Modeling sapling distribution over time using a functional predictor in a generalized additive model

[Key message], The effect of adult trees on sapling density distribution during the regeneration fellings is determined in a Pinus sylvestris L. Mediterranean forest using generalized additive models. [Context], Spatial pattern of adult trees determines the number of new individuals after regeneration fellings, which modify the light and air temperature under tree canopy. [Aims], We proposed a novel spatiotemporal model with a functional predictor in a generalized additive model framework to describe nonlinear relationships between the size of the adult trees and the number of saplings of P. sylvestris and to determine if the spatial pattern of the number of saplings remained constant or changed in time. [Methods], In 2001, two plots (0.5 ha) were set up in two phases of regeneration fellings under the group shelterwood method. We mapped the trees and saplings and measured their diameter and height. The inventories were repeated in 2006, 2010, and 2014. [Results], We found a negative association between the diameter of adult trees and number of saplings up to 7–8 m. Beyond these distances, the diameter of adult trees was not associated with the number of saplings. Our results indicate that the spatial pattern of the number of saplings remained quite constant in time. [Conclusion ], The generalized additive models are a flexible tool to determine the distance range of inhibition of saplings by adult trees

Expert design thinking workshops to analyze users’ perceived applicability of NUTRI-ONCOCARE algorithm to prevent and treat malnutrition in cancer patients under routine clinical practice conditions in Spain: the ALLIANCE study

Cancer nutrition; MalnutritionNutrición oncológica; DesnutriciónNutrició oncològica; DesnutricióPurpose NUTRI-ONCOCARE algorithm has been developed to identify and treat patients with solid tumors who are at risk of malnutrition. The present study is aimed at analyzing users’ opinion about this new tool and at assessing whether it is perceived as useful to achieve the behavioral change required for a successful integration of nutritional assessment into routine cancer care. Methods Design thinking Double Diamond process was applied. A multidisciplinary team composed of ten potential end-users (four oncologists, three endocrinologists, one nutritionist, and two hospital pharmacists) participated in three different workshops aiming to analyze the different tasks included within the NUTRI-ONCOCARE algorithm. Results Users agreed on the need to perform nutritional assessment around cancer diagnosis and through the course of the disease using standardized tools included in hospital nutritional protocols and involving healthcare professionals with nutrition expertise. Nutritional evaluation and intervention should be individual and comprehensive, considering not only nutritional parameters but also patients’ functional status. According to participants’ opinion, the implementation of nutritional screening in routine clinical practice is limited by the lack of time and staff to conduct nutritional assessments, the low level of nutrition expert participation, and the poor support provided by hospital managers, which are often unaware of nutrition’s impact in cancer care. Conclusions Experts recognized the importance of considering nutritional status in cancer patients and identified the opportunity provided by the NUTRI-ONCOCARE algorithm for this purpose, as it meets main requirements for being used routinely in clinical practice.This work was funded by Fresenius Kabi. Medical writing support, provided by Jennifer Redondo at Dynamic S.L.U. (Evidenze Clinical Research), a company of Evidenze Group, was funded by Fresenius

Observer Influence with Other Variables on the Accuracy of Ultrasound Estimation of Fetal Weight at Term

Background and Objectives: The accuracy with which the estimation of fetal weight (EFW) at term is determined is useful in order to address obstetric complications, since it is a parameter that represents an important prognostic factor for perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the role of the experienced observers with other variables that could influence the accuracy of the ultrasound used to calculate EFW at term, carried out within a period of seven days prior to delivery, in order to assess interobserver variability. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed including 1144 pregnancies at term. The validity of the ultrasound used to calculate EFW at term was analyzed using simple error, absolute error, percentage error and absolute percentage error, as well as the percentage of predictions with an error less than 10 and 15% in relation to maternal, obstetric and ultrasound variables. Results: Valid predictions with an error less than 10 and 15% were 74.7 and 89.7% respectively, with such precision decreasing according to the observer as well as in extreme fetal weights. The remaining variables were not significant in ultrasound EFW at term. The simple error, absolute error, percentage error and absolute percentage error were greater in cases of extreme fetal weights, with a tendency to overestimate the low weights and underestimate the high weights. Conclusions: The accuracy of EFW with ultrasound carried out within seven days prior to birth is not affected by maternal or obstetric variables, or by the time interval between the ultrasound and delivery. However, accuracy was reduced by the observers and in extreme fetal weights

Field enhancement and spectral features of hexagonal necklaces of silver nanoparticles for enhanced nonlinear optical processes

