Research Note: Validation of a new differentiation approach using the commercial ASAPTM media to detect the Salmonella 441/014 vaccine strain.

Vaccination is one of the most important control tools to reduce Salmonella in poultry production. In order for a live vaccine to be licensed for field use it should be provided with the detection methods to differentiate it from field strains. This paper aims to describe the validation of an alternative method for the differentiation of the Salmonella 441/014 vaccine strain from field strains, using a chromogenic Media, ASAP from bioMérieux. The ASAP-based differentiation method was compared with already authorized methods, namely the Anicon SE Kylt PCR DIVA 1 assay and Ceva S-Check Salmonella differentiation kit, following the ISO 16140-6:2019 validation method guidelines. A Generalised Linear Model was fitted to the data to determine the inclusivity and exclusivity of differentiation methods (PCR Kylt vs. S-Check vs. ASAPTM). Statistical differences were based on a P-value level of < 0.05 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). In this study, we show that the ASAP media was able to differentiate Salmonella Enteritidis vaccine strains from field strains, obtaining 100% agreement between the three differentiation assays. This differentiation approach is quicker, easier to deploy and cheaper as compared to alternative methods.

Carbonate chemistry and carbon sequestration driven by inorganic carbon outwelling from mangroves and saltmarshes.

Mangroves and saltmarshes are biogeochemical hotspots storing carbon in sediments and in the ocean following lateral carbon export (outwelling). Coastal seawater pH is modified by both uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide and natural biogeochemical processes, e.g., wetland inputs. Here, we investigate how mangroves and saltmarshes influence coastal carbonate chemistry and quantify the contribution of alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) outwelling to blue carbon budgets. Observations from 45 mangroves and 16 saltmarshes worldwide revealed that >70% of intertidal wetlands export more DIC than alkalinity, potentially decreasing the pH of coastal waters. Porewater-derived DIC outwelling (81 ± 47 mmol m-2 d-1 in mangroves and 57 ± 104 mmol m-2 d-1 in saltmarshes) was the major term in blue carbon budgets. However, substantial amounts of fixed carbon remain unaccounted for. Concurrently, alkalinity outwelling was similar or higher than sediment carbon burial and is therefore a significant but often overlooked carbon sequestration mechanism.

¿Se puede utilizar la determinación del pico flujo de tos para valorar la capacidad tusígena en enfermedades respiratorias obstructivas graves? / Can cough peak flow be used to assess cough capacity in severe obstructive respiratory diseases?

Introducción: La valoración de la capacidad tusígena se realiza con la medición del flujo espiratorio máximo durante la tos (peak-flow tos [PFT]). Sin embargo, esta valoración podría alterarse por enfermedades con obstrucción espiratoria de la vía aérea. El objetivo fue valorar la medición de la capacidad tusígena mediante PFT en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC), así como las correlaciones con la función pulmonar, muscular respiratoria y orofaríngea. Métodos: Se seleccionaron los pacientes con EPOC y con enfermedad neuromuscular, así como los sujetos sanos a los que se había realizado una medición de la fuerza de los músculos respiratorios de forma asistencial. De esta población, se analizaron los valores de la función respiratoria, así como la fuerza muscular orofaríngea. En un subgrupo de pacientes con EPOC se realizó el estudio de deglución por videofluoroscopia. Resultados: Se incluyeron 307 sujetos (59,3% EPOC, 38,4% enfermedades neuromusculares y 2,3% sanos). En el grupo EPOC, el PFT se encontraba disminuido de forma estadísticamente significativa comparado tanto con el grupo de los sanos como con los enfermos neuromusculares. El 70% de los EPOC tenían una disminución patológica del PFT. Solamente, existía una correlación directa entre el PFT con el grado de obstrucción bronquial y la fuerza de los músculos espiratorios. No se encontró alteración de la función de los músculos inspiratorios ni orofaríngeos. Conclusiones: La utilización del PFT en los pacientes con EPOC no refleja la capacidad tusígena ya que se ve influenciada por el grado de obstrucción bronquial. Por tanto, se deberían valorar nuevas pruebas diagnósticas para la medición de la capacidad tusígena, fundamentalmente, en los pacientes que coexistan enfermedades neuromusculares y patología obstructiva bronquial grave.(AU)

