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The terrains of the Western Costa del Sol in the westernmost Mediterranean represent an outstanding example of the influence of major tectonic and climatic factors in the development of the landscape. This region belongs to the Alboran domain, which is a small continental lithosphere fragment embedded between the large Eurasian and Africa n plates. The territory between Malaga and Marbella is composed mainly of the Sierra de Mijas and three adjacent subsidence areas: Malaga, Torremolinos, and Fuengirola basins. From the late Miocene, dip- faults of approximate directions N-S, NE-SW and NW-SE limited the Sierra de Mijas with respect to the adjacent subsidence areas and have marked the main features of the coastal morphology. Since then, the Sierra underwent mainly erosive processes linked to strong uplifting, while the surrounding basins were subjected to alternate stages of sedimentation and erosion. Thus, the paleogeographic and geomorphological evolution has been driven both by the regional tectonics and by significant base-level changes ranging from the spectacular Messinian low-stand to the catastrophic overflow at Gibraltar, followed by the global Late Tertiary and Quaternary sea-level changes. In the mountain relief, three different erosive leveling surfaces have been recognized, which developed in a staggered sequence during the Miocene, and are currently fragmented by tectonics at different elevations. The first two leveling surfaces, continental in origin, were carved during the Middle Miocene pro-part. The late one, correlating with Upper Miocene marine deposits from the Malaga basin, appears to correspond partially to an abrasion platform developed during the highstand of the late Tortonian. The strong incision of the fluvial network, especially due to the low sea-level during the Messinian salinity crisis, but also to the tectonic rise of the Sierra, has largely eroded these surfaces, which can be recognized only in narrow inter-fluvial areas. The noteworthy marine transgression in the Miocene-Pliocene transition reached the edge of the Sierra de Mijas, developing both a broad marine abrasion platform around it and the main stage of sedimentary filling in the Malaga basin. Tectonics combined with sea-level changes influenced the formation of a lower, second abrasion platform in the Torremolinos sector and along the S edge of the Sierra, showing continuity with the late Zanclean marine deposits in the Torremolinos and Fuengirola areas. During most of the late Pliocene and the Gelasian, the region remained emerged and subjected to erosion. Conversely, climate-eustatic changes throughout the Pleistocene and Holocene led to the development of three major generations of progradant alluvial fans interrupted by stages of erosion and incision of the fluvial network. In parallel, up to five episodes of travertine build-up occurred, usually coinciding with the humid and warm, odd- numbered isotopic stages., This study was supported with funding provided by Research Group RNM-146 of the “ Junta de Andalucía ” and project CGL2016-78577-P of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation . We thank the interesting criticisms and remarks of the editor Dr. Andrew James Plater, as well as those of two anonymous reviewers whose insightful remarks and suggestions have substantially improved the manuscript. We also wish to thank Mr. David Nesbitt for the English revision of the manuscript.

From the study of the planktonic foraminifer assemblages of the sediments of the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP)-Site 975 (Baleares), sea-surface temperature, seasonality and salinity for the Pliocene and Gelasian of the Western Mediterranean were estimated. The estimates were carried out by the modern analog technique (MAT) using PaleoUma, a calibration dataset of 735 North-Atlantic and Mediterranean core-tops. In order to compare Pliocene&ndash, Gelasian and present-day analog assemblages, the necessary reduction of the taxonomic variables leads to statistically insignificant increases in estimation error, assessed on the calibration dataset itself. In addition, the correlation with &delta, 18O results as an independent proxy, supports the use of MAT in order to establish the dominant paleoceanographic frameworks during the Pliocene and Gelasian. The SST curve shows an increase trend of the average value since the Early Zanclean (19.7 &plusmn, 1.8 &deg, C) to the Late Piacenzian (20.9 &plusmn, 1.7 &deg, C) and a decrease until the Late Gelasian (18.1 &plusmn, 1.4 &deg, C). The seasonality offers permanently lower estimates than the current value (9.8 &deg, C), reaching the closest values during the Late Gelasian (8.6 &plusmn, 0.8 &deg, C). The salinity estimates are overall slightly lower during the Zanclean (36.7&permil, &plusmn, 0.5&permil, ) than today (37.3&permil, ), whereas they reach up to more than 38.5&permil, in the Early Piacenzian. The paleoceanographic frameworks deduced from the combination of the paleoceanographic parameters suggest that the current water-deficit regime in the Mediterranean was clearly predominant throughout the Pliocene and Gelasian. However, since the Piacenzian this regime alternates with stages of water surplus, which are especially frequent in the late Piacenzian. By the middle of the Early Gelasian the regime becomes more predominantly in deficit again.

