Controlling a leaky tap

We apply the Ott, Grebogy and Yorke mechanism for the control of chaos to the analytical oscillator model of a leaky tap obtaining good results. We exhibit the robustness of the control against both dynamical noise and measurement noise.A possible way of controlling experimentally a leaky tap using magnetic-field-produced variations in the viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid is suggested.Comment: 14 pages, 12 figures. Submitted to Physics Letters

Neuronal Proteomic Analysis Of The Ubiquitinated Substrates Of The Disease-Linked E3 Ligases Parkin And Ube3a

Both Parkin and UBE3A are E3 ubiquitin ligases whose mutations result in severe brain dysfunction. Several of their substrates have been identified using cell culture models in combination with proteasome inhibitors, but not in more physiological settings. We recently developed the (bio)Ub strategy to isolate ubiquitinated proteins in flies and have now identified by mass spectrometry analysis the neuronal proteins differentially ubiquitinated by those ligases. This is an example of how flies can be used to provide biological material in order to reveal steady state substrates of disease causing genes. Collectively our results provide new leads to the possible physiological functions of the activity of those two disease causing E3 ligases. Particularly, in the case of Parkin the novelty of our data originates from the experimental setup, which is not overtly biased by acute mitochondrial depolarisation. In the case of UBE3A, it is the first time that a nonbiased screen for its neuronal substrates has been reported.The authors thank Michael Clague for insightful comments on an early version of the manuscript. Ugo Mayor, Nerea Osinalde, and Jesus M. Arizmendi are supported by the Spanish MINECO (Grant no. SAF2016-76898-P)

Perception of the Integral Development of University Students: A Psycho-Pedagogical View

La investigación psicopedagógica en la Universidad Veracruzana se centra en comprender el desarrollo educativo de los estudiantes a nivel licenciatura, el presente estudio analiza las siguientes dimensiones: aspectos académicos, emocionales, sociales y espirituales, a fin de plantear estrategias educativas significativas que promuevan el desarrollo integral. Se elaboró un instrumento para la evaluación de hábitos de estudio, relaciones interpersonales, dinámica familiar, resolución de conflictos y salud mental, entre otros que cuenta con 71 ítems en una escala tipo Likert, cuenta con un Alfa de 0.892. La metodología empleada fue mixta con un alcance descriptivo, la muestra fue de 2,302 estudiantes de nivel licenciatura de la Universidad Veracruzana, México, de la región Veracruz. El estudio busca identificar necesidades psicopedagógicas latentes que obstaculizan el éxito académico, con el objetivo de implementar estrategias de intervención y reducir el rezago educativo. Esta investigación integral no solo beneficia al ámbito educativo, sino también al desarrollo personal y profesional de los estudiantes y, en última instancia, a la sociedad en general.Psychopedagogical research at the Universidad Veracruzana focuses on understanding the educational development of undergraduate students. This study analyzes the following dimensions: academic, emotional, social and spiritual aspects, in order to propose meaningful educational strategies that promote integral development. An instrument was developed for the evaluation of study habits, interpersonal relationships, family dynamics, conflict resolution and mental health, among others, with 71 items on a Likert-type scale, with an Alpha of 0.892. The methodology used was mixed with a descriptive scope; the sample consisted of 2,302 undergraduate students of the Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico, from the Veracruz region. The study seeks to identify latent psycho-pedagogical needs that hinder academic success, with the objective of implementing intervention strategies and reducing educational lag. This comprehensive research not only benefits the educational field, but also the personal and professional development of students and, ultimately, society in general

