Development of organic fertilizers from food market waste and urban gardening by composting in Ecuador

Currently, the management of urban waste streams in developing countries is not optimized yet, and in many cases these wastes are disposed untreated in open dumps. This fact causes serious environmental and health problems due to the presence of contaminants and pathogens. Frequently, the use of specific low-cost strategies reduces the total amount of wastes. These strategies are mainly associated to the identification, separate collection and composting of specific organic waste streams, such as vegetable and fruit refuses from food markets and urban gardening activities. Concretely, in the Chimborazo Region (Ecuador), more than 80% of municipal solid waste is dumped into environment due to the lack of an efficient waste management strategy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a demonstration project at field scale in this region to evaluate the feasibility of implanting the composting technology not only for the management of the organic waste fluxes from food market and gardening activities to be scaled-up in other developing regions, but also to obtain an end-product with a commercial value as organic fertilizer. Three co-composting mixtures were prepared using market wastes mixed with pruning of trees and ornamental palms as bulking agents. Two piles were created using different proportions of market waste and prunings of trees and ornamental palms: pile 1 (50:33:17) with a C/N ratio 25; pile 2: (60:30:10) with C/N ratio 24 and pile 3 (75:0:25) with C/N ratio 33), prepared with market waste and prunings of ornamental palm. Throughout the process, the temperature of the mixtures was monitored and organic matter evolution was determined using thermogravimetric and chemical techniques. Additionally, physico-chemical, chemical and agronomic parameters were determined to evaluate compost quality. The results obtained indicated that all the piles showed a suitable development of the composting process, with a significant organic matter decomposition, reached in a shorter period of time in pile 3. At the end of the process, all the composts showed absence of phytotoxicity and suitable agronomic properties for their use as organic fertilizers. This reflects the viability of the proposed alternative to be scaled-up in developing areas, not only to manage and recycle urban waste fluxes, but also to obtain organic fertilizers, including added value in economic terms related to nutrient contents.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

New and updated convex shape models of asteroids based on optical data from a large collaboration network

Context. Asteroid modeling efforts in the last decade resulted in a comprehensive dataset of almost 400 convex shape models and their rotation states. These efforts already provided deep insight into physical properties of main-belt asteroids or large collisional families. Going into finer detail (e.g., smaller collisional families, asteroids with sizes 20 km) requires knowledge of physical parameters of more objects. Aims. We aim to increase the number of asteroid shape models and rotation states. Such results provide important input for further studies, such as analysis of asteroid physical properties in different populations, including smaller collisional families, thermophysical modeling, and scaling shape models by disk-resolved images, or stellar occultation data. This provides bulk density estimates in combination with known masses, but also constrains theoretical collisional and evolutional models of the solar system. Methods. We use all available disk-integrated optical data (i.e., classical dense-in-time photometry obtained from public databases and through a large collaboration network as well as sparse-in-time individual measurements from a few sky surveys) as input for the convex inversion method, and derive 3D shape models of asteroids together with their rotation periods and orientations of rotation axes. The key ingredient is the support of more that 100 observers who submit their optical data to publicly available databases. Results. We present updated shape models for 36 asteroids, for which mass estimates are currently available in the literature, or for which masses will most likely be determined from their gravitational influence on smaller bodies whose orbital deflections will be observed by the ESA Gaia astrometric mission. Moreover, we also present new shape model determinations for 250 asteroids, including 13 Hungarias and three near-Earth asteroids. The shape model revisions and determinations were enabled by using additional optical data from recent apparitions for shape optimization. © 2016 ESO.J.H. greatly appreciates the CNES post-doctoral fellowship program. J.H. and M.D. were supported by the project under the contract 11-BS56-008 (SHOCKS) of the French Agence National de la Recherche (ANR), JD by grant GACR 15-04816S of the Czech Science Foundation, DO by the grant NCN 2012/S/ST9/00022 of Polish National Science Center, and A. Marciniak by grant 2014/13/D/ST9/01818 of Polish National Science Center.Peer Reviewe