From a functional standpoint, the humerus is a key element in the skeleton of vertebrates as it is the forelimb&rsquo, s bone that connects with the pectoral girdle. In most birds, the humerus receives both the forces exerted by the main flight muscles and the aerodynamical stresses exerted upon the wing during locomotion. Despite this functional preeminence, broad scale studies of the morphological disparity of the humerus in the crown group of birds (Neornithes) are lacking. Here, we explore the variation in shape of the humeral outline in modern birds and its evolutionary relationship with size and the evolution of different functional regimes, including several flight strategies, wing propelled diving and complete loss of wing locomotory function. Our findings suggest that most neornithines evolved repeatedly towards a general humeral morphology linked with functional advantages related with more efficient flapping. Lineages evolving high-stress locomotion such as hyperaeriality (e.g., swifts), hovering (e.g., hummingbirds) and wing-propelled diving (e.g., penguins) greatly deviate from this general trend, each exploring different morphologies. Secondarily flightless birds deviate to a lesser degree from their parent clades in humeral morphology likely as a result of the release from constraints related with wing-based locomotion. Furthermore, these taxa show a different allometric trend that flighted birds. Our results reveal that the constraints of aerial and aquatic locomotion are main factors shaping the macroevolution of humeral morphology in modern birds.

An interdisciplinary study based on lithostratigraphic, biostratigraphic, petrographic and mineralogical analyses has been performed in order to establish the Cenozoic tectono-sedimentary evolution of the El Habt and Ouezzane Tectonic Units (External Intrarif Subzone, External Rif, Morocco). The reconstructed record allowed identification of the depositional architecture and related sedimentary processes of the considered units. The Cenozoic successions were biochronologically defined allowing, at the same time, identification of unconformities and associated stratigraphic gaps. The presence of five unconformities allowed for the definition of the main stratigraphic units arranged in a regressive trend: (1) lower Paleocene interval (Danian p.p.) assigned to a deep basin, (2) Eocene interval (lower Ypresian-lower Bartonian p.p.) from a deep basin to an external carbonate-siliceous platform, (3) lower Rupelian-upper Chattian p.p. interval deposited on unstable slope with turbidite channels passing upward to an external siliciclastic platform, (4) Burdigalian p.p. interval from a slope, (5) Langhian-Serravallian p.p. interval from slope to external platform realms. The petrography of the arenites and calcarenites allowed for the identification of the supplies derived from erosion of a recycled orogen (transitional and quartzose subtypes). The clay-mineralogy analysis indicates an unroofing (first erosion of Cretaceous terrains followed by upper Jurassic rocks) always accomplished by erosion of Cenozoic terrains. Several tectofacies checked in some stratigraphic intervals seem to indicate the beginning of deformation of the basement generating gentle folds and first activation of blind thrusts, mainly during the Paleogene. A preorogenic tectonic framework is considered as responseto the generalized tectonic inversion (from extension to compression) as frequently registered in the central-western peri-Mediterranean areas. The large volumes of reworked terrigeneous supply during the latest Oligocene-Miocene p.p. indicates the beginningsof the synorogenic sedimentation (foredeep stage of the basins) controlled by active tectonics.

