Understanding invasive predation: detections of feral cats (Felis catus) on Kangaroo Island’s Western River Refuge

Feral cats (Felis catus) are a priority-level threat for small to medium-sized native vertebrates across Australia and especially so in insular environments like that of Kangaroo Island, South Australia. The island is home to several endangered and geographically restricted species, including the Kangaroo Island Dunnart (Sminthopsis aitkeni), an endangered marsupial endemic to Kangaroo Island. When bushfires spread across the island and burned x percent of native vegetation in late 2019 to early 2020, these populations were critically impacted and post-fire feral cat predation on the island risked their extinctions, motivating the creation of a refuge with predator exclusion fencing around remaining unburnt vegetation to protect surviving dunnarts and other threatened species. The Western River Refuge was created for this purpose and protecting the area has included trapping feral cats in a variety of ways. As continued trapping is necessary, it is important to analyze capture and camera trap data to understand trapping efficiency and success rates, and how these might be improved. This study reviewed six months of capture data and camera trap photographs from the WRR property in order to identify individual feral cats and any patterns in detections prior to either capture or disappearance from cameras, as well as in comparison to AI-targeted Felixer first detections. Camera trap photographs were filtered through the AI system eVorta for high confidence (\u3e0.99) cat photographs. Twelve cats were captured during the study period and 110 instances of cat detections were recorded on camera traps and Felixer target photos. 53.64% of detections were matched to individual cats. All detections were an average of 1.67 days (±0.27 SE) apart. Cats averaged 51.9 days (±16.66 SE) between first camera detection and capture. 58.33% of captured cats were recorded as targets by Felixers while 41.67% were either not detected or not identified as targets. Felixer activation will increase speed of removing cats from the area, but various trapping methods are still necessary to catch all cats that enter the area. Higher levels of detections in the WPA indicate the successes of trapping and align with capture hotspots, but all conclusions are limited by small sample sizes and require further data collection

Comparing dispositifs in Bismarckian Welfare States

Comparative research on welfare states is facing various pitfalls in our days. This article is concerned with a particularly tricky issue by considering scholastic effects of thinking welfare provision in terms of typologies, such as the one developed by Esping-Andersens in his study on The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism

Vector-Quantized Graph Auto-Encoder

In this work, we addresses the problem of modeling distributions of graphs. We introduce the Vector-Quantized Graph Auto-Encoder (VQ-GAE), a permutation-equivariant discrete auto-encoder and designed to model the distribution of graphs. By exploiting the permutation-equivariance of graph neural networks (GNNs), our autoencoder circumvents the problem of the ordering of the graph representation. We leverage the capability of GNNs to capture local structures of graphs while employing vector-quantization to prevent the mapping of discrete objects to a continuous latent space. Furthermore, the use of autoregressive models enables us to capture the global structure of graphs via the latent representation. We evaluate our model on standard datasets used for graph generation and observe that it achieves excellent performance on some of the most salient evaluation metrics compared to the state-of-the-art

Aesculapius: Adding a Dimension of Instruction Through Integrating Spatial Knowledge

Objective: A proof-of-concept for a platform designed to provide simulations modeling, in three dimensions, anatomical pathology/dysfunctions(as defined by osteopathic diagnostic criteria). Design/Methods: Data from a two dimensional Computerized Tomography (CT) image stack, uploaded to the Amira software, was analyzed and interpolated (slice-by-slice) to render individual three-dimensional bones and muscles. These data were used to construct educational simulations of kinetic three-dimensional movements—movements that are most often taught to be manifestations of musculoskeletal pathology in osteopathic medical schools in the United States. The movements modeled were: forward and backward rotation of the left innominate, and Fryette motion (Type I and Type II) in the first and second lumbar vertebrae. The rotation of the left innominate was paired with muscular attachments to a static right innominate, femur, and sacrum. The attachments are used as a reference to better demonstrate the etiology of bony dysfunctions caused by muscular hypertonicity in the lower limbs. The narrated simulations were uploaded unto the Sketchfab website as hyperlinks and plotted unto a spatially manipulatable, three dimensional, static, skeletal model of pathology. The plotted points hold information relevant to the pathology at bony landmarks with links to recordings of the techniques used to treat the pathology. The techniques are modeled and explained by medical students at Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MUCOM). Results: three dimensional models of dysfunctions that are represented statically, three dimensional models of dysfunctions that are represented kinetically with narration, and human models that describe and portray the techniques used to treat the dysfunction. Conclusions: the proof-of-concept elucidates the merit of utilizing the technology available, to aid in a restructured adjunctive approach to early osteopathic training. modeling, in three dimensions, anatomical pathology/dysfunctions(as defined by osteopathic diagnostic criteria). Design/Methods: Data from a two dimensional Computerized Tomography (CT) image stack, uploaded to the Amira software, was analyzed and interpolated (slice-by-slice) to render individual three-dimensional bones and muscles. These data were used to construct educational simulations of kinetic three-dimensional movements—movements that are most often taught to be manifestations of musculoskeletal pathology in osteopathic medical schools in the United States. The movements modeled were: forward and backward rotation of the left innominate, and Fryette motion (Type I and Type II) in the first and second lumbar vertebrae. The rotation of the left innominate was paired with muscular attachments to a static right innominate, femur, and sacrum. The attachments are used as a reference to better demonstrate the etiology of bony dysfunctions caused by muscular hypertonicity in the lower limbs. The narrated simulations were uploaded unto the Sketchfab website as hyperlinks and plotted unto a spatially manipulatable, three dimensional, static, skeletal model of pathology. The plotted points hold information relevant to the pathology at bony landmarks with links to recordings of the techniques used to treat the pathology. The techniques are modeled and explained by medical students at Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MUCOM). Results: three dimensional models of dysfunctions that are represented statically, three dimensional models of dysfunctions that are represented kinetically with narration, and human models that describe and portray the techniques used to treat the dysfunction. Conclusions: the proof-of-concept elucidates the merit of utilizing the technology available, to aid in a restructured adjunctive approach to early osteopathic training

