Avances preliminares en la determinación de los balances de agua en parcelas forestales y pastizales mediante la aplicación del Modelo Hidrológico de Témez

Con el objetivo de establecer el balance hídrico en parcelas con pastizales y forestales y evaluar potenciales diferencias entre las mismas se determinaron las componentes de dicho balance en base a una planilla de Cálculo Excel®, mediante la aplicación del Modelo Hidrológico de Témez, en el cual las componentes halladas fueron: ETP (evapotranspiración), Po (umbral de escorrentía), δ (déficit máximo de humedad del suelo), Excedente de agua, ETR (evapotranspiración real), Hi (almacenamiento de agua en el suelo), Infiltración, Escurrimiento, Almacenamiento Subterráneo, Aporte de agua subterráneo y Aporte Total. Estas variables fueron analizadas estadísticamente mediante la Prueba de T para muestras apareadas, la cual permite probar la hipótesis de igualdad de medias, cuando se toman observaciones de a pares desde las dos distribuciones que se comparan (pastizal y forestal), teniendo una muestra de tamaño n de pares de observaciones, cada miembro de un par proveniente de una distribución. El balance en parcelas forestales arrojó un valor de (110,35mm) que resultó menor, comparado con el balance en los pastizales (135,4mm), esto es debido en gran parte al componente intercepción del dosel y, al tener solo un dato de balance de cada caso en particular, se procedió a aplicar el análisis estadístico a sus componentes, para verificar si existen o no diferencias significativas entre las mismas. Al realizar dicho análisis estadístico se concluyó que, en cuanto a las precipitaciones y escurrimiento, no existen diferencias significativas entre las mismas, si bien cabe aclarar que en el caso del lote forestal a esas precipitaciones se les descontó el agua interceptada por el dosel, por lo tanto el valor absoluto disminuye en parte

Variacion del almacenaje y estrategias de riego para algunas series de suelo del Dpto. General San Martin, Chaco

Los suelos retienen humedad de acuerdo a características físicas, tales como textura y estructura. El agua aprovechable que puede contener un suelo está directamente relacionada con su textura. A fin de elaborar estrategias de riego para una región dada deben ser establecidas para cada caso con sus particularidades, se efectuó la evaluación de la variación del almacenaje de agua en diferentes series de suelos del Dpto. General San Martín, Provincia del Chaco. Para ello se realizó en campaña ensayos de infiltración con anillos concéntricos, cuyos resultados fueron evaluados con la ecuación de Kostiakov. Fueron muestreadas 10 series de suelos, para la posterior determinación de densidad aparente por método de la probeta y humedad equivalente y punto de marchites permanente por método gravimétrico. Mediante el uso de GPS se relevaron las coordenadas geográficas de los lugares de ensayo, para la ubicación en los mapas de suelo. El contenido de humedad en capacidad de campo, punto de marchites permanente y la capacidad de almacenamiento de agua del suelo difieren para cada serie de suelo así como la tasa de infiltración básica y la lámina bruta. Atendiendo la variabilidad que se manifiesta en las condiciones físicas de los suelos en una región dada no puede establecerse “a priori” de forma generalizada la lámina de riego, la frecuencia ni la duración de los riegos a aplicar. En una región dada para poder establecer una adecuada estrategia de riego, es necesario contar con datos de la física del suelo donde va a realizarse el riego. Palabras clave: irrigación, capacidad de campo, almacenamiento

Smoking characteristics of Polish immigrants in Dublin

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study examined two main hypotheses: a) Polish immigrants' smoking estimates are greater than their Irish counterparts (b) Polish immigrants purchasing cigarettes from Poland smoke "heavier" (≥ 20 cigarettes a day) when compared to those purchasing cigarettes from Ireland. The study also set out to identify significant predictors of 'current' smoking (some days and everyday) among the Polish immigrants.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Dublin residents of Polish origin (n = 1,545) completed a previously validated Polish questionnaire in response to an advertisement in a local Polish lifestyle magazine over 5 weekends (July–August, 2007). The Office of Tobacco Control telephone-based monthly survey data were analyzed for the Irish population in Dublin for the same period (n = 484).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Age-sex adjusted smoking estimates were: 47.6% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 47.3%; 48.0%) among the Poles and 27.8% (95% CI: 27.2%; 28.4%) among the general Irish population (p < 0.001). Of the57% of smokers (n = 345/606) who purchased cigarettes solely from Poland and the 33% (n = 198/606) who purchased only from Ireland, 42.6% (n = 147/345) and 41.4% (n = 82/198) were "heavy" smokers, respectively (p = 0.79). Employment (Odds Ratio [OR]: 2.89; 95% CI: 1.25–6.69), lower education (OR: 3.76; 95%CI: 2.46–5.74), and a longer stay in Ireland (>24 months) were significant predictors of current smoking among the Poles. An objective validation of the self-reported smoking history of a randomly selected sub-sample immigrant group, using expired carbon monoxide (CO) measurements, showed a highly significant correlation coefficient (r = 0.64) of expired CO levels with the reported number of cigarettes consumed (p < 0.0001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Polish immigrants' smoking estimates are higher than their Irish counterparts, and particularly if employed, with only primary-level education, and are overseas >2 years.</p