espanolDe entre los muchos elementos arquitectonicos dispersos por el termino municipal de Caceres (ciudad historica incluida en el Patrimonio Mundial de la UNESCO) hay uno en estado de ruina, conocido como “ermita de San Jorge”, que en el estado actual del conocimiento algunos autores consideran un edificio religioso por el hecho de tener una estructura de nave diafana y una serie de pinturas con motivos religiosos. La investigacion resumida en este articulo: 1. Se ha realizado con metodologia arquitectonica, recabando los datos conocidos y realizando un levantamiento arquitectonico de la estructura del edificio, no solo de la geometria de los restos, sino del sistema estructural, asi como del analisis del emplazamiento. 2. Demuestra que la estructura resistente de los restos constructivos corresponde en realidad a un edificio de almacen de agua (aljibe), emplazado en un camino historico de la red caminera de Caceres y en las inmediaciones de la torre medieval de Los Mogollones. EnglishAmong the many scattered architectural elements in the municipality of Caceres, an UNESCO World Heritage historical city, there is one in ruins known as the “hermitage of San Jorge”. The current state of knowledge leads some scholars to consider it a religious building, because of its nave structure and a series of paintings with religious motifs. The research summarized in this article: 1. Has been done following an architectural methodology, gathering known data and making an architectural survey of the building structure which includes the geometry of the ruins and the study of the materials and construction system, as well as a location analysis. 2. Demonstrates that the sturdy structure of the building ruins corresponds in reality to a water supply cistern, located on a historic road of Caceres’ road network and in the vicinity of the medieval tower of Los Mogollones. portuguesEntre os muitos elementos arquitetonicos dispersos por todo o municipio de Caceres (cidade historica incluida no Patrimonio Mundial da UNESCO), ha um em estado de ruina, conhecido como “ermida de Sao Jorge”, que, segundo o estado atual de conhecimento alguns autores consideram ser um edificio religioso pelo facto de possuir uma estrutura de nave aberta e uma serie de pinturas com motivos religiosos. A pesquisa resumida neste artigo: 1. Foi realizada com metodologia arquitetonica, reunindo os dados conhecidos e realizando um levantamento arquitetonico da estrutura do edificio, nao apenas da geometria das ruinas, mas do sistema estrutural, bem como a analise do local. 2. Demonstra que a estrutura da construcao em ruinas corresponde na realidade a um edificio de armazenamento de agua (cisterna), localizado numa estrada historica da rede rodoviaria de Caceres, na proximidade da torre medieval de Los Mogollones.

The morphology of both crowns and tooth-roots reflects dietary specialisation in mammalian carnivores. In this article, we analyse the tooth-root morphology of maxillary teeth from CT scans of living bears (Ursus arctos, Ursus americanus, Ursus maritimus, Ursus thibetanus, Melursus ursinus, Helarctos malayanus, Tremarctos ornatus and Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in order to make inferences about the diet and feeding behaviour of the extinct cave bear (Ursus spelaeus sensu lato). Specifically, we investigate two major mitochondrial clades of extinct cave bears recognized by previous authors: Ursus ingressus and Ursus spelaeus (U. spelaeus spelaeus, U. spelaeus ladinicus, U. spelaeus eremus). Our results indicate a close association between tooth-root surface area and feeding behaviour in all living bear species. Tooth-root surface area values of cave bears suggest that they relied more on vegetative matter than living brown bears (Ursus arctos) but subtle differences between these species/subspecies could also indicate different feeding strategies among the members of cave bear complex.

