Studies in the Lake Ontario Basin using ERTS-1 and high altitude data

Studies in the Lake Ontario Basin are designed to provide input for models of river basin discharge and macro-scale features of lake circulation. Lake studies appear to require high altitude imagery to record the dynamic features of Lake Ontario so that ERTS-1 data may be interpreted. Land area studies require input of soil moisture, land use and soil-sediment-geomorphology measurements some of which appear to be available, on a regional scale from ERTS-1 products

Оптимізація хірургічного лікування та профілактика розвитку гострої спайкової тонкокишкової непрохідності

The aim of the work: to improve the results of treatment of patients with acute adhesive small bowel obstruction by improving the therapeutic and diagnostic tactics and developing methods for the prevention of complications and recurrence of the disease. Materials and Methods. The analysis of observation of 226 patients with acute intestinal obstruction was performed. 111 patients with acute adhesive small bowel obstruction were operated on. All patients were divided into control and main groups: the control group included 57 patients (31 patients wereoperated – laparotomically, 26 patients – laparoscopically); to the main – 54 (26 patients were operated laparotomically, 28 – laparoscopically). Clinical studies were performed in three stages. To analyze the state of systemic microcirculation and mechanisms of regulation of microcirculatory flow, laser Doppler flowmetry was performed on a single-channel “LAKK-02” laser microcirculation analyzer. The examinations were performed before surgery, during surgery and for 3 days postoperatively. The survey evaluated baseline microcirculation and amplitude-frequency spectrum of blood flow oscillations. Results and Discussion. During laser Doppler flowmetry, the nature of changes in perfusion and its regulation before surgery was dependent on the stage of the pathological process. Decreased shunting rates before surgery, impaired tissue filling, and decreased body temperature at the end of surgery indicate the possibility of developing complications in the postoperative period. The use of minimally invasive technologies showed a decrease in microcirculation disturbance. The duration of surgery was reduced by half, the recovery of motor-evacuation function of the intestine came in the first day of the postoperative period, compared with the second–third days when using traditional technologies, the postoperative period decreased by 3.5 days. The use of Defensal and Tsitoflavin in the treatment of patients with acute adhesive small bowel obstruction allowed to reduce the time of recovery of the motor-evacuation function of the intestine in the postoperative period, to reduce the number of complications and to reduce the stay of patients in the hospital by 1–2 days, and overtime, selected surgical technique.Цель работы: улучшить результаты лечения больных с острой спаечной тонкокишечной непроходимостью путем совершенствования лечебно-диагностической тактики и разработки методов профилактики развития осложнений и рецидива заболевания. Материалы и методы. Проведен анализ наблюдения на 226 больных острой кишечной непроходимости. 