Articles publicats (Química, Física i Ciències Ambientals i del Sòl)
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- ItemOpen AccessNew modified cosmology from a new generalized entropy(Elsevier, 2026) Luciano, Giuseppe Gaetano; Saridakis, E.N.We develop new modified cosmological scenarios by applying the first law of thermodynamics at the Universe horizon, utilizing a new entropic functional that generalizes the standard Boltzmann-Gibbs-Shannon entropy. In particular, starting from the general theory of entropy in terms of the probability distribution over the accessible microstates, and by imposing violation of the separability requirement and thus considering a generalized microstate scaling, we result to a generalized entropy expression, which applied in systems with boundaries yields a generalized holographic-like area-law scaling with two exponents. Hence, incorporating it within the gravity-thermodynamics framework we result to a modified cosmological scenario with additional terms which eventually give rise to an effective dark energy sector. We extract analytical expressions for the dark energy density and equation-of-state parameters, and we show that the Universe experiences the usual thermal history, with the sequence of matter and dark-energy eras. Additionally, depending on the values of the entropic exponents, the dark energy can be quintessence-like, phantom-like or experience the phantom-divide crossing during its evolution, ultimately stabilizing at the cosmological constant value in the asymptotic far future, a behavior richer than other entropic modified cosmologies.
- ItemOpen AccessForest restoration: one concept, multiple interpretations(Elsevier, 2026) Erdozain, Maitane; Madrid, Victoria; Àvila Callau, Aitor; Alberdi, Iciar; Cañellas, Isabel; Navarro-Cerrillo, Rafael M.; Palacios-Rodríguez, Guillermo; Palau, Jordi; Miguel Magaña, Sergio deForest restoration is gaining global momentum, with increasingly ambitious goals and targets. Yet, a fundamental challenge persists: reaching a shared understanding of what “forest restoration” and “forest adaptation” actually mean, concepts that are complex, dynamic and often interpreted differently in theory and practice. This study explores expert interpretations of forest restoration and adaptation by assessing levels of agreement, testing definitions through case studies, identifying influencing factors, and fostering dialogue to build mutual understanding and consensus. We applied the Delphi method, engaging 62 experts through one online and three in-person workshops to complete two successive questionnaires. While experts broadly agreed on preferred definitions, there was marked variability in their practical interpretations, especially regarding rewilding and passive restoration. To bridge these gaps, experts identified four widely supported criteria for defining forest restoration: long-term outcomes, focus on ecological processes and functions, delivery of ecosystem services and resilience to climate change (94, 91, 91 and 89% support, respectively). Differences in interpretation were partially linked to participants' gender, age and professional background, as well as to the ambiguous language used in existing definitions. These divergences pose a challenge for developing national restoration strategies and for assessing alignment with frameworks such as the EU Nature Restoration Regulation. Clarifying core concepts and incorporating diverse perspectives through participatory processes can foster greater consensus and more effective restoration planning.
- ItemOpen AccessExploring the biochemical basis of brown rot tolerance in interspecific Prunus spp. populations(Elsevier, 2026) Verde-Yáñez, Lucía; Vall-llaura, Núria; Lara Ayala, Isabel; Zaracho, Nathalia; Eduardo, Iban; Usall, Josep; Torres, RosarioBrown rot, caused by Monilinia spp., is one of the most economically important postharvest diseases affecting peaches and nectarines (Prunus persica L. Batsch). This study investigates the relationship between some biochemical traits (including the antioxidant profile and cuticular wax composition) and brown rot susceptibility. Fruit quality and biochemical traits were evaluated in two interspecific BC1 populations called NT1Ba and NT1Ca, derived from the peach and Prunus davidiana hybrids ‘Barrier’ and ‘Cadaman’, respectively, while cuticular wax composition analyses were performed in the NT1Ba population uniquely. While oxidative stress indicators, including antioxidant capacity (AC), total phenolic content (TPC) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), did not correlate with disease tolerance, significant differences were detected in cuticle yield and wax composition. Triterpenoids were the most abundant wax compounds, followed by fatty acids, alkanes, alcohols, aldehydes, and sterols. Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) analysis revealed that genotypes less susceptible to brown rot had higher cuticle yields and greater levels of acyclic compounds in the wax fraction, suggesting a role in enhancing physical barriers to fungal penetration. In contrast, more susceptible genotypes exhibited higher levels of triterpenes and sterols, together with higher fruit weight and pH, which may have facilitated fungal infection. Although these results require validation across additional genetic backgrounds, they suggest that cuticle traits, particularly the abundance of acyclic wax compounds, may play a key role in brown rot resistance in the NT1Ba population and could represent valuable targets for breeding programs.