Tangible fixed assets For SME: Portuguese and Spain evidence

The problem statement of this research is the application level of IAS 16 - Property, Plant and Equipment in SMEs provide by SME in Portugal and Spain. Indeed, the purpose of the research is comparing the accounting framework of IAS 16 - Property, Plant and Equipment in SME in Portugal and Spain. Also, it considers the information disclosure, conduct annually by the SME in both countries, comparing their similarities and differences. The methodology a used descriptive, pilot and explanatory analysis with support of a literature review of the normative and legal framework applicable to SME in the two countries. In addition, it understands the accounting changes resulting from legislation compared to previous normative. Indeed, it will be made an exhaustive documentary analysis of the content of the disclosure provided in the Annual Reports made by SME, through the Annex. The findings of the research allow to analyze the disclosure made by the SME and the applicable framework and the detail information about the IAS 16 - Property, Plant and Equipment. The main conclusion is centred on the Tangible Fixed Assets represent the largest percentage of assets in SME as collateral of financial decisions. Therefore, it allows stakeholders to take strategic decisions, including new investments

Analysis of 1,000+ Type-Strain Genomes Substantially Improves Taxonomic Classification of Alphaproteobacteria.

The class Alphaproteobacteria is comprised of a diverse assemblage of Gram-negative bacteria that includes organisms of varying morphologies, physiologies and habitat preferences many of which are of clinical and ecological importance. Alphaproteobacteria classification has proved to be difficult, not least when taxonomic decisions rested heavily on a limited number of phenotypic features and interpretation of poorly resolved 16S rRNA gene trees. Despite progress in recent years regarding the classification of bacteria assigned to the class, there remains a need to further clarify taxonomic relationships. Here, draft genome sequences of a collection of genomes of more than 1000 Alphaproteobacteria and outgroup type strains were used to infer phylogenetic trees from genome-scale data using the principles drawn from phylogenetic systematics. The majority of taxa were found to be monophyletic but several orders, families and genera, including taxa recognized as problematic long ago but also quite recent taxa, as well as a few species were shown to be in need of revision. According proposals are made for the recognition of new orders, families and genera, as well as the transfer of a variety of species to other genera and of a variety of genera to other families. In addition, emended descriptions are given for many species mainly involving information on DNA G+C content and (approximate) genome size, both of which are confirmed as valuable taxonomic markers. Similarly, analysis of the gene content was shown to provide valuable taxonomic insights in the class. Significant incongruities between 16S rRNA gene and whole genome trees were not found in the class. The incongruities that became obvious when comparing the results of the present study with existing classifications appeared to be caused mainly by insufficiently resolved 16S rRNA gene trees or incomplete taxon sampling. Another probable cause of misclassifications in the past is the partially low overall fit of phenotypic characters to the sequence-based tree. Even though a significant degree of phylogenetic conservation was detected in all characters investigated, the overall fit to the tree varied considerably

Nutritional status and clinical outcome of children on continuous renal replacement therapy: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND: No studies on continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) have analyzed nutritional status in children. The objective of this study was to assess the association between mortality and nutritional status of children receiving CRRT. METHODS: Prospective observational study to analyze the nutritional status of children receiving CRRT and its association with mortality. The variables recorded were age, weight, sex, diagnosis, albumin, creatinine, urea, uric acid, severity of illness scores, CRRT-related complications, duration of admission to the pediatric intensive care unit, and mortality. RESULTS: The sample comprised 174 critically ill children on CRRT. The median weight of the patients was 10 kg, 35% were under percentile (P) 3, and 56% had a weight/P50 ratio of less than 0.85. Only two patients were above P95. The mean age for patients under P3 was significantly lower than that of the other patients (p = 0.03). The incidence of weight under P3 was greater in younger children (p = 0.007) and in cardiac patients and in those who had previous chronic renal insufficiency (p = 0.047). The mortality analysis did not include patients with pre-existing renal disease. Mortality was 38.9%. Mortality for patients with weight < P3 was greater than that of children with weight > P3 (51% vs 33%; p = 0.037). In the univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, the only factor associated with mortality was protein-energy wasting (malnutrition) (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.067-4.173; p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of protein-energy wasting in children who require CRRT is high, and the frequency of obesity is low. Protein-energy wasting is more frequent in children with previous end-stage renal disease and heart disease. Underweight children present a higher mortality rate than patients with normal body weight

Characterization of talcose rocks derived from serpentinite: pilot study in the ultramafic complex of Cabo Ortegal (Spain) for potential use and commercialization

