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Due to its geographic location and unique climatic circumstances, the Galápagos archipelago is renowned for its exceptional and high endemic biodiversity. Nevertheless, due to limited access to the permanent freshwater body in the archipelago, the freshwater budget is almost exclusively dependent on precipitation. However, with the lack of spatial and temporal distribution of rainfall information, it is not easy to understand the short- and long-term dynamics of rainfall in the Galápagos.The poster presents the new satellite-based rainfall retrieval algorithm, the Galápagos Rainfall Retrieval (GRR), which offers the potential for a high spatio-temporal resolution (2 km, 10 min) rainfall product in near real-time for the Galápagos archipelago.The algorithm is proposed to combine physical methods with machine learning in which sequences of Geostationary Earth Orbit infrared (GEO-IR) images are used to retrieve both cold season Garua drizzle and warm season convective rainfall.In the first step, a threshold technique and spectral differences are used to identify the cloudy regions and distinguish the low, middle, and high clouds. Next, the cloud-covered region will go under a different entity-based classification method (e.g., slope test/ML algorithm) for each cloud type to detect the low stratus/Garua drizzle and potentially convective core regions. The next test follows for all detected potentially convective core regions based on cloud formation over time and space to examine whether they are likely to be decaying. If the convective core is classified as decaying, it is labelled stratiform rain; otherwise, it is labelled as the active convective core.Finally, the rainfall assignment will be performed by training the random forest regression models. The convective and stratiform cells will be trained based on microwave-only IMERG-V06 rainfall data separately, meanwhile the cloudsat would be used to train the rainfall rate for the Garua detected regions. By the end, all of these steps are combined together as GRR product. The algorithm of GRR product will be developed for the time period 1/1/2022-1/1/2023 and then it would be applied to the entire available GOES-16 dataset.The validation will be conduct by: i) independent microwave-only IMERG-V06 rainfall data/cloudsat not used for model training ii) recently installed automated weather stations (AWS) network with high temporal resolution of 10 minutes covering a W-E and luff-lee transects over three islands (Isabela, S. Cruz, S. Cristóbal).

The complex anatomy of the upper cervical spine resulted in numerous separate classification systems of upper cervical spine trauma. The AOSpine upper cervical classification system (UCCS) was recently described; however, an independent agreement assessment has not been performed.To perform an independent evaluation of the AOSpine UCCS.Agreement study.Eighty four patients with upper cervical spine injuries.Inter-observer agreement; intra-observer agreement.Complete imaging studies of 84 patients with upper cervical spine injuries, including all morphological types of injuries defined by the AOSpine UCCS were selected and classified by six evaluators (from three different countries). The 84 cases were presented to the same raters randomly after a 4-week interval for repeat evaluation. The Kappa coefficient (κ) was used to determine inter- and intra-observer agreement.The interobserver agreement was almost perfect when considering the fracture site (I, II or III), with κ=0.82 (0.78-0.83), but the agreement according to the site and type level was moderate, κ=0.57 (0.55-0.65). The intra-observer agreement was almost perfect considering the injury, with κ=0.83 (0.78-0.86), while according to site and type was substantial, κ=0.69 (0.67-0.71).We observed only a moderate inter-observer agreement using this classification. We believe our results can be explained because this classification attempted to organize many different injury types into a single scheme.

In the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report (IPCC), “Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability” it is stated that more frequent and intense extreme events due to climate change have a significant impact on the loss and damage of nature and people, which particularly holds for precipitation.In the Galápagos archipelago, the primary source of water supply is rainfall, hence rainfall plays an important role for biodiversity and people in this iconic but remote region. The main assumption for Galapagos is that water supply is dominated by the cool season’s light Garúa rainfall originating from the Pacific stratus, which will significantly decrease under global warming conditions. At the same time, rainfall in the warm season shows large variability, particularly during extreme ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) events. While in the current decade, a decrease of strong El Niño rainfall events was observed in the eastern tropical Pacific, most (but not all) climate model projections of the CMIP6 ensemble reveal stronger El Niño rainfall under future warming.To date, short and long-term rainfall dynamics in the Galápagos are not well understood, largely due to a lack of consistent spatially-time series of meteorological in-situ observations. The research project DARWIN ("Dynamics of precipitation in transition: The water source for the Galápagos Archipelago under climate change") has recently established 11 Automatic weather stations (AWS) covering a W-E and luff-lee transects over three islands (Isabela, S. Cruz, S. Cristóbal). The location of the stations is to consider different local and regional precipitation formation mechanisms. We seek to resolve influences of the Equatorial Counter Current and the Humboldt Current, as well as the topographic exposition towards the main airstream. Furthermore, the altitudinal gradients concerning vertical dynamics of the trade inversion are considered. One main goal of the DARWIN project is to produce area-wide rainfall information by satellite retrievals and WRF dynamical downscaling. While warm-season rainfall is mainly driven by intense convection events, cool-season Garúa is assumed to be more in the drizzle intensity range. The area-wide techniques must thus properly model the very different types of occurring rain intensities in the cool and warm seasons. Hence, the observations from the AWS used as test and training data must be as accurate as possible. Beyond standard meteorology, we focus on different advanced observation principles (light, optical, radar, gauge) and their intercomparison, and warrant high-resolution measurements (up to one minute) including a vertical profiling of rainfall. The AWS stations in the Garúa zone are additionally equipped by a harp-type fog collector. The poster will present the overall structure of the project and some first results of the AWS network, with a focus on temporally high-resolution rainfall dynamics during different weather situations and precipitation types along the transects.

