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ABSTRACT The downscaling of global climate models ( GCMs) aims at incorporating finer scale information to their horizontal resolution in order to represent regional and local processes better. There are two main approaches to downscaling: statistical (based on data relationships between synoptic atmospheric variables and observations of local variables) and dynamical (based on the modelling of regional atmospheric processes and land-surface interactions). In this study, some predictive capabilities regarding the generation of station-scale mean monthly temperature and rainfall of both a statistical artificial neural network ( ANN-based) and a dynamical weather research and forecasting ( WRF-based) downscaling approach are assessed. We have devised two versions of the statistical downscaling approach. One of them includes regional orographic variables as predictors to allow for spatial extrapolation; the other is purely local. Historical observational data, from the period 1990 to 1999, of two major watersheds in the Ecuadorian Southern Andes, the Jubones and Paute river basins, were used. Since, to a certain extent, the value added by downscaling techniques can be attributed to terrain information, it is worth noting that some characteristics of the selected catchments (as notorious altitude differences and the presence of qualitatively different precipitation regimes) provide a scientifically interesting location for exploring how finer scale effects are captured. For this reason, we concentrate on the ability of downscaling techniques to reproduce seasonality. A decade of evaluation proved that both approaches were able to qualitatively describe precipitation and temperature seasonal variations for different regimes at representative weather stations. Furthermore, the seasonality of precipitation represented by both downscaling approaches surpassed the seasonality representation of reanalysis data. However, shortcomings on the estimates were found. Specifically, dynamical downscaled precipitation estimates were prone to overestimation. Despite the fact that the considered downscaling approaches are different in nature, their ability to represent the high spatio-temporal variability in this region highlights the importance of evaluating their strengths and limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Spain, the archaeological instruction is carried out, mainly, at universities, either in the classrooms or at excavations. If the word inclusive is added, we are talking about training archaeologists with some sort of disability. This article reflects on the elements which take part in the archaeological training of students with disabilities at present. It deals with the current legislation on equality, and the right to academic training. It also considers the university as the institution which connects the diversity, to detect and strengthen the different talents that society needs. The elements which take part in the practical archaeological training, and its teaching by the faculty are considered. Finally, the present paper reflects on the possible obstacles that the academic archaeological tradition itself introduces in the mentioned training.

In order to determine the apparent digestibility of nutrients from taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) tubers meal in fattening pigs, three castrated male pigs were used, product of the commercial cross (Largewhite x Duroc x Pietrain), with average live weight of 68 ± 2 kg. The animals were distributed in three treatments: T1 (control diet based on corn and soybean), T2 and T3 (inclusion of 20 and 40 % of taro meal in the diet respectively), according to the Latin square design. The mean comparison was performed with the Duncan test (P≤0.05). There was no significant difference (P> 0.05) in the apparent digestibility coefficients of the dry matter (T1 86.70, T2 88.67, T3 88.77 %), organic matter (T1 90.79, 91.80, 89.90 %) and crude protein (T1 92.46; T2 91.96 %; T3 91.89 %). The rectal digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and crude protein showed high utilization rates, when including 20 and 40% of taro tuberous meal in the diet, which guarantees a food of adequate nutritional characteristics for fattening pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of eight castrated male pigs were used, from the Yorkshire x Landrace x Duroc commercial cross, with an average live weight of 36.25 ± 2.12 kg. These animals were distributed at a rate of four pigs in two treatments: T1 control diet (corn and soybeans) and T2 with inclusion of 20% of taro silage