Ultrasound-Guided Femoral and Sciatic Nerve Blocks for Repair of Tibia and Fibula Fractures in a Bennett's Wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus)

Locoregional anesthetic techniques may be a very useful tool for the anesthetic management of wallabies with injuries of the pelvic limbs and may help to prevent capture myopathies resulting from stress and systemic opioids’ administration. This report describes the use of ultrasound-guided femoral and sciatic nerve blocks in Bennett’s wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus) referred for orthopaedic surgery. Ultrasound-guided femoral and sciatic nerve blocks were attempted at the femoral triangle and proximal thigh level, respectively. Whilst the sciatic nerve could be easily visualised, the femoral nerve could not be readily identified. Only the sciatic nerve was therefore blocked with ropivacaine, and methadone was administered as rescue analgesic. The ultrasound images were stored and sent for external review. Anesthesia and recovery were uneventful and the wallaby was discharged two days postoperatively. At the time of writing, it is challenging to provide safe and effective analgesia to Macropods. Detailed knowledge of the anatomy of these species is at the basis of successful locoregional anesthesia. The development of novel analgesic techniques suitable for wallabies would represent an important step forward in this field and help the clinicians dealing with these species to improve their perianesthetic management

Thermodynamic modeling of phase separation in manganites

We present a phenomenological model based on the thermodynamics of the phase separated state of manganites, accounting for its static and dynamic properties. Through calorimetric measurements on La$_{0.225}$Pr$_{0.40}$Ca$_{0.375}$MnO$_{3}$ the low temperature free energies of the coexisting ferromagnetic and charge ordered phases are evaluated. The phase separated state is modeled by free energy densities uniformly spread over the sample volume. The calculations contemplate the out of equilibrium features of the coexisting phase regime, to allow a comparison between magnetic measurements and the predictions of the model. A phase diagram including the static and dynamic properties of the system is constructed, showing the existence of blocked and unblocked regimes which are characteristics of the phase separated state in manganites.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, Submitted to Phys. Rev.

Estudio faunístico del macizo de Quinto Real. II. Moluscos (Mollusca)

Se estudia en este trabajo la fauna de Moluscos de Quinto Real. Se han recolectado 516 ejemplares pertenecientes a 23 especies diferentes. Solo tres especies viven en ambientes acuáticos, las demás son te rrestres. Todas las especies terrestres viven en los bosques de hayasT En los habitats fuera del hayedo, que tienen una fuerte influencia antropógena, la fauna de moluscos es muy pobre

Clinal variation of dormancy progression in apricot

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the bud dormancy progression in apricot at different latitudes and altitudes. Six locations in regions with a Mediterranean climate in South Africa (SA) and Spain were chosen. The study was carried out during two consecutive years, 2007 and 2008, in SA and results were compared to those obtained in Spain in 2008. Locations ranged from low-chill areas, such as Ladismith and Villiersdorp in SA and Campotéjar in Spain, to high-chill areas, such as Ceres in SA and Barranda in Spain. A number of apricot cultivars comprising the range of chilling requirements in both countries were selected. In addition, a second, parallel study was performed to evaluate the paradormancy progression in ‘Palsteyn’ (SA) and ‘Rojo Pasión’ (Spain). Deeper dormancy was not observed in high-chill cultivars located in cold areas than in low-chill cultivars in warm areas. However, low-chill cultivars located in warm areas entered and released from dormancy earlier than high chill cultivars in warm areas. Thus, a clinal variation in dormancy progression under warm temperatures in apricot cultivars is suggested. The role of photoperiod and minimum temperatures is proposed to have a key role in dormancy onset. Paradoxically, an earlier maximum depth of dormancy was found in those areas with higher minimum temperatures at the end of summer. Before the beginning of winter, all cultivars showed an important increase of budburst rate, which indicated the end of endodormancy. Afterwards an ecodormancy period followed during winter, while chilling continued to accumulate. These results contrast with the assumed concept of the breaking of dormancy through chilling accumulation during winter and suggest a possible mediation by photoperiod in overcoming of dormancy. On the other hand, paradormancy exerted a reduction in budburst rate during dormancy entry, whereas decapitation increased the budburst rate throughout the dormant season, indicating interaction between different plant parts during this period