Dental care and risk of developing severe COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, dental care was recommended only in urgent and severe pain cases. Reduced dental appointments may affect the financial situation of dentists, especially those who are not financially secure. Due to economic necessity, dentists are required to provide care despite the risk of being infected with SARS-COV-2. Objective: To describe the frequency of dental care and the risk of complications due to COVID-19 among dentists in Ixtlahuaca, State of Mexico, Mexico. Material and methods: Cross-sectional study, non-probabilistic sampling carried out from August to September 2020. A survey was carried out through social networks to identify thefrequency of dental care. Results: The sample consisted of 121 dentists with an average age of 32.3 years. Women comprised most of the sample (74.4%). Dentists had a medium risk of suffering complications due to COVID-19 (92.5%). Private practice dentists performed more non-urgent treatments during the red and orange epidemiological risk periods, showing statistically significant differences (p≤0.05). Unhealthy weight was present in 30% of the sample. Conclusions: Dentists have a medium risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19. The risk is associated with unhealthy weight. Dentists performed non-urgent treatments despite government recommendations. Privatepractitioners performed a greater number of non-urgent treatments. Dentists provide care despite epidemiological risk related to COVID-19 due to economic necessity

Habitat characterization and modeling of the potential distribution of the Military Macaw (Ara militaris) in Mexico

AbstractForest structure and composition have been used to assess the habitat characteristics that determine bird distributions. The patterns of distribution have been shaped by historical and ecological factors that play different roles at both temporal and spatial scales. The objectives of this research were to characterize the habitat of the endangered Military Macaw (Ara militaris) and evaluate the potential distribution of this species based on trends of land use changes in Mexico. We characterized the community structure and floristic composition of 8 forests that are currently used by the Military Macaw for breeding and feeding and compared the results with 6 similar forests characterized in other studies but without historical records of the presence of the Military Macaw. The Military Macaw preferred sites with high diversity of plant species dominated by trees from 4 to 15m in height and from 5 to 90cm in diameter at breast height. We identified 236 plant species in the 8 forests with 20 species (8.4%) used for nesting and feeding by the Military Macaw. The floristic composition is important for the presence of the Military Macaw because there were significant differences between forests with and without its presence. The potential area of distribution of the Military Macaw had decreased by 32% and the remnant areas are included in only 8 National Protected Areas. The protected areas of natural forests should be increased to preserve the sites of potential distribution and consequently the habitat of the Military Macaw in Mexico

The understorey of gorgonian forests in mesophotic temperate reefs

1. In the Mediterranean Sea, dense populations of the gorgonian Paramuricea clavata shape marine animal forests, characterizing the seascapes of coralligenous habitats. Despite concerns for its health, with several anthropogenic threats and recent mass mortality events, mainly triggered by thermal anomalies, the understorey of its forests and the ecological processes that they promote are still little known. Here, the abundance and composition of epibenthic assemblages inside and outside P. clavata forests were investigated across the central and western Mediterranean Sea, by applying a multifactorial sampling design. 2. In spite of the large variability in the structures of epibenthic assemblages at local and regional scales, the gorgonian understoreys share some common features, such as higher abundances of calcareous builder organisms and reduced invasion by the non\u2010indigenous alga Caulerpa cylindracea, compared with the adjacent unforested rocky bottoms. Paramuricea clavata showed non\u2010linear density\u2010dependent relationships with algal turfs and non\u2010encrusting algae belonging to the genus Peyssonnelia. Moreover, by entrapping benthic mucilaginous aggregates with their branches, these gorgonians risk topical necrotic lesions, but may reduce the suffocation risks for understorey organisms. 3. Overall, P. clavata forests may enhance bioconstruction processes and increase resistance and resilience of the benthic assemblages in the Mediterranean coralligenous habitats. This species and its forests, together with their understoreys, should be considered as essential elements of the ecology of the Mediterranean Sea, and therefore worthy of specific and effective protection measures. 4. Conservation strategies should reduce the risk of mechanical damage by regulating fishing activities, anchorages, and scuba diving where gorgonian forests are present. Moreover, when evident alterations are documented, restoration actions should be implemented to recover the integrity of gorgonian forests

Identifying associations between diabetes and acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure: an analysis of the LUNG SAFE database

