Drought Sensitiveness on Forest Growth in Peninsular Spain and the Balearic Islands

Drought is one of the key natural hazards impacting net primary production and tree growth in forest ecosystems. Nonetheless, tree species show different responses to drought events, which make it difficult to adopt fixed tools for monitoring drought impacts under contrasting environmental and climatic conditions. In this study, we assess the response of forest growth and a satellite proxy of the net primary production (NPP) to drought in peninsular Spain and the Balearic Islands, a region characterized by complex climatological, topographical, and environmental characteristics. Herein, we employed three different indicators based on in situ measurements and satellite image-derived vegetation information (i.e., tree-ring width, maximum annual greenness, and an indicator of NPP). We used seven different climate drought indices to assess drought impacts on the tree variables analyzed. The selected drought indices include four versions of the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI, Palmer Hydrological Drought Index (PHDI), Z-index, and Palmer Modified Drought Index (PMDI)) and three multi-scalar indices (Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), and Standardized Precipitation Drought Index (SPDI)). Our results suggest that—irrespective of drought index and tree species—tree-ring width shows a stronger response to interannual variability of drought, compared to the greenness and the NPP. In comparison to other drought indices (e.g., PDSI), and our results demonstrate that multi-scalar drought indices (e.g., SPI, SPEI) are more advantageous in monitoring drought impacts on tree-ring growth, maximum greenness, and NPP. This finding suggests that multi-scalar indices are more appropriate for monitoring and modelling forest drought in peninsular Spain and the Balearic Islands

Treatment with tocilizumab or corticosteroids for COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammatory state: a multicentre cohort study (SAM-COVID-19)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between tocilizumab or corticosteroids and the risk of intubation or death in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) with a hyperinflammatory state according to clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A cohort study was performed in 60 Spanish hospitals including 778 patients with COVID-19 and clinical and laboratory data indicative of a hyperinflammatory state. Treatment was mainly with tocilizumab, an intermediate-high dose of corticosteroids (IHDC), a pulse dose of corticosteroids (PDC), combination therapy, or no treatment. Primary outcome was intubation or death; follow-up was 21 days. Propensity score-adjusted estimations using Cox regression (logistic regression if needed) were calculated. Propensity scores were used as confounders, matching variables and for the inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTWs). Results: In all, 88, 117, 78 and 151 patients treated with tocilizumab, IHDC, PDC, and combination therapy, respectively, were compared with 344 untreated patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 10 (11.4%), 27 (23.1%), 12 (15.4%), 40 (25.6%) and 69 (21.1%), respectively. The IPTW-based hazard ratios (odds ratio for combination therapy) for the primary endpoint were 0.32 (95%CI 0.22-0.47; p < 0.001) for tocilizumab, 0.82 (0.71-1.30; p 0.82) for IHDC, 0.61 (0.43-0.86; p 0.006) for PDC, and 1.17 (0.86-1.58; p 0.30) for combination therapy. Other applications of the propensity score provided similar results, but were not significant for PDC. Tocilizumab was also associated with lower hazard of death alone in IPTW analysis (0.07; 0.02-0.17; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tocilizumab might be useful in COVID-19 patients with a hyperinflammatory state and should be prioritized for randomized trials in this situatio

Towards a Conceptual Framework for the Specification of Reproducible and Replicable Data Analysis Projects

It is becoming increasingly common to exploit the data collected by Information Systems in order to carry out an analysis of them and obtain conclusions that give rise to a series of decisions in the different research fields. The fact that in most cases these conclusions cannot be properly backed up has given rise to a reproducibility crisis in Data Science, the discipline that makes it possible to convert such data into knowledge, and it research fields that apply it. In this paper we envision a conceptual framework to foster reproducible and replicable Data Science projects. The framework proposes the definition of systematic pipelines that may be (semi)automatically executed in terms of concrete implementation platforms. Proprietary or third party tools are also considered so that flexibility may be ensured without hindering reproducibility and replicability

