Post-eruption morphological evolution and vegetation dynamics of the Blanco River, southern Chile

In this study, we analysed the morphological evolution of a channel segment in the Blanco River in southern Chile that was affected by the Chaitén Volcano eruption occurred in 2008–2009. Through a series of high-resolution satellite images from 2005 to 2019 that represents the entire pre- and post-eruptive dynamics and land covers, we tracked the geomorphological evolution of a 5.65-km-long river segment using channel form indices and also monitored the vegetation dynamics using object-based image analysis (OBIA). Discharge record for the Blanco River was also reconstructed to support the analysis of channel morphologic process. The study aims at examining whether a) the river channel is still adjusting 10 years after the eruption and if so, at what magnitude and, b) the recovered riparian vegetation plays a significant role in stabilising the river streambanks and terraces. We found that even 10 years after the eruption, the Blanco River channel planform is still adjusting, showing a simpler and stable channel configuration in the upstream reaches of the valley, where a certain degree of equilibrium appears to have been attained. More dynamic morphologies were observed in the reaches downstream that have to accommodate the arrival of large amounts of freshly eroded sediments. Our analysis showed that the occurrence of competent floods capable of reworking the river channel matches with the geomorphic indices and mark the post-eruption adjustments of the channel. Finally, the in-channel and riparian vegetation does not play a significant role in stabilising the active channel, streambanks, and terraces, reinforcing the recolonization of sedimentary active areas occurring elsewhere in the valley.This research was developed within the frame of the project FONDECYT 1170413 funded by the Chilean Government. Authors acknowledge the support of the Economy and Knowledge Department of the Catalan Government through the Fluvial Dynamics Research Group (RIUS) SGR017-459

Análisis funcional y cinemático de la marcha en un paciente con lesión medular lumbar incompleta

Este estudio de investigación pretende analizar la evolución de la marcha en un paciente con lesión medular incompleta, tras ser sometido a un programa de entrenamiento de la marcha de forma asistida con soporte parcial del peso corporal con el sistema Lokomat®. Para ello se ha realizado una exploración física y funcional con las escalas de evaluación más utilizadas a éste nivel, conjuntamente con el análisis videográfico, permitiéndonos observar correlaciones entre los datos obtenidos en los apartados de pasos por minuto, velocidad y longitud de paso. Para poder corroborar estos datos, se ha realizado un estudio cinemático utilizando dos cámaras de alta definición, con una velocidad de filmación fijada en 100 imágenes por segundo, procesadas directamente a un ordenador, y realizando la Transformación de 2D a 3D, con el método Direct Linear Transformation (DLT) dado por el Performance Analysis System (APAS).The aim of this research study is to analyze the evolution of gait in a patient with incomplete lumbar spine injury, who was placed on an assisted gait training program with partial body-weight support using the Lokomat® system. A physical and functional assessment was carried out taking into account standard evaluation scales together with video analysis, which allowed us to observe correlations between the data collected for steps per minute, step speed and step length. To corroborate these data, a kinematic study was carried out using two high-resolution cameras with a shooting speed fixed at 100 images per second. Images were transferred directly to a computer and converted from 2D to 3D using the Direct Linear Transformation (DLT) method in the Ariel Performance Analysis System (APAS).Peer Reviewe

Orbitofrontal and caudate volumes in cannabis users: a multi-site mega-analysis comparing dependent versus non-dependent users.

Cannabis (CB) use and dependence are associated with regionally specific alterations to brain circuitry and substantial psychosocial impairment.The objective of this study was to investigate the association between CB use and dependence, and the volumes of brain regions critically involved in goal-directed learning and behaviour-the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and caudate.In the largest multi-site structural imaging study of CB users vs healthy controls (HC), 140 CB users and 121 HC were recruited from four research sites. Group differences in OFC and caudate volumes were investigated between HC and CB users and between 70 dependent (CB-dep) and 50 non-dependent (CB-nondep) users. The relationship between quantity of CB use and age of onset of use and caudate and OFC volumes was explored.CB users (consisting of CB-dep and CB-nondep) did not significantly differ from HC in OFC or caudate volume. CB-dep compared to CB-nondep users exhibited significantly smaller volume in the medial and the lateral OFC. Lateral OFC volume was particularly smaller in CB-dep females, and reduced volume in the CB-dep group was associated with higher monthly cannabis dosage.Smaller medial OFC volume may be driven by CB dependence-related mechanisms, while smaller lateral OFC volume may be due to ongoing exposure to cannabinoid compounds. The results highlight a distinction between cannabis use and dependence and warrant examination of gender-specific effects in studies of CB dependence

A new scintillating fiber dosimeter using a single optical fiber and a CCD camera

Radiotherapy treatments become more and more accurate, using very small irradiation fields and complex dose depositions. So small dosimeters for real time and in vivo dosimetry, suitable for photons as well as for electrons beams are highly desired. In this context, a scintillating fiber dosimeter (SFD) has been developed by the Laboratoire de Physique Corpusculaire de Caen (LPC Caen), France, in collaboration with one of the French regional center for cancer treatment Centre Regional de lutte contre le cancer F. Baclesse (CRLCC F. Baclesse), Caen, France, and the ELDIM Company, Herouville, France. This plastic dosimeter is water equivalent, and it is suitable for photons as well as for electrons beams without correction. It is a real time dosimeter, with an excellent signal to noise ratio, and a spatial resolution of about a few millimeters. The aim of this study was to reduce the size of the scintillator in order to improve the spatial resolution of this dosimeter. So, a new light collection device has been developed to reduce the length of the scintillator from 1 cm to 1 mm without loss in the signal to noise ratio. The accuracy of this improved prototype has been tested by comparison with standard ionization chambers and the difference between the two devices never exceeded one percent for photon and for electron irradiation beams. A first set of commercial SFD is under completion at ELDIM and it will be soon clinically tested in several French centers for cancer treatment

Sex and dependence related neuroanatomical differences in regular cannabis users: findings from the ENIGMA Addiction Working Group.

Males and females show different patterns of cannabis use and related psychosocial outcomes. However, the neuroanatomical substrates underlying such differences are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to map sex differences in the neurobiology (as indexed by brain volumes) of dependent and recreational cannabis use. We compared the volume of a priori regions of interest (i.e., amygdala, hippocampus, nucleus accumbens, insula, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), anterior cingulate cortex and cerebellum) between 129 regular cannabis users (of whom 70 were recreational users and 59 cannabis dependent) and 114 controls recruited from the ENIGMA Addiction Working Group, accounting for intracranial volume, age, IQ, and alcohol and tobacco use. Dependent cannabis users, particularly females, had (marginally significant) smaller volumes of the lateral OFC and cerebellar white matter than recreational users and controls. In dependent (but not recreational) cannabis users, there was a significant association between female sex and smaller volumes of the cerebellar white matter and OFC. Volume of the OFC was also predicted by monthly standard drinks. No significant effects emerged the other brain regions of interest. Our findings warrant future multimodal studies that examine if sex and cannabis dependence are specific key drivers of neurobiological alterations in cannabis users. This, in turn, could help to identify neural pathways specifically involved in vulnerable cannabis users (e.g., females with cannabis dependence) and inform individually tailored neurobiological targets for treatment