147 research outputs found

    Impact of a winter upwelling event on the distribution and transport of sardine (Sardina pilchardus) eggs and larvae off western Iberia: a retention mechanism.

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    A hydrographic and ichthyoplanktonic survey was conducted on the western Iberia Peninsula shelf-slope, with the objective of assessing the influence of wind-driven flow on the transport and survival of sardine early life history stages. Measurements were taken during a 2-week period of an 'upwelling-favourable' wind event. An offshore displacement of the surface low salinity Western Iberia Buoyant Plume (WIBP) was observed well off the shelf break. Below the plume, the current was southward over the mid- and inner-shelf. Offshore, the flow was poleward in the northern part of the survey area and equatorward in the south. A convergence zone was detected along the outer shelf and upper slope where the buoyant plume was apparently trapped and deepened. In general, eggs and larvae were distributed according to the spreading of the low salinity surface waters, and also within the convergent band. Older larvae were retained within the latter feature. The role of wind forcing on the plume and its interaction with the slope flow were analysed. A mechanism of larvae retention was formulated based on simplified models of the observed shelf-slope circulation

    Caracterización fisicoquímica preliminar como estrategia para promoción y conservación de tres frutales neotropicales

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    Actualmente los mercados identifican nuevos recursos para aumentar su límite de consumo y fomentar nuevas alternativas económicas de producción, sean éstas con potencial de exportación o para consumo interno. Entre las opciones más interesantes se encuentra el cultivo de frutales neotropicales, como aquellos considerados para exportación por el acuerdo de competitividad de productos hortofrutícolas promisorios exportables de Colombia, firmado en 2001, en la canasta conformada por: banano bocadillo (o bananito), mango, granadilla, pitahaya, tomate de árbol y uchuva (MADR-Agrocadenas, 2005). En este trabajo se realizó una caracterización fisicoquímica preliminar de la granadilla de Quijos (Passiflora popenovii), del tomate de árbol de monte (Solanum putumayensis) y de la curuba (Passiflora sp.), especies consumidas en fresco a pequeña escala, como características utilizadas para promover su uso a través de la transformación agroindustrial

    Physical oceanography of the western Iberia ecosystem: latest views and challenges.

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    The present review is focused on the mesoscale physical processes recognized in the Western Iberia Ecosystem, complementing earlier reviews dedicated to larger scales. Recent studies support the idea that the mesoscale processes, superimposed on the larger scale variability, are the major factor controlling the ecosystem functioning in the region. A complex structure of interleaved alongshore slope, shelf and coastal currents that interact with eddies, buoyant plumes, upwelling filaments and fronts, surface layer expressions of the subsurface circulation and internal waves is revealed by the latest research. All of these contribute in different ways to have an effect on the ecosystem. The supposedly less variable winter circulation also exhibits significant mesoscale activity, in the form of eddy shedding from the poleward slope current, intermittent upwelling events and transient nearshore poleward flows. The present incomplete knowledge of this complex system presents a number of challenges and questions that must be addressed if we are to arrive at a satisfactory understanding and predictive capability for the system as a whole

    The disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) outcome questionnaire: longitudinal construct validity and measuring self-rated health change after surgery

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    BACKGROUND: The disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire is a self-administered region-specific outcome instrument developed as a measure of self-rated upper-extremity disability and symptoms. The DASH consists mainly of a 30-item disability/symptom scale, scored 0 (no disability) to 100. The main purpose of this study was to assess the longitudinal construct validity of the DASH among patients undergoing surgery. The second purpose was to quantify self-rated treatment effectiveness after surgery. METHODS: The longitudinal construct validity of the DASH was evaluated in 109 patients having surgical treatment for a variety of upper-extremity conditions, by assessing preoperative-to-postoperative (6–21 months) change in DASH score and calculating the effect size and standardized response mean. The magnitude of score change was also analyzed in relation to patients' responses to an item regarding self-perceived change in the status of the arm after surgery. Performance of the DASH as a measure of treatment effectiveness was assessed after surgery for subacromial impingement and carpal tunnel syndrome by calculating the effect size and standardized response mean. RESULTS: Among the 109 patients, the mean (SD) DASH score preoperatively was 35 (22) and postoperatively 24 (23) and the mean score change was 15 (13). The effect size was 0.7 and the standardized response mean 1.2. The mean change (95% confidence interval) in DASH score for the patients reporting the status of the arm as "much better" or "much worse" after surgery was 19 (15–23) and for those reporting it as "somewhat better" or "somewhat worse" was 10 (7–14) (p = 0.01). In measuring effectiveness of arthroscopic acromioplasty the effect size was 0.9 and standardized response mean 0.5; for carpal tunnel surgery the effect size was 0.7 and standardized response mean 1.0. CONCLUSION: The DASH can detect and differentiate small and large changes of disability over time after surgery in patients with upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders. A 10-point difference in mean DASH score may be considered as a minimal important change. The DASH can show treatment effectiveness after surgery for subacromial impingement and carpal tunnel syndrome. The effect size and standardized response mean may yield substantially differing results

