Monitoring Deforestation in Rainforests Using Satellite Data: A Pilot Study from Kalimantan, Indonesia

Monitoring large forest areas is presently feasible with satellite remote sensing as opposed to time-consuming and expensive ground surveys as alternative. This study evaluated, for the first time, the potential of using freely available medium resolution (30 m) Landsat time series data for deforestation monitoring in tropical rainforests of Kalimantan, Indonesia, at sub-annual time scales. A simple, generic, data-driven algorithm for deforestation detection based on a consecutive anomalies criterion was proposed. An accuracy assessment in the spatial and the temporal domain was carried out using high-confidence reference sample pixels interpreted with the aid of multi-temporal very high spatial resolution image series. Results showed a promising spatial accuracy, when three consecutive anomalies were required to confirm a deforestation event. Recommendations in tuning the algorithm for different operational use cases were provided within the context of satisfying REDD+ requirements, depending on whether spatial accuracy or temporal accuracy need to be optimized

FABIO - The Construction of the Food and Agriculture Biomass Input-Output Model

Primary crops are linked to final consumption by networks of processes and actors that convert and distribute food and non-food goods. Achieving a sustainable metabolism of this bio-economy is an overarching challenge which manifests itself in a number of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Modelling the physical dimensions of biomass conversion and distribution networks is essential to understanding the characteristics, drivers and dynamics of our societies' biomass metabolism. In this paper, we present the Food and Agriculture Biomass Input-Output model (FABIO), a set of multi-regional supply, use and input-output tables in physical units, that document the complex flows of agricultural and food products in the global economy. The model assembles FAOSTAT statistics reporting crop production, trade, and utilisation in physical units, supplemented by data on technical and metabolic conversion efficiencies, into a consistent, balanced, input-output framework. FABIO covers 191 countries and 130 agriculture, food and forestry products from 1986 to 2013. The physical supply-use tables offered by FABIO provide a comprehensive, transparent and flexible structure for organising data representing flows of materials within metabolic networks. They allow tracing biomass flows and embodied environmental pressures along global supply chains at an unprecedented level of product and country detail and can help to answer a range of questions regarding environment, agriculture, and trade.Series: Ecological Economic Paper

PRODUCTION OF DOCOSAHEXAENOIC ACID (DHA) FROM Thraustochytrium sp. ATCC 26185 USING DIFFERENTS NITROGEN CONCENTRATIONS

In this work it was studied the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) production, especially DHA, from Thraustochytrium sp. ATCC 26185, under different total nitrogen (TN) availability. Three different TN conditions were evaluated: two with initial concentrations of 2.4 g/L and 0.8 g/L, and the third in a fed-batch process with a rate of 0.009 g/L.h. For each experiment the biomass, glucose, TN and PUFAs were determined. The major composition of the PUFAs in Thraustochytrium sp. ATCC 26185 cell biomass were DPA ω6 (21-25 %) and DHA (69-73 %), regardless of the type and time of culture. The maximum cell concentration (30.2 g/L) was obtained using 2.4 g/L TN in 168 h of culture. With this same concentration of TN it was possible to produce the highest concentration of DHA (1.16 g/L) in 120 h of culture, demonstrating that the growth of Thraustochytrium sp. ATCC 26185 and yield of PUFAs are dependent on the source concentration of TN available for consumption of this oleaginous microorganism, as well as culture time

