107 research outputs found

    Stylasterid corals: a new paleotemperature archive

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    Stylasterids are a ubiquitous deep-sea coral taxon that build their skeletons from either calcite, aragonite, or both. Yet, robust geochemical proxy data from these corals are limited. In this study, 95 modern stylasterids, spanning a wide range of depths (63 to 2894 m) and ambient seawater temperatures (0 to 17 °C), were tested for their potential use as paleoceanographic archives. Stable oxygen and carbon isotopic composition (O and C) were measured from the main trunk of all specimens and five specimens were further sub-sampled to assess internal chemical variability. The isotope data show non-equilibrium precipitation from seawater for both O and C, with the growing tips of colonies yielding the isotopically lowest values. Overall, the calcitic corals showed lower isotope values for O and C than aragonitic specimens. Within the aragonite corals, we present a O:temperature calibration that exhibits a significant linear relationship with the equation Ocoral-seawater = −0.22(°C) + 3.33(±0.06) across a temperature range of 0 to 30 °C, using samples from this study and published data. This work highlights the potential application of stylasterid coral O data to reconstruct paleo seawater temperature

    Impact of a training project for primary health-care providers (FOCO project) in the HIV screening and HIV late diagnosis

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    Poster [P043] OBJECTIVE Reducing HIV late diagnosis remains an epidemiological challenge . The objective of this project was to promote early HIV diagnosis through the training of primary health - care providers (PHCP) . METHODS HIV specialists conducted training sessions in 108 primary care centers (PCC) from six Spanish regions during 2016 and 2017 , and with 1804 PHCP involved . The intervention was evaluated using a pre - experimental design collecting the dependent variables both in the six months before and after the intervention . Number of requests for HIV tests from the PCC trained and clinical data of new HIV diagnosed patients were collected . Parametric and non - parametric tests were used to assess differences between pre and post - intervention data . RESULTS 3. Differences in clinical variables in pre and post intervention period

    Reinterpreting radiocarbon records in bamboo corals ? New insights from the tropical North Atlantic

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    Deep-sea bamboo corals (family Isididae) have been used as archives for reconstructing changes in the past ocean. However, uncertainties remain regarding the interpretation of geochemical signals from their organic nodes, specifically the water depth of the signals recorded by the coral. Here we explore this question by measuring radiocarbon (14C) and nitrogen (15N) isotopic compositions of the organic nodes in six bamboo corals collected from the central and eastern tropical Atlantic between 700 m and 2000 m water depth. By comparing coral 14C to measured seawater data, regional shallow-water coral records and climate-model outputs, we find contrasting results between the two regions. Our bamboo coral 14C results from the eastern tropical Atlantic support previous studies that suggest organic node carbon is sourced primarily from the mixed layer of the ocean. By contrast, the 14C of bamboo coral organic nodes from the oligotrophic central Atlantic better correlates with the 14C content of the subsurface deep chlorophyll maximum layer rather than the surface mixed layer. Combined with nitrogen isotope data, this observation suggests that sinking and/or ambient zooplankton feeding on phytoplankton from the deep chlorophyll maximum layer can contribute a significant proportion of the diet of bamboo corals. These results suggest that the carbon source for bamboo corals organic nodes may not always reside in the mixed layer, especially in oligotrophic regions, which has implications for 14C-based age model development in bamboo corals

    Evidencias de actividad glaciar durante el Dryas reciente (12, 9-11, 7 ka BP) en la Península Ibérica

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    El Dryas Reciente (Younger Dryas) (GS-1, entre 12, 9 y 11, 7 ka BP) se caracterizó por un marcado descenso de la temperatura a escala global. La consecuencia fue un re avance de los glaciares que afectó también a las cordilleras más importantes de la Península Ibérica. Este trabajo revisa la información disponible sobre la localización, evolución y extensión de tales glaciares. La actividad geomorfológica durante el Dryas Reciente en la Península Ibérica se ha identificado mediante depósitos morrénicos, umbrales rocosos pulidos por el hielo, y glaciares rocosos, datados en la mayor parte de los casos mediante métodos cosmogénicos. Los mejores ejemplos de morrenas del Dryas Reciente se localizan en los Pirineos, donde se desarrollaron cortas lenguas glaciares de hasta 4 km de longitud en los macizos más elevados y numerosos glaciares de circo. También hay evidencias de pequeños glaciares de circo y glaciares rocosos en la Cordillera Cantábrica y en el Sistema Central (sierras de Gredos y Guadarrama), como indican umbrales rocosos y depósitos morrénicos en el frente de circos glaciares. En cambio, en Sierra Nevada, en el extremo meridional de la Península Ibérica, las únicas evidencias del Younger Dryas son glaciares rocosos que se desarrollaron durante el Dryas Antiguo y estuvieron funcionales durante todo el Dryas reciente. The Younger Dryas (GS-1, entre 12, 9 y 11, 7 ka BP) was characterized by a remarkable declining in temperature at a global scale. The consequence was a moderate re-advance of glaciers that also affected the main ranges of the Iberian Peninsula. This paper reviews the available information on the location, evolution and extent of such glaciers. The geomorphological activity during the Younger Dryas in the Iberian Peninsula has been identified throughout the presence of morainic deposits (dated in most cases with cosmogenic exposure ages), rocky thresholds polished by the ice, and rock glaciers. The best examples of Younger Dryas moraines were found in the Central Pyrenees, with short ice tongues of up to 4 km in length in the highest massifs and a number of glacial cirques. There is also evidence of small cirque glaciers in the Cantabrian Range and the Central System Range (Gredos and Guadarrama sierras), as deduced by rocky thresholds and morainic deposits close to cirque headwalls. Conversely, in Sierra Nevada (southernmost sector of the Iberian Peninsula) the only evidence of the Younger Dryas is the presence of rock glaciers that were developed during the Oldest Dryas and survived during the Younger Dryas

