Phytoplankton Size Structure in Association with Mesoscale Eddies off Central-Southern Chile: The Satellite Application of a Phytoplankton Size-Class Model

Understanding the influence of mesoscale and submesoscale features on the structure of phytoplankton is a key aspect in the assessment of their influence on marine biogeochemical cycling and cross-shore exchanges of plankton in Eastern Boundary Current Systems (EBCS). In this study, the spatio-temporal evolution of phytoplankton size classes (PSC) in surface waters associated with mesoscale eddies in the EBCS off central-southern Chile was analyzed. Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) size-fractionated filtration (SFF) data from in situ samplings in coastal and coastal transition waters were used to tune a three-component (micro-, nano-, and pico-phytoplankton) model, which was then applied to total Chl-a satellite data (ESA OC-CCI product) in order to retrieve the Chl-a concentration of each PSC. A sea surface, height-based eddy-tracking algorithm was used to identify and track one cyclonic (sC) and three anticyclonic (ssAC1, ssAC2, sAC) mesoscale eddies between January 2014 and October 2015. Satellite estimates of PSC and in situ SFF Chl-a data were highly correlated (0.64 < r < 0.87), although uncertainty values for the microplankton fraction were moderate to high (50 to 100% depending on the metric used). The largest changes in size structure took place during the early life of eddies (~2 months), and no major differences in PSC between eddy center and periphery were found. The contribution of the microplankton fraction was ~50% (~30%) in sC and ssAC1 (ssAC2 and sAC) eddies when they were located close to the coast, while nanoplankton was dominant (~60–70%) and picoplankton almost constant (<20%) throughout the lifetime of eddies. These results suggest that the three-component model, which has been mostly applied in oceanic waters, is also applicable to highly productive coastal upwelling systems. Additionally, the PSC changes within mesoscale eddies obtained by this satellite approach are in agreement with results on phytoplankton size distribution in mesoscale and submesoscale features in this region, and are most likely triggered by variations in nutrient concentrations and/or ratios during the eddies’ lifetimes

Asturiux: detection system of computational anomalies

Everyday in network management, it is complex the process to correlate events in different dimensions: legal violation, intrusions, monitoring failures, violation to security policies or breach of standards; to which face professionals, teaching and students in this area in Colombia. This article presents the technological aspects for the design and development of a distributed system for the computational anomalies detection that was termed “Asturiux”, which arises as a product from a research project in the teleinformatics area. To addressing this problematic it use the network security administration, and anomalies detection. The system was fully developed with free software, in which were integrated different technologies for the communication, authentication, persistence, computational intelligence and remote alerts. The verification instruments and the realized tests, reflect a high level of system efficiency, and acceptation from the actors involved

Prototype Drop Tests of Cube and Cubipod Armor Units

In this paper, an experimental methodology is described to assess the structural strength of unreinforced concrete armor units (CAUs). The methodology is applied to measure the structural integrity under impact loads of the new Cubipod CAU compared with the conventional cube CAU. The casting systems and clamps are described for manufacturing and handling the 15-t conventional cubic block and 16-t Cubipod prototypes used for the drop tests. Two separate reinforced concrete platforms were used for overturning and for free-fall tests, respectively. Compared with conventional cubes of similar size and concrete strength, Cubipods withstand drops that are more than 50% higher. Two extreme free-fall tests confirmed the structural robustness of Cubipod armor units. Manufacturing cycle time, as well as storage and handling procedures, are similar for both Cubipods and conventional cubic blocks. © 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.The writers are grateful for the logistic support provided by the Port Authority of Alicante and the consortium TMS. Financial support was received from CDTI (CUBIPOD Project). The writers also thank Roman Goumy for his assistance during the prototype drop tests and Debra Westall for revising the manuscript.Medina, JR.; Gómez-Martín, ME.; Corredor-Molguero, A.; Torres-Samper, R.; Miñana, JV.; Fernández, E.; Menéndez, CF.... (2011). Prototype Drop Tests of Cube and Cubipod Armor Units. Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering. 137(2):54-63. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)WW.1943-5460.0000064S5463137

Degradación autolítica de la plasmina e isoformas de 5 plasminogenos animales. (Humano, Bovino, Equino, Canino, Ovino de Pelo).

