Different Responses of Various Chlorophyll Meters to Increasing Nitrogen Supply in Sweet Pepper

Intensive vegetable production is commonly associated with excessive nitrogen (N) fertilization and associated environmental problems. Monitoring of crop N status can enhance crop N management. Chlorophyll meters (CMs) could be used to monitor crop N status because leaf chlorophyll (chl) content is strongly related to crop N status. To monitor crop N status, relationships between CM measurements and leaf chl content require evaluation, particularly when excessive N is supplied. The SPAD-502 meter, atLEAF+ sensor, MC-100 Chlorophyll Concentration Meter, and Multiplex sensor were evaluated in sweet pepper with different N supply, throughout the crop, ranging from very deficient to very excessive. CM measurements of all sensors and indices were strongly and positively related to leaf chlorophyll a + b content with curvilinear relationships over the entire range of chl measured (∼0–80 μg cm-2). Measurements with the SPAD-502, and atLEAF+, and of the Multiplex’s simple fluorescence ratio index (SFR) had asymptotic responses to increasing leaf chl. In contrast, the MC-100’s chlorophyll content index (CCI) had a progressively increasing response. At higher chlorophyll a + b contents (e.g., >40 μg cm-2), SPAD-502, atLEAF+ and SFR measurements tended to saturate, which did not occur with CCI. Leaf chl content was most accurately estimated by CCI (R2 = 0.87), followed by the SPAD-502 meter (R2 = 0.85). The atLEAF+ sensor was the least accurate (R2 = 0.76). For leaf chl estimation, CCI measured with the MC-100 meter was the most effective of the four sensors examined because it: (1) most accurately estimated leaf chl content, and (2) had no saturation response at higher leaf chl content. For non-saturating leaf chl content (∼0–40 μg cm-2), all indices were sensitive indicators. As excessive applications of N are frequent in intensive vegetable crop production, the capacity of measuring high leaf chl contents without a saturation response is an important consideration for the practical use of chlorophyll meters

Crop response of greenhouse soil-grown cucumber to total available N in a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone

Intensive vegetable production in soil is commonly associated with low N use efficiency (NUE) and consequently appreciable N losses that have negative environmental impacts. Improved N management practices for intensive vegetable crops require detailed knowledge of crop response to N supply. This study evaluated the effects of increasing total available N (TAN, i.e. the sum of soil mineral N at planting, N mineralized from organic matter, and mineral fertilizer N applied by fertigation) on cucumber grown in soil in a greenhouse. Parameters assessed were: yield, dry matter production (DMP), crop N uptake, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and potential NO3− leaching loss. The study was conducted in three growing seasons, in autumn, spring and late spring. Three commercial cultivars were examined, in the Late Spring crop, to assess possible cultivar differences. Five N treatments were applied, in the Autumn and Spring crops, as different N concentrations in nutrient solution that were applied in all irrigations throughout the crops. The applied N concentrations were N1: 0.7–1.0 mmol L-1, N2: 4.7–5.7 mmol L-1, N3: 12.1–13.8 mmol L-1, N4: 16.3–17.6 mmol L-1 and N5: 19.7–21.1 mmol L-1. The cultivar ´Strategos´ was used in both crops. Three N treatments (N1: 2.4 mmol L-1; N2: 8.5 mmol L-1and N3: 14.8 mmol L-1) were continuously applied throughout the Late Spring crop to three different cultivars (´Strategos´, ´Padrera´, and ´Mitre´). Total and marketable yield, relative to maximum value, and DMP were strongly related to TAN in linear-plateau relationships for the three growing seasons and three cultivars. Using relationships that include data from the three cropping seasons and the three cultivars, TAN values for maximum DMP, total yield, and marketable yield were 222 ± 15 kg ha−1, 221 ± 14 kg ha−1 and 228 ± 15 kg ha−1, respectively, for the Autumn, Spring and Late Spring crops. The relationships of crop N uptake to TAN, and DMP to crop N uptake, were described by a logarithmic equation. The relationship of N uptake efficiency to TAN (i.e. N uptake/TAN) was described by an exponential decay equation. Considering all crops and cultivars, these relationships were described by individual equations with R2 values of 0.75-0.96. The consistency of these relationships indicate that there are general responses of greenhouse-grown cucumber to N, which is not affected by growing season or cultivar. Measured NO3− leaching losses were low because of good irrigation management. Residual mineral N was considered to be indicative of the potential NO3− leaching loss; residual soil mineral N increased exponentially with TAN, being 196 and 330 kg N ha−1 for the highest N treatments in the Autumn and Spring crops, respectively. The information provided by this study will enable the total N supply (TAN) to be matched to cucumber crop N requirements thereby reducing excessive N supply and consequent negative environmental impacts

