Trends in Planetary Science research in the Puna and Atacama desert regions: under-representation of local scientific institutions?

In 2019 while launching a multidisciplinary research project aimed at developing the Puna de Atacama region as a natural laboratory, investigators within the University of Atacama (Chile) conducted a bibliographic search identifying previously studied geographical points of the region and of potential interest for planetary science and astrobiology research. This preliminary work highlighted a significant absence in foreign publications consideration of local institutional involvement. In light of this, a follow-up study was carried out to confirm or refute these first impressions, by comparing the search in two bibliographic databases: Web of Science and Scopus. The results show that almost 60% of the publications based directly on data from the Puna, the Altiplano or the Atacama Desert with objectives related to planetary science or astrobiology do not include any local institutional partner (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru). Indeed, and beyond the ethical questioning of international collaborations, Latin-American planetary science deserve a strategic structuring, networking, as well as a road map at a national and continental scale, not only to enhance research, development and innovation but also to protect an exceptional natural heritage sampling extreme environmental niches on Earth. Examples of successful international collaborations such as the field of meteorites, terrestrial analogues and space exploration in Chile or astrobiology in Mexico are given as illustrations and possible directions to follow in order to develop planetary sciences in South America

Exploring an Existing Weight Management App for Use With Adolescents and Young Adults With Spina Bifida: Usability Study

Background: Adolescents and young adults with spina bifida (AYA-SBs) have unique user needs, given their variable and complex symptom profile. Owing to multiple barriers to prevention and intervention treatments for secondary conditions (eg, obesity), AYA-SBs may benefit from the use of behavioral intervention technologies (BITs). However, as BITs are often designed and tested with typically developing individuals, it is unclear if existing BITs may be usable for AYA-SBs. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the usability of a high-quality, publicly available, weight management–focused mobile BIT (smartphone app) for AYA-SBs. Methods: Overall, 28 AYA-SBs attending a Young Men’s Christian Association–based summer camp completed 4 structured usability tasks using a weight management app designed for the general public called My Diet Coach (Bending Spoons). Learnability was measured by (1) time to complete task, (2) number of user errors, and (3) correct entry of data when requested by the app. Satisfaction and general usability were measured via self-reported questionnaires and qualitative feedback following interactions with the app. Results: The majority of the sample were able to complete the tasks, with increased completion rates and improved times on second attempts of the tasks (Ps Conclusions: AYA-SBs were able to learn how to complete specific tasks independently on a weight management app, but design changes consistent with previously proposed user needs were recommended. Rather than designing entirely new BITs, it may be possible to adapt existing technologies to personalize BITs for specific populations such as AYA-SBs

Periodic flow structures in a turbofan fan stage in windmilling

In a fan stage under windmilling conditions, the stator operates under negative incidence, leading to flow separation, which may present an unsteady behaviour due to rotor/stator interactions. An experimental study of the unsteady flow through the fan stage of a bypass turbofan in windmilling is proposed, using hot-wire anemometry. Windmilling conditions are reproduced in a ground engine test bed by blowing a variable mass flow through a bypass turbofan in ambient conditions. Time-averaged profiles of flow coefficient are independent of the mass flow, demonstrating the similarity of velocity triangle. Turbulence intensity profiles reveal that the high levels of turbulence production due to local shear are also independent of the inlet flow. A spectral analysis confirms that the flow is dominated by the blade passing frequency, and that the separated regions downstream of the stator amplify the fluctuations locked to the BPF without adding any new frequency. Phase-locked averaging is used to capture the periodic wakes of the rotor blades at the rotor/stator interface. A spanwise behaviour typical of flows through windmilling fans is evidenced. Through the inner sections of the fan, rotor wakes are thin and weakly turbulent, and the turbulence level remains constant through the stage. The rotor wakes thicken and become more turbulent towards the fan tip, where flow separation occurs. Downstream of the stator, maximum levels of turbulence intensity are measured in the separated flow. Large periodical zones of low velocity and high turbulence intensity are observed in the outer parts of the separated stator wake, confirming the pulsating motion of the stator flow separation, locked at the blade passing frequency. Space-time diagrams show that the flow is chorochronic, and a 2 D non-linear harmonic simulation is able to capture the main interaction modes, however, the stator incidence distribution could be affected by 3 D effects

Data-Driven Identification for Linear-Viscoelastic Materials

Data-driven Identification (DDI) is a technique that allows to estimate the stresses of a sample and the behavior of the material solely by the use of strain information, avoiding the bias imposed by an empirical constitutive model. In this work, we extend the applicability of DDI from elasticity to linear-viscoelastic materials by extending the dimensionality of the problem. Rather than estimating the state of the elements considering an instantaneous value of strain-stress, we include the strain history of the sample in order to account for the viscosity effect. We also combine the method with data analysis techniques such as Kernel Principal Component Analysis to improve the estimation of stresses. Preliminary results in modeled samples show a clear improvement on the estimation of stresses when compared against the original formulation of the algorithm, allowing us to obtain results in cases where the original DDI fails to do so

