Significance of Soil Lightness Versus Physicochemical Soil Properties in Semiarid Areas

This is an author's accepted manuscript of an article published in " Arid Land Research and Management"; Volume 28, Issue 4, 2014; copyright Taylor & Francis; available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15324982.2014.882871Modern agriculture aims to encompass all soil attributes to optimize soil use and minimize environmental impacts. One of those attributes is soil color, which allows determining important soil variables for crop management and soil conservation. In this study, the relationships between lightness and several pedologic, topographic, and soil management variables were determined. One hundred and ten topsoil points were sampled in an area where the Mediterranean climate is the only homogeneous soil forming factor. Soil samples were air dried, crushed, and sieved, and lightness measurements were made using a trichromatic colorimeter. The relationships between lightness and soil-related parameters were carried out by means of bivariate linear correlation, and Mann-Witney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Soil textural fractions (sand and silt), electrical conductivity and carbonates were statistically significant (p<0.001) and exhibited moderate correlation coefficients (0.32 0.45). Topographic variables (slope and aspect), soil organic carbon, iron, nitrogen, pH, and parent material (marls) exhibited lower effect on lightness. The response of lightness to clay content was highly conditioned by iron content. Stoniness, phosphorous, elevation, and soil management variables (irrigation and land use) were not statistically significant. The results obtained with calcareous samples from semiarid areas showed that soil lightness behavior agree with findings in developed soils, despite of the large differences in soil composition and the heterogeneity of the study area.Moreno-Ramón, H.; Marqués-Mateu, Á.; Ibañez Asensio, S. 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Mitigation of salt stress in lettuce by a biostimulant that protects the root absorption zone and improves biochemical responses

Horticultural crops constantly face abiotic stress factors such as salinity, which have intensified in recent years due to accelerated climate change, significantly affecting their yields and profitability. Under these conditions, it has become necessary to implement effective and sustainable solutions to guarantee agricultural productivity and food security. The influence of BALOX®, a biostimulant of plant origin, was tested on the responses to salinity of Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia plants exposed to salt concentrations up to 150 mM NaCl, evaluating different biometric and biochemical properties after 25 days of treatment. Control plants were cultivated under the same conditions but without the biostimulant treatment. An in situ analysis of root characteristics using a non-destructive, real-time method was also performed. The salt stress treatments inhibited plant growth, reduced chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, and increased the concentrations of Na+ and Cl- in roots and leaves while reducing those of Ca2+. BALOX® application had a positive effect because it stimulated plant growth and the level of Ca2+ and photosynthetic pigments. In addition, it reduced the content of Na+ and Cl- in the presence and the absence of salt. The biostimulant also reduced the salt-induced accumulation of stress biomarkers, such as proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Therefore, BALOX® appears to significantly reduce osmotic, ionic and oxidative stress levels in salt-treated plants. Furthermore, the analysis of the salt treatments’ and the biostimulant’s direct effects on roots indicated that BALOX®’s primary mechanism of action probably involves improving plant nutrition, even under severe salt stress conditions, by protecting and stimulating the root absorption zone

Adopting a High-Polyphenolic Diet Is Associated with an Improved Glucose Profile: Prospective Analysis within the PREDIMED-Plus Trial

Previous studies suggested that dietary polyphenols could reduce the incidence and complications of type-2 diabetes (T2D); although the evidence is still limited and inconsistent. This work analyzes whether changing to a diet with a higher polyphenolic content is associated with an improved glucose profile. At baseline, and at 1 year of follow-up visits, 5921 participants (mean age 65.0 ± 4.9, 48.2% women) who had overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome filled out a validated 143-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), from which polyphenol intakes were calculated. Energy-adjusted total polyphenols and subclasses were categorized in tertiles of changes. Linear mixed-effect models with random intercepts (the recruitment centers) were used to assess associations between changes in polyphenol subclasses intake and 1-year plasma glucose or glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. Increments in total polyphenol intake and some classes were inversely associated with better glucose levels and HbA1c after one year of follow-up. These associations were modified when the analyses were run considering diabetes status separately. To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess the relationship between changes in the intake of all polyphenolic groups and T2D-related parameters in a senior population with T2D or at high-risk of developing T2