    Refining trace metal temperature proxies in cold-water scleractinian and stylasterid corals

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    The Li/Mg, Sr/Ca and oxygen isotopic (O) compositions of many marine biogenic carbonates are sensitive to seawater temperature. Corals, as cosmopolitan marine taxa with carbonate skeletons that can be precisely dated, represent ideal hosts for these geochemical proxies. However, efforts to calibrate and refine temperature proxies in cold-water corals (<20 °C) remain limited. Here we present skeletal Li/Mg, Sr/Ca, O and carbon isotope (C) data from live-collected specimens of aragonitic scleractinian corals (Balanophyllia, Caryophyllia, Desmophyllum, Enallopsammia, Flabellum, Lophelia, and Vaughanella), both aragonitic and high-Mg calcitic stylasterid genera (Stylaster and Errina), and shallow-water high-Mg calcite crustose coralline algae (Lithophyllum, Hydrolithon, and Neogoniolithon). We interpret these data in conjunction with results from previously explored taxa including aragonitic zooxanthellate scleractinia and foraminifera, and high-Mg calcite octocorals. We show that Li/Mg ratios covary most strongly with seawater temperature, both for aragonitic and high-Mg calcitic taxa, making for reliable and universal seawater temperature proxies. Combining all of our biogenic aragonitic Li/Mg data with previous calibration efforts we report a refined relationship to temperature: Li/MgAll Aragonite = (). This calibration now permits paleo-temperature reconstruction to better than ±3.4 °C (95% prediction intervals) across biogenic aragonites, regardless of taxon, from 0 to 30 °C. For taxa in this study, aragonitic stylasterid Li/Mg offers the most robust temperature proxy (Li/MgStylasterid (Arag) = ()) with a reproducibility of ±2.3 °C. For the first time, we show that high-Mg calcites have a similar exponential relationship with temperature, but with a lower intercept value (Li/Mg = ()). This calibration opens the possibility of temperature reconstruction using high-Mg calcite corals and coralline algae. The commonality in the relationship between Li/Mg and temperature transcends phylogeny and suggests abiogenic trace metal incorporation mechanism

    Programa de Atención al Ictus en Aragón (PAIA). Estrategia del cambio y resultados en el periodo 2009-2014

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    Introducción En 2008, Aragón tenía tasas de morbimortalidad y discapacidad por ictus superiores a las del conjunto de España. Se estableció la necesidad de desarrollar un Programa de Atención al Ictus (PAIA). Material y métodos Damos a conocer la dinámica de planificación, implantación, evaluación y mejora que se ha desarrollado entre los años 2009-2014 y sus resultados a 5 años. Resultados Se ha mejorado en la estructura, en los procesos y en los resultados, con mejoría en los indicadores clave de la asistencia (audit 2008-2010-2012) y otros: tasa ictus 2013: 2, 07 (2008: 2, 36); 78% ictus atendidos en áreas/unidades en 2014 (30%, 2008); tasa fibrinólisis 8, 3% en 2014 (4, 4%, 2010); fibrinólisis hospitales secundarios (30% total); fibrinólisis con teleictus 9%; descenso de la mortalidad por ictus, 38%; años de vida prematura perdidos 67, 7 (2013)/144 (2008); capacitación de enfermería, desarrollo de la neurosonología, trabajo en red, con protocolos y buenas prácticas compartidos entre sectores sanitarios, etc. Conclusiones La gestión por procesos y equipos multidisciplinares desplegados en una distribución territorial integral, con protocolos y referencias establecidas y una dinámica de evaluación y mejora continua, ha demostrado ser una herramienta potente para garantizar la calidad y la equidad. El PAIA, por su dinámica de mejora sostenida y la implicación de los clínicos, es un buen ejemplo de gestión clínica y trabajo en red. Introduction: In 2008, stroke mortality, morbidity, and disability rates in Aragon were higher than the average in Spain. These data underscored the need to develop a stroke care programme (PAIA). Material and methods: We present the dynamics of planning, implementation, evaluation, and improvement developed between 2009 and 2014 as well as the results of the PAIA after that 5-year period. Results: Structure, processes, and outcomes have improved with reference to the key indicators of healthcare (audit: 2008, 2010, 2012) among others: stroke rate in 2013 was 2.07 (2.36 in 2008); 78% of strokes were managed in stroke units in 2014 (30% in 2008); rate of fibrinolysis was 8.3% in 2014 (4.4% in 2010); fibrinolysis was administered in secondary hospitals (30% of the total); fibrinolysis was administered by Telestroke in 9%; stroke mortality decreased (38%); 67.7 years of potential life lost (YPLL) in 2013 (144 in 2008); nurse training; development of neurosonology; networking; sharing protocols and best practices between health sectors, etc. Conclusions: Integrated process management and multidisciplinary teams distributed and deployed over an entire territory with established protocols, references, evaluations, and continuous development, have been proven powerful tools to ensure both quality and equality. The PAIA is a good example of clinical governance and networking due to its dynamic and sustained improvement and cooperation between clinicians

