Methodology of image analysis for study of the vertisols moisture content

The main problem to study vertical drainage from the moisture distribution, on a vertisol profile, is searching for suitable methods using these procedures. Our aim was to design a digital image processing methodology and its analysis to characterize the moisture content distribution of a vertisol profile. In this research, twelve soil pits were excavated on a ba re Mazic Pellic Vertisols ix of them in May 13/2011 and the rest in May 19 /2011 after a moderate rainfall event. Digital RGB images were taken from each vertisol pit using a Kodak? camera selecting a size of 1600x945 pixels. Each soil image was processed to homogenized brightness and then a spatial filter with several window sizes was applied to select the optimum one. The RGB image obtained were divided in each matrix color selecting the best thresholds for each one, maximum and minimum, to be applied and get a digital binary pattern. This one was analyzed by estimating two fractal scaling exponents box counting dimension D BC) and interface fractal dimension (D) In addition, three pre-fractal scaling coefficients were determinate at maximum resolution: total number of boxes intercepting the foreground pattern (A), fractal lacunarity (?1) and Shannon entropy S1). For all the images processed the spatial filter 9x9 was the optimum based on entropy, cluster and histogram criteria. Thresholds for each color were selected based on bimodal histograms

Rendimiento deportivo máximo y la discapacidad cognitiva: un nuevo reto para las ciencias del deporte

This research has the objective to find answers to many problems to train high performance athletes with cognitive disability. The same way is very important to determine how that performance in the sport and people with cognitive disability have a relation. The methodology consists of a longitudinal research to find the relation between sports performance and the IQ (intelligence quotient) of athletes with cognitive disability. This research in their initial phase seeks longitudinally describes a group of high performance athlete with cognitive disabilities. Might think that those athletes with lower IQ  would be less suitable for sport performance, not in all cases; Some cases like this, the athlete with lower IQ had better performance than those with higher IQ and in the another case it was found the opposite result. Anyway it is premature to give an answer to this and many more questions in these aspects.El objetivo es evaluar la relación del cociente Intelectual de los atletas semifondistas y fondistas con discapacidad cognitiva y su rendimiento deportivo. Esta investigación se propone encontrar las respuestas a algunos problemas para el alto rendimiento de atletas con discapacidad cognitiva, en preparación y competencias. Pues no se debe generalizar las investigaciones de deportistas convencionales o sin discapacidad a los deportistas en condición de discapacidad; de la misma manera es importante determinar el desempeño deportivo según la discapacidad cognitiva. La metodología consiste en realizar una investigación longitudinal para encontrar relaciones entre el rendimiento deportivo y el cociente de inteligencia (CI) de estos atletas. Esta investigación en su fase inicial busca evaluar un grupo de atletas de alto rendimiento con discapacidad cognitiva. Podría pensarse que aquellos atletas con menor coeficiente de inteligencia serían menos aptos para el rendimiento deportivo, no es así en todos los casos; en los resultados el atleta con menor coeficiente de inteligencia (47%) tuvo un mejor rendimiento que aquellos con mayor coeficiente intelectual (67 y 70%) y también se encontraron resultados contrarios a esta tendencia en las damas. De todos modos, es prematuro para dar una respuesta a esto y a muchos más interrogantes en estos aspectos

Role of bacterial community composition as a driver of the small-sized phytoplankton community structure in a productive coastal system

Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUGWe present here the first detailed description of the seasonal patterns in bacterial community composition (BCC) in shelf waters off the Ría de Vigo (Spain), based on monthly samplings during 2 years. Moreover, we studied the relationship between bacterial and small-sized eukaryotic community composition to identify potential biotic interactions among components of these two communities. Bacterial operational taxonomic unit (OTU) richness and diversity systematically peaked in autumn–winter, likely related to low resource availability during this period. BCC showed seasonal and vertical patterns, with Rhodobacteraceae and Flavobacteriaceae families dominating in surface waters, and SAR11 clade dominating at the base of the photic zone (30 m depth). BCC variability was significantly explained by environmental variables (e.g., temperature of water, solar radiation, or dissolved organic matter). Interestingly, a strong and significant correlation was found between BCC and small-sized eukaryotic community composition (ECC), which suggests that biotic interactions may play a major role as structuring factors of the microbial plankton in this productive area. In addition, co-occurrence network analyses revealed strong and significant, mostly positive, associations between bacteria and small-sized phytoplankton. Positive associations likely result from mutualistic relationships (e.g., between Dinophyceae and Rhodobacteraceae), while some negative correlations suggest antagonistic interactions (e.g., between Pseudo-nitzchia sp. and SAR11). These results support the key role of biotic interactions as structuring factors of the small-sized eukaryotic community, mostly driven by positive associations between small-sized phytoplankton and bacteria.Xunta de Galicia | Ref. EM2013/023Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED481A-2019/290Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431I 2020/03Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad | Ref. CTM2017-83362-RMinisterio de Ciencia e Innovación | Ref. PID2019-110011RB-C3

Bacterioplankton dynamics driven by interannual and spatial variation in diatom and dinoflagellate spring bloom communities in the Baltic Sea

In parts of the Baltic Sea, the phytoplankton spring bloom communities, commonly dominated by diatoms, are shifting toward the co-occurrence of diatoms and dinoflagellates. Although phytoplankton are known to shape the composition and function of associated bacterioplankton communities, the potential bacterial responses to such a decrease of diatoms are unknown. Here we explored the changes in bacterial communities and heterotrophic production during the spring bloom in four consecutive spring blooms across several sub-basins of the Baltic Sea and related them to changes in environmental variables and in phytoplankton community structure. The taxonomic structure of bacterioplankton assemblages was partially explained by salinity and temperature but also linked to the phytoplankton community. Higher carbon biomass of the diatomsAchnanthes taeniata,Skeletonema marinoi,Thalassiosira levanderi, andChaetocerosspp. was associated with more diverse bacterial communities dominated by copiotrophic bacteria (Flavobacteriia, Gammaproteobacteria, and Betaproteobacteria) and higher bacterial production. During dinoflagellate dominance, bacterial production was low and bacterial communities were dominated by Alphaproteobacteria, mainly SAR11. Our results suggest that increases in dinoflagellate abundance during the spring bloom will largely affect the structuring and functioning of the associated bacterial communities. This could decrease pelagic remineralization of organic matter and possibly affect the bacterial grazers communities.Peer reviewe

Multifractal and Singularity Maps of soil surface moisture distribution derived from 2D image analysis

Soil moisture distribution usually presents extreme variation at multiple spatial scales. Image analysis could be a useful tool for investigating these spatial patterns of apparent soil moisture at multiple resolutions. The objectives of the present work were (i) to describe the local scaling of apparent soil moisture distribution and (ii) to define apparent soil moisture patterns from vertical planes of Vertisol pit images

Limnological characteristics, phytoplankton structure and bathymetry of Laguna Negra, a coloured lake from the National Park Tierra del Fuego (Argentina)

