Influence of urban trees on noise levels in a central Chilean city

The effect of urban trees as a noise mitigating element was determined on Alameda Avenue in the city of Talca, Chile, a Mediterranean continental area. Maximum and minimum noise, especially generated from vehicles, was recorded at 13 points in four sections of the avenue for twelve days, three times a day at different distances from the edge of the street way, which generated a total of 2,080 noise records. At each point a circular plot of 201 m2 was established to determine tree and shrub coverage. The results showed significant differences of noise between the classes of coverage; however there was no relationship significant between the noise level and the increase in coverage, which can be explained by the large amplitude in the noise registers. The vegetation located at 6.5 meters from the sound source shows lower levels of noise when the coverage is increased, proving the environmental function of the vegetation in the mitigation of this pollutant agent. Regarding theses of the findings, it is necessary to implement public policies that consider urban planning, incorporating in its design greater and better availability of tree species and that certain public space are located away from sources of noise pollution.The effect of urban trees as a noise mitigating element was determined on Alameda Avenue in the city of Talca, Chile, a Mediterranean continental area. Maximum and minimum noise, especially generated from vehicles, was recorded at 13 points in four sections of the avenue for twelve days, three times a day at different distances from the edge of the street way, which generated a total of 2,080 noise records. At each point a circular plot of 201 m2 was established to determine tree and shrub coverage. The results showed significant differences of noise between the classes of coverage; however there was no relationship significant between the noise level and the increase in coverage, which can be explained by the large amplitude in the noise registers. The vegetation located at 6.5 meters from the sound source shows lower levels of noise when the coverage is increased, proving the environmental function of the vegetation in the mitigation of this pollutant agent. Regarding theses of the findings, it is necessary to implement public policies that consider urban planning, incorporating in its design greater and better availability of tree species and that certain public space are located away from sources of noise pollution

Influencia del arbolado urbano sobre los niveles de ruido en una ciudad de Chile central

The effect of urban trees as a noise mitigating element was determined on Alameda Avenue in the city of Talca, Chile, a Mediterranean continental area. Maximum and minimum noise, especially generated from vehicles, was recorded at 13 points in four sections of the avenue for twelve days, three times a day at different distances from the edge of the street way, which generated a total of 2,080 noise records. At each point a circular plot of 201 m2 was established to determine tree and shrub coverage. The results showed significant differences of noise between the classes of coverage; however there was no relationship significant between the noise level and the increase in coverage, which can be explained by the large amplitude in the noise registers. The vegetation located at 6.5 meters from the sound source shows lower levels of noise when the coverage is increased, proving the environmental function of the vegetation in the mitigation of this pollutant agent. Regarding theses of the findings, it is necessary to implement public policies that consider urban planning, incorporating in its design greater and better availability of tree species and that certain public space are located away from sources of noise pollution.Se determinó el efecto del arbolado urbano como elemento mitigador del ruido en la avenida Alameda de la ciudad de Talca, Chile, ubicada en el área continental. Se registró durante 12 doce días el ruido máximo y mínimo, especialmente proveniente del tránsito vehicular, en 13 puntos en cuatro secciones de la avenida, en tres horarios durante el día a diferentes distancias del borde de la vía, generándose un total de 2.080 registros de ruido. En cada punto se estableció una parcela circular de 201 m2 para determinar la cobertura arbórea y arbustiva. Los resultados mostraron diferencias significativas entre las clases de cobertura, sin embargo no se observó una relación significativa entre el nivel de ruido y el aumento de la cobertura, lo que se puede explicar por la gran amplitud en los registros de ruido. La vegetación ubicada a 6,5 metros de la fuente sonora muestra menores niveles de ruido cuando se incrementa la cobertura vegetal, comprobando la función ambiental de la vegetación en la mitigación de este contaminante. En consideración a los hallazgos, es necesario implementar políticas públicas que consideren una planificación urbana que incorpore en su diseño mayor y mejor disponibilidad de especies arbóreas y que ciertos espacios públicos, como el estudiado, se localice alejado de las fuentes de contaminación acústica.Fil: Calquín P., Felipe. Corporación Nacional Forestal (Chile)Fil: Ponce-Donoso, Mauricio. Universidad de Talca (Chile)Fil: Vallejos-Barra, Óscar. Universidad de Talca (Chile)Fil: Plaza T., Exequiel. Universidad de Talca (Chile

Reliability and validity of an instrument that uses photographs to measure the ability for differential diagnosis of injuries caused by pressure and/or incontinence

