321 research outputs found
An advection-diffusion model to explain thermal surface anomalies off Cape Trafalgar
The authors describe an almost permanent thermal anomaly, with low surface-temperature values, off Cape Trafalgar. The existence of strong tidal currents in the alongshore direction, and the local offshore orientation of isobaths at this point, support the hypothesis of vertical forcing by interaction between the barotropic tide and topography. This is simplified for modelisation as the pass of a tidal current over a ridge, which is considered uniform in the crossshore direction. A bidimensional model in finite differences is developed to reproduce the main features observed experimentally. The combined effects of advection (both vertical and horizontal) and diffusion appear to be very important. The model is sensitive to the assumed values of thermal diffusion coefficients and their depth dependence, as well as to heat flux through the sea surface. To have realistic values for these parameters, a unidimensional diffusion model aimed at reproducing the mixed layer and thermocline observed in this area during summer has been developed. Heat flux and diffusion coefficients are adjustment parameters of the model, and, once determined, they are introduced in the 2-D advection-diffusion model. Results from simulation seem to be in good agreement with CTD observations, confirming our initial hypothesis.Se describe una anomalía térmica caracterizada por bajas temperaturas superficiales frente al cabo de Trafalgar. Debido a que la orientación de las isóbatas en esta área es casi perpendicular a la costa y a que existen fuertes corrientes de marea a lo largo de ella, se desarrolla la hipótesis de que la interacción entre las corrientes de marea y la topografía son los mecanismos responsables de esta anomalía. Para revisar esta hipótesis se desarrolla en el presente trabajo un modelo de advección-difusión que estudia el efecto del paso de una corriente de marea sobre un obstáculo. El modelo es sensible a ciertos parámetros, como los coeficientes de difusión térmica y el flujo de calor en la superficie del mar. Por ello desarrollamos un modelo monodimensional que reproduce la formación de la capa de mezcla y la termoclina estacional usando estos parámetros como parámetros de ajuste. Una vez encontrados los valores adecuados, son introducidos en el modelo de advección-difusión. Los resultados obtenidos parecen estar de acuerdo con los datos experimentales.Instituto Español de Oceanografí
Influencia de la fertirrigación con agua regenerada y las labores de mantenimiento en la uniformidad de riego
El objetivo del trabajo ha sido estudiar el efecto de la fertirrigación y las labores de
mantenimiento en la uniformidad de distribución de caudal utilizando agua urbana
regenerada. El ensayo se desarrolló en un invernadero experimental en el Centro IFAPA La
Mojonera en La Cañada (Almería). Se estableció un diseño experimental factorial con dos
factores, manejo del riego y tipo de emisor. En lo que respecta al factor manejo de riego se
dispusieron tres tratamientos, AR-Riego con agua residual urbana regenerada; ARFRFertirriego
con agua residual urbana regenerada+equilibrio fertilizante estándar y ARFRMFertirriego
con agua residual urbana regenerada+equilibrio fertilizante estándar
+mantenimiento. En el factor tipo de emisor, se evaluaron 20 modelos comerciales de
goteros seleccionados en estudios previos de diferentes tipologías. Se determinó el
coeficiente de uniformidad de caudal y el porcentaje de obturación a las 0, 40, 60, 80 y 100 h
de funcionamiento. De los resultados obtenidos se puede concluir que el tratamiento de
riego afectó al porcentaje de obturación, siendo mayor en los tratamientos fertirrigados. Las
labores de mantenimiento predefinidas mejoraron la uniformidad pero no resultaron eficaces
para evitar la obturación, por lo que sería necesario redefinir las labores de mantenimiento
más adecuadas a este tipo de agua
Grado de conocimiento, tratamiento y control de la hipertensión arterial, hipercolesterolemia y diabetes mellitus en la población general adulta
