Temporal Stability of Management Zone Patterns: Case Study with Contact and Non-Contact Soil Electrical Conductivity Sensors in Dryland Pastures.

Precision agriculture (PA) intends to validate technological tools that capture soil and crop spatial variability, which constitute the basis for the establishment of differentiated management zones (MZs). Soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) sensors are commonly used to survey soil spatial variability. It is essential for surveys to have temporal stability to ensure correct medium- and long-term decisions. The aim of this study was to assess the temporal stability of MZ patterns using different types of ECa sensors, namely an ECa contact-type sensor (Veris 2000 XA, Veris Technologies, Salina, KS, USA) and an electromagnetic induction sensor (EM-38, Geonics Ltd., Mississauga, ON, Canada). These sensors were used in four fields of dryland pastures in the Alentejo region of Portugal. The first survey was carried out in October 2018, and the second was carried out in September 2020. Data processing involved synchronizing the geographic coordinates obtained using the two types of sensors in each location and establishing MZs based on a geostatistical analysis of elevation and ECa data. Although the basic technologies have different principles (contact versus non-contact sensors), the surveys were carried out at different soil moisture conditions and were temporarily separated (about 2 years); the ECa measurements showed statistically significant correlations in all experimental fields (correlation coefficients between 0.449 and 0.618), which were reflected in the spatially stable patterns of the MZ maps (averaging 52% of the total area across the four experimental fields). These results provide perspectives for future developments, which will need to occur in the creation of algorithms that allow the spatial variability and temporal stability of ECa to be validated through smart soil sampling and analysis to generate recommendations for sustained soil amendment or fertilization.

Using a Non-Contact Sensor to Delineate Management Zones in Vineyards and Validation with the Rasch Model.

The production of high-quality wines is one of the primary goals of modern oenology. In this regard, it is known that the potential quality of a wine begins to be determined in the vineyard, where the quality of the grape, initially, and later that of the wine, will be influenced by the soil properties. Given the spatial variability of the fundamental soil properties related to the potential grape production, such as texture, soil organic matter content, or cation exchange capacity, it seems that a uniform management of a vineyard is not the most optimal way to achieve higher grape quality. In this sense, the delineation of zones with similar soil characteristics to implement site-specific management is essential, reinforcing the interest in incorporating technologies and methods to determine these homogeneous zones. A case study was conducted in a 3.3 ha vineyard located near Évora, south of Portugal. A non-contact sensor (DUALEM 1S) was used to measure soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) in the vineyard, and later, a kriged ECa map was generated. ECa and elevation maps were utilised to delineate homogeneous zones (management zones, MZs) in the field through a clustering process. MZs were validated using some soil properties (texture; pH; organic matter-OM; phosphorous-P2O5; potassium-K2O; the sum of the exchange bases-SEB; and cation exchange capacity-CEC), which were determined from 20 soil samples taken in the different MZs. Validation was also performed using Rasch measures, which were defined based on the formulation of the objective and probabilistic Rasch model, integrating the information from the aforementioned soil properties at each sampling location. The comparison of the MZs was more evident with the use of the Rasch model, as only one value was to be employed in each MZ. Finally, an additional validation was conducted using a vegetation index to consider the plant response, which was different in each MZ. The use of a non-contact sensor to measure ECa constitutes an efficient technological tool for implementing site-specific management in viticulture, which allows for the improvement of decision-making processes by considering the inherent spatial variability of the soil.

Sensing and Mapping the Effects of Cow Trampling on the Soil Compaction of the Montado Mediterranean Ecosystem.