    New physical and biological evidence of lateral transport affecting dinoflagellate cyst distribution in the benthic nepheloid layer along a land-sea transect off Figueira da Foz (Atlantic Iberian margin)

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    30 pages, 12 figures, 3 tables.-- This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY)[Introduction] The production of resting cysts is a key dispersal and survival strategy of many dinoflagellate species. However, little is known about the role of suspended cysts in the benthic nepheloid layer (BNL) in the initiation and decline of planktonic populations. [Method] In September 2019, sampling of the dinoflagellate cyst community at different water depths in the water column and in the bottom sediments, and studies of spatio-temporal changes in physical properties (temperature, salinity, density and suspended sediment concentration), were carried out along a land-sea transect off Figueira da Foz (NW Portugal) to investigate the dinoflagellate cyst distribution and the factors (physical and biological) affecting it. A clustering analysis was used to compare the BNL and sediment cyst records with the cyst rain recorded by a sediment trap at a fixed station. Furthermore, Lagrangian particle experiments enabled simulating cyst trajectories in the BNL 5 and 10 days before sampling and assessing cross-shore, vertical and alongshore transport within the studied region. [Results] A well-developed BNL was present during the survey, which covered a change from active (14th of September) to relaxed (19th of September) upwelling conditions. Organic-walled dinoflagellate cysts were dominant in all samples, although calcareous dinoflagellate cysts consistently occurred (at low abundances). High proportions of full cysts were observed in the BNL, of which a significant portion was viable as shown by excystment experiments. Moreover, BNL cyst records collected on the 19th of September along the land-sea transect were similar to the sediment trap cyst record but greatly differed from sediment cyst records. The heterotrophic small spiny brown cysts (SBC) and cysts of the autotrophic yessotoxin-producer Protoceratium reticulatum notably increased during the survey, in the BNL and in the water column above. [Discussion] The comparison of the BNL, surface sediment and sediment trap cyst records supported that the main origin of cysts in the BNL was the recent production in the water column. The spatial coincidences in the distribution of cysts and vegetative cells of Protoceratium reticulatum also supported that full cysts in the water column were being produced in surface waters. New data evidenced the presence of a significant reservoir of viable cysts in the BNL that have the potential to seed new planktonic blooms. Furthermore, back-track particle modelling evidenced that alongshore advection was the main physical mechanism controlling cyst dynamics in the BNL during most part of the survey period, being particularly intense in coastal stations (<100 m depth). Consequently, the sediment cyst signal is a mixture of locally and regionally produced cysts. We provide multi-disciplinary data evidencing that cysts recently formed in the photic zone can be laterally advected within the studied region through the BNL, contributing to a better understanding of the role of the BNL in cyst dynamics and tracing the seed sources of the new bloomsThis work is a contribution to HABWAVE project LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-031265, co-funded by EU ERDF funds, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement and Compete 2020, and national funds through Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, I.P.(FCT, I.P.) also to AQUIMAR project MAR2020; MAR-02.01.01-FEAMP-017. This study had the support of FCT through the strategic projects UIDB/04292/2020 and UIDP/04292/2020 awarded to MARE and through project LA/P/0069/2020 granted to the Associate Laboratory ARNET, the strategic project UIDB/04326/2020 awarded to CCMAR. Thanks are also due for the financial support to CESAM by FCT/MCTES (UIDP/50017/2020+UIDB/50017/2020+LA/P/0094/2020), Partnership Agreement and Compete 2020. IG-M was supported by a postdoctoral fellowship from Xunta de Galicia, Spain (ref. ED481B-2019-074, 2019). JM gratefully acknowledges the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia and its support via strategic funding UIDB/04423/2020 and UIDP/04423/2020, and project MIWAVES (PTDC/2022.01215.PTDC)Peer reviewe

    Model-Derived Dispersal Pathways from Multiple Source Populations Explain Variability of Invertebrate Larval Supply

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    Background: Predicting the spatial and temporal patterns of marine larval dispersal and supply is a challenging task due to the small size of the larvae and the variability of oceanographic processes. Addressing this problem requires the use of novel approaches capable of capturing the inherent variability in the mechanisms involved. Methodology/Principal Findings: In this study we test whether dispersal and connectivity patterns generated from a biophysical model of larval dispersal of the crab Carcinus maenas, along the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula, can predict the highly variable daily pattern of wind-driven larval supply to an estuary observed during the peak reproductive season (March–June) in 2006 and 2007. Cross-correlations between observed and predicted supply were significant (p,0.05) and strong, ranging from 0.34 to 0.81 at time lags of 26 to+5 d. Importantly, the model correctly predicted observed cross-shelf distributions (Pearson r = 0.82, p,0.001, and r = 0.79, p,0.01, in 2006 and 2007) and indicated that all supply events were comprised of larvae that had been retained within the inner shelf; larvae transported to the outer shelf and beyond never recruited. Estimated average dispersal distances ranged from 57 to 198 km and were only marginally affected by mortality. Conclusions/Significance: The high degree of predicted demographic connectivity over relatively large geographic scales is consistent with the lack of genetic structuring in C. maenas along the Iberian Peninsula. These findings indicate that the dynamic nature of larval dispersal can be captured by mechanistic biophysical models, which can be used to provid

    Coping with poachers in European stalked barnacle fisheries: Insights from a stakeholder workshop.