ObjetivosEstimar la prevalencia de los principales factores de riesgo cardiovascular (FRCV) tras la confirmación diagnóstica con el criterio clínico. Analizar el grado de su conocimiento y control, y evaluar la asociación de los FRCV entre sí, estimando qué población es susceptible de intervención.DiseñoEstudio observacional, descriptivo,transversal.EmplazamientoEstudio poblacional realizado en el Área de Salud número 20 de la Comunidad Valenciana (comarca de la Vega Baja del río Segura)PacientesPersonas con ≥ 20 años residentes en dicha área. Muestreo aleatorio polietápico proporcional con definición de cuotas muestrales según el tipo de residencia. Tamaño muestral: 2.550 personas (falta de respuesta en la primera fase en el 26%). Segunda fase del estudio: se realiza la confirmación clínica de los 374 casos detectados de hipertensión arterial (HTA), los 126 de hipercolesterolemia (HCOL) y los 33 de diabetes mellitus (DM).MedicionesSe realiza una entrevista a los pacientes detectados para las tomas de presión arterial a los hipertensos y para practicar la extracción sanguínea a hipercolesterolémicos y diabéticos. Se han utilizado los criterios diagnósticos preconizados por los últimos consensos.ResultadosParticipan 1.886 personas (78,1%). Prevalencias halladas: HTA total, 42 ± 2,2%; diagnosticada, 11,7 ± 1,4%; HCOL total, 26,6 ± 2%; DM total, 9,5 ± 1,3%; tabaquismo: 33,6 ± 2,1% y obesidad: 31,6 ± 2,1%. Grado de control: HTA, 8,6%; HCOL, 21,7%; DM, 56,1%. Asociación de FRCV: el 25,5% no presenta hipertensión, hipercolesterolemia ni fuma.ConclusionesElevada prevalencia FRCV en nuestra área frente a los resultados publicados de ámbito nacional. El tabaquismo resulta menos frecuente que en el resto del país. El grado de control es escaso y la asociación de los FRCV principales para cardiopatía isquémica reflejan que cerca del 75% de la población debe ser intervenida.ObjectivesTo calculate the prevalence of the main cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) after diagnostic confirmation using clinical criteria. To analyse the degree of understanding and monitoring of these factors and to evaluate the association of CVRF with each other, so estimating who is susceptible to intervention.DesignCross-sectional, descriptive, observational study.SettingPopulation study conducted in Health Area 20 of the Community of Valencia (county of the Low Plain of the River Segura). Patients. People who had lived in this Area for ³20 years. Proportional, multi-stage randomised sampling with definition of sample quotas according to type of residence. Sample size: 2550 people (no reply in first stage: 26%). The second stage involved the clinical confirmation of those identified as suffering from hypertension (HT) (374), hypercholesterolaemia (HCOL) (126), and diabetes (DM) (33).MeasurementsPatients identified were interviewed for taking blood pressure in the case of those with HT, and blood samples in the case of those with HCOL and DM. The diagnostic criteria recommended by the latest consensus were used.Results1886 people (78.1%) took part. Prevalences found: total HT 42±2.2%, diagnosed: 11.7±1.4; total HCOL 26.6±2%; total DM 9.5±1.3%.Tobacco dependency was 33.6±2.1% and Obesity: 31.6±2.1%. Degree of control: HT, 8.6%; HCOL, 21.7%; DM, 56.1%. Association of CVR factors with each other: 25.5% had neither HT nor HCOL and did not smoke.ConclusionsHigh prevalence of CVRF in our area, compared with published national findings.Tobacco dependency is less common than at national level. The degree of control is very low and the association of the main CVRF factors for ischaemic cardiopathy reflect that nearly 75% of the population requires a preventive intervention
Comparación de las medidas de humedad en suelo enarenado con diferentes sensores
Poster[ES] Una opción ambiciosa para gestionar el riego es emplear sensores como activadores del riego. El éxito de la
automatización del riego empleando sensores de humedad de suelo depende, entre otros factores, de la
adaptación del sensor a las características del suelo.