The economic and environmental sustainability of extensive livestock production systems requires the optimisation of soil management, pasture production and animal grazing. Soil compaction is generally viewed as an indicator of soil degradation processes and a determinant factor in crop productivity. In the Montado silvopastoral ecosystem, characteristic of the Iberian Peninsula, animal trampling is mentioned as a variable to consider in soil compaction. This study aims: (i) to assess the spatial variation in the compaction profile of the 0-0.30 m deep soil layer over several years; (ii) to evaluate the effect of animal trampling on soil compaction; and (iii) to demonstrate the utility of combining various technological tools for sensing and mapping indicators of soil characteristics (Cone Index, CI; and apparent electrical conductivity, ECa), of pastures' vegetative vigour (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index, NDVI) and of cows' grazing zones (Global Positioning Systems, GPS collars). The significant correlation between CI, soil moisture content (SMC) and ECa and between ECa and soil clay content shows the potential of using these expedient tools provided by the development of Precision Agriculture. The compaction resulting from animal trampling was significant outside the tree canopy (OTC) in the four evaluated dates and in the three soil layers considered (0-0.10 m; 0.10-0.20 m; 0.20-0.30 m). However, under the tree canopy (UTC), the effect of animal trampling was significant only in the 0-0.10 m soil layer and in three of the four dates, with a tendency for a greater CI at greater depths (0.10-0.30 m), in zones with a lower animal presence. These results suggest that this could be a dynamic process, with recovery cycles in the face of grazing management, seasonal fluctuations in soil moisture or spatial variation in specific soil characteristics (namely clay contents). The NDVI shows potential for monitoring the effect of livestock trampling during the peak spring production phase, with greater vigour in areas with less animal trampling. These results provide good perspectives for future studies that allow the calibration and validation of these tools to support the decision-making process of the agricultural manager.

Fiabilidad de un examen clínico objetivo estructurado para predecir la futura competencia profesional de estudiantes de medicina / Reliability of an objective structured clinical examination to assess the future professional competence of medical students

Introducción: Cuando con los resultados de un examen clínico objetivo estructurado (ECOE) se decide sobre la futura competencia profesional de estudiantes de medicina, la fiabilidad de dicha prueba debe adecuarse a esta finalidad. Objetivo: Calcular la fiabilidad (alfa de Cronbach) de una serie de ECOE y su relación con la duración, número de participantes, estaciones, ítems y evaluadores. Sujetos y métodos: Se analizan 14 ECOE realizados a 2.995 estudiantes de cuarto y quinto curso de la Facultad de Medicina de Granada desde 2004 a 2013. Resultados: La fiabilidad fue ≥ 0,70 en el 92,84% de los ECOE. También fue significativamente ≥ 0,70 cuando la duración total fue ≥ 60 minutos (p = 0,042), el número de estaciones ≥ 10 (p = 0019), el número de ítems ≥ 50 (p = 0,018) y el número de evaluadores ≥ 6 (p = 0,018). No se observaron diferencias con el número de estudiantes ni con las opciones al ítem utilizadas. Conclusiones: Los ECOE cuyos resultados se utilicen para aprobar asignaturas de la carrera de medicina deben tener una fiabilidad ≥ 0,70. Para alcanzar dicha fiabilidad o mayor, el formato debe constar de al menos 10 estaciones, durar ≥ 60 minutos, tener ≥ 50 ítems y ≥ 6 evaluadores

Introduction: When the future professional competence of medical students is decided based on results of an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), the reliability of this test should be adequate to this purpose. Aim: To calculate the reliability (Cronbach's alpha) of each one of OSCEs we performed and its relationship with the duration, number of participants, stations, items and evaluators. Subjects and methods: Fourteen OSCE tests performed to 2995 medical students of 4th and 5th year of the Faculty of Medicine of Granada between 2004 to 2013 were analyzed. Results: The reliability was ≥ 0.70 in 92.84% of the OSCEs. It was also significant ≥ 0.70 with a total duration ≥ 60 minutes (p = 0.042), and a number of stations ≥ 10 (p = 0.019), a number of items ≥ 50 (p = 0.018) and a number of evaluators ≥ 6 (p = 0.018). No differences with the number of students, neither with the options to the item were observed. Conclusions: The OSCEs carried out in centers which results are used to approve subjects of the medical career, must have a reliability ≥ 0.70. To achieve this reliability or greater, the format should consist of at least: 10 stations, a duration ≥ 60 minutes, and having ≥ 50 items and ≥ 6 evaluators