111 пациентив с острой спаечной тонкокишечной непроходимостью прооперированы. Все пациенты были разделены на контрольную и основную группы: в контрольную группу вошли 57 больных (31 больной прооперирован лапаротомно, 26 – лапароскопически), к основной – 54 (26 больных оперированы лапаротомно, 28 – лапароскопически). Клинические исследования проводили в три этапа. Для анализа состояния системной микроциркуляции и механизмов регуляции микроциркуляторного русла проведено лазерную допплеровскую флоуметрию на одноканальном лазерном анализаторе микроциркуляции “ЛАКК-02”. Обследование проводили до операции, во время операции и на 3 сутки послеоперационного периода. При обследовании оценивали базовые показатели микроциркуляции и амплитудно-частотный спектр колебаний кровотока. Результаты исследований и их обсуждение. При проведении лазерной допплеровской флоуметрии характер изменений перфузии и ее регуляции перед оперативным вмешательством зависел от стадии патологического процесса. Снижение показателя шунтирования до операции, нарушение кровонаполнения тканей и снижения температуры тела в конце операции свидетельствуют о возможности развития осложнений в послеоперационном периоде. При использовании малоинвазивных технологий наблюдалось уменьшение нарушения микроциркуляции. Продолжительность оперативного вмешательства снижалась вдвое, восстановление моторно-эвакуаторной функции кишечника наступало в первые сутки послеоперационного периода, против двух-трех суток при использовании традиционных технологий, послеоперационный период уменьшился на 3,5 дня. Использование в комплексном лечении больных с острой спаечной тонкокишечной непроходимостью препаратов Дефенсаль и Цитофлавин позволило снизить время восстановления моторно-евакуаторнои функции кишечника в послеоперационном периоде, уменьшить количество осложнений и сократить срок пребывания больных в стационаре на 1-2 суток, независимо от тяжести течения заболевания и выбранной хирургической методики.Мета роботи: покращити результати лікування хворих з гострою спайковою тонкокишковою непрохідністю шляхом вдосконалення лікувально-діагностичної тактики та розробки методів профілактики розвитку ускладнень та рецидиву захворювання. Матеріали і методи. Проведено аналіз спостереження за 226 хворими на гостру кишкову непрохідність. 111 пацієнтів з гострою спайковою тонкокишковою непрохідністю прооперовані. Усі пацієнти були поділені на контрольну та основну групи: до контрольної групи увійшли 57 хворих (31 хворий прооперований лапаротомно, 26 – лапароскопічно); до основної – 54 (26 хворих оперовані лапаротомно, 28 – лапароскопічно). Клінічні дослідження проводили в три етапи. Для аналізу стану системної мікроциркуляції та механізмів регуляції мікро­цир­куля­то­рного русла проведено лазерну доплерівську флоуметрію на одноканаль­но­му лазерному аналізаторі мікроциркуляції “ЛАКК-02”. Обстеження проводили до оперативного втручання, під час операції та на 3 добу післяопераційного періоду. При обстеженні оцінювали базові показники мікроциркуляції та амплітудно-частотний спектр коливань кровотоку.  Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Під час проведення лазерної доплерівської флоуметрії характер змін перфузії та її регуляції перед оперативним втручанням залежав від стадії патологічного процесу. Зниження показника шунтування до операції, порушення кровонаповнення тканин та зниження температури тіла в кінці операції свідчать про можливість розвитку ускладнень у післяопераційному періоді. При використанні малоінвазивних технологій спостерігалося зменшення порушення мікроциркуляції. Тривалість оперативного втручання знижувалась  удвічі, відновлення моторно-евакуаторної функції кишечника наставало в першу добу післяопераційного періоду, проти другої–третьої доби при використанні традиційних технологій, післяопераційний період зменшився на 3,5 ліжко-дні. Використання у комплексному лікуванні хворих із гострою спайковою тонкокишковою непрохідністю препаратів Дефенсаль та Цитофлавін дозволило знизити час відновлення моторно-евакуа­торної функції кишечника в післяопераційному періоді, зменшити кількість усклад­нень та скоротити термін перебування хворих у стаціонарі на 1–2 доби, незалежно від тяжкості перебігу захворювання та обраної хірургічної методики