El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar el comportamiento de tres equipos de medida de humedad en un
suelo enarenado característico de los cultivos hortícolas bajo abrigo desarrollados en el Sureste de España.El trabajo ha sido cofinanciado por Fondos Europeos (FSE y FEDER) y la Consejería de Agricultura y Pesca (IFAPA Junta de Andalucía) mediante el Proyecto Transforma Conecta SAR (PP.TRA.TRA201300.10).Baeza Cano, R.; Contreras París, J.; Alonso López, F.; Cánovas Fernández, G.; López Segura, J. (2014). Comparación de las medidas de humedad en suelo enarenado con diferentes sensores. En CONFERENCIA INTERNACIONAL INFOACES. UN SISTEMA DE INFORMACIÓN PARA LAS UNIVERSIDADES LATINOAMERICANAS. LIBRO DE ACTAS. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/94683OC
A needle in a haystack: A new metabarcoding approach to survey diversity at the species level of Arcellinida (Amoebozoa: Tubulinea)
Environmental DNA-based diversity studies have increased in popularity with the development of high throughput sequencing technologies. This permits the potential simultaneous retrieval of vast amounts of molecular data from many different organisms and species, thus contributing to a wide range of biological disciplines. Environmental DNA protocols designed for protists often focused on the highly conserved small subunit of the ribosome gene, that does not permit species-level assignments. On the other hand, eDNA protocols aiming at species-level assignments allow a fine level ecological resolution and reproducible results. These protocols are currently applied to organisms living in marine and shallow lotic freshwater ecosystems, often in a bioindication purpose. Therefore, in this study, we present a species-level eDNA protocol designed to explore diversity of Arcellinida (Amoebozoa: Tubulinea) testate amoebae taxa that is based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI). These organisms are widespread in lentic water bodies and soil ecosystems. We applied this protocol to 42 samples from peatlands, estuaries and soil environments, recovering all the infraorders in Glutinoconcha (with COI data), except for Hyalospheniformes. Our results revealed an unsuspected diversity in morphologically homogeneous groups such as Cylindrothecina, Excentrostoma or Sphaerothecina. With this protocol we expect to revolutionize the design of modern distributional Arcellinida surveys. Our approach involves a rapid and cost-effective analysis of testate amoeba diversity living in contrasted ecosystems. Therefore, the order Arcellinida has the potential to be established as a model group for a wide range of theoretical and applied studie
Lack of clinical AIDS in SIV-infected sooty mangabeys with significant CD4+ T cell loss is associated with double-negative T cells
SIV infection of natural host species such as sooty mangabeys results in high viral replication without clinical signs of simian AIDS. Studying such infections is useful for identifying immunologic parameters that lead to AIDS in HIV-infected patients. Here we have demonstrated that acute, SIV-induced CD4+ T cell depletion in sooty mangabeys does not result in immune dysfunction and progression to simian AIDS and that a population of CD3 +CD4-CD8- T cells (double-negative T cells) partially compensates for CD4+ T cell function in these animals. Passaging plasma from an SIV-infected sooty mangabey with very few CD4 + T cells to SIV-negative animals resulted in rapid loss of CD4 + T cells. Nonetheless, all sooty mangabeys generated SIV-specific antibody and T cell responses and maintained normal levels of plasma lipopolysaccharide. Moreover, all CD4- low sooty mangabeys elicited a de novo immune response following influenza vaccination. Such preserved immune responses as well as the low levels of immune activation observed in these animals were associated with the presence of double-negative T cells capable of producing Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines. These studies indicate that SIV-infected sooty mangabeys do not appear to rely entirely on CD4+ T cells to maintain immunity and identify double-negative T cells as a potential subset of cells capable of performing CD4+ T cell-like helper functions upon SIV-induced CD4+ T cell depletion in this species
Comparing patients’ and other stakeholders’ preferences for outcomes of integrated care for multimorbidity: a discrete choice experiment in eight European countries
Objectives To measure relative preferences for outcomes of integrated care of patients with multimorbidity from eight European countries and compare them to the preferences of other stakeholders within these countries.
Design A discrete choice experiment (DCE) was conducted in each country, asking respondents to choose between two integrated care programmes for persons with multimorbidity.
