Scales and causes of heterogeneity in bars in a large multi-channel river: Rio Parana, Argentina

To date, published studies of alluvial bar architecture in large rivers have been restricted mostly to case studies of individual bars and single locations. Relatively little is known about how the depositional processes and sedimentary architecture of kilometre-scale bars vary within a multi-kilometre reach or over several hundreds of kilometres downstream. This study presents Ground Penetrating Radar and core data from 11, kilometre-scale bars from the Rio Parana, Argentina. The investigated bars are located between 30km upstream and 540km downstream of the Rio Parana - Rio Paraguay confluence, where a significant volume of fine-grained suspended sediment is introduced into the network. Bar-scale cross-stratified sets, with lengths and widths up to 600m and thicknesses up to 12m, enable the distinction of large river deposits from stacked deposits of smaller rivers, but are only present in half the surface area of the bars. Up to 90% of bar-scale sets are found on top of finer-grained ripple-laminated bar-trough deposits. Bar-scale sets make up as much as 58% of the volume of the deposits in small, incipient mid-channel bars, but this proportion decreases significantly with increasing age and size of the bars. Contrary to what might be expected, a significant proportion of the sedimentary structures found in the Rio Parana is similar in scale to those found in much smaller rivers. In other words, large river deposits are not always characterized by big structures that allow a simple interpretation of river scale. However, the large scale of the depositional units in big rivers causes small-scale structures, such as ripple sets, to be grouped into thicker cosets, which indicate river scale even when no obvious large-scale sets are present. The results also show that the composition of bars differs between the studied reaches upstream and downstream of the confluence with the Rio Paraguay. Relative to other controls on downstream fining, the tributary input of fine-grained suspended material from the Rio Paraguay causes a marked change in the composition of the bar deposits. Compared to the upstream reaches, the sedimentary architecture of the downstream reaches in the top ca 5m of mid-channel bars shows: (i) an increase in the abundance and thickness (up to metre-scale) of laterally extensive (hundreds of metres) fine-grained layers; (ii) an increase in the percentage of deposits comprised of ripple sets (to >40% in the upper bar deposits); and (iii) an increase in bar-trough deposits and a corresponding decrease in bar-scale cross-strata (<10%). The thalweg deposits of the Rio Parana are composed of dune sets, even directly downstream from the Rio Paraguay where the upper channel deposits are dominantly fine-grained. Thus, the change in sedimentary facies due to a tributary point-source of fine-grained sediment is primarily expressed in the composition of the upper bar deposits.

Involvement of family physicians in structured programs for chronic diseases or multi-morbidity in Switzerland.

The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and multi-morbidity represents challenges for health systems worldwide. In that perspective, the current organization of healthcare delivery, fragmentation of care, limited use of evidence-based guidelines and patients'insufficient empowerment are some reasons explaining the current limited effectiveness of the management of chronically ill patients. Based on theoretical models such as the Chronic Care Model (CCM), initiatives targeting improvements in the care of patients with chronic diseases have been implemented worldwide since more than a decade. Their development in Switzerland, a health system where more than half of practices are still single handed [6], is only recent and infrequent. Structured programs for patients with chronic diseases or multimorbidity usually propose patient-centered interventions and consider an integrative multidisciplinary approach. Currently, little is known on the existence of such programs and on the role of family physicians (FPs)within these programs, in Switzerland. The objective of this study was to identify and describe current structured programs targeting chronic diseases or multi-morbidity in Switzerland. This may help in examining innovative approaches that are only developed locally but would deserve wider interest for further implementation. We conducted a telephone-based survey between June and November 2013 and contacted systematically key institutions, informants and stakeholders nationwide and in the 26 cantons...

Multi-purpose infrastructure for delivering and supporting mobile context-aware applications

The use of contextual information in mobile devices is receiving increasing attention in mobile and ubiquitous computing research. An important requirement for mobile development today is that devices should be able to interact with the context. In this paper we present a series of contributions regarding previous work on context-awareness. In the first place, we describe a client-server architecture that provides a mechanism for preparing target non context-aware applications in order to be delivered as context-aware applications in a semi-automatic way. Secondly, the framework used in the server to instantiate specific components for context-awareness, the Implicit Plasticity Framework, provides independence from the underlying mobile technology used in client device, as it is shown in the case studies presented. Finally, proposed infrastructure deals with the interaction among different context constraints provided by diverse sensors. All of these contributions are extensions to the infrastructure based on the Dichotomic View of plasticity, which now offers multi-purpose support.

