Climate change in the temperature and precipitation at two contrasting sites of the Argentinean wheat region

Global climate change is shifting temperature and precipitation regimes, which is modifying the environments that define wheat yield and quality. The current work characterises the changes that have occurred in the thermal and hydric environment in two contrasting sites of the wheat-growing region of Argentina, allowing comparison between sites for these changes and for how the changes are accelerating. Temperature and precipitation variables were analysed by regression and trend testing (Mann Kendall), and future projections were made based upon significant relationships. The two sites compared were in the zones around the cities of Azul in the Province of Buenos Aires and Marcos Juárez in the Province of Córdoba, located approximately 500 km apart. The climate data analysed covered the period 1931–2014 for Azul and 1952–2014 for Marcos Juárez. At both sites, temperatures increased significantly in mean and extreme values over these periods, where the rate of change accelerated during the first years of the twenty-first century. The changes observed were in general more pronounced in Marcos Juárez than in Azul. Furthermore, in Marcos Juárez, mean precipitation increased from September to December and there was a higher frequency of extremes of precipitation greater than 100 mm in September and October during the early twenty-first century. Evidence was found for temperature rise and the occurrence of extreme temperature and precipitation events occurring differently between sites, as well as for its acceleration rate in the early twenty-first century. The projected future changes made implied that wheat yield is expected to suffer losses over the coming century.Fil: Basile, Silvana Marisol Lujan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnolológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Biotecnología. Laboratorio de Biología Funcional y Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Tognetti, Jorge Alberto. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Laboratorio de Fisiología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Gandini, Marcelo Luciano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnolológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Biotecnología. Laboratorio de Biología Funcional y Biotecnología; Argentina. Laboratorio de Investigación y Servicios En Teledetecci; ArgentinaFil: Rogers, William John. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnolológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Biotecnología. Laboratorio de Biología Funcional y Biotecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Analysis of localized muscular fatigue in athletes and sedentary subjects through frequency parameters of electromyographic signal

Although the analysis in the frequency domain of the Electromyographic Signal (EMG) has been used in the characterization of the localized muscular fatigue process, its application, specifically the Median Frequency (MF), is rarely explored in sports. The objective of this study was to verify the viability of the EMG signal application, through its frequency domain analysis, as a parameter for determination and differentiation of the behavior of localized muscle fatigue. Two groups of subjects, one characterized as athletes (n = 12) and the other as sedentary (n = 12), were submitted to analysis based on procedures from three different experimental situations, all involving isometric exercise modality: i) maximum test for determination of the Maximum Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVIC); ii) fatigue test, 35 sec. sustained load of 80% of MVIC; iii) recovery test, 10 sec. sustained load of 80% of MVIC. In the latter, the MF behavior in the three first (Fmedi) and three last (Fmedf) seconds of the EMG signal of tibialis anterior muscle during the fatigue test have been monitored. During the 10 seconds of the recovery test, MF was calculated regarding the whole period (Fmedr); this parameter was used to calculate the Muscular Recovery Index (MRI). The results showed that Fmedf presented lower value in relation to Fmedi in both groups (p 0.05). Therefore, the results presented in this study allow inferring the viability in the application of the frequency domain parameters of the EMG signal for the determination and differentiation of localized muscle fatigue behavior.Embora a análise no domínio da freqüência do sinal eletromiográfico (EMG) seja empregada na caracterização do processo de fadiga muscular localizada, sua aplicação, especificamente a da freqüência mediana (Fmed), é pouco explorada no âmbito esportivo. O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar a viabilidade da aplicação do sinal EMG, através de sua análise no domínio da freqüência, como parâmetro para determinação e diferenciação no comportamento da fadiga muscular localizada. Dois grupos de sujeitos, um caracterizado como atletas (n =12) e outro como sedentários (n =12), foram submetidos a análises baseadas em procedimentos executados em três diferentes situações experimentais, todos envolvendo a modalidade de exercício isométrico: i) teste máximo para determinação da contração isométrica voluntária máxima (CIVM); ii) teste de fadiga, sustentado por 35 seg. a 80% da CIVM; iii) teste de recuperação, sustentado por 10 seg. a 80% da CIVM; neste ultimo foi monitorado o comportamento da Fmed nos três primeiros (Fmedi) e três últimos segundos (Fmedf) do sinal EMG no músculo tibial anterior durante o teste de fadiga. Durante os 10 segundos do teste de recuperação foi calculada a Fmed referente a todo o período (Fmedr). parâmetro utilizado no cálculo do índice de recuperação muscular (IRM). Os resultados apontam que a Fmedf apresentou valor menor em relação à Fmedi em ambos os grupos (p 0,05). Dessa forma, os resultados apresentados neste estudo permitem inferir a viabilidade na aplicação de parâmetros no domínio da freqüência do sinal EMG para a determinação e diferenciação do comportamento da fadiga muscular localizada.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM) Programa de Pós-Graduação em Fisiologia do ExercícioUniversidade do Oeste Paulista Faculdade de FisioterapiaUnesp Laboratório de Fisioterapia Aplicada ao Movimento HumanoInstituto de Ensino e Pesquisa Movimentare® Fisioterapia e ReabilitaçãoUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM)UNIFESP, EPM, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Fisiologia do ExercícioUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

