LysipheN: a gravimetric IoT device for near real-time high-frequency crop phenotyping: a case study on common beans.

Climate instability directly affects agro-environments. Water scarcity, high air temperature, and changes in soil biota are some factors caused by environmental changes. Verified and precise phenotypic traits are required for assessing the impact of various stress factors on crop performance while keeping phenotyping costs at a reasonable level. Experiments which use a lysimeter method to measure transpiration efficiency are often expensive and require complex infrastructures. This study presents the development and testing process of an automated, reliable, small, and low-cost prototype system using IoT with high-frequency potential in near-real time. Because of its waterproofness, our device-LysipheN-assesses each plant individually and can be deployed for experiments in different environmental conditions (farm, field, greenhouse, etc.). LysipheN integrates multiple sensors, automatic irrigation according to desired drought scenarios, and a remote, wireless connection to monitor each plant and device performance via a data platform. During testing, LysipheN proved to be sensitive enough to detect and measure plant transpiration, from early to ultimate plant developmental stages. Even though the results were generated on common beans, the LysipheN can be scaled up/adapted to other crops. This tool serves to screen transpiration, transpiration efficiency, and transpiration-related physiological traits. Because of its price, endurance, and waterproof design, LysipheN will be useful in screening populations in a realistic ecological and breeding context. It operates by phenotyping the most suitable parental lines, characterizing genebank accessions, and allowing breeders to make a target-specific selection using functional traits (related to the place where LysipheN units are located) in line with a realistic agronomic background.

Dataset of phase-resolved images of internal, corona, and surface partial discharges in electrical generators.

This article presents the data collection process for the classification of partial discharges in electrical generators using PNG format images. The data were collected through field measurements on over 40 generators in various locations in Colombia, in addition to utilizing a partial discharge simulator provided by Omicron Energy. Throughout the collection process, special attention was given to the accuracy and coherence of the images, avoiding deformations and distortions that could impact the nature of partial discharges. Emphasis was placed on achieving high resolution in phase-resolved patterns (PRPD) to effectively correlate them with the adjacent physical phenomenon. The analysis focused on classifying the images according to the type of partial discharge, identifying them as internal, surface, or corona discharges. The obtained pulse patterns are represented in RGB color, which aids in assessing the repeatability of pulses across their distribution. These data hold potential for the development of pattern classification software for generator monitoring systems. They enable the training and validation of classification algorithms, simplifying the automated detection and analysis of partial discharges in electrical generators. Their applicability extends beyond the electrical industry and can be valuable in other fields requiring complex signal and pattern analysis. The article highlights the rigorous data collection process and precise analysis conducted to obtain a valuable set of PNG format images for partial discharge classification. These data have significant potential in advancing pattern classification software, driving progress in the monitoring and analysis of electrical generators.

A global analysis of extreme coastal water levels with implications for potential coastal overtopping.

Climate change and anthropogenic pressures are widely expected to exacerbate coastal hazards such as episodic coastal flooding. This study presents global-scale potential coastal overtopping estimates, which account for not only the effects of sea level rise and storm surge, but also for wave runup at exposed open coasts. Here we find that the globally aggregated annual overtopping hours have increased by almost 50% over the last two decades. A first-pass future assessment indicates that globally aggregated annual overtopping hours will accelerate faster than the global mean sea-level rise itself, with a clearly discernible increase occurring around mid-century regardless of climate scenario. Under RCP 8.5, the globally aggregated annual overtopping hours by the end of the 21st-century is projected to be up to 50 times larger compared to present-day. As sea level continues to rise, more regions around the world are projected to become exposed to coastal overtopping.