Access to the online abstract in the journal: https://doi.org/10.1364/OE.26.022394 © 2018 Optical Society of America. Users may use, reuse, and build upon the article, or use the article for text or data mining, so long as such uses are for non-commercial purposes and appropriate attribution is maintained. All other rights are reservedThe nonlinear properties of hybrid metallic-dielectric systems are attracting great interest due to their potential for the enhancement of frequency conversion processes at nanoscale dimensions. In this work, we theoretically and experimentally address the correlation between the near field distribution of hexagonal plasmonic necklaces of silver nanoparticles formed on the surface of a LiNbO3 crystal and the second harmonic generation (SHG) produced by this nonlinear crystal in the vicinities of the necklaces. The spectral response of the hexagonal necklaces does not depend on the polarization direction and is characterized by two main modes, the absorptive high-energy mode located in the UV spectral region and the lower energy mode, which is strongly radiant and extends from the visible to the near infrared region. We show that the spatial distribution of the enhanced SHG is consistent with the local field related to the low energy plasmon mode, which spectrally overlaps the fundamental beam. The results are in agreement with the low absorption losses of this mode and the two-photon character of the nonlinear process and provide deeper insight in the connection between the linear and nonlinear optical properties of the hybrid plasmonic-ferroelectric system. The study also highlights the potential of hexagonal necklaces as useful plasmonic platforms for enhanced optical processes at the nanoscaleSpanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) under project MAT2016- 76106-R and the Comunidad de Madrid (grant S2013/MIT-2740). C.T. acknowledges funding from the VILLUM Foundation (Villum Investigator, grant no. 16498). L.E.B and M.O.R also acknowledges financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, through The “María de Maeztu” Programme for Units of Excellence in R&D (MDM-2014-0377

Perinatal and maternal outcomes according to the accurate term antepartum ultrasound estimation of extreme fetal weights

Background: The accuracy of ultrasound estimation of fetal weight (EFW) at term may be useful in addressing obstetric complications since birth weight (BW) is a parameter that represents an important prognostic factor for perinatal and maternal morbidity. (2) Methods: In a retrospective cohort study of 2156 women with a singleton pregnancy, it is verified whether or not perinatal and maternal morbidity differs between extreme BWs estimated at term by ultrasound within the seven days prior to birth with Accurate EFW (difference < 10% between EFW and BW) and those with Non-Accurate EFW (difference ≥ 10% between EFW and BW). (3) Results: Significantly worse perinatal outcomes (according to different variables such as higher rate of arterial pH at birth < 7.20, higher rate of 1-min Apgar < 7, higher rate of 5-min Apgar < 7, higher grade of neonatal resuscitation and need for admission to the neonatal care unit) were found for extreme BW estimated by antepartum ultrasounds with Non-Accurate EFW compared with those with Accurate EFW. This was the case when extreme BWs were compared according to percentile distribution by sex and gestational age following the national reference growth charts (small for gestational age and large for gestational age), and when they were compared according to weight range (low birth weight and high birth weight). (4) Conclusions: Clinicians should make a greater effort when performing EFW by ultrasound at term in cases of suspected extreme fetal weights, and need to take an increasingly prudent approach to its management.Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Modeling sapling distribution over time using a functional predictor in a generalized additive model

INTERLOCUTORY APPEAL FROM AN ORDER DENYING THE APPELLANTS MOTION TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE MADE AND ENTERED BY THE SIXTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, IN AND FOR SEVIER COUNTY, STATE OF UTAH. THE HONORABLE DON V. TIBBS, PRESIDING

Pathogenesis of Intradermal Staphylococcal Infections Rabbit Experimental Approach to Natural Staphylococcus aureus Skin Infections