El 4% de la provincia de Tierra del Fuego se encuentra cubierto por agua. Son frecuentes en la zona cordillerana los cuerpos de agua de aguas coloreados como Laguna Negra, ubicado en el Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego. Se realizó una caracterización limnológica y batimétrica; se monitorearon con una frecuencia mensual las principales variables fisicoquímicas y se tomaron muestras para el estudio cuantitativo de la comunidad fitoplanctónica entre septiembre de 2016 y marzo de 2018, durante el período libre de hielo (n = 15). La Laguna Negra resultó ser un cuerpo de agua más profundo de lo que a priori se esperaba por estar emplazada en un turbal, con una profundidad máxima de 15.5 metros. Esta profundidad máxima plantea un posible origen tectónico con posterior modelado glaciar lo que permite clasificar a Laguna Negra como un lago. El pH del agua fue 7,5±0,55 con muy poca variación durante el período de estudio (coeficiente de variación, CV = 8.3%). Las concentraciones de nutrientes disueltos y totales (nitrógeno y fósforo) resultaron en general bajas y con muy poca fluctuación a lo largo del año. Esta misma tendencia, a la poca variabilidad temporal, se vio reflejada en la concentración de carbono orgánico disuelto (COD, 7,7±0,78 mg L-1, CV = 10%). La riqueza de fitoplancton fluctuó entre 6 y 13 taxones a lo largo del estudio. El biovolumen algal estuvo inversamente correlacionado con el coeficiente de atenuación vertical de la luz, Kd. La biomasa de fitoplancton fue en general baja tanto en concentración de clorofila a como en abundancia y biovolumen, con dominancia de Dinobryon divergens, Mallomonas sp. y Parvodinium cf. inconspicuum. La Laguna Negra, cuerpo de agua coloreado podría considerarse húmica o distrófica dependiendo de la clasificación utilizada ya que su color se encuentra al límite de los valores empleados en las actuales categorizaciones.The 4% of the Argentinian sector from Tierra del Fuego is covered with water. Colored lakes are among the most conspicuous water bodies in the Andean area, and Laguna Negra, in the National Park Tierra del Fuego, is one of them. The main physical and chemical variables were monitored and phytoplankton samples were obtained with a monthly frequency during the ice-free period, between September 2016 and March 2018 (n=15). Laguna Negra was deeper than expected, with a maximum depth of 15.5 m. In addition, this lake has high pH values (7.5±0.55), which were quite stable during the study (variation coefficient, VC=8.3%). These characteristics preclude us from considering this lake as a shallow peatland lake. Dissolved and total nutrients were low and did not show a temporal pattern of fluctuation during the study period. The same trend of no clear fluctuation was also shared by dissolved organic carbon concentration (DOC=7.7±0.78 mg/L). Taxa richness ranged between 6 and 13 throughout the study. The biovolume was inversely correlated with the vertical attenuation coefficient of light (Kd). Phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll a concentration, abundance, and biovolume) was generally low, with Dinobryon divergens, Mallomonas sp. and Parvodinium cf. inconspicuum being the dominant taxa. Depending on the classification used, Laguna Negra might be regarded as a humic or dystrophic lake because its color is at the edge of values used in the current literature to consider a lake as humic.Fil: Rodriguez, Patricia Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur. Instituto de Ciencias Polares, Ambientales y Recursos Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Garraza, Gabriela Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur. Instituto de Ciencias Polares, Ambientales y Recursos Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Granitto, María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Malits, Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: López, Gustavo Ramiro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; ArgentinaFil: Mataloni, Maria Gabriela. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental; ArgentinaFil: Coronato, Andrea Maria Josefa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur. Instituto de Ciencias Polares, Ambientales y Recursos Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Veira, Florencia Belén. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentin

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Fanhdi^®, a Plasma-Derived VWF/Factor VIII Concentrate, in von Willebrand Disease in Spain: A Retrospective Study

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a plasma-derived factor VIII concentrate containing von Willebrand Factor (pdVWF/FVIII) in standard clinical practice in von Willebrand Disease (VWD) patients. Methods: A retrospective, multicentric, observational study of VWD patients treated with Fanhdi®, a pdVWF/FVIII concentrate, from January 2011 to December 2017 was conducted at 14 centers in Spain. Efficacy and safety were evaluated for acute bleeding episodes, for prevention of bleeding in surgeries, and for secondary long-term prophylaxis. Results: Seventy-two eligible patients, type 1, 2, 3 VWD (25%/38.9%/36.1%) were treated for spontaneous and traumatic bleeding (140 episodes, n = 41 patients), to prevent surgical bleeding (69 episodes, n = 43 patients); and for secondary long-term prophylaxis (18 programs, n = 13 patients). Replacement therapy with pdVWF/FVIII showed an excellent to good clinical efficacy in 96.7% of the bleeding episodes, 100% during surgical procedures and 100% during prophylaxis. No adverse events (AEs), nor serious AEs related to the product were observed. Conclusions: Fanhdi® was effective, safe and well tolerated in the management of bleeding episodes, the prevention of bleeding during surgeries, and for secondary long-term prophylaxis in VWD patientsThe author(s) disclosed receipt of the followingfinancial support forthe research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This workwas supported by Grifols, manufacturer of the pdVWF/FVIII,Fanhdi