Genetic Architecture and Genomic Prediction of Cooking Time in Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

Cooking time of the common bean is an important trait for consumer preference, with implications for nutrition, health, and environment. For efficient germplasm improvement, breeders need more information on the genetics to identify fast cooking sources with good agronomic properties and molecular breeding tools. In this study, we investigated a broad genetic variation among tropical germplasm from both Andean and Mesoamerican genepools. Four populations were evaluated for cooking time (CKT), water absorption capacity (WAC), and seed weight (SdW): a bi-parental RIL population (DxG), an eight-parental Mesoamerican MAGIC population, an Andean (VEF), and a Mesoamerican (MIP) breeding line panel. A total of 922 lines were evaluated in this study. Significant genetic variation was found in all populations with high heritabilities, ranging from 0.64 to 0.89 for CKT. CKT was related to the color of the seed coat, with the white colored seeds being the ones that cooked the fastest. Marker trait associations were investigated by QTL analysis and GWAS, resulting in the identification of 10 QTL. In populations with Andean germplasm, an inverse correlation of CKT and WAC, and also a QTL on Pv03 that inversely controls CKT and WAC (CKT3.2/WAC3.1) were observed. WAC7.1 was found in both Mesoamerican populations. QTL only explained a small part of the variance, and phenotypic distributions support a more quantitative mode of inheritance. For this reason, we evaluated how genomic prediction (GP) models can capture the genetic variation. GP accuracies for CKT varied, ranging from good results for the MAGIC population (0.55) to lower accuracies in the MIP panel (0.22). The phenotypic characterization of parental material will allow for the cooking time trait to be implemented in the active germplasm improvement programs. Molecular breeding tools can be developed to employ marker-assisted selection or genomic selection, which looks to be a promising tool in some populations to increase the efficiency of breeding activities.

Fisiopatología de la hepatitis C y diabetes mellitus. Hacia la cura de dos epidemias en el siglo XXI / Pathophysiology of Hepatitis C and Diabetes Mellitus: Towards the cure of two epidemics in the 21 st century

Resumen La infección crónica por virus de la hepatitis C (VHC) y la diabetes mellitus (DM) son dos problemas de salud pública que impactan los sistemas de salud, con una alta carga económica global. La infección por VHC produce manifestaciones hepáticas tales como hepatitis, cirrosis y carcinoma hepatocelular; asimismo, se ha involucrado en la patogénesis de manifestaciones extrahepáticas, entre las cuales se ha asociado con alteraciones metabólicas como la DM. Estudios longitudinales y transversales han reportado mayor incidencia y prevalencia de DM en pacientes con infección crónica por VHC. La DM acelera la progresión histológica y clínica en pacientes con infección crónica por VHC y las complicaciones cardiovasculares. Recientemente se ha avanzado en el tratamiento y la introducción de nuevos medicamentos como los antivirales de acción directa, que mejoran el control glucémico en estos pacientes.

Abstract Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are two public health problems that impact health care systems with overall high costs. HCV infections cause liver manifestations such as hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. They have also been involved in the pathogenesis of extrahepatic manifestations among which are metabolic disorders such as DM. Longitudinal and cross-sectional studies have reported a higher incidence and prevalence of DM in patients with chronic HCV infections. DM accelerates histological and clinical progression of chronic HCV infections and leads to cardiovascular complications. Recently, progress has been made in treatment with the introduction of new medications such as direct-acting antiviral drugs that improve glycemic control in these patients.

Tumor pardo en esqueleto axial de dos pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica en diálisis / Brown tumor in the axial skeleton of two patients with chronic kidney disease in dialysis

Resumen Los tumores pardos son una forma localizada de osteítis fibrosa no neoplásica, secundaria a hiperparatiroidismo (primario o secundario). Hacen parte de las alteraciones del metabolismo mineral y óseo de la enfermedad renal crónica (ERC). Se manifiestan como lesiones líticas, expansivas, asociadas a masas de tejidos blandos, que pueden estar localizadas en cualquier parte del esqueleto, con predilección por las costillas, clavículas, pelvis, fémur, huesos faciales y mandíbula. Reportamos dos casos de paciente con ERC en terapia de reemplazo renal (TRR), con hiperparatiroidismo secundario y tumores pardos localizados en mandíbula, arcos costales y cuerpos vertebrales, con manifestaciones radiológicas atípicas. Conclusión: los tumores pardos hacen parte de las alteraciones óseas de los pacientes con ERC. El aspecto benigno en los estudios de imágenes (lesiones expansivas sin destrucción de la cortical) en el contexto de un paciente con hiperparatiroidismo, pueden sugerir el diagnóstico. (Acta Med Colomb 2018; 43: 221-225).