Introduction: Cough capacity is assessed by measuring cough peak flow (CPF). However, this assessment could be altered by obstructive airway diseases. The aim was to assess measurement of cough capacity by CPF in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as correlations with pulmonary, respiratory muscle, and oropharyngeal function. Methods: Patients with COPD, and with neuromuscular disease, were selected as well as healthy subjects who had undergone respiratory muscle strength measurement in a healthcare setting. From this population, respiratory function values and lung and oropharyngeal muscle function were analysed. A subgroup of COPD patients underwent a videofluoroscopic swallow study. Results: Three hundred and seven subjects were included (59.3% COPD, 38.4% neuromuscular diseases, and 2.3% healthy). CPF was found to be statistically significantly decreased in the COPD group compared to both the healthy and neuromuscular disease groups. Of the COPD patients, 70% had a pathological decrease in CPF. There was only a direct correlation between CPF with the degree of bronchial obstruction and expiratory muscle strength. No alteration of inspiratory or oropharyngeal muscle function was found. Conclusions: The use of CPF in COPD patients does not reflect cough capacity as it is influenced by the degree of bronchial obstruction. Therefore, new diagnostic tests to measure cough capacity should be considered, especially in patients with coexisting neuromuscular diseases and severe bronchial obstructive disease.(AU)

[Can cough peak flow be used to assess cough capacity in severe obstructive respiratory diseases?] / ¿Se puede utilizar la determinación del pico flujo de tos para valorar la capacidad tusígena en enfermedades respiratorias obstructivas graves?

INTRODUCTION: Cough capacity is assessed by measuring cough peak flow (CPF). However, this assessment could be altered by obstructive airway diseases. The aim was to assess measurement of cough capacity by CPF in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as correlations with pulmonary, respiratory muscle, and oropharyngeal function. METHODS: Patients with COPD, and with neuromuscular disease, were selected as well as healthy subjects who had undergone respiratory muscle strength measurement in a healthcare setting. From this population, respiratory function values and lung and oropharyngeal muscle function were analysed. A subgroup of COPD patients underwent a videofluoroscopic swallow study. RESULTS: Three hundred and seven subjects were included (59.3% COPD, 38.4% neuromuscular diseases, and 2.3% healthy). CPF was found to be statistically significantly decreased in the COPD group compared to both the healthy and neuromuscular disease groups. Of the COPD patients, 70% had a pathological decrease in CPF. There was only a direct correlation between CPF with the degree of bronchial obstruction and expiratory muscle strength. No alteration of inspiratory or oropharyngeal muscle function was found. CONCLUSIONS: The use of CPF in COPD patients does not reflect cough capacity as it is influenced by the degree of bronchial obstruction. Therefore, new diagnostic tests to measure cough capacity should be considered, especially in patients with coexisting neuromuscular diseases and severe bronchial obstructive disease.

Sedimentary organic carbon and nitrogen stocks of intertidal seagrass meadows in a dynamic and impacted wetland: Effects of coastal infrastructure constructions and meadow establishment time.

Seagrass meadows, through their large capacity to sequester and store organic carbon in their sediments, contribute to mitigate climatic change. However, these ecosystems have experienced large losses and degradation worldwide due to anthropogenic and natural impacts and they are among the most threatened ecosystems on Earth. When a meadow is impacted, the vegetation is partial- or completely lost, and the sediment is exposed to the atmosphere or water column, resulting in the erosion and remineralisation of the carbon stored. This paper addresses the effects of the construction of coastal infrastructures on sediment properties, organic carbon, and total nitrogen stocks of intertidal seagrass meadows, as well as the size of such stocks in relation to meadow establishing time (recently and old established meadows). Three intertidal seagrass meadows impacted by coastal constructions (with 0% seagrass cover at present) and three adjacent non-impacted old-established meadows (with 100% seagrass cover at present) were studied along with an area of bare sediment and two recent-established seagrass meadows. We observed that the non-impacted areas presented 3-fold higher percentage of mud and 1.5 times higher sedimentary organic carbon stock than impacted areas. Although the impacted area was relatively small (0.05-0.07 ha), coastal infrastructures caused a significant reduction of the sedimentary carbon stock, between 1.1 and 2.2 Mg OC, and a total loss of the carbon sequestration capacity of the impacted meadow. We also found that the organic carbon stock and total nitrogen stock of the recent-established meadow were 30% lower than those of the old-established ones, indicating that OC and TN accumulation within the meadows is a continuous process, which has important consequences for conservation and restoration actions. These results contribute to understanding the spatial variability of blue carbon and nitrogen stocks in coastal systems highly impacted by urban development.

Carbon metabolism and bioavailability of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) fluxes in seagrass communities are altered under the presence of the tropical invasive alga Halimeda incrassata.

Seagrass beds act as blue carbon sinks globally as they enhance the trapping of recalcitrant (i.e., low biodegradability) organic carbon in their sediments. Recent studies also show that the recalcitrant fraction of the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) pool in seawater has an important role as long-term carbon sequestration in oceans. Although seagrasses are known for the large amount of DOC they export, little attention has been given to its biodegradability, which ultimately determinates its fate in the coastal carbon cycle. In turn, invasive algae are a major global concern in seagrass ecosystems since they can deeply modify their structure and functions, which may affect carbon metabolism and DOC release. This work assesses how the presence of Halimeda incrassata, an invasive tropical calcareous macroalga, modifies carbon metabolism and DOC fluxes in invaded areas dominated by the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa. Our results show that stands with the presence of this seagrass (i.e., both monospecific and mixed meadow) had the highest production values, acting as high DOC producers in both winter (mainly of labile DOC; DOCL) and summer (mainly as recalcitrant DOC; DOCR). In contrast, monospecific H. incrassata beds exhibited low production values, and the presence of this macroalga (either as monospecific beds or mixed with C. nodosa) triggered the shift from a net DOC-producing-system in summer (mainly DOCL) to a net DOC-consuming-system in winter. This work thus suggests that C. nodosa meadows have the potential to export a significant fraction of both labile and recalcitrant DOC, and that the spread of this invasive alga might decrease the C export capacity of seagrass meadows. Such shift would imply the reduction of a quick and efficient transfer of carbon and energy to higher trophic levels, and might reduce the blue carbon potential of seagrasses as dissolved form in the water column.

Numerical Optimization of a Nanophotonic Cavity by Machine Learning for Near-Unity Photon Indistinguishability at Room Temperature.

Room-temperature (RT), on-chip deterministic generation of indistinguishable photons coupled to photonic integrated circuits is key for quantum photonic applications. Nevertheless, high indistinguishability (I) at RT is difficult to obtain due to the intrinsic dephasing of most deterministic single-photon sources (SPS). Here, we present a numerical demonstration of the design and optimization of a hybrid slot-Bragg nanophotonic cavity that achieves a theoretical near-unity I and a high coupling efficiency (ß) at RT for a variety of single-photon emitters. Our numerical simulations predict modal volumes in the order of 10-3(λ/2n)3, allowing for strong coupling of quantum photonic emitters that can be heterogeneously integrated. We show that high I and ß should be possible by fine-tuning the quality factor (Q) depending on the intrinsic properties of the single-photon emitter. Furthermore, we perform a machine learning optimization based on the combination of a deep neural network and a genetic algorithm (GA) to further decrease the modal volume by almost 3 times while relaxing the tight dimensions of the slot width required for strong coupling. The optimized device has a slot width of 20 nm. The design requires fabrication resolution in the limit of the current state-of-the-art technology. Also, the condition for high I and ß requires a positioning accuracy of the quantum emitter at the nanometer level. Although the proposal is not a scalable technology, it can be suitable for experimental demonstration of single-photon operation.

Ammonia recovery from acidogenic fermentation effluents using a gas-permeable membrane contactor.

A gas-permeable membrane (GPM) contactor was used to recover ammoniacal nitrogen from a synthetic and a biowaste fermentation broth under different pH (from 6 to 11) and temperatures (35 and 55 °C). Ammonia mass transfer constant (Km) increased as pH and temperature increased. For synthetic broth, pH 10 provided the best results, when considering the Km (9.2·10-7 m·s-1) and the reagents consumption (1.0 mol NaOH·mol-1 TAN and 0.6 mol H2SO4·mol-1 TAN). Biowaste fermentation generated a broth with a high concentration of ammoniacal nitrogen (4.9 g N·L-1) and volatile fatty acids (VFA) (41.1 g COD·L-1). Experiments using the biowaste broth showed a lower Km (5.0·10-7 m·s-1 at pH 10) than the synthetic broth, related to the solution matrix and other species interference. VFAs were not detected in the trapping solution. Overall, these results show that GPM is a suitable technology to efficiently separate ammoniacal nitrogen and VFA from fermentation broths.

Manejo de secreciones no invasivo en un paciente con Esclerosis Lateral Amiotrófica no colaborador, ¿dónde está el límite? A propósito de un caso / Non invasive mucus drainage in a non-collaborate Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis patient. Where the limit is? A case report

Las complicaciones respiratorias son una de las causas de hospitalización más frecuente, e incluso de muerte, en pacientes con enfermedad neuromuscular. El seguimiento multidisciplinar tiene efectos positivos sobre la supervivencia y la calidad de vida en estos pacientes. Este caso supuso un reto terapéutico para el manejo de secreciones bronquiales, por ser un paciente con Esclerosis Lateral Amiotrófica no colaborador y que rechazaba las medidas invasivas. Tras un primer intento fallido de adaptación al sistema mecánico de tos convencional, se modificó la interfase usando una boquilla de tipo buzo invertida, introducida entre los dientes durante la aplicación del equipo con mascarilla nasobucal. Se consiguieron muestras de esputo, lo que nos permitió tratar las infecciones respiratorias con el antibiótico específico. Además, el seguimiento se realizó por videollamada, sin necesidad de desplazar al paciente hasta el hospital. El equipo multidisciplinar se adaptó a las necesidades del paciente tratando de forma novedosa y eficaz las infecciones respiratorias. Además, el uso de nuevas tecnologías evitó ingresos hospitalarios, a pesar de ser un paciente gran dependiente.(AU)

Respiratory complications are one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization and even death in patients with neuromuscular diseases. Multidisciplinary follow-up has been shown to have positive effects on survival and quality of life in these patients. The present case represented a therapeutic challenge in order to manage respiratory secretions in a non-collaborate Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis patient due to the negative to accept invasive strategies to cope with respiratory infections. Despite a first failed approach in the adaptation to a mechanical assisted cough device, then a modification in the interfase allowed to mobilize secretions and it was also possible to analyze them and use the correct antibiotic treatment. Moreover, a remotely follow-up was done to handle situations, like respiratory tract infections, whenever possible, without requesting the patient to move to the hospital. The multidisciplinary unit team adapted to his needs offering a newest and efficacy strategy to cope with respiratory infections. Indeed, the use of new technologies avoided in a high dependent patient to require hospitalizations.(AU)

Effect of ultrasonication on waste activated sludge rheological properties and process economics.

The present study provides an overall view of the effect of the ultrasound treatment on waste activated sludge (WAS) rheological and dewatering properties as well as its impact on the economic balance of a theoretical wastewater treatment plant. The results showed that ultrasonication at 27,000 kJ/kg TS increased the soluble protein concentration (> 100%), bound water content (∼25%), and capillary suction time (> 100%) of WAS. The molecular weight distribution of the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) revealed that the ultrasound treatment solubilised a portion of the peptides and low-molecular-weight proteins. The thixotropic behaviour of the WAS was analysed by means of a rheological structural model that defines the time evolution of a structural parameter as a function of kinetic coefficients for the breakdown and build-up processes. The ultrasound treatment reduced the kinetic coefficients for the breakdown process and changed the fast speed of alignment of flocs because of the reduction of WAS structures. Similarly, the creep tests revealed that the ultrasound treatment at 27,000 kJ/kg TS reduced the initial elasticity (∼80%) and the zero-shear rate viscosity (∼60%), which means that the internal structure of the WAS loosened and disrupted. Finally, a techno-economic analysis showed that ultrasonication was not yet economically favourable since its implementation increased 14% the net cost for WAS treatment and disposal. However, a sensitivity analysis illustrated that increasing electricity revenue and reducing biosolids disposal costs through improvement in WAS biodegradability is important to make ultrasound implementation economically attractive.

The morphometric acclimation to depth explains the long-term resilience of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa in a shallow tidal lagoon.

Cadiz Bay is a shallow mesotidal lagoon with extensive populations of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa at intertidal and shallow subtidal elevations. This work aims to understand the mechanisms behind the resilience of this species to gradual sea level rise by studying its acclimation capacity to depth along the shallow littoral, and therefore, to gradual variations in the light environment. To address this objective, these populations have been monitored seasonally over a 10 year period, representing the longest seasonal database available in the literature for this species. The monitoring included populations at 0.4, -0.08 and -0.5 m LAT. The results show that C. nodosa has a strong seasonality for demographic and shoot dynamic properties - with longer shoots and larger growth in summer (high temperature) than in winter (low temperature), but also some losses. Moreover, shoots have different leaf morphometry depending on depth, with small and dense shoots in the intertidal areas (0.4 m) and sparse large shoots in the subtidal ones (-0.08 and 0.5 m). These differences in morphometry and shoot dynamic properties, combined with the differences in shoot density, explain the lack of differences in meadow production balance (i.e. meadow growth - meadow losses) between the intertidal (0.4 m) and the deepest population (-0.5 m), supporting the long term resilience of Cymodocea nodosa in Cadiz Bay. This study contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms behind seagrass stability and resilience, which is particularly important towards predicting the effects of climate change on these key coastal ecosystems, and also highlights the value of continuous long-term monitoring efforts to evaluate seagrass trajectories.

Spatially variable pesticide application in olive groves: Evaluation of potential pesticide-savings through stochastic spatial simulation algorithms.

Site-specific management using spatial crown volume characterization can greatly reduce the amount of pesticides applied in agricultural treatments performed with air-assisted sprayers, while helping farmers achieve the European legislation on safe use of pesticides. Nevertheless, variable rate treatments in olive groves have received little attention. Thus, field research was conducted in a 20.6-ha traditional olive grove. Two attributes of the trees - tree crown volume (V) and tree projected area - were determined, using 67 samples for V and all trees of the field (1433) for tree projected area. Spatial continuity of both attributes was modelled with exponential variograms. To gain a measure of local uncertainty, stochastic simulation algorithms were applied. One hundred simulated images were obtained for tree projected area using direct sequential simulation. Tree projected area simulations were used to improve spatial prediction of V, more difficult and more expensive to obtain, taking advantage of the high linear correlation between both variables (rxy = 0.72,p < 0.001). Thus, direct sequential cosimulation was employed to predict the spatial distribution of V, obtaining 100 geostatistical realizations of V. In order to estimate the potential reduction of pesticide use in the farm with variable rate treatments, two cut-off values of V were considered (50 and 100 m3crown volume). Local uncertainty, understood as the probability of each tree belonging to a given crown volume interval was determined. Probability maps were further transformed to morphological maps and finally to variable prescription maps. Two scenarios with 2 and 3 management zones (MZs) were obtained. In comparison with a conventional phytosanitary application, the variable rate treatments could reduce the pesticide amounts by 21.3% with 2 MZs, and by 38% with 3 MZs. The joint use of V and tree projected area in stochastic sequential simulation algorithms has shown to be useful to determine MZs in olive groves.

Efectos en población sana de la terapia con oscilación de alta frecuencia sobre la pared torácica (HFCWO) a nivel de la dinámica de gases pulmonares y de la mecánica respiratoria / Effects of high frequency chest wall oscillatory (HFCWO) therapy on gas exchange and ventilation in healthy participants

Introducción La fisioterapia respiratoria es parte imprescindible del tratamiento de las patologías hipersecretoras o con compromiso de la capacidad tusígena. Hasta el momento se desconoce el efecto del dispositivo de terapia de oscilación de alta frecuencia en la pared torácica (HFCWO) sobre la fuerza de los músculos respiratorios y los efectos sobre la mecánica respiratoria y la dinámica de los gases respiratorios. Por ello, el objetivo de este estudio fue describir estos tres aspectos en sujetos sanos. Métodos Se midió la fuerza de los músculos respiratorios en 25 sujetos antes e inmediatamente después de terapia con HFCWO. Durante la sesión, se midieron continuamente los parámetros de ventilación, la dinámica de los gases respiratorios y la frecuencia cardiaca. Se llevaron a cabo dos sesiones idénticas por sujeto, separadas 24h. Se registraron los síntomas durante la sesión y las molestias experimentadas mediante escala analógica visual (EVA). Resultados La terapia con HFCWO produce un incremento de la ventilación asociado con una alteración de la dinámica de los gases respiratorios. También se aumenta la frecuencia cardiaca, sin modificación de la oxigenación tisular. No se observaron efectos sobre la fuerza de los músculos respiratorios. Hasta un 20% de los participantes indicó molestias importantes (EVA≥5/10) durante la sesión. Conclusiones Durante la aplicación de HFCWO en sujetos sanos se produce incremento en la ventilación y ritmo cardiaco. Sin embargo, aparecen efectos indeseables sobre la dinámica de los gases respiratorios y un grado elevado de intolerancia por parte de los voluntarios y no hay efectos sobre la fuerza de los músculos respiratorios (AU)

Introduction Chest physiotherapy is an essential part of the treatment of respiratory diseases with increased respiratory secretion and ineffective cough. To date, there have been no studies on the effect of high frequency chest wall oscillatory (HFCWO) therapy on respiratory muscle strength, ventilation and gas exchange. The aim of this study was therefore to assess these three factors in healthy participants. Methods Respiratory muscle strength was measured before and immediately after HFCWO therapy in 25 healthy participants. During the treatment, we continuously measured ventilation parameters, gas exchange, oxygen saturation and heart rate. All participants underwent HFCWO sessions twice (with 24hours difference) with the same procedure. Symptoms during the session and discomfort were measured with the visual analog scale (VAS). Results HFCWO therapy produced a change in breathing pattern with increased ventilation associated with altered gas exchange. Heart rate also increased, with no changes in oxygenation. There was no effect, either beneficial or deleterious, on the strength of respiratory muscles. Up to 20% of participants reported substantial discomfort (VAS≥5/10) during the session. Conclusions This study shows that, during the application of HFCWO therapy in healthy participants, ventilation and heart rate increased. However, there were undesirable effects on gas exchange with a high degree of intolerance among volunteers, with no effects on respiratory muscle strength (AU)

[Effects of high frequency chest wall oscillatory (HFCWO) therapy on gas exchange and ventilation in healthy participants]. / Efectos en población sana de la terapia con oscilación de alta frecuencia sobre la pared torácica (HFCWO) a nivel de la dinámica de gases pulmonares y de la mecánica respiratoria.

INTRODUCTION: Chest physiotherapy is an essential part of the treatment of respiratory diseases with increased respiratory secretion and ineffective cough. To date, there have been no studies on the effect of high frequency chest wall oscillatory (HFCWO) therapy on respiratory muscle strength, ventilation and gas exchange. The aim of this study was therefore to assess these three factors in healthy participants. METHODS: Respiratory muscle strength was measured before and immediately after HFCWO therapy in 25 healthy participants. During the treatment, we continuously measured ventilation parameters, gas exchange, oxygen saturation and heart rate. All participants underwent HFCWO sessions twice (with 24hours difference) with the same procedure. Symptoms during the session and discomfort were measured with the visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: HFCWO therapy produced a change in breathing pattern with increased ventilation associated with altered gas exchange. Heart rate also increased, with no changes in oxygenation. There was no effect, either beneficial or deleterious, on the strength of respiratory muscles. Up to 20% of participants reported substantial discomfort (VAS≥5/10) during the session. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that, during the application of HFCWO therapy in healthy participants, ventilation and heart rate increased. However, there were undesirable effects on gas exchange with a high degree of intolerance among volunteers, with no effects on respiratory muscle strength.