Relationship between intraoperative regional cerebral oxygen saturation trends and cognitive decline after total knee replacement : a post-hoc analysis

Bilateral regional brain oxygen saturation (rSO) trends, reflecting intraoperative brain oxygen imbalance, could warn of brain dysfunction. Various types of cognitive impairment, such as memory decline, alterations in executive function or subjective complaints, have been described three months after surgery. Our aim was to explore the potential utility of rSO values as a warning sign for the development of different types of decline in postoperative psychological function. Observational post-hoc analysis of data for the patient sample (n = 125) of a previously conducted clinical trial in patients over the age of 65 years undergoing total knee replacement under spinal anesthesia. Demographic, hemodynamic and bilateral rSO intraoperative values were recorded. An absolute rSO value of 20% or >25% below baseline were chosen as relevant cutoffs. Composite function test scores were created from baseline to three months for each patient and adjusted for the mean (SD) score changes for a control group (n = 55). Tests were used to assess visual-motor coordination and executive function (VM-EF) (Wechsler Digit Symbol-Coding and Visual Reproduction, Trail Making Test) and memory (Auditory Verbal Learning, Wechsler Memory Scale); scales were used to assess psychological symptoms. We observed no differences in baseline rSO values; rSO decreased significantly in all patients during surgery (P < 0.0001). Seventy-five patients (60%) had no sign of cognitive decline or psychological symptoms. Twenty-one patients (16.8%) had memory decline, 3 (2.4%) had VM-EF decline, and 33 (26.4%) had psychological symptoms. Left and right rSO values were asymmetric in patients who had memory decline (mean [SD] left-right ratio of 95.03 [8.51] vs 101.29 [6.7] for patients with no changes, P = 0.0012). The mean right-left difference in rSO was also significant in these patients (-2.87% [4.73%], lower on the right, P = 0.0034). Detection of a trend to asymmetry in rSO values can warn of possible postoperative onset of memory decline. Psychological symptoms and memory decline were common three months after knee replacement in our patients over the age of 65 years

Influence of personality profile in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy on quality of life following surgical treatment : A 1-year follow-up study

Acord transformatiu CRUE-CSICThe objectives of this study are to determine the influence of personality profile in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy on quality of life (QoL) after surgical treatment and compare the results with a non-surgical control group at the 1-year follow-up. We conducted a prospective, comparative, controlled study, including 70 patients suffering from drug-resistant epilepsy. Demographic, psychiatric, neurological, and psychological data were recorded at the baseline and at the 1-year follow-up. Assessment of personality dimensions was performed using the NEO-FFI-R questionnaire; severity of anxiety and depression were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and QoL was evaluated using the QOLIE-31. At the 1-year follow-up, comparing the control and the surgical groups, we detected differences in scores of most items of QoL, which were higher in those patients who had undergone surgery. High levels of Conscientiousness and Openness to experience at the baseline in patients who underwent surgery predicted better post-surgical outcomes in the QoL scores, whereas high neurotic patients showed worse QoL results. Postoperative changes in QoL in patients were associated with the personality profile at the baseline. QoL measures significantly improved in the surgical group compared with the non-surgical group but were not associated with baseline or postoperative seizure frequency at 1 year

