1,611 research outputs found

    Prediction of topsoil organic carbon using airborne and satellite hyperspectral imagery

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    The Airborne Hyperspectral Scanner (AHS) and the Hyperion satellite hyperspectral sensors were evaluated for their ability to predict topsoil organic carbon (C) in burned mountain areas of northwestern Spain slightly covered by heather vegetation. Predictive models that estimated total organic C (TOC) and oxidizable organic C (OC) content were calibrated using two datasets: a ground observation dataset with 39 topsoil samples collected in the field (for models built using AHS data), and a dataset with 200 TOC/OC observations predicted by AHS (for models built using Hyperion data). For both datasets, the prediction was performed by stepwise multiple linear regression (SMLR) using reflectances and spectral indices (SI) obtained from the images, and by the widely-used partial least squares regression (PLSR) method. SMLR provided a performance comparable to or even better than PLSR, while using a lower number of channels. SMLR models for the AHS were based on a maximum of eight indices, and showed a coefficient of determination in the leave-one-out cross-validation R2 = 0.60–0.62, while models for the Hyperion sensor showed R2 = 0.49–0.61, using a maximum of 20 indices. Although slightly worse models were obtained for the Hyperion sensor, which was attributed to its lower signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the prediction of TOC/OC was consistent across both sensors. The relevant wavelengths for TOC/OC predictions were the red region of the spectrum (600–700 nm), and the short wave infrared region between ~2000–2250 nm. The use of SMLR and spectral indices based on reference channels at ~1000 nm was suitable to quantify topsoil C, and provided an alternative to the more complex PLSR method

    A multicomponent reaction platform towards multimodal near-infrared BODIPY dyes for STED and fluorescence lifetime imaging

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    We report a platform combining multicomponent reaction synthesis and automated cell-based screening to develop biocompatible NIR-BODIPY fluorophores. From a library of over 60 fluorophores, we optimised compound NIRBD-62c as a multimodal probe with suitable properties for STED superresolution and fluorescence lifetime imaging. Furthermore, we employed NIRBD-62c for imaging trafficking inside cells and to examine how pharmacological inhibitors can alter the vesicular traffic between intracellular compartments and the plasma membrane.Fundacion Seneca 21124/SF/19 MCIN/AEI PID2020-114256RB-I00Spanish GovernmentEuropean Commission PID2019-107991RB-I00 European Research Council (ERC) European Commission 771443Royal Society of LondonEuropean Commission RG16028

    Physical Activity Coparticipation and Independent Mobility as Correlates of Objectively Measured Nonschool Physical Activity in Different School Grades: The UP&DOWN Study

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    Background: The aim was to investigate the association of (i) parental, sibling, and friend coparticipation in physical activity (PA); and (ii) independent mobility (IM) for walking, cycling, and taking public transport with objectively measured nonschool PA on week- and weekend days in different school grades. Methods: A total of 1376 Spanish youngsters (50.8% boys; mean age 11.96 ± 2.48 years) participated in the study. Participants reported the frequency of their parental, sibling, and best friend coparticipation in PA with them and their IM for walk- ing, cycling, and taking public transport. PA was objectively measured by accelerometry. Results: Coparticipation in PA and IM were more frequently related to nonschool PA among adolescents than among children. Friend coparticipation in PA was positively associated with higher levels of nonschool PA in adolescents. IM for walking and IM for cycling in adolescents were related to nonschool PA on weekdays. Conclusions: Our results highlight the need for age-focused interventions and the integration of family and friends to promote PA in youth

    The influence of geomorphology on the composition of aquatic flora and fauna withim a temporary pond network

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    Geomorphological and hydrological features can provide a sound basis for global wetland classification. Temporary ponds located on the sandy area of Doñana can be classified into five different geomorphological areas. We hypothesised that these ponds would differ in soil characteristics, which may also explain differences in the composition of their macroinvertebrate, amphibian, and aquatic plant species assemblages. The study ponds were significantly segregated into southern and northern geomorphological areas based on the depth to the water table. The results of the multivariate ordination of soil variables were consistent with a north-south segregation, which was explained by the carbonate and other main ion concentrations in the pond basins. The ponds located in ecotones (marsh-sand and stable-mobile dunes) were particularly rich in amphibians and macroinvertebrates. This result may be explained because the ponds with the longest permanence of water were located in these areas, which represented the only flooded ponds during droughts. In addition, they also contained a high number of temporary ponds, thus favouring connectivity and environmental heterogeneity in these areas

    Las lagunas temporales del Parque Nacional de Doñana: un sistema de hábitats naturales para la conservación de la flora y fauna acuáticas.

