Mesoproterozoic paleogeography: Supercontinent and beyond

A set of global paleogeographic reconstructions for the 1770–1270 Ma time interval is presented here through a compilation of reliable paleomagnetic data (at the 2009 Nordic Paleomagnetic Workshop in Luleå, Sweden) and geological constraints. Although currently available paleomagnetic results do not rule out the possibility of the formation of a supercontinent as early as ca. 1750 Ma, our synthesis suggests that the supercontinent Nuna/Columbia was assembled by at least ca. 1650–1580 Ma through joining at least two stable continental landmasses formed by ca. 1.7 Ga: West Nuna (Laurentia, Baltica and possibly India) and East Nuna (North, West and South Australia, Mawson craton of Antarctica and North China). It is possible, but not convincingly proven, that Siberia and Congo/São Francisco were combined as a third rigid continental entity and collided with Nuna at ca.1500 Ma. Nuna is suggested to have broken up at ca. 1450–1380 Ma. West Nuna, Siberia and possibly Congo/São Francisco were rigidly connected until after 1270 Ma. East Nuna was deformed during the breakup, and North China separated from it. There is currently no strong evidence indicating that Amazonia, West Africa and Kalahari were parts of Nuna

FIWARE Open Source Standard Platform in Smart Farming - A Review

[EN] FIWARE is an open source platform for the deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) applications, driven by European Union and managed by FIWARE Foundation. Recently, FIWARE Foundation has launched his new product Agricolus, which focus on Smart Farming and it uses FIWARE infrastructure. Agricolus manages to bring Hardware and Software together in a decision-making process that support farming activities and offers a "plug and play" interface for precision agriculture. This is encompassed by the phenomenon of Smart Farming, which is a development that take advantage of the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) in the daily farm management. This review aims to gain insight into the state-of-the-art of FIWARE in Smart Farming and identify the components of Agricolus in comparison with essential FIWARE architecture.This research has been carried out in the framework of the project "Development of an integrated maturity model for agility, resilience and gender perspective in supply chains (MoMARGE). Application to the agricultural sector." Ref. GV/2017/025 funded by the Generalitat Valenciana.Rodríguez-Sánchez, MDLÁ.; Cuenca, L.; Ortiz Bas, Á. (2018). FIWARE Open Source Standard Platform in Smart Farming - A Review. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology. 534:581-589. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99127-6_50S581589534Robert, P.C.: Precision agriculture: research needs and status in the USA. In: Stafford, J.V. (ed.) Proceedings of the 2nd European Conference on Precision Agriculture, Part 1, pp. 19–33. Academic Press, SCI/Sheffield (1999)Ge, Y., Thomasson, J.A., Sui, R.: Remote sensing of soil properties in precision agriculture: a review. Front. Earth Sci. 5(3), 229–238 (2011)Sundmaeker, H., Verdouw, C., Wolfert, S., Pérez Freire L.: Internet of food and farm 2020. In: Vermesan, O., Friess, P. (eds.) Digitising the Industry - Internet of Things Connecting Physical, Digital and Virtual Worlds, pp. 129–151. River Publishers, Gistrup/Delft (2016)Lin, J., Liu, C.: Monitoring system based on wireless sensor network and a SocC platform in precision agriculture. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Communication Technology (ICCT), Hangzhou, pp. 101–104 (2008)Kaewmard, N., Saiyod, S.: Sensor data collection and irrigation control on vegetable crop using smart phone and wireless sensor networks for smart farm. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Wireless Sensors (ICWiSE), pp. 106–112 (2014)FIWARE. https://www.fiware.org/Future Internet Private Public Partnership (FI-PPP). https://www.fi-ppp.eu/Agricolus. https://www.agricolus.comFIWARE Generic Enablers. http://edu.fiware.org/FIWARE Catalogue. https://catalogue.fiware.org/enablersKamilaris, A., Gao, F., Prenafeta-Boldu, F.X., Ali, M.I.: Agri-IoT: a semantic framework for Internet of Things-enabled smart farming applications. In: IEEE 3rd World Forum on Internet of Things, WF-IoT 2016, pp. 442–447 (2017)López-Riquelme, J.A., Pavón-Pulido, N., Navarro-Hellín, H., Soto-Valles, F., Torres-Sánchez, R.: A software architecture based on FIWARE cloud for precision agriculture. Agric. Water Manag. 183, 123–135 (2017)Martínez, R., Pastor, J.Á., Álvarez, B., Iborra, A.: A testbed to evaluate the FIWARE-based IoT platform in the domain of precision agriculture. Sensors (Switzerland), 16(11) (2016)Pesonen, L.A., et al.: Cropinfra - an internet-based service infrastructure to support crop production in future farms. Biosys. Eng. 120, 92–101 (2014)Barmpounakis, S., et al.: Management and control applications in agriculture domain via a future internet business-to-business platform. Inf. Process. Agric. 2(1), 51–63 (2015)Kaloxylos, A., et al.: Farm management systems and the future internet era. Comput. Electron. Agric. 89, 130–144 (2012)Kaloxylos, A., et al.: A cloud-based farm management system: architecture and implementation. Comput. Electron. Agric. 100, 168–179 (2014)Ryu, M., Yun, J., Miao, T., Ahn, I.Y., Choi, S.C., Kim, J.: Design and implementation of a connected farm for smart farming system. In: 2015 IEEE SENSORS Proceedings, pp. 1–4 (2015)Layton, A.W., Balmos, A.D., Sabpisal, S., Ault, A., Krogmeier, J.V., Buckmaster, D.: ISOBlue: an open source project to bring agricultural machinery data into the cloud, Montreal, 13 July–16 July 2014. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (2014)SmartAgriFood. http://smartagrifood.com/FIWARE MarketPlace. https://marketplace.fiware.orgFIWARE iHubs. https://www.fiware.org/community/fiware-ihubs/Agricolus in FIWARE MarketPlace. https://marketplace.fiware.org/pages/solutions/2ec3c741ef4dd8f83bab4e83Implementation example of Agricolus. http://www.libelium.com/increasing-tobacco-crops-quality-by-climatic-conditions-control/FIspace. https://www.fispace.eu/whatisfispace.htm