    Ba/Ca of stylasterid coral skeletons records dissolved seawater barium concentrations

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    The concentration of dissolved barium in seawater ([Ba]SW) is influenced by both primary productivity and ocean circulation patterns. Reconstructing past subsurface [Ba]SW can therefore provide important information on processes which regulate global climate. Previous Ba/Ca measurements of scleractinian and bamboo deep-sea coral skeletons exhibit linear relationships with [Ba]SW, acting as archives for past Ba cycling. However, skeletal Ba/Ca ratios of the Stylasteridae – a group of widely distributed, azooxanthellate, hydrozoan coral – have not been previously studied. Here, we present Ba/Ca ratios of modern stylasterid (aragonitic, calcitic and mixed mineralogy) and azooxanthellate scleractinian skeletons, paired with published proximal hydrographic data. We find that [Ba]SW and sample mineralogy are the primary controls on stylasterid Ba/Ca, while seawater temperature exerts a weak secondary control. [Ba]SW also exerts a strong control on azooxanthellate scleractinian Ba/Ca. However, Ba-incorporation into scleractinian skeletons varies between locations and across depth gradients, and we find a more sensitive relationship between scleractinian Ba/Ca and [Ba]SW than previously reported. Paired Sr/Ca measurements suggest that this variability in scleractinian Ba/Ca may result from the influence of varying degrees of Rayleigh fractionation during calcification. We find that these processes exert a smaller influence on Ba-incorporation into stylasterid coral skeletons, a result consistent with other aspects of their skeletal geochemistry. Stylasterid Ba/Ca ratios are therefore a powerful, novel archive of past changes in [Ba]SW, particularly when measured in combination with temperature sensitive tracers such as Li/Mg or Sr/Ca. Indeed, with robust [Ba]SW and temperature proxies now established, stylasterids have the potential to be an important new archive for palaeoceanographic studies

    Physics potential of the International Axion Observatory (IAXO)

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    We review the physics potential of a next generation search for solar axions:the International Axion Observatory (IAXO). Endowed with a sensitivity todiscover axion-like particles (ALPs) with a coupling to photons as small asgaγ1012g_{a\gamma}\sim 10^{-12} GeV1^{-1}, or to electrons gaeg_{ae}\sim1013^{-13},IAXO has the potential to find the QCD axion in the 1 meV\sim1 eV mass rangewhere it solves the strong CP problem, can account for the cold dark matter ofthe Universe and be responsible for the anomalous cooling observed in a numberof stellar systems. At the same time, IAXO will have enough sensitivity todetect lower mass axions invoked to explain: 1) the origin of the anomalous"transparency" of the Universe to gamma-rays, 2) the observed soft X-ray excessfrom galaxy clusters or 3) some inflationary models. In addition, we reviewstring theory axions with parameters accessible by IAXO and discuss theirpotential role in cosmology as Dark Matter and Dark Radiation as well as theirconnections to the above mentioned conundrums

    Rate and duration of hospitalisation for acute pulmonary embolism in the real-world clinical practice of different countries : Analysis from the RIETE registry

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    The biogeochemical impact of glacial meltwater from Southwest Greenland

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    Biogeochemical cycling in high-latitude regions has a disproportionate impact on global nutrient budgets. Here, we introduce a holistic, multi-disciplinary framework for elucidating the influence of glacial meltwaters, shelf currents, and biological production on biogeochemical cycling in high-latitude continental margins, with a focus on the silica cycle. Our findings highlight the impact of significant glacial discharge on nutrient supply to shelf and slope waters, as well as surface and benthic production in these regions, over a range of timescales from days to thousands of years. Whilst biological uptake in fjords and strong diatom activity in coastal waters maintains low dissolved silicon concentrations in surface waters, we find important but spatially heterogeneous additions of particulates into the system, which are transported rapidly away from the shore. We expect the glacially-derived particles – together with biogenic silica tests – to be cycled rapidly through shallow sediments, resulting in a strong benthic flux of dissolved silicon. Entrainment of this benthic silicon into boundary currents may supply an important source of this key nutrient into the Labrador Sea, and is also likely to recirculate back into the deep fjords inshore. This study illustrates how geochemical and oceanographic analyses can be used together to probe further into modern nutrient cycling in this region, as well as the palaeoclimatological approaches to investigating changes in glacial meltwater discharge through time, especially during periods of rapid climatic change in the Late Quaternary
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