Random forests to evaluate interspecific interactions in fish distribution models

[EN] Previous research indicated that high predictive performance in species distribution modelling can be obtained by combining both biotic and abiotic habitat variables. However, models developed for fish often only address physical habitat characteristics, thus omitting potentially important biotic factors. Therefore, we assessed the impact of biotic variables on fish habitat preferences in four selected stretches of the upper Cabriel River (E Spain). The occurrence of Squalius pyrenaicus and Luciobarbus guiraonis was related to environmental variables describing biotic interactions (inferred by relationships among fish abundances) and channel hydro-morphological characteristics. Random Forests (RF) models were trained and then validated using independent datasets. To build RF models, the conditional variable importance was used together with the model improvement ratio technique. The procedure showed effectiveness in identifying a parsimonious set of not correlated variables, which minimize noise and improve model performance in both training and validation phases. Water depth, channel width, fine substrate and water-surface gradient were selected as most important habitat variables for both fish. Results showed clear habitat overlapping between fish species and suggest that competition is not a strong factor in the study area.This research has been developed in the framework of the HolRiverMed project (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-275577, Marie Curie Actions, Intra-European Fellowships) and the SCARCE project (Assessing and predicting effects on water quantity and quality in Iberian rivers caused by global change, Consolider-Ingenio 2010 CSD2009-00065). Data collection was partially funded by the Spanish Ministry of Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs, the Jucar River Basin District Authority and the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (POTECOL, CGL2007-66412). We thank Juan Diego Alacaraz-Hernandez, Matias Peredo-Parada and Aina Hernandez-Mascarell for their help with field work and suggestions on data analysis.Vezza, P.; Muñoz Mas, R.; Martinez-Capel, F.; Mouton, A. (2015). Random forests to evaluate interspecific interactions in fish distribution models. Environmental Modelling and Software. 67:173-183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2015.01.005S1731836

Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in cancer mortality in Barcelona: 1992–2003

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The objective of this study was to assess trends in cancer mortality by educational level in Barcelona from 1992 to 2003.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study population comprised Barcelona inhabitants aged 20 years or older. Data on cancer deaths were supplied by the system of information on mortality. Educational level was obtained from the municipal census. Age-standardized rates by educational level were calculated. We also fitted Poisson regression models to estimate the relative index of inequality (RII) and the Slope Index of Inequalities (SII). All were calculated for each sex and period (1992–1994, 1995–1997, 1998–2000, and 2001–2003).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Cancer mortality was higher in men and women with lower educational level throughout the study period. Less-schooled men had higher mortality by stomach, mouth and pharynx, oesophagus, larynx and lung cancer. In women, there were educational inequalities for cervix uteri, liver and colon cancer. Inequalities of overall and specific types of cancer mortality remained stable in Barcelona; although a slight reduction was observed for some cancers.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study has identified those cancer types presenting the greatest inequalities between men and women in recent years and shown that in Barcelona there is a stable trend in inequalities in the burden of cancer.</p

Abordagem fisioterapêutica na dor pós-operatória: a eletroestimulação nervosa transcutânea (ENT)

This study provides an update on the use of Transcutaneous Eletric Nerve Stimulation (TENS) as a non-pharmacological resource of postoperative pain relief. National and international references regarding the use of TENS for the relief of postoperative pain had been selected, highlighting its mechanism of action, parameters of application, contraindications, side-effect and results. TENS is a non-pharmacological resource that has its mechanism of action based on the gate theory. It consists of a device that emits electric impulses in the skin through electrodes. It is a low cost technique, easily applicable, presents few collateral effects, good effectiveness related to the reduction of the painful perception, allowing early mobilization and reduced pharmacological analgesic consumption. TENS represents another option in the control of postoperative pain and should be inserted in a multiprofessional context

Reflexões sobre as bases conceituais que fundamentam a construção do conhecimento acerca da lombalgia na gestação Reflexiones sobre las bases conceptuales que fundamentan la construcción del conocimiento a cerca de la lumbalgia en el embarazo Low back pain in pregnancy in the perspective of the biomedical model: a critical analysis