Autonomía y tutorización como base del aprendizaje en asignaturas de Génesis de Suelos

Ante la oportunidad de cambio en la docencia que la Universidad Española está ofreciendo a sus profesores dentro del nuevo Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior y dentro de la asignatura de Génesis de suelos o Geología (Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros agrónomos de la Universidad Politécnica de Valencia) se encuadra la presente comunicación que pretende ofrecer una visión de la posible combinación de dos pilares básicos en el aprendizaje de modo activo de los alumnos: la autonomía y la tutorización. La enseñanza universitaria del futuro debe desarrollarse sobre dichos pilares con un aumento del trabajo autónomo por parte de los alumnos, los cuales son conocedores en todas las etapas de su aprendizaje. Debido a esto los profesores pasan a un segundo plano, como una figura simbólica de "guía", consiguiendo una mejora de los resultados de aprendizaje e implicación y motivación de los alumnos en la asignatura de génesis de suelos. Las metodologías activas y nuevas tecnologías (TIC's) favorecen la fluidez entre alumno y profesor en el proceso de aprendizaje y ayudan también a mejorar los resultados de dicho proceso, obteniéndose una mejora cualitativa y cuantitativa en la calidad de la enseñanza universitaria. El uso de material educativo, junto nuevas plataformas de transferencia de conocimiento, la implantación de tareas sobre las cuales aplicar los conocimientos adquiridos y una evaluación correcta que permita evaluar el grado de conocimiento ·in situ" para subsanar los errores y problemas, son los puntos de innovación expuestos en el presenten documento, siendo éstos, sobre los cuales se apoya el trabajo autónomo y la tutorización para obtener resultados óptimos evaluables en el proceso de aprendizaje en el entorno universitario. Estas innovaciones, así como la necesidad de restructuración de créditos en base a las nuevas directrices europeas (teniéndose en cuenta las horas de trabajo del alumno en su casa) son los principales aspectos junto con la excelencia docente y el ánimo por enseñar a aprender, los motivos que han motivado a los profesores de la asignatura a adecuarla a las nuevas metodologías docentes que deben de favorecer la inserción de la Universidad Politécnica de Valencia en el Espacio Europeo de Educación Superio

Determinación del color del suelo mediante un sistema de aprendizaje automático

En este trabajo proponemos una metodología de laboratorio orientada a la obtención automática del color del suelo. En el desarrollo del trabajo se relacionan sistemas de coordenadas propios de la Colorimetría con las notaciones Munsell utilizadas en las aplicaciones relacionadas con la Edafología y la Ciencia del Suelo. La ventaja principal de la metodología descrita con respecto a la determinación de color clásica basada en la comparación visual es la reducción de la influencia del observador

Suelos de humedal bajo manejo de arrozal e intrusión de agua de mar: caracterización y clasificación