Intermittent flight through flap-gliding (alternating flapping phases and gliding phases with spread wings) or bounding (flapping and ballistic phases with wings folded against the body) are strategies to optimize aerial efficiency which are commonly used among small birds today. The broad morphological disparity of Mesozoic birds suggests that a range of aerial strategies could have evolved early in avian evolution. Based on biomechanics and aerodynamic theory, this study reconstructs the flight modes of two small enantiornithines from the Lower Cretaceous fossil site of Las Hoyas (Spain): Concornis lacustris and Eoalulavis hoyasi. Our results show that the short length of their wings in relation to their body masses were suitable for flying through strict flapping and intermittent bounds, but not through facultative glides. Aerodynamic models indicate that the power margins of these birds were sufficient to sustain bounding flight. Our results thus suggest that C. lacustris and E. hoyasi would have increased aerial efficiency through bounding flight, just as many small passerines and woodpeckers do today. Intermittent bounding appears to have evolved early in the evolutionary history of birds, at least 126 million years ago.

An interdisciplinary study of Miocene successions in the eastern External Betic Zone (South Iberian Margin) was carried out. Evidences of syn-sedimentary tectonic activity were recognized. The results enabled a better reconstruction of the stratigraphic architecture (with an improved chronostratigraphic resolution) in the framework of the Miocene foredeep evolution of the eastern EBZ. Two main depositional sequences were dated as uppermost Burdigalian-upper Serravallian p.p. and middle-upper Tortonian. p.p., respectively. The vertical and lateral diversification of lithofacies associations and thicknesses resulted from the syn-depositional tectonic complexity of the area. A great variety of sedimentary depositional realms is due to different subsidence rates, and the growing of anticlines and synclines during the Langhian p.p.-Serravallian. After a regression with an early Tortonian erosional gap, platform to hemipelagic realms developed during the middle Tortonian. The end of the sedimentation coincided with the emplacement of an important olisthostrome-like mass consisting of Triassic material related to either the development of thrust systems or diapirs emerged in the middle-late Tortonian, during the nappe emplacement. Correlations with other external sectors of the Betic Chain, and the external domains of the Rif, Tell, and northern Apennine Chains highlighted a similar Miocene foredeep evolution during the building of these orogens. CGL2016-75679-P; Research supported by Grants from Urbino University (Responsible M. Tramontana)

Our knowledge of the diversity, ecology, and phylogeny of Mesozoic birds has increased significantly during recent decades, yet our understanding of their flight competence remains poor. Wing loading (WL) and aspect ratio (AR) are two aerodynamically relevant parameters, as they relate to energy costs of aerial locomotion and flight maneuverability. They can be calculated in living birds (i.e., Neornithes) from body mass (BM), wingspan (B), and lift surface (SL). However, the estimates for extinct birds can be subject to biases from statistical issues, phylogeny, locomotor adaptations, and diagenetic compaction. Here we develop a sequential approach for generating reliable multivariate models that allow estimation of measurements necessary to determineWLandARin the main clades of non-neornithine Mesozoic birds. The strength of our predictions is supported by the use of those variables that show similar scaling patterns in modern and stem taxa (i.e., non-neornithine birds) and the similarity of our predictions with measurements obtained from fossils preserving wing outlines. In addition, although ourWLandARvalues are based on estimates (BM,B, andSL) that have an associated error, there is no cumulative error in their calculation, and both parameters show low prediction errors. Therefore, we present the first taxonomically broad, error-calibrated estimation of these two important aerodynamic parameters in non-neornithine birds. Such estimates show that theWLandARof the non-neornithine birds here analyzed fall within the range of variation of modern birds (i.e., Neornithes). Our results indicate that most modern flight modes (e.g., continuous flapping, flap and gliding, flap and bounding, thermal soaring) were possible for the wide range of non-neornithine avian taxa; we found no evidence for the presence of dynamic soaring among these early birds.

Ancient evidence of human presence in Europe is recorded in several Early Pleistocene archaeopalaeontological sites from Spain, France and Italy. This is the case of Barranco León (BL) and Fuente Nueva-3 (FN-3), two localities placed near the town of Orce (depression of Baza and Guadix, SE Spain) and dated to ~1.4 Ma. At these sites, huge assemblages of Oldowan tools and evidence of defleshing, butchering and marrow processing of large mammal bones have been recovered together with a deciduous tooth of Homo sp. in the case of level BL-D. In this study, we: (i) describe in detail the anthropic marks found in the bone assemblages from these sites; (ii) analyse patterns of defleshment, butchery and marrow processing, based on the modifications identified in the cortical surface of the fossils; and (iii) discuss on the subsistence strategies of the first hominins that inhabited the European subcontinent during Early Pleistocene times.