Impact of neuraminidase inhibitors on influenza A(H1N1)pdm09‐related pneumonia: an individual participant data meta‐analysis

BACKGROUND: The impact of neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) on influenza‐related pneumonia (IRP) is not established. Our objective was to investigate the association between NAI treatment and IRP incidence and outcomes in patients hospitalised with A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection. METHODS: A worldwide meta‐analysis of individual participant data from 20 634 hospitalised patients with laboratory‐confirmed A(H1N1)pdm09 (n = 20 021) or clinically diagnosed (n = 613) ‘pandemic influenza’. The primary outcome was radiologically confirmed IRP. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated using generalised linear mixed modelling, adjusting for NAI treatment propensity, antibiotics and corticosteroids. RESULTS: Of 20 634 included participants, 5978 (29·0%) had IRP; conversely, 3349 (16·2%) had confirmed the absence of radiographic pneumonia (the comparator). Early NAI treatment (within 2 days of symptom onset) versus no NAI was not significantly associated with IRP [adj. OR 0·83 (95% CI 0·64–1·06; P = 0·136)]. Among the 5978 patients with IRP, early NAI treatment versus none did not impact on mortality [adj. OR = 0·72 (0·44–1·17; P = 0·180)] or likelihood of requiring ventilatory support [adj. OR = 1·17 (0·71–1·92; P = 0·537)], but early treatment versus later significantly reduced mortality [adj. OR = 0·70 (0·55–0·88; P = 0·003)] and likelihood of requiring ventilatory support [adj. OR = 0·68 (0·54–0·85; P = 0·001)]. CONCLUSIONS: Early NAI treatment of patients hospitalised with A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection versus no treatment did not reduce the likelihood of IRP. However, in patients who developed IRP, early NAI treatment versus later reduced the likelihood of mortality and needing ventilatory support

Global maps of soil temperature

Research in global change ecology relies heavily on global climatic grids derived from estimates of air temperature in open areas at around 2 m above the ground. These climatic grids do not reflect conditions below vegetation canopies and near the ground surface, where critical ecosystem functions occur and most terrestrial species reside. Here, we provide global maps of soil temperature and bioclimatic variables at a 1-km2 resolution for 0–5 and 5–15 cm soil depth. These maps were created by calculating the difference (i.e. offset) between in situ soil temperature measurements, based on time series from over 1200 1-km2 pixels (summarized from 8519 unique temperature sensors) across all the world\u27s major terrestrial biomes, and coarse-grained air temperature estimates from ERA5-Land (an atmospheric reanalysis by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts). We show that mean annual soil temperature differs markedly from the corresponding gridded air temperature, by up to 10°C (mean = 3.0 ± 2.1°C), with substantial variation across biomes and seasons. Over the year, soils in cold and/or dry biomes are substantially warmer (+3.6 ± 2.3°C) than gridded air temperature, whereas soils in warm and humid environments are on average slightly cooler (−0.7 ± 2.3°C). The observed substantial and biome-specific offsets emphasize that the projected impacts of climate and climate change on near-surface biodiversity and ecosystem functioning are inaccurately assessed when air rather than soil temperature is used, especially in cold environments. The global soil-related bioclimatic variables provided here are an important step forward for any application in ecology and related disciplines. Nevertheless, we highlight the need to fill remaining geographic gaps by collecting more in situ measurements of microclimate conditions to further enhance the spatiotemporal resolution of global soil temperature products for ecological applications