Prevalence of wild type ATTR assessed as myocardial uptake in bone scan in the elderly population.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial uptake of bone tracers has emerged as useful tool for the early detection of transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR). The prevalence of wild-type ATTR (ATTRwt) in individuals remains to be established. METHODS: All whole body bone scans performed in individuals ≥ 75 years with no previous clinical suspicion of ATTR were revised in a population-based university hospital over a 7-year period (1509 studies corresponding to 1114 patients; 80.5 ±â€¯4.1 years, 65% males). Positive cardiac uptake was defined according to Perugini score as grade 2 or 3. Heart failure (HF) hospitalizations during the follow-up were obtained from regional administrative databases. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients ≥ 75 years (2.78%) showed cardiac uptake; compared with those without uptake, these patients were older (85 ±â€¯5 vs. 80 ±â€¯4, p < 0.001) and predominantly males (90% vs. 64%, p = 0.005). The prevalence of cardiac uptake was 3.88% in males and 0.77% in females, and increased with age, reaching 13.9% in males≥85 years (2.7% among females). The estimated prevalence for the European standard population ≥ 75 years was 4.15% in males, 1.03% in females and 2.59% in the general population. HF hospitalizations rates were 14% in patients without uptake and 29% in those with cardiac uptake (p = 0.034). After adjusting for age and gender, cardiac uptake was associated with a higher risk of HF hospitalization (OR 2.60, 95%CI 1.09-5.74, p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial uptake in bone scan is very prevalent with ageing, mainly affects males and is associated with an increased risk of HF hospitalization. These findings reinforce ATTRwt as a relevant cause of HF in the elderly.

Evaluación de la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria en niños de edad preescolar: adaptación del test de 20m de ida y vuelta / Assessment of cardiorspiratory fitness in preschool children: adaptation of the 20 metres shuttle run test

La capacidad cardiorrespiratoria es un potente indicador de salud presente y futura en niños y adolescentes, sin embargo se desconoce si también lo es para niños de edad reescolar, de 3 a 5 años. En el presente estudio, describimos la adaptación a preescolares del test original de 20m de ida y vuelta, su viabilidad y asimilación en niños de 3 a 5 años, así como su maximalidad y fiabilidad. Un total de 130 alumnos (4,91 ± 0,89 años; 77 niños), realizaron el test dos veces, con dos semanas de separación. La adaptación del test consistió principalmente en reducir la velocidad inicial de 8,5 km/h a 6,5 km/h. El test fue viable y tuvo una buena asimilación tanto en niños como en niñas y en los tres grupos de edad, 3, 4 y 5 años. La frecuencia cardíaca máxima (FCmáx) alcanzada para la muestra completa fue de 199,4 ± 12,5 latidos/minuto, equivalente a un 97% de la FCmáx teórica estimada, y sin diferencias significativas por sexo o edad. La diferencia de medias test-retest (error sistemático) en el número de vueltas alcanzado fue de 2 vueltas, sin diferencias por sexo o edad. No hubo evidencia de heterocedasticidad. Nuestros resultados sugieren que el test es máximo y fiable en este grupo de edad. Futuros estudios de intervención o longitudinales que utilicen este test deberían tener en cuenta que cambios en el rendimiento en el test de 2 vueltas podrían deberse a la propia variabilidad de la medida, mientras que cambios de mayor magnitud podrían ser atribuibles a la intervención o cambios asociados a la edad (AU)