© 2018 Elsevier Ltd. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. This author accepted manuscript is made available following 24 month embargo from date of publication (October 2018) in accordance with the publisher’s archiving policy, Atmospheric conditions are critical for a range of biological functions—locomotion among others—and long-term changes in these conditions have been identified as causal for different macroevolutionary patterns. Here we examine the influence of variations in atmospheric O2 concentration (AOC), temperature (Tair), and air density (ρair) on the power efficiency, as it relates to locomotion, during the evolutionary history of birds. Specifically, our study centers on four key evolutionary events: (1) the body mass reduction of non-avian theropods prior to the rise of birds; (2) the emergence of flapping flight in the earliest birds; (3) the divergence of basal pygostylians; and (4) the diversification of modern birds. Our results suggest that a marked increase in AOC and ρair during the Middle Jurassic—coeval with a trend in miniaturization—improved the power efficiency of the dinosaurian predecessors of birds. Likewise, an increase in these conditions is hypothesized as having played a major role in the diversification of early pygostylians during the Early Cretaceous. However, our analyses do not identify any significant paleoatmospheric effects on either the emergence of flapping flight or the early cladogenesis of modern birds. Extinct birds flew within the range of atmospheric conditions in which modern birds fly but varying past conditions influenced their flight performance. Our study thus highlights the importance of considering paleoatmospheric conditions when reconstructing the flight efficiency of the forerunners of modern birds., Funding was provided by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Research Project CGL2015-68300-P and CGL2016-78577-P). F.J. Serrano was supported by a Postdoctoral Fellowship Agreement between the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (California, USA) and the Sierra Elvira Foundation (Granada, Spain). Mrs. Gretchen Augustyn and family provided support to the Dinosaur Institute (NHM).

Sedimentary and mineralogical analyses were performed in the Neogene Agost Basin (External Domain, Betic Cordillera) to reconstruct relationships between tectonics and sedimentation, and source areas evolution over time. The sedimentary analysis allowed defining two sedimentary sequences: (1) Lower Stratigraphic Unit, Serravallian p.p. and (2) Upper Stratigraphic Unit, post Lower Tortonian (Upper Miocene p.p.) separated by an angular unconformity. They consist of marine (lithofacies L-1 to L-3) and continental (lithofacies L-4 to L-8) deposits, respectively. The analysis of mineralogical assemblages and some XRD parameters of the sedimentary sequences and older formations allowed recognizing a sedimentary evolution controlled by the activation of different source areasover time. In particular, the Ill+Kln±Sme+Chl claymineral association characterizes the supply from Triassic formations; the Ill+Kln+Sme association from Albian formations; the Sme+Ill±Kln+(I-S) and Sme+Ill±Kln associations from Upper Cretaceous p.p. formations; and the Sme+Ill±Kln+(I-S) association from Paleogene formations, testifying a tectonic mobility of the basin margins differentiated over time. This reconstruction leads to propose detailed relationships between types of deposits and provenance and not a classic ?unroofing?, as follows: (i) the lithofacies L-1 (lithofacies L-2 and L-3 were not analysed) is characterized by the Ill+Kln+Sme mineralogical association indicating an origin from the Albian formations; (ii) the lithofacies L-4 shows a mixture of Ill+Kln+Sme and Sme+Ill+Kln associations sourced from the Albian and Upper Cretaceous formations; (iii) the lithofacies L-5 is characterized by the Sme+Ill±Kln+(I-S) association indicating a provenance from the Upper Cretaceous and Paleogene formations, and (iv) the lithofacies L-6 to L-8 are characterized by the Ill+Kln±Sme+Chl association indicating a supply mainly from Triassic deposits. The evolutionary sedimentary model reconstructed for the Agost Basin, which improves a previous contribution about the same area, has been correlated with those reported in other intramontane Neogene basins in the Betic-Rifian Arc studied with similar resolution, this obtaining useful information for regional reconstructions. Research supported by: Research Project CGL2016-75679-P, Spanish Ministry of Education and Science; Research Groups and Projects of the Generalitat Valenciana, Alicante University (CTMAIGA); Research Group RNM 146, Junta de Andalucía; Grants from University of Urbino Carlo Bo, responsible M. Tramontana.

The External Tanger Unit represents one of the most complete Cretaceous-Miocene successions in the central areas of the Internal Intrarif sub-Domain (External Rif Zones, Morocco). An interdisciplinary study has been carried out to propose a new characterization of this unit which would allow a better comprehension of the confused and complex relationships among different units of the same sub-domain. The results achieved can be summarized as follows: (1) redefinition of the stratigraphic (litho-, bio-, and chrono-) record and introduction of a new, informal lithostratigraphic terminology; (2) recognition of two main depositional sequences (lower-middle Eocene p.p. and lower Oligocene p.p.-lower Miocene p.p.) separated by extended gaps (latest Cretaceous-early Eocene p.p. and middle Eocene p.p.-early Oligocene p.p.); (3) reconstruction of the evolution of the sedimentary realm, and of the relationships between tectonics and sedimentation; and (4) comparison between the upper Cretaceous-Miocene stratigraphic record and tectonic events of the Intrarif, which is located in the western external portion of the Maghrebian Flysch Basin, and the equivalent sedimentary record of the eastern portion of this basin in the Tunisian Tell. More in general, our results allowed (i) a first reconstruction of the Cretaceous-Miocene main tectono-sedimentary events; (ii) a more detailed location of the sedimentary suite in the external African Margin in the context of a wider palaeogeographic framework; and (iii) the definition of the main stages of the geological evolution of the area. Research supported by: Research Project CGL2016-75679-P, Spanish Ministry of Education and Science; Research Groups and Projects of the Generalitat Valenciana, Alicante University (CTMAIGA); Research Group RNM 146, Junta de Andalucía; grants from the University of Urbino Carlo Bo, responsible M. Tramontana.

The Agost Basin is characterized by a Miocene–Quaternary shallow marine and continental infilling controlled by the evolution of several curvilinear faults involving salt tectonics derived from Triassic rocks. From the Serravallian on, the area experienced a horizontal maximum compression with a rotation of the maximum stress axis from E–W to N–S. The resulting deformation gave rise to a strike-slip fault whose evolution is characterized progressively by three stages: (1) stepover/releasing bend with a dextral motion of blocks; (2) very close to pure horizontal compression; and (3) restraining bend with a sinistral movement of blocks. In particular, after an incipient fracturing stage, faults generated a pull-apart basin with terraced sidewall fault and graben subzones developed in the context of a dextral stepover during the lower part of late Miocene p.p. The occurrence of Triassic shales and evaporites played a fundamental role in the tectonic evolution of the study area. The salty material flowed along faults during this stage generating salt walls in root zones and salt push-up structures at the surface. During the purely compressive stage (middle part of late Miocene p.p.) the salt walls were squeezed to form extrusive mushroom-like structures. The large amount of clayish and salty material that surfaced was rapidly eroded and deposited into the basin, generating prograding fan clinoforms. The occurrence of shales and evaporites (both in the margins of the basin and in the proper infilling) favored folding of basin deposits, faulting, and the formation of rising blocks. Later, in the last stage (upper part of late Miocene p.p.), the area was affected by sinistral restraining conditions and faults must have bent to their current shape. The progressive folding of the basin and deformation of margins changed the supply points and finally caused the end of deposition and the beginning of the current erosive systems. On the basis of the interdisciplinary results, the Agost Basin can be considered a key case of the interference between salt tectonics and the evolution of strike-slip fault zones. The reconstructed model has been compared with several scaled sandbox analogical models and with some natural pull-apart basins. Research supported by: Research Project CGL2016-75679-P, Spanish Ministry of Education and Science; Research Groups and Projects of the Generalitat Valenciana, Alicante University (CTMA-IGA); Research Group RNM 146, Junta de Andalucía; Grants from University of Urbino “Carlo Bo”, responsible M. Tramontana.