Cabo Ortegal, in Spain, was declared a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2023. An ultramafic complex makes it a geologically exciting unit, where many research works have been carried out. Serpentinites, formed by the weathering of peridotites, dunites, and other ultramafic rocks, have been described in detail in previous works. Their role as a construction material has been elucidated, although due to their complexity and heterogeneity, the results of using these materials for construction are not always successful. Talcose rocks, related to serpentinites, can also be found in the complex, although it is difficult to distinguish them. Talcose rocks may be a resource to be explored and exploited in an unpopulated area. The use of talc in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and handicrafts makes it a material of growing importance. However, the asbestos and heavy metal content should be severely limited to prevent health issues. The goal of this work is to start the characterization of these talcose rocks before promoting their potential use in different contexts to support the economy of an underpopulated area of Spain.Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. PID2021-123948OB-I0

Attitudes, behaviors, and barriers among adolescents living with obesity, caregivers, and healthcare professionals in Spain: ACTION Teens Survey Study

Although the prevalence of pediatric obesity is rising, understanding of the perceptions, attitudes, behaviors, and barriers to effective obesity care among Spanish adolescents living with obesity (ALwO), their caregivers, and healthcare professionals (HCPs) is lacking. In 2021, the cross-sectional ACTION Teens survey study was conducted in 10 countries; results from the Spanish cohort are presented herein. The survey was completed by 648 ALwO, 644 caregivers, and 251 HCPs in Spain. A total of 25% of ALwO and 43% of caregivers thought that their/their child's weight was normal, and more caregivers than ALwO perceived the ALwO's health to be at least good (95% vs. 59%, respectively). Only 53% of ALwO and 9% of caregivers reported receiving an obesity diagnosis, despite HCPs reporting they provide diagnoses to 87% of ALwO/caregivers. Although 65% of HCPs felt that ALwO may not be comfortable discussing weight, only 26% of ALwO who had discussed weight with an HCP (n = 488) reported not feeling comfortable. Inability to control hunger was a key barrier to ALwO losing weight identified by ALwO/caregivers, but not HCPs. Improved communication between the three groups, a better understanding of barriers to weight loss, and improved health education on obesity are needed in order to enhance obesity care in Spain

Müller cyst: report of a case in pregnancy

Müller cysts are alterations in the development of sexual cords and remain as malformations associated with them. They can occur in many morphological varieties. In the case of pregnancy, vaginal tumors can complicate labor because they cause obstruc-tion of the canal. During labor, these alterations can complicate the diagnosis and proper management of pregnancy. A 22-year-old female, who came to the hospital at 30.1 weeks of gestation for the first time, due to obstetric pain, vaginal tumor was detected, the patient triggered preterm labor, which did not address medical management based on oral and intravenous uteroinhibitors, so a cesarean is decided, later in the puerperium magnetic resonance was performed finding a defect in the vaginal wall, compatible with probable Müller's cyst. Due to its low frequency but high impact on pregnancy, vaginal tumors are a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, due to their embryological origin should be detected and advise on the consequences of them. As a result, some other alterations may coexist, which is why complementary studies are essential. In the pregnancy protocol, the proper location of the cysts guides us to a specific embryological origin, as well as a preventive intervention can be planned in cases like this. If these patients are asymptomatic, surgical intervention is not required, much less during pregnancy unless an obstetric indication for interruption is determined

Detection of selection signatures in farmed coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) using dense genome-wide information

Animal domestication and artificial selection give rise to gradual changes at the genomic level in populations. Subsequent footprints of selection, known as selection signatures or selective sweeps, have been traced in the genomes of many animal livestock species by exploiting variation in linkage disequilibrium patterns and/or reduction of genetic diversity. Domestication of most aquatic species is recent in comparison with land animals, and salmonids are one of the most important fish species in aquaculture. Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), cultivated primarily in Chile, has been subjected to breeding programs to improve growth, disease resistance traits, and flesh color. This study aimed to identify selection signatures that may be involved in adaptation to culture conditions and traits of productive interest. To do so, individuals of two domestic populations cultured in Chile were genotyped with 200 thousand SNPs, and analyses were conducted using iHS, XP-EHH and CLR. Several signatures of selection on different chromosomal regions were detected across both populations. Some of the identified regions under selection contained genes such anapc2, alad, chp2 and myn, which have been previously associated with body weight in Atlantic salmon, or sec24d and robo1, which have been associated with resistance to Piscirickettsia salmonis in coho salmon. Findings in our study can contribute to an integrated genome-wide map of selection signatures, to help identify the genetic mechanisms of phenotypic diversity in coho salmon