[EN] Despite the enormous efforts made to achieve effective tools that fight against Staphylococcus aureus, the results have not been successful. This failure may be due to the absence of truly representative experimental models. To overcome this deficiency, the present work describes and immunologically characterizes the infection for 28 days, in an experimental low-dose (300 colony-forming units) intradermal model of infection in rabbits, which reproduces the characteristic staphylococcal abscess. Surprisingly, when mutant strains in the genes involved in virulence (J Delta agr, J Delta coa Delta vwb, J Delta hla, and J Delta psm alpha) were inoculated, no strong effect on the severity of lesions was observed, unlike other models that use high doses of bacteria. The inoculation of a human rabbitized (FdltB(r)) strain demonstrated its capacity to generate a similar inflammatory response to a wild-type rabbit strain and, therefore, validated this model for conducting these experimental studies with human strains. To conclude, this model proved reproducible and may be an option of choice to check both wild-type and mutant strains of different origins.Supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) grant AGL2014-53405-C2-2-P, the Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, and European Union Development Fund (FEDER) Programme PO FEDER 2007-2013. A.M.-S., A.G.-Q., and E.M.-G. receive fellowship support from the Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera; S.P.-F. receives fellowship support from the Generalitat Valenciana ACIF/2016/085; and M.P. and E.M.-G. receive fellowship support from the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sport AP2010-3907 and FPU17/02708, respectively.Muñoz-Silvestre, A.; Penadés, M.; Selva, L.; Pérez-Fuentes, S.; Moreno Grua, E.; García-Quirós, A.; Pascual Amorós, JJ.... (2020). Pathogenesis of Intradermal Staphylococcal Infections Rabbit Experimental Approach to Natural Staphylococcus aureus Skin Infections. The American Journal of Pathology. 190(6):1188-1210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajpath.2020.01.019S118812101906Kobayashi, S. D., Malachowa, N., & DeLeo, F. R. (2015). Pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus Abscesses. The American Journal of Pathology, 185(6), 1518-1527. doi:10.1016/j.ajpath.2014.11.030Lowy, F. D. (2011). HowStaphylococcus aureusAdapts to Its Host. New England Journal of Medicine, 364(21), 1987-1990. doi:10.1056/nejmp1100251Peschel, A., & Otto, M. (2013). Phenol-soluble modulins and staphylococcal infection. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 11(10), 667-673. doi:10.1038/nrmicro3110Von Eiff, C., Becker, K., Machka, K., Stammer, H., & Peters, G. (2001). Nasal Carriage as a Source ofStaphylococcus aureusBacteremia. New England Journal of Medicine, 344(1), 11-16. doi:10.1056/nejm200101043440102Saïd-Salim, B., Dunman, P. M., McAleese, F. M., Macapagal, D., Murphy, E., McNamara, P. J., … Kreiswirth, B. N. (2003). Global Regulation of Staphylococcus aureus Genes by Rot. Journal of Bacteriology, 185(2), 610-619. doi:10.1128/jb.185.2.610-619.2003Gao, J., & Stewart, G. C. (2004). Regulatory Elements of the Staphylococcus aureus Protein A (Spa) Promoter. Journal of Bacteriology, 186(12), 3738-3748. doi:10.1128/jb.186.12.3738-3748.2004Fridkin, S. K., Hageman, J. C., Morrison, M., Sanza, L. T., Como-Sabetti, K., Jernigan, J. A., … Farley, M. M. (2005). Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusDisease in Three Communities. New England Journal of Medicine, 352(14), 1436-1444. doi:10.1056/nejmoa043252DeLeo, F. R., Otto, M., Kreiswirth, B. N., & Chambers, H. F. (2010). Community-associated meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The Lancet, 375(9725), 1557-1568. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(09)61999-1Talan, D. A., Krishnadasan, A., Gorwitz, R. J., Fosheim, G. E., Limbago, B., … Albrecht, V. (2011). Comparison of Staphylococcus aureus From Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections in US Emergency Department Patients, 2004 and 2008. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 53(2), 144-149. doi:10.1093/cid/cir308Bae, I.-G., Tonthat, G. T., Stryjewski, M. E., Rude, T. H., Reilly, L. F., Barriere, S. L., … Fowler, V. G. (2009). Presence of Genes Encoding the Panton-Valentine Leukocidin Exotoxin Is Not the Primary Determinant of Outcome in Patients with Complicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections Due to Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus  : Results of a Multinational Trial. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 47(12), 3952-3957. doi:10.1128/jcm.01643-09Kennedy, A. D., Wardenburg, J. B., Gardner, D. J., Long, D., Whitney, A. R., Braughton, K. R., … DeLeo, F. R. (2010). Targeting of Alpha‐Hemolysin by Active or Passive Immunization Decreases Severity of USA300 Skin Infection in a Mouse Model. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 202(7), 1050-1058. doi:10.1086/656043Viana, D., Selva, L., Segura, P., Penadés, J. R., & Corpa, J. M. (2007). Genotypic characterization of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from rabbit lesions. Veterinary Microbiology, 121(3-4), 288-298. doi:10.1016/j.vetmic.2006.12.003Viana, D., Comos, M., McAdam, P. R., Ward, M. J., Selva, L., Guinane, C. M., … Penadés, J. R. (2015). 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New Vector for Efficient Allelic Replacement in Naturally Nontransformable, Low-GC-Content, Gram-Positive Bacteria. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 70(11), 6887-6891. doi:10.1128/aem.70.11.6887-6891.2004Úbeda, C., Maiques, E., Knecht, E., Lasa, Í., Novick, R. P., & Penadés, J. R. (2005). Antibiotic-induced SOS response promotes horizontal dissemination of pathogenicity island-encoded virulence factors in staphylococci. Molecular Microbiology, 56(3), 836-844. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2958.2005.04584.xLi, M., Cheung, G. Y. C., Hu, J., Wang, D., Joo, H., DeLeo, F. R., & Otto, M. (2010). Comparative Analysis of Virulence and Toxin Expression of Global Community‐Associated Methicillin‐ResistantStaphylococcus aureusStrains. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 202(12), 1866-1876. doi:10.1086/657419Bunce, C., Wheeler, L., Reed, G., Musser, J., & Barg, N. (1992). Murine model of cutaneous infection with gram-positive cocci. Infection and Immunity, 60(7), 2636-2640. doi:10.1128/iai.60.7.2636-2640.1992Voyich, J. M., Otto, M., Mathema, B., Braughton, K. R., Whitney, A. R., Welty, D., … DeLeo, F. R. (2006). Is Panton‐Valentine Leukocidin the Major Virulence Determinant in Community‐Associated Methicillin‐ResistantStaphylococcus aureusDisease? The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 194(12), 1761-1770. doi:10.1086/509506Jeklova, E., Leva, L., & Faldyna, M. (2007). Lymphoid organ development in rabbits: Major lymphocyte subsets. Developmental & Comparative Immunology, 31(6), 632-644. doi:10.1016/j.dci.2006.10.002Guerrero, I., Ferrian, S., Blas, E., Pascual, J. J., Cano, J. L., & Corpa, J. M. (2011). Evolution of the peripheral blood lymphocyte populations in multiparous rabbit does with two reproductive management rhythms. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 140(1-2), 75-81. doi:10.1016/j.vetimm.2010.11.017Hulstaert, F., Hannet, I., Deneys, V., Munhyeshuli, V., Reichert, T., De Bruyere, M., & Strauss, K. (1994). Age-Related Changes in Human Blood Lymphocyte Subpopulations. Clinical Immunology and Immunopathology, 70(2), 152-158. doi:10.1006/clin.1994.1023Armand-Lefevre, L., Ruimy, R., & Andremont, A. (2005). Clonal Comparison ofStaphylococcus aureusIsolates from Healthy Pig Farmers, Human Controls, and Pigs. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 11(5), 711-714. doi:10.3201/eid1105.040866Graveland, H., Duim, B., van Duijkeren, E., Heederik, D., & Wagenaar, J. A. (2011). Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in animals and humans. International Journal of Medical Microbiology, 301(8), 630-634. doi:10.1016/j.ijmm.2011.09.004Aires-de-Sousa, M. (2017). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among animals: current overview. Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 23(6), 373-380. doi:10.1016/j.cmi.2016.11.002Moreno-Grúa, E., Pérez-Fuentes, S., Muñoz-Silvestre, A., Viana, D., Fernández-Ros, A. B., Sanz-Tejero, C., … Selva, L. (2018). Characterization of Livestock-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates Obtained From Commercial Rabbitries Located in the Iberian Peninsula. Frontiers in Microbiology, 9. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2018.01812Viana, D., Selva, L., Callanan, J. J., Guerrero, I., Ferrian, S., & Corpa, J. M. (2011). Strains of Staphylococcus aureus and pathology associated with chronic suppurative mastitis in rabbits. The Veterinary Journal, 190(3), 403-407. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2010.11.022Cheng, A. G., DeDent, A. C., Schneewind, O., & Missiakas, D. (2011). A play in four acts: Staphylococcus aureus abscess formation. Trends in Microbiology, 19(5), 225-232. doi:10.1016/j.tim.2011.01.007Chen, X., Du, Y., Lin, X., Qian, Y., Zhou, T., & Huang, Z. (2016). CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells in tumor immunity. International Immunopharmacology, 34, 244-249. doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2016.03.009Bekeredjian-Ding, I. (2017). Deciphering the significance of the T-cell response to Staphylococcus aureus. 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(2015). Staphlyococcus aureus Phenol-Soluble Modulins Stimulate the Release of Proinflammatory Cytokines from Keratinocytes and Are Required for Induction of Skin Inflammation. Infection and Immunity, 83(9), 3428-3437. doi:10.1128/iai.00401-15Laouini, D., Kawamoto, S., Yalcindag, A., Bryce, P., Mizoguchi, E., Oettgen, H., & Geha, R. S. (2003). Epicutaneous sensitization with superantigen induces allergic skin inflammation. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 112(5), 981-987. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2003.07.007Holtfreter, S., Radcliff, F. J., Grumann, D., Read, H., Johnson, S., Monecke, S., … Wiles, S. (2013). Characterization of a Mouse-Adapted Staphylococcus aureus Strain. PLoS ONE, 8(9), e71142. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0071142Kobayashi, S. D., Malachowa, N., Whitney, A. R., Braughton, K. R., Gardner, D. J., Long, D., … DeLeo, F. R. (2011). Comparative Analysis of USA300 Virulence Determinants in a Rabbit Model of Skin and Soft Tissue Infection. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 204(6), 937-941. doi:10.1093/infdis/jir441Schmid-Hempel, P., & Frank, S. A. (2007). Pathogenesis, Virulence, and Infective Dose. PLoS Pathogens, 3(10), e147. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.0030147Inoshima, N., Wang, Y., & Bubeck Wardenburg, J. (2012). Genetic Requirement for ADAM10 in Severe Staphylococcus aureus Skin Infection. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 132(5), 1513-1516. doi:10.1038/jid.2011.462Tkaczyk, C., Hamilton, M. M., Datta, V., Yang, X. P., Hilliard, J. J., Stephens, G. L., … Sellman, B. R. (2013). Staphylococcus aureus Alpha Toxin Suppresses Effective Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses in a Murine Dermonecrosis Model. PLoS ONE, 8(10), e75103. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0075103Wang, R., Braughton, K. R., Kretschmer, D., Bach, T.-H. L., Queck, S. Y., Li, M., … Otto, M. (2007). Identification of novel cytolytic peptides as key virulence determinants for community-associated MRSA. 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Strategies for annotation and curation of translational databases: the eTUMOUR project