Linking tree-ring growth and satellite-derived gross primary growth in multiple forest biomes. Temporal-scale matters

This study links tree-ring growth and gross primary production for a variety of forest types under different environmental conditions across Spain. NOAA-AVHRR satellite imagery data were combined with dendrochronological records and climate data at a fine spatial resolution (1.21 km2) to analyze the interannual variability of tree-ring growth and vegetation activity for different forest biomes from 1981 to 2015. Specifically, we assessed the links between tree-ring width indices (TRWi), the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and a variety of environmental conditions, represented by climatic variables (air temperature, precipitation, evapotranspiration and water balance) and elevation. The impact of these variables on tree growth was assessed by means of the Predictive Discriminant Analysis (PDA). Results reveal a general positive and significant relationship between inter-annual variability of the NDVI at a high spatial resolution (1.21 km2) and tree-ring growth. Maximum correlations between NDVI and tree-ring growth were recorded when cumulative NDVI values were considered, in some cases covering long time periods (6–10 months), suggesting that tree growth is mainly related to Gross Primary Production (GPP) at annual scale. The relationship between tree-ring growth and inter-annual variability of the NDVI, however, strongly varies between forest types and environmental conditions.Research projects CGL2014-52135-C03-01, CGL2015-69186-C2-1-R, CGL2015-69985-R, CGL2013-48843-C2-1-R, AGL2014-53822-C2-1-R, (BFU2010-21451), PCIN-2015-220, CGL2016-81706-REDT, CGL2017-82216-R, Spanish Commission of Science and Technology and FEDER, 1560/2015: Herramientas de monitorización de la vegetación mediante modelización ecohidrológica en parques continentales financed by the Red de Parques Nacionales, IMDROFLOOD, Water Works 2014, co-funded call of the European Commission, CROSSDRO financed by the AXIS (Assessment of Cross(X) – sectorial climate Impacts and pathways for Sustainable transformation) JPI-Climate co-funded call of the European Commission and INDECIS, part of ERA4CS, an ERA-NET initiated by JPI Climate, FORMAS (SE), DLR (DE), BMWFW (AT), IFD (DK), MINECO (ES), ANR (FR), co-funding by the European Union (Grant 690462). Spanish Commission of Science and Technology and FEDER, and INDECIS, which is part of ERA4CS, an ERA-NET initiated by JPI Climate, and funded by FORMAS (SE), DLR (DE), BMWFW (AT), IFD (DK), MINECO (ES), ANR (FR) with co-funding by the European Union (Grant 690462), Aragon Regional Government, Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport, IJCI-2015-25845, MINECO-FPDI 2013-16600, FJCI 2016-30121, FEDER funds. Xunta de Galicia (PGIDIT06PXIB502262PR, GRC GI-1809, ROCLIGAL-10MDS291009PR), INIA (RTA2006-00117), and Interreg V-A POCTEFA (CANOPEE, 2014-2020-FEDER funds) projects

Multicentre surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in enterococci and staphylococci from Colombian hospitals, 2001-2002