espanolLa reintroduccion de una especie a su habitat natural es un proceso a largo plazo, que involucra varios factores, ecologicos y sociales. Su exito depende en gran medida de las relaciones que se establecen entre todos los actores involucrados, incluyendo a ONGs, autoridades y comunidades locales. La educacion ambiental constituye una herramienta clave para generar vinculos entre las organizaciones, tanto publicas como privadas, y las comunidades locales. En este articulo presentamos un estudio de caso del proceso de educacion ambiental en torno al proyecto de reintroduccion del Guacamayo Verde Mayor en la reserva Ayampe, provincia de Manabi, Ecuador. Analizamos el proceso desde sus alcances, perspectivas, metas, temas y espacios, y lo relacionamos con los objetivos vinculados a la conservacion del Guacamayo Verde Mayor en el largo plazo, asi como a la apropiacion de este tipo de actividades por parte de las comunidades y actores locales, hacia actitudes mas responsables con la biodiversidad y el entorno natural. EnglishSpecies reintroductions are long-term processes that involve various ecological and social factors. The success of these types of projects depends largely on the relationships between all the stakeholders involved: NGO’s, authorities, local communities, among others. Environmental education is a key tool to create links between public or private organizations, and the local communities. In this paper, we present a study case of the environmental education process around the Great Green Macaw reintroduction project in the Ayampe community reserve, Manabi province, Ecuador. The objectives of the environmental education activities are related to the long-term conservation of the Great Green Macaw and to empower the communities and local stakeholders towards a better quality of life based in more responsible attitudes towards the natural environment. We analyze this process from its scope, perspectives, goals, themes and spaces.

Introduction The Brighton Spondylodiscitis Score (BSS) aims to identify patients with pyogenic spinal infections (PSIs) requiring surgery; an independent assessment of the BSS is required. Methods We evaluated 60 patients with PSIs. Using the BSS, we determined whether patients with low, moderate, and high risk (LMHR) had different rates of surgery. We proposed a modified score (MS) using a logistic regression (LOGR). Applying the MS, we determined whether patients with LMHR exhibited different rates of surgery. Another LOGR determined the association of the BSS and the MS with surgery. A C-statistic using the BSS and the MS was generated. Results We studied 60 patients (mean age = 63 years); 37 (62%) were men; 30 (50%) required surgery. Using the BSS, patients with LMHR had similar rates of surgery (P = 0.53). LOGR showed that cervical PSIs had a larger chance of surgery (odds ratio [OR] = 7.3 [1.1 to 51.3]) than other locations. Using the MS, patients with moderate- and high-risk were operated more frequently than low-risk patients (P = 0.04). The BSS did not predict surgery (OR = 1.07; P = 0.31), but the MS did (OR = 1.16; P = 0.02). The C-statistic using the BSS (0.59) improved using the MS (0.69), P = 0.03. Discussion The discriminatory capacity to predict surgery of the BSS augmented using the MS. Level of evidence II (Diagnostic study: Transverse study).

Background Atraumatic full thickness rotator cuff tears (AFTRCT) are common lesions whose incidence increases with age. Physical therapy is an effective conservative treatment in these patients with a reported success rate near 85% within 12 weeks of treatment. The critical shoulder angle (CSA) is a radiographic metric that relates the glenoid inclination with the lateral extension of the acromion in the coronal plane. A larger CSA has been associated with higher incidence of AFTRCT and a higher re-tear rate after surgical treatment. However, no study has yet described an association between a larger CSA and failure of conservatory treatment in ARCT. The main objective of this study is to determine whether there is an association between CSA and failure of physical therapy in patients with AFTRCT. Methods We reviewed the imaging and clinical records of 48 patients (53 shoulders), 60% female, with a mean age of 63.2 years (95% CI ± 10.4 years); treated for AFTRCT who also underwent a true anteroposterior radiograph of the shoulder within a year of diagnosis of the tear. We recorded demographic (age, sex, type of work), clinical (comorbidities), and imaging data (CSA, size and location of the tear). We divided the patients into two groups according to success or failure of conservative treatment (indication for surgery), so 21 shoulders (39.6%) required surgery and were classified as failure of conservative treatment. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to detect predictors of failure of conservative treatment. Results The median CSA was 35.5º with no differences between those with failure (median 35.5º, range 29º to 48.2º) and success of conservative treatment (median 35.45º, range 30.2º to 40.3º), p = 0.978. The multivariate analysis showed a younger age in patients with failure of conservative treatment (56.14 ± 9.2 vs 67.8 ± 8.4, p p = 0.035). Conclusions It is still unclear if CSA does predict failure of conservative treatment. A lower age and male gender both could predicted failure of conservative treatment in AFTRCT. Further research is needed to better address this subject.

Purpose Pola et al. described a clinical-radiological classification of pyogenic spinal infections (PSI) based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features including vertebral destruction, soft tissue involvement, and epidural abscess, along with the neurological status. We performed an inter- and intra-observer agreement evaluation of this classification. Methods Complete MRI studies of 80 patients with PSI were selected and classified using the scheme described by Pola et al. by seven evaluators. After a four-week interval, all cases were presented to the same assessors in a random sequence for repeat assessment. We used the weighted kappa statistics (w kappa) to establish the inter- and intra-observer agreement. Results The inter-observer agreement was substantial considering the main categories (w kappa = 0.77; 0.71-0.82), but moderate considering the subtypes (w kappa = 0.51; 0.45-0.58). The intra-observer agreement was substantial considering the main types (w kappa = 0.65; 0.59-0.71), and moderate considering the subtypes (w kappa = 0.58; 0.54-0.63). Conclusion The agreement at the main type level indicates that this classification allows adequate communication and may be used in clinical practice; at the subtypes level, the agreement is only moderate.

Mangrove forests provide valuable coastal protection from erosion, habitat for terrestrial and marine species, nursery grounds for commercial fisheries and are economically important for tourism. Galapagos' mangroves usually grow directly on solid lava and fragmented rocky shores, thereby stabilizing the sediment and facilitating colonisation by other plants and many animals. However, until very recently, only inaccurate data described mangrove coverage and its distribution. We mapped mangroves using freely available Google Earth Very High Resolution images based on on-screen classification and compared this method to three semi-automatic classification algorithms. We also analysed mangrove change for the period 2004-2014. We obtained an area of 3657.1 ha of fringing mangrove that covers 35% of the coastline. Eighty percent of mangrove cover is found in Isabela island, and 90% in the western and central south-eastern bioregions. The overall accuracy of mangrove classification was 99.1% with a Kappa coefficient of 0.97 when validated with field data. On-screen digitization was significantly more accurate than other tested methods. From the semi-automated methods, Maximum Likelihood Classification with prior land-sea segmentation yielded the best results. During the 2004-2014 period, mangrove coverage increased 24% mainly by expansion of existing mangroves patches as opposed to generation of new patches. We estimate that mangrove cover and growth are inversely proportional to the geological age of the islands. However, many other factors like nutrients, currents or wave exposure protection might explain this pattern. The precise localization of mangrove cover across the Galapagos islands now enables documenting whether it is changing over time.

Galápagos is one of the most pristine archipelagos in the world and its conservation relies upon research and sensible management. In recent decades both the interest in, and the needs of, the islands have increased, yet the funds and capacity for necessary research have remained limited. It has become, therefore, increasingly important to identify areas of priority research to assist decision-making in Galápagos conservation. This study identified 50 questions considered priorities for future research and management. The exercise involved the collaboration of policy makers, practitioners and researchers from more than 30 different organisations. Initially, 360 people were consulted to generate 781 questions. An established process of preworkshop voting and three rounds to reduce and reword the questions, followed by a two-day workshop, was used to produce the final 50 questions. The most common issues raised by this list of questions were human population growth, climate change and the impact of invasive alien species. These results have already been used by a range of organisations and politicians and are expected to provide the basis for future research on the islands so that its sustainability may be enhanced.

Galápagos is one of the most pristine archipelagos in the world and its conservation relies upon research and sensible management. In recent decades both the interest in, and the needs of, the islands have increased, yet the funds and capacity for necessary research have remained limited. It has become, therefore, increasingly important to identify areas of priority research to assist decision-making in Galápagos conservation. This study identified 50 questions considered priorities for future research and management. The exercise involved the collaboration of policy makers, practitioners and researchers from more than 30 different organisations. Initially, 360 people were consulted to generate 781 questions. An established process of preworkshop voting and three rounds to reduce and reword the questions, followed by a two-day workshop, was used to produce the final 50 questions. The most common issues raised by this list of questions were human population growth, climate change and the impact of invasive alien species. These results have already been used by a range of organisations and politicians and are expected to provide the basis for future research on the islands so that its sustainability may be enhanced.