Indexación: Scopus; Scielo.Objetivo: Evaluar la fiabilidad y validez de un instrumento que permite medir la habilidad visual para identificar y clasificar Dermatitis Asociada a Incontinencia (DAI), Ulceras por Presión (UPP) y lesiones mixtas, por parte de profesionales de enfermería. Material y método: Se aplicó un instrumento autoadministrado conformado por 14 fotografías a una muestra por conveniencia de 28 profesionales de enfermería, donde se debía identificar la lesión y luego clasificar su estado de avance. A modo exploratorio se calculó la fiabilidad anidada con Alpha de Cronbach y la validez con Análisis de Componentes Principales (ACP). Resultados: La fiabilidad inicial de las 14 fotografías (Alpha de Cronbach= 0,174) fue baja y tras eliminar 7 la fiabilidad fue aceptable (Alpha de Cronbach= 0,709). Se estableció la presencia de dos dimensiones: por un lado, la habilidad de diagnosticar DAI que explica un 35% de la varianza y, por otro, la habilidad de diagnosticar UPP, que explica el 22% de la varianza, ya sea que se encuentren separadas o juntas en un mismo paciente. Las lesiones DAI son diagnosticadas en mayor proporción que las lesiones mixtas. Conclusión: El estudio aportó 6 fotografías fiables y válidas que pueden ser utilizadas en futuros trabajos para construir un instrumento más robusto que pueda ser utilizado en Chile para la capacitación en el área. La muestra estudiada tiene fortalezas en el diagnóstico de DAI y dificultades en el diagnóstico de lesiones mixtas.Aim: To evaluate the reliability and validity of an instrument that allows to measure the visual ability to identify and classify Incontinence Associated Dermatitis (IAD), Pressure Ulcers (PU) and mixed lesions, by nursing professionals. Material and method: A self-administered instrument consisting of 14 photographs was applied to a convenience sample of 28 nurses. A set of 14 photographs were shown in which they were asked to identify and then classify the state of the lesion. In an exploratory manner, the nested reliability was calculated with Cronbach’s Alpha and the validity with Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Results: The initial reliability of the 14 photographs was low (Cronbach Alpha = 0.174), after removing 7 photographs the reliability became acceptable (Cronbach Alpha = 0.709). The presence of two dimensions was established: on the one hand the ability to diagnose IAD, which explains 35% of the variance, and secondly, the ability to diagnose PU, which explains 22% of the variance, whether they are separated or together in the same patient. IAD is better diagnosed than mixed lesions. Conclusion: The study provided 6 reliable and valid photos that can be used in future work to build a more robust instrument that can be used in Chile for training in the area. The studied sample shows strengths when diagnosing IAD and difficulties when diagnosing mixed lesions. © 2017, Universidad de Concepcion. All rights reserved.https://scielo.conicyt.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0717-95532017000300059&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=e

An unusual overrepresentation of genetic factors related to iron homeostasis in the genome of the fluorescent Pseudomonas sp. ABC1

Members of the genus Pseudomonas inhabit diverse environments, such as soil, water, plants and humans. The variability of habitats is reflected in the diversity of the structure and composition of their genomes. This cosmopolitan bacterial genus includes species of biotechnological, medical and environmental importance. In this study, we report on the most relevant genomic characteristics of Pseudomonas sp. strain ABC1, a siderophore-producing fluorescent strain recently isolated from soil. Phylogenomic analyses revealed that this strain corresponds to a novel species forming a sister clade of the recently proposed Pseudomonas kirkiae. The genomic information reveals an overrepresented repertoire of mechanisms to hoard iron when compared to related strains, including a high representation of fecI-fecR family genes related to iron regulation and acquisition. The genome of the Pseudomonas sp. ABC1 contains the genes for non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) of a novel putative Azotobacter-related pyoverdine-type siderophore, a yersiniabactin-type siderophore and an antimicrobial betalactone; the last two are found only in a limited number of Pseudomonas genomes. Strain ABC1 can produce siderophores in a low-cost medium, and the supernatants from cultures of this strain promote plant growth, highlighting their biotechnological potential as a sustainable industrial microorganism. © 2021 The Authors. Microbial Biotechnology published by Society for Applied Microbiology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Constructing a WISE High Resolution Galaxy Atlas

After eight months of continuous observations, the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) mapped the entire sky at 3.4 {\mu}m, 4.6 {\mu}m, 12 {\mu}m and 22 {\mu}m. We have begun a dedicated WISE High Resolution Galaxy Atlas (WHRGA) project to fully characterize large, nearby galaxies and produce a legacy image atlas and source catalogue. Here we summarize the deconvolution technique used to significantly improve the spatial resolution of WISE imaging, specifically designed to study the internal anatomy of nearby galaxies. As a case study, we present results for the galaxy NGC 1566, comparing the WISE super-resolution image processing to that of Spitzer, GALEX and ground-based imaging. The is the first paper in a two part series; results for a much larger sample of nearby galaxies is presented in the second paper.Comment: Published in the AJ (2012, AJ, 144, 68