Coeducational ideas In physical education teachers: Pshycometric properties of a scale

Ante la falta de cuestionarios o escalas que evaluaran los diferentes aspectos coeducativos que caracterizan al profesorado de Educación Física y la necesidad de conocer cuál es la concepción que tienen sobre este modelo, se desprende el objetivo de este trabajo, como el de evaluar las propiedades psicométricas mediante un instrumento que hemos denominado Escala sobre el pensamiento coeducativo del profesorado de EF para valorar las opiniones respecto a la coeducación y la metodología que se utiliza en sus clases. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 213 profesores, 133 hombres y 43 mujeres. La escala fue aplicada mediante papel, envío de correo electrónico y plataforma moddle. El análisis de los datos muestra unos resultados adecuados en cuanto a estructura factorial, consistencia interna y tipos de validez. Se concluye que esta Escala representa un instrumento válido y fiable para analizar las características coeducativas del profesoradoBecause of the absence of questionnaires or scales which will assess different coeducative aspects that are characteristics of PE teacher and need to know which is the conception that they have about this model, it is deduced the aim of this work as that which evaluate the psychometric properties through a tool called the Scale of coeducational ideas in physical education teachers to value the opinions about coeducation and the methodology used in their classes. The sample was composed by 213 teachers, 133 men and 43 women. The questionnaire was applied by means of paper, electronic mail shipment and platform moddle. The data analysis shows appropriate results in terms of factor structure, internal consistency and validity types. We conclude that the escale represents a valid and reliable instrument to analyze the coeducative characteristics of the teacher

Quantum Walks: Schur Functions Meet Symmetry Protected Topological Phases

This paper uncovers and exploits a link between a central object in harmonic analysis, the so-called Schur functions, and the very hot topic of symmetry protected topological phases of quantum matter. This connection is found in the setting of quantum walks, i.e. quantum analogs of classical random walks. We prove that topological indices classifying symmetry protected topological phases of quantum walks are encoded by matrix Schur functions built out of the walk. This main result of the paper reduces the calculation of these topological indices to a linear algebra problem: calculating symmetry indices of finite-dimensional unitaries obtained by evaluating such matrix Schur functions at the symmetry protected points ± 1. The Schur representation fully covers the complete set of symmetry indices for 1D quantum walks with a group of symmetries realizing any of the symmetry types of the tenfold way. The main advantage of the Schur approach is its validity in the absence of translation invariance, which allows us to go beyond standard Fourier methods, leading to the complete classification of non-translation invariant phases for typical examples

A Complex mHealth Coaching Intervention to Prevent Overweight, Obesity, and Diabetes in High-Risk Women in Antenatal Care: Protocol for a Hybrid Type 2 Effectiveness-Implementation Study

