A low cost way for assessing bird risk hazards in power lines: Fixed-wing small Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Accidents on power lines are one of the most important causes of man-induced mortality for raptors and soaring birds. The factors that condition the hazard have been extensively studied, and currently there are a variety of technical solutions available to miti- gate the risk. Most of the resources in conservation projects to reduce avian mortality now are invested in fieldwork to monitor the lines, which diverts the resources available to install actual corrective measures to mitigate bird hazard. Little progress has been achieved in the methodology to characterize line risk, which is an expensive, tedious, and time- consuming task. In this work we describe the use of low cost small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) equipped with on-board cameras for power line surveillance. As a case study, we characterized four power lines, geo-referenced every pylon in selected portions, and assessed their hazard for birds. We compare the effectiveness of two variants of the sUAS method for data acquisition and two methods of plane control. This work provides evidence of the usefulness of sUAS as a fast, inexpensive, and practical tool in conservation biology, adding to their already known applications in wildlife monitoring, the environmental impact assessment of infrastructures

Dynamic evaluation of patellofemoral instability: a clinical reality or just a research field? A literature review

Patellofemoral instability (PFI) is one of the most disabling conditions in the knee, often affecting young individuals. Despite its not uncommon presentation, the underlying biomechanical features leading to this entity are not entirely understood. The suitability of classic physical examination manoeuvres and imaging tests is a matter of discussion among treating surgeons, and so are the findings provided by these means. A potential cause for this lack of consensus is the fact that, classically, the diagnostic approach for PFI has relied on statically obtained data. Many authors advocate for the study of this entity in a dynamic scenario, closer to the actual situation in which the instability episodes occur. In this literature review, we have compiled the available data from the last decades regarding dynamic evaluation methods for PFI and related conditions. Several categories are presented, grouping the related techniques and devices: physical examination, imaging modalities (ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and combined methods), arthroscopic evaluation, and others. In conclusion, although a vast number of quality studies are presented, in which comprehensive data about the biomechanics of the patellofemoral joint (PFJ) are described, this evidence has not yet reached clinical practice universally. Most of the data still stays in the research field and is seldom employed to assist a better understanding of the PFI cases and their ideal treatment targets

Health system costs of providing outpatient care for diabetes in people with TB in the Philippines

<sec><title>BACKGROUND</title>Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a known risk factor for active TB. A key activity in the Philippines is to integrate TB services with other disease programmes, with a target of DM screening in 90% of TB cases. However, costs of providing DM outpatient services for TB patients are not well known.</sec><sec><title>METHODS</title>We estimated the costs of providing integrated DM outpatient services within TB services from the health system perspective. Resources for outpatient DM services were valued using the bottom-up approach for capital goods, staff time and consumables. Resource quantities were obtained by interviewing 60 healthcare professionals in 11 health facilities in the Philippines.</sec><sec><title>RESULTS</title>The mean cost per service ranged from USD0.53 for DM risk assessment to USD23.72 for oral glucose tolerance test. The cost per case detected for different algorithms varied from USD17.43 to USD80.81. The monthly cost per patient was estimated at USD8.95 to USD12.36.</sec><sec><title>CONCLUSION</title>Our study provides the first estimates of costs for providing integrated DM outpatient services and TB care in a low- and middle-income country. The costs of DM detection in TB patients suggests that it may be useful to further investigate the cost-effectiveness and affordability of service delivery.</sec&gt

Identifying the favored mutation in a positive selective sweep.

Most approaches that capture signatures of selective sweeps in population genomics data do not identify the specific mutation favored by selection. We present iSAFE (for "integrated selection of allele favored by evolution"), a method that enables researchers to accurately pinpoint the favored mutation in a large region (∼5 Mbp) by using a statistic derived solely from population genetics signals. iSAFE does not require knowledge of demography, the phenotype under selection, or functional annotations of mutations

Valoración de una Encuesta sobre Servicios de Atención Farmacéutica a Farmacéuticos de Alicante

INTRODUCCIÓN: Hay descritas barreras y facilitadores para implantar la AF. Algunos facilitadores podrían ser proporcionados desde los colegios profesionales. OBJETIVO: Conocer el interés de los farmacéuticos comunitarios alicantinos por los servicios de AF, y sus preferencias para implantar/mejorar éstos. MÉTODO: Estudio transversal realizado marzo-mayo de 2012, mediante un cuestionario anónimo a todos los colegiados ejercientes en OF, consensuado por la comisión de AF del COFA, disponible en la web colegial 70 días. Con preguntas referentes a su implantación, protocolización, registros, evaluación y ayudas sugeridas para su implantación/mejora.   RESULTADOS: Respondieron 19,9% de los colegiados ejercientes en FC, afirmando la mayoría querer mejorar su trabajo. Siguen protocolos para IF el 58%, automedicación un 60% y 33% para dispensación con receta. Realizan SFT un 23% y SPD 15%. La mayoría no registra las actuaciones, siendo 77% en IF, 70% en automedicación, 78% dispensación con receta, excepto SFT con 25%. Como formato de registro, se prefiere papel, excepto en SFT que son aplicaciones informáticas. La mayoría evalúa el resultado en ocasiones, solo un 8% lo hace siempre. En SFT lo evalúan siempre un 29%. Se prefiere un servicio de información frente a dudas, seguido de uno de apoyo a la implantación. CONCLUSIONES: Existe interés entre los farmacéuticos alicantinos por la AF. Sería deseable un mayor grado de implantación de estos servicios, existiendo gran recorrido de mejora en la protocolización, el registro y la evaluación de los resultados. Como herramientas para ello, destaca la solicitud al colegio de un servicio de información frente a dudas

