Assessing the Relative Importance of Satellite-Detected Methane Superemitters in Quantifying Total Emissions for Oil and Gas Production Areas in Algeria.

Methane emissions from oil and gas production provide an important contribution to global warming. We investigate 2020 emissions from the largest gas field in Algeria, Hassi R'Mel, and the oil-production-dominated area Hassi Messaoud. We use methane data from the high-resolution (20 m) Sentinel-2 instruments to identify and estimate emission time series for 11 superemitters (including 10 unlit flares). We integrate this information in a transport model inversion that uses methane data from the coarser (7 km × 5.5 km) but higher-precision TROPOMI instrument to estimate emissions from both the 11 superemitters (>1 t/h individually) and the remaining diffuse area source (not detected as point sources with Sentinel-2). Compared to a bottom-up inventory for 2019 that is aligned with UNFCCC-reported emissions, we find that 2020 emissions in Hassi R'Mel (0.16 [0.11-0.22] Tg/yr) are lower by 53 [24-73]%, and emissions in Hassi Messaoud (0.22 [0.13-0.28] Tg/yr) are higher by 79 [4-188]%. Our analysis indicates that a larger fraction of Algeria's methane emissions (∼75%) come from oil production than national reporting suggests (5%). Although in both regions the diffuse area source constitutes the majority of emissions, relatively few satellite-detected superemitters provide a significant contribution (24 [12-40]% in Hassi R'Mel; 49 [27-71]% in Hassi Messaoud), indicating that mitigation efforts should address both. Our synergistic use of Sentinel-2 and TROPOMI can produce a unique and detailed emission characterization of oil and gas production areas.

OCO-2 advances photosynthesis observation from space via solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence.

Quantifying gross primary production (GPP) remains a major challenge in global carbon cycle research. Spaceborne monitoring of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF), an integrative photosynthetic signal of molecular origin, can assist in terrestrial GPP monitoring. However, the extent to which SIF tracks spatiotemporal variations in GPP remains unresolved. Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2)'s SIF data acquisition and fine spatial resolution permit direct validation against ground and airborne observations. Empirical orthogonal function analysis shows consistent spatiotemporal correspondence between OCO-2 SIF and GPP globally. A linear SIF-GPP relationship is also obtained at eddy-flux sites covering diverse biomes, setting the stage for future investigations of the robustness of such a relationship across more biomes. Our findings support the central importance of high-quality satellite SIF for studying terrestrial carbon cycle dynamics.

Sun-induced fluorescence - a new probe of photosynthesis: First maps from the imaging spectrometer HyPlant.

Variations in photosynthesis still cause substantial uncertainties in predicting photosynthetic CO2 uptake rates and monitoring plant stress. Changes in actual photosynthesis that are not related to greenness of vegetation are difficult to measure by reflectance based optical remote sensing techniques. Several activities are underway to evaluate the sun-induced fluorescence signal on the ground and on a coarse spatial scale using space-borne imaging spectrometers. Intermediate-scale observations using airborne-based imaging spectroscopy, which are critical to bridge the existing gap between small-scale field studies and global observations, are still insufficient. Here we present the first validated maps of sun-induced fluorescence in that critical, intermediate spatial resolution, employing the novel airborne imaging spectrometer HyPlant. HyPlant has an unprecedented spectral resolution, which allows for the first time quantifying sun-induced fluorescence fluxes in physical units according to the Fraunhofer Line Depth Principle that exploits solar and atmospheric absorption bands. Maps of sun-induced fluorescence show a large spatial variability between different vegetation types, which complement classical remote sensing approaches. Different crop types largely differ in emitting fluorescence that additionally changes within the seasonal cycle and thus may be related to the seasonal activation and deactivation of the photosynthetic machinery. We argue that sun-induced fluorescence emission is related to two processes: (i) the total absorbed radiation by photosynthetically active chlorophyll; and (ii) the functional status of actual photosynthesis and vegetation stress.

