Conservación de nutrientes, precisión de los análisis y control de calidad de una base de datos oceanográfica con nutrientes inorgánicos, oxígeno disuelto y clorofila a del Mediterráneo noroccidental

Oceanographic data from 28 cruises performed in the NW Mediterranean Sea between 1982 and 2003 and data from historical databases, amounting to more than 100000 data points, are used to define the quality control ranges at standard level depths of dissolved inorganic nutrients, dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll a. The quality of each of the key variables and the analytical precision are assessed. The results indicate that freezing is a valid preservation method for phosphate, nitrate, silicate and nitrite in samples from the NW Mediterranean Sea, though their relative error increases (6.3%, –1.6%, –2.5% and –11.4%, respectively). In contrast, freezing nutrient samples on the cruises gathered negatively affected the analytical precision and accuracy of the ammonium analysis. The analysis precision is also estimated using different approximations, the most realistic being the use of replicate samples from the same sampling bottle. Except for phosphate and dissolved oxygen, specific quality control ranges for mixed water columns, usually found in winter, have to be defined, since the surface concentrations are particularly high due to deep water mixing. The quality-controls described in this work are an important and useful tool for validating data and for detecting erroneous or anomalous data obtained in both historical and future works in the NW Mediterranean Sea.Se han utilizado datos oceanográficos de 28 campañas realizadas entre 1982 y 2003 en el Mediterráneo noroccidental, así como de bases de datos históricas, para definir rangos de control de calidad en niveles de profundidad estándares para nutrientes inorgánicos, oxígeno disuelto y clorofila a. La calidad de cada una de estas variables clave, así como la precisión analítica, han sido evaluadas. Los resultados indican que la congelación es un método válido para conservar las concentraciones de fosfato, nitrato, silicato y nitrito en muestras procedentes del Mediterráneo noroccidental, aunque el error relativo del análisis incrementa (6.3%, –1.6%, –2.5% y –11.4% respectivamente). En cambio, en las campañas recopiladas la congelación de muestras de nutrientes ha afectado negativamente a la precisión y exactitud del análisis de amonio. La precisión de los análisis también ha sido estimada utilizando diferentes aproximaciones, siendo la más realista el uso de réplicas procedentes de la misma botella de muestreo. Excepto para fosfato y oxígeno disuelto, se han definido rangos de control de calidad específicos en condiciones de columnas de agua mezcladas, típicas de invierno, puesto que las concentraciones superficiales resultan particularmente elevadas debido a la mezcla con aguas profundas. Los rangos de control de calidad descritos en el presente trabajo son una herramienta útil e importante para validar datos oceanográficos, para detectar datos erróneos o anómalos, obtenidos en el pasado o futuros trabajos en el Mediterráneo noroccidental

Common turbulent signature in sea surface temperature and chlorophyll maps

5 pages, 3 figuresOceans and 2D turbulence present similar characteristics, as for instance the dominant role played by eddies in energy and matter transport. However, providing a complete justification of this analogy is difficult, as it requires knowledge of the ocean's dynamic state at different instants and over large scales. Recently, new techniques coming from the Microcanonical Multifractal Formalism have made it possible to infer the streamlines from the analysis of satellite images of some scalar variables. In this paper, we will show that this information is enough to characterize the scaling properties of the energy cascade, which is manifested as a multifractal signature; further, the multifractal signature is obtained at each location in a local basis. Different scalars obtained from satellite measurements such as Sea Surface Temperature or Surface Chlorophyll Concentration present essentially the same multifractal structure, which is interpreted as a consequence of the pervading character of the turbulent advection at the scales of observationA. Turiel is contracted under the Ramón y Cajal program by the Spanish Ministry of Education. V. Nieves is supported by a Ph.D. grant funded by MERSEA. C. Llebot is supported by a Ph.D. grant funded by CSIC, J. Solé is supported by a post-doc grant funded by EU Streps Project SEEDS. This work is a contribution to the MERSEA project. Partial support from the European Commission under contract SIP3-CT-2003-502885 is gratefully acknowledged. This work is also a contribution to the Spanish projects ESEOO (VEM2003- 20577-C14-10), MIDAS-4 (ESP2005-06823-C05-1) and OCEANTECH (PIF-2006)Peer reviewe

The promotion and assessment of generic skills from interdisciplinary teaching teams

Document relacionat amb: L'avaluació de les competències transversals des d'equips docents transversals: una comparació de les experiències docents d'història econòmica, matemàtiques i entorn econòmic del grau d'ADE i del grau d'Economia de la Facultat d'Economia i Empresa (INNOVADOC - http://hdl.handle.net/2445/47289)The paper explains a teaching project financed by the University of Barcelona (UB). It focuses on a generic skill of the University of Barcelona, which is defined as "the learning capability and responsibility”, and in which analytical and synthesis skills are included. It follows a multidisciplinary approach including teachers of Mathematics, World Economics and Economic History. All of us share the same students during the first and the second course of the grade in Economics at the Faculty of Economics and Business. The project has been developed in three stages. The first one has been done during the first semester of the course 2012/13, being applied to first year students on the subjects of Mathematics and Economic History. The second phase is being to be done during the second semester only on the Economic History subject. A third stage is going to be done next course 2013/14 to second year students on the subject of World Economics. Each different teaching team has developed specific materials and assessment tools for each one of the subjects included in the project. The project emphasizes two teaching dimensions: the elaboration of teaching materials to promote the acquisition of generic skills from an interdisciplinary point of view, and the design of specific tools to assess such skills. The first results of the first phase of the project shows clear deficiencies in the analytical skill regarding to first year students.2012PID-UB/00