Interactive sketching of urban procedural models

International audience3D modeling remains a notoriously difficult task for novices despite significant research effort to provide intuitive and automated systems. We tackle this problem by combining the strengths of two popular domains: sketch-based modeling and procedural modeling. On the one hand, sketch-based modeling exploits our ability to draw but requires detailed, unambiguous drawings to achieve complex models. On the other hand, procedural modeling automates the creation of precise and detailed geometry but requires the tedious definition and parameterization of procedural models. Our system uses a collection of simple procedural grammars, called snippets, as building blocks to turn sketches into realistic 3D models. We use a machine learning approach to solve the inverse problem of finding the procedural model that best explains a user sketch. We use non-photorealistic rendering to generate artificial data for training con-volutional neural networks capable of quickly recognizing the procedural rule intended by a sketch and estimating its parameters. We integrate our algorithm in a coarse-to-fine urban modeling system that allows users to create rich buildings by successively sketching the building mass, roof, facades, windows, and ornaments. A user study shows that by using our approach non-expert users can generate complex buildings in just a few minutes

The Recent Volcanic History of Axial Seamount: Geophysical Insights into Past Eruption Dynamics with an Eye Toward Enhanced Observations of Future Eruptions

To understand the processes that form oceanic crust as well as the role of submarine volcanoes in exchanging heat and chemicals with the ocean and in supporting chemosynthetic biological communities, it is essential to study underwater eruptions. The world’s most advanced underwater volcano observatory—the Ocean Observatories Initiative Cabled Array at Axial Seamount—builds upon ~30 years of sustained geophysical monitoring at this site with autonomous and remote systems. In April 2015, only months after the Cabled Array’s installation, it recorded an eruption at Axial Seamount, adding to the records of two prior eruptions in 1998 and 2011. Between eruptions, magma recharge is focused beneath the southeast part of the summit caldera, leading to steady inflation and increasing rates of seismicity. During each eruption, the volcano deflates over days to weeks, coincident with high levels of seismicity as a dike is emplaced along one of the volcano’s rifts and lava erupts on the seafloor. Cabled Array seismic data show that motions on an outward-dipping ring fault beneath the caldera accommodate the inflation and deflation. Eruptions appear to occur at a predictable level of inflation; hence, it should be possible to time deployments of additional cabled and autonomous instrumentation to further enhance observations of the next eruption

Proyecto MEDILINE

El presente documento presentará la idea de negocio que se desarrolló a lo largo del curso, MediLine, un proyecto que busca impulsar la rehabilitación física de todas las personas que padecen de alguna lesión, enfermedad o operación quirúrgica de manera online. Para ello, se desarrolla una plataforma virtual que brinda el espacio, servicio y productos necesarios para que cualquier persona pueda realizar su terapia física de manera exitosa. Lo que busca, MediLine, es cuidar la salud de todas las personas e incentivar la recuperación física de ellas que por falta de información, distancia, dinero o otros motivos no pueden realizarla. Para ello, se realizaron diversos métodos de investigación, tales como entrevistas y encuestas; además se plantearon hipótesis para conocer la viabilidad del negocio. Asimismo, se analizó el mercado objetivo para poder desarrollar diferentes estrategias de ventas y qué necesidades tiene el segmento. Finalmente, mediante el análisis financiero se confirmará la viabilidad asegurando el crecimiento del proyecto en el transcurso de los años.This document will present the business idea that was developed throughout the course, MediLine, a project that seeks to promote the physical rehabilitation of all people who suffer from an injury, illness or surgery in a virtual way.. To do this, a virtual platform is developed that provides the space, service and products necessary for anyone to successfully perform physical therapy. What MediLine seeks is to take care of the health of all people and encourage the physical recovery of those who, due to lack of information, distance, money or other reasons, cannot do it. For this, various research methods were carried out, such as interviews and surveys; In addition, hypotheses were raised to determine the viability of the business. Likewise, the target market was analyzed to be able to develop different sales strategies and what needs the segment has. Finally, the financial analysis will confirm the viability ensuring the growth of the project over the years.Trabajo de investigació

The Resilient Dairy Genome Project - a general overview of methods and objectives related to feed efficiency and methane emissions.

The Resilient Dairy Genome Project (RDGP) is an international large-scale applied research project that aims to generate genomic tools to breed more resilient dairy cows. In this context, improving feed efficiency and reducing greenhouse gases from dairy is a high priority. The inclusion of traits related to feed efficiency (e.g., dry matter intake [DMI]) or greenhouse gases (e.g., methane emissions [CH4]) relies on available genotypes as well as high quality phenotypes. Currently, 7 countries, i.e., Australia [AUS], Canada [CAN], Denmark [DNK], Germany [DEU], Spain [ESP], Switzerland [CHE], and United States of America [USA] contribute with genotypes and phenotypes including DMI and CH4. However, combining data is challenging due to differences in recording protocols, measurement technology, genotyping, and animal management across sources. In this study, we provide an overview of how the RDGP partners address these issues to advance international collaboration to generate genomic tools for resilient dairy. Specifically, we describe the current state of the RDGP database, data collection protocols in each country, and the strategies used for managing the shared data. As of February 2022, the database contains 1,289,593 DMI records from 12,687 cows and 17,403 CH4 records from 3,093 cows and continues to grow as countries upload new data over the coming years. No strong genomic differentiation between the populations was identified in this study, which may be beneficial for eventual across-country genomic predictions. Moreover, our results reinforce the need to account for the heterogeneity in the DMI and CH4 phenotypes in genomic analysis

A consensus document on definition and diagnostic criteria for orthorexia nervosa

Purpose: Since the term orthorexia nervosa (ON) was coined from the Greek (ὀρθός, right and ὄρεξις, appetite) in 1997 to describe an obsession with “correct” eating, it has been used worldwide without a consistent definition. Although multiple authors have proposed diagnostic criteria, and many theoretical papers have been published, no consensus definition of ON exists, empirical primary evidence is limited, and ON is not a standardized diagnosis. These gaps prevent research to identify risk and protective factors, pathophysiology, functional consequences, and evidence-based therapeutic treatments. The aims of the current study are to categorize the common observations and presentations of ON pathology among experts in the eating disorder field, propose tentative diagnostic criteria, and consider which DSM chapter and category would be most appropriate for ON should it be included. Methods: 47 eating disorder researchers and multidisciplinary treatment specialists from 14 different countries across four continents completed a three-phase modified Delphi process, with 75% agreement determined as the threshold for a statement to be included in the final consensus document. In phase I, participants were asked via online survey to agree or disagree with 67 statements about ON in four categories: A–Definition, Clinical Aspects, Duration; B–Consequences; C–Onset; D–Exclusion Criteria, and comment on their rationale. Responses were used to modify the statements which were then provided to the same participants for phase II, a second round of feedback, again in online survey form. Responses to phase II were used to modify and improve the statements for phase III, in which statements that met the predetermined 75% of agreement threshold were provided for review and commentary by all participants. Results: 27 statements met or exceeded the consensus threshold and were compiled into proposed diagnostic criteria for ON. Conclusions: This is the first time a standardized definition of ON has been developed from a worldwide, multidisciplinary cohort of experts. It represents a summary of observations, clinical expertise, and research findings from a wide base of knowledge. It may be used as a base for diagnosis, treatment protocols, and further research to answer the open questions that remain, particularly the functional consequences of ON and how it might be prevented or identified and intervened upon in its early stages. Although the participants encompass many countries and disciplines, further research will be needed to determine if these diagnostic criteria are applicable to the experience of ON in geographic areas not represented in the current expert panel. Level of evidence_ Level V: opinions of expert committee

Education as a Predictor of Chronic Periodontitis: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis Population-Based Studies

The impact of socioeconomic inequalities on health is well-documented. Despite the links of periodontal disease with cardiovascular diseases, adverse pregnancy outcomes and diabetes, no meta-analysis of socioeconomic variations in periodontal disease exists. This meta-analytic review was conducted to determine the extent to which education attainment influences risk of periodontitis in adults aged 35+ years in the general population.The authors searched studies published until November 2010 using EMBASE and MEDLINE databases. References listed were then scrutinised, our own files were checked, and, finally, we contacted experts in the field. The authors included only general population-based studies conducted in adults aged 35 years and more. All articles were blind reviewed by two investigators. In the case of disagreement, a third investigator arbitrated. Using PRISMA statement, two reviewers independently extracted papers of interest.Relative to the higher education group, people with low education attainment experience a greater risk of periodontitis (OR: 1.86 [1.66–2.10]; p<0.00001). The association was partially attenuated after adjustment for covariates (OR: 1.55 [1.30–1.86]; p<0.00001). Sensitivity analyses showed that methods used to assess periodontitis, definition of cases, study country and categorization of education are largely responsible for the heterogeneity between studies. No significant bias of publication was shown using both the Egger (p = 0.16) and rank correlation tests (p = 0.35).In the studies reviewed, low educational attainment was associated with an increased risk of periodontitis. Although this evidence should be cautiously interpreted due to methodological problems in selected studies, efforts to eliminate educational inequalities in periodontitis should focus on early life interventions