Wetlands started to gain attention when the scientific community began investigating these resources in the eighties. Water, wildlife, and vegetation attracted most of the interest and funding, whereas soils were relegated from research efforts. Despite this situation, US researchers started developing a specific terminology and methodologies for hydric soils in order to unveil a new soil class that could offer great agricultural and environmental opportunities. In Spain, similar studies are practically nonexistent, and so we carried out a study of wetland soils examining 19 profiles and 133 pits in the Albufera of Valencia, a marsh area cultivated with rice. The aim of this paper was to define the morphology and physico-chemical properties of these hydric soils in order to classify them and to correlate those properties with three topographic variables: distance to the sea, distance to the lagoon and height above the sea level. The soils showed an alluvial character with moderate carbonate content and a high variation in organic matter content due to the management of paddy fields. The proximity to the sea and the different intrusion processes revealed salinity as the most important factor in these soils, which were classified as Entisols and Aridisols.As zonas húmidas pantanosas começaram a ser alvo de atenção quando a comunidade científica começou a investigar esses recursos na década de oitenta. Até então, a água, a vida selvagem, e a vegetação tinham atraído a maioria do interesse e do financiamento, enquanto que os solos foram postos de lado pela investigação. Apesar desta situação, os investigadores dos Estados Unidos começaram a desenvolver uma terminologia específica e metodologias para solos hídricos a fim de tentar descobrir uma nova classe de solo que pudesse vir a oferecer grandes oportunidades agrícolas e ambientais. Em Espanha, estudos desta natureza são praticamente inexistentes, pelo que levámos a cabo um estudo dos solos de regiões pantanosas examinando 19 perfis e 133 poços na Albufeira de Valencia, numa área de pântano cultivada com arroz. O objetivo deste trabalho foi definir a morfologia e as propriedades físico-químicas destes solos hídricos a fim de os classificar e correlacionar essas propriedades com três variáveis topográficas: distância ao mar, distância à lagoa e altura acima do nível do mar. Os solos apresentaram um caráter aluvial com conteúdo em carbonatos moderado e uma alta variação no teor de matéria orgânica devido a gestão dos arrozais. A proximidade com o mar e os processos de intrusão diferentes revelaram a salinidade como o factor mais importante nesses solos, que foram classificados como Entissolos e Aridissolos.Históricamente, el estudio de los humedales ha experimentado una falta de atención específica aunque esta tendencia cambió en los años ochenta cuando la comunidad científica comenzó a investigar sus recursos. Desde entonces se estudiaron el agua, la fauna y la vegetación mientras que los suelos de humedales no han sido ampliamente investigados. Sin embargo, los investigadores estadounidenses comenzaron a desarrollar metodologías y terminología específica para una nueva clase de suelos: los suelos hídricos, que presentan una gran importancia agrícola y ambiental. En España, el desarrollo ha sido prácticamente escaso y para contrarrestar esa situación, el presente trabajo desarrolla un estudio en un humedal con 19 perfiles de suelos y 133 sondeos en la Albufera de Valencia, una zona de marjal donde se cultiva arroz. El objetivo de este trabajo es definir la morfología y las propiedades físicas y químicas de los suelos hídricos con el fin de clasificarlos y correlacionar esas propiedades con tres variables topográficas: la distancia al mar, la distancia a la laguna y la altura sobre el nivel del mar. Como resultado, los suelos del humedal mostraron un carácter aluvial con un contenido de carbonato moderado y una alta variación en el contenido de materia orgánica debido a la gestión de los arrozales. La proximidad al mar y los diferentes procesos de intrusión hicieron de la salinidad el aspecto más importante en estos suelos. Entisoles y Aridisols fueron los dos órdenes de suelos que se encontraron en este humedal

Effect of a Biostimulant Based on Polyphenols and Glycine Betaine on Tomato Plants&rsquo; Responses to Salt Stress

Climate change accentuates abiotic stress conditions putting at risk several commercial cultivars particularly vulnerable to salinity in the early stages of development, which makes adopting new technologies in tune with the environment necessary to mitigate its impact. In this study, we tested the possible effects of a commercial biostimulant (BALOX&reg;) on enhancing salt stress tolerance in salt-treated tomato plants, analysing plant growth and several stress biochemical markers: photosynthetic pigments, ion contents in roots and leaves, leaf concentrations of different osmolytes, oxidative stress markers, non-enzymatic antioxidants, and the specific activities of major antioxidant enzymes. The experimental design consisted of three soil salinity levels (non-saline, saline, and very saline), two biostimulant doses (0.4 mL and 0.8 mL of the BALOX&reg; stock per litre of irrigation water), and the non-treated control (without biostimulant), evaluated at 30 and 60 days of treatment. The biostimulant favoured plant growth, especially at the root level and in saline soils. In addition, it helped reduce Na+ and Cl&minus; uptake by the roots and seemed to stimulate, to some extent, K+ and Ca2+ transport to the aerial part of the plant. The BALOX&reg; application significantly reduced the level of stress affecting the plants in saline soils, as shown by the decrease in the contents of proline and oxidative stress biomarkers and the activity of salt-induced antioxidant enzymes. Some of the biostimulant effects were also observed under low salinity conditions; therefore, in addition to enhancing salt stress responses, BALOX&reg; appears to stimulate the growth of tomato plants through a general improvement of photosynthesis and primary metabolism