Cardiorespiratory fitness is a strong indicator of present and future health in children and adolescents, however it is unknown whether it is for pre-schoolers, from 3 to 5 years. In the present study, we described the adaptation of the original 20m shuttle run test, it feasibility and acceptance in children from 3 to 5 years and its maximality and reliability. A total of 130 students (4.91 ± 0.89 years; 77 boys) performed the test twice, two weeks apart. The test adaptation consisted mainly in reducing the initial speed of 8.5 km/h to 6.5 km/h. The test was feasible and was well accepted in both boys and girls and the three age groups, 3, 4 and 5 years. The maximum heart rate (MHR) achieved for the entire sample was 199.4 ± 12.5 beats/min, equivalent to 97% of the estimated theoretical MHR, and no significant differences by gender or age. Mean test-retest difference (systematic error) in the number of laps achieved was 2 laps, with no significant differences between sex or age. There was no evidence of heteroscedasticity. Our results suggest the test is maximum and reliable in this age group. Future longitudinal or intervention studies using this test should take into account that changes in the test performance of 2 laps may be due to the variability of the measure, while wider changes would be attributable to the intervention or changes associated with age (AU)

[Assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness in preschool children: adaptation of the 20 metres shuttle run test]. / Evaluación de la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria en niños de edad preescolar: adaptación del test de 20m de ida y vuelta.

Cardiorespiratory fitness is a strong indicator of present and future health in children and adolescents, however it is unknown whether it is for pre-schoolers, from 3 to 5 years. In the present study, we described the adaptation of the original 20m shuttle run test, it feasibility and acceptance in children from 3 to 5 years and its maximality and reliability. A total of 130 students (4.91 ± 0.89 years; 77 boys) performed the test twice, two weeks apart. The test adaptation consisted mainly in reducing the initial speed of 8.5 km/h to 6.5 km/h. The test was feasible and was well accepted in both boys and girls and the three age groups, 3, 4 and 5 years. The maximum heart rate (MHR) achieved for the entire sample was 199.4 ± 12.5 beats/min, equivalent to 97% of the estimated theoretical MHR, and no significant differences by gender or age. Mean test-retest difference (systematic error) in the number of laps achieved was 2 laps, with no significant differences between sex or age. There was no evidence of heteroscedasticity. Our results suggest the test is maximum and reliable in this age group. Future longitudinal or intervention studies using this test should take into account that changes in the test performance of 2 laps may be due to the variability of the measure, while wider changes would be attributable to the intervention or changes associated with age.

La capacidad cardiorrespiratoria es un potente indicador de salud presente y futura en niños y adolescentes, sin embargo se desconoce si también lo es para niños de edad preescolar, de 3 a 5 años. En el presente estudio, describimos la adaptación a preescolares del test original de 20m de ida y vuelta, su viabilidad y asimilación en niños de 3 a 5 años, así como su maximalidad y fiabilidad. Un total de 130 alumnos (4,91 ± 0,89 años; 77 niños), realizaron el test dos veces, con dos semanas de separación. La adaptación del test consistió principalmente en reducir la velocidad inicial de 8,5 km/h a 6,5 km/h. El test fue viable y tuvo una buena asimilación tanto en niños como en niñas y en los tres grupos de edad, 3, 4 y 5 años. La frecuencia cardíaca máxima (FCmáx) alcanzada para la muestra completa fue de 199,4 ± 12,5 latidos/minuto, equivalente a un 97% de la FCmáx teórica estimada, y sin diferencias significativas por sexo o edad. La diferencia de medias test-retest (error sistemático) en el número de vueltas alcanzado fue de 2 vueltas, sin diferencias por sexo o edad. No hubo evidencia de heterocedasticidad. Nuestros resultados sugieren que el test es máximo y fiable en este grupo de edad. Futuros estudios de intervención o longitudinales que utilicen este test deberían tener en cuenta que cambios en el rendimiento en el test de 2 vueltas podrían deberse a la propia variabilidad de la medida, mientras que cambios de mayor magnitud podrían ser atribuibles a la intervención o cambios asociados a la edad.

Water regime of Playa Lakes from southern Spain: conditioning factors and hydrological modeling.

