Krill as a central node for iron cycling in the Southern Ocean

In order to establish the potential role of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) in the recycling of bioactive elements, we have quantified the release of iron, phosphate, and ammonia by these organisms along the Antarctic Peninsula sector of the Southern Ocean. The experimental results suggested that the presence of krill has a significant impact on ambient iron concentrations, as large amounts of this trace element were released by the krill (22-689 nmol Fe g Dry Weight-1 h-1, equivalent to 0.2 to 4.3 nmol Fe L-1 d-1). Half of this iron release occurred within the first hour of the experiment, and differences in iron and phosphate release rates (3.1 to 14.0 μmol PO4 3- g DW-1 h-1) seemed to reflect differences in food availability. These results identify krill as a major node in iron cycling in the Southern Ocean, potentially influencing iron residence time in the upper water column of this region. Copyright 2007 by the American Geophysical Union.Peer Reviewe

Regulation of NR4A by nutritional status, gender, postnatal development and hormonal deficiency

The NR4A is a subfamily of the orphan nuclear receptors (NR) superfamily constituted by three well characterized members: Nur77 (NR4A1), Nurr1 (NR4A2) and Nor 1 (NR4A3). They are implicated in numerous biological processes as DNA repair, arteriosclerosis, cell apoptosis, carcinogenesis and metabolism. Several studies have demonstrated the role of this subfamily on glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity and energy balance. These studies have focused mainly in liver and skeletal muscle. However, its potential role in white adipose tissue (WAT), one of the most important tissues involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis, is not well-studied. The aim of this work was to elucidate the regulation of NR4A in WAT under different physiological and pathophysiological settings involved in energy balance such as fasting, postnatal development, gender, hormonal deficiency and pregnancy. We compared NR4A mRNA expression of Nur77, Nurr1 and Nor 1 and found a clear regulation by nutritional status, since the expression of the 3 isoforms is increased after fasting in a leptin-independent manner and sex steroid hormones also modulate NR4A expression in males and females. Our findings indicate that NR4A are regulated by different physiological and pathophysiological settings known to be associated with marked alterations in glucose metabolism and energy status.This work has been supported by grants from Fondo Investigaciones Sanitarias (ST: PI12/02842), Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (RN: RYC-2008-02219 and BFU2012-35255; MMM: BFU2010-17116), Xunta de Galicia (ML: 10PXIB208164PR and 2012-CP070; RN: EM 2012/039 and 2012-CP069), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición. CIBERobn is an initiative of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) of Spain which is supported by FEDER funds. The research leading to these results has also received funding from the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme under the following grant: ML and RN: FP7/2007-2013: n° 245009: NeuroFASTS

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as a tool for hazard assessment: The 2021 eruption of Cumbre Vieja volcano, La Palma Island (Spain)

Monitoring for assessment of natural disasters, such as volcanic eruptions, presents a methodological challenge for the scientific community. Here, we present Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as a feasible, precise, rapid and safe tool for real time monitoring of the impacts of a volcanic event during the Cumbre Vieja eruption on La Palma Island, Spain (2021). UAV surveys with optical RGB (Red-Green-Blue), thermal and multispectral sensors, and a water sampling device, were carried out in different areas affected by the lava flow, including the upper volcanic edifice and the lava delta formed on the coastal fringe of the island. Our results have provided useful information for the monitoring of the advance of the lava flow and its environmental consequences during the volcanic emergency. Our data shows how La Palma island's growth, with the formation of a new lava delta of 28 ha and a total volume of lava injected into the sea of 5,138,852 m3. Moreover, our Digital Elevation Model (DEM) simulated, with a 70 % accuracy, the probabilistic simulation of the possible path followed by the lava flow in the vicinity of the fissure from which the magma emanates. In addition, significant changes of seawater physical-chemical parameters were registered in coastal surface waters by the in situ seawater samples collected with the automatic water sampling device of our UAV. The first meters of the water column, due to the instant evaporation of the seawater in contact with the hot lava, produce an increase of temperature and salinity of up to 4–5 °C and up to 5 units, respectively.En prensa3,25

Concordancia interexaminador de hallazgos periodontales utilizando radiografía periapical convencional