Abstract Brown tumors are a localized form of non-neoplastic osteitis fibrosa, secondary to hyperparathyroidism (primary or secondary). They are part of the alterations of the mineral and bone metabolism of chronic kidney disease (CKD). They manifest as lytic, expansive lesions associated to soft tissue masses that can be located in any part of the skeleton with predilection for the ribs, clavicles, pelvis, femur, facial bones and jaw. Two cases of patients with CKD in renal replacement therapy (RRT), with secondary hyperparathyroidism and brown tumors located in the jaw, costal arches and vertebral bodies, with atypical radiological manifestations are described. Conclusion: brown tumors are part of the bone disorders of patients with CKD. The benign appearance in imaging studies (expansive lesions without destruction of the cortex) in the context of a patient with hyperparathyroidism, may suggest the diagnosis. (Acta Med Colomb 2018; 43: 221-225).

Lupus eritematoso sistémico: calcio e inmunorregulación / Systemic lupus erythematosus: calcium and immunoregulation

La utilización del calcio in vitro se ha involucrado con la elevación de los niveles de interleucina sérica y éstas moléculas estimulan la producción de los linfocitos. Se realizó un ensayo clínico fase II temprana con el objetivo de determinar si la administración de calcio por vía oral a los pacientes con LUPUS, provoca un aumento del los niveles de linfocitos T, y en particular a los linfocitos T supresores, para mejorar la clínica. De ser así, se podría utilizar el calcio como parte del arsenal terapéutico en este grupo de pacientes. Se estudiaron 12 pacientes con lupus en el período de tres meses. Los pacientes fueron escogidos al azar y se conformaron dos grupos, uno que recibió 600 mgrs de calcio al día en forma de carbonato de calcio (A) (6 pacientes) y otro que recibió placebo (B) (6 pacientes). Antes de comenzar la administración del calcio o del placebo, a cada paciente se le practicó una evaluación clínica, hematología completa, subpoblación linfocitaria, creatinina sérica, examen simple de orina y electrocardiograma. Todos los pacientes fueron seguidos por tres meses y al final del estudio se repitieron las pruebas iniciales. No hubo diferencias clínicas entre los pacientes que recibieron calcio y los que recibieron placebo. Tres (50 por ciento) de los pacientes que recibieron calcio mostraron una disminución de los leucocitos totales al igual que el grupo que recibió placebo. Cuatro (66.6 por ciento) de los pacientes del grupo A mostraron una disminución del conteo de linfocitos totales y sólo dos (33.3 por ciento) de los pacientes del grupo B (F = 0.089). Cinco (83.3 por ciento) de los pacientes que recibieron calcio mostraron una elevación de los niveles de linfocitos CD3 en contra de dos (33.3 por ciento) de los pacientes que recibieron placebo (F = 3.2449). Tres (50 por ciento) de los pacientes del grupo A elevaron los niveles de linfocitos CD4 y dos (33.3 por ciento) del grupo B (F = 0.024). Cuatro (66.6 por ciento) de los pacientes que recibieron calcio presentaron elevación de los linfocitos CD8, en contra de uno (16.6 por ciento) de los que recibieron placebo (F = 2.444). Todos los resultados se interpretaron en la tabla de Fisher con un nivel de 0.05. No hubo diferencias estadísticas significativas entre los grupos, respecto a los otros estudios paraclínicos realizados(AU)