with whey and molasses B of sugarcane in the diet. A completely randomized design was applied to determine the rectal digestibility of nutrients from the taro tubers silage (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) in growing pigs. The best coefficients (P <0.05) of rectal digestibility of dry matter (DM 91.20 %), organic matter (OM 93.33 %), crude protein (CP 85.08 %), crude fiber (CF 59.48 %) and digestible energy (DE 89.88 %) were showed by pigs fed 20 % silage in the diet. The rectal digestibility of DM, OM, CP, CF and DE showed high utilization rates, when including 20% taro tubers silage in the diet, which guaranteed a food with optimal nutritional characteristics for growing pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to evaluate the physicochemical, biological and organoleptic indicators in green banana silage (Musa sapientum) for use in pig feeding, four silages with waste banana were carried out. The treatments were: natural yogurt (NYGB), whey (WGB), whey and 5 % molasses B (WGBMB5) and whey and 10 % molasses B (WGBMB10). The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized single design. The means were contrasted with the Duncan test (P <0.05). The variables temperature, pH, fungi, yeasts, total coliforms, Escherichia coli, Clostridium spp., Salmonella spp., odor, color and consistency at 1, 4, 8, 15, 30 and 60 d were studied. With respect to temperature, on day one, the treatments NYGB and WGBMB5 showed the highest value (P < 0.05) (22.50 °C; 22.51 °C). On the day four, the silages NYGB and WGB had the highest value (P < 0.05) (22.49 °C - 22.48 °C). From day eight, to day 60, in the WGBMB10 the highest temperature was reached (22.83 - 22.53 °C). Regarding pH, on day one, there were no differences (P> 0.05) between treatments: NYGB (4.39), WGB (4.33), WGBMB5 (4.36) and WGBMB10 (4.35). At day four, the pH was proportionally reduced in the silages, and was higher in treatment 1_NYGB, in 0.31 units. Then, the pH was stabilized in all silages. The NYGB treatment had the lowest value (P <0.05) (4.00 - 4.02). Fungi and yeasts were on day one, and then absent. During the study there were no total coliforms or Escherichia coli. Neither Clostridium spp. nor Salmonella spp. The silages showed odor (fermented sweet), color (yellowish coffee) and consistency (semi-hard). The physicochemical, microbiological and organoleptic indicators of silages, up to day 60, had a right performance, suitable for their use in pig feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The impact of race on outcomes in the treatment of intracranial aneurysm (IA) remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the relationship between race classified into White, Black, Hispanic, and other and treatment outcomes in patients with ruptured and unruptured IAs., Methods: The study population consisted of 2836 patients with IA with endovascular treatment or microsurgical treatment (MST) from 16 centers in the United States and Asia, all participating in the observational "STAR" registry. The primary outcome was a 90-day modified Rankin Scale of 0 to 2. Secondary outcomes included periprocedural cerebral infarction and intracranial hemorrhage, perioperative symptomatic cerebral vasospasm in ruptured IA and mortality, and all causes of mortality within 90 days., Results: One thousand fifty-three patients were White (37.1%), 350 were Black (12.3%), 264 were Hispanic (9.3%), and 1169 were other (41.2%). Compared with White patients, Hispanic patients had a significantly lower proportion of primary outcome (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.36, 95% CI, 0.23-0.56) and higher proportion of the periprocedural cerebral infarction, perioperative mortality, and all causes of mortality (aOR 2.53, 95% CI, 1.40-4.58, aOR 1.84, 95% CI, 1.00-3.38, aOR 1.83, 95% CI, 1.06-3.17, respectively). Outcomes were not significantly different in Black and other patients. The subgroup analysis showed that Hispanic patients with age ≥65 years (aOR 0.19, 95% CI, 0.10-0.38, interaction P = .048), Hunt-Hess grades 0 to 3 (aOR 0.29, 95% CI, 0.19-0.46, interaction P = .03), and MST (aOR 0.24, 95% CI, 0.13-0.44, interaction P = .04) had a significantly low proportion of primary outcome., Conclusion: This study demonstrates that Hispanic patients with IA are more likely to have a poor outcome at 90 days after endovascular treatment or MST than White patients. Physicians have to pay attention to the selection of treatment modalities, especially for Hispanic patients with specific factors to reduce racial discrepancies., (Copyright © Congress of Neurological Surgeons 2024. All rights reserved.)