Se recolectaron aislamientos invasivos de estafilococos y enterococos de 15 centros de atención terciaria en ciudades colombianas vivas entre 2001 y 2002. Un total de 597 aislamientos estuvieron disponibles para análisis. La identificación se confirmó mediante métodos automatizados y ensayos de PCR multiplex en un laboratorio central. Staphylococcus aureus y estafilococos coagulasa negativos (CoNS) correspondieron al 49,6% y 29,6% de los aislamientos, respectivamente, y el 20,8% se identificaron como enterococos. Las CIM de ampicilina, ciprofloxacina, cloranfenicol, eritromicina, gentamicina, linezolid, oxacilina, rifampicina, teicoplanina, tetraciclina, trimetoprim / sulfametoxazol (SXT) y vancomicina se determinaron utilizando un método de dilución en agar según fuera apropiado. El cribado de S. aureus resistente a la vancomicina también se llevó a cabo en placas de agar con infusión de cerebro-corazón suplementadas con vancomicina. Se investigó la presencia de genes mecA y van en estafilococos resistentes a meticilina y enterococos resistentes a glucopéptidos (GRE), respectivamente. Todos los estafilococos fueron sensibles a vancomicina, teicoplanina y linezolid. No se encontraron aislados VISA. En S. aureus y CoNS, las tasas más bajas de resistencia se encontraron para SXT (7,4%) y cloranfenicol (10,7%), respectivamente. La resistencia a la oxacilina en S. aureus y CoNS fue de 52% y 73%, respectivamente. El gen mecA se detectó en el 97,5% de los aislados de S. aureus resistentes a la meticilina. En enterococos, la resistencia a glicopéptidos fue del 9,7%: se encontraron genes vanA (58,3%) y vanB (41,7%). La electroforesis en gel de campo pulsado indicó que los aislados de GRE estaban estrechamente relacionados. Las tasas de resistencia a ampicilina, ciprofloxacina, cloranfenicol, rifampicina y niveles altos de gentamicina y estreptomicina fueron 9. 7%, 27,4%, 8,9%, 43%, 17% y 28,2%, respectivamente. Todos los enterococos fueron sensibles a linezolid.Invasive isolates of staphylococci and enterococci were collected from 15 tertiary care centres in live Colombian cities from 2001 to 2002. A total of 597 isolates were available for analysis. Identification was confirmed by both automated methods and multiplex PCR assays in a central laboratory. Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) corresponded to 49.6% and 29.6% of isolates, respectively, and 20.8% were identified as enterococci. MICs of ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, gentamicin, linezolid, oxacillin, rifampicin, teicoplanin, tetracycline, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (SXT) and vancomycin were determined using an agar dilution method as appropriate. Screening for vancomycin-resistant S. aureus was also carried out on brain-heart infusion agar plates supplemented with vancomycin. The presence of mecA and van genes was investigated in methicillin-resistant staphylococci and glycopeptide-resistant enterococci (GRE), respectively. All staphylococci were susceptible to vancomycin, teicoplanin and linezolid. No VISA isolates were found. In S. aureus and CoNS, the lowest rates of resistance were found for SXT (7.4%) and chloramphenicol (10.7%), respectively. Resistance to oxacillin in S. aureus and CoNS was 52% and 73%, respectively. The mecA gene was detected in 97.5% of methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates. In enterococci, resistance to glycopeptides was 9.7%: vanA (58.3%) and vanB (41.7%) genes were found. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis indicated that the GRE isolates were closely related. Rates of resistance to ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, rifampicin and high levels of gentamicin and streptomycin were 9.7%, 27.4%, 8.9%, 43%, 17% and 28.2%, respectively. All enterococci were susceptible to linezolid

Antología del pensamiento crítico costarricense contemporáneo

La selección de textos, para una obra como la que aquí presentamos, exige un proceso de toma de decisiones sobre lo que se va a considerar como pensamiento crítico, sobre la temporalidad de la producción y sobre las temáticas que se van a incluir. En esta antología asumimos la definición de pensamiento crítico derivada de las propuestas teóricas de la Escuela de Frankfurt, basadas en la definición de Marx de 1843, como aquel pensamiento que no solo busca entender la sociedad, sino también criticarla y contribuir como un todo, sumándose a las agendas, miradas y aspiraciones de los movimientos sociales contestatarios. Como crítico, además, en el contexto costarricense destacamos aquellos textos que han enfrentado el espejo (a veces espejismo) nacionalista y han brindado formas originales para repensar Costa Rica como país, como sociedad y como cultura. En términos de la temporalidad, en esta antología se incluyen textos que abarcan un período de cerca de 100 años, iniciando en la década 1920 y terminando con autores y autoras que desarrollan su producción en las primeras décadas del presente siglo. Sobre la escogencia temática, hemos decidido incorporar trabajos que plantean críticas a un conjunto de mitos sobre la homogeneidad, la igualdad y la excepcionalidad costarricense que se han configurado como poderosos mecanismos de control social y político. La compiladora y el compilador hemos batallado ampliamente sobre la selección que ofrecemos en esta antología. Por eso, debe verse primeramente como un producto de procesos de discusión sobre las características de los textos, su distribución cronológica, sus aportes a las problemáticas que nos planteamos, la originalidad y actividad pionera de sus proponentes y el impacto en las ciencias sociales costarricenses de estos ensayos. No está demás decir que tenemos claro que esta antología y cualquier otra siempre tendrá sus límites, siempre carecerá de otros trabajos importantes y siempre podría ser enriquecida por otras perspectivas. Sabidos de eso, también tenemos claro que estos textos que hemos escogido representan lo mejor del pensamiento crítico costarricense y que a partir de ellos se han generado polémicas, discusiones y se han inspirado otros investigadores e investigadoras. De la presentación de Montserrat Sagot y David Díaz Aria

Memoria y legado : didácticas innovadoras para la formación en el SENA. Volumen 1

Aprender con otros. La sistematización como camino de investigación en el SENA, nace de la necesidad de recuperar desde la investigación la riqueza de las prácticas pedagógicas de las y los instructores a través de la producción del conocimiento crítico que emana de la práctica y las experiencias vividas en sus ambientes de formación. La sistematización de experiencias es una herramienta fundamental que permite contar lo vivido en la ejecución de la formación entre instructores, aprendices, familias, emprendedores, empresarios y la comunidad en general, empoderando al instructor para que se atreva a escribir y reflexionar sobre su práctica pedagógica desde una impronta de transformación en los territorios

Evaluation of a quality improvement intervention to reduce anastomotic leak following right colectomy (EAGLE): pragmatic, batched stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized trial in 64 countries

Background Anastomotic leak affects 8 per cent of patients after right colectomy with a 10-fold increased risk of postoperative death. The EAGLE study aimed to develop and test whether an international, standardized quality improvement intervention could reduce anastomotic leaks. Methods The internationally intended protocol, iteratively co-developed by a multistage Delphi process, comprised an online educational module introducing risk stratification, an intraoperative checklist, and harmonized surgical techniques. Clusters (hospital teams) were randomized to one of three arms with varied sequences of intervention/data collection by a derived stepped-wedge batch design (at least 18 hospital teams per batch). Patients were blinded to the study allocation. Low- and middle-income country enrolment was encouraged. The primary outcome (assessed by intention to treat) was anastomotic leak rate, and subgroup analyses by module completion (at least 80 per cent of surgeons, high engagement; less than 50 per cent, low engagement) were preplanned. Results A total 355 hospital teams registered, with 332 from 64 countries (39.2 per cent low and middle income) included in the final analysis. The online modules were completed by half of the surgeons (2143 of 4411). The primary analysis included 3039 of the 3268 patients recruited (206 patients had no anastomosis and 23 were lost to follow-up), with anastomotic leaks arising before and after the intervention in 10.1 and 9.6 per cent respectively (adjusted OR 0.87, 95 per cent c.i. 0.59 to 1.30; P = 0.498). The proportion of surgeons completing the educational modules was an influence: the leak rate decreased from 12.2 per cent (61 of 500) before intervention to 5.1 per cent (24 of 473) after intervention in high-engagement centres (adjusted OR 0.36, 0.20 to 0.64; P &lt; 0.001), but this was not observed in low-engagement hospitals (8.3 per cent (59 of 714) and 13.8 per cent (61 of 443) respectively; adjusted OR 2.09, 1.31 to 3.31). Conclusion Completion of globally available digital training by engaged teams can alter anastomotic leak rates. Registration number: NCT04270721 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov)