Precision Assessment of the HPLC Phytoplankton Pigment Dataset Analyzed by NASA to Quantify Global Variability in Support of Ocean Color Remote Sensing

The ability to generate chlorophyll a (Chl a) assessments from ocean color orbital sensors, such as VIIRS and MODIS, that satisfy the requirements to be climate-quality data record (CDR) quality is contingent in part on the quality of the in situ ground or sea truth observations that serve as datasets for vicarious calibration and algorithm validation activities. NASA has a mandate to collect, analyze, and distribute in situ data of the highest possible quality with documented uncertainties and in keeping with established performance metrics. Using a dataset of over 18,000 HPLC phytoplankton pigment samples representing water collected in all major ocean basins analyzed a central laboratory (Field Support Group (FSG) of the Ocean Ecology Laboratory (OEL) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)), we performed an assessment of the global precision among sample replicates of Chl a as well as major accessory pigments. We investigated the impacts of filtration volume, water basin, collection technique, pigment concentration, and different filtration volumes for replicate filters on replicate filter precision, as well as investigating any pigment-specific differences. Our results quantify sample variability with the goal of understanding any systemic biases or biogeographic influences

Efecto de la sal de estradiol, estatus ovárico y condición corporal sobre el porcentaje de preñez en vacas con cría IATF

Se realizó un experimento con el objetivo de evaluar el uso de cipionato de estradiol (CPE) al retiro de los dispositivos intravaginales con progesterona (DISP) sobre el porcentaje de preñez (PP) a la inseminación artificial a tiempo fijo (IATF) en vacas con cría, además se determinó la asociación entre condición corporal (CC) y estatus ovárico (EO) al inicio del protocolo, y su relación con el PP. Se utilizaron 91 vacas con cría Aberdeen Angus (AA) y Polled Hereford (PH) con un posparto de 50-80 días. El día 0 se estimó la CC, se realizó ecografía pre-servicio determinando el EO, el cual se clasificó como: folículos menores a 10 mm (F0,05). El PP se afectó por la raza/toro (AA= 48,6%-36/74-; PH= 18,7%-3/16-; p0,05), de la CC (CC4= 26,7%-4/15-; CC5-7= 46,7%-35/75-; p>0,05), ni de la interacción. Se concluye que el uso de CPE al retiro no afecta la fertilidad de vacas con cría IATF, que la CC afecta el EO, y que el EO afecta el PP cuando el rodeo se encuentra en anestro.An experiment was carried out with the aim of evaluate the effect of estradiol cypionate (ECP) given at intravaginal progesterone-releasing device (DISP) removal on the FTAI pregnancy rate (PR) in suckled beef cows, as well as to evaluate the association between body condition score (BCS) and the ovarian status (OS) at the beginning of the synchronization protocol and its relationship with the PR. Ninety-one suckled Aberdeen Angus (AA) and Polled Hereford (PH) cows with a 50 to 80 postpartum interval days were used. On day 0 BCS was estimated and the OS was determined by ultrasonography as corpus luteum (CL), follicle ≥10 mm (F≥10), or 0.05). The PR was affected by breed/bull (AA= 48.6%-36/74-; PH= 18.7%-3/16-; p0.05), of the BCS (BCS4= 26.7%-4/15-; BCS5-7= 46.7%-35/75-; p>0.05), or the interaction. In conclusion, the use of ECP at the moment of DISP withdrawal has no influence on the fertility of suckled beef cows at FTAI, the BCS influences the OS, and the OS affects the PR in anestrous animals

The Adsorption of Dissolved Organic Carbon onto Glass Fiber Filters and Its Effect on the Measurement of Particulate Organic Carbon: A Laboratory and Modeling Exercise

Particulate organic carbon (POC) represents a small portion of total carbon in the ocean. However, it plays a large role in the turnover of organic matter through the biological pump and other processes. Early on since the development of the POC measurement technique in the 1960s, it was known that dissolved organic carbon (DOC) adsorbs and is retained both on and in the filter. That retained DOC is measured as if it was part of the particulate fraction, an artifact that can cause significant overestimates of POC concentration. We set out to address the long-standing question of whether the magnitude of the DOC adsorption is affected by the quantity and quality of the dissolved organic matter in the sample. However, our results precluded an unequivocal answer to that question; nevertheless, the experimental data generated did allow us to develop and test predictive models that relate the mass of carbon adsorbed to the volume of sample filtered. The results indicate that the uptake of DOC can be predicted using an exponential model and that a saturation point is approached when approximately a half-liter of water is filtered. This model can be a valuable tool for correcting existing POC data sets that did not account for DOC adsorption. Nonetheless, this approach should not be regarded as a substitute for collecting in situ filter blanks in parallel with POC samples to properly correct for this artifact

Llanuras aluviales construidas como Soluciones Basadas en la Naturaleza (SbN) para mejorar ríos y arroyos urbanos

El enfoque adaptativo de la planificación urbana busca desarrollar la resiliencia como un paso previo a la sostenibilidad. En línea con esto, el estudio adoptó Nature-Based Solutions (SbN) para proponer el reajuste de los ríos y arroyos urbanos, combinando intereses ambientales y socioeconómicos. Por lo tanto, se propuso el uso de sistemas de tratamiento de llanuras de inundación construidas (LIC). Estos combinan las funciones de las llanuras aluviales naturales, elementos de geomorfología fluvial que son descartados en el drenaje urbano convencional, siendo optimizados por elementos de Ingeniería. Así, como hipótesis de investigación, se consideró que el LIC actuaría en el tratamiento de las aguas pluviales, reduciendo la carga de contaminación difusa transportada a los cuerpos de agua por el sistema de drenaje convencional. Además, su uso también corroboraría la retención temporal de parte del volumen drenado en la cuenca urbana, favoreciendo su infiltración. Por tanto, la propuesta pretendía combinar el control cuantitativo y, principalmente, cualitativo de las aguas urbanas, actuando como barrera protectora del ecosistema acuático. La concepción del LIC también está en línea con lo propuesto por los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible, ODS, propuestos por la ONU. Y, con el fin de verificar la hipótesis inicial de acción combinada cualitativo-cuantitativa, se realizó una revisión de la literatura sobre las potencialidades de implementar dichos sistemas y la consideración del estudio de escenarios. Las conclusiones del estudio permiten destacar el potencial, en términos de drenaje urbano sostenible, que confiere el LIC. Por tanto, se cree que un mejor detalle técnico, obtenido al implementar los sistemas a gran escala, puede generar resultados que validen su aplicación.The adaptive approach to urban planning seeks to build resilience as a pre-step to sustainability. In line with this, the study adopted Nature-Based Solutions (SbN) to propose the readjustment of urban rivers and streams, combining environmental and socioeconomic interests. Thus, the use of Constructed Floodplain Treatment Systems (CFTS) was proposed. These combine the functions of natural floodplains, elements of fluvial geomorphology that are disregarded in conventional urban drainage, being optimized by elements of Engineering. Thus, as a research hypothesis, it was considered that the CFTS would act in the treatment of rainwater, reducing the load of diffuse pollution carried to water bodies by the conventional drainage system. Furthermore, its use would also corroborate the temporary retention of part of the volume drained in the urban basin, favoring its infiltration. Therefore, the proposal aimed to combine both quantitative and, mainly, qualitative control of urban waters, acting as a protective barrier for the aquatic ecosystem. The conception of the CFTS is also in line with what is proposed by the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, proposed by the UN. And, in order to verify the initial hypothesis of combined qualitative-quantitative action, a literature review was carried out on the potentialities of implementing such systems and consideration of the study of scenarios. The study's conclusions allow to highlight the potential, in terms of sustainable urban drainage, that the CFTS confer. Therefore, it is believed that a better technical detail, obtained by implementing the systems on a full scale, can generate results that validate their application.A abordagem adaptativa do planejamento urbano busca construir uma capacidade de resiliência como etapa prévia para sustentabilidade. Em sintonia, o estudo adotou as Soluções Baseadas na Natureza (SbN) para propor a Readequação de rios e córregos urbanos, aliando interesses ambientais e socioeconômicos. Propôs-se assim a utilização de Sistemas de Tratamento por Várzeas Construídas (STVC). Estes congregam as funções das várzeas naturais, elementos da geomorfologia fluvial que são desconsiderados na drenagem urbana convencional, sendo otimizadas por elementos da Engenharia. Assim, como hipótese de pesquisa, considerou-se que os STVC atuariam no tratamento das águas pluviais, diminuindo a carga de poluição difusa carreada até os corpos hídricos pelo sistema convencional de drenagem. Além disso, que sua utilização também corroboraria com a retenção temporária de parte do volume escoado na bacia urbana, favorecendo sua infiltração. Logo, a proposição teve como objetivo aliar tanto o controle quantitativo como, principalmente, o qualitativo das águas urbanas, atuando como barreira protetora do ecossistema aquático. A concepção dos STVC se alinha ainda com o que propõe os Objetivos do Desenvolvimento Sustentável, ODS, propostos pela ONU. E, para verificação da hipótese inicial de atuação combinada quali-quantitativa, realizou-se revisão bibliográfica sobre as potencialidades da implantação de tais sistemas e a consideração do estudo de cenários. As conclusões do estudo permitem destacar o potencial, em termos da drenagem urbana sustentável, que os STVC conferem. Logo, acredita-se que um melhor detalhamento técnico, obtido pela implantação dos sistemas em escala real, pode gerar resultados que validem sua aplicação