La principal proteína del sistema fibrinolítico es el plasminógeno, cuyas isoformas nunca han sido analizadas en 2D-PAGE. En este trabajo se han purificado los plasminógenos de cinco especies animales por cromatografía de afinidad (sefarosa- Lisina) caracterizándose posteriormente por electroforesis. En el análisis SDS-PAGE, se ha encontrado una gran similitud en cuanto a la degradación proteolítica del plasminógeno de las cinco especies, no obstante se observa variación en cuanto a las isoformas presentes en los plasminógenos de cada especie por medio del análisis en electroforesis bidimensional

Structural assessment based on vibration measurement test combined with an artificial neural network for the steel truss bridge

Damage assessment is one of the most crucial issues for bridge engineers during the operational and maintenance phase, especially for existing steel bridges. Among several methodologies, the vibration measurement test is a typical approach, in which the natural frequency variation of the structure is monitored to detect the existence of damage. However, locating and quantifying the damage is still a big challenge for this method, due to the required human resources and logistics involved. In this regard, an artificial intelligence (AI)-based approach seems to be a potential way of overcoming such obstacles. This study deployed a comprehensive campaign to determine all the dynamic parameters of a predamaged steel truss bridge structure. Based on the results for mode shape, natural frequency, and damping ratio, a finite element model (FEM) was created and updated. The artificial intelligence network’s input data from the damage cases were then analysed and evaluated. The trained artificial neural network model was curated and evaluated to confirm the approach’s feasibility. During the actual operational stage of the steel truss bridge, this damage assessment system showed good performance, in terms of monitoring the structural behaviour of the bridge under some unexpected accidents.This research was funded by FCT/MCTES through national funds (PIDDAC) from the R&D Unit Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE), under the reference UIDB/04029/2020, and from the Associate Laboratory Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems ARISE, under the reference LA/P/0112/2020, as well as financial support of the project research “B2022-GHA-03” from the Ministry of Education and Training. And The APC was funded by ANI (“Agência Nacional de Inovação”) through the financial support given to the R&D Project “GOA Bridge Management System—Bridge Intelligence”, with reference POCI-01-0247-FEDER069642, which was cofinanced by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) through the Operational Competitiveness and Internationalisation Program (POCI)

Effect of two enzyme systems on the removal of mucilage from coffee cherry beans (Coffea arabica L.)

Objective: To evaluate and compare the percentage of mucilage removal from coffee (Coffea arabica L.) in pulping using two enzyme systems, Celuzyme and Macerex PM. Design/methodology/approach: Seven treatments combinations were evaluated (type of enzyme and concentration level, plus a control) at 30-minute intervals for 3 h. The experimental unit was 0.2 kg of pulped coffee. Results: Results showed when using these enzyme systems (Macerex PM and Celuzyme) the percentage of mucilage removal increased and time was significantly reduced by 3 to 4 h compared to the natural fermentation time of 15 to 20 h. Limitations on study/implications: Effect of two enzyme systems, Macerex PM and Celuzyme, at different concentrations (ppm). Findings/conclusions: The Macerex PM and Celuzyme enzyme systems showed 95% and 84.5% removed mucilage compared to 35% of the control.Objective: To evaluate and compare the percentage of mucilage removal from coffee (Coffea arabica L.) in pulping using two enzyme systems, Celuzyme and Macerex PM. Design/methodology/approach: Seven treatments combinations were evaluated (type of enzyme and concentration level, plus a control) at 30 min intervals for 3 h. The experimental unit was 0.2 kg of pulped coffee. Results: Results showed when using these enzyme systems (Macerex PM and Celuzyme) the percentage of mucilage removal increased and time was significantly reduced by 3 to 4 h compared to the natural fermentation time of 15 to 20 h. Limitations on study/implications: Effect of two enzyme systems, Macerex PM and Celuzyme, at different concentrations (mg L-1). Findings/conclusions: The Macerex PM and Celuzyme enzyme systems showed 95% and 84.5% removed mucilage compared to 35% of the contro

Potential for re-emergence of wheat stem rust in the United Kingdom

This is the final version. Available on open access from Springer Nature via the DOI in this recordWheat stem rust, a devastating disease of wheat and barley caused by the fungal pathogen Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, was largely eradicated in Western Europe during the mid-to-late twentieth century. However, isolated outbreaks have occurred in recent years. Here we investigate whether a lack of resistance in modern European varieties, increased presence of its alternate host barberry and changes in climatic conditions could be facilitating its resurgence. We report the first wheat stem rust occurrence in the United Kingdom in nearly 60 years, with only 20% of UK wheat varieties resistant to this strain. Climate changes over the past 25 years also suggest increasingly conducive conditions for infection. Furthermore, we document the first occurrence in decades of P. graminis on barberry in the UK . Our data illustrate that wheat stem rust does occur in the UK and, when climatic conditions are conducive, could severely harm wheat and barley production.This project was funded by an institute development grant from the EI (Norwich, UK), an Industrial Partnership Award (BB/M025519/1) from the BBSRC, a European Research Council Starting Grant awarded to D.G.O.S. (number 715638), H2020 project EMPHASIS (number 634179), by the BBSRC Institute Strategic Programmes BB/J004553/1 and BB/P012574/1, the John Innes Foundation, and an African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) fellowship to R.N.K