Introducing Fiji and ICY image processing techniques in ichnological research as a tool for sedimentary basin analysis

Some features of trace fossils are not easy to determine due to limited vissibility of trace fossils. Here, we applied two image processing techniques (Fiji and ICY) to ichnological studies and we compare them with the previously used high-resolution image treatment method. , discussing their usefulness for ichnological studies. Then, these are compared with a high resolution image treatment. These techniques are revealed as rapid alternatives for estimation of some ichnological features, being so useful for the first stages of research, when a detailed analysis is not needed

Evaluation of Chloride Diffusion and Corrosion Resistance in Reinforced Concrete Using Internal Curing and Shrinkage Reducing Admixtures

The properties of high-performance concretes obtained by the internal curing technique were studied in the fresh and hardened states. In some of the concrete mixtures, fine normal weight aggregates were replaced with lightweight aggregates (LWA) at 20 % vol. and ordinary portland cement was replaced by pulverized class F fly ash at 20 % by mass. Additionally, some mixtures were prepared including a shrinkage-reducing admixture, either as part of the mixing water or pre-soaked into the lightweight fine aggregates. The prepared concretes were subjected to degradation tests, such as accelerated carbonation and chloride ion deterioration. In addition, the reinforced concretes were analyzed through electrochemical corrosion tests with the linear polarization resistance technique. It was found that the internally cured concretes presented a mechanical resistance similar to those reported for the reference concretes (conventional concretes), but provided a higher resistance to carbonation, rapid penetration of chloride ions, and a lower chloride ion diffusion coefficient. The reinforcing steel structure in the internally cured concretes showed lower corrosion currents (Icorr) and corrosion potentials (Ecorr) in comparison to the reference concretes. Therefore, the use of the internal curing technique in concretes with pre-soaking in either water or a solution of shrinkage-reducing admixture can be considered as a viable alternative to extend the service life of concrete structures in contact with harmful environments

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Contourite characterization and its discrimination from other deep‐water deposits in the Gulf of Cadiz contourite depositional system

Despite numerous efforts to properly differentiate between contourites and other deep-water deposits in cores and outcrops, reliable diagnostic criteria are still lacking. The co-occurrence of downslope and along-slope sedimentary processes makes it particularly difficult to differentiate these relatively homogeneous deposits. The main aim of this paper is to identify differences in deep-water sediments based on Principal Component Analysis of grain size and geochemistry, sedimentary facies, and reinforced by microfacies and ichnofacies. The sediments studied were obtained from two International Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 339 sites in mounded and sheeted drifts in the Gulf of Cadiz. The statistical approach led to the discernment of hemipelagites, silty contourites, sandy contourites, bottom current reworked sands, fine-grained turbidites and debrites over a range of depositional and physiographic elements. These elements are linked to contourite drifts, the drift-channel transition, the contourite channel and distal upper slope. When bottom currents or gravity-driven flows are not the dominant depositional process, marine productivity and continental input settling forms the main depositional mechanism in deep-water environments. This is reflected by a high variability of the first principal component in hemipelagic deposits. The stacked principal component variability of these deposits evidences that the contourite drift and the adjacent contourite channel were influenced by the interrelation of hemipelagic, gravitational and bottom current induced depositional processes. This interrelation questions the paradigm that a drift is made up solely of muddy sediments. The interrelation of sedimentary processes is a consequence of the precession-driven changes in the intensity of the Mediterranean Outflow Water related to Mediterranean climate variability, which are punctuated by millennial-scale variability. Associated vertical and lateral shifts of the Mediterranean Outflow Water, and therefore of its interface with the East North Atlantic Central Water, controlled sediment input and favoured turbulent sediment transport in the middle slope. DuringMinisterio de Economía | Ref. CTM 2012- 39599-C03Ministerio de Economía | Ref. CGL2015-66835-PMinisterio de Economía | Ref. CTM2016-75129- C3-1-RMinisterio de Economía | Ref. CGL2016-80445-RFEDER Andalucía | Ref. B-RNM-072-UGR1

Pronounced northward shift of the westerlies during MIS 17 leading to the strong 100-kyr ice age cycles

The MIS 17 interglacial, similar to 715-675 ka, marks the end of the Mid-Pleistocene Transition as intensified, long and asymmetrical 100-kyr ice age cycles became eminently established. Increasing arrival of moisture to the Northern Hemisphere high latitudes, resulting from the northwestward migration of the Subpolar Front and the intensification of the Norwegian Greenland Seas (NGS) convection, has been put forward to explain the emergence of this quasi-periodic 100-kyr cycle. However, testing this hypothesis is problematic with the available North Atlantic precipitation data. Here we present new pollen-based quantitative seasonal climate reconstructions from the southwestern Iberian margin that track changes in the position and intensity of the westerlies. Our data compared to changes in North Atlantic deep and surface water conditions show that MIS 17 interglacial was marked by three major changes in the direction and strength of the westerlies tightly linked to oceanographic changes. In particular, we report here for the first time a drastic two-steps northward shift of the westerlies centered at similar to 693 ka that ended up with the sustained precipitation over southern European. This atmospheric reorganization was associated with northwestward migration of the Subpolar Front, strengthening of the NGS deep water formation and cooling of the western North Atlantic region. This finding points to the substantial arrival of moisture to the Northern Hemisphere high latitudes at the time of the decrease in summer energy and insolation contributing to the establishment of strong 100-kyr cycles. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Basque GovernmentBasque Government [POS_2015_1_0006]FCTPortuguese Foundation for Science and Technology [PTDC/MAR-PRO/3396/2014, UID/Multi/04326/2013, SFRH/BPD/96960/2013, SFRH/BPD/108600/2015