This project is funded by the European Union Commission Horizon 2020 grant entitled "Implementation Action to Prevent Diabetes from Bump 2 Baby (IMPACT DIABETES B2B) " under grant agreement 847984, with collaborative National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia co -funding under grant number APP1194234. The project is sponsored by University College Dublin. The funders and the sponsor have no role in the design of the study, the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, or in the writing of the manuscript or decision to publish. The contributors associated with IMPACT DIABETES B2B Consortium1 are as follows: Janine Wirth, School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Mary Codd, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Ricardo Segurado, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Jacqueline Boyle, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Georgia Soldartis, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia; Alberto Puertas, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Francisca S Molina, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Maria Garcia-Ricobaraza, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Nanna Husted Jensen, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmarkv; Elena Rey Velasco, Liva Healthcare, Copenhagen, Denmark.Background: Women with overweight and obesity are at higher risk of developing complications in pregnancy such as gestational diabetes and longer-term chronic conditions. Research concerning health behavior change interventions during pregnancy and postpartum shows promising effects, but implementation into routine services is sparsely investigated. Most interventions focus on the antenatal or postpartum life stages, failing to meet the needs of women. IMPACT DIABETES Bump2Baby is a multicenter project across 4 high-income countries developed to test the implementation of an antenatal and postpartum evidence-based mobile health (mHealth) coaching intervention called Bump2Baby and Me (B2B&Me) designed to sit alongside usual care in the perinatal period. Objective: We aim to explore the feasibility and implementation of the B2B&Me intervention and investigate the effectiveness of this intervention in women at risk of gestational diabetes. Methods: IMPACT DIABETES Bump2Baby is a hybrid type 2 effectiveness-implementation study, which integrates an evidence-based mHealth coaching app that includes personalized health behavior change coaching provided by health care professionals alongside antenatal care from the first antenatal visit to 12 months postpartum. The mHealth app offers the possibility of synchronous calls, asynchronous contact (including coach-participant text and video messaging exchanges tailored to the participant’s needs), and ongoing access to an extensive library of bespoke intervention materials. Participants will interact asynchronously with their health coach throughout the intervention via the app. This randomized controlled trial across 4 clinical sites within Ireland, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Australia will recruit 800 women in early pregnancy to evaluate the effectiveness on postpartum weight. The Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment implementation framework is the theoretical underpinning of the study. The implementation evaluation will be assessed at the individual, hospital staff, and broader community levels using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework. Data sources for the RE-AIM evaluation will include app and platform analytics, screening and training records, participant medical records, key informant interviews, participant and partner exit interviews, cost data, study questionnaires, staff surveys, and blood sample analyses. Results: The study was approved and registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry on November 19, 2020. Recruitment commenced on February 9, 2021, and data collection is ongoing. Publication of the results is expected in 2024. Conclusions: This is the first hybrid effectiveness-implementation study of an 18-month mHealth coaching intervention in at-risk women that we are aware of. As research aims to move toward real-world implementable solutions, it is critical that hybrid studies are conducted. The data from this large multicenter study will be useful in planning the potential implementation and scale-up of evidence-based perinatal health behavior change interventions.Horizon 2020 847984National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia APP119423

Variable rate spraying in varied micro-meteorological conditions

This study evaluated effects of crosswind on the variable rate sprayer application treatments spray coverage and deposition on different citrus canopy sizes.  The axial-fan airblast sprayer retrofitted with variable liquid- and air-assist rates was field-tested with different crosswind conditions on small (about 2 m tall and < 1.5 m wide) and medium-sized (about 3 m tall and < 2.5 m wide) canopies.  Crosswinds of 1.3, 2.7, and 4.0 ms-1 on the canopies being sprayed were generated using the stationary conical air shaker as the air blower unit.  Water sensitive papers (WSPs) were used to collect droplet deposits and image processing software was used to analyze the WSPs scanned at 600 dpi.  Percent spray coverage on the WSPs was found to be one of the most suited parameters to evaluate the effectiveness of spray application treatments.  Overall, the variable rate spray application treatments had comparable spray coverage on respective canopies (front, middle, and across WSP locations in the canopy) during all crosswind conditions.  For both types of canopies, spray coverage was higher on the canopy front and decreased as the spray penetrated inside (i.e. canopy middle) and across.  Due to coalescing, larger droplets (Dv,0.5 [volume median diameter] = 838 to 2,624 µm) were formed on the WSPs located on canopy front, whereas coalescing reduced as the spray penetrated inside (Dv,0.5 = 391 to 1,625 µm on canopy middle) and across the canopy (Dv,0.5 = 307 to 508 µm).    Keywords: airblast sprayer, adjustable air-assistance, crosswind, spray coverage, citru

On-board and Ground Visual Pose Estimation Techniques for UAV Control

In this paper, two techniques to control UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), based on visual information are presented. The first one is based on the detection and tracking of planar structures from an on-board camera, while the second one is based on the detection and 3D reconstruction of the position of the UAV based on an external camera system. Both strategies are tested with a VTOL (Vertical take-off and landing) UAV, and results show good behavior of the visual systems (precision in the estimation and frame rate) when estimating the helicopter¿s position and using the extracted information to control the UAV