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RESUMENLa lectura funcional de las puntas de palmela ha generado cierta confusión. Se han interpretado como elementos de lanza, jabalina y flecha o exclusivamente como objetos de prestigio. Presentamos un trabajo experimental donde se evalúa la viabilidad de estas puntas en los tres tipos de armas. La colección incluye 36 puntas de palmela de cobre y bronce bajo en estaño, utilizadas sobre una presa, en pruebas de distancia y balística. Se trata también de determinar la función a partir de los contextos arqueológicos donde aparecen estas piezas. Los resultados arrojan luz sobre la posible utilización de estos objetos como armas eficaces. ABSTRACT The function of palmela points has generated a certain confusion, being interpreted as the tips of a lance, javelin and of an arrow or exclusively as elements of prestige. The aim of this work is to present the results of experimentation on a prey with 36 palmela arrowheads of copper and low tin-bronze, in tests of distance and also of ballistics. It is a question of determining also the function from the archaeological contexts where these pieces appear. The results throw light on the possible utilization of these objects as effective weapon.Palabras clave: Puntas de palmela; Arqueología experimental; Arqueometalurgia; Calcolítico; Edad del Bronce; Península Ibérica.

Lemon essential oil (LEO) is known for having excellent antioxidant properties with applications in the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic sectors. However, its deficient stability to light and temperature compromise this activity. In this study, waxy emulsifiers, such as beewax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, and ozokerite wax, were employed in order to create lipidic matrixes with LEO as a continuous phase by heating to 80 °C under homogenization, followed by rapid cooling to 25 °C. The thermal, microstructural, rheological, and antioxidant tests were then conducted on such matrixes. The difference in melting, crystallization, and gelling temperatures was explained by the diverse chemical composition (long-chain wax esters in carnauba wax having a high melting point, and short-chain fatty acids and hydrocarbons in beewax and ozokerite wax, respectively). Crystal habits of these matrix systems varied from grainy, oval, to fiber-like shape, whereas there was a prevalent orthorhombic allomorph. The alignment and reorganization of carnauba and candelilla wax crystals led to an increase in the matrix strength as compared to those of beeswax and ozokerite matrixes, which showed a weak texture and poor crystallization behavior. The last two matrix systems showed the best flow and extensibility. These lipidic matrixes showed potential use for topical applications having good oil retention capacity and better antioxidant properties as compared to the raw essential oil.

Pook se Bos informal settlement and the Cape Town Water & Sanitation Services Department are partnering on an urban sanitation project with a Dutch Consortium consisting of Lettinga Associates Foundation (LeAF), Landustrie Sneek and Vitens-Evides International. The aim of the project is to improve the basic sanitation services provided in informal settlements through the implementation of the MobiSan approach. The approach consists of a communal Urine-Diversion and Dehydration Toilet (UDDT) built in a former sea shipping container. The system is independent of water, electricity or sewerage connection and it is maintained by full-time community caretakers who also act as hygiene promoters. The project seeks to link sanitation services with hygiene promotion in informal settlements while enhancing user satisfaction and reducing costs in providing basic sanitation services. This paper describes the preliminary experiences and lessons learnt during the implementation and evaluation of the MobiSan prototype and discusses its potential for replication. The MobiSan has proved to be an appropriate option by means of dealing successfully with shallow groundwater table, land availability and high settlement densities. In addition it has been demonstrated to be cost-competitive in terms of operating cost compared to chemical toilets.

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