Recycling drainage effluents using reverse osmosis powered by photovoltaic solar energy in hydroponic tomato production: Environmental footprint analysis.

Greenhouse cultivation in the Mediterranean region has undoubtedly enhanced the economic growth and has generated social benefits by making an efficient use of resources. However, these production systems caused undesirable environmental impacts. In order to move towards cleaner production in greenhouse areas, this study has assessed the potential environmental benefits and trade-offs of the integration of an on-farm reverse osmosis system powered by photovoltaic solar energy to recycle the drainage effluents from greenhouses. To that end, we compare the environmental footprint of a greenhouse tomato crop using this technology in a hydroponic system (HS), versus the conventional sanded soil 'enarenado' (CS) with free-drainage to soil. Additionally, for comparison, three independent irrigation sources (desalinated seawater with low electrical conductivity and two different mixes of underground and desalinated water, with moderate and high electrical conductivity, respectively) were evaluated. The use of desalinated seawater can help reduce the overexploitation of aquifers, although if the desalination process is not done with clean energy it also comes with a negative impact on the carbon footprint. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was used to analyse and evaluate six environmental impact indicators associated with these production systems and water treatments. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to explore the potential environmental benefits of increasing the use of renewable energy for desalinated water production, whilst also curbing the common over-fertilisation malpractice reported in the study area. Based on our findings, the HS with leachate treatment technology showed, compared to the CS system, a significant reduction in the eutrophication (72 %), although it did inevitably increase the depletion of fossil fuels (43 %) global warming (37 %) and acidification (32 %) impacts, due to the need for additional infrastructure and equipment. Among the inputs considered for the cultivation systems, the greenhouse structure, and the production of fertilisers and electricity for fertigation represented the highest environmental burdens. When comparing the three irrigation treatments, it was observed that the partial substitution of desalinated seawater by brackish groundwater substantially mitigated (27 %) the global warming footprint. The sensitivity analysis revealed that a significant reduction in the environmental impact is feasible.

Mechanisms of soil macrofauna community sustainability in temperate rice-growing systems.

Rice growing requires highly destructive and highly invasive field management negatively affecting soil biota and its functions. We aimed to compare taxonomic and functional trait compositions of soil macrofauna at different stages of rice cropping cycles in the three temperate rice-growing regions in Russia. Samples were collected in 2016 at four different biotopes in each region: flooded rice paddies; upland crops planted one year after flooded rice; rice paddy bunds; and relatively undisturbed seminatural control grasslands. Collected soil macrofauna were allocated to different traits according to their feeding preferences, vertical distribution, mobility and flood tolerance. The lowest macrofaunal abundance across all regions was observed in rice paddies. Cultivation of upland crops after paddy flooding consistently decreased the abundance of resident macrofauna, but not that of mobile soil macrofauna. In the upland crops, the abundance of belowground and mobile belowground macrofauna was significantly higher than that in control grasslands. The abundance of aboveground phytophages was significantly lower in the upland crops than in control sites. Flood-associated taxa showed low colonization ability after the paddies were drained. In contrast, representatives of other traits recorded in flooded fields increased their abundance at the next stage of crop rotation, demonstrating high resilience within an entire rice-growing system, including bunds. This finding indicates a high potential of seminatural grasslands and especially bunds as sources of rapid restoration of soil macrofauna functional diversity in rice-growing agroecosystems, thus maintaining the sustainability of soil food webs in the rice paddies.

Dispersal limitation and thermodynamic constraints govern spatial structure of permafrost microbial communities.

Understanding drivers of permafrost microbial community composition is critical for understanding permafrost microbiology and predicting ecosystem responses to thaw. We hypothesize that permafrost communities are shaped by physical constraints imposed by prolonged freezing, and exhibit spatial distributions that reflect dispersal limitation and selective pressures associated with these physical constraints. To test this, we characterized patterns of environmental variation and microbial community composition in permafrost across an Alaskan boreal forest landscape. We used null modeling to estimate the importance of selective and neutral assembly processes on community composition, and identified environmental factors influencing ecological selection through regression and structural equation modeling (SEM). Proportionally, the strongest process influencing community composition was dispersal limitation (0.36), exceeding the influence of homogenous selection (0.21), variable selection (0.16) and homogenizing dispersal (0.05). Fe(II) content was the most important factor explaining variable selection, and was significantly associated with total selection by univariate regression (R2 = 0.14, P = 0.003). SEM supported a model in which Fe(II) content mediated influences of the Gibbs free energy of the organic matter pool and organic acid concentration on total selection. These findings suggest that the dominant processes shaping microbial communities in permafrost result from the stability of the permafrost environment, which imposes dispersal and thermodynamic constraints.

Impact of artificial monolayer application on stored water quality at the air-water interface.

Evaporation mitigation has the potential to significantly improve water use efficiency, with repeat applications of artificial monolayer formulations the most cost-effective strategy for large water storages. Field investigations of the impact of artificial monolayers on water quality have been limited by wind and wave turbulence, and beaching. Two suspended covers differing in permeability to wind and light were used to attenuate wind turbulence, to favour the maintenance of a condensed monolayer at the air/water interface of a 10 m diameter tank. An octadecanol formulation was applied twice-weekly to one of two covered tanks, while a third clean water tank remained uncovered for the 14-week duration of the trial. Microlayer and subsurface water samples were extracted once a week to distinguish impacts associated with the installation of covers, from the impact of prolonged monolayer application. The monolayer was selectively toxic to some phytoplankton, but the toxicity of hydrocarbons leaching from a replacement liner had a greater impact. Monolayer application did not increase water temperature, humified dissolved organic matter, or the biochemical oxygen demand, and did not reduce dissolved oxygen. The impact of an octadecanol monolayer on water quality and the microlayer may not be as detrimental as previously considered.

Polymorphisms of inflammatory markers and risk of essential hypertension in Tatars from Russia.

Essential hypertension (EH) is a common disease with a clear genetic component. Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction play a prominent role in the development of persistent blood pressure elevation. The aim of the current study was to detect an association between EH and polymorphic markers in genes encoding for molecules involved in the control of intercellular interactions during the inflammation process. We analysed SNPs in SELE, SELP, SELL, ICAM1, VEGFA, IL1B, IL6, IL10 and IL12B genes in a group of 534 men of Tatar ethnicity (217 patients with EH and 317 controls). Using a Markov chain Monte-Carlo-based approach (APSampler), we found genotype and allelic combinations associated with EH. The most significant associations were observed for SELE rs2076059*C-SELP rs6131*A-VEGFA -2549*I-IL1B rs16944*C (p = 3.42 × 10(-5), FDR q = 0.035) and SELE rs2076059*C-SELP rs6131*A-IL12B rs3212227*C-IL1B rs16944*C (p = 323 × 10(-4), FDR q = 0.035).

Distribución y caracterización de equipos de salud capacitados a distancia por el Instituto Nacional de Epidemiología / Distribution and characterization of trained health teams remotely by the Instituto Nacional de Epidemiología

En el artículo se analizan las características de los alumnos que participaron en los cursos a distanciarealizados por el Instituto Nacional de Epidemiología entre 2005 y 2012. Se inscribieron 4163 alumnos y se aceptaron 2724 (65,5%). El 57,1% de los aceptados aprobó el curso. Participaron alumnos de todas las jurisdicciones y de países de la región, en su mayoría médicos, enfermeros yquímicos.

Articulos del cono sur Argentina: impacto de la fortificación con ácido fólico sobre el estado nutricional en mujeres y la prevalencia de defectos del tubo neural / Articles in the Southern Cone Argentina: the impact of folic acid fortification on nutritional status in women and the prevalence of neural tube defects

Se evaluó el efecto de la fortificación dela harina de trigo con ácido fólico (iniciada en 2003) sobre la ingesta de folatos en la población de mujeres en edad reproductiva y en embarazadas y los niveles séricos de folato y vitamina B12 en los mismos grupos. Asimismo, seanalizaron los cambios ocurridos en las tasas de defectos del tubo neural antes de la fortificación y después de ella.

Latitudinal and altitudinal growth patterns of brown trout Salmo trutta at different spatial scales.