Introducción: la enfermedad periodontal afecta más de la mitad de la población en Colombia siendo estimada una de las primeras causas de morbilidad oral. Las ayudas diagnósticas que permitan la evaluación  de su extensión y severidad resultan de importancia puesto que así se tendrán herramientas confables para cuantifcar la gravedad del problema. Objetivo: determinar la concordancia interexaminador para  la detección de hallazgos radiográfcos en pacientes con periodontitis crónica localizada empleando radiografía periapical convencional. Métodos: estudio de pruebas diagnósticas incluyendo pacientes con periodontitis crónica localizada, sobre el diente con peor nivel de inserción clínico y a través de una sola radiografía convencional por órgano dentario empleando técnica de paralelismo. Las valoraciones radiográfcas fueron realizadas por dos evaluadores independientes y cegados para los hallazgos: lámina dura, defectos óseos y tipo de defecto. El acuerdo obtenido se estimó a través de Kappa de Cohen. Resultados: se tomaron en total 125 radiografías. La edad promedio fue 38,8±9,9 años, y 61,6% eran mujeres. La concordancia para lámina dura fue 0,08 (IC 95 %: -0,04 – 0,21), defectos óseos 1,00 (IC 95 %: 1,00 – 1,00); tipo de defecto presente 0,31 (IC 95 %: 0,29 – 0,38). Conclusiones: la concordancia se evaluó como nula, casi perfecta y aceptable para los hallazgos lámina dura, presencia de defectos óseos y tipo de defecto respectivamente. Para algunos hallazgos y dada la importancia de los procesos diagnósticos y terapéuticos se necesitan valoraciones más exactas que se traduzcan en un mayor grado de acuerdo.Introduction: periodontal disease affects more than 50% of the Colombian population being considered as one of the main causes of oral morbidity. Diagnostic tests that could evaluate its extension and severity are important since we can account then for reliable tools to quantify the disease severity. Objetive: To estimate the interrater reliability for the detection of radiographic fndings in chronic periodontitis patients using conventional periapical radiography. Methods: It was performed a diagnostic test study including patients diagnosed with untreated localized chronic periodontitis including the worst prognosis tooth and performing a single conventional radiography using parallelism technique. We assigned a code for each radiograph and two independent and blinded assessors performed radiographic measurements for the following fndings: lamina dura, presence of bone defects and defect type. Agreement evaluation was performed through Cohen’s Kappa statistic. Results: We evaluated 125 radiographs. Average age was 38,8±9,9 years from whose 61,6 % were female patients. Reproducibility for lamina dura was 0,08 (95% CI: -0,04 – 0,21); bone defects 1,00 (95% CI: 1,00 – 1,00) and type of bone defects 0,31 (95% CI: 0,29 – 0,38). Conclusions: reliability for lamina dura assessment was considered null, for bone defects almost perfect while for type of bone defect acceptable. For some fndings it is necessary accurate assessments, which could refect higher agreement due to the importance of diagnostic and treatment plan establishment.&nbsp

Lessons Learned Developing an Extension-Based Training Program for Farm Labor Supervisors

This article outlines a four-step model for developing a training program for farm labor supervisors. The model draws on key lessons learned during the development of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Farm Labor Supervisor Training program. The program is designed to educate farm supervisors on farm labor laws and to support compliance with workplace regulations critical for the safety of farmworkers and the economic sustainability of agricultural industries. Attentive to building partnerships, assessing needs, tailoring the curriculum, and conducting evaluations, the model can be applied elsewhere to address the farm labor issues confronted by specialty crop growers in other states

Valorization of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) pruning biomass by co-composting with urban and agri-food sludge

In the Mediterranean countries, there is an increasing production of date palm wastes (Phoenix dactylifera L.), not only due to the raising production of date palm fruits, but also derived from the maintenance of urban and peri-urban green areas, especially in those affected by red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus). The management of this increasing volume of green wastes usually concludes with a controlled disposal that implies an important loss of resources, in terms of organic matter, nutrients and energy. In addition, the rise of wastewater generation and the incentive of the wastewater treatment processes have derived in an increase of the amount of the sludge produced, which makes difficult its management. This work studies the feasibility of co-composting palm wastes with sludge from the urban and agri-food sectors as alternative treatment to manage these organic waste streams and to obtain added-value compost. For this, four mixtures (P1, P2, P3 and P4) were prepared using as main component palm leave waste (PL) mixed with different types of sludge. In the piles P1, P2 and P3, sewage sludge (SS) was used as co-composting agent, while agri-food sludge (AS) was used in P4. Throughout composting, the thermal profile of the composting piles was assessed, as were physical, chemical, physico-chemical and maturity parameters. In addition, the changes in water-soluble organic matter were assessed using chemical analytical methods and the excitation–emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy. The results obtained showed the viability of the co-composting process to obtain end-products with adequate maturity degree and physical characteristics for their potential use as substrates, except for the salt contents that can limit their use in some agricultural sectors.This work has been financed by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and by European Regional Development Funds (ERDF, “Una manera de hacer Europa”), in the framework of the project “Development of new resources and bioproducts based on residues of palmaceous species oriented to carbon sequestration and mitigation strategies, Palmresource” (Project AGL2013-41612-R)