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a common co-existing disease in the critically ill. Diabetes mellitus may reduce the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), but data from previous studies are conflicting. The objective of this study was to evaluate associations between pre-existing diabetes mellitus and ARDS in critically ill patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF). Methods: An ancillary analysis of a global, multi-centre prospective observational study (LUNG SAFE) was undertaken. LUNG SAFE evaluated all patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) over a 4-week period, that required mechanical ventilation and met AHRF criteria. Patients who had their AHRF fully explained by cardiac failure were excluded. Important clinical characteristics were included in a stepwise selection approach (forward and backward selection combined with a significance level of 0.05) to identify a set of independent variables associated with having ARDS at any time, developing ARDS (defined as ARDS occurring after day 2 from meeting AHRF criteria) and with hospital mortality. Furthermore, propensity score analysis was undertaken to account for the differences in baseline characteristics between patients with and without diabetes mellitus, and the association between diabetes mellitus and outcomes of interest was assessed on matched samples. Results: Of the 4107 patients with AHRF included in this study, 3022 (73.6%) patients fulfilled ARDS criteria at admission or developed ARDS during their ICU stay. Diabetes mellitus was a pre-existing co-morbidity in 913 patients (22.2% of patients with AHRF). In multivariable analysis, there was no association between diabetes mellitus and having ARDS (OR 0.93 (0.78-1.11); p = 0.39), developing ARDS late (OR 0.79 (0.54-1.15); p = 0.22), or hospital mortality in patients with ARDS (1.15 (0.93-1.42); p = 0.19). In a matched sample of patients, there was no association between diabetes mellitus and outcomes of interest. Conclusions: In a large, global observational study of patients with AHRF, no association was found between diabetes mellitus and having ARDS, developing ARDS, or outcomes from ARDS. Trial registration: NCT02010073. Registered on 12 December 2013

Spontaneous Breathing in Early Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Insights From the Large Observational Study to UNderstand the Global Impact of Severe Acute Respiratory FailurE Study

OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome with or without spontaneous breathing and to investigate whether the effects of spontaneous breathing on outcome depend on acute respiratory distress syndrome severity. DESIGN: Planned secondary analysis of a prospective, observational, multicentre cohort study. SETTING: International sample of 459 ICUs from 50 countries. PATIENTS: Patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and at least 2 days of invasive mechanical ventilation and available data for the mode of mechanical ventilation and respiratory rate for the 2 first days. INTERVENTIONS: Analysis of patients with and without spontaneous breathing, defined by the mode of mechanical ventilation and by actual respiratory rate compared with set respiratory rate during the first 48 hours of mechanical ventilation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Spontaneous breathing was present in 67% of patients with mild acute respiratory distress syndrome, 58% of patients with moderate acute respiratory distress syndrome, and 46% of patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. Patients with spontaneous breathing were older and had lower acute respiratory distress syndrome severity, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores, ICU and hospital mortality, and were less likely to be diagnosed with acute respiratory distress syndrome by clinicians. In adjusted analysis, spontaneous breathing during the first 2 days was not associated with an effect on ICU or hospital mortality (33% vs 37%; odds ratio, 1.18 [0.92-1.51]; p = 0.19 and 37% vs 41%; odds ratio, 1.18 [0.93-1.50]; p = 0.196, respectively ). Spontaneous breathing was associated with increased ventilator-free days (13 [0-22] vs 8 [0-20]; p = 0.014) and shorter duration of ICU stay (11 [6-20] vs 12 [7-22]; p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous breathing is common in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome during the first 48 hours of mechanical ventilation. Spontaneous breathing is not associated with worse outcomes and may hasten liberation from the ventilator and from ICU. Although these results support the use of spontaneous breathing in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome independent of acute respiratory distress syndrome severity, the use of controlled ventilation indicates a bias toward use in patients with higher disease severity. In addition, because the lack of reliable data on inspiratory effort in our study, prospective studies incorporating the magnitude of inspiratory effort and adjusting for all potential severity confounders are required

Epidemiology and patterns of tracheostomy practice in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome in ICUs across 50 countries

Background: To better understand the epidemiology and patterns of tracheostomy practice for patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), we investigated the current usage of tracheostomy in patients with ARDS recruited into the Large Observational Study to Understand the Global Impact of Severe Acute Respiratory Failure (LUNG-SAFE) study. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of LUNG-SAFE, an international, multicenter, prospective cohort study of patients receiving invasive or noninvasive ventilation in 50 countries spanning 5 continents. The study was carried out over 4 weeks consecutively in the winter of 2014, and 459 ICUs participated. We evaluated the clinical characteristics, management and outcomes of patients that received tracheostomy, in the cohort of patients that developed ARDS on day 1-2 of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, and in a subsequent propensity-matched cohort. Results: Of the 2377 patients with ARDS that fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 309 (13.0%) underwent tracheostomy during their ICU stay. Patients from high-income European countries (n = 198/1263) more frequently underwent tracheostomy compared to patients from non-European high-income countries (n = 63/649) or patients from middle-income countries (n = 48/465). Only 86/309 (27.8%) underwent tracheostomy on or before day 7, while the median timing of tracheostomy was 14 (Q1-Q3, 7-21) days after onset of ARDS. In the subsample matched by propensity score, ICU and hospital stay were longer in patients with tracheostomy. While patients with tracheostomy had the highest survival probability, there was no difference in 60-day or 90-day mortality in either the patient subgroup that survived for at least 5 days in ICU, or in the propensity-matched subsample. Conclusions: Most patients that receive tracheostomy do so after the first week of critical illness. Tracheostomy may prolong patient survival but does not reduce 60-day or 90-day mortality. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02010073. Registered on 12 December 2013

Hyperoxemia and excess oxygen use in early acute respiratory distress syndrome : Insights from the LUNG SAFE study

Publisher Copyright: © 2020 The Author(s). Copyright: Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Background: Concerns exist regarding the prevalence and impact of unnecessary oxygen use in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We examined this issue in patients with ARDS enrolled in the Large observational study to UNderstand the Global impact of Severe Acute respiratory FailurE (LUNG SAFE) study. Methods: In this secondary analysis of the LUNG SAFE study, we wished to determine the prevalence and the outcomes associated with hyperoxemia on day 1, sustained hyperoxemia, and excessive oxygen use in patients with early ARDS. Patients who fulfilled criteria of ARDS on day 1 and day 2 of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure were categorized based on the presence of hyperoxemia (PaO2 > 100 mmHg) on day 1, sustained (i.e., present on day 1 and day 2) hyperoxemia, or excessive oxygen use (FIO2 ≥ 0.60 during hyperoxemia). Results: Of 2005 patients that met the inclusion criteria, 131 (6.5%) were hypoxemic (PaO2 < 55 mmHg), 607 (30%) had hyperoxemia on day 1, and 250 (12%) had sustained hyperoxemia. Excess FIO2 use occurred in 400 (66%) out of 607 patients with hyperoxemia. Excess FIO2 use decreased from day 1 to day 2 of ARDS, with most hyperoxemic patients on day 2 receiving relatively low FIO2. Multivariate analyses found no independent relationship between day 1 hyperoxemia, sustained hyperoxemia, or excess FIO2 use and adverse clinical outcomes. Mortality was 42% in patients with excess FIO2 use, compared to 39% in a propensity-matched sample of normoxemic (PaO2 55-100 mmHg) patients (P = 0.47). Conclusions: Hyperoxemia and excess oxygen use are both prevalent in early ARDS but are most often non-sustained. No relationship was found between hyperoxemia or excessive oxygen use and patient outcome in this cohort. Trial registration: LUNG-SAFE is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02010073publishersversionPeer reviewe