Cuidados enfermeros en Cuidados Paliativos: Análisis, consensos y retos / Nursing care in Palliative Care: analysis, consensuses and challenges

La creciente complejidad de los cuidados que requieren las personas en situación de enfermedad avanzada y al final de vida, y la variabilidad de profesionales sanitarios que intervienen en el proceso asistencial, nos conduce a clarificar el rol profesional enfermero en el equipo multidisciplinar de Cuidados Paliativos (CP). Objetivo: reflexionar sobre la práctica enfermera en CP. Metodología: Técnica del grupo nominal. Se seleccionaron 10 enfermeras con más de 10 años de experiencia profesional en CP. Categorías elegidas para la atención enfermera: Evolución de los cuidados, de la profesión enfermera, funciones y actividades de enfermería, historia de los cuidados paliativos. Conclusiones: Necesidad de definir las competencias enfermeras en CP; Necesidad de contemplar la práctica profesional en el marco de un modelo conceptual y la aplicación del método científico enfermero; Necesidad de avanzar en prácticas reflexivas basadas en evidencias científicas; Iniciar una línea de investigación en competencias enfermeras en CP (AU)

The increasing complexity of care needed by patients with advanced diseases or end-of-life situation, added to variability of health professionals who participate in patient care, make necessary to clarify the specific role of nurses in a interdisciplinary Palliative Care team (PC). Aim: To establish a reflection about the nurse practice in PC. Methodology: Nominal group study. Ten nurses with more than 10 years of experience in PC were selected. The main areas of discussion were: the evolution of care and nursing profession, the general practice of nurses and Palliative Care history. Conclusion: There is the need: a) define nurse's competences in PC; b) describe the professional practice in the frame of a conceptual model and the application of nurse's scientific method; c) advance in a practice based on scientific evidence; d) start a research line about nurse's competences in PC (AU)

Plan de formación y docencia en un centro integral de cáncer: estrategia e implementación / Continuing education and teaching plans in a comprehensive cancer centre: strategy and implementation

Introducción. El Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO) puso en marcha la Unidad de Formación y Docencia (UFiD), en el año2006, con el objetivo de potenciar el desarrollo profesional, la difusión del conocimiento y la calidad de la atención oncológica. En el presente artículo se describe el proceso de puesta en marcha de la UFiD, los resultados del estudio de las necesidades formativas realizada por los profesionales y colectivos de la institución, las acciones formativas organizadas, y en el área de docencia, los resultados de la reorganización de las trayectorias docentes de los diferentes servicios, así como el apoyo de nuevas iniciativas. Materiales y métodos. Durante el periodo 2008-2009, se implantaron acciones formativas y docentes en concordancia con los resultados del estudio de necesidades y con las líneas estratégicas de la institución. Se realizaron un total de 71actividades formativas, con 898 participantes de todas las categorías profesionales, con una tasa de satisfacción de los participantes de 7,8 sobre 10. En el apartado de docencia, durante el mismo periodo se realizaron 3 másteres, 3 posgrados,59 cursos de actualización con metodología semipresencial y 19 cursos con metodología online, todos ellos con acreditación académica. La satisfacción media fue de 8 sobre 10.Resultados y conclusiones. La actividad llevada a cabo por la UFiD ha permitido, por una parte, articular la formación continuada en base al estudio de las necesidades de los profesionales, lo que ha contribuido a promover el desarrollo profesional y la calidad asistencial de éstos, y por otra parte, dar soporte a las actividades docentes ya existentes y promover nuevas iniciativas para favorecer la difusión de conocimientos en el área oncológica, lo que ha posicionado al ICO como un centro absolutamente comprometido con la formación oncológica (AU)

Introduction. The Oncology Catalonian Institute (ICO) launched the training and education unit (UFiD) in 2006, in order to enhance professional development, dissemination of knowledge and quality of the oncology care. Here are described the tune-up of this process and the results of the training needs survey carried out among the professionals and collectives of the centre. Materials and methods. Training and educational actions deployed during 2008 and 2009 and its evaluation results are presented. A total of 60 training activities were carried out in which 719 students of all professional categories participated, and with a score of participant’s satisfaction of 7.8 out of 10. In the area of education, the paths of the different services were reorganized and new initiatives were supported. A total of 3 masters, 3 post-graduate degrees, 59 update courses with semi-presential (blended learning) methodology and 19 on-line methodology courses, all of them with academicaccreditation were imparted with a satisfaction average score of 8 out of 10.Results and conclusions. The activity carried out by the UFiD during this period, has made possible to articulate the continuing training based on the study of the professionals needs. This has allowed promoting the professional development and the quality of the care. Supporting existing training activities and promoting new initiatives encourage the dissemination of knowledge in the area of oncology and has positioned us as a centre committed to oncology training (AU)