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    Mediterranean temporary ponds are a priority habitat under the European Union Habitats Directive, but those of natural origin are scarce, as many of them have been destroyed or transformed into permanent waters. The aim of this study is to highlight the conservation value of the system of temporary ponds in Do˜nana National Park, where more than 3000 water bodies may be lled during wet years. They are located on soils of aeolian origin where water persistence is favoured by the presence of an argilic semi permeable horizon and by a relic clay-rich sandy layer. Temporary ponds can be classi ed across a wide hydroperiod gradient. Most ponds ll with autumnal or winter rains and persist up to late spring or summer, and only a few may persist through summer. Eight of the 11 amphibian species of this area require temporary ponds for breeding. More than 124 taxa of macroinvertebrates have been recorded, coleopterans (56 taxa) and heteropterans (19 taxa) being the richest taxonomic groups. Several zooplankton species are endemic to this kind of habitats, such as the copepod Dussartius baeticus and the rotifer Lecane donyanensis. Regarding vegetation, at least 55 hydrophytes species were identi ed in the ponds sampled, and also some species endemic to SW Iberian Peninsula (Callitriche regis-jubae, Scorzonera stulosa, Callitriche lusitanica) and others are in relic situation (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, Thorella verticillato-inundata, Lemna trisulca). The conservation value of these ponds is highlighted by the large variety of protected and/or rare species of ora and fauna, which are favoured by a high pond abundance and connectivity

    What Is Left for Real-Life Lactate Monitoring? Current Advances in Electrochemical Lactate (Bio)Sensors for Agrifood and Biomedical Applications

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    Monitoring of lactate is spreading from the evident clinical environment, where its role as a biomarker is notorious, to the agrifood ambit as well. In the former, lactate concentration can serve as a useful indicator of several diseases (e.g., tumour development and lactic acidosis) and a relevant value in sports performance for athletes, among others. In the latter, the spotlight is placed on the food control, bringing to the table meaningful information such as decaying product detection and stress monitoring of species. No matter what purpose is involved, electrochemical (bio)sensors stand as a solid and suitable choice. However, for the time being, this statement seems to be true only for discrete measurements. The reality exposes that real and continuous lactate monitoring is still a troublesome goal. In this review, a critical overview of electrochemical lactate (bio)sensors for clinical and agrifood situations is performed. Additionally, the transduction possibilities and different sensor designs approaches are also discussed. The main aim is to reflect the current state of the art and to indicate relevant advances (and bottlenecks) to keep in mind for further development and the final achievement of this highly worthy objective

    PBL aplicado a los estudios de Historia del Arte. Elaboración de materiales didácticos para el Grado en Historia del Arte

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    El Aprendizaje Basado en Proyectos (PBL) es una metodología alternativa y/o complementaria a las nuevas enseñanzas utilizada en muchas universidades del mundo. En el proyecto se ha llevado a cabo, además de un empleo del sistema en las clases, la elaboración de materiales didácticos

    Abscess of the pontine dorsolateral tegmentum due to E. coli and influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus co-infection

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    Los abscesos del tronco del encéfalo son entidades raras que suelen afectar a la protuberancia. Los microorganismos implicados son muy variados en función del foco de diseminación. Presentamos el caso de una paciente pluripatológica que desarrolló una neumonía multilobar secundaria a virus de la gripe A (H1N1)pdm09 en el postoperatorio de una colecistectomía urgente, requiriendo ventilación mecánica. Tras mejorar clínicamente y proceder a la desintubación, la paciente no recuperó el nivel de conciencia. Posteriormente, mediante pruebas de imagen se halló un absceso en el tegmento dorsolateral pontino izquierdo, región recientemente asociada al coma. Pese a administrar cobertura antibiótica amplia, la paciente falleció cinco días después. Este caso ilustra la importancia de considerar el absceso pontino como causa de mala evolución neurológica en pacientes críticos y la necesidad de realizar pruebas de imagen para descartar lesiones intracraneales, especialmente en regiones asociadas a coma.Brain stem abscesses are rare entities that predominantly affect the pons. A wide variety of microorganisms may be implied, depending on the focus of dissemination. We present the case of a female patient with multiple comorbidities who developed multi-lobar pneumonia due to influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus during the postoperative period after an emergent cholecystectomy, requiring mechanical ventilation (MV). Following clinical improvement and withdrawal of MV, the patient did not recover consciousness. Forty-eight hours later, imaging exams showed an abscess in the left pontine dorsolateral tegmentum –a region recently associated with coma-. Despite the administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics, the patient died five days later. This case illustrates the importance of considering pontine abscesses as a cause of poor neurological course in critically ill patients, as well as the need for doing imaging exams to rule out intracranial lesions, particularly in coma-associated areas

    White matter repair after extracellular vesicles administration in an experimental animal model of subcortical stroke

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    Mesenchymal stem cells have previously been shown to mediate brain repair after stroke; they secrete 50-100 nm complexes called extracellular vesicles (EVs), which could be responsible for provoking neurovascular repair and functional recovery. EVs have been observed by electron microscopy and NanoSight, and they contain associated proteins such as CD81 and Alix. This purified, homogeneous population of EVs was administered intravenously after subcortical stroke in rats. To evaluate the EVs effects, we studied the biodistribution, proteomics analysis, functional evaluation, lesion size, fiber tract integrity, axonal sprouting and white matter repair markers. We found that a single administration of EVs improved functional recovery, fiber tract integrity, axonal sprouting and white matter repair markers in an experimental animal model of subcortical stroke. EVs were found in the animals' brain and peripheral organs after euthanasia. White matter integrity was in part restored by EVs administration mediated by molecular repair factors implicated in axonal sprouting, tract connectivity, remyelination and oligodendrogenesis. These findings are associated with improved functional recovery. This novel role for EVs presents a new perspective in the development of biologics for brain repair.This study has been partially supported by grants from PS15/01318 and INVICTUS (RD12/0014) (Spanish Neurovascular Network), Miguel Servet (CP15/00069 to María Gutiérrez-Fernández) and a Sara Borrell postdoctoral fellowship (CD12/00706, to Laura Otero-Ortega) from Research Institute Carlos III, Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain and European Regional Development Fun
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