¿Existen asociaciones entre sociabilidad, aprendizaje y comunicación entre perros y personas?

Domestic dogs have a close bond with people; and some traits, such as sociability and learning rate, can modulate the communication between the two species. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the presence of correlations between sociability, gaze duration toward the human face when food is unavailable, and an inhibitory learning task consisting in inhibit a non-social behavior (approach a source of food) to deploy a social response (reply to the call from an unknown person). For this, the sociability test was previously validated, measuring the stability of the trait through a test-retest evaluation of the subjects. The results suggest the stability of sociability over time. Furthermore, significant correlations between sociability and gaze duration, but not with the inhibitory learning task, were observed. Both, sociability and gaze responses seem to be essential to the development of different kinds of training.Los perros mantienen un estrecho vínculo con las personas; y algunos rasgos, como la sociabilidad y la velocidad de aprendizaje, podrían modular la comunicación entre ambas especies. El objetivo del presente estudio fue indagar la existencia de correlaciones entre la sociabilidad, durabilidad de la mirada espontánea a la cara humana cuando la comida no esta disponible y una tarea de aprendizaje inhibitorio consistente en inhibir una conducta no social (acercarse a una fuente de comida) para desplegar una respuesta social (acudir al llamado de una persona desconocida). Para ello, previamente se validó la prueba utilizada para medir sociabilidad, evaluando la estabilidad de dicho rasgo a través de una evaluación-reevaluación de los sujetos. Los resultados sugieren la estabilidad de la sociabilidad a través del tiempo. A su vez, se hallaron correlaciones significativas entre la sociabilidad y la mirada como respuesta comunicativa, pero no con la tarea de aprendizaje inhibitorio. Tanto la sociabilidad como la respuesta de mirada son fundamentales para el desarrollo de diversas clases de entrenamiento

An efficient k.p method for calculation of total energy and electronic density of states

An efficient method for calculating the electronic structure in large systems with a fully converged BZ sampling is presented. The method is based on a k.p-like approximation developed in the framework of the density functional perturbation theory. The reliability and efficiency of the method are demostrated in test calculations on Ar and Si supercells

Photoelasticity of crystalline and amorphous silica from first principles

Based on density-functional perturbation theory we have computed from first principles the photoelastic tensor of few crystalline phases of silica at normal conditions and high pressure (quartz, $\alpha$-cristobalite, $\beta$-cristobalite) and of models of amorphous silica (containig up to 162 atoms), obtained by quenching from the melt in combined classical and Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics simulations. The computational framework has also been checked on the photoelastic tensor of crystalline silicon and MgO as prototypes of covalent and ionic systems. The agreement with available experimental data is good. A phenomenological model suitable to describe the photoelastic properties of different silica polymorphs is devised by fitting on the ab-initio data.Comment: ten figure

Earthquake Damage Data Collection Using Omnidirectional Imagery

The unique perspectives and viewpoints offered by omnidirectional camera technology has the potential to help improve the outcomes of technical post-earthquake reconnaissance missions. Omnidirectional imagery can be used to virtually “walk through” damaged streets post hoc with a 360°, immersive view. A common reconnaissance mission aim is to accurately collect damage data; however, there are time challenges for surveyors in the field. The manuscript explores the potential for using omnidirectional imagery to improve damage surveying, firstly by comparing results from damage surveys completed in the field with results obtained using omnidirectional images collected during a mission and surveyed by an experienced engineer virtually and secondly by comparing damage assessment obtained through omnidirectional imagery collected on the ground with the EU Copernicus damage assessment maps. The omnidirectional imagery data was collected during two separate Earthquake Engineering Field Investigation Team post-earthquake reconnaissance missions, namely the area affected by the 2016, 7.8 Muisne Earthquake in Ecuador and the area struck by the 2016, 6.2 Amatrice earthquake in Italy. Notwithstanding the diverse geographic scale, terrain and urban context of the two reconnaissance missions, the results consistently show significant capabilities for this technology in the identification of construction typologies, number of stories, aggregated “low” and “high” damage grades, and failure modes. The work highlights potential issues with correct identification of disaggregated lower damage grades (e.g., European Macroseismic Scale (EMS-98) damage grades 0–3). Challenges identified in the virtual survey process included poor image quality, insufficient photo sphere captures, and obstructions such as trees, walls or vehicles. The omnidirectional imagery represents a substantial improvement in damage assessment accuracy in respect to satellite imagery, especially for lower damage grades, while it is an essential tool for comprehensive surveys in reduced access zones with high levels of damage

A smartphone application for reporting symptoms in adults with cystic fibrosis: Protocol of a randomised controlled trial