Mean flow generation in rotating anelastic two-dimensional convection

We investigate the processes that lead to the generation of mean flows in two-dimensional anelastic convection. The simple model consists of a plane layer that is rotating about an axis inclined to gravity. The results are two-fold: firstly we numerically investigate the onset of convection in three-dimensions, paying particular attention to the role of stratification and highlight a curious symmetry. Secondly, we investigate the mechanisms that drive both zonal and meridional flows in two dimensions. We find that in general non-trivial Reynolds stresses can lead to systematic flows and, using statistical measures, we quantify the role of stratification in modifying the coherence of these flows

An integrative review of the side effects related to the use of magnesium sulfate for pre-eclampsia and eclampsia management

Abstract Background: Pre-eclampsia/eclampsia is one of the most common causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in low and middle income countries. Magnesium sulfate is the drug of choice for prevention of seizures as part of comprehensive management of the disease. Despite the compelling evidence for the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate, concern has been expressed about its safety and potential for toxicity, particularly among providers in low-and middle-income countries. The purpose of this review was to determine whether the literature published in these global settings supports the concerns about the safety of use of magnesium sulfate. Methods: An integrative review of the literature was conducted to document the known incidences of severe adverse reactions to magnesium sulphate, and specific outcomes of interest related to its use. All types of prospective clinical studies were included if magnesium sulfate was used to manage pre-eclampsia or eclampsia, the study was conducted in a low-or middle-income country, and the study included the recording of the incidence of any adverse side effect resulting from magnesium sulfate use. Results: A total of 24 studies that compared a magnesium sulfate regimen against other drug regimens and examined side effects among 34 subject groups were included. The overall rate of absent patellar reflex among all 9556 aggregated women was 1.6%, with a range of 0-57%. The overall rate of respiratory depression in 25 subject groups in which this outcome was reported was 1.3%, with a range of 0-8.2%. Delay in repeat administration of magnesium sulfate occurred in 3.6% of cases, with a range of 0-65%. Calcium gluconate was administered at an overall rate of less than 0.2%. There was only one maternal death that was attributed by the study authors to the use of magnesium sulfate among the 9556 women in the 24 studies

Demographic profile of families and children in the Study to Explore Early Development (SEED): Case-control study of autism spectrum disorder

The Study to Explore Early Development (SEED) is designed to enhance knowledge of autism spectrum disorder characteristics and etiologies

A qualitative evaluation of a novel intervention using insight into tobacco industry tactics to prevent the uptake of smoking in school-aged children

Background: Evidence from the US Truth campaign suggests that interventions focusing on tobacco industry tactics can be effective in preventing smoking uptake by children. Operation Smoke Storm is the first school-based intervention based on this premise and comprises three classroom sessions in which students act as secret agents uncovering tobacco industry tactics through videos, quizzes, discussions, and presentations. We report a qualitative evaluation of its acceptability. Methods: We conducted eight focus groups with 79 students aged 11-12 who participated in Operation Smoke Storm at two UK schools in Autumn 2013, and 20 interviews with teachers who delivered the intervention. These were digitally audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using the framework method. Results: Students enjoyed the secret agent scenario and reported acquiring new knowledge about smoking and the tobacco industry, which seemed to strengthen their aversion to smoking. Teachers felt confident delivering the ‘off the shelf’ resource, although they would have welcomed more background information about the topic and guidance on steering discussions. Teachers highlighted a need for the resource to be flexible and not dependent on lesson length, teacher confidence, or expertise. Students and teachers endorsed the idea of developing a booster component for older students and supported the development of printed information complementing the resource to encourage parents to support their child not to smoke. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that Operation Smoke Storm can be delivered by teachers to raise awareness about smoking-related issues. The ideas and issues raised are now being used to improve and extend the resource for further evaluation

Differences between urban and rural hedges in England revealed by a citizen science project

Background: Hedges are oth ecologically and culturally important and are a distinctive feature of the British landscape. However the overall length of hedges across Great Britain is decreasing. Current challenges in studying hedges relate to the dominance of research on rural, as opposed to urban, hedges, and their variability and geographical breadth. To help address these challenges and to educate the public on the importance of hedge habitats for wildlife, in 2010 the Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) programme coordinated a hedge-focused citizen science survey. Results: Results from 2891 surveys were analysed. Woody plant species differed significantly between urban and rural areas. Beech, Holly, Ivy, Laurel, Privet and Yew were more commonly recorded in urban hedges whereas Blackthorn, Bramble, Dog Rose, Elder and Hawthorn were recorded more often in rural hedges. Urban and rural differences were shown for some groups of invertebrates. Ants, earwigs and shieldbugs were recorded more frequently in urban hedges whereas blowflies, caterpillars, harvestmen, other beetles, spiders and weevils were recorded more frequently in rural hedges. Spiders were the most frequently recorded invertebrate across all surveys. The presence of hard surfaces adjacent to the hedge was influential on hedge structure, number and diversity of plant species, amount of food available for wildlife and invertebrate number and diversity. In urban hedges with one adjacent hard surface, the food available for wildlife was significantly reduced and in rural hedges, one adjacent hard surface affected the diversity of invertebrates. Conclusions: This research highlights that urban hedges may be important habitats for wildlife and that hard surfaces may have an impact on both the number and diversity of plant species and the number and diversity of invertebrates. This study demonstrates that citizen science programmes that focus on hedge surveillance can work and have the added benefit of educating the public on the importance of hedgerow habitats