Haplotype block analysis of an Argentinean hexaploid wheat collection and GWAS for yield components and adaptation

Background: Increasing wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production is required to feed a growing human population. In order to accomplish this task a deeper understanding of the genetic structure of cultivated wheats and the detection of genomic regions significantly associated with the regulation of important agronomic traits are necessary steps. To better understand the genetic basis and relationships of adaptation and yield related traits, we used a collection of 102 Argentinean hexaploid wheat cultivars genotyped with the 35k SNPs array, grown from two to six years in three different locations. Based on SNPs data and gene-related molecular markers, we performed a haplotype block characterization of the germplasm and a genome-wide association study (GWAS). Results: The genetic structure of the collection revealed four subpopulations, reflecting the origin of the germplasm used by the main breeding programs in Argentina. The haplotype block characterization showed 1268 blocks of different sizes spread along the genome, including highly conserved regions like the 1BS chromosome arm where the 1BL/1RS wheat/rye translocation is located. Based on GWAS we identified ninety-seven chromosome regions associated with heading date, plant height, thousand grain weight, grain number per spike and fruiting efficiency at harvest (FEh). In particular FEh stands out as a promising trait to raise yield potential in Argentinean wheats; we detected fifteen haplotypes/markers associated with increased FEh values, eleven of which showed significant effects in all three evaluated locations. In the case of adaptation, the Ppd-D1 gene is consolidated as the main determinant of the life cycle of Argentinean wheat cultivars. Conclusion: This work reveals the genetic structure of the Argentinean hexaploid wheat germplasm using a wide set of molecular markers anchored to the Ref Seq v1.0. Additionally GWAS detects chromosomal regions (haplotypes) associated with important yield and adaptation components that will allow improvement of these traits through marker-assisted selection.Fil: Basile, Silvana Marisol Lujan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Ramírez, Ignacio Abel. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Crescente, Juan Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Córdoba. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Marcos Juárez; ArgentinaFil: Conde, Maria Belén. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Córdoba. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Marcos Juárez; ArgentinaFil: Demichelis, Melina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Córdoba. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Marcos Juárez; ArgentinaFil: Abbate, Pablo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Rogers, William John. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Pontaroli, Ana Clara. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Córdoba. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Marcos Juárez; ArgentinaFil: Helguera, Marcelo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Vanzetti, Leonardo Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires Sur. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentin

Aplicación de un modelo hidrológico-hidráulico para el pronóstico de niveles de agua en tiempo real