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Fanhdi ®, a Plasma-Derived VWF/Factor VIII Concentrate, in von Willebrand Disease in Spain : A Retrospective Study

UDHEBRONTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of a plasma-derived factor VIII concentrate containing von Willebrand Factor (pdVWF/FVIII) in standard clinical practice in von Willebrand Disease (VWD) patients. A retrospective, multicentric, observational study of VWD patients treated with Fanhdi ®, a pdVWF/FVIII concentrate, from January 2011 to December 2017 was conducted at 14 centers in Spain. Efficacy and safety were evaluated for acute bleeding episodes, for prevention of bleeding in surgeries, and for secondary long-term prophylaxis. Seventy-two eligible patients, type 1, 2, 3 VWD (25%/38.9%/36.1%) were treated for spontaneous and traumatic bleeding (140 episodes, n = 41 patients), to prevent surgical bleeding (69 episodes, n = 43 patients); and for secondary long-term prophylaxis (18 programs, n = 13 patients). Replacement therapy with pdVWF/FVIII showed an excellent to good clinical efficacy in 96.7% of the bleeding episodes, 100% during surgical procedures and 100% during prophylaxis. No adverse events (AEs), nor serious AEs related to the product were observed. Fanhdi ® was effective, safe and well tolerated in the management of bleeding episodes, the prevention of bleeding during surgeries, and for secondary long-term prophylaxis in VWD patients

Fabrication of devices featuring covalently linked MoS2–graphene heterostructures

The most widespread method for the synthesis of 2D–2D heterostructures is the direct growth of one material on top of the other. Alternatively, flakes of different materials can be manually stacked on top of each other. Both methods typically involve stacking 2D layers through van der Waals forces—such that these materials are often referred to as van der Waals heterostructures—and are stacked one crystal or one device at a time. Here we describe the covalent grafting of 2H-MoS2 flakes onto graphene monolayers embedded in field-effect transistors. A bifunctional molecule featuring a maleimide and a diazonium functional group was used, known to connect to sulfide- and carbon-based materials, respectively. MoS2 flakes were exfoliated, functionalized by reaction with the maleimide moieties and then anchored to graphene by the diazonium groups. This approach enabled the simultaneous functionalization of several devices. The electronic properties of the resulting heterostructure are shown to be dominated by the MoS2–graphene interface.The authors acknowledge European Research Council (ERC-PoC- 842606 (E.M.P.); ERC-AdG-742684 (J. S.) and the MSCA program MSCA-IF-2019-892667 (N.M.S.), MINECO (CTQ2017-86060-P (E.M.P.) and CTQ2016-79419-R), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (RTI2018-096075-A-C22 (E.B.), RYC2019-028429-I (E.B.)) the Comunidad de Madrid (MAD2D-CM S2013/ MIT-3007 (E.M.P.), Y2018/NMT-4783 (A.D.)) and the Programa de Atracción del Talento Investigador 2017-T1/IND-5562 (E.B.)). CzechNanoLab Research Infrastructure supported by MEYS CR (LM2018110) are gratefully acknowledged. IMDEA Nanociencia acknowledges support from the Severo Ochoa Programme for Centres of Excellence in R&D (MINECO, grant no. SEV-2016-0686).Peer reviewe