Antimicrobial resistance in Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. in dogs given antibiotics for chronic dermatological disorders, compared with non-treated control dogs

The aim of this study was to evaluate antimicrobial resistance in canine staphylococci, Escherichia coli and enterococci, which were isolated from 22 dogs with pyoderma and a history of previous antibiotic treatment, compared to bacterial isolates from 56 non-treated control dogs. Two isolates of each bacterial species per dog were investigated, if detected. Staphylococcal isolates from dogs with pyoderma (35 isolates) were more resistant to sulphatrimethoprim than the isolates from controls (56 isolates) (57% vs. 25%, p < 0.004). Multiresistance in staphylococci was also more common in dogs with pyoderma (29% vs. 9%, p = 0.02). A similar trend among isolates of E. coli was detected (24 and 74 isolates from treated and control dogs, respectively), but the differences were not significant. Resistance for macrolide-lincosamides was approximately 20% among staphylococci in both groups. Resistance to ampicillin among enterococci was 4%–7%. The age of the dogs might have an impact on resistance: multiresistance among staphylococcal isolates from younger dogs (≤5 years) was more common than in older dogs (≥6 years) (24%, vs. 0%, 63 and 27 isolates, respectively, p = 0.02). Staphylococci in younger dogs were more resistant to tetracycline (48% vs. 11%, p < 0.001) and sulphatrimethoprim (48% vs. 15%, p < 0.01) than those in older dogs. In contrast, the isolates of E. coli from older dogs tended to be more resistant, although a significant difference was detected only in resistance to tetracycline (13% vs. 2% of 40 and 50 isolates respecthely, p = 0.04)). The results of this small study indicate that resistance in canine staphylococci in the capital area of Finland is comparable with many other countries in Europe. Resistance in indicator bacteria, E. coli and enterococci, was low

Removal of ammonium from wastewater with geopolymer sorbents fabricated via additive manufacturing

Geopolymers have been recently explored as sorbents for wastewater treatment, thanks to their mechanical and chemical stability and to their low-energy manufacturing process. One specific application could be the removal of ammonium (NH4+) through exchange with Na+ ions. Additive manufacturing (AM) represents an especially interesting option for fabrication, as it allows to tailor the size, distribution, shape, and interconnectivity of pores, and therefore the access to charge-bearing sites. The present study provides a proof of concept for NH4+ removal from wastewater using porous geopolymer components fabricated via direct ink writing (DIW) AM approach. A metakaolin-based ink was employed for the fabrication of a log-pile structure with 45\ub0 rotation between layers, producing continuous yet tortuous macropores which are responsible for the high permeability of the sorbents. The ink consolidates in an amorphous, mesoporous network, with the mesopores acting as preferential sites for ion exchange. The printed sorbents were characterized for their physicochemical and mechanical properties and the NH4+ removal capacity in continuous-flow column experiments by using a model effluent. The lattices present high permeability and high cation exchange capacity and maintained a high amount of active ions after four cycles, allowing to reuse them multiple times

Common mental disorders in young adults born late-preterm

Background Results of adulthood mental health of those born late-preterm (34 + 0–36 + 6 weeks + days of gestation) are mixed and based on national registers. We examined if late-preterm birth was associated with a higher risk for common mental disorders in young adulthood when using a diagnostic interview, and if this risk decreased as gestational age increased. Method A total of 800 young adults (mean = 25.3, s.d. = 0.62 years), born 1985–1986, participated in a follow-up of the Arvo Ylppö Longitudinal Study. Common mental disorders (mood, anxiety and substance use disorders) during the past 12 months were defined using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (Munich version). Gestational age was extracted from hospital birth records and categorized into early-preterm (<34 + 0, n = 37), late-preterm (34 + 0–36 + 6, n = 106), term (37 + 0–41 + 6, n = 617) and post-term (≥42 + 0, n = 40). Results Those born late-preterm and at term were at a similar risk for any common mental disorder [odds ratio (OR) 1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67–1.84], for mood (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.54–2.25), anxiety (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.40–2.50) and substance use (OR 1.31, 95% CI 0.74–2.32) disorders, and co-morbidity of these disorders (p = 0.38). While the mental disorder risk decreased significantly as gestational age increased, the trend was driven by a higher risk in those born early-preterm. Conclusions Using a cohort born during the advanced neonatal and early childhood care, we found that not all individuals born preterm are at risk for common mental disorders in young adulthood – those born late-preterm are not, while those born early-preterm are at a higher risk. Available resources for prevention and intervention should be targeted towards the preterm group born the earliest

The long life of SAMBA connection in Columbia : A paleomagnetic study of the 1535 Ma Mucajai Complex, northern Amazonian Craton, Brazil

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the paleomagnetic data of the Amazonian Craton, with important geodynamic and paleogeographic implications for the Paleo-Mesoproterozoic Columbia supercontinent (a.k.a., Nuna, Hudsoland). Despite recent increase of paleomagnetic data for several other cratons in Columbia, its longevity and the geodynamic processes that resulted in its formation are not well known. A paleomagnetic study was performed on rocks from the similar to 1535 Ma AMG (Anorthosite-Mangerite-Rapakivi Granite) Mucajai Complex located in the Roraima State (Brazil), in the northern portion of the Amazonian Craton, the Guiana Shield. Thermal and AF treatments revealed northwestern/southeastern directions with upward/downward inclinations for samples from twelve sites. This characteristic remanent magnetization is mainly carried by Ti-poor magnetite and in a lesser amount by hematite. Site mean directions were combined with previous results obtained for three other sites from the Mucajai Complex, producing the dual polarity mean direction: Dm = 132.2 degrees; Im = 35.4 degrees (N = 15; alpha(95) = 12.7 degrees; k = 10.0) and a paleomagnetic pole located at 0.1 degrees E, 38.2 degrees S (A(95) = 12.6 degrees; K = 10.2). The Mucajai pole favours the SAMBA (South AMerica-BAltica) link in a configuration formed by Amazonia and Baltica in Columbia. Also, there is geological and paleomagnetic evidence that the juxtaposition of Baltica and Laurentia at 1.76-1.26 Ga forms the core of Columbia. The present paleomagnetic data predict a long life 1.78-1.43 Ga SAMBA connection forming part of the core of the supercontinent. (c) 2019 International Association for Gondwana Research. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

Graft Neutrophil Sequestration and Concomitant Tissue Plasminogen Activator Release During Reperfusion in Clinical Kidney Transplantation

Background. Inflammation, coagulation, and fibrinolysis are tightly linked together. Reperfusion after transient ischemia activates both neutrophils, coagulation, and fibrinolysis. Experimental data suggest that tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) regulates renal neutrophil influx in kidney ischemia and reperfusion injury. Methods. In 30 patients undergoing kidney transplantation, we measured renal neutrophil sequestration and tPA release from blood samples drawn from the supplying artery and renal vein early after reperfusion. tPA antigen levels were measured using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. For each parameter, transrenal difference (Delta) was calculated by subtracting the value of the arterial sample (ingoing blood) from the value of the venous sample (outgoing blood). Results. Positive transrenal gradients of tPA antigen occurred at 1 minute [Delta = 14 (3-46) ng/mL, P <.01] and 5 minutes [Delta = 5 (-3 to 27) ng/mL, P <.01] after reperfusion. At 5 minutes after reperfusion, a negative transrenal gradient of neutrophils was observed [Delta = -0.17 (-1.45 to 0.24) x 10E9 cells/L, P <.001]. At 1 minute after reperfusion, neutrophil sequestration into the kidney (ie, negative transrenal neutrophil count) correlated significantly with tPA release from the kidney (ie, positive transrenal tPA concentration), (R = -0.513 and P = .006). Conclusions. The findings suggest a proinflammatory role for tPA in ischemia and reperfusion injury in human kidney transplantation.Peer reviewe

