cell properties on indentation depth could be determined. We then showed that the mechanical response of endothelial cells depends nonlinearly on the loading rate and follows a weak power‐law. In addition, regions of different viscous response at varying indentation depth could be determined. Based on the results we obtained, a general route map for AFM users for design of cell mechanics experiments was described.
Andreas Weber; Jagoba Iturri; Rafael Benítez; José L. Toca‐Herrera. Measuring biomaterials mechanics with atomic force microscopy. 1. Influence of the loading rate and applied force (pyramidal tips). Microscopy Research and Technique 2019, 82, 1392 -1400.
AMA StyleAndreas Weber, Jagoba Iturri, Rafael Benítez, José L. Toca‐Herrera. Measuring biomaterials mechanics with atomic force microscopy. 1. Influence of the loading rate and applied force (pyramidal tips). Microscopy Research and Technique. 2019; 82 (9):1392-1400.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndreas Weber; Jagoba Iturri; Rafael Benítez; José L. Toca‐Herrera. 2019. "Measuring biomaterials mechanics with atomic force microscopy. 1. Influence of the loading rate and applied force (pyramidal tips)." Microscopy Research and Technique 82, no. 9: 1392-1400.
A probabilistic discrete model for 2D protein crystal growth is presented. This model takesinto account the available space and can describe growing processes of a different nature due to theversatility of its parameters, which gives the model great flexibility. The accuracy of the simulation istested against a real recrystallization experiment, carried out with the bacterial protein SbpA fromLysinibacillus sphaericus CCM2177, showing high agreement between the proposed model and theactual images of the crystal growth. Finally, it is also discussed how the regularity of the interface(i.e., the curve that separates the crystal from the substrate) affects the evolution of the simulation.
Vicente J. Bolos; Rafael Benítez; Aitziber Eleta-Lopez; Jose L. Toca-Herrera. A Probabilistic Model for Crystal Growth Applied to Protein Deposition at the Microscale. Materials 2019, 12, 479 .
AMA StyleVicente J. Bolos, Rafael Benítez, Aitziber Eleta-Lopez, Jose L. Toca-Herrera. A Probabilistic Model for Crystal Growth Applied to Protein Deposition at the Microscale. Materials. 2019; 12 (3):479.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVicente J. Bolos; Rafael Benítez; Aitziber Eleta-Lopez; Jose L. Toca-Herrera. 2019. "A Probabilistic Model for Crystal Growth Applied to Protein Deposition at the Microscale." Materials 12, no. 3: 479.
Mechanical properties of nanoparticles are an important characteristic for drug delivery and therefore, they have gained interest in pharmaceutical research during the last years. Among others, cellular uptake, blood circulation time and accumulation in organs are influenced by the elastic modulus of nanoparticles. Thus, by varying the stiffness of nanoparticles a more specific drug targeting might be achieved. Gelatin nanoparticles (GNPs) show advantageous characteristics in respect to encapsulation and delivery of hydrophilic drugs such as antibodies or other biologicals. Furthermore, the GNPs as hydrogel-nanoparticles offer adjustable elastic behavior. In this study, a method for GNP sample preparation and the determination of the mechanical properties by nanoindentation experiments using atomic force microscopy (AFM) was developed. The obtained force-distance curves were evaluated and fitted with the Hertzian model in order to calculate the Young´s modulus. GNPs were crosslinked with glutaraldehyde (GTA) for different incubation times to investigate a possible modification of the Young´s modulus. In addition, this study addresses the influence of storage on the mechanical characteristics of GNPs. The results provide first insights about the elastic properties of GNPs and their development over time. In the tested range of crosslinking times no notable differences in the mechanical properties occurred. In turn, the influence of the storage on the mechanical particle properties was observed: particle stiffness raised over time. Furthermore, it could be observed that the cellular uptake in a model cell line (A549) was increased for harder particles.
Agnes-Valencia Weiss; Thorben Fischer; Jagoba Iturri; Rafael Benítez; Jose Luis Toca-Herrera; Marc Schneider. Mechanical properties of gelatin nanoparticles in dependency of crosslinking time and storage. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 2018, 175, 713 -720.
AMA StyleAgnes-Valencia Weiss, Thorben Fischer, Jagoba Iturri, Rafael Benítez, Jose Luis Toca-Herrera, Marc Schneider. Mechanical properties of gelatin nanoparticles in dependency of crosslinking time and storage. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces. 2018; 175 ():713-720.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAgnes-Valencia Weiss; Thorben Fischer; Jagoba Iturri; Rafael Benítez; Jose Luis Toca-Herrera; Marc Schneider. 2018. "Mechanical properties of gelatin nanoparticles in dependency of crosslinking time and storage." Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 175, no. : 713-720.
In this chapter we introduce a class of nonlinear Volterra integral equations (VIEs) which have certain properties that deviate from the standard results in the field of integral equations. Such equations arise from various problems in shock wave propagation with nonlinear flux conditions. The basic equation we will consider is the nonlinear homogeneous Hammerstein–Volterra integral equation of convolution type $$\displaystyle u(t) = \int _0^t k(t-s) g(u(s))\,\mathrm {d}s. $$ When g(0) = 0, this equation has function u ≡ 0 as a solution (trivial solution). It is interesting to determine whether there exists a nontrivial solution or not. Classical results on integral equations are not to be applied here since most of them fail to assure the existence of other solution than the trivial one. Several characterizations of the existence of nontrivial solutions under different hypothesis on the kernel k and the nonlinearity g will be presented. We will also focus on the uniqueness of nontrivial solutions for such equations. In this regard, it is important to note that this equation can be written as a fixed point equation, so we shall also discuss the attracting character of the solutions with respect to the Picard iterations of the nonlinear integral operator defined by the RHS of the equation. Indeed we will give some examples for which those iterations do not converge to the nontrivial solutions for some initial conditions and we will study the attraction basins for such repelling solutions. Numerical estimation of the solutions is also discussed. Collocation methods have proven to be a suitable technique for such equations. However, classical results on numerical analysis of existence and convergence of collocation solutions cannot be considered here either since the non-Lipschitz character of the nonlinear operator prevents these results from being applied. New concepts on collocation solutions are introduced along with their corresponding results on existence and uniqueness of collocation solutions.
M. R. Arias; Rafael Benítez; V. J. Bolós. Non-Lipschitz Homogeneous Volterra Integral Equations. Understanding Complex Systems 2018, 237 -259.
AMA StyleM. R. Arias, Rafael Benítez, V. J. Bolós. Non-Lipschitz Homogeneous Volterra Integral Equations. Understanding Complex Systems. 2018; ():237-259.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. R. Arias; Rafael Benítez; V. J. Bolós. 2018. "Non-Lipschitz Homogeneous Volterra Integral Equations." Understanding Complex Systems , no. : 237-259.
Román Ferrer; Rania Jammazi; Vicente J. Bolós; Rafael Benítez. Interactions between financial stress and economic activity for the U.S.: A time- and frequency-varying analysis using wavelets. Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications 2018, 492, 446 -462.
AMA StyleRomán Ferrer, Rania Jammazi, Vicente J. Bolós, Rafael Benítez. Interactions between financial stress and economic activity for the U.S.: A time- and frequency-varying analysis using wavelets. Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications. 2018; 492 ():446-462.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRomán Ferrer; Rania Jammazi; Vicente J. Bolós; Rafael Benítez. 2018. "Interactions between financial stress and economic activity for the U.S.: A time- and frequency-varying analysis using wavelets." Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications 492, no. : 446-462.
V.J. Bolós; Rafael Benítez; Roman Ferrer; R. Jammazi. The windowed scalogram difference: A novel wavelet tool for comparing time series. Applied Mathematics and Computation 2017, 312, 49 -65.
AMA StyleV.J. Bolós, Rafael Benítez, Roman Ferrer, R. Jammazi. The windowed scalogram difference: A novel wavelet tool for comparing time series. Applied Mathematics and Computation. 2017; 312 ():49-65.
Chicago/Turabian StyleV.J. Bolós; Rafael Benítez; Roman Ferrer; R. Jammazi. 2017. "The windowed scalogram difference: A novel wavelet tool for comparing time series." Applied Mathematics and Computation 312, no. : 49-65.
Recent studies in temperate regions have shown that agroforestry systems, especially silvopastoral systems, have greater carbon (C) sequestration potential than monocropping systems or pastures, or even forest plantations. In Europe, there is growing interest in establishing high quality wood plantations with intensive management comprising irrigation, fertilisation and chemical weed control to reduce rotation length. However, these operations can have major environmental impacts similar to the effects of intensive agriculture, such as impoverishment of soil C. The aim of this study is to identify optimum management practices for intensive systems of quality wood production to optimise soil C stock and plantation productivity. An experiment was conducted in Extremadura, mid-west Spain, from 2011 to 2014, in a 13-year-old hybrid walnut (Juglans major × regia mj 209xra) plantation with a density of 333 trees ha−1. Two essays were established: one with three techniques to control competition from herbaceous strata beneath trees – mowing, ploughing and sheep grazing (1 sheep ha−1) – and the other to test implementation of legumes (mixture of Trifolium michelanium and Ornithopus compressus complemented by the same quantities of phosphorous and potassium as mineral treatment) as an alternative to traditional mineral fertilisation (40 kg N ha−1, 40 kg P2O5 ha−1 and 50 kg K2O ha−1). The C stock estimate was based on soil organic carbon (SOC) and aboveground (tree trunks and branches) and belowground biomass (tree and pasture roots). Most of the C stock was contained in SOC, at 50% in the uppermost soil layer (0–25 cm), followed by aboveground biomass. The response of SOC in each treatment was higher than the other parameters analysed, suggesting that SOC is a more sensitive pool to management techniques. Grazing as control of herbaceous vegetation and legume implementation as nitrogen supply are suitable techniques for optimising soil C stocks and also achieve adequate tree growth in the longer term.