Clustering of Radio Galaxies and Quasars

We compute the cross-correlation between a sample of 14,000 radio-loud AGN (RLAGN) with redshifts between 0.4 and 0.8 selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and a reference sample of 1.2 million luminous red galaxies in the same redshift range. We quantify how the clustering of radio-loud AGN depends on host galaxy mass and on radio luminosity. Radio-loud AGN are clustered more strongly on all scales than control samples of radio-quiet galaxies with the same stellar masses and redshifts, but the differences are largest on scales less than 1 Mpc. In addition, the clustering amplitude of the RLAGN varies significantly with radio luminosity on scales less than 1 Mpc. This proves that the gaseous environment of a galaxy on the scale of its dark matter halo, plays a key role in determining not only the probability that a galaxy is radio-loud AGN, but also the total luminosity of the radio jet. Next, we compare the clustering of radio galaxies with that of radio-loud quasars in the same redshift range. Unified models predict that both types of active nuclei should cluster in the same way. Our data show that most RLAGN are clustered more strongly than radio-loud QSOs, even when the AGN and QSO samples are matched in both black hole mass and radio luminosity. Only the most extreme RLAGN and RLQSOs in our sample, with radio luminosities in excess of 10^26 W/Hz, have similar clustering properties. The majority of the strongly evolving RLAGN population at z~0.5 are found in different environments to the quasars, and hence must be triggered by a different physical mechanism.Comment: 12 pages, 13 Figures, submitted to MNRA

Characterizing the Mid-IR Extragalactic Sky with WISE and SDSS

The Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) has completed its all-sky survey at 3.4-22 micron. We merge the WISE data with optical SDSS data and provide a phenomenological characterization of mid-IR, extragalactic sources. WISE is most sensitive at 3.4micron(W1) and least at 22micron(W4). The W1 band probes massive early-type galaxies out to z\gtrsim1. This is more distant than SDSS identified early-type galaxies, consistent with the fact that 28% of 3.4micron sources have faint or no r-band counterparts (r>22.2). In contrast, 92-95% of 12 and 22micron sources have SDSS optical counterparts with r<22.2. WISE 3.4micron detects 89.8% of the entire SDSS QSO catalog at SNR(W1)>7, but only 18.9% at 22micron with SNR(W4)>5. We show that WISE colors alone are effective in isolating stars (or local early-type galaxies), star-forming galaxies and strong AGN/QSOs at z<3. We highlight three major applications of WISE colors: (1) Selection of strong AGN/QSOs at z0.8 and W2<15.2 criteria, producing a census of this population. The surface density of these strong AGN/QSO candidates is 67.5+-0.14/deg^2. (2) Selection of dust-obscured, type-2 AGN/QSO candidates. We show that WISE W1-W2>0.8, W2<15.2 combined with r-W2>6 (Vega) colors can be used to identify type-2 AGN candidates. The fraction of these type-2 AGN candidates is 1/3rd of all WISE color-selected AGNs. (3) Selection of ULIRGs at z\sim2 with extremely red colors, r-W4>14 or well-detected 22micron sources lacking detections in the 3.4 and 4.6micron bands. The surface density of z~2 r-W4>14 ULIRGs is 0.9+-0.07/deg^2 at SNR(W4)>5 (flux(W4)>=2.5mJy), which is consistent with that inferred from smaller area Spitzer surveys. Optical spectroscopy of a small number of these high-redshift ULIRGs confirms our selection, and reveals a possible trend that optically fainter or r-W4 redder candidates are at higher redshifts.Comment: 41 pages, 20 figures, Accepted for publication by the Astronomical Journa

International External Quality Assessment of Molecular Detection of Rift Valley Fever Virus

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a viral zoonosis that primarily affects animals resulting in considerable economic losses due to death and abortions among infected livestock. RVF also affects humans with clinical symptoms ranging from an influenza-like illness to a hemorrhagic fever. Over the past years, RVF virus (RVFV) has caused severe outbreaks in livestock and humans throughout Africa and regions of the world previously regarded as free of the virus. This situation prompts the need to evaluate the diagnostic capacity and performance of laboratories worldwide. Diagnostic methods for RVFV detection include virus isolation, antigen and antibody detection methods, and nucleic acid amplification techniques. Molecular methods such as reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and other newly developed techniques allow for a rapid and accurate detection of RVFV. This study aims to assess the efficiency and accurateness of RVFV molecular diagnostic methods used by expert laboratories worldwide. Thirty expert laboratories from 16 countries received a panel of 14 samples which included RVFV preparations representing several genetic lineages, a specificity control and negative controls. In this study we present the results of the first international external quality assessment (EQA) for the molecular diagnosis of RVF. Optimal results were reported by 64% of the analyses, 21% of the analyses achieved acceptable results and 15% of the results revealed that there is need for improvement. Evenly good performances were achieved by specific protocols which can therefore be recommended as an accurate molecular protocol for the diagnosis of RVF. Other protocols showed uneven performances revealing the need for improved optimization and standardization of these protocols