Coral reefs in a century of rapid environmental change

Coral reefs are the most diverse marine ecosystem and embrace possibly millions of plant, animal and protist species. Mutualistic symbioses are a fundamental feature of coral reefs that have been used to explain their structure, biodiversity and existence. Complex inter-relationships between hosts, habitats and symbionts belie closely coupled nutrient and community dynamics that create the circumstances for something from nothing (or the oasis in a nutrient desert). The flip side of these dynamics is a close dependency between species, which results in a series of non-linear relationships as conditions change. These responses are being highlighted as anthropogenic influences increase across the world's tropical and subtropical coastlines. Caribbean as well as Indo-Pacific coral populations are now in a serious decline in many parts of the world. This has resulted in a significant reorganization of how coral reef ecosystems function. Among the spectra of changes brought about by humans is rapid climate change. Mass coral bleaching - the loss of the dinoflagellate symbionts from reef-building corals - and mortality has affected the world's coral reefs with increasing frequency and intensity since the late 1970s. Mass bleaching events, which often cover thousands of square kilometres of coral reefs, are triggered by small increases (+1-3degreesC) in water temperature. These increases in sea temperature are often seen during warm phase weather conditions (e.g. ENSO) and are increasing in size and magnitude. The loss of living coral cover (e.g. 16% globally in 1998, an exceptionally warm year) is resulting in an as yet unspecified reduction in the abundance of a myriad of other species. Projections from general circulation models (GCM) used to project changes in global temperature indicate that conditions even under the mildest greenhouse gas emission scenarios may exceed the thermal tolerances of most reef-building coral communities. Research must now explore key issues such as the extent to which the thermal tolerances of corals and their symbionts are dynamic if bleaching and disease are linked; how the loss of high densities of reef-building coral will affect other dependent species; and, how the loss of coral populations will affect the millions of people globally who depend on coral reefs for their daily survival.

Seasonal patterns of growth, dehydrins and water-soluble carbohydrates in genotypes of Dactylis glomerata varying in summer dormancy

Background and Aims Summer dormancy in perennial grasses has been studied inadequately, despite its potential to enhance plant survival and persistence in Mediterranean areas. The aim of the present work was to characterize summer dormancy and dehydration tolerance in two cultivars of Dactylis glomerata (dormant 'Kasbah', non-dormant 'Oasis') and their hybrid using physiological indicators associated with these traits. Methods Dehydration tolerance was assessed in a glasshouse experiment, while seasonal metabolic changes which produce putative protectants for drought, such as carbohydrates and dehydrins that might be associated with summer dormancy, were analysed in the field. Key Results The genotypes differed in their ability to survive increasing soil water deficit: lethal soil water potential (ψ(s)) was -3(.)4 MPa for 'Kasbah' (although non-dormant), -1(.)3 MPa for 'Oasis', and -1(.)6 MPa for their hybrid. In contrast, lethal water content of apices was similar for all genotypes (approx. 0(.)45 g H2O g d. wt(-1)), and hence the greater survival of 'Kasbah' can be ascribed to better drought avoidance rather than dehydration tolerance. In autumn-sown plants, 'Kasbah' had greatest dormancy, the hybrid was intermediate and 'Oasis' had none. The more dormant the genotype, the lower the metabolic activity during summer, and the earlier the activity declined in spring. Decreased monosaccharide content was an early indicator of dormancy induction. Accumulation of dehydrins did not correlate with stress tolerance, but dehydrin content was a function of the water status of the tissues, irrespective of the soil moisture. A protein of approx. 55 kDa occurred in leaf bases of the most dormant cultivar even in winter. Conclusions Drought avoidance and summer dormancy are correlated but can be independently expressed. These traits are heritable, allowing selection in breeding programmes.

Fig. 2. Lithology, water and total carbon content, cumulative grain-size distribution, and quartz, feldspar, and mica contents of core sequence Lz1013 from south-western Beaver Lake

A 100 cm long sediment sequence was recovered from Beaver Lake in Amery Oasis, East Antarctica, using gravity and piston corers. Sedimentological and mineralogical analyses and the absence of micro and macrofossils indicate that the sediments at the base of the sequence formed under glacial conditions, probably prior to c. 12 500 cal. yr BP. The sediments between c. 81 and 31 cm depth probably formed under subaerial conditions, indicating that isostatic uplift since deglaciation has been substantially less than eustatic sea-level rise and that large areas of the present-day floor of Beaver Lake must have been subaerially exposed following deglaciation. The upper 31 cm of the sediment sequence were deposited under glaciomarine conditions similar to those of today, supporting geomorphic observations that the Holocene was a period of relative sea-level highstand in Amery Oasis.

(Table 1) Characteristics of marine snow and ice samples at Barrow, Alaska

We measured light absorption in 42 marine snow, sea ice, seawater, brine, and frost flower samples collected during the OASIS field campaign between February 27 and April 15, 2009. Samples represented multiple sites between landfast ice and open pack ice in coastal areas approximately 5 km west of Barrow, Alaska. The chromophores that are most commonly measured in snow, H2O2, NO3-, and NO2-, on average account for less than 1% of sunlight absorption in our samples. Instead, light absorption is dominated by unidentified "residual" species, likely organic compounds. Light absorption coefficients for the frost flowers on first-year sea ice are, on average, 40 times larger than values for terrestrial snow samples at Barrow, suggesting very large rates of photochemical reactions in frost flowers. For our marine samples the calculated rates of sunlight absorption and OH production from known chromophores are (0.1-1.4) x 10**14 (photons/cm**3/s) and (5-70) x 10**-12 (mol/L/s), respectively. Our residual spectra are similar to spectra of marine chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM), suggesting that CDOM is the dominant chromophore in our samples. Based on our light absorption measurements we estimate dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations in Barrow seawater and frost flowers as approximately 130 and 360 µM C, respectively. We expect that CDOM is a major source of OH in our marine samples, and it is likely to have other significant photochemistry as well.

Determination of acrylamide levels in selected commercial and traditional foods in Syria

Purpose: To determine acrylamide (AA) levels in different brands of commercial and traditional foodstuffs available in Syria by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometery (UPLCMS). Methods: A total of 63 samples were analyzed. Food samples were defatted by hexane and then extracted with methanol 98 % in a vortex mixer. Thereafter, Carrez I and Carrez II were added to precipitate proteins from the co-extractives and then centrifuged to obtain a clear aqueous extract that was evaporated to dryness. The extract was dissolved in 1 mL of water, eluted through a preconditioned Oasis HLB cartridge and then filtered. The filtrate was analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS to determine AA content. Results: Among the commercial foods tested, the highest acrylamide quantity was found in potato products (396 ± 3.59 – 1844 ± 5.29 μg kg−1) and the lowest in corn products (183 ± 2.64 – 366 ± 4.58 μg kg−1). This was followed by biscuits (57 ± 2.64 – 1433 ± 2.51 μg kg−1), breakfast cereals (121 ± 8.73 – 245 ± 3.60 μg kg−1), bread (119 ± 1.73 – 263 ± 3.60 μg kg−1) and then coffee (113 ± 2.64 - 64 ± 3.05 μg kg−1). Regarding traditional foods, the highest level of AA was found in AL- Mshabak (481 ± 2.08 μg kg−1) and AL-Awamat (421 ± 2.64 μg kg−1) followed by AL-Namora (282 ± 4.35 μg kg−1) and AL-Kenafa (242 ± 2.64 μg kg−1). It was also observed that the lowest amount of AA was in fried bread (230 μg kg−1), AL-Fatayer (192 ± 3.51 μg kg−1) and AL-Baqlawa (172 ± 4.35 μg kg−1) while Eid Aqras (130 ± 4.58 μg kg−1) and AL-Brazeq (167 ± 3.78 μg kg−1) contained the least amount of AA. Conclusion: The results indicate that the highest levels of AA are found in the most commonly consumed foods. There was significant difference (p < 0.05) in AA levels among different food items and within different brands of the same product.

Procedimiento sancionatorio de alimentos en el ámbito territorial

El Estado colombiano tiene una capacidad de sanción que ha sido diseñada para ser ejercida por el presidente de la república. En algunas ocasiones gracias a la figura de la delegación se les entregan estas facultades de sanción a los gobernadores, los alcaldes de los distritos y los alcaldes de los municipios, quienes actúan como representantes legales de estas entidades territoriales que hasta la fecha son las únicas que existen en Colombia. El presente trabajo evaluará esa capacidad de sanción en un tema especifico como es el procedimiento sancionatorio de alimentos, procedimiento que es similar en su estructura legal en todas las entidades territoriales, pero que en su aplicación presenta características diferentes, estas diferencias permiten demostrar la hipótesis planteada que los procedimientos sancionatorios en alimentos en las entidades territoriales son débiles, no obstante contar con toda la facultad sancionadora delegada para ejercer esta actividad.

Correlacion entre hemoglobina glicosilada con hallazgos sintax score ii en pacientes con sospecha clínica de enfermedad coronaria, hospitalizados en la unidad coronaria del hospital San José centro en enero a septiembre del año 2015

Se realiza un estudio de corte transversal en el periodo de enero a septiembre del año 2016 en la unidad coronaria del Hospital San José Centro de la Ciudad de Bogotá; en pacientes con sospecha de enfermedad coronaria (Síndrome coronario agudo y angina estable) y antecedente de Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2, se recolectaron 42 pacientes con los criterios de inclusión a quienes se realizó angiografía coronaria como parte del protocolo de estudio y manejo de la unidad, el objetivo primario fue demostrar la posible correlación entre niveles de hemoglobina glicosilada y la escala de severidad SYNTAX Score I y II de enfermedad coronaria, como objetivos secundarios; caracterizar las variables sociodemográficas, comorbilidades y posible relación con el tipo de presentación de enfermedad coronaria. Como hallazgos relevantes no se encontró correlación importante ni significativa entre niveles de hemoglobina glicosilada y la escala Syntax score II ni Syntax score I, a pesar de que la mayoría de pacientes mostraban mal control crónico de su diabetes mellitus tipo 2, con niveles mayores > 7%, como hallazgo positivo se encontro asociación estadísticamente significativa con niveles de LDL y las diferentes formas de presentación de enfermedad coronaria, a mayor niveles de LDL mayor probabilidad de IAM e IAM con elevación del segmento ST. Se considera que con estudios multicentricos en diferentes ciudades y unidades de cuidado cardiovascular con diferentes niveles de riesgo, se podría demostrar la posible correlación entre niveles de hemoglobina glicosilada y los grados de severidad de enfermedad coronaria representados por las escalas Syntax score I y II.

Análisis de los sistemas de información en la productividad de la empresa Belta Ltda.

Los sistemas y la tecnología de información han sido una pieza clave en las organizaciones, estos buscan lograr un equilibrio junto con las estrategias empresariales, ya que de esta manera las empresas estarían en mejores condiciones para enfrentar los desafíos del mercado. (Morantes Leal y Miraidy Elena, 2007)1. Para abordar este tema, hemos decidido realizar un análisis de un sistema de información aplicado en la empresa Belta Ltda. para determinar la relación que existe entre la productividad y el uso de los sistemas empresariales. La información de este análisis está compuesta por 6 capítulos divididos de la siguiente manera: En el primer capítulo se muestra una introducción de los sistemas de información empresarial, la importancia del uso de las tecnologías, además se describe los objetivos de esta investigación, el alcance y vinculación de este proyecto con la línea de investigación de la escuela de administración de la universidad del Rosario. En el segundo capítulo se presenta el marco teórico; la descripción de los tipos de sistemas de información, y las metodologías utilizadas para la evaluación del uso de las tecnologías. Enseguida se describe la metodología utilizada para llevar a cabo esta investigación y las herramientas utilizadas para este caso de estudio en el capítulo tres. En el cuarto capítulo se muestra una descripción de la empresa, el organigrama, el entorno general del negocio, y se desarrolla la aplicación del documento guía; el modelo integral 5d`s, que consiste en realizar diferentes diagnósticos para determinar cómo se encuentra la empresa a nivel interno y externo. Finalmente, según el análisis y resultados obtenidos con esta investigación, se dan unas conclusiones finales y se proponen unas recomendaciones para la empresa en los últimos capítulos.

From the Humpata Plateau to Namibe Desert, SW Angola

After the Congress, a six-day field trip, will be held through three southwestern provinces of Angola (Huíla, Namibe and Cunene), every day starting and ending in the city of Lubango, for overnight stay in Lubango, with the purpose to observe some of the main sites of geological interest in this zone of Angola. The itinerary of this field trip presents the geologic history of Southwestern Angola and its evolution in the scope of the Congo Craton, through a trip that begins in the first excursion days by the oldest geologic formations and phenomena until the recent geologic formations and phenomena on the last excursion days. On the first and second excursion days, September 5th and September 6th, the field trip will go along the Kunene Anorthosite Complex of Angola (KAC), to observe some petrographic features of the KAC that are important to understand the emplacement of this huge igneous massif of the early Kibarean age. These days of the field trip allow the observation of Earthen Construction, because this region of Cunene is privileged to appreciate a kind of Eco-construction, made of raw earth and in wattle and daub, built with ancient techniques, which constitute a real GeoHeritage. On September 7th, in the morning, the destination will be Tundavala, to visit Tundavala Gap, a huge escarpment of more than 1,000 m high cutted in Neo-Archean and Paleo-Proterozoic igneous rocks, the Ruins of Tundavala (quartzite blocks with sedimentary structures) and Tundavala Waterfalls on a quartzitic scarp. After lunch, the field trip continues towards Humpata plateau to observe the panoramic view over Lubango city from the Statue of Cristo Rei, then the outcrops of dolomitic limestones with stromatolites and dolerites and finally the Leba passage, a huge escarpment and one of the most spectacular parts of the Serra da Chela, traversed by a mountain road built in the early 70s of the last century, that can be observed from the belvedere of the Serra da Chela. On September 8th, the destination is the carbonatite complexes of Tchivira and Bonga, belonging to the Mesozoic alkaline massifs of ultrabasic rocks, a rift valley system that occurs during the Early Cretaceous. In this forth excursion day, due to the huge dimensions of these two carbonatite structures it will be visited, only, the Complex of Bonga, namely the outcrops of the northern part of the structure and secondary deposits on the boundary on the southern part of the of the Complex. The last two excursion days, September 9th and September 10th, are to observe the Cretaceous Basin of Namibe. On September 9th, the northern part of Namibe Basin will be visited to observe the volcanic basic rocks of Namibe as well as the interesting paleontological site of Bentiaba. On September 10th, the destination is the southern and more recent part of Namibe Basin, where on the Namib Desert, the exotic plant Welwitschia mirabilis can be observed, as well as Arco, an oasis in the desert. This last excursion day, ends up at the dunes of Tombwa near the mouth of Curoca river and the beautiful bay of Tombwa, where can be observed heavy minerals in their beach sands.

LA UNIVERSIDAD COMO RECURSO TERRITORIAL. UNA PROPUESTA DE ANÁLISIS DISTRIBUTIVO: EL CASO DEL BAJÍO MICHOACANO, MÉXICO.

Las universidades y los centros de formación técnica tienen un papel destacado en el desarrollo de una región y tienen la consideración de recursos para ese territorio. Desde la geografía se puede incidir en el conocimiento de las características propias de ese recurso, y sobre todo de su distribución en una región concreta. El trabajo que presentamos, a través del análisis locacional, propone un diagnóstico para conocer la distribución de los centros universitarios en una región determinada. Para ello tomamos como caso de estudio: la región del Bajío michoacano, centrándonos en una ciudad mediana mexicana, La Piedad de Cavadas. Esta cuenta con 90.000 habitantes, se integra en un área metropolitana de 225.000 habitantes y tiene 2100 estudiantes de educación superior, repartidos en cuatro instituciones, una pública y las restantes  privadas. Se trata de un recurso escaso, costoso y de difícil acceso que choca con una realidad socioeconómica marcada por el estancamiento económico y la migración y que apenas cubre las necesidades de un amplio territorio. El análisis hecho, con voluntad de ser extrapolable, revela la existencia de “oasis” universitarios desconectados entre si y pone en entredicho la equidad en el acceso a la educación superior para esa región de México.

LAS TRANSFORMACIONES DEL ESPACIO RURAL EN EL DEPARTAMENTO CAPAYÁN, PROVINCIA DE CATAMARCA, ARGENTINA

El departamento Capayán se ubica en la región central de la provincia de Catamarca, a 65 Km. de la ciudad capital .Su superficie es de 4.248 km2 y la población es de 14.184 hab. Se pretende analizar las grandes transformaciones que se dieron en el espacio rural del departamento Capayán. El diagnóstico del espacio analizado se organiza sobre la base de una selección preliminar de localidades a relevar. La recopilación de información se recopiló sobre la realización de entrevistas y la búsqueda de fuentes complementarias de información y trabajo de campo Se seleccionó los grupos de productores a partir de una idea a priori de las producciones que los mismos desarrollan.La zona de oasis de conos se ubica en Capayán, en los de deyección de los faldeos orientales de la sierra de Ambato, que presenta explotaciones pequeñas y destinadas especialmente a la actividad fruti hortícola. Se caracteriza por ser una zona en la que la superficie destinada a la actividad agrícola fue creciendo.Los resultados nos permiten determinar que las transformaciones del espacio rural se inician hacia fines de la década del 60 y comienzo del 70, surgen las Colonia Nueva Coneta y Del Valle destinadas a la agricultura (hortalizas, frutales).Pero a partir de la década del 90 el crecimiento de la superficie fue muy significativo, la frontera agropecuaria se expandió como fruto del desarrollo de empresas beneficiadas con el régimen de diferimientos impositivos y cuya actividad en esta zona se destinó al cultivo de olivo, algodón, citrus y duraznero.