Development of a High Resolution Weather Forecast Model for Mesoamerica Using the NASA Nebula Cloud Computing Environment

Over the past two years, scientists in the Earth Science Office at NASA fs Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) have explored opportunities to apply cloud computing concepts to support near real ]time weather forecast modeling via the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. Collaborators at NASA fs Short ]term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) Center and the SERVIR project at Marshall Space Flight Center have established a framework that provides high resolution, daily weather forecasts over Mesoamerica through use of the NASA Nebula Cloud Computing Platform at Ames Research Center. Supported by experts at Ames, staff at SPoRT and SERVIR have established daily forecasts complete with web graphics and a user interface that allows SERVIR partners access to high resolution depictions of weather in the next 48 hours, useful for monitoring and mitigating meteorological hazards such as thunderstorms, heavy precipitation, and tropical weather that can lead to other disasters such as flooding and landslides. This presentation will describe the framework for establishing and providing WRF forecasts, example applications of output provided via the SERVIR web portal, and early results of forecast model verification against available surface ] and satellite ]based observations

Marcada resiliencia de una especie de ave insular endémica después de una perturbación intensa: el caso del pinzón azul de Gran Canaria

Striking resilience of an island–endemic bird to a severe perturbation: the case of the Gran Canaria blue chaffinch. Evidence regarding population trends of endangered species in special protection areas and their recovery ability from catastrophic disturbances is scarce. We assessed the population trend of the Gran Canaria blue chaffinch (Fringilla polatzeki), a habitat specialist endemic to the pine forest of Inagua in the Canary Islands, following a devastating wildfire in July 2007. Using a standardized census program that accounts for detectability, we have monitored the population trend of the species since Inagua was declared a Strict Nature Reserve in 1994. The breeding population density of the blue chaffinch remained stable in Inagua from the beginning of the monitoring program in 1994 until the year before the wildfire. However, in spring 2008, the population density decreased by half with respect to density in the preceding years. Since 2008, the population has gradually increased, reaching its highest recorded density in 2016 (15.8 birds/km2).This represents an average annual increase of 23.7 %, indicating impressive resilience to catastrophic events. The creation of Inagua as a strict nature reserve did not therefore increase the global population or protect the blue chaffinch against a demographic crisis but probably prevented a deepening of the demographic crisis or further declines. Except for the two years immediately after the severe wildfire of 2007, the population density of the blue chaffinch in Inagua has remained relatively stable at around 9–16 birds/km2, the lowest recorded abundance for a small woodland passerine in the Western PalearcticMarcada resiliencia de una especie de ave insular endémica después de una perturbación intensa: el caso del pinzón azul de Gran Canaria. Son pocos los datos disponibles sobre la tendencia demográfica de las especies en peligro de extinción en zonas de protección especial y su capacidad de recuperarse de perturbaciones catastróficas. Se estudia la tendencia demográfica del pinzón azul de Gran Canaria (Fringilla polatzeki), un especialista de hábitat endémico de las Islas Canarias, restringido al pinar de Inagua, que sufrió un devastador incendio forestal en julio de 2007. Mediante un programa de censo estandarizado que tiene en cuenta la variación en la capacidad de detección, se ha hecho un seguimiento de la tendencia demográfica de la especie desde la declaración de Inagua como reserva natural integral en 1994. La densidad reproductiva del pinzón azul se mantuvo estable en Inagua desde el inicio del programa de seguimiento en 1994 hasta un año antes del incendio. No obstante, en la primavera de 2008, la densidad de la población se redujo a la mitad en comparación con los años anteriores. A partir de 2008, la población del pinzón azul ha venido aumentando gradualmente hasta alcanzar la densidad más alta jamás registrada en 2016 (15,8 aves/km2), lo que equivale a un incremento anual medio del 23,7 % y pone de manifiesto la resistencia impresionante de estas poblaciones ante catástrofes. Por lo tanto, la creación de la reserva integral de Inagua no promovió el aumento de población ni protegió al pinzón azul frente a una grave crisis demográfica, sino que probablemente evitó que la disminución de la población fuera más profunda o que se produjeran otras reducciones. Aparte de los dos años inmediatamente posteriores al incendio forestal de 2007, la densidad de población del pinzón azul en Inagua se mantuvo relativamente estable alrededor de 9–16 aves/km2, la menor abundancia jamás registrada para un paseriforme forestal de tamaño pequeño en todo el paleártico occidentalThe study was supported by the Conservation Program for the blue chaffinch implemented by the Gobierno de Canarias (1991–2004), Cabildo de Gran Canaria (2005–2015), and was partially funded by the European Union (1995–1996: LIFE94 NAT/E/ 001159; 1999–2002: LIFE98 NAT/E/005354; 2016: LIFE14 NAT/ES/000077) and a research contract between MNCN/CSIC and GESPLAN, S. A. U. (2008). JS currently works within the Madrid’s Government research group network REMEDINAL3–CM (S–2013/ MAE–271