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    In January 2020, a stakeholder workshop was organized as a knowledge sharing strategy among European stalked barnacle fisheries. Management of this fishery differs greatly among regions and ranges from less organized and governed at large scales (>100 km, coasts of SW Portugal and Brittany in France) to highly participatory systems which are co-managed at small spatial scales (10′s km and less, Galicia and Asturias). Discussions revealed that poaching is ubiquitous, hard to eradicate, and adapts to all types of management. The stakeholders identified some key management initiatives in the fight against poaching: granting professional harvesters with exclusive access to the resource, increasing social capital among harvesters through tenure systems (e.g. Territorial Use Rights in Fisheries) that empower them as stewards of their resource and intensi- fication of surveillance with the active participation of the harvesters. Furthermore, increased cooperation be- tween fishers associations and regional fisheries authorities, improved legal frameworks, adoption of new technologies and the implementation of market-based solutions can also help coping with this systemic problem

    Adverse effects of extra-articular corticosteroid injections: a systematic review

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To estimate the occurrence and type of adverse effects after application of an extra-articular (soft tissue) corticosteroid injection.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A systematic review of the literature was made based on a PubMed and Embase search covering the period 1956 to January 2010. Case reports were included, as were prospective and retrospective studies that reported adverse events of corticosteroid injection. All clinical trials which used extra-articular corticosteroid injections were examined. We divided the reported adverse events into major (defined as those needing intervention or not disappearing) and minor ones (transient, not requiring intervention).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The search yielded 87 relevant studies:44 case reports, 37 prospective studies and 6 retrospective studies. The major adverse events included osteomyelitis and protothecosis; one fatal necrotizing fasciitis; cellulitis and ecchymosis; tendon ruptures; atrophy of the plantar fat was described after injecting a neuroma; and local skin effects appeared as atrophy, hypopigmentation or as skin defect. The minor adverse events effects ranged from skin rash to flushing and disturbed menstrual pattern. Increased pain or steroid flare after injection was reported in 19 studies. After extra-articular injection, the incidence of major adverse events ranged from 0-5.8% and that of minor adverse events from 0-81%. It was not feasible to pool the risk for adverse effects due to heterogeneity of study populations and difference in interventions and variance in reporting.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In this literature review it was difficult to accurately quantify the incidence of adverse effects after extra-articular corticosteroid injection. The reported adverse events were relatively mild, although one fatal reaction was reported.</p

    A window to the sea: environmental indicators for coastal risk management under the RAIA observatory (NW-Iberian Peninsula)

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    Poster.-- International Ocean Data Conference 2022, Sopot, Poland, 14-16 February 2022Environmental indicators are fundamental tools for the evaluation and mitigation of environmental risks, showing the current state and helping to predict future changes on ecosystem health regarding environmental risks The framework of the RAIA observatory www marnaraia org identified 38 environmental indicators, in which 12 key risks affecting the ecosystem services of the Euroregion Galicia Northern Portugal have been evaluated The objective of this initiative is to optimize and analyze the environmental indicators identified for the Euroregion and make them available through a Web service that allows users to get information on the current state and evolution of the ecosystem healthThis contribution has been funded by the European Union MarRISK project Adaptación costera ante el Cambio Climático conocer los riesgos y aumentar la resiliencia (0262_MarRISK1_E) through EP-INTERREG V A España-Portugal (POCTEP) programN

    A window to the sea: environmental indicators for coastal risk management under the RAIA observatory (NW-Iberian Peninsula)

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    ECSA 59 Using the best scientific knowledge for the sustainable management of estuaries and coastal seas, San Sebastian (Spain), 5th–8th September 2022The international RAIA Observatory (www.marnaraia.org) resulted from the effort of 12 research and academic institutions and public agencies (Spanish and Portuguese) working in the field of meteorology and oceanography. The RAIA Observatory serves the main maritime activities of the Galicia-Northern Portugal Euroregion and contributes to collaborative observational networks. Under the framework of coastal risk management, environmental indicators are fundamental tools for the evaluation and mitigation of environmental risks, showing the current state and helping to predict future changes on ecosystem health regarding environmental risks. In last years, the different partners of the RAIA Observatory have identified 38 environmental indicators, in which 12 key risks affecting the ecosystem services of the Galicia-Northern Portugal Euroregion are being evaluated. Data was analyzed and compiled by the various partners of the RAIA Observatory and the development and optimization of the environmental indicators has been done according to the specifications provided by the European Environmental Agency (EEA) and the International Panel for Climate Change (IPCC). The resulting environmental indicators are included and shared on a publicly-accessible Web service, georeferenced and accompanied by plots (https://marrisk.inesctec.pt/public/#!/indicators). So far, the current status of the indicators has allowed us to establish risk assessment protocols for the Euroregion, and identify critical gaps in a temporal and spatial coverage. The inclusion of the environmental indicators in the RAIA Observatory is of great relevance for national and international data exchange and promotes future collaborationsN
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