Evaluación de los recursos solares utilizando entornos SIG: el problema de la resolución del Modelo Digital del Terreno

Ponencia presentada en: XXIX Jornadas Científicas de la AME y el VII Encuentro Hispano Luso de Meteorología celebrado en Pamplona, del 24 al 26 de abril de 2006

Plant and animal endemism in the eastern Andean slope: challenges to conservation

Andean slope: challenges to conservatio

Endocrine and Metabolic impact of oral ingestion of a carob-pod derived natural syrup containing D-Pinitol: potential use as a novel sweetener in diabetes

The use of added sugars or non-nutritive sweeteners in processed foods and soft drinks are being blamed for multiple complications associated with obesity and diabetes. High fructose content contributes to obesity and liver steatosis, and excessive consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners can generate gut dysbiosis complicating the metabolic control exerted by the liver. Beyond its evolutionary significance in the selection of foods with a high glucose content as an energy source, the fact is that the consumption of sweets produces a hedonic pleasure in our brain. Then, the challenge stands at: how do we control the use of added sugars while providing a safe, palatable, sweet flavour to foods?. The present work explores an alternative approach, in humans and rodents, for sweetening through the use of a simple carob-pod-derived syrup which contains the inositol D-Pinitol. This inositol is known as an insulin sensitizer in muscle capable of keeping glycaemia while avoiding both unnecessary insulin secretion and the conversion of carbohydrates into fat depots .Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Surface distribution of dissolved trace metals in the oligotrophic ocean and their influence on phytoplankton biomass and productivity

Pinedo-González, Paulina ... et. al.-- 19 pages, 10 figures, 2 tables, supporting information http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2015GB005149The distribution of bioactive trace metals has the potential to enhance or limit primary productivity and carbon export in some regions of the world ocean. To study these connections, the concentrations of Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mo, Ni, and V were determined for 110 surface water samples collected during the Malaspina 2010 Circumnavigation Expedition (MCE). Total dissolved Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mo, Ni, and V concentrations averaged 19.0 ± 5.4 pM, 21.4 ± 12 pM, 0.91 ± 0.4 nM, 0.66 ± 0.3 nM, 88.8 ± 12 nM, 1.72 ± 0.4 nM, and 23.4 ± 4.4 nM, respectively, with the lowest values detected in the Central Pacific and increased values at the extremes of all transects near coastal zones. Trace metal concentrations measured in surface waters of the Atlantic Ocean during the MCE were compared to previously published data for the same region. The comparison revealed little temporal changes in the distribution of Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, and Ni over the last 30 years. We utilized a multivariable linear regression model to describe potential relationships between primary productivity and the hydrological, biological, trace nutrient and macronutrient data collected during the MCE. Our statistical analysis shows that primary productivity in the Indian Ocean is best described by chlorophyll a, NO3, Ni, temperature, SiO4, and Cd. In the Atlantic Ocean, primary productivity is correlated with chlorophyll a, NO3, PO4, mixed layer depth, Co, Fe, Cd, Cu, V, and Mo. The variables salinity, temperature, SiO4, NO3, PO4, Fe, Cd, and V were found to best predict primary productivity in the Pacific Ocean. These results suggest that some of the lesser studied trace elements (e.g., Ni, V, Mo, and Cd) may play a more important role in regulating oceanic primary productivity than previously thought and point to the need for future experiments to verify their potential biological functionsThis research was partially supported by U.S. National Science Foundation (OCE 1435666), the USC Graduate School Dissertation Completion Fellowship, the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through the Malaspina 2010 expedition project (Consolider-Ingenio 2010, CSD2008-00077) and the project CTM2014-59244-C3-3-RPeer Reviewe