Staphylococcus aureus poststernotomy mediastinitis: Description of two distinct acquisition pathways with different potential preventive approaches

ObjectiveDetermining the acquisition routes of infection is crucial to designing specific preventive approaches against Staphylococcus aureus poststernotomy mediastinitis.MethodsFrom 2002 to 2004, a nasal sample was obtained from patients before cardiac surgery. We collected clinical and microbiologic data of all episodes of S aureus poststernotomy mediastinitis. A case–control study (3:1) was performed to confirm the role of previous preoperative nasal colonization by S aureus as a risk factor for S aureus poststernotomy mediastinitis. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis molecular analysis of nasal and surgical site S aureus isolates was performed to analyze their relatedness in each patient with poststernotomy mediastinitis and with other patients of the study cohort.ResultsS aureus nasal cultures were positive in 228 (15.9%) of 1432 patients: methicillin-susceptible S aureus in 222 (15.5%) and meticillin-resistant S aureus in 6 (0.4%). S aureus poststernotomy mediastinitis was diagnosed in 17 (1.2%) of 1432 patients: 9 (3.95%) of 228 in colonized patients versus 8 (0.66%) of 1204 in noncolonized patients (P < .0001). Seven of 9 patients (1.2%) with methicillin-susceptible S aureus had an identical isolate by pulsed field gel electrophoresis in preoperative nasal and surgical-site cultures, but no clonal relatedness was shown among the isolates from these 9 patients. None of the 8 patients with methicillin-resistant S aureus poststernotomy mediastinitis had an identical isolate by pulsed field gel electrophoresis in preoperative nasal and surgical-site cultures, and the same clone of methicillin-resistant S aureus was responsible for all these cases.ConclusionsNasal colonization often precedes methicillin-resistant S aureus poststernotomy mediastinitis, which suggests that decontamination is adequate for preventing methicillin-resistant S aureus poststernotomy mediastinitis, whereas hospital infection control measures seem to be the major factor for preventing methicillin-resistant S aureus poststernotomy mediastinitis

Consensus on Aquatic Primary Productivity Field Protocols for Satellite Validation and Model Synthesis

The NASA PACE project, in conjunction with the IOCCG, EUMETSAT, and JAXA, have initiated an Aquatic Primary Productivity working group, with the aim to develop community consensus on multiple methods for measuring aquatic primary productivity used for satellite validation and model synthesis. A workshop to commence the working group efforts was held December 05-07, 2018 at the University Space Research Association headquarters in Columbia, MD U.S.A., bringing together 26 active researchers from 16 institutions. The group discussed the primary differences, nuances, scales, uncertainties, definitions, and best practices for measurements of primary productivity derived from in situ/on-deck/laboratory radio/stable isotope incubations, dissolved oxygen concentrations (from incubations or autonomous platforms such as floats or gliders), oxygen-argon ratios, triple oxygen isotope, natural fluorescence, and FRRF/ETR/kinetic analysis. These discussions highlighted the necessity to move the community forward towards the establishment of climate-quality primary productivity measurements that follow uniform protocols, which is imperative to ensure that existing and future measurements can be compared, assimilated, and their uncertainties determined for model development and validation. The specific deliverable resulting from of this activity will be a protocol document, published in coordination with the IOCCG. This presentation will discuss the findings of the meeting, and address future activities of the working group

Runoff sources and land cover change in the Amazon : an end-member mixing analysis from small watersheds

Author Posting. © The Author(s), 2011. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of Springer for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Biogeochemistry 105 (2011): 7-18, doi:10.1007/s10533-011-9597-8.The flowpaths by which water moves from watersheds to streams has important consequences for the runoff dynamics and biogeochemistry of surface waters in the Amazon Basin. The clearing of Amazon forest to cattle pasture has the potential to change runoff sources to streams by shifting runoff to more surficial flow pathways. We applied end member mixing analysis (EMMA) to ten small watersheds throughout the Amazon in which solute composition of streamwater and groundwater, overland flow, soil solution, throughfall and rainwater were measured, largely as part of the Large-Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia. We found a range in the extent to which streamwater samples fell within the mixing space determined by potential flowpath end members, suggesting that some water sources to streams were not sampled. The contribution of overland flow as a source of stream flow was greater in pasture watersheds than in forest watersheds of comparable size. Increases in overland flow contribution to pasture streams ranged in some cases from 0% in forest to 27 to 28% in pasture and were broadly consistent with results from hydrometric sampling of Amazon forest and pasture watersheds that indicate 17- to 18-fold increase in the overland flow contribution to stream flow in pastures. In forest, overland flow was an important contribution to stream flow (45 to 57%) in ephemeral streams where flows were dominated by stormflow. Overland flow contribution to stream flow decreased in importance with increasing watershed area, from 21 to 57% in forest and 60 to 89% in pasture watersheds 100 ha. Soil solution contributions to stream flow were similar across watershed area and groundwater inputs generally increased in proportion to decreases in overland flow. Application of EMMA across multiple watersheds indicated patterns across gradients of stream size and land cover that were consistent with patterns determined by detailed hydrometric sampling.This work was supported by National Science Foundation (DEB-0315656, DEB-0640661), the NASA LBA Program (NCC5-686, NCC5-69, NCC5-705, NNG066E88A) and by grants from Brazilian agencies FAPESP (03/13172-2) and CNPq (20199/2005-5)

Efecto de distintas secuencias de tratamientos de biofumigación sobre parámetros fisicoquímicos y biológicos del suelo, el rendimiento y la salinidad de cultivos de tomate y lechuga bajo cubierta

En los últimos años, investigadores de distintos países han concentrado esfuerzos en desarrollar técnicas no contaminantes de desinfección del suelo. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de distintas secuencias de solarización y/o biofumigación (BIO). Los tratamientos evaluados consistieron en la combinación de dos desinfecciones realizadas en la primavera 2003 y 2005. Estos fueron 1. Testigo/Testigo, 2. Solarización/Solarización, 3. BIO con Estiércol/BIO con Brócoli, 4. BIO con Colza/BIO con Brócoli. Se observó control de nematodos en los 10 primeros cm del suelo, en el muestreo realizado inmediatamente después de la biofumigación, realizada en noviembre de 2005. Las diferencias entre tratamientos y el testigo se mantuvieron para esta especie (P ≤ 5 %) hasta febrero del 2007. El porcentaje de colonias de Sclerotium rolfsii recuperadas de esclerocios fue siempre mayor en el testigo sin tratar, pero a 35 cm el efecto de los tratamientos fue menor. Fusarium solani fue encontrado solamente en el testigo a 10 cm de profundidad, pero en todos los tratamientos a 35 cm. En noviembre de 2006 se trasplantó un cultivo de tomate. El número de plantas muertas al final del ciclo fue significativamente mayor en el testigo sin tratar. Se obtuvieron diferencias altamente significativas entre tratamientos (P ≤ 1 %) para rendimiento y descarte total y descarte por pequeño y podredumbre apical. El testigo sin tratar mostró los menores rendimientos y mayores porcentajes de descartes. Después de la cosecha se observaron diferencias significativas para el número de agallas y porcentaje de raíces con síntomas de podredumbres en tomate. Los patógenos aislados de las raíces con síntomas de podredumbres fueron Pyrenochaeta lycopersici y Fusarium solani.In the last years, researchers from different countries have made efforts to develop environmentally responsible soil disinfection techniques. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different sequences of soil solarization and/or biofumigation (BIO). The treatments evaluated were the combination of two disinfections performed on spring 2003 and 2005. The sequences evaluated were: 1. Control/Control, 2. Solarization/Solarization, 3. BIO with Chicken manure/BIO with Brocoli, 4. BIO with Brassica napus/BIO with Brocoli. Nematode control was observed at the first 10 cm of soil, inmediately after BIO treatments, performed at november 2005, differences (P ≤ 5 %) between treatments and control were observed for Nacobbus aberrans until february 2007. Percentage of Sclerotium rolfsii colonies obtained from sclerotia was always higher at control plots, but at 35 cm the treatment effect was lower. Fusarium solani was obtained only at control plots at 10 cm but in all treatments at 35 cm. In november 2006 a tomato crop was planted. The number of dead plants at the end of the cycle was significantly higher at control plots. Significant differences (P ≤ 1 %) between treatments were obtained for total yield, yield losses, and losses percentage due to small fruits and blossom end rot. Control plots showed lower yields and higher commercial yield losses. After harvest significant differences were observed for gall number and percentage of root rots caused by Pyrenochaeta lycopersici and Fusarium solani.EEA San PedroFil: Mitidieri, Mariel Silvina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Pedro; ArgentinaFil: Brambilla, María Virginia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Pedro; ArgentinaFil: Saliva, Valeria Virginia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Pedro; ArgentinaFil: Piris, Estela Beatriz. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Pedro; ArgentinaFil: Piris, Mario Ernesto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Pedro; ArgentinaFil: Celie, Ramón Enrique. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Pedro; ArgentinaFil: Pereyra, Cecilia Andrea. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Pedro; ArgentinaFil: Del Pardo, Cecilia Karina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Pedro; ArgentinaFil: Chaves, Eliseo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: González, Joaquín. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Pedro; Argentin