Striking resilience of an island endemic bird to a severe perturbation: the case of the Gran Canaria blue chaffinch

Marcada resiliencia de una especie de ave insular endémica después de una perturbación intensa: el caso del pinzón azul de Gran Canaria Son pocos los datos disponibles sobre la tendencia demográfica de las especies en peligro de extinción en zonas de protección especial y su capacidad de recuperarse de perturbaciones catastróficas. Se estudia la tendencia demográfica del pinzón azul de Gran Canaria (Fringilla polatzeki), un especialista de hábitat endémico de las Islas Canarias, restringido al pinar de Inagua, que sufrió un devastador incendio forestal en julio de 2007. Mediante un programa de censo estandarizado que tiene en cuenta la variación en la capacidad de detección, se ha hecho un seguimiento de la tendencia demográfica de la especie desde la declaración de Inagua como reserva natural integral en 1994. La densidad reproductiva del pinzón azul se mantuvo estable en Inagua desde el inicio del programa de seguimiento en 1994 hasta un año antes del incendio. No obstante, en la primavera de 2008, la densidad de la población se redujo a la mitad en comparación con los años anteriores. A partir de 2008, la población del pinzón azul ha venido aumentando gradualmente hasta alcanzar la densidad más alta jamás registrada en 2016 (15,8 aves/km2), lo que equivale a un incremento anual medio del 23,7 % y pone de manifiesto la resistencia impresionante de estas poblaciones ante catástrofes. Por lo tanto, la creación de la reserva integral de Inagua no promovió el aumento de población ni protegió al pinzón azul frente a una grave crisis demográfica, sino que probablemente evitó que la disminución de la población fuera más profunda o que se produjeran otras reducciones. Aparte de los dos años inmediatamente posteriores al incendio forestal de 2007, la densidad de población del pinzón azul en Inagua se mantuvo relativamente estable alrededor de 9–16 aves/km2, la menor abundancia jamás registrada para un paseriforme forestal de tamaño pequeño en todo el paleártico occidental.Evidence regarding population trends of endangered species in special protection areas and their recovery ability from catastrophic disturbances is scarce. We assessed the population trend of the Gran Canaria blue chaffinch (Fringilla polatzeki), a habitat specialist endemic to the pine forest of Inagua in the Canary Islands, following a devastating wildfire in July 2007. Using a standardized census program that accounts for detectability, we have monitored the population trend of the species since Inagua was declared a Strict Nature Reserve in 1994. The breeding population density of the blue chaffinch remained stable in Inagua from the beginning of the monitoring program in 1994 until the year before the wildfire. However, in spring 2008, the population density decreased by half with respect to density in the preceding years. Since 2008, the population has gradually increased, reaching its highest recorded density in 2016 (15.8 birds/km2).This represents an average annual increase of 23.7 %, indicating impressive resilience to catastrophic events. The creation of Inagua as a strict nature reserve did not therefore increase the global population or protect the blue chaffinch against a demographic crisis but probably prevented a deepening of the demographic crisis or further declines. Except for the two years immediately after the severe wildfire of 2007, the population density of the blue chaffinch in Inagua has remained relatively stable at around 9–16 birds/km2, the lowest recorded abundance for a small woodland passerine in the Western Palearctic.Marcada resiliencia de una especie de ave insular endémica después de una perturbación intensa: el caso del pinzón azul de Gran Canaria Son pocos los datos disponibles sobre la tendencia demográfica de las especies en peligro de extinción en zonas de protección especial y su capacidad de recuperarse de perturbaciones catastróficas. Se estudia la tendencia demográfica del pinzón azul de Gran Canaria (Fringilla polatzeki), un especialista de hábitat endémico de las Islas Canarias, restringido al pinar de Inagua, que sufrió un devastador incendio forestal en julio de 2007. Mediante un programa de censo estandarizado que tiene en cuenta la variación en la capacidad de detección, se ha hecho un seguimiento de la tendencia demográfica de la especie desde la declaración de Inagua como reserva natural integral en 1994. La densidad reproductiva del pinzón azul se mantuvo estable en Inagua desde el inicio del programa de seguimiento en 1994 hasta un año antes del incendio. No obstante, en la primavera de 2008, la densidad de la población se redujo a la mitad en comparación con los años anteriores. A partir de 2008, la población del pinzón azul ha venido aumentando gradualmente hasta alcanzar la densidad más alta jamás registrada en 2016 (15,8 aves/km2), lo que equivale a un incremento anual medio del 23,7 % y pone de manifiesto la resistencia impresionante de estas poblaciones ante catástrofes. Por lo tanto, la creación de la reserva integral de Inagua no promovió el aumento de población ni protegió al pinzón azul frente a una grave crisis demográfica, sino que probablemente evitó que la disminución de la población fuera más profunda o que se produjeran otras reducciones. Aparte de los dos años inmediatamente posteriores al incendio forestal de 2007, la densidad de población del pinzón azul en Inagua se mantuvo relativamente estable alrededor de 9–16 aves/km2, la menor abundancia jamás registrada para un paseriforme forestal de tamaño pequeño en todo el paleártico occidental

