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The Southern Ocean plays an important role in the uptake of atmospheric CO2. In seasonally ice-covered regions, estimates of air-sea exchange remain uncertain in part because of a lack of observations outside the summer season. Here we present new estimates of air-sea CO2 flux in the West Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) from an autonomous mooring on the continental shelf. In summer, the WAP is a sink for atmospheric CO2 followed by a slow return to atmospheric equilibrium in autumn and winter. Outgassing is almost entirely suppressed by ice cover from June through October, resulting in a modest net annual CO2 sink. Model projections indicate sea ice formation will occur later in the season in the coming decades potentially weakening the net oceanic CO2 sink. Interannual variability in the WAP is significant, highlighting the importance of sustained observations of air-sea exchange in this rapidly changing region of the Southern Ocean. Plain Language Summary The Southern Ocean absorbs a considerable amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and plays an important role in regulating climate on Earth. Ice covered regions of the Southern Ocean are difficult to access and observations are often limited to the ice-free summer season. Here we present new observations over a full 12 month period from a mooring on the continental shelf of the West Antarctic Peninsula (WAP). The observations indicate that the WAP absorbs carbon dioxide in the summer season, while the presence of sea ice in winter prevents that carbon from being released back to the atmosphere. Over the next few decades less sea ice is expected to form and this may lead to a weakening of the carbon dioxide uptake in the WAP region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Southern Ocean, polynyas exhibit enhanced rates of primary productivity and represent large seasonal sinks for atmospheric CO2. Three contrasting east Antarctic polynyas were visited in late December to early January 2017: the Dalton, Mertz, and Ninnis polynyas. In the Mertz and Ninnis polynyas, phytoplankton biomass (average of 322 and 354 mg chlorophyll a (Chl a)/m2, respectively) and net community production (5.3 and 4.6 mol C/m2, respectively) were approximately 3 times those measured in the Dalton polynya (average of 122 mg Chl a/m2 and 1.8 mol C/m2). Phytoplankton communities also differed between the polynyas. Diatoms were thriving in the Mertz and Ninnis polynyas but not in the Dalton polynya, where Phaeocystis antarctica dominated. These strong regional differences were explored using physiological, biological, and physical parameters. The most likely drivers of the observed higher productivity in the Mertz and Ninnis were the relatively shallow inflow of iron‐rich modified Circumpolar Deep Water onto the shelf as well as a very large sea ice meltwater contribution. The productivity contrast between the three polynyas could not be explained by (1) the input of glacial meltwater, (2) the presence of Ice Shelf Water, or (3) stratification of the mixed layer. Our results show that physical drivers regulate the productivity of polynyas, suggesting that the response of biological productivity and carbon export to future change will vary among polynyas. Key Points: In summer 2016–2017, phytoplankton biomass and NCP in the Mertz and Ninnis polynyas were 3 times those measured in the Dalton polynyaIron‐rich Circumpolar Deep Water and sea ice meltwater best explained this productivity contrast.The productivity contrast between the three polynyas could not be explained by the meteoric water, the Ice Shelf Water, or stratification [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four European national asbestos fibre counting proficiency testing schemes have been studied in order to compare their criteria for the assessment of laboratory performance. Performance assessment is based on each laboratory's results after counting a certain number of samples. Two methods are currently being applied. To be classified 'satisfactory' laboratories must obtain at least 75% of normalised counts lying within defined performance limits (in three schemes), or the median and coefficient of variation of normalised counts must be within performance limits (in the fourth scheme). Differences in the numbers of test samples mean that the schemes are operating with different selectivity in assessing their laboratories' performances. Differences in the percentage of laboratory results falling within performance limits indicate that the schemes do not operate the same confidence probability in correctly assessing individual counts. It means that some schemes may be more lenient than others. This paper discusses two proposals to move towards harmonisation of the asbestos fibre counting proficiency testing schemes: (i) standardisation of the number of samples used for laboratory assessment and (ii) changes to the criteria to establish the limits of satisfactory performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interchange of eight asbestos reference slides was planned informally between the Spanish national proficiency testing scheme, PICC-FA, and its international counterpart, AFRICA. The fibre counting levels, the reference values and the differences in performance assessments for individual counts and laboratories were analysed to test the level of agreement between the schemes. Comparisons were based on the proportions of fibre counts within and outside limit values. Discrepancies were found between schemes in the classification of counts, with the position of the limits of satisfactory performance being the most important factor of disagreement. The AFRICA limits are over twice as wide as the PICC-FA limits, though only 17% of the counts are affected by this large difference. There were not found to be significant differences in the assessment of the performances of Spanish laboratories—87.5% would have achieved a satisfactory classification in both schemes. A possible new approach to harmonizing proficiency testing schemes is discussed. © 1998 British Occupational Hygiene Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Working in shifts has an impact on the well being of health care professionals, affecting their quality of life. The main objective of this study is to describe the consequences of 12hours work shifts versus 7hours for nursing professionals working in intensive care units. A cost-sectional, descriptive study was conducted in two tertiary hospitals of Barcelona, these being the Hospital Clínico and Hospital Vall d'Hebron (of 7hour and 12hour shifts, respectively). The data was collected through a questionnaire having 29 closed questions that was anonymous and self-administered. The questionnaire was based on two scales: Standard Shiftwork Index and Shiftwork. locus of control. Data was processed through SPSS V.18.0. The target population consisted of 85 people, for whom 52 surveys were valid: 22 in Hospital Clínico of Barcelona and 30 in Hospital Vall d'Hebron. Professionals working a 12-hour shift express higher levels of work and family conciliation, especially in the case of leisure time to enjoy (×2: 10.635 p=0.031) and family-friends time dedication as well as lower levels of perceived fatigue. No differences were found between type of shift and ease of development of professional work, even though the 12-hour shift has higher levels., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier España, S.L. y SEEIUC. All rights reserved.)

We studied the activity of various enzymes in the synovial liquid of 100 corpses with regard to the cause of death finding that the alkaline phospatase and glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (GOT) are increased in cranioencephalic trauma, possibly as a result of the important cellular lysis which goes with them; and lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) is increased in the pulmonary processes, almost certainly with relation to the great quantity of this enzyme in the lung.

We present in this work a study about biochemical changes of the synovial liquid in 100 corpses with regard to the cause of death. The results obtained in the different groups of causes of death show that the biochemical parameters were modified postmortem although we think that this modification is related more directly to the duration of the pathological process that leads to death than with the nature of the process itself.