Ultrasonic characterization of the pulmonary venous wall: echographic and histological correlation

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation with radiofrequency catheter ablation techniques is used to prevent recurrences of human atrial fibrillation. Visualization of the architecture at the venoatrial junction could be crucial for these ablative techniques. Our study assesses the potential for intravascular ultrasound to provide this information. Methods and Results: We retrieved 32 pulmonary veins from 8 patients dying from noncardiac causes. We obtained cross-sectional intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images with a 3.2F, 30-MHz ultrasound catheter at intervals on each vein. Histological cross-sections at the intervals allowed comparisons with ultrasonic images. The pulmonary venous wall at the venoatrial junction revealed a 3-layered ultrasonic pattern. The inner echogenic layer represents both endothelium and connective tissue of the media (mean maximal thickness, 1.4±0.3 mm). The middle hypoechogenic stratum corresponds to the sleeves of left atrial myocardium surrounding the external aspect of the venous media. This layer was thickest at the venoatrial junction (mean maximal thickness, 2.6±0.8 mm) and decreased toward the lung hilum. The outer echodense layer corresponds to fibro-fatty adventitial tissue (mean maximal thickness, 2.15±0.36 mm). We found a close agreement among the IVUS and histological measurements for maximal luminal diameter (mean difference, -0.12±1.3 mm) and maximal muscular thickness (mean difference, 0.17±0.13 mm) using the Bland and Altman method. Conclusions: Our experimental study demonstrates for the first time that IVUS images of the pulmonary veins can provide information on the distal limits and thickness of the myocardial sleeves and can be a valuable tool to help accurate targeting during ablative procedures

V-Shape Liquid Crystal-Based Retromodulator Air to Ground Optical Communications

This paper describes the use of a 2D liquid crystal retro-modulator as a free space, wireless, optical link. The retro-modulator is made up of a retro-reflecting cornercube onto which 2 cascaded V-shape smectics liquid crystal modulators are mounted. The communication link differs with respect to more conventional optical links in not using amplitude (nor frequency) modulation, but instead state-of-polarisation (SOP) modulation known as Polarisation Shift Keying (PolSK). PolSK has the advantage over amplitude modulation, that it is less sensitive to changes in the visibility of the atmosphere, and increases inherently the bandwidth of the link. The implementation of PolSK both in liquid crystal based and in retro-modulated communication are novelties

Valoración de salud mental en formación de profesores en dos universidades chilenas

This study analyzed the evaluation of professors of pedagogy and directors programs, about the importance of mental health in vocational training, and factors that might influence this valuation. The methodology includes participation of 17 academicians (professors and belonging to the managerial staff) of two universities in southern Chile. A survey with closed and open questions, and in-depth interviews were used to collect information. Data was analyzed using content analysis. The results show that teachers have, mostly, a high personal assessment of the topic ( = 2.8, between 0 and 3). There is, on the other hand, an ambivalent valuation on the part of the institutions; a lack of knowledge and a low conceptual and procedural proficiency of pedagogues, and a low priority as a competence in their training (59% of participants are not aware of the existence of any programs or courses related to this subject). The ambivalence in institutions, its importance as competence in teachers’ training and the consistency with the low priority given to the subject in public policies are discussed.El estudio analizó la valoración de docentes universitarios de pedagogía y directores de carrera respecto a la importancia de la salud mental en la formación profesional analizando, además, los factores que podrían influir en dicha valoración. Dentro de la metodología utilizada se consideró la participación de 17 académicos (docentes y directivos) formadores de profesores de dos instituciones universitarias del sur de Chile. Para la recolección de información se utilizó una encuesta con preguntas cerradas y abiertas y entrevistas en profundidad; se analizó la información mediante análisis de contenido. Los resultados muestran que los docentes tienen, en su mayoría, una alta valoración personal del tema ( = 2.8, entre 0 y 3), existiendo una valoración ambivalente por parte de las instituciones; bajo conocimiento y dominio conceptual y procedimental, de los pedagogos, y baja prioridad como competencia en su formación (59% desconoce la existencia de asignaturas o programas en la carrera). Se discute acerca de la ambivalencia que presentaría en las instituciones, su importancia como competencia en la formación docente y la consistencia con la escasa importancia dada, en general, al tema a nivel de política pública.El estudio analizó la valoración de docentes universitarios de pedagogía y directores de carrera respecto a la importancia de la salud mental en la formación profesional analizando, además, los factores que podrían influir en dicha valoración. Dentro de la metodología utilizada se consideró la participación de 17 académicos (docentes y directivos) formadores de profesores de dos instituciones universitarias del sur de Chile. Para la recolección de información se utilizó una encuesta con preguntas cerradas y abiertas y entrevistas en profundidad; se analizó la información mediante análisis de contenido. Los resultados muestran que los docentes tienen, en su mayoría, una alta valoración personal del tema ( = 2.8, entre 0 y 3), existiendo una valoración ambivalente por parte de las instituciones; bajo conocimiento y dominio conceptual y procedimental, de los pedagogos, y baja prioridad como competencia en su formación (59% desconoce la existencia de asignaturas o programas en la carrera). Se discute acerca de la ambivalencia que presentaría en las instituciones, su importancia como competencia en la formación docente y la consistencia con la escasa importancia dada, en general, al tema a nivel de política pública

Adjusting for Publication Bias in JASP and R: Selection Models, PET-PEESE, and Robust Bayesian Meta-Analysis

Meta-analyses are essential for cumulative science, but their validity can be compromised by publication bias. In order to mitigate the impact of publication bias, one may apply publication bias adjustment techniques such as PET-PEESE and selection models. Implemented in JASP & R, these methods allow researchers without programming experience to conduct state-of-the-art publication bias adjusted meta-analysis. In this tutorial, we demonstrate how to conduct a publication bias adjusted meta-analysis in JASP & R and interpret the results. First, we explain two frequentist bias correction methods: PET-PEESE and selection models. Second, we introduce robust Bayesian meta-analysis (RoBMA), a Bayesian approach that simultaneously considers both PET-PEESE and selection models. We illustrate the methodology on an example data set, provide instructional video (https://bit.ly/pubbias), R-markdown script (https://osf.io/uhaew/), and discuss the interpretation of the results. Finally, we include concrete guidance on reporting the meta-analytic results in an academic article

Radial Velocity Observations and Light Curve Noise Modeling Confirm That Kepler-91b is a Giant Planet Orbiting a Giant Star

Kepler-91b is a rare example of a transiting hot Jupiter around a red giant star, providing the possibility to study the formation and composition of hot Jupiters under different conditions compared to main-sequence stars. However, the planetary nature of Kepler-91b, which was confirmed using phase-curve variations by Lillo-Box et al., was recently called into question based on a re-analysis of Kepler data. We have obtained ground-based radial velocity observations from the Hobby-Eberly Telescope and unambiguously confirm the planetary nature of Kepler-91b by simultaneously modeling the Kepler and radial velocity data. The star exhibits temporally correlated noise due to stellar granulation which we model as a Gaussian Process. We hypothesize that it is this noise component that led previous studies to suspect Kepler-91b to be a false positive. Our work confirms the conclusions presented by Lillo-Box et al. that Kepler-91b is a 0.73+/-0.13 Mjup planet orbiting a red giant star.Comment: Published in Ap

Properties of compact 250 μm emission and H II regions in M 33 (HERM33ES)

Aims. Within the framework of the HERM33ES key program, using the high resolution and sensitivity of the Herschel photometric data, we study the compact emission in the Local Group spiral galaxy M33 to investigate the nature of the compact SPIRE emission sources. We extracted a catalogue of sources at 250 μm in order to investigate the nature of this compact emission. Taking advantage of the unprecedented Herschel resolution at these wavelengths, we also focus on a more precise study of some striking Hα shells in the northern part of the galaxy. Methods. We present a catalogue of 159 compact emission sources in M33 identified by SExtractor in the 250 μm SPIRE band that is the one that provides the best spatial resolution. We also measured fluxes at 24 μm and Hα for those 159 extracted sources. The morphological study of the shells also benefits from a multiwavelength approach including Hα, far-ultraviolet from GALEX, and infrared from both Spitzer IRAC 8 μm and MIPS 24 μm in order to make comparisons. Results. For the 159 compact sources selected at 250 μm, we find a very strong Pearson correlation coefficient with the MIPS 24 μm emission (r_(24) = 0.94) and a rather strong correlation with the Hα emission, although with more scatter (r_(Hα) = 0.83). The morphological study of the Hα shells shows a displacement between far-ultraviolet, Hα, and the SPIRE bands. The cool dust emission from SPIRE clearly delineates the Hα shell structures. Conclusions. The very strong link between the 250 μm compact emission and the 24 μm and Hα emissions, by recovering the star formation rate from standard recipes for H II regions, allows us to provide star formation rate calibrations based on the 250 μm compact emission alone. The different locations of the Hα and far-ultraviolet emissions with respect to the SPIRE cool dust emission leads to a dynamical age of a few Myr for the Hα shells and the associated cool dust

Within- and among-colony variation in non-breeding dispersion of Magellanic penguins breeding along the coast of Argentina

Magellanic penguins Spheniscus magellanicus are upper trophic level predators and play a key role within their marine ecosystems. However, we lack detailed understanding of their non-breeding distribution where they might be impacted by human threats and climate change. Using geolocator tracking devices deployed in 2021, we analyzed individual non-breeding movements, and differences in the spatial, environmental, and trophic niches of Magellanic penguins breeding along the Atlantic coast of Argentina. The results show that movement characteristics, including trip lengths and dispersal distance, were similar among individuals and across colonies. However, the temporal pattern, including the timing of arrival to the breeding sites, differed between colonies. During the non-breeding season, distributions showed considerable overlap between colonies, notably between individuals from the central and the northernmost breeding sites. Individuals from the northern and central colonies faced similar oceanographic features (i.e. sea surface temperature, chlorophyll a, salinity, depth) and used similar foraging niches while within the anchovy geographic domain. In contrast, individuals breeding farther south were feeding within the geographically distinct sprat domain. Our results indicate that Magellanic penguins breeding along the latitudinal range of Argentina express a broad variation in habitat use during the non-breeding period, and make use of a large proportion of the Patagonian Shelf. The latitudinal location of the breeding colony seems to define the trophic niche and where individuals move during the non-breeding season.</jats:p