Herdabilidade e ganho genético em caracteres do fruto do maracujazeiro-doce

O maracujazeiro-doce, Passiflora alata Curtis, é uma planta frutífera que vem despertando interesse econômico principalmente para o consumo in natura. Contudo, precisam ser superados alguns entraves tecnológicos em relação ao seu cultivo, tais como a ausência de cultivares que apresentem frutos com alto rendimento de polpa, resistência mecânica e elevado teor de sólidos solúveis totais. Nesse sentido, este trabalho teve por objetivo estimar a herdabilidade (h²) e o ganho genético esperado com a seleção, para os caracteres peso do fruto, peso da polpa, espessura da casca, sólidos solúveis totais e rendimento de polpa em maracujazeiro-doce, por meio da avaliação de 36 cruzamentos envolvendo seis genitores femininos e seis masculinos. Os resultados obtidos evidenciaram uma ampla variação na magnitude dos valores da h² entre os cruzamentos e a predominância de efeitos gênicos de aditividade no controle genético dos caracteres. Assim, é necessário levar em consideração o grande efeito do fator cruzamento na estimativa da h², bem como a realização da seleção direta na maioria das progênies avaliadas em razão de que os efeitos aditivos predominaram no controle da maioria dos caracteres estudados.

Mejoramiento genético y taza de autofecundación del Camu Camu arbustivo en la Amazonía Peruana

El camu camu (Myrciaria dubia (H.B.K.) MC VAUGH) es una frutera silvestre conocida mundialmente como un excepcional productor de vitamina C. Su mejoramiento se encuentra en fase inicial. Este trabajo tuvo por objetivos estudiar el sistema reproductivo (taza de autofecundación), el efecto del origen del polen (autofecundación o polinización abierta) en la producción de ácido ascórbico y porcentaje de germinación, la repetibilidad de caracteres productivos y sus implicaciones en el programa de mejoramiento. El sistema reproductivo del camu camu es mixto con variables tazas de autofecundación. No fue confirmada la existencia de efecto del origen del polen para el carácter de producción de ácido ascórbico. La repetibilidad individual de la producción fue de moderada magnitud (0.41); la repetibilidad del promedio de 5 cosechas de fruta fue de 0.77, propiciando exactitud selectiva de 0.88. Genotipos superiores pueden ser seleccionados con precisión y, por lo tanto, cinco a seis cosechas por planta es un número adecuado. La selección y clonación de los diez mejores individuos deberá propiciar una ganancia genética del 237.5 %, elevando la productividad media anual de frutas por planta de 7.75 para 26.17 kg/año.

Analysis of vineyard differential management zones and relation to vine development, grape maturity and quality

The objective of research was to analyse the potential of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) maps from satellite images, yield maps and grapevine fertility and load variables to delineate zones with different wine grape properties for selective harvesting. Two vineyard blocks located in NE Spain (Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah) were analysed. The NDVI was computed from a Quickbird-2 multi-spectral image at veraison (July 2005). Yield data was acquired by means of a yield monitor during September 2005. Other variables, such as the number of buds, number of shoots, number of wine grape clusters and weight of 100 berries were sampled in a 10 rows × 5 vines pattern and used as input variables, in combination with the NDVI, to define the clusters as alternative to yield maps. Two days prior to the harvesting, grape samples were taken. The analysed variables were probable alcoholic degree, pH of the juice, total acidity, total phenolics, colour, anthocyanins and tannins. The input variables, alone or in combination, were clustered (2 and 3 Clusters) by using the ISODATA algorithm, and an analysis of variance and a multiple rang test were performed. The results show that the zones derived from the NDVI maps are more effective to differentiate grape maturity and quality variables than the zones derived from the yield maps. The inclusion of other grapevine fertility and load variables did not improve the results.