The eTUMOUR (eT) multi-centre project gathered in vivo and ex vivo magnetic resonance (MR) data, as well as transcriptomic and clinical information from brain tumour patients, with the purpose of improving the diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of future patients. In order to carry this out, among other work, a database—the eTDB—was developed. In addition to complex permission rules and software and management quality control (QC), it was necessary to develop anonymization, processing and data visualization tools for the data uploaded. It was also necessary to develop sophisticated curation strategies that involved on one hand, dedicated fields for QC-generated meta-data and specialized queries and global permissions for senior curators and on the other, to establish a set of metrics to quantify its contents. The indispensable dataset (ID), completeness and pairedness indices were set. The database contains 1317 cases created as a result of the eT project and 304 from a previous project, INTERPRET. The number of cases fulfilling the ID was 656. Completeness and pairedness were heterogeneous, depending on the data type involved

Assessing site quality using the National Forest Inventory

A pre-print version of the same manuscript is also available, which entitles "Assessing site quality using the National Forest Inventory"Sustainable production of wood is one of the main services provided by forest systems. Site productivity in the case of forests is often evaluated through the site quality. However, most of the works addressing the site quality have been done at local or regional scale. In this work, we aim to develop site quality models for five dominant species in Spanish forests (Fagus sylvatica, Pinus pinaster atlantica, Quercus pyrenaica, Pinus nigra, Pinus sylvestris) and create site quality maps at a national-scale from these models. First, we develop site quality models using site form (height-diameter relationship) as the reference index and the Spanish National Forest Inventory as dataset. Then, we fit spatial additive models entering physiographic and climatic variables in order to predict the site quality over the whole country. Additionally, we plot site form maps for the five species in order to describe spatial pattern in site quality at a national scale. Altitude and aspect appeared to be fundamental variables in the assessment of site quality. The accuracy of the spatial additive models ranged from 38.2% to 47.9%. The correspondence between the predicted and observed maps of site qualities is clear. Our results provide a tool which could be used by forest managers in land use planning as well as in forest policy decision-making at a national scale. We suggest that this method could be used in other countries and that the maps could be expanded to the European scale to assessing the way in which site quality varies across Europe always considering that the relationships between forest productivity and environmental variables could vary among biogeoclimatic zonesMarie Sklodowska-Curie Action, Towards a worldwide quantification of forest degradation (QUAFORD) 699884 AEI/FEDER, UE, AGL, AGL2016-76769-C2-2-R AEI/FEDER, UE, IJCI-2014-20614S

Análisis macroeconómico de las diferentes modalidades de ayuda oficial al desarrollo: proyectos, programas y asistencia técnica

En este trabajo, se propone un análisis del impacto macroeconómico de la ayuda oficial al desarrollo teniendo en cuenta una clasificación funcional de la misma. A pesar de que la literatura en este campo reconoce la existencia de diversas modalidades de ayuda, apenas se hace eco de esta distinción y considera los flujos de ayuda globalmente. La propuesta recogida en este estudio, plantea un marco teórico general en el que los distintos tipos de ayuda tienen efectos e implicaciones muy diversos sobre las principales variables económicas del país receptor