Global maps of soil temperature

Research in global change ecology relies heavily on global climatic grids derived from estimates of air temperature in open areas at around 2 m above the ground. These climatic grids do not reflect conditions below vegetation canopies and near the ground surface, where critical ecosystem functions occur and most terrestrial species reside. Here, we provide global maps of soil temperature and bioclimatic variables at a 1-km² resolution for 0–5 and 5–15 cm soil depth. These maps were created by calculating the difference (i.e., offset) between in-situ soil temperature measurements, based on time series from over 1200 1-km² pixels (summarized from 8500 unique temperature sensors) across all the world’s major terrestrial biomes, and coarse-grained air temperature estimates from ERA5-Land (an atmospheric reanalysis by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts). We show that mean annual soil temperature differs markedly from the corresponding gridded air temperature, by up to 10°C (mean = 3.0 ± 2.1°C), with substantial variation across biomes and seasons. Over the year, soils in cold and/or dry biomes are substantially warmer (+3.6 ± 2.3°C) than gridded air temperature, whereas soils in warm and humid environments are on average slightly cooler (-0.7 ± 2.3°C). The observed substantial and biome-specific offsets emphasize that the projected impacts of climate and climate change on near-surface biodiversity and ecosystem functioning are inaccurately assessed when air rather than soil temperature is used, especially in cold environments. The global soil-related bioclimatic variables provided here are an important step forward for any application in ecology and related disciplines. Nevertheless, we highlight the need to fill remaining geographic gaps by collecting more in-situ measurements of microclimate conditions to further enhance the spatiotemporal resolution of global soil temperature products for ecological applications

The Seventeenth Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys: Complete Release of MaNGA, MaStar and APOGEE-2 Data

This paper documents the seventeenth data release (DR17) from the Sloan Digital Sky Surveys; the fifth and final release from the fourth phase (SDSS-IV). DR17 contains the complete release of the Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (MaNGA) survey, which reached its goal of surveying over 10,000 nearby galaxies. The complete release of the MaNGA Stellar Library (MaStar) accompanies this data, providing observations of almost 30,000 stars through the MaNGA instrument during bright time. DR17 also contains the complete release of the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment 2 (APOGEE-2) survey which publicly releases infra-red spectra of over 650,000 stars. The main sample from the Extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS), as well as the sub-survey Time Domain Spectroscopic Survey (TDSS) data were fully released in DR16. New single-fiber optical spectroscopy released in DR17 is from the SPectroscipic IDentification of ERosita Survey (SPIDERS) sub-survey and the eBOSS-RM program. Along with the primary data sets, DR17 includes 25 new or updated Value Added Catalogs (VACs). This paper concludes the release of SDSS-IV survey data. SDSS continues into its fifth phase with observations already underway for the Milky Way Mapper (MWM), Local Volume Mapper (LVM) and Black Hole Mapper (BHM) surveys

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Global maps of soil temperature.

Research in global change ecology relies heavily on global climatic grids derived from estimates of air temperature in open areas at around 2 m above the ground. These climatic grids do not reflect conditions below vegetation canopies and near the ground surface, where critical ecosystem functions occur and most terrestrial species reside. Here, we provide global maps of soil temperature and bioclimatic variables at a 1-km2 resolution for 0-5 and 5-15 cm soil depth. These maps were created by calculating the difference (i.e. offset) between in situ soil temperature measurements, based on time series from over 1200 1-km2 pixels (summarized from 8519 unique temperature sensors) across all the world's major terrestrial biomes, and coarse-grained air temperature estimates from ERA5-Land (an atmospheric reanalysis by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts). We show that mean annual soil temperature differs markedly from the corresponding gridded air temperature, by up to 10°C (mean = 3.0 ± 2.1°C), with substantial variation across biomes and seasons. Over the year, soils in cold and/or dry biomes are substantially warmer (+3.6 ± 2.3°C) than gridded air temperature, whereas soils in warm and humid environments are on average slightly cooler (-0.7 ± 2.3°C). The observed substantial and biome-specific offsets emphasize that the projected impacts of climate and climate change on near-surface biodiversity and ecosystem functioning are inaccurately assessed when air rather than soil temperature is used, especially in cold environments. The global soil-related bioclimatic variables provided here are an important step forward for any application in ecology and related disciplines. Nevertheless, we highlight the need to fill remaining geographic gaps by collecting more in situ measurements of microclimate conditions to further enhance the spatiotemporal resolution of global soil temperature products for ecological applications