Characterization of extrasolar terrestrial planets from diurnal photometric variability

The detection of massive planets orbiting nearby stars has become almost routine, but current techniques are as yet unable to detect terrestrial planets with masses comparable to the Earth's. Future space-based observatories to detect Earth-like planets are being planned. Terrestrial planets orbiting in the habitable zones of stars-where planetary surface conditions are compatible with the presence of liquid water-are of enormous interest because they might have global environments similar to Earth's and even harbor life. The light scattered by such a planet will vary in intensity and colour as the planet rotates; the resulting light curve will contain information about the planet's properties. Here we report a model that predicts features that should be discernible in light curves obtained by low-precision photometry. For extrasolar planets similar to Earth we expect daily flux variations up to hundreds of percent, depending sensitively on ice and cloud cover. Qualitative changes in surface or climate generate significant changes in the predicted light curves. This work suggests that the meteorological variability and the rotation period of an Earth-like planet could be derived from photometric observations. Other properties such as the composition of the surface (e.g., ocean versus land fraction), climate indicators (for example ice and cloud cover), and perhaps even signatures of Earth-like plant life could be constrained or possibly, with further study, even uniquely determined.Comment: Published in Nature. 9 pages including 3 figure

Recommendations for The Conduct of Economic Evaluations in Osteoporosis: Outcomes of An Experts’ Consensus Meeting Organized by The European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO) And the US Branch of The International Osteoporosis Foundation

Summary Economic evaluations are increasingly used to assess the value of health interventions, but variable quality and heterogeneity limit the use of these evaluations by decision-makers. These recommendations provide guidance for the design, conduct, and reporting of economic evaluations in osteoporosis to improve their transparency, comparability, and methodologic standards. Introduction This paper aims to provide recommendations for the conduct of economic evaluations in osteoporosis in order to improve their transparency, comparability, and methodologic standards. Methods A working group was convened by the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis to make recommendations for the design, conduct, and reporting of economic evaluations in osteoporosis, to define an osteoporosis-specific reference case to serve a minimum standard for all economic analyses in osteoporosis, to discuss methodologic challenges and initiate a call for research. A literature review, a face-to-face meeting in New York City (including 11 experts), and a review/approval by a larger group of experts worldwide (including 23 experts in total) were conducted. Results Recommendations on the type of economic evaluation, methods for economic evaluation, modeling aspects, base-case analysis and population, excess mortality, fracture costs and disutility, treatment characteristics, and model validation were provided. Recommendations for reporting economic evaluations in osteoporosis were also made and an osteoporosis-specific checklist was designed that includes items to report when performing an economic evaluation in osteoporosis. Further, 12 minimum criteria for economic evaluations in osteoporosis were identified and 12 methodologic challenges and need for further research were discussed. Conclusion While the working group acknowledges challenges and the need for further research, these recommendations are intended to supplement general and national guidelines for economic evaluations, improve transparency, quality, and comparability of economic evaluations in osteoporosis, and maintain methodologic standards to increase their use by decision-makers

Retrieval of marine water constituents from AVIRIS data in the Hudson/Raritan Estuary

This paper reports on the validation of bio-optical models in estuarine and nearshore (case 2) waters of New Jersey-New York to retrieve accurate water leaving radiance spectra and chlorophyll concentration from the NASA Airborne Visible Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data complemented with in situ measurements. The study area - Hudson/Raritan Estuary - is a complex estuarine system where tidal and wind-driven currents are modified by freshwater discharges from the Hudson, Raritan, Hackensack, and Passaic rivers. Over the last century the estuarine water quality has degraded, in part due to eutrophication, which has disrupted the pre-existing natural balance, resulting in phytoplankton blooms of both increased frequency and intensity, increasing oxygen demand and leading to episodes of hypoxia. During 1999-2001 data acquisitions by NASA AVIRIS field measurements were obtained to establish hydrological optical properties of the Hudson/Raritan Estuary: (1) concurrent above- and below-surface spectral irradiance; (2) sampling for laboratory determination of inherent optical properties; and (3) concentrations of optically-important water quality parameters. We used a bio-optical model based on Gordon et al. to predict the sub-surface irradiance reflectance from optically important water constituents. Modelling of reflectance is a prerequisite for processing remote sensing data to desired thematic maps for input into the geographical information system (GIS) for use as a management tool in water quality assessment. A Radiative Transfer Code - MODTRAN-4 - was applied to remove the effects of the atmosphere so as to infer the water leaving radiance from the AVIRS data. The results of this procedure were not satisfactory, therefore an alternative approach was tested to directly correct the AVIRIS image using modelled spectra based on measured optical characteristics. The atmospherically corrected AVIRIS ratio image was used to calculate a thematic map of water quality parameters (i.e. chlorophyll-a) concentration, which subsequently were integrated into a GIS for management of water quality purposes. © 2005 Taylor & Francis

Reconstructing terrestrial nutrient cycling using stable nitrogen isotopes in wood