Se describe la aplicación de un modelo hidrológico-hidráulico para la generación de pronósticos de niveles de agua en tiempo real. El modelo está físicamente basado y espacialmente distribuido, simulando los procesos de la transformación lluvia-caudal y propagación de escurrimiento superficial en forma causi-2D en ambientes rurales y urbanos. La aplicación fue llevada a cabo en la cuenca de llanura del arroyo Ludueña (Santa Fe, Argentina). El modelo se constituyó, calibró y validó en el año 2008; posteriormente ha sido utilizado en 13 eventos lluviosos para generar pronósticos en tiempo real de niveles de agua, caudales, y volúmenes escurridos y almacenados en puntos característicos del dominio espacial. Los resultados indican un grado aceptable de representación del escurrimiento superficial en la sección de cierre de la cuenca, donde el promedio de los valores absolutos de los errores porcentuales entre los niveles máximos observados y calculados es de 10.8 y 20%, en términos de caudales y volúmenes. Además, se han alcanzado resultados aceptables en la reproducción de la forma general de las ondas de crecidas, así como en el pronóstico de la permanencia de niveles de agua sobre umbrales de alerta fijados de manera previaFil: Riccardi, Gerardo Adrian. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Ingeniería y Agrimensura. Escuela de Ingeniería Civil. Departamento de Hidráulica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Stenta, Hernan Roberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Ingeniería y Agrimensura. Escuela de Ingeniería Civil. Departamento de Hidráulica; ArgentinaFil: Scuderi, Carlos Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Ingeniería y Agrimensura. Escuela de Ingeniería Civil. Departamento de Hidráulica; ArgentinaFil: Basile, Pedro Abel. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Ingeniería y Agrimensura. Escuela de Ingeniería Civil. Departamento de Hidráulica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Zimmermann, Erik Daniel. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Ingeniería y Agrimensura. Escuela de Ingeniería Civil. Departamento de Hidráulica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Trivisonno, Franco Nicolás. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Ingeniería y Agrimensura. Escuela de Ingeniería Civil. Departamento de Hidráulica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario; Argentin

Natalizumab treatment shows low cumulative probabilities of confirmed disability worsening to EDSS milestones in the long-term setting.

Abstract Background Though the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is commonly used to assess disability level in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), the criteria defining disability progression are used for patients with a wide range of baseline levels of disability in relatively short-term trials. As a result, not all EDSS changes carry the same weight in terms of future disability, and treatment benefits such as decreased risk of reaching particular disability milestones may not be reliably captured. The objectives of this analysis are to assess the probability of confirmed disability worsening to specific EDSS milestones (i.e., EDSS scores ≥3.0, ≥4.0, or ≥6.0) at 288 weeks in the Tysabri Observational Program (TOP) and to examine the impact of relapses occurring during natalizumab therapy in TOP patients who had received natalizumab for ≥24 months. Methods TOP is an ongoing, open-label, observational, prospective study of patients with RRMS in clinical practice. Enrolled patients were naive to natalizumab at treatment initiation or had received ≤3 doses at the time of enrollment. Intravenous natalizumab (300 mg) infusions were given every 4 weeks, and the EDSS was assessed at baseline and every 24 weeks during treatment. Results Of the 4161 patients enrolled in TOP with follow-up of at least 24 months, 3253 patients with available baseline EDSS scores had continued natalizumab treatment and 908 had discontinued (5.4% due to a reported lack of efficacy and 16.4% for other reasons) at the 24-month time point. Those who discontinued due to lack of efficacy had higher baseline EDSS scores (median 4.5 vs. 3.5), higher on-treatment relapse rates (0.82 vs. 0.23), and higher cumulative probabilities of EDSS worsening (16% vs. 9%) at 24 months than those completing therapy. Among 24-month completers, after approximately 5.5 years of natalizumab treatment, the cumulative probabilities of confirmed EDSS worsening by 1.0 and 2.0 points were 18.5% and 7.9%, respectively (24-week confirmation), and 13.5% and 5.3%, respectively (48-week confirmation). The risks of 24- and 48-week confirmed EDSS worsening were significantly higher in patients with on-treatment relapses than in those without relapses. An analysis of time to specific EDSS milestones showed that the probabilities of 48-week confirmed transition from EDSS scores of 0.0–2.0 to ≥3.0, 2.0–3.0 to ≥4.0, and 4.0–5.0 to ≥6.0 at week 288 in TOP were 11.1%, 11.8%, and 9.5%, respectively, with lower probabilities observed among patients without on-treatment relapses (8.1%, 8.4%, and 5.7%, respectively). Conclusions In TOP patients with a median (range) baseline EDSS score of 3.5 (0.0–9.5) who completed 24 months of natalizumab treatment, the rate of 48-week confirmed disability worsening events was below 15%; after approximately 5.5 years of natalizumab treatment, 86.5% and 94.7% of patients did not have EDSS score increases of ≥1.0 or ≥2.0 points, respectively. The presence of relapses was associated with higher rates of overall disability worsening. These results were confirmed by assessing transition to EDSS milestones. Lower rates of overall 48-week confirmed EDSS worsening and of transitioning from EDSS score 4.0–5.0 to ≥6.0 in the absence of relapses suggest that relapses remain a significant driver of disability worsening and that on-treatment relapses in natalizumab-treated patients are of prognostic importance