TURECOTOX and ECOALFACS Projects: Contributions of two GEOHAB Endorsed Projects

Berdalet, Elisa ... et. al.-- Global Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms (GEOHAB) Synthesis Open Science Meeting, 24-26 April 2013, Paris, FranceFrom 2009 to 2013, the TURECOTOX (CTM2006-13884-C02-00/MAR) and ECOALFACS (CTM2009- 09581) projects, endorsed by GEOHAB, focused on the interactions between small-scale turbulence and the biology of toxigenic dinoflagellates (toxin-producing HABs). Research included ecophysiological experiments and fieldwork in two contrasting areas: the Galician Rías Baixas (upwelling systems, Atlantic coast) and the microtidal estuary of Alfacs bay in the Ebro Delta (coastal embayment, stratified system, Mediterranean Sea). Laboratory experiments with cultures showed how small-scale turbulence can modulate different ecophysiological processes including growth rate, cell cycle patterns, asexual encystment, nucleic acids, toxin and DMSP cell quota and infection by parasites. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying the observed responses are still unknown. In the Rías, the population dynamics (division rate, viability, mortality) of Dinophysis spp. and their behavior (vertical migration, mixotrophy) were studied with the same spatio-temporal scale than the finescale hydrodynamical processes (water velocities, shear, vertical diffusion, turbulence). For the first time, data on the formation, maintenance and dissipation of thin layers of Pseudo-nitzschia spp. were obtained in this area. In Alfacs bay, several modeling approaches (3D hydrodynamic model combined with a Lagrangian particle-tracking module) validated by continuous records of physical and meteorological data have been implemented to understand how the complex circulation dynamics may facilitate water retention and thus phytoplankton biomass accumulation in the inner part of the bay. We hope that most undergoing efforts will improve the understanding of the link between physical dynamics and biological and ecological processes (growth, mortality, migration) of selected HAB taxa and/or functional groups in the bayPeer Reviewe

If you feel you can’t, you won’t: the role of subjective and objective cognitive competence on psychosocial functioning in depression

BackgroundThe purpose of this exploratory study is to examine the role of sociodemographic, clinical, and cognitive - both objective and subjective - factors in overall and in specific domains of psychosocial functioning, in patients with depression at different clinical states of the disease (remitted and non-remitted).MethodsA sample of 325 patients with major depressive disorder, 117 in remission and 208 in non-remission, were assessed with a semi-structured interview collecting sociodemographic, clinical, cognitive (with neuropsychological tests and the Perceived Deficit Questionnaire), and functional (Functioning Assessment Short Test) characteristics. Backward regression models were conducted to determine associations of global and specific areas of functioning with independent factors, for both clinical states.ResultsResidual depressive symptomatology and self-appraisal of executive competence were significantly associated with psychosocial functioning in remitted patients, in overall and some subdomains of functioning, particularly cognitive and interpersonal areas. While depressive symptoms, executive deficits and self-appraisal of executive function were significantly related to functional outcomes in non-remitted patients, both in overall functioning and in most of subdomains.DiscussionThis study evidences the strong association of one's appraisal of executive competence with psychosocial functioning, together with depressive symptoms, both in remitted and non-remitted patients with depression. Therefore, to achieve full recovery, clinical management of patients should tackle not only the relief of core depressive symptoms, but also the cognitive ones, both those that are objectified with neuropsychological tests and those that are reported by the patients themselves

The biogeochemistry of nutrients, dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll a in the Catalan Sea (NW Mediterranean Sea)

Reference depth profiles of dissolved inorganic nutrients, dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll a are described for the Catalan Sea using quality controlled data. Phosphate, nitrate and silicate show typical nutrient profiles, with nutriclines at different depths. Maximums of nitrite, dissolved oxygen, and occasionally ammonium, are found within the photic zone, close to the deep chlorophyll maximum. In intermediate waters we found a minimum of dissolved oxygen coincident with maximum concentrations of phosphate and nitrate. Ammonium concentration is unexpectedly high in the mesopelagic zone, where there are still measurable nitrite concentration, and their origin remains unclear. We also identify and describe anomalous data and profiles resulting from eutrophication, Western Mediterranean Deep Water formation, or dense shelf-water cascading. N:P ratio in deep waters is 22.4, which indicates P-limitation relative to the Redfield ratio. However, the N:P ratio above the deep chlorophyll maximum in stratified surface waters is <4 (<8 including ammonium). The depth profiles of key biogeochemical variables described in this study will be a useful reference for future studies in the Catalan Sea (NW Mediterranean Sea): to validate data sampled in this area, to identify anomalous processes, and to study the evolution of the ecosystem following the undergoing global change