Setting Preference data collected in Austria (AT), Croatia (HR), Germany (DE), Hungary (HU), the Netherlands (NL), Norway (NO), Spain (ES), and UK.
Participants Patients with multimorbidity, partners and other informal caregivers, professionals, payers and policymakers.
Main outcome measures Preferences of participants regarding outcomes of integrated care described as health/well-being, experience with care and cost outcomes, that is, physical functioning, psychological well-being, social relationships and participation, enjoyment of life, resilience, person-centredness, continuity of care and total costs. Each outcome had three levels of performance.
Results 5122 respondents completed the DCE. In all countries, patients with multimorbidity, as well as most other stakeholder groups, assigned the (second) highest preference to enjoyment of life. The patients top-three most frequently included physical functioning, psychological well-being and continuity of care. Continuity of care also entered the top-three of professionals, payers and policymakers in four countries (AT, DE, HR and HU). Of the five stakeholder groups, preferences of professionals differed most often from preferences of patients. Professionals assigned lower weights to physical functioning in AT, DE, ES, NL and NO and higher weights to person-centredness in AT, DE, ES and HU. Payers and policymakers assigned higher weights than patients to costs, but these weights were relatively low.
Conclusion The well-being outcome enjoyment of life is the most important outcome of integrated care in multimorbidity. This calls for a greater involvement of social and mental care providers. The difference in opinion between patients and professionals calls for shared decision-making, whereby efforts to improve well-being and person-centredness should not divert attention from improving physical functioning
Can a Species Keep Pace with a Shifting Climate?
Consider a patch of favorable habitat surrounded by unfavorable habitat and assume that due to a shifting climate, the patch moves with a fixed speed in a one-dimensional universe. Let the patch be inhabited by a population of individuals that reproduce, disperse, and die. Will the population persist? How does the answer depend on the length of the patch, the speed of movement of the patch, the net population growth rate under constant conditions, and the mobility of the individuals? We will answer these questions in the context of a simple dynamic profile model that incorporates climate shift, population dynamics, and migration. The model takes the form of a growth-diffusion equation. We first consider a special case and derive an explicit condition by glueing phase portraits. Then we establish a strict qualitative dichotomy for a large class of models by way of rigorous PDE methods, in particular the maximum principle. The results show that mobility can both reduce and enhance the ability to track climate change that a narrow range can severely reduce this ability and that population range and total population size can both increase and decrease under a moving climate. It is also shown that range shift may be easier to detect at the expanding front, simply because it is considerably steeper than the retreating back
Role of iron in the nitric oxide-mediated fungicidal mechanism of IFN-gamma-activated murine macrophages against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis conidia
Factorial Validity of the English-Language Version of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale–Child Version
The Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) was developed in English to assess 3 components of catastrophizing (rumination, magnification, helplessness). It has been adapted for use and validated with Flemish-speaking children (Pain Catastrophizing Scale for Children [PCS-C]) and French-speaking adolescents. The PCS-C has been back-translated to English and used extensively in research with English-speaking children; however, the factorial validity of the English PCS-C has not been empirically examined. This study assessed the factor structure of the English PCS-C among a community sample of 1,006 English-speaking children (aged 8–18 years). Exploratory factor analysis was conducted using a random subsample (n = 504) to assess the underlying factor structure. Items with poor factor loadings were removed. Confirmatory factor analysis, using the second subsample (n = 502), was used to cross-validate the factor structure revealed by exploratory factor analysis and compare it to the original 3-factor model and other model variants. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that the original PCS-C and a revised 3-factor model comprising 11 of the original 13 PCS-C items, all loading on their original factors, provided adequate fit to the data. The revised model provided statistically better fit to the data compared to all other model variants, suggesting that the English PCS-C may be better understood using a revised 11-item oblique 3-factor model. Perspective: This is the first examination of the factorial validity of the widely used English version of the PCS-C in a large community sample of English-speaking children. A revised 11-item, 3-factor model provided statistically better fit to the data compared to the original model and other model variants
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