During the late Pleistocene of North America (≈36,000 to 10,000 years ago), saber-toothed cats, American lions, dire wolves, and coyotes competed for prey resources at Rancho La Brea (RLB). Despite the fact that the giant short-faced bear (Arctodus simus) was the largest land carnivoran present in the fauna, there is no evidence that it competed with these other carnivores for prey at the site. Here, for the first time, we report carious lesions preserved in specimens of A. simus, recovered from RLB. Our results suggest that the population of A. simus from RLB was more omnivorous than the highly carnivorous populations from the Northwest. This dietary variation may be a consequence of different competitive pressures. Funding for this project was provided by the ‘Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO), grant (CGL2015-58300P) to BF, and a University of Alicante grant n° uausti15–03 to AR. FJS possess postdoctoral grant at Los Angeles County Natural History Museum (Dinosaur Institute, NHM) and the Sierra Elvira Foundation (Spain). APR is a FPI fellow of the Spanish MINECO (BES-2013-065469) associated to the project (CGL2012-37866) of BF.

Several flight modes are thought to have evolved during the early evolution of birds. Here, we use a combination of computational modelling and morphofunctional analyses to infer the flight properties of the raven-sized, Early Cretaceous birdSapeornis chaoyangensis—a likely candidate to have evolved soaring capabilities. Specifically, drawing information from (i) mechanical inferences of the deltopectoral crest of the humerus, (ii) wing shape (i.e. aspect ratio), (iii) estimations of power margin (i.e. difference between power required for flight and available power from muscles), (iv) gliding behaviour (i.e. forward speed and sinking speed), and (v) palaeobiological evidence, we conclude thatS. chaoyangensiswas a thermal soarer with an ecology similar to that of living South American screamers. Our results indicate that as early as 125 Ma, some birds evolved the morphological and aerodynamic requirements for soaring on continental thermals, a conclusion that highlights the degree of ecological, functional and behavioural diversity that resulted from the first major evolutionary radiation of birds.

During the last decade, severalBohaiornis-like enantiornithine species—and numerous specimens—have been recognized from the celebrated Jehol Biota of northwestern China. In this paper, we describe the anatomy of another “bohaiornithid” species from the 125 million-year-old Yixian Formation of Liaoning Province, China. The new taxon differs from previously recognized “bohaiornithids” on a number of characters from the forelimb and shoulder girdle. We also provide a new phylogenetic framework for enantiornithine birds, which questions the monophyly of the previously recognized bohaiornithid clade and highlights ongoing challenges for resolving enantiornithine interrelationships. Additionally, we offer the first assessment of the flight properties ofBohaiornis-like enantiornithines. Our results indicate that while “bohaiornithids” were morphologically suited for flying through continuous flapping, they would have been unable to sustain prolonged flights. Such findings expand the flight strategies previously known for enantiornithines and other early birds.