Although recent anthropogenic effects on the global nitrogen (N) cycle have been significant, the consequences of increased anthropogenic N on terrestrial ecosystems are unclear. Studies of the impact of increased reactive N on forest ecosystems—impacts on hydrologic and gaseous loss pathways, retention capacity, and even net primary productivity— have been particularly limited by a lack of long-term baseline biogeochemical data. Stable nitrogen isotope analysis (ratio of ¹⁵N to ¹⁴N, termed δ¹⁵N) of wood chronologies offers the potential to address changes in ecosystem N cycling on millennial timescales and across broad geographic regions. Currently, nearly 50 studies have been published utilizing wood δ¹⁵N records; however, there are significant differences in study design and data interpretation. Here, we identify four categories of wood δ¹⁵N studies, summarize the common themes and primary findings of each category, identify gaps in the spatial and temporal scope of current wood δ¹⁵N chronologies, and synthesize methodological frameworks for future research by presenting eight suggestions for common methodological approaches and enhanced integration across studies. Wood δ¹⁵N records have the potential to provide valuable information for interpreting modern biogeochemical cycling. This review serves to advance the utility of this technique for long-term biogeochemical reconstructions

Desarrollo de un suero equino hiperinmune para el tratamiento de COVID-19 en Argentina

La enfermedad denominada COVID-19 es causada por el coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 y es actualmente considerada una pandemia a nivel global. El desarrollo de vacunas es sin duda la mejor estrategia a largo plazo, pero debido a la emergencia sanitaria, existe una necesidad urgente de encontrar soluciones rápidas y efectivas para el tratamiento de la enfermedad. Hasta la fecha, el uso de plasma de convalecientes es la única inmunoterapia disponible para pacientes hospitalizados con COVID-19. El uso de anticuerpos policlonales equinos (EpAbs) es otra alternativa terapéutica interesante. La nueva generación de EpAbs incluyen el procesamiento y purificación de los mismos y la obtención de fragmentos F(ab’)2 con alta pureza y un excelente perfil de seguridad en humanos. Los EpAbs son fáciles de producir, lo cual permite el desarrollo rápido y la elaboración a gran escala de un producto terapéutico. En este trabajo mostramos el desarrollo de un suero terapéutico obtenido luego de la inmunización de caballos utilizando el receptor-binding domain de la glicoproteína Spike del virus. Nuestro producto mostró ser alrededor de 50 veces más potente en ensayos de seroneutralización in vitro que el promedio de los plasmas de convalecientes. Estos resultados nos permitirían testear la seguridad y eficacia de nuestro producto en ensayos clínicos de fase 2/3 a realizarse a partir de julio de 2020 en la zona metropolitana de Buenos Aires, Argentina.The disease named COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, is currently generating a global pandemic. Vaccine development is no doubt the best long-term immunological approach, but in the current epidemiologic and health emergency there is a need for rapid and effective solutions. Convalescent plasma is the only antibody-based therapy available for COVID-19 patients to date. Equine polyclonal antibodies (EpAbs) put forward a sound alternative. The new generation of processed and purified EpAbs containing highly purified F(ab’)2 fragments demonstrated to be safe and well tolerated. EpAbs are easy to manufacture allowing a fast development and scaling up for a treatment. Based on these ideas, we present a new therapeutic product obtained after immunization of horses with the receptor-binding domain of the viral Spike glycoprotein. Our product shows around 50 times more potency in in vitro seroneutralization assays than the average of convalescent plasma. This result may allow us to test the safety and efficacy of this product in a phase 2/3 clinical trial to be conducted in July 2020 in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires, Argentina.Fil: Zylberman, Vanesa. Inmunova; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Sanguineti, Santiago. Inmunova; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Pontoriero, Andrea. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud "Dr. C. G. Malbrán"; ArgentinaFil: Higa, Sandra V.. Instituto Biológico Argentino S.A.I.C.; ArgentinaFil: Cerutti, Maria Laura. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Centro de Rediseño e Ingeniería de Proteínas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Morrone Seijo, Susana María. Inmunova; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Pardo, Romina Paola. Inmunova; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Muñoz, Luciana. Inmunova; ArgentinaFil: Acuña Intieri, María Eugenia. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Centro de Rediseño e Ingeniería de Proteínas; ArgentinaFil: Alzogaray, Vanina Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Avaro, Martín M.. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud "Dr. C. G. Malbrán"; ArgentinaFil: Benedetti, Estefanía. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud "Dr. C. G. Malbrán"; ArgentinaFil: Berguer, Paula Mercedes. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Bocanera, Laura. mAbxience; ArgentinaFil: Bukata, Lucas. Inmunova; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Bustelo, Marina S.. Inmunova; ArgentinaFil: Campos, Ana M.. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud "Dr. C. G. Malbrán"; ArgentinaFil: Colonna, Mariana. Inmunova; ArgentinaFil: Correa, Elisa. mAbxience; ArgentinaFil: Cragnaz, Lucí­a. mAbxience; ArgentinaFil: Dattero, María E.. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud "Dr. C. G. Malbrán"; ArgentinaFil: Dellafiore, María Andrea. mAbxience; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Foscaldi, Sabrina Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: González, Joaquí­n V.. Inmunova; ArgentinaFil: Guerra, Luciano Lucas. mAbxience; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Klinke, Sebastian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Labanda, María Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Lauché, Constanza Elena. Inmunova; ArgentinaFil: López, Juan C.. Instituto Biológico Argentino S.A.I.C.; ArgentinaFil: Martínez, Anabela M.. Instituto Biológico Argentino S.A.I.C.; ArgentinaFil: Otero, Lisandro Horacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Peyric, Elías H.. Instituto Biológico Argentino S.A.I.C.; ArgentinaFil: Ponziani, Pablo F.. Instituto Biológico Argentino S.A.I.C.; ArgentinaFil: Ramondino, Romina. Inmunova; ArgentinaFil: Rinaldi, Jimena Julieta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Rodrí­guez, Santiago. mAbxience; ArgentinaFil: Russo, Javier E.. Instituto Biológico Argentino S.A.I.C.; ArgentinaFil: Russo, Mara Laura. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud "Dr. C. G. Malbrán"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Saavedra, Soledad Lorena. Instituto Biológico Argentino S.A.I.C.; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Seigelchifer, Mauricio. mAbxience; ArgentinaFil: Sosa, Santiago. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Vilariño, Claudio. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Centro de Rediseño e Ingeniería de Proteínas; ArgentinaFil: López Biscayart, Patricia. Instituto Biológico Argentino S.A.I.C.; ArgentinaFil: Corley, Esteban. mAbxience; ArgentinaFil: Spatz, Linus. Inmunova; ArgentinaFil: Baumeister, Elsa. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud "Dr. C. G. Malbrán"; ArgentinaFil: Goldbaum, Fernando Alberto. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Centro de Rediseño e Ingeniería de Proteínas; Argentina. Inmunova; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; Argentin

Internet of Things for Water Sustainability

The water is a finite resource. The issue of sustainable withdrawal of freshwater is a vital concern being faced by the community. There is a strong connection between the energy, food, and water which is referred to as water-food-energy nexus. The agriculture industry and municipalities are struggling to meet the demand of water supply. This situation is particularly exacerbated in the developing countries. The projected increase in world population requires more fresh water resources. New technologies are being developed to reduce water usage in the field of agriculture (e.g., sensor guided autonomous irrigation management systems). Agricultural water withdrawal is also impacting ground and surface water resources. Although the importance of reduction in water usage cannot be overemphasized, major efforts for sustainable water are directed towards the novel technology development for cleaning and recycling. Moreover, currently, energy technologies require abundant water for energy production. Therefore, energy sustainability is inextricably linked to water sustainability. The water sustainability IoT has a strong potential to solve many challenges in water-food-energy nexus. In this chapter, the architecture of IoT for water sustainability is presented. An in-depth coverage of sensing and communication technologies and water systems is also provided