Protocolo para la zonificación intraparcelaria de la viña para vendimia selectiva a partir de imágenes multiespectratrales

En este trabajo se presenta un protocolo para la zonificación intraparcelaria de la viña con la finalidad de vendimia selectiva. Se basa en la adquisición de una imagen multiespectral detallada en el momento del envero, a partir de la cual se obtiene el índice de vegetación de la diferencia normalizada (NDVI). Este índice se clasifica en áreas de vigor alto y bajo mediante un proceso de clasificación no supervisada (algoritmo ISODATA). Las zonas resultantes se generalizan y se transfieren al monitor de cosecha de una máquina vendimiadora para realizar la recolección selectiva. La uva recolectada según este protocolo en parcelas control ha mostrado diferenciación en cuanto a parámetros de calidad como el pH, la acidez total, el contenido de polifenoles y el color. La imagen multiespectral utilizada fue adquirida por el satélite Quickbird-2. Los datos de calidad de la uva fueron muestreados según una malla regular de 5 filas por 10 cepas, procediendo a un test estadístico de rangos múltiples para analizar la separación de medias de las variables analizadas en cada zona de NDVI.

Reprodução do pessegueiro: efeito genético, ambiental e de manejo das plantas

Há uma grande carência de pesquisas e literatura no Brasil sobre a reprodução do pessegueiro. A presente revisão de literatura aborda e confronta inúmeros resultados de pesquisas acerca dos principais fatores envolvidos na reprodução dessa frutífera, com o intuito de subsidiar futuras pesquisas que visam ao melhor entendimento e/ou à solução de problemas associados à sua reprodução. Através da presente revisão, foi possível verificar que o processo de fixação de frutos se mostra complexo para algumas cultivares, sendo dependente da passagem, com êxito, por cada estádio fenológico. Com isso, a habilidade dos técnicos e produtores em integrar os fatores porta-enxerto, cultivar, ambiente e manejo das plantas é crucial para o sucesso no cultivo dessa espécie frutífera.

Multi-scale effects of nestling diet on breeding performance in a terrestrial top predator inferred from stable isotope analysis

Inter-individual diet variation within populations is likely to have important ecological and evolutionary implications. The diet-fitness relationships at the individual level and the emerging population processes are, however, poorly understood for most avian predators inhabiting complex terrestrial ecosystems. In this study, we use an isotopic approach to assess the trophic ecology of nestlings in a long-lived raptor, the Bonelli"s eagle Aquila fasciata, and investigate whether nestling dietary breath and main prey consumption can affect the species" reproductive performance at two spatial scales: territories within populations and populations over a large geographic area. At the territory level, those breeding pairs whose nestlings consumed similar diets to the overall population (i.e. moderate consumption of preferred prey, but complemented by alternative prey categories) or those disproportionally consuming preferred prey were more likely to fledge two chicks. An increase in the diet diversity, however, related negatively with productivity. The age and replacements of breeding pair members had also an influence on productivity, with more fledglings associated to adult pairs with few replacements, as expected in long-lived species. At the population level, mean productivity was higher in those population-years with lower dietary breadth and higher diet similarity among territories, which was related to an overall higher consumption of preferred prey. Thus, we revealed a correspondence in diet-fitness relationships at two spatial scales: territories and populations. We suggest that stable isotope analyses may be a powerful tool to monitor the diet of terrestrial avian predators on large spatio-temporal scales, which could serve to detect potential changes in the availability of those prey on which predators depend for breeding. We encourage ecologists and evolutionary and conservation biologists concerned with the multi-scale fitness consequences of inter-individual variation in resource use to employ similar stable isotope-based approaches, which can be successfully applied to complex ecosystems such as the Mediterranean.

Seleção precoce intensiva: uma nova estratégia para o programa de melhoramento genético do cajueiro

Os programas de melhoramento da maioria das culturas perenes apresentam grande limitação de áreas experimentais. Este trabalho se propõe a introduzir um novo método, chamado de "Seleção Precoce Intensiva" (SPI), para ser utilizado no melhoramento do cajueiro, com o objetivo de aumentar o ganho genético por área de experimentação e unidade de tempo. Trata-se de um método simples, em que ocorre um adensamento quatro vezes maior que o tradicional e uma seleção precoce, baseada em caracteres de alta herdabilidade, nos dois primeiros anos de idade das plantas. Os resultados demonstram maior eficiência e viabilidade de aplicação deste método em relação ao sistema convencional de melhoramento dessa espécie.