Personality changes in patients suffering from drug-resistant epilepsy after surgical treatment : a 1-year follow-up study

Acord transformatiu CRUE-CSICObjective: To determine changes in dimensions of personality in a sample of patients suffering from drug-resistant epilepsy at the 1-year follow-up following surgery, compared to non-surgically treated controls. Methods: We conducted a prospective comparative controlled study, including drug-resistant epilepsy surgery candidates. Demographic, psychiatric, neurological, and psychological data were recorded. Presurgical and 12-months follow-up evaluations were performed. Personality dimensions were measured by the NEO Five-Factor Inventory, Revised version (NEO-FFI-R), anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS: HADA-Anxiety and HADD-Depression), psychiatric evaluations were performed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) Axis-I disorders classification. Statistical analysis consisted of comparative tests, correlation analysis, and the stepwise multiple regression test (ANOVA). Results: A 1-year follow-up was completed by 70 out of 80 patients. Through the study, the surgical group decreased in neuroticism and increased in agreeableness. The controls increased in consciousness, and these changes were predicted by the earlier age of epilepsy onset and lesser score in HADD at the baseline. No personality changes were associated with seizure frequency. The presurgical evaluation concluded that both groups had no differences in demographic, psychiatric, or neurological variables with the only exception being for the number of seizures per month, which was higher in the surgical group. Psychiatric comorbidity in patients was associated with their higher degree of neuroticism and agreeableness at the baseline. Comparing control and surgical groups at the one-year follow-up, the agreeableness personality variable was higher in the surgical group, and as expected, HADS scores were higher in the control group, and seizure frequency was also higher in the control group. Significance: Higher agreeableness was the most relevant difference in personality dimensions in patients who underwent surgical treatment compared with the non-surgical treatment group. After surgery patients decreased in neuroticism and increased in agreeableness scores

Association between depressive and anxious symptoms with cognitive function and quality of life in drug-resistant epilepsy

Altres ajuts: acords transformatius de la UABDepressive/anxious disorders and cognitive impairment are frequent comorbidities in epilepsy and have a more deleterious effect in DRE.•Studies concerning the relationship between anxiety and depression and cognitive performance in DRE are scarce.•Higher scores in HADS are associated with lower QOLIE-31 scores and might be considered as predictors of QOL in DRE.•A relationship between anxious and depressive symptoms -measured with HADS and SCL-90R- and cognition might not exist.•There remains an unexplored study area regarding this relationship which requires more attention to improve the assessment of DRE

Relationship between intraoperative regional cerebral oxygen saturation trends and cognitive decline after total knee replacement: a post-hoc analysis

Background Bilateral regional brain oxygen saturation (rSO2) trends, reflecting intraoperative brain oxygen imbalance, could warn of brain dysfunction. Various types of cognitive impairment, such as memory decline, alterations in executive function or subjective complaints, have been described three months after surgery. Our aim was to explore the potential utility of rSO2 values as a warning sign for the development of different types of decline in postoperative psychological function. Methods Observational post-hoc analysis of data for the patient sample (n = 125) of a previously conducted clinical trial in patients over the age of 65 years undergoing total knee replacement under spinal anesthesia. Demographic, hemodynamic and bilateral rSO2 intraoperative values were recorded. An absolute rSO2 value of 20% or >25% below baseline were chosen as relevant cutoffs. Composite function test scores were created from baseline to three months for each patient and adjusted for the mean (SD) score changes for a control group (n = 55). Tests were used to assess visual-motor coordination and executive function (VM-EF) (Wechsler Digit Symbol-Coding and Visual Reproduction, Trail Making Test) and memory (Auditory Verbal Learning, Wechsler Memory Scale); scales were used to assess psychological symptoms. Results We observed no differences in baseline rSO2 values; rSO2 decreased significantly in all patients during surgery (P < 0.0001). Seventy-five patients (60%) had no sign of cognitive decline or psychological symptoms. Twenty-one patients (16.8%) had memory decline, 3 (2.4%) had VM-EF decline, and 33 (26.4%) had psychological symptoms. Left and right rSO2 values were asymmetric in patients who had memory decline (mean [SD] left-right ratio of 95.03 [8.51] vs 101.29 [6.7] for patients with no changes, P = 0.0012). The mean right-left difference in rSO2 was also significant in these patients (-2.87% [4.73%], lower on the right, P = 0.0034). Conclusions Detection of a trend to asymmetry in rSO2 values can warn of possible postoperative onset of memory decline. Psychological symptoms and memory decline were common three months after knee replacement in our patients over the age of 65 years