Valoración de una Encuesta sobre Servicios de Atención Farmacéutica a Farmacéuticos de Alicante

INTRODUCCIÓN: Hay descritas barreras y facilitadores para implantar la AF. Algunos facilitadores podrían ser proporcionados desde los colegios profesionales. OBJETIVO: Conocer el interés de los farmacéuticos comunitarios alicantinos por los servicios de AF, y sus preferencias para implantar/mejorar éstos. MÉTODO: Estudio transversal realizado marzo-mayo de 2012, mediante un cuestionario anónimo a todos los colegiados ejercientes en OF, consensuado por la comisión de AF del COFA, disponible en la web colegial 70 días. Con preguntas referentes a su implantación, protocolización, registros, evaluación y ayudas sugeridas para su implantación/mejora.   RESULTADOS: Respondieron 19,9% de los colegiados ejercientes en FC, afirmando la mayoría querer mejorar su trabajo. Siguen protocolos para IF el 58%, automedicación un 60% y 33% para dispensación con receta. Realizan SFT un 23% y SPD 15%. La mayoría no registra las actuaciones, siendo 77% en IF, 70% en automedicación, 78% dispensación con receta, excepto SFT con 25%. Como formato de registro, se prefiere papel, excepto en SFT que son aplicaciones informáticas. La mayoría evalúa el resultado en ocasiones, solo un 8% lo hace siempre. En SFT lo evalúan siempre un 29%. Se prefiere un servicio de información frente a dudas, seguido de uno de apoyo a la implantación. CONCLUSIONES: Existe interés entre los farmacéuticos alicantinos por la AF. Sería deseable un mayor grado de implantación de estos servicios, existiendo gran recorrido de mejora en la protocolización, el registro y la evaluación de los resultados. Como herramientas para ello, destaca la solicitud al colegio de un servicio de información frente a dudas

Use of low-dose oral theophylline as an adjunct to inhaled corticosteroids in preventing exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with high morbidity, mortality, and health-care costs. An incomplete response to the anti-inflammatory effects of inhaled corticosteroids is present in COPD. Preclinical work indicates that 'low dose' theophylline improves steroid responsiveness. The Theophylline With Inhaled Corticosteroids (TWICS) trial investigates whether the addition of 'low dose' theophylline to inhaled corticosteroids has clinical and cost-effective benefits in COPD. METHOD/DESIGN: TWICS is a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial conducted in primary and secondary care sites in the UK. The inclusion criteria are the following: an established predominant respiratory diagnosis of COPD (post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in first second/forced vital capacity [FEV1/FVC] of less than 0.7), age of at least 40 years, smoking history of at least 10 pack-years, current inhaled corticosteroid use, and history of at least two exacerbations requiring treatment with antibiotics or oral corticosteroids in the previous year. A computerised randomisation system will stratify 1424 participants by region and recruitment setting (primary and secondary) and then randomly assign with equal probability to intervention or control arms. Participants will receive either 'low dose' theophylline (Uniphyllin MR 200 mg tablets) or placebo for 52 weeks. Dosing is based on pharmacokinetic modelling to achieve a steady-state serum theophylline of 1-5 mg/l. A dose of theophylline MR 200 mg once daily (or placebo once daily) will be taken by participants who do not smoke or participants who smoke but have an ideal body weight (IBW) of not more than 60 kg. A dose of theophylline MR 200 mg twice daily (or placebo twice daily) will be taken by participants who smoke and have an IBW of more than 60 kg. Participants will be reviewed at recruitment and after 6 and 12 months. The primary outcome is the total number of participant-reported COPD exacerbations requiring oral corticosteroids or antibiotics during the 52-week treatment period. DISCUSSION: The demonstration that 'low dose' theophylline increases the efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids in COPD by reducing the incidence of exacerbations is relevant not only to patients and clinicians but also to health-care providers, both in the UK and globally. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN27066620 was registered on Sept. 19, 2013, and the first subject was randomly assigned on Feb. 6, 2014

Small but crucial : the novel small heat shock protein Hsp21 mediates stress adaptation and virulence in Candida albicans

Peer reviewedPublisher PD