Femtosecond laser microstructuring of zirconia dental implants

This study evaluated the suitability of femtosecond laser for microtexturizing cylindrical zirconia dental implants surface. Sixty-six cylindrical zirconia implants were used and divided into three groups: Control group (with no laser modification), Group A (microgropored texture), and Group B (microgrooved texture). Scanning electron microscopy observation of microgeometries revealed minimal collateral damage of the original surface surrounding the treated areas. Optical interferometric profilometry showed that ultrafast laser ablation increased surface roughness (Ra, Rq, Rz, and Rt) significantly for both textured patterns from 1.2× to 6×-fold when compared with the control group (p Group B 8.4% ± 0.42% > Group A 1.6% ± 0.35%) and aluminum (Control 4.3% ± 0.9% > Group B 2.3% ± 0.3% > Group A 1.16% ± 0.2%) in the laser-treated surfaces (p Group A 1.94% > Group B 1.72%) as the surfaces were processed with ultrashort laser pulses. We concluded that femtosecond laser microstructuring offers an interesting alternative to conventional surface treatments of zirconia implants as a result of its precision and minimal damage of the surrounding areas

Impact of the new handling recommendations for hazardous drugs in a hospital pharmacy service

Objective: To describe the actions taken by the Pharmacy Unit in a tertiary hospital in order to adapt to the recommendations established by NIOSH 2014 for handling Hazardous Drugs. Method: A retrospective observational study. A list was prepared including all hazardous drugs according to NIOSH 2014 that were available at the hospital as marketed or foreign drugs, or used in clinical trials, and there was a review of the processes of acquisition, repackaging, preparation, circuits, organizational, dispensing and identification. Results: After the analysis, a report including all needs was prepared and sent to the Hospital Management. Any relevant information about the handling and administration of hazardous drugs was included in the prescription computer program. There were changes in the acquisition process of two drugs, in order to avoid splitting and multi-dose formulations. An alternative or improvement was found for 35 253 of the 75 779 units of hazardous drugs repackaged in one year. The Pharmacy Unit took over the preparation of four non-sterile medications, as well as the preparation of all sterile parenteral medications included in Lists 1 and 2 that were not previously prepared there, as well as one from List 3. Information was also included about the preparation processes of Magistral Formulations that involved hazardous drugs from Lists 2 or 3

Vegetation changes and hydrological fluctuations in the Central Ebro Basin (NE Spain) since the Late Glacial period: Saline lake records

The final version is available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00310182Although the Central Ebro Basin (Northeastern Iberian Peninsula) is both the northernmost semi-arid area in Europe and one of the regions with the largest biodiversity, it has been insufficiently studied in terms of past climate variability due to the scarcity of suitable sites for palaeoenvironmental analyses. Previous studies from ephemeral saline lakes in the area, mainly based on palynological data, show abrupt and rapid arid/humid transitions throughout the last glacial cycle highlighting a complex palaeohydrological evolution. New cores from two saline lakes (La Playa and La Salineta) in the Los Monegros area provide multi-proxy records including sedimentology, geochemistry, and pollen indicators. This study, together with a detailed and comprehensive review of the main saline records from the Central Ebro Basin, enables us tos reconstruct a comprehensive picture of the palaeoclimate evolution during the last glacial cycle. One of the main results of this study is the alternation of humid and dry phases as a characteristic of the climate evolution during the Lateglacial. Additionally, the study suggests an important role of the increased flow from the Pyrenean rivers during deglaciation in the hydrological balance of the Central Ebro Basin. It is found that the Early Holocene is the wettest period over the sequence studied contrasting with the arid Middle Holocene interval, which is frequently absent as a result of intense aeolian erosive processes. Although anthropogenic activity partially masks the climate signal from the palynological data in the uppermost part of the sequences studied, there are some sedimentological evidences for a climate change during the last 2000 years resulting in a recovery of average saline lake levels in the Central Ebro Basin.This work was part of the project “Arid periods in the Mediterranean area since the Last Glacial Maximum” (REN 2000-1136/CLI), and LIMNOCLIBER (REN 2003-09130-C02-02), funded by the CICYT, and the project “Environmental evolution and effects of the anthropogenic impact in the lacustrine complex of Bujaraloz–Sástago” (PO23/2001), funded by the Aragon regional government (DGA). We acknowledge the Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (CSIC) for financial support.Peer reviewe

Spatial distribution and community structure of megabenthic bivalves in the subtidal area of the Gulf of Cádiz (SW Spain)

VENUSEstudio integral de los bancos naturales de moluscos bivalvos en el Golfo de Cádiz para su gestión sostenible y la conservación de sus hábitats asociado

New young planetary nebulae in IPHAS

Original article can be found at: http://www.aanda.org/ Copyright The European Southern Observatory. DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/200811575Aims. We search for very small-diameter galactic planetary nebulae (PNe) representing the earliest phases of PN evolution. The IPHAS catalogue of H-emitting stars provides a useful basis for this study since all sources present in this catalogue must be of small angular diameter. Methods. The PN candidates are selected based on their location in two colour-colour diagrams: IPHAS (r' - H) vs. (r' - i'), and 2MASS (J - H) vs. (H - ). Spectroscopic follow-up was carried out on a sample of candidates to confirm their nature. Results. We present a total of 83 PN candidates. We were able to obtain spectra or find the classification from the literature for 35 candidates. Five of these objects are likely to be new PNe, including one large bipolar PN discovered serendipitously close to an emission-line star. PN distances deduced from extinction-distance relations based on IPHAS field-star photometry are presented for the first time. These yield distance estimates for our objects in the range 2 kpc and 6 kpc. From the data in hand, we conclude that four of the discovered objects are probably young PNe.Peer reviewe

Spatial distribution patterns of the striped venus clam (Chamelea gallina, L. 1758) natural beds in the Gulf of Cádiz (SW Spain)

VENUSEstudio integral de los bancos naturales de moluscos bivalvos en el Golfo de Cádiz para su gestión sostenible y la conservación de sus hábitats asociado

Reliability and validity of a sedentary behavior questionnaire for South American pediatric population: SAYCARE study

Background Multicenter studies from Europe and the United States have developed specifically standardized questionnaires for assessing and comparing sedentary behavior, but they cannot be directly applied for South American countries. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the South American Youth Cardiovascular and Environmental (SAYCARE) sedentary behavior questionnaire. Methods Children and adolescents from seven South American cities were involved in the test-retest reliability (children: n = 55; adolescents: n = 106) and concurrent validity (children: n = 93; adolescents: n = 94) studies. The SAYCARE sedentary behavior questionnaire was administered twice with two-week interval and the behaviors were parent-reported for children and self-reported for adolescents. Questions included time spent watching television, using a computer, playing console games, passive playing (only in children) and studying (only in adolescents) over the past week. Accelerometer was used for at least 3 days, including at least one weekend day. We compared values of sedentary time, using accelerometers, by quartiles of reported sedentary behavior time and their sum. Results The reliability of sedentary behavior time was moderate for children (rho ≥0.45 and k ≥ 0.40) and adolescents (rho ≥0.30). Comparisons between the questionnaire and accelerometer showed a low overall agreement, with the questionnaire systematically underreporting sedentary time in children (at least, − 332.6 ± 138.5 min/day) and adolescents (at least, − 399.7 ± 105.0 min/day). Conclusion The SAYCARE sedentary behavior questionnaire has acceptable reliability in children and adolescents. However, the findings of current study indicate that SAYCARE questionnaire is not surrogate of total sedentary time