In polymer nanocomposites, the interface region between the matrix and the fillers has been identified as a key interaction region that strongly determines the properties of the final material. Determining its structure is crucial from several points of view, from modeling (i.e., properties prediction) to materials science (i.e., understanding properties/structure relationships). In the presented paper, a method for characterizing the interface region of polymer nanocomposites is described using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. In particular, the structure of the polymer within the interface region together with its dimension in terms of thickness were analyzed through density profiles. Epoxy resin nanocomposites based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) were studied using this approach, and the interface region with triple walled carbon nanotubes (TWCNT) and carbon fibers (CF) was characterized. The effect of carbon nanotube diameter, type of hardener, and effect of epoxy resin cross-linking degree on interface thickness were analyzed using MD models. From this analysis no general rule on the effect of these parameters on the interface thickness could be established, since in some cases overlapping effects between the analyzed parameters were observed, and each specific case needs to be analyzed independently in detail. Results show that the diameter has an impact on interface thickness, but this effect is affected by the cross-linking degree of the epoxy resin. The type of hardener also has a certain influence on the interface thickness.

We describe an exquisitely preserved new avian fossil (BMNHC-PH-919) from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of eastern Inner Mongolia, China. Although morphologically similar to Cathayornithidae and other small-sized enantiornithines from China's Jehol Biota, many morphological features indicate that it represents a new species, here named Junornis houi. The new fossil displays most of its plumage including a pair of elongated, rachis-dominated tail feathers similarly present in a variety of other enantiornithines. BMNHC-PH-919 represents the first record of a Jehol enantiornithine from Inner Mongolia, thus extending the known distribution of these birds into the eastern portion of this region. Furthermore, its well-preserved skeleton and wing outline provide insight into the aerodynamic performance of enantiornithines, suggesting that these birds had evolved bounding flight-a flight mode common to passeriforms and other small living birds-as early as 125 million years ago.

Nerja Cave is a karstic cavity used by humans from Late Paleolithic to post-Chalcolithic times. Remains of molluscan foods in the uppermost Pleistocene and Holocene sediments were studied with cluster analysis and principal components analysis, in bothQ and R modes. The results from cluster analysis distinguished interval groups mainly in accordance with chronology and distinguished assemblages of species mainly according to habitat. Significant changes in the shellfish diet through time were revealed. In the Late Magdalenian, most molluscs consumed consisted of pulmonate gastropods and species from sandy sea bottoms. The Epipaleolithic diet was more varied and included species from rocky shorelines. From the Neolithic onward most molluscs consumed were from rocky shorelines. From the principal components analysis inQ mode, the first factor reflected mainly changes in the predominant capture environment, probably because of major paleogeographic changes. The second factor may reflect selective capture along rocky coastlines during certain times. The third factor correlated well with the sea-surface temperature curve in the western Mediterranean (Alboran Sea) during the late Quaternary.

A study about of the influence of CNTs elastic properties in polymer nanocomposites is presented. These properties are assumed to be dependent on the CNTs diameter and number of walls, identified as key characteristics of these reinforcements. The analysis is carried out using a micromechanical model based on the mean field homogenization theory for the prediction of the composite elastic properties of a MWCNT – epoxy resin system. A transversally isotropic elastic behavior has been considered for the CNTs based on values/dependencies reported in the literature. Interphase properties between the CNT and epoxy resin has been investigated by means of molecular dynamics simulations.

Climate change and ecological crisis are a huge threat to Europe and the world. To overcome these challenges, Europe adopted the New Green Deal as a strategy transforming the Union into a competitive resource-efficient economy without greenhouse gas emissions and become carbon neutral in a few decades. The European Green Deal includes the new circular economy action plan, highlighting the importance of a products’ “green design”, saving raw materials, and waste prevention oriented along the entire life cycle of products. Construction and buildings represent one of the key topics for the green transition. In the European Union, buildings are responsible for 40% of our energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions, which are mainly caused by construction, usage, renovation, and demolition. Improving environmental efficiency can play a key role in reaching the carbon neutrality of Europe that is expected to be achieved by 2050. In this research, it was explored how Eco-design, as an innovative approach in buildings and construction, Life Cycle Thinking and Life Cycle Assessment, as fundamental supporting tools in sustainability, and finally appropriate and effective Construction and Demolition Waste recycling processes, particularly oriented to concrete recycling according to the case studies analyzed, can promote a circular economy in buildings and construction.