Introduction: In people with cystic fibrosis (CF), exacerbations have been shown to have profound and prolonged negative effects such as reducing physical activity and health-related quality of life, increasing the rate of decline of lung function and healthcare costs, and ultimately increasing the risk of mortality. Delayed initiation of treatment following the signs of an exacerbation has been shown to be associated with failure to recover to baseline. Therefore, the late identification and treatment of an exacerbation due to delayed presentation will potentially worsen short-term and long-term outcomes. We have developed a smartphone application, containing questions which require yes or no responses relating to symptoms suggestive of a respiratory exacerbation. Its use is intended to facilitate the early identification of symptoms suggestive of a respiratory exacerbation, and allow the CF team to initiate treatment sooner, thereby potentially reducing the risk of severe exacerbations which require intravenous antibiotics (IVAB) and often a hospital admission. Methods: We will undertake a randomised controlled trial. 60 adults with CF will be recruited and randomised to either the intervention or control group. The intervention group will use the smartphone application weekly for 12 months, or earlier than the next weekly reporting time if they feel their symptoms have worsened. The control group will continue to receive usual care, involving regular (approximately 3 monthly) CF outpatient clinic appointments. The primary outcome measure will be courses and days of IVAB. Ethics and dissemination: Approval was obtained from the Sir Charles Gairdner Group Human Research Ethics Committee for WA Health (2015-030) and Curtin University Human Research Ethics Committee (HR212/2015), and has been registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. Results: of this study will be presented at international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals in accordance with the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement. Trial registration number ACTRN12615000599572

Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of Priority Cultural Heritage Structures in the Philippines

At the end of 2013 two catastrophic events occurred in the Philippines: the M 7.2 earthquake in Bohol and the strongest ever recorded Typhoon Haiyan, causing destruction across the islands of Cebu, Bohol and the Visayas region. These events raised the need to carry out a multi-hazard risk assessment of heritage buildings, many of which were irretrievably lost in the disasters. Philippines’ Department of Tourism engaged ARS Progetti S.P.A., Rome, Italy, and the Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics (CCCPET), University of Sto. Tomas, Manila, to undertake the “Assessment of the Multi-Hazard Vulnerability of Priority Cultural Heritage Structures in the Philippines”, with experts from University College London, UK, and De La Salle University. The main objective of the project was to reduce the vulnerability of cultural heritage structures to multiple natural hazards, including earthquake, typhoon, flood, by: (i) prioritizing of specific structures based on hazard maps and historical records; (ii) assessing their vulnerability; and (iii) recommending options to mitigate the impacts on them. The paper presents the methodology introduced to determine the seismic risk these heritage buildings are exposed to. All the selected cultural heritage structures are under the jurisdiction of the National Museum Commission of Philippines and of the National Commission for Culture and Arts

Efficacy and safety of using auditory-motor entrainment to improve walking after stroke: a multi-site randomized controlled trial of InTandemTM

Walking slowly after stroke reduces health and quality of life. This multi-site, prospective, interventional, 2-arm randomized controlled trial (NCT04121754) evaluated the safety and efficacy of an autonomous neurorehabilitation system (InTandemTM) designed to use auditory-motor entrainment to improve post-stroke walking. 87 individuals were randomized to 5-week walking interventions with InTandem or Active Control (i.e., walking without InTandem). The primary endpoints were change in walking speed, measured by the 10-meter walk test pre-vs-post each 5-week intervention, and safety, measured as the frequency of adverse events (AEs). Clinical responder rates were also compared. The trial met its primary endpoints. InTandem was associated with a 2x larger increase in speed (Δ: 0.14 ± 0.03 m/s versus Δ: 0.06 ± 0.02 m/s, F(1,49) = 6.58, p = 0.013), 3x more responders (40% versus 13%, χ2(1) ≥ 6.47, p = 0.01), and similar safety (both groups experienced the same number of AEs). The auditory-motor intervention autonomously delivered by InTandem is safe and effective in improving walking in the chronic phase of stroke

Relationships between body composition, anthropometrics, and standard lipid panels in a normative population

IntroductionMore than one third of adults in the United States (US) meet the clinical criteria for a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, but often diagnosis is challenging due to healthcare access, costs and discomfort with the process and invasiveness associated with a standard medical examination. Less invasive and more accessible approaches to collecting biometric data may have utility in identifying individuals at risk of diagnoses, such as metabolic syndrome or dyslipidemia diagnoses. Body composition is one such source of biometric data that can be non-invasively acquired in a home or community setting that may provide insight into an individual's propensity for a metabolic syndrome diagnosis. Here we investigate possible associations between body composition, anthropometrics and lipid panels in a normative population.MethodsHealthy participants visited the Lab100 clinic location at a hospital setting in New York City and engaged in a wellness visit led by a nurse practitioner. Blood was analyzed at point-of-care using the Abbott Piccolo Xpress portable diagnostic analyzer (Abbott Laboratories, IL, USA) and produced direct measures of total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), very-low density lipoprotein (VLDL-C), and triglycerides (TG). Body composition and anthropometric data were collected using two separate pieces of equipment during the same visit (Fit3D and InBody570). Regression analysis was performed to evaluate associations between all variables, after adjusting for age, sex, race, AUDIT-C total score (alcohol use), and current smoking status.ResultsData from 199 participants were included in the analysis. After adjusting for variables, percentage body fat (%BF) and visceral fat levels were significantly associated with every laboratory lipid value, while waist-to-hip ratio also showed some significant associations. The strongest associations were detected between %BF and VLDL-C cholesterol levels (t = 4.53, p = 0.0001) and Triglyceride levels (t = 4.51, p = 0.0001).DiscussionThis initial, exploratory analysis shows early feasibility in using body composition and anthropometric data, that can easily be acquired in community settings, to identify people with dyslipidemia in a normative population