Applying the Kolmogorov-Zurbenko filter followed by random forest models to 7Be observations in Spain (2006-2021).

In this study, we analysed 7Be weekly surface measurements from six Spanish laboratories from 2006 to 2021. The Kolmogorov-Zurbenko filter was applied to the six 7Be time series, and following an iterative process, the original data were divided into two fractions: one related to variations characterized by periods above 33 days (including, among others, the seasonal cycle) and the second noisier fraction related to mechanisms originating from variations with periods below 33 days. Both fractions were independent at the six locations. The second machine-based step using random forest models was applied with the aim of identifying the most influential inputs to the observed 7Be concentrations, and machine learning-inspired regression models were fitted. With respect to seasonal components, the results indicated that the memory of the system was the most influential input, as expected by the large fraction of variance explained by the seasonal cycle, followed by that of humidity and wind-related variables. For the fraction corresponding to periods below 33 d, precipitation-, humidity-, and radiation-related variables were the most influential. This methodology has made it possible to successfully describe the major mechanisms known to be involved in the generation of the surface 7Be concentrations observed in Spain.

Remote sensing application to estimate fish kills by Saprolegniasis in a reservoir.

Saprolegniasis is one of the most economical and ecologically harmful diseases in different species of fish. Low water temperature is one of the most important factors which increases stress and creates favourable conditions for the proliferation of Saprolegniasis. Therefore, the monitoring of water surface temperature (WST) is fundamental for a better understanding of Saprolegniasis. The objective of this study was to develop a predictive algorithm to estimate the probability of fish kills caused by Saprolegniasis in Río Tercero reservoir (Argentina). WST was estimated by Landsat 7 and 8 imagery using the Single-Channel method. Logistic regression was used to relate WST estimated from 2007 to 2017 with different episodes of fish kills by Saprolegniasis registered in the reservoir during this period of time. Results showed that the algorithm created with the first quartile (25th percentile) of the WST values estimated by Landsat sensors was the most suitable model to estimate Saprolegniasis in the studied reservoir.

Desarrollo de Embriones Caprinos In Vitro: Efecto del Co-Cultivo con Células Epiteliales de Oviducto / In Vitro Development of Goat Embryos: Effect of Co-culture with Oviductal Epithelial Cells

El desarrollo de sistemas de cultivo in vitro que permitan obtener altos porcentajes de embriones viables es de gran importancia para la implementación de biotecnologías como el clonado y la transferencia de genes. Estudios tendientes a mejorar la eficiencia de los sistemas de cultivo embrionario son especialmente importantes en ganado caprino por el escaso desarrollo de estos métodos en dicha especie. El objetivo del presente estudio fue comparar el desarrollo de embriones caprinos fecundados in vivo cultivados: a) con células epiteliales de oviducto caprino (CEO), b) en fluido sintético de oviducto (SOF; del Inglés: synthetic oviduct fluid) o c) en medio condicionado por células epiteliales de oviducto caprino (MC). Embriones de 1-8 células colectados del oviducto de cabras superovuladas se cultivaron in vitro durante 4-5 días en los diferentes tratamientos. Al término del cultivo se estableció el estadio de desarrollo embrionario alcanzado y el número de células por embrión a partir de embriones teñidos con lacmoid. Un mayor porcentaje de embriones se desarrollaron hasta el estado de mórula/blastocisto en cocultivo comparado con los cultivados en SOF (75% vs. 41% respectivamente; P < 0,05) o MC (5,5%); mientras que el SOF resultó superior al MC para sustentar el desarrollo de los embriones caprinos hasta mórula/blastocisto. Los embriones producidos en cocultivo con CEO tenían más células que los cultivados en SOF (15,3 vs. 8,1 células/embrión; P < 0,05) y estos últimos más que los cultivados en MC. La viabilidad de los embriones generados en SOF se confirmó mediante transferencia a una cabra receptora, seguido por el nacimiento de 2 cabritos. En conclusión el cocultivo con CEO brinda mejores condiciones para sustentar el desarrollo in vitro de embriones caprinos en relación con los otros dos sistemas estudiados.

Development of reliable in vitro culture systems to produce high percentages of viable embryos is instrumental in the application of biotechnologies such as cloning and transgenesis. This is especially true for caprine species in which in vitro technology for embryo culture has been poorly developed. The objective of this study was to compare in vitro development of in vivo fertilized caprine embryos in: a) coculture with caprine oviductal epithelial cells (OEC), b) synthetic oviduct fluid (SOF), or c) medium conditioned by oviductal epithelial cells (CM). In vivo fertilized 1-8 cell caprine embryos collected by oviductal flushing were allocated to treatments and cultured for 4-5 days in vitro. At the end of the culture period, embryonic development was recorded and the number of cells per embryo was determined in lacmoid-stained embryos. A significantly higher percentage of embryos reached the morula/blastocyst stage in coculture compared with those cultured in SOF (75% vs. 41% respectively; P < 0.05) or CM (5.5%); SOF was superior to CM to supporting goat embryo development. Likewise, embryos grown in coculture with OEC had more cells than those cultured in SOF (15.3 vs. 8.1 cells/embryo; P < 0.05). Cell counts were higher in embryos cultured in SOF than those originated from CM. In conclusion, coculture of goat embryos with OEC provided superior conditions to support in vitro development of early-stage goat embryos compared with the other treatments studied.