M.L. López-Díaz; Rafael Benítez; Gerardo Moreno. How do management techniques affect carbon stock in intensive hardwood plantations? Forest Ecology and Management 2017, 389, 228 -239.
AMA StyleM.L. López-Díaz, Rafael Benítez, Gerardo Moreno. How do management techniques affect carbon stock in intensive hardwood plantations? Forest Ecology and Management. 2017; 389 ():228-239.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM.L. López-Díaz; Rafael Benítez; Gerardo Moreno. 2017. "How do management techniques affect carbon stock in intensive hardwood plantations?" Forest Ecology and Management 389, no. : 228-239.
Rafael Benítez; J. Bolós Vicente; José-Luis Toca-Herrera. afmToolkit: an R Package for Automated AFM Force-Distance Curves Analysis. The R Journal 2017, 9, 291 -308.
AMA StyleRafael Benítez, J. Bolós Vicente, José-Luis Toca-Herrera. afmToolkit: an R Package for Automated AFM Force-Distance Curves Analysis. The R Journal. 2017; 9 (2):291-308.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRafael Benítez; J. Bolós Vicente; José-Luis Toca-Herrera. 2017. "afmToolkit: an R Package for Automated AFM Force-Distance Curves Analysis." The R Journal 9, no. 2: 291-308.
An algorithm, based on the wavelet scalogram energy, for automatically detecting events in force-extension AFM force spectroscopy experiments is introduced. The events to be detected are characterized by a discontinuity in the signal. It is shown how the wavelet scalogram energy has different decay rates at different points depending on the degree of regularity of the signal, showing faster decay rates at regular points and slower rates at singular points (jumps). It is shown that these differences produce peaks in the scalogram energy plot at the event points. Finally, the algorithm is illustrated in a tether analysis experiment by using it for the detection of events in the AFM force-extension curves susceptible to being considered tethers.
Rafael Benítez; V. J. Bolós. Searching events in AFM force-extension curves: A wavelet approach. Microscopy Research and Technique 2016, 80, 153 -159.
AMA StyleRafael Benítez, V. J. Bolós. Searching events in AFM force-extension curves: A wavelet approach. Microscopy Research and Technique. 2016; 80 (1):153-159.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRafael Benítez; V. J. Bolós. 2016. "Searching events in AFM force-extension curves: A wavelet approach." Microscopy Research and Technique 80, no. 1: 153-159.
This paper investigates the linkage between changes in 10-year government bond yields and stock returns for the major European countries in the time-frequency domain by using a number of cross-wavelet tools in the framework of the continuous wavelet transform, mainly the wavelet coherence and phase-difference. The results reveal that the degree of connection between 10-year bond rate movements and stock returns differs considerably among countries and also varies over time and depending on the time horizon considered. In particular, the UK shows the greatest interdependence between long-term interest rates and equity returns across time and frequencies, while the relationship is much weaker for several peripheral European countries such as Portugal, Ireland and Greece. The highest level of connection is observed for most countries since the onset of the recent global financial crisis. In addition, the significant linkage is mainly concentrated at investment horizons from one to 2 years.
Román Ferrer; Vicente J. Bolós; Rafael Benítez. Interest rate changes and stock returns: A European multi-country study with wavelets. International Review of Economics & Finance 2016, 44, 1 -12.
AMA StyleRomán Ferrer, Vicente J. Bolós, Rafael Benítez. Interest rate changes and stock returns: A European multi-country study with wavelets. International Review of Economics & Finance. 2016; 44 ():1-12.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRomán Ferrer; Vicente J. Bolós; Rafael Benítez. 2016. "Interest rate changes and stock returns: A European multi-country study with wavelets." International Review of Economics & Finance 44, no. : 1-12.
Rafael Benítez; V.J. Bolós. Blow-up collocation solutions of nonlinear homogeneous Volterra integral equations. Applied Mathematics and Computation 2015, 256, 754 -768.
AMA StyleRafael Benítez, V.J. Bolós. Blow-up collocation solutions of nonlinear homogeneous Volterra integral equations. Applied Mathematics and Computation. 2015; 256 ():754-768.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRafael Benítez; V.J. Bolós. 2015. "Blow-up collocation solutions of nonlinear homogeneous Volterra integral equations." Applied Mathematics and Computation 256, no. : 754-768.