- ItemOpen AccessThe Environmental Profile of a Building-Integrated Concentrating Photovoltaic System with Hexagonal Concentrators and Micro-Tracking: Embodied Energy and Other Indicators(MDPI, 2026) Lamnatou, Chrysovalantou; Maestro, Santiago; Chemisana Villegas, DanielThis paper aims to evaluate the eco-profile of a building-integrated concentrating photovoltaic system (photovoltaic-cell electrical efficiency: 21.6%; geometrical concentration ratio: 12.5×), extending previous work on the design and energetic/optical performance of this system (University of Lleida, Spain). There is a lack of studies on the eco-profile of these technologies; for this reason, this study is based on environmental life cycle assessment (case study: a building in Barcelona; tools: SimaPro/ecoinvent, inventory-of-carbon-and-energy). Focusing on global warming potential and cumulative energy demand, the impacts range from 341 to 507 kg CO2.eq/m2 and from 5660 to 7505 MJprim/m2. Energy and greenhouse-gas payback times vary between 2.5 and 6.7 years and are shorter than the useful life of this energy-generating element (pessimistic scenario: 15 years). Avoided-impact calculations have also been performed, verifying the benefits of this system during the use phase. Overall, the results are comparable to those of traditional photovoltaic systems. The additional advantage of the proposed modules is that they serve as an atrium and offer illumination, successfully combining the benefits of concentrating photovoltaics (high efficiency; reduction in the amount of solar-cell material required), two optical media (achromatic doublets), hexagonal solar concentrators (high packing efficiency) and micro-tracking (overcoming limitations of bulky external trackers).
- ItemOpen AccessKey technological levers of indoor LED-farming – pilot scale study, extrapolation to commercial scale, and space vantage point(Elsevier, 2026) Hessel, Volker; Jost, Ricarda; Escribà i Gelonch, Marc; Ann, Mary; Osorio-Tejada, Jose; Rosenthal, Ed; Lewsey, Mathew G.; Johnson, Kim L.Indoor/vertical farming evidently is much more energy dependent than is field- or conventional glasshouse farming. Industrially produced LED lighting replaces “free” sunlight, which intrinsically increases environmental footprint. Water/fertiliser irrigation replaces natural rain delivery of water and presence of soil nutrients. The need for HVAC (heating/cooling, ventilation, and air conditioning) causes extra efforts to overrule natural weather impacts. Summed up, literature reports about a gap of a factor of 10–1000 in energy and carbon footprint when using HVAC/LED-assisted farming as compared to field farming. This study follows a number of studies that have demonstrated how to equalise the latter effects, by levering the commercial benefits of indoor/vertical farming through advanced technological solutions. It goes beyond these studies when accessing the data robustness of actual crops grown in a bespoke high-tech research facility at pilot scale, levering data on automation, professional LED lighting at scale, and chiller / heater / HVAC operation at scale. In a cradle-factory-gate life cycle assessment focussing on the global warming potential (GWP), mechanicals is determined as key lever, with a higher impact than LED. The study shows, step by step, via advanced technological levers, how the initial high GWP footprint can be reduced to a level viable for commercial field farming. One key lever is the use of fast-growing tomato cultivars that produce large biomass weight on short area footprint (and short fruit ripening time). Other key levers are improvement in mechanicals, setting LED lights at best distance, fertiliser efficiency, and best tomato fruit quality. By LCA computation, this potential has been scaled up to a production scale of 3 tonnes tomatoes per year, respectively growing 1800 tomato plants in a 72 m2 LED-illuminated growth space in a 110 m2 compartment of the high-tech research facility. From there, another large scale-up step is undergone towards 3400 million tonnes of annual fruit/crop production, by virtue of accessing planning insight of the current largest indoor farm constructed globally, at the Melbourne Tullamarine Airport Precinct (10,000 m2 farm area in 150,000 m² land development).