Andalusia's lowland countryside has a network of small geographically isolated playa lakes scattered across an area of 9000 km2 whose watersheds are mostly occupied by clayey rocks. The hydrological model proposed by the authors seeks to find equilibrium among usefulness, simplicity, and applicability to isolated playas in a semiarid context elsewhere. Based in such model, the authors have used monthly climatic data, water stage measurements, and the basin morphometry of a particular case (Los Jarales playa lake) to calibrate the soil water budget in the catchment and the water inputs from the watershed (runoff plus groundwater flow) at different scales, from monthly to daily. After the hydrologic model was calibrated, the authors implemented simulations with the goal of reproducing the past hydrological dynamics and forecasting water regime changes that would be caused by a modification of the wetland morphometry.

Groundwater contamination evolution in the Guadiamar and Agrio aquifers after the Aznalcóllar spill: assessment and environmental implications.

In 1998, the Agrio and Guadiamar rivers underwent an enormous environmental disaster caused by the rupture of the Aznalcóllar tailings dam and the release of 6 hm(3) of pyrite sludge and acidic water. Both rivers run over recent alluvial materials which form a small-sized aquifer which is however important because underground water feeds the flow of the rivers. This work analyzes the state of groundwater 10 years after the spill. Before the dam failure, this aquifer was already contaminated in the zone nearest to the mine, to which the impact of the spill was added. Contamination levels in the alluvial aquifer of the Agrio River have decreased remarkably. However, they are still important, with acidic pH values and high concentrations of toxic elements (maximum values of 16 mg/L of Zn and 15 mg/L of Al). There are also important levels of contamination in the Guadiamar alluvial area closest to the mine, as well as in specific zones located further south. The concentration of toxic elements is mainly controlled by pH. The evolution of contaminant levels show a sharp decrease after the first years following the spill, followed by a subsequent stabilization. It is necessary to take measures for the recovery of the aquifer because, otherwise, groundwater will continue contributing contaminants into the Agrio and Guadiamar rivers.

Plantas medicinais usadas pela comunidade do bairro Itamaraty em Anápolis, Estado de Goiás, Brasil / Medicinal plants used by Itamaraty community nearby Anápolis, Goiás State, Brazil

O uso de plantas para fins terapêuticos tem sido relatado desde a antiguidade, principalmente no Irã, Índia e China. Recentemente, o uso ?in-natura? das plantas para fins medicinais foi retomado de modo sistemático e crescente, especialmente quando combinado com a terapia convencional. No Brasil, o conhecimento sobre o uso de plantas medicinais foi e é derivado principalmente das influências indígenas, primeiramente, mas também de negros e europeus, e diversos estudos têm sido feito no sentido de verificar quais as plantas utilizadas para fins medicinais pela população brasileira em várias comunidades do cerrado. Neste trabalho foi feita uma pesquisa com a população do bairro Itamaraty, em Anápolis, Estado de Goiás, Brasil, com enfoque etnobotânico, a fim de recuperar e preservar o conhecimento etnobotânico da região. Em termos gerais, o uso de plantas medicinais neste bairro segue os aspectos culturais relatado por outros autores sobre a necessidade de uso de terapias alternativas para as comunidades pobres, além do uso geral e comum de folhas e a infusão como a principal forma de preparação dessas plantas, tendo em vista que as famílias Asteraceae e Lamiaceae são as mais citadas para o uso como plantas medicinais

The use of plants for therapeutic purposes has been reported from ancient in Iran, India and China, especially. Recently, the use of in-natura plants as herbal medicines has grown in a systematic and increasing way, especially when combined with conventional therapy. In Brazil, the knowledge on the use of medicinal plants has been and is primarily derived from the indigenous, with African and European influences, and several studies have been done in order to verify which plants have been used for medicinal purposes by the Brazilian population in several communities from the ?cerrado? region. This work performed a survey with the population of Itamaraty nearby Anápolis, Goiás State, Brazil with ethnobotanical focus in order to recover and preserve the ethnobotanical knowledge of this region. In general terms, the use of medicinal plants in this neighborhood follows the cultural aspects reported by other authors on the need for use of alternative therapies for poor communities, beyond the general and common use of leaves and infusions as the main form of preparation, since Asteraceae and Lamiaceae families are the most cited to use as medicinal plants