X Premio Nacional Educación Para el Desarrollo "Vicente Ferrer" 2018 : buenas prácticas

La AECID junto con el Ministerio de Educación y Formación Profesional convoca anualmente los premios de educación para el desarrollo que están dirigidos a todos los centros docentes españoles sostenidos con fondos públicos que impartan educación infantil, educación primaria, educación secundaria obligatoria, bachillerato y formación profesional. Se recogen las buenas prácticas de los centros educativos premiados en esta novena edición. Docentes que en el ejercicio de su función educadora han con­vertido el proceso educativo en un proceso dinámico e interactivo que permite al alumnado desarrollar un conocimiento crítico de nuestro mundo. Profesores y profesoras que han estimulado la participación del alumnado en la construcción de estructuras sociales más justas y solidarias, y han promovido actuaciones basadas en el principio de la corresponsabilidad de todos los actores implicados.ES

Respiratory support in patients with severe COVID-19 in the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection (ISARIC) COVID-19 study: a prospective, multinational, observational study

Background: Up to 30% of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 require advanced respiratory support, including high-flow nasal cannulas (HFNC), non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV), or invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, outcomes and risk factors for failing non-invasive respiratory support in patients treated with severe COVID-19 during the first two years of the pandemic in high-income countries (HICs) and low middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods: This is a multinational, multicentre, prospective cohort study embedded in the ISARIC-WHO COVID-19 Clinical Characterisation Protocol. Patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who required hospital admission were recruited prospectively. Patients treated with HFNC, NIV, or IMV within the first 24 h of hospital admission were included in this study. Descriptive statistics, random forest, and logistic regression analyses were used to describe clinical characteristics and compare clinical outcomes among patients treated with the different types of advanced respiratory support. Results: A total of 66,565 patients were included in this study. Overall, 82.6% of patients were treated in HIC, and 40.6% were admitted to the hospital during the first pandemic wave. During the first 24 h after hospital admission, patients in HICs were more frequently treated with HFNC (48.0%), followed by NIV (38.6%) and IMV (13.4%). In contrast, patients admitted in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) were less frequently treated with HFNC (16.1%) and the majority received IMV (59.1%). The failure rate of non-invasive respiratory support (i.e. HFNC or NIV) was 15.5%, of which 71.2% were from HIC and 28.8% from LMIC. The variables most strongly associated with non-invasive ventilation failure, defined as progression to IMV, were high leukocyte counts at hospital admission (OR [95%CI]; 5.86 [4.83-7.10]), treatment in an LMIC (OR [95%CI]; 2.04 [1.97-2.11]), and tachypnoea at hospital admission (OR [95%CI]; 1.16 [1.14-1.18]). Patients who failed HFNC/NIV had a higher 28-day fatality ratio (OR [95%CI]; 1.27 [1.25-1.30]). Conclusions: In the present international cohort, the most frequently used advanced respiratory support was the HFNC. However, IMV was used more often in LMIC. Higher leucocyte count, tachypnoea, and treatment in LMIC were risk factors for HFNC/NIV failure. HFNC/NIV failure was related to worse clinical outcomes, such as 28-day mortality. Trial registration This is a prospective observational study; therefore, no health care interventions were applied to participants, and trial registration is not applicable