Effects of fadolmidine, an α 2 -adrenoceptor agonist, as an adjuvant to spinal bupivacaine on antinociception and motor function in rats and dogs

α2 -Adrenoceptor agonists such as clonidine and dexmedetomidine are used as adjuvants to local anesthetics in regional anesthesia. Fadolmidine is an α2 -adrenoceptor agonist developed especially as a spinal analgesic. The current studies investigate the effects of intrathecally administered fadolmidine with a local anesthetic, bupivacaine, on antinociception and motor block in conscious rats and dogs. The antinociceptive effects of intrathecal fadolmidine and bupivacaine alone or in combination were tested in the rat tail-flick and the dog's skin twitch models. The durations of motor block in rats and in dogs were also assessed. In addition, the effects on sedation, mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and body temperature were evaluated in telemetrized dogs. Concentrations of fadolmidine in plasma and spinal cord were determined after intrathecal and intravenous administration in rats. Co-administration of intrathecal fadolmidine with bupivacaine increased the magnitude and duration of the antinociceptive effects and prolonged motor block without hypotension. The interaction of the antinociceptive effect was synergistic in its nature in rats. Concentration of fadolmidine in plasma was very low after intrathecal dosing. Taken together, these studies show that fadolmidine as an adjuvant to intrathecal bupivacaine provides enhanced sensory-motor block and enables a reduction of the doses of both drugs. The results indicate that co-administration of fadolmidine with intrathecal bupivacaine was able to achieve an enhanced antinociceptive effect without hypotension and could thus represent a suitable combination for spinal anesthesia.</p

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome are burdened with multimorbidity and medication use independent of body mass index at late fertile age : A population-based cohort study

Introduction This population-based follow-up study investigated the comorbidities, medication use, and healthcare services among women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) at age 46 years. Material and methods The study population derived from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 and consisted of women reporting oligo/amenorrhea and hirsutism at age 31 years and/or a PCOS diagnosis by age 46 years (n = 246) and controls without PCOS symptoms or diagnosis (n = 1573), referred to as non-PCOS women. The main outcome measures were self-reported data on symptoms, diagnosed diseases, and medication and healthcare service use at the age of 46 years. Results Overall morbidity risk was increased by 35% (risk ratio [RR] 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16-1.57) and medication use by 27% [RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.08-1.50) compared with non-PCOS women, and the risk remained after adjusting for body mass index. Diagnoses with increased prevalence in women with PCOS were migraine, hypertension, tendinitis, osteoarthritis, fractures, and endometriosis. PCOS was also associated with autoimmune diseases and recurrent upper respiratory tract infections and symptoms. Interestingly, healthcare service use did not differ between the study groups after adjusting for body mass index. Conclusions Women with PCOS are burdened with multimorbidity and higher medication use, independent of body mass index.Peer reviewe

Work careers in adults separated temporarily from their parents in childhood during World War II

Introduction: Traumatic experiences, such as separation from parents in childhood causing early life stress (ELS) may increase the risk of adverse long-term health outcomes and biological age-related changes. This may have an impact on work career. Our aim was to examine long term consequences of ELS due to temporary separation from parents during World War II (WWII) in relation to work career. Material and methods: The Helsinki Birth Cohort Study comprises 13,345 individuals born in Helsinki, Finland, between the years 1934-1944. From the original cohort, 1781 individuals were identified as being separated temporarily from their parents due to World War II. Information on date and type of pension was provided by the Finnish Centre for Pensions and the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. The cohort members either transitioned into old age pension at the statutory retirement age or retired earlier and transitioned into disability, unemployment, part-time pension or died before retirement. Results: Those who were separated were more likely to have transitioned into disability pension (RRR: 1.26: 95% CI: 1.06-1.48), especially due to diseases of the musculoskeletal system (OR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.20-2.07), or into unemployment pension (RRR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.02-1.53) compared with those not separated from their parents. Longer duration of separation was associated with early exit from the workforce compared with non-separation. Conclusions: Exposure to ELS may have an impact upon lifetime work career. Early interventions preventing exposure to ELS or mitigating its negative effects may prolong future work careers along with healthier aging across the life-span.Peer reviewe