Discharge–calcium concentration relationships in streams of the Amazon and Cerrado of Brazil : soil or land use controlled

Author Posting. © The Author(s), 2011. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of springer for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Biogeochemistry 105 (2011): 19-35, doi:10.1007/s10533-011-9574-2.Stream discharge-concentration relationships are indicators of terrestrial ecosystem function. Throughout the Amazon and Cerrado regions of Brazil rapid changes in land use and land cover may be altering these hydrochemical relationships. The current analysis focuses on factors controlling the discharge-calcium (Ca) concentration relationship since previous research in these regions has demonstrated both positive and negative slopes in linear log10discharge-log10Ca concentration regressions. The objective of the current study was to evaluate factors controlling stream discharge-Ca concentration relationships including year, season, stream order, vegetation cover, land use, and soil classification. It was hypothesized that land use and soil class are the most critical attributes controlling discharge-Ca concentration relationships. A multilevel, linear regression approach was utilized with data from 28 streams throughout Brazil. These streams come from three distinct regions and varied broadly in watershed size (106 ha) and discharge (10-5.7 to 103.2 m3 sec-1). Linear regressions of log10Ca versus log10discharge in 13 streams have a preponderance of negative slopes with only two streams having significant positive slopes. An ANOVA decomposition suggests the effect of discharge on Ca concentration is large but variable. Vegetation cover, which incorporates aspects of land use, explains the largest proportion of the variance in the effect of discharge on Ca followed by season and year. In contrast, stream order, land use, and soil class explain most of the variation in stream Ca concentration. In the current data set, soil class, which is related to lithology, has an important effect on Ca concentration but land use, likely through its effect on runoff concentration and hydrology, has a greater effect on discharge-concentration relationships.This research was supported by grant #’s NCC5-686 and NNG06GE88A of NASA’s Terrestrial Ecology Program as part of the Large-scale Biosphere-Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia (LBA-ECO) project

Patient‐centered digital biomarkers for allergic respiratory diseases and asthma: The ARIA‐EAACI approach – ARIA‐EAACI Task Force Report

Biomarkers for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with rhinitis and/ or asthma are urgently needed. Although some biologic biomarkers exist in specialist care for asthma, they cannot be largely used in primary care. There are no validated biomarkers in rhinitis or allergen immunotherapy (AIT) that can be used in clinical practice. The digital transformation of health and health care (including mHealth) places the patient at the center of the health system and is likely to optimize the practice of allergy. Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) and EAACI (European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology) developed a Task Force aimed at proposing patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) as digital biomarkers that can be easily used for different purposes in rhinitis and asthma. It first defined control digital biomarkers that should make a bridge between clinical practice, randomized controlled trials, observational real-life studies and allergen challenges. Using the MASK-air app as a model, a daily electronic combined symptom-medication score for allergic diseases (CSMS) or for asthma (e-DASTHMA), combined with a monthly control questionnaire, was embedded in a strategy similar to the diabetes approach for disease control. To mimic real-life, it secondly proposed quality-of- life digital biomarkers including daily EQ-5D visual analogue scales and the bi-weekly RhinAsthma Patient Perspective (RAAP). The potential implications for the management of allergic respiratory diseases were proposed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio