Comparison of aerosol optical properties above clouds between POLDER and AeroCom models over the South East Atlantic Ocean during the fire season

Aerosol properties above clouds have been retrieved over the South East Atlantic Ocean during the fire season 2006 using satellite observations from POLDER (Polarization and Directionality of Earth Reflectances). From June to October, POLDER has observed a mean Above-Cloud Aerosol Optical Thickness (ACAOT) of 0.28 and a mean Above-Clouds Single Scattering Albedo (ACSSA) of 0.87 at 550 nm. These results have been used to evaluate the simulation of aerosols above clouds in 5 AeroCom (Aerosol Comparisons between Observations and Models) models (GOCART, HadGEM3, ECHAM5-HAM2, OsloCTM2 and SPRINTARS). Most models do not reproduce the observed large aerosol load episodes. The comparison highlights the importance of the injection height and the vertical transport parameterizations to simulate the large ACAOT observed by POLDER. Furthermore, POLDER ACSSA is best reproduced by models with a high imaginary part of black carbon refractive index, in accordance with recent recommendations

Listeria monocytogenes in Milk Products

peer-reviewedMilk and milk products are frequently identified as vectors for transmission of Listeria monocytogenes. Milk can be contaminated at farm level either by indirect external contamination from the farm environment or less frequently by direct contamination of the milk from infection in the animal. Pasteurisation of milk will kill L. monocytogenes, but post-pasteurisation contamination, consumption of unpasteurised milk and manufacture of unpasteurised milk products can lead to milk being the cause of outbreaks of listeriosis. Therefore, there is a concern that L. monocytogenes in milk could lead to a public health risk. To protect against this risk, there is a need for awareness surrounding the issues, hygienic practices to reduce the risk and adequate sampling and analysis to verify that the risk is controlled. This review will highlight the issues surrounding L. monocytogenes in milk and milk products, including possible control measures. It will therefore create awareness about L. monocytogenes, contributing to protection of public health

Multi-Sensor Assessment of the Effects of Varying Processing Parameters on UAS Product Accuracy and Quality

There is a growing demand for the collection of ultra-high spatial resolution imagery using unmanned aerial systems (UASs). UASs are a cost-effective solution for data collection on small scales and can fly at much lower altitudes, thus yielding spatial resolutions not previously achievable with manned aircraft or satellites. The use of commercially available software for image processing has also become commonplace due to the relative ease at which imagery can be processed and the minimal knowledge of traditional photogrammetric processes required by users. Commercially available software such as AgiSoft Photoscan and Pix4Dmapper Pro are capable of generating the high-quality data that are in demand for environmental remote sensing applications. We quantitatively assess the implications of processing parameter decision-making on UAS product accuracy and quality for orthomosaic and digital surface models for RGB and multispectral imagery. We iterated 40 processing workflows by incrementally varying two key processing parameters in Pix4Dmapper Pro, and conclude that maximizing for the highest intermediate parameters may not always translate into effective final products. We also show that multispectral imagery can effectively be leveraged to derive three-dimensional models of higher quality despite the lower resolution of sensors when compared to RGB imagery, reducing time in the field and the need for multiple flights over the same area when collecting multispectral data is a priority. We conclude that when users plan to use the highest processing parameter values, to ensure quality end-products it is important to increase initial flight coverage in advance

Combined treatment of refractory ascites with an alfapump (R) plus hernia repair in the same surgical session: A retrospective, multicentre, European pilot study in cirrhotic patients

International audienceIntroduction: The treatment of symptomatic hernia in cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites is critical but challenging. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of the implantation of alfapump (R) combined with concomitant hernia repair in cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites. Methods: Using data from six European centres, we retrospectively compared patients treated with alfapump (R) system implantation and concomitant hernia repair [the combined treatment group (CT group, n = 12)] or with intermittent paracentesis hernia repair [the standard treatment group (ST group, n = 26)]. Some patients of the ST group had hernia repair in an elective setting (STel group) and others in emergency (STem group). The endpoints were requirement of peritoneal drainage, the rate of infectious complications, the in-hospital mortality, the length of stay, paracentesis-free survival. Results: Postoperatively, none of the patients in the CT group and 21 patients (80%) in the ST group underwent peritoneal drainage for the evacuation of ascites fluid (P < 0.0001). The overall incidence of infectious complications was not different between groups but there were fewer infections in the CT group than in the STem group (33% vs. 81%; P = 0.01). There was no difference for in-hospital mortality. The length of stay was shorter in the CT group (P = 0.03). Paracentesis-free survival was significantly better (P = 0.0003) in the CT group than in the ST group. Conclusion: Implantation of alfapump combined with concomitant hernia repair seems feasible and safe in cirrhotic patients; however, larger and randomized study are required. (C) 2020 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS