Oceanographic Variability induced by Tides, the Intraseasonal Cycle and Warm Subsurface Water intrusions in Maxwell Bay, King George Island (West-Antarctica).

We examine the hydrographic variability induced by tides, winds, and the advance of the austral summer, in Maxwell Bay and tributary fjords, based on two recent oceanographic campaigns. We provide the first description in this area of the intrusion of relatively warm subsurface waters, which have led elsewhere in Antarctica to ice-shelf disintegration and tidewater glacier retreat. During flood tide, meltwater was found to accumulate toward the head of Maxwell Bay, freshening and warming the upper 70 m. Below 70 m, the flood tide enhances the intrusion and mixing of relatively warm modified Upper Circumpolar Deep Water (m-UCDW). Tidal stirring progressively erodes the remnants of Winter Waters found at the bottom of Marian Cove. There is a buoyancy gain through warming and freshening as the summer advances. In Maxwell Bay, the upper 105 m were 0.79 °C warmer and 0.039 PSU fresher in February than in December, changes that cannot be explained by tidal or wind-driven processes. The episodic intrusion of m-UCDW into Maxwell Bay leads to interleaving and eventually to warming, salinification and deoxygenation between 80 and 200 m, with important implications for biological productivity and for the mass balance of tidewater glaciers in the area.

Observations and Projections of Heat Waves in South America.

Although Heat Waves (HWs) are expected to increase due to global warming, they are a regional phenomenon that demands for local analyses. In this paper, we assess four HW metrics (HW duration, HW frequency, HW amplitude, and number of HWs per season) as well as the share of extremely warm days (TX95, according to the 95th percentile) in South America (SA). Our analysis included observations as well as simulations from global and regional models. In particular, Regional Climate Models (RCMs) from the Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX), and Global Climate Models (GCMs) from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) were used to project both TX95 estimates and HW metrics according to two representative concentration pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). We found that in recent decades the share of extremely warm days has at least doubled over the period December-January-February (DJF) in northern SA; less significant increases have been observed in southern SA. We also found that by midcentury, under the RCP4.5 scenario, extremely warm DJF days (as well as the number of HWs per season) are expected to increase by 5-10 times at locations close to the Equator and in the Atacama Desert. Increases are expected to be less pronounced in southern SA. Projections under the RCP8.5 scenario are more striking, particularly in tropical areas where half or more of the days could be extremely warm by midcentury.

Effects of soiling on photovoltaic (PV) modules in the Atacama Desert.

Soiling by dry deposition affects the power output of photovoltaic (PV) modules, especially under dry and arid conditions that favor natural atmospheric aerosols (wind-blown dust). In this paper, we report on measurements of the soiling effect on the energy yield of grid-connected crystalline silicon PV modules deployed in five cities across a north-south transect of approximately 1300 km in the Atacama Desert ranging from latitude 18°S to latitude 30°S. Energy losses were assessed by comparing side-by-side outputs of four co-planar PV modules. Two of the PV modules of the array were kept clean as a control, while we allowed the other two to naturally accumulate soiling for 12 months (from January 2017 to January 2018). We found that the combination of high deposition rates and infrequent rainfalls led to annual energy losses that peaked at 39% in the northern coastal part of the desert. In contrast, annual energy losses of 3% or less were measured at relatively high-altitude sites and also at locations in the southern part of the desert. For comparison, soiling-induced annual energy losses of about 7% were measured in Santiago, Chile (33°S), a major city with higher rainfall frequency but where urban pollution plays a significant role.

Ultraviolet radiation in the Atacama Desert.

The world's highest levels of surface ultraviolet (UV) irradiance have been measured in the Atacama Desert. This area is characterized by its high altitude, prevalent cloudless conditions, and a relatively low total ozone column. In this paper, we provide estimates of the surface UV (monthly UV index at noon and annual doses of UV-B and UV-A) for all sky conditions in the Atacama Desert. We found that the UV index at noon during the austral summer is expected to be greater than 11 in the whole desert. The annual UV-B (UV-A) doses were found to range from about 3.5 kWh/m2 (130 kWh/m2) in coastal areas to 5 kWh/m2 (160 kWh/m2) on the Andean plateau. Our results confirm significant interhemispherical differences. Typical annual UV-B doses in the Atacama Desert are about 40% greater than typical annual UV-B doses in northern Africa. Mostly due to seasonal changes in the ozone, the differences between the Atacama Desert and northern Africa are expected to be about 60% in the case of peak UV-B levels (i.e. the UV-B irradiances at noon close to the summer solstice in each hemisphere). Interhemispherical differences in the UV-A are significantly lower since the effect of the ozone in this part of the spectrum is minor.

The Solar Spectrum in the Atacama Desert.

The Atacama Desert has been pointed out as one of the places on earth where the highest surface irradiance may occur. This area is characterized by its high altitude, prevalent cloudless conditions and relatively low columns of ozone and water vapor. Aimed at the characterization of the solar spectrum in the Atacama Desert, we carried out in February-March 2015 ground-based measurements of the spectral irradiance (from the ultraviolet to the near infrared) at seven locations that ranged from the city of Antofagasta (on the southern pacific coastline) to the Chajnantor Plateau (5,100 m altitude). Our spectral measurements allowed us to retrieve the total ozone column, the precipitable water, and the aerosol properties at each location. We found that changes in these parameters, as well as the shorter optical path length at high-altitude locations, lead to significant increases in the surface irradiance with the altitude. Our measurements show that, in the range 0-5100 m altitude, surface irradiance increases with the altitude by about 27% in the infrared range, 6% in the visible range, and 20% in the ultraviolet range. Spectral measurements carried out at the Izaña Observatory (Tenerife, Spain), in Hannover (Germany) and in Santiago (Chile), were used for further comparisons.

Spectral UV radiance measured at a coastal site: a case study.

We have sampled the spatial distribution of the UV radiation (i.e. the UV radiance) at a station located on the southern pacific coastline (Valparaiso, Chile, 33.03°S-71.58°W). The site is characterized by the partial horizon obstruction (due to the surrounding topography). Our spectral measurements were carried out over the period January-March 2012 and were meant to weigh up the effects of the local cloudiness, the heterogeneous albedo, and the horizon obscuration. We found that a nearly translucent overcast sky affects the radiance distribution such that from its maximum (measured close to the solar zenith angle) the radiance is monotonically decreasing towards the horizon. Under cloudless conditions, the radiance distribution becomes less isotropic with the wavelength; we detected spatial variations in the distribution of radiation up to a factor of 5 at 320 nm, and up to a factor of 9 at 400 nm. We also observed that radiances measured at points over the sea are greater than those measured at the corresponding point over the land; we partially attributed this effect to the spatial variations in the albedo. Moreover, we found that the horizon obscuration leads to significant reductions in the radiance at points on the blocked horizon; these reductions range from 60% (at 400 nm) to 80% (at 300 nm). Methodological details are provided below.

Leiomiomatosis intravenosa de localización cervicovaginal / Intravenous cervicovaginal Leiomyomatosis

La leiomiomatosis intravenosa (LIV) es una patología poco frecuente caracterizada por la presencia de músculo liso en las venas miometriales del cuerpo uterino. Se presenta un caso de LIV limitado a cuello uterino y manguito vaginal. Se realizó histerectomía total con diagnóstico prequirúrgico de miomatosis uterina y menometrorragia. El diagnóstico de LIV fue anatomopatológico mediante técnicas de inmunohistoquímica. Si bien el 70 por ciento de las pacientes con LIV pueden ser curadas con cirugía, en un 30 por ciento de los casos existe persistencia o recurrencia a distancia de la enfermedad. En nuestro caso los controles a treinta meses de la cirugía fueron negativos e incluyeron estudios cardiovasculares, pulmonares, hepáticos y cerebrales.

Intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) cervicovaginal is an uncommon pathology, characterized by the presence of sooth muscle in the myometrial veins of the uterine body. A case of IVL is reported, limited to the cervix uteri and the vaginal muff. A total hysterctomy was performed, with presurgical diagnosis of uterine myomatosis and menometrorrhagia. The diagnosis of IVL was performed by clinicopathological analysis and by immunohistochemistry techniques. Although the 70 percent of the patients with IVL can be cured by surgery, in a 30 percentof the cases, there exists persistence and recurrency at distancy from the disease. In our case, the controls after 30 months since surgery were negatives, and included cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic and cerebral studies.

Evaluación de calidad de vida pre y posquirúrgica en pacientes con prolapso de compartimiento anterior y posterior / Evaluation of the quality of life outcomes for women with genital tract prolapses

Objetivos: Demostrar la utilidad de un inventario sobe calidad de vida para evaluar síntomas pre y postquirúrgicos en pacientes con prolapso anteior y posterior. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, longitudinal, comparativo. Enero 2009-diciembre 2010. Se incluyeron 26 ptes, prom: 63 años con prolapso ant (EIII) y post (EII). Tratamiento: colporrafia anterior con malla subvesical y colpoperineorrafia. Evaluación de síntomas genitales, miccionales y defecatorios pre y postquirúrgicos con "Inventario de molestias por trastornos del piso pélvico" de Barber. Se utilizá Prueba Mc Nemar para variables cualitativas. Nivel de significación estadístico p=0.05. Resultados: Síntomas vaginales: preQ en el 100 por ciento. Los más frecuentes: pesadez y bulto vaginal que se redujeron en el postQ a 7 por ciento (p=0,000). Síntomas miccionales: preQ en el 84 por ciento. Los más frecuentes: a) sensación de vaciamiento incompleto de vejiga 77 por ciento que se redujo al 9 por ciento en postQ (P=0,001) y b) Aumento de la frecuencia miccional 68 por ciento que se redujo al 45 por ciento (p=0,063) Sintomas defecatorios preQ 46 por ciento. Los más frecuentes: a) necesidad de aumentar esfuerzo defecatorio 58 por ciento se redujo al 41 por ciento en postQ (P=0500) y b) maniiobras para completar la defecación 33 por ciento que desapareció en postQ (p=0.12). Conclusiones: mediante la utilización del Inventario se pudo comprobar que los resultados fueron estadísticamente significativos para los síntomas vaginales y para los miccionales de vaciado incompleto. El resto de los síntomas a pesar de no ser significativos evidenciaron mejoría en el postoperatorio.

Women with pelvic floor disorders show a negative impact on their quality of life questionnaires. The aim of the present report, was to demonstrate the usefulness of a quality of life questionnaire, to evaluate both pre and postsurgical outcomes in patients with anterior or posterior prolapses. Conclusion: the employement of an Inventary could arrive to the demonstration that the results were statistically significative for the vaginal symptons and for the micturation of incomplete emptiness. The rest of the symptons, despite that they were not significatives, showed improvement during the outcomes.

Leiomiomatosis intravenosa de localización cervicovaginal / Intravenous cervicovaginal Leiomyomatosis

La leiomiomatosis intravenosa (LIV) es una patología poco frecuente caracterizada por la presencia de músculo liso en las venas miometriales del cuerpo uterino. Se presenta un caso de LIV limitado a cuello uterino y manguito vaginal. Se realizó histerectomía total con diagnóstico prequirúrgico de miomatosis uterina y menometrorragia. El diagnóstico de LIV fue anatomopatológico mediante técnicas de inmunohistoquímica. Si bien el 70 por ciento de las pacientes con LIV pueden ser curadas con cirugía, en un 30 por ciento de los casos existe persistencia o recurrencia a distancia de la enfermedad. En nuestro caso los controles a treinta meses de la cirugía fueron negativos e incluyeron estudios cardiovasculares, pulmonares, hepáticos y cerebrales.(AU)

Intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) cervicovaginal is an uncommon pathology, characterized by the presence of sooth muscle in the myometrial veins of the uterine body. A case of IVL is reported, limited to the cervix uteri and the vaginal muff. A total hysterctomy was performed, with presurgical diagnosis of uterine myomatosis and menometrorrhagia. The diagnosis of IVL was performed by clinicopathological analysis and by immunohistochemistry techniques. Although the 70 percent of the patients with IVL can be cured by surgery, in a 30 percentof the cases, there exists persistence and recurrency at distancy from the disease. In our case, the controls after 30 months since surgery were negatives, and included cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic and cerebral studies.(AU)

Evaluación de calidad de vida pre y posquirúrgica en pacientes con prolapso de compartimiento anterior y posterior / Evaluation of the quality of life outcomes for women with genital tract prolapses

Objetivos: Demostrar la utilidad de un inventario sobe calidad de vida para evaluar síntomas pre y postquirúrgicos en pacientes con prolapso anteior y posterior. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, longitudinal, comparativo. Enero 2009-diciembre 2010. Se incluyeron 26 ptes, prom: 63 años con prolapso ant (EIII) y post (EII). Tratamiento: colporrafia anterior con malla subvesical y colpoperineorrafia. Evaluación de síntomas genitales, miccionales y defecatorios pre y postquirúrgicos con "Inventario de molestias por trastornos del piso pélvico" de Barber. Se utilizá Prueba Mc Nemar para variables cualitativas. Nivel de significación estadístico p=0.05. Resultados: Síntomas vaginales: preQ en el 100 por ciento. Los más frecuentes: pesadez y bulto vaginal que se redujeron en el postQ a 7 por ciento (p=0,000). Síntomas miccionales: preQ en el 84 por ciento. Los más frecuentes: a) sensación de vaciamiento incompleto de vejiga 77 por ciento que se redujo al 9 por ciento en postQ (P=0,001) y b) Aumento de la frecuencia miccional 68 por ciento que se redujo al 45 por ciento (p=0,063) Sintomas defecatorios preQ 46 por ciento. Los más frecuentes: a) necesidad de aumentar esfuerzo defecatorio 58 por ciento se redujo al 41 por ciento en postQ (P=0500) y b) maniiobras para completar la defecación 33 por ciento que desapareció en postQ (p=0.12). Conclusiones: mediante la utilización del Inventario se pudo comprobar que los resultados fueron estadísticamente significativos para los síntomas vaginales y para los miccionales de vaciado incompleto. El resto de los síntomas a pesar de no ser significativos evidenciaron mejoría en el postoperatorio.(AU)

Women with pelvic floor disorders show a negative impact on their quality of life questionnaires. The aim of the present report, was to demonstrate the usefulness of a quality of life questionnaire, to evaluate both pre and postsurgical outcomes in patients with anterior or posterior prolapses. Conclusion: the employement of an Inventary could arrive to the demonstration that the results were statistically significative for the vaginal symptons and for the micturation of incomplete emptiness. The rest of the symptons, despite that they were not significatives, showed improvement during the outcomes.(AU)