Surface distribution of dissolved trace metals in the oligotrophic ocean and their influence on phytoplankton biomass and productivity

Pinedo-González, Paulina ... et. al.-- 19 pages, 10 figures, 2 tables, supporting information http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2015GB005149The distribution of bioactive trace metals has the potential to enhance or limit primary productivity and carbon export in some regions of the world ocean. To study these connections, the concentrations of Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mo, Ni, and V were determined for 110 surface water samples collected during the Malaspina 2010 Circumnavigation Expedition (MCE). Total dissolved Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mo, Ni, and V concentrations averaged 19.0 ± 5.4 pM, 21.4 ± 12 pM, 0.91 ± 0.4 nM, 0.66 ± 0.3 nM, 88.8 ± 12 nM, 1.72 ± 0.4 nM, and 23.4 ± 4.4 nM, respectively, with the lowest values detected in the Central Pacific and increased values at the extremes of all transects near coastal zones. Trace metal concentrations measured in surface waters of the Atlantic Ocean during the MCE were compared to previously published data for the same region. The comparison revealed little temporal changes in the distribution of Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, and Ni over the last 30 years. We utilized a multivariable linear regression model to describe potential relationships between primary productivity and the hydrological, biological, trace nutrient and macronutrient data collected during the MCE. Our statistical analysis shows that primary productivity in the Indian Ocean is best described by chlorophyll a, NO3, Ni, temperature, SiO4, and Cd. In the Atlantic Ocean, primary productivity is correlated with chlorophyll a, NO3, PO4, mixed layer depth, Co, Fe, Cd, Cu, V, and Mo. The variables salinity, temperature, SiO4, NO3, PO4, Fe, Cd, and V were found to best predict primary productivity in the Pacific Ocean. These results suggest that some of the lesser studied trace elements (e.g., Ni, V, Mo, and Cd) may play a more important role in regulating oceanic primary productivity than previously thought and point to the need for future experiments to verify their potential biological functionsThis research was partially supported by U.S. National Science Foundation (OCE 1435666), the USC Graduate School Dissertation Completion Fellowship, the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through the Malaspina 2010 expedition project (Consolider-Ingenio 2010, CSD2008-00077) and the project CTM2014-59244-C3-3-RPeer Reviewe

Testing the efficacy of INtegral Cognitive REMediation (INCREM) in major depressive disorder : study protocol for a randomized clinical trial

Given the limitation of pharmacological treatments to treat cognitive symptoms in patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), cognitive remediation programs has been proposed as a possible procognitive intervention but findings are not conclusive. This study investigates the efficacy of an INtegral Cognitive REMediation (INCREM) that includes a combination of a Functional Remediation (FR) strategy plus a Computerized Cognitive Training (CCT) in order to improve not only cognitive performance but also the psychosocial functioning and the quality of life. A single blind randomized controlled clinical trial in 81 patients with a diagnosis of MDD in clinical remission or in partial remission. Participants will be randomized to one of three conditions: INCREM (FR + CCT), Psychoeducation plus online games and Treatment As Usual (TAU). Intervention will consist in 12 group sessions, of approximately 110 min once a week. The primary outcome measure will be % of change in psychosocial functioning after treatment measured by the Functional Assessment Short Test (FAST); additionally, number of sick leaves and daily activities will also be recorded as pragmatic outcomes. To our knowledge, this is the first randomized controlled clinical trial using a combination of two different approaches (FR + CCT) to treat the present cognitive deficits and to promote their improvements into a better psychosocial functioning. Clinical Trials . Date registered 10th of August 2018 and last updated 24th August 2018

Scales of variability of bio-optical properties as observed from near-surface drifters

A drifter equipped with bio-optical sensors and an automated water sampler was deployed in the California Current as part of the coastal transition zone program to study the biological, chemical, and physical dynamics of the meandering filaments. During deployments in 1987 and 1988, measurements were made of fluorescence, downwelling irradiance, upwelling radiance, and beam attenuation using several bio-optical sensors. Samples were collected by an automated sampler for later analysis of nutrients and phytoplankton species composition. Largescale spatial and temporal changes in the bio-optical and biological properties of the region were driven by changes in phytoplankton species composition which, in turn, were associated with the meandering circulation. Variance spectra of the bio-optical parameters revealed fluctuations on both diel and semidiurnal scales, perhaps associated with solar variations and internal tides, respectively. Offshore, inertial-scale fluctuations were apparent in the variance spectra of temperature, fluorescence, and beam attenuation. Although calibration samples can help remove some of these variations, these results suggest that the use of bio-optical data from unattended platforms such as moorings and drifters must be analyzed carefully. Characterization of the scales of phytoplankton variability must account for the scales of variability in the algorithms used to convert bio-optical measurements into biological quantities