PRODUCTION OF DOCOSAHEXAENOIC ACID (DHA) FROM Thraustochytrium sp. ATCC 26185 USING DIFFERENTS NITROGEN CONCENTRATIONS

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) of the type ω3 and ω6 play important physiological functions in human organism, since they are components of cell membranes and brain cells; they decrease the levels of triglycerides and can prevent the incidence of coronary heart disease. Various parameters, including concentration of the nitrogen source in the cultivation of oleaginous microorganisms have been reported to be essential in the biosynthesis and accumulation of PUFAs. The objective of this work is to study the effect of different concentrations of total nitrogen (TN) in the production of PUFAs, especially DHA, from Thraustochytrium sp. ATCC 26185. The concentrations of TN evaluated were 2.4 and 0.8 g/L (batch) and 0.009 g/L (hourly) under fed-batch process. The content of cell biomass, glucose consumption, TN and production of PUFAs was determined. The major composition of the PUFAs in Thraustochytrium sp. ATCC 26185 cell biomass were DPA ω6 (21-25%) and DHA (69-73%), regardless of the type and time of culture. The maximum cell concentration obtained (30.2 g/L) was using 2.4 g/L TN in 168 h of culture. With this same concentration of TN it was possible to produce the highest concentration of DHA (1.16 g/L) in 120 h of culture, demonstrating that the growth of Thraustochytrium sp. ATCC 26185 and yield of PUFAs are dependent on the concentration TN source available for consumption of this oleaginous microorganism, as well as culture tim

TRATAMENTO DO LIXIVIADO DE ATERRO DE RESÍDUOS SÓLIDOS URBANOS POR PROCESSO FENTON

The leachate generated on sanitary landfill by solid waste decomposition with rainfall water infiltration has high potential of pollution, due to high concentration of toxic substances and low biodegradability. The chemistry coagulation can be an alternative to treat effluents with these characteristics. The work aimed to evaluate the efficiency of Fenton process in the treatment of leachate landfill from urban solid waste. The leachate samples were collected from the controlled landfill of Santa Maria Council – RS. In the experiment were tested five treatments with different proportions of reagents (H2O2 e FeSO4) TH2O2/FeSO4: T0,8, T2,0, T3,0, T4,0 and T6,0. The experimental data with Fenton process showed an average removing efficiency on chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 47.9%, on the turbidity 53.0% and 70.7% for color. The average values of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and electric conductivity increased on 31.3% and 27.1%, respectively. On the leachate treatment with T0,8 notes the largest removal COD and higher increase biodegradability. The Fenton process applied to leachate treatment reduces the COD and increases the BOD, in the other words, increase the effluent biodegradability. This process can be used as a pre-treatment on a biological system for sanitary landfill effluents.O lixiviado gerado em aterros sanitários pela decomposição dos resíduos sólidos com presença de água de infiltração possui grande potencial poluidor, devido à elevada concentração de substâncias tóxicas e a sua baixa biodegradabilidade. A coagulação química pode ser uma alternativa para o tratamento de efluentes com essas características. O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a eficiência do processo Fenton no tratamento de lixiviado gerado em aterros sanitários de resíduos sólidos urbanos. As amostras de lixiviado foram coletadas no aterro controlado do município de Santa Maria – RS. No experimento foram testados cinco tratamentos com diferentes proporções de reagentes (H2O2 e FeSO4) TH2O2/FeSO4: T0,8, T2,0, T3,0, T4,0 e T6,0. Pelos resultados do experimento com processo Fenton verifica-se uma eficiência média na remoção da demanda química de oxigênio (DQO) de 47,9%, na turbidez de 53,0% e na cor de 70,7%. Os valores médios da demanda bioquímica de oxigênio (DBO) e da condutividade elétrica aumentaram em 31,3% e 27,1%, respectivamente. No tratamento T0,8 constatou-se a maior remoção da DQO e o maior aumento da biodegradabilidade. O processo Fenton aplicado no tratamento de lixiviado reduz a DQO e aumenta a DBO, em outras palavras, aumenta a biodegradabilidade do efluente. Esse processo pode ser utilizado como pré-tratamento de um sistema biológico para efluentes de aterros sanitários

A global-scale data set of mining areas

The area used for mineral extraction is a key indicator for understanding and mitigating the environmental impacts caused by the extractive sector. To date, worldwide data products on mineral extraction do not report the area used by mining activities. In this paper, we contribute to filling this gap by presenting a new data set of mining extents derived by visual interpretation of satellite images. We delineated mining areas within a 10 km buffer from the approximate geographical coordinates of more than six thousand active mining sites across the globe. The result is a global-scale data set consisting of 21,060 polygons that add up to 57,277 km². The polygons cover all mining above-ground features that could be identified from the satellite images, including open cuts, tailings dams, waste rock dumps, water ponds, and processing infrastructure. The data set is available for download from https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.910894 and visualization at www.fineprint.global/viewer

Evidence generation and reproducibility in cell and gene therapy research: A call to action.

Editoria

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake