Arrested phase separation in chiral fluids of colloidal spinners

We investigate phase separation in a chiral fluid, made of spinning ferromagnetic colloids that interact both via hydrodynamic and dipolar forces and collectively organize into separated circulating clusters. We show that, at high spinning frequency, hydrodynamics dominate over attractive magnetic interactions and impede coarsening, forcing the particles to assemble into a collection of finite rotating clusters of controllable size. We introduce a minimal particle-based model that unveils the fundamental role of hydrodynamics and the boundary plane in the self-organization process of the colloidal spinners. Our results shed light on the control of coarsening and dynamic self-assembly in chiral active systems and the key role played by fluid mediated long-range interactions

El Paraiso Perdido: del Olvido Rural al Secuestro Urbano

El desmesurado afán por concentrar bienes y dinero, deja en el camino valores personales como la integridad y la felicidad, valores colectivos como el interés común y la ética social, valores humanos como la convivencia y la gobernabilidad. Todo un conjunto de subsistemas que componen el engranaje estructural de la sostenibilidad ambiental. Es éste el tema que se aborda a continuación, desde la perspectiva del pequeño municipio colombiano

Live black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae in feed for laying hens: effects on hen gut microbiota and behavior

This study examined the effects of including live black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens) larvae in the diet of laying hens on gut microbiota, and the association between microbiota and fearfulness. A total of 40 Bovans White laying hens were individually housed and fed 1 of 4 dietary treatments that provided 0, 10, 20%, or ad libitum daily dietary portions of live BSF larvae for 12 wk. Cecum microbiota was collected at the end of the experiment and sequenced. Behavioral fear responses to novel objects and open field tests on the same hens were compared against results from gut microbiota analyses. The results showed that the bacteria genera Enterococcus, Parabacteroides, and Ruminococcus torques group were positively associated with increased dietary portion of live larvae, while Lactobacillus, Faecalibacterium, Bifidobacterium, Subdoligranulum, and Butyricicoccus were negatively associated with larvae in the diet. Inclusion of larvae did not affect fear behavior, but the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae CHKCI001 and Erysipelatoclostridium was associated with fear -related behaviors. Further studies are needed to determine whether the change in gut microbiota affects fearfulness in the long-term

Resting behavior of broilers reared with or without artificial brooders

Rest and sleep are important for the welfare of mammals and birds. A large part of the daily time budget of broiler chickens is taken up by resting behavior and the quality of resting is important. However, in intensive broiler production systems, disruptions of resting behaviors are common. These disruptions of resting behavior could be negative for the health and growth of the birds. This study investigated if artificial brooders that provide a delimited and darker resting place, away from active birds, reduce disruptions of resting behavior compared to a control situation without artificial brooders. Six pens of each treatment were used in the same building, keeping 60 chickens (Ross 308) per pen. The artificial brooders were removed at 21 days of age. Data on disturbances and duration of resting bouts and activity between resting bouts were collected on 20 and 34 days of age. Also, as an indicator of the quality of rest, the animals' cognitive performance was evaluated in a spatial learning test that was performed at 11 days of age. The results showed that birds housed in pens with access to brooders have longer resting bouts (260.7 +/- 5.2 vs. 132.8 +/- 5.3s, p < 0.001) and are less likely to be disturbed during resting by other individuals (0.15 vs. 0.48, p < 0.001). The effect of the artificial brooders on both the duration of resting bouts and the proportion of disturbances remained after the removal of the brooders at 21 days of age. The duration of activity between resting bouts was shorter if the resting bout was ended by a disturbance (9.98 +/- 1.0 vs. 61.0 +/- 2.4s, p < 0.001). Birds reared with brooders were more likely to solve the spatial learning task (0.5 vs. 0.27, p < 0.01), but those succeeding were not faster at solving it. Broilers may be exposed to disrupted rest due to the lack of a dedicated resting place separated from areas with high activity. Using artificial brooders reduces disturbances but does not eliminate them. Therefore, additional changes to the housing conditions or management will be needed to prevent disturbances

Statistical Approach for Computing Base Flow Rates in Gaged Rivers and Hydropower Effect Analysis

The calculation of base flow rates in rivers is complex since hydrogeological and hydrological studies should be performed. The estimation of base flow rates in storm hydrograph associated to various return periods is even more challenging compared to other events. This research provides a novel methodology to compute base flow rates in gaged rivers for extreme events based on statistical correlations of daily flows. The current methodology does not require complex aquifers analysis to compute base flows. Results of computed base flow rates are validated using observed storm hydrographs using a complete record. The proposed methodology was applied considering measurements of a limnigraphic station in the Sinú river located in Montería, Córdoba, Colombia. The analysis confirmed that only using series of multiannual monthly mean flows is possible to estimate base flow of flood hydrograph associated to different return periods

Effects of the combination of exercise and education in the treatment of low back and/or pelvic pain in pregnant women: systematic review and meta‐analysis

Background: Lumbopelvic pain is considered the most frequent complication during pregnancy. Objective: To compare whether the combination of exercise with education is more effective for the treatment of low back and/or pelvic pain (PP) than each of these interventions separately in pregnant women. Search Strategy: A systematic review was performed in WOS, PEDro, PubMed, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov. The terms used were low back pain, PP, pregnancy, pregnant woman, exercise, exercise therapy, health education, and prenatal education. Selection Criteria: The PICO question was then chosen as follows: P—population: pregnant women with nonspecific low back pain or PP; I—intervention: exercise therapy plus health education; C—control: only exercise therapy or only health education; O—outcome: characteristics of pain, disability, and kinesophobia; S—study designs: randomized controlled trial. Data Collection and Analysis: Two reviewers independently screened articles for eligibility. The following inclusion criteria were applied for the selection of studies: (i) published in the past 10 years; (ii) exercise plus health education was administered compared with a group receiving either exercise or education alone; and (iii) the sample consisted of pregnant women with nonspecific low back pain or PP. This review excluded: (i) nonrandomized controlled trials; and (ii) articles whose full text was not available. The meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model, due to the observed heterogeneity. Main Results: A total of 13 articles were selected. There is a significant decrease in pain in the combination of exercise and education compared with education alone (standardized mean difference, −0.29 [95% confidence interval, −0.47 to −0.11]). With respect to disability, there is a significant decrease in the exercise and education group compared with the group that only addressed education (standardized mean difference, −0.37 [95% CI, −0.60 to −0.14]). One article analyzed kinesophobia, reporting no significant changes. Conclusion: The combination of exercise and education seems to be more effective in reducing pain and disability in pregnant women with low back and/or PP than the use of education alone. In kinesophobia, the results found are not significant.Universidade de Vigo/CISU

Validade da Psychological Well-Being Scale com Obesidade Mórbida Feminina

Psychological well-being is an important indicator of psychological adjustment. Obesity is considered a progressive disease that results in serious public health problems. This investigation sought validity evidence for the Psychological Well-Being Scale in 293 morbidly obese Brazilian women, aged between 18 and 61 years, who were awaiting bariatric surgery. The scores were submitted to Confirmatory Factor Analysis and several theoretical models were tested. According to the results, an oblique six-dimensional structure presented a good fit to the empirical data. Acceptable indices of internal consistency for the measurement factors were also obtained. The scale may contribute to the development of programs aimed at improving the psychological well-being of people with morbid obesity, before and after bariatric surgery.O bem-estar psicológico é um importante indicador de ajustamento psicológico. A obesidade é considerada uma doença progressiva, que resulta em sérios problemas de saúde pública. Esta pesquisa buscou evidências de validade para a Psychological Well-Being Scale, com 293 mulheres brasileiras com obesidade mórbida, de 18 a 61 anos de idade, que aguardavam a cirurgia bariátrica. Os escores brutos foram submetidos à Análise Fatorial Confirmatória e vários modelos teóricos foram testados. Nos resultados, uma estrutura de seis dimensões oblíquas apresentou bom ajuste aos dados empíricos. Também foram obtidos índices aceitáveis de consistência interna para os fatores da medida. A escala poderá contribuir para programas que visem melhorar o bem-estar psicológico de pessoas com obesidade mórbida, antes e depois da cirurgia bariátrica

Integrating tools to improve finite element models of machine tools via experimental modal data

International audienceThis paper presents a specific procedure to improve FE models of multi-axis machine tools that integrates well-tested numerical and experimental techniques for this type of mechanical systems: modal analysis and testing, Design of Experiments (DoE), sensitivity analysis and model updating. First, it is shown that experimental modal analysis must be performed by exciting the machine tool along every main direction and in different geometrical configurations to obtain a complete set of mode shapes and to evaluate the variation of critical parameters like stiffness of joints. In addition, it is demonstrated the interest of using lumped-mass models and DoE techniques to set limit values for parameters that describe joints between structural components and connections to the machine foundation. Results confirm that sensitivity based model updating using natural frequencies and MAC values as responses provides improved FE models that match reasonably well with experimental data

Qualidade de vida e autopercepção de saúde de pacientes submetidos à prostatectomia radical e os determinantes sociais de saúde

Introduction: The self-perception of health and quality of life in men subjected to radical prostatectomy can be influenced by the Social Determinants of Health (SDHs); therefore, exploring this relationship contributes to the development of health care measures.Objective: To identify associations between the SDHs and quality of life and self-perceived health in men subjected to radical prostatectomy.Method: A cross-sectional study with quantitative analysis, which had men subjected to radical prostatectomy as participants, interviewed using instruments to characterize the SDHs, Quality of Life (QoL) and self-perceived health. The data were analyzed using descriptive and correlational statistics. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee.Results: The participants were 33 men with a mean age of 66.8 years old, mostly white-skinned, with a spouse, professing some religion and with complete or incomplete Elementary School. They presented preserved levels of QoL and self-perception of health. Self-perceived health was associated with religion and with owning a house; QoL was associated with religion, type of surgical approach, marital status, having someone in the family with prostate cancer and schooling.Conclusion: There was an association between the SDHs and QoL and self-perceived health in men subjected to radical prostatectomy.Introducción: La autopercepción de salud y calidad de vida de los hombres sometidos a prostatectomía radical puede ser influenciada por los determinantes sociales de la salud (DSS), por lo tanto, explorar esa relación contribuye al desarrollo de medidas de atención a la salud.Objetivo: Identificar asociaciones entre DSS y calidad de vida y autopercepción de salud en hombres sometidos a prostatectomía radical.Método: Estudio transversal, con análisis cuantitativo, tuvo como participantes hombres sometidos a prostatectomía radical, entrevistados mediante instrumentos para caracterizar el DSS, Calidad de Vida (CV) y autopercepción de salud. Los datos se analizaron mediante estadística descriptiva y correlacional. El estudio fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética en Investigación.Resultados: Participaron 33 hombres, con una edad media de 66,8 años, en su mayoría blancos, con cónyuge, religión y primaria completa o incompleta. Presentaron niveles conservados de CV y autopercepción de salud. La autopercepción de salud se asoció con la religión y la posesión de vivienda, la CV se asoció con la religión, tipo de abordaje quirúrgico, estado civil, tener algún familiar con cáncer de próstata y escolaridad. Conclusión: Hubo una asociación entre DSS y QoL y la salud autopercibida de los hombres sometidos a prostatectomía radical.Introdução: A autopercepção de saúde e a qualidade de vida de homens submetidos a prostatectomia radical podem ser influenciadas pelos determinantes sociais de saúde (DSS), portanto, explorar esta essa relação contribui para desenvolver medidas de cuidado em saúde. Objetivo: Identificar as associações dos DSS com a qualidade de vida e autopercepção de saúde de homens submetidos a prostatectomia radical. Método: Estudo transversal, de análise quantitativa, teve como participantes homens submetidos a prostatectomia radical, entrevistados por meio de instrumentos para caracterização dos DSS, Qualidade de Vida (QV) e autopercepção de Saúde. Os dados foram analisados pela estatística descritiva e correlacional. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa. Resultados: Participaram 33 homens, com média de idade de 66,8 anos, a maioria brancos, com cônjuge, religião e ensino fundamental completo ou incompleto. Apresentaram níveis preservados de QV e autopercepção de Saúde. A autopercepção de saúde foi associada a religião e possuir casa própria, a QV foi associada a religião, tipo de abordagem cirúrgica, estado civil, possuir alguém na família com câncer de próstata e escolaridade. Conclusão: Houve associação dos DSS na QV e autopercepção de saúde de homens submetidos a prostatectomia radical

Reinforcement Learning Applied to Trading Systems: A Survey

Financial domain tasks, such as trading in market exchanges, are challenging and have long attracted researchers. The recent achievements and the consequent notoriety of Reinforcement Learning (RL) have also increased its adoption in trading tasks. RL uses a framework with well-established formal concepts, which raises its attractiveness in learning profitable trading strategies. However, RL use without due attention in the financial area can prevent new researchers from following standards or failing to adopt relevant conceptual guidelines. In this work, we embrace the seminal RL technical fundamentals, concepts, and recommendations to perform a unified, theoretically-grounded examination and comparison of previous research that could serve as a structuring guide for the field of study. A selection of twenty-nine articles was reviewed under our classification that considers RL's most common formulations and design patterns from a large volume of available studies. This classification allowed for precise inspection of the most relevant aspects regarding data input, preprocessing, state and action composition, adopted RL techniques, evaluation setups, and overall results. Our analysis approach organized around fundamental RL concepts allowed for a clear identification of current system design best practices, gaps that require further investigation, and promising research opportunities. Finally, this review attempts to promote the development of this field of study by facilitating researchers' commitment to standards adherence and helping them to avoid straying away from the RL constructs' firm ground.Comment: 38 page