A lombalgia na gestação acomete cerca de 50% das gestantes, causando importantes transtornos sociais. Apesar disso, ela vem sendo considerada como uma ocorrência normal e até esperada na gravidez, o que tem contribuído para a falta de adoção de medidas profiláticas e de alívio. Buscamos neste trabalho compreender as bases conceituais históricas que originaram esta naturalização, usando como recorte a obstetrícia e como referência a literatura mundial sobre o tema indexada de 1987 à 1997. Apreendemos que a visão determinista relacionada ao problema respalda-se no modelo biomédico. Assim, a adoção de soluções efetivas requer a incorporação de um novo paradigma.<br>La Lumbalgia en la gestación afecta cerca de 50% de las gestantes, causando importantes transtornos sociales. Aun ésta morbilidad es considerada como normal y es esperada durante la gravidez, lo que hay contribuido para la falta de adopción de medidas profilácticas y de alivio. Buscamos en este trabajo comprender las bases conceptuales históricas que originaron ésta concepción, usando como recorte la obstetricia y como referencia la literatura mundial sobre el tema indexada de 1987 a 1997. Aprendimos que la visión determinista relacionada con el problema se respalda en el modelo biomédico. Asi, la adopción de soluciones efectivas requiere la incorporación de un nuevo paradigma.<br>Low back pain is a problem that is faced by 50% of pregnant women and causes important social trouble. In spite of this, the problem is considered to be normal and is expected during pregnancy, which has contributed to the lack of prophylactic and relief measures. This work aims at understanding the historical and conceptual bases that have given rise to such naturalization as outlined by midwifery and by using world literature indexed on the topic from 1987 to 1997 as a theoretical framework. We have apprehended that a deterministic view related to this issue is supported by the biomedical model. Therefore, the adoption of effective solutions requires the incorporation of a new paradigm

Diagnósticos de Enfermagem identificados em gestantes durante o pré-natal Diagnósticos de Enfermería identificados en embarazos durante el prenatal Nursing Diagnoses identified in pregnant patients under prenatal care

Esta pesquisa descritiva objetivou analisar o perfil de Diagnósticos de Enfermagem identificados em gestantes de baixo-risco. Participaram onze gestantes atendidas no pré-natal de uma maternidade segura no estado de Goiás. Os dados foram classificados segundo a taxonomia II da North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA) e analisados à luz de referenciais da obstetrícia. Foram identificados 25 diferentes Diagnósticos de Enfermagem. Todas as gestantes apresentaram: Conhecimento deficiente (diferentes graus e assuntos), Padrão de sono perturbado, Intolerância à atividade percebida, Déficit do autocuidado (banho e higiene), Incontinência urinária por pressão e alguns diagnósticos de risco. Identificar Diagnóstico de Enfermagem da NANDA permite a determinação do grau de risco gestacional, detecção precoce de complicações e individualização da assistência de enfermagem.<br>Este estudio descriptivo pretende analizar el perfil de Diagnósticos de Enfermería identificados en embarazos de bajo riesgo. Participaron once embarazadas atendidas en el prenatal de una maternidad confiable en el estado de Goiás. Los datos fueron clasificados según la taxonomía II de la North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA/Asociación Norteamericana de Diagnósticos de Enfermería) y analizados bajo los referenciales de la obstetricia. Fueron identificados 25 diferentes Diagnósticos de Enfermería. Todas las embarazadas presentaron: Conocimiento insuficiente (diferentes grados y asuntos), Patrón de sueño alterado, Intolerancia a la actividad percibida, falta de auto-higiene (baño e higiene personal), Incontinencia urinaria por presión y algunos diagnósticos de riesgo. Identificar Diagnóstico de Enfermería de NANDA permite la determinación del grado de riego, detección precoz de complicaciones e individualización de la asistencia de enfermería.<br>This descriptive research aimed to analyze the Nursing Diagnoses identified in low-risk pregnant patients. Eleven pregnant women received prenatal care in a safe maternity in the state of Goiás. The data were classified under the NANDA (North American Nursing Diagnosis Association) taxonomy II and analyzed according to the referrals in obstetrics. Twenty-five different Nursing Diagnoses were identified. All pregnant women presented: insufficient knowledge (different levels and subjects), disturbed sleep pattern, activity intolerance, self-care deficit (bathing and hygiene), stress urinary incontinence, and some risk diagnoses. Identifying NANDA's Nursing Diagnoses allows the identification of the risk level, early detection of complications, and individualization in nursing assistance