Spatial variation in growth of stream-dwelling brown trout Salmo trutta was explored in 13 populations using a long-term study (1993-2004) in the Bay of Biscay drainage, northern Spain. The high variability in fork length (L(F)) of S. trutta in the study area was similar to the body-size range found in the entire European distribution of the species. Mean L(F) at age varied: 0+ years, 57.4-100.7 mm; 1+ years, 111.6-176.0 mm; 2+ years, 155.6-248.4 mm and 3+ years, 194.3-290.9 mm. Average L(F) at age was higher in main courses and lower reaches compared with small tributaries and upper reaches. Annual specific growth rates (G(L)) were: 0+ to 1+ years, 0.634-0.825 mm mm(-1) year(-1); 1+ to 2+ years, 0.243-0.342 mm mm(-1) year(-1); 2+ to 3+ years, 0.166-0.222 mm mm(-1) year(-1), showing a great homogeneity. Regression models showed that water temperature and altitude were the major determinants of L(F) at age variability within the study area. A broader spatial analysis using available data from stream-dwelling S. trutta populations throughout Europe indicated a negative relationship between latitude and L(F) of individuals and a negative interaction between latitude and altitude. These findings support previous evidence of the pervasive role of water temperature on the L(F) of this species. Altitude appeared as the overall factor that includes the local variation of other variables, such as water temperature or food availability. At a larger scale, latitude was the factor that encompassed these environmental gradients and explained the differences in L(F) of S. trutta. In summary, L(F) at age in stream-dwelling S. trutta decreases with latitude in Europe, the converse of Bergmann's rule.

[Impact of folic acid fortification on women's nutritional status and on the prevalence of neural tube defects]. / Impacto de la fortificación con ácido fólico sobre el estado nutricional en mujeres y la prevalencia de defectos del tubo neural.

INTRODUCTION: In 2003 iron and folic acid fortification of wheat flour became mandatory in Argentina. Folate nutritional status was assessed in a national probabilistic sample of women 10-49 years old and pregnant women. Changes in the prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs) were evaluated before and after fortification. POPULATION AND METHODS: Data from the National Nutritional and Health Survey done in 2005 were used for folate intakes (24 hs dietary recall) and serum levels. Fetal and infant mortality rates for NTDs were assessed in the period 2000-2006 from Vital Statistics Series, based on birth and death certificates. Prevalence of NTDs in hospital discharge statistics were analyzed in the pre and post fortification period. RESULTS: Median folate intakes were 532 and 821 microg/ day in women 10-49 years-old and pregnant women, respectively. In both groups, folic acid from wheat flour represented 245 and 331 microg/day. Serum folate was assessed in 5.322 women 10-49 years old and in 1.321 pregnant women. Prevalence of serum folate concentration <3 ng/mL was 0.8% in women of child-bearing age and 2.7% in pregnant women. Mortality rate due to anencephaly in 2000-2003 was 53.1 per 100.000 births and decreased to 23.3 per 100.000 births in 2005-2006. Spina bifida mortality rate decreased 67% in the same period. In a similar way, hospital discharge statistics showed a decrease of 54% for anencephaly, 33% for encephalocele, and 45% for spina bifida between 2000 and 2005. CONCLUSIONS: Food fortification with folic acid was associated with adequate intakes and serum folate levels in women. Concurrently, NTDs prevalence and mortality showed a significant reduction.

[Malnutrition of home care patients]. / Desnutrición en pacientes en atención domiciliaria.

OBJECTIVES: To find the nutritional status of people >65 years old included in a Home Care programme, using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), to describe the parameters discovered and to identify their relationship with risk factors. DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional study. SETTING: Primary care centre. PARTICIPANTS: 104 patients, who were over 65 and at the time of the study within the centre's home care programme, were included. INTERVENTIONS: The assessment was conducted by nursing staff in patients' homes. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: To assess the scores on the MNA, to describe the social and demographic variables of patients and carers, and to determine the medical, social and pathological factors of risk of malnutrition. RESULTS: Patients' mean age was 84.04 (SD, 8.76). 72.1% of carers were close relatives, with an average age of 61.88 (SD, 13.53). 20.2% of patients suffered from malnutrition and 51.9% were at risk of malnutrition. In both groups there was a low level of autonomy, significantly below that of well-nourished patients. No significant differences were found for the presence of more chronic illnesses, or social or psychological risk factors between these 2 groups and well-nourished patients. CONCLUSIONS: There is an extensive risk of malnutrition and actual malnutrition in the home care population.