Evaluation of flexible barrier and sabo dam to control effects of debris flow in Santo Domingo Ravine

Coast of Peru is characterized for the presence of ephemeral creeks which drain water only on wet season. The extremely dry soil and pebble combined with precipitation produce debris flow in a seasonal geodynamic. This is the case of Santo Domingo ravine which is located at eastern Lima, and drains their water to Rimac River. In this article the vulnerability of villages near to Santo Domingo ravine by debris flow and use of flexible barrier and sabo dams are analyzed. In a first stage, the liquid hydrograph to a 100 years return period was built and a solid hydrograph, a relationship between volume concentration and time, was essayed. Then, both the liquid and the solid hydrograph are calibrated in a debris flow numerical model and the vulnerability map is built. Finally, this model is coupled to the Rimac River to analyze the possible damming effect. Calibration of numerical model was done in base to previous estimated volumes by Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA). These first results permit to define high vulnerability zones which will be a reference to evaluate efficiency of control measures. In a second stage, mitigation effects of flexible barriers application is simulated in base to Debris Flow Barrier from Geobrugg®. Also, application of sabo dams was evaluated to by using “Kanako” debris flow simulator from Laboratory of Erosion Control, Division of Forest Science, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, & SABO Technical Center. Results permit to evaluate efficiency and select the more economical option

Ultrasonic characterization of the pulmonary venous wall: echographic and histological correlation

Background: Pulmonary vein isolation with radiofrequency catheter ablation techniques is used to prevent recurrences of human atrial fibrillation. Visualization of the architecture at the venoatrial junction could be crucial for these ablative techniques. Our study assesses the potential for intravascular ultrasound to provide this information. Methods and Results: We retrieved 32 pulmonary veins from 8 patients dying from noncardiac causes. We obtained cross-sectional intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images with a 3.2F, 30-MHz ultrasound catheter at intervals on each vein. Histological cross-sections at the intervals allowed comparisons with ultrasonic images. The pulmonary venous wall at the venoatrial junction revealed a 3-layered ultrasonic pattern. The inner echogenic layer represents both endothelium and connective tissue of the media (mean maximal thickness, 1.4±0.3 mm). The middle hypoechogenic stratum corresponds to the sleeves of left atrial myocardium surrounding the external aspect of the venous media. This layer was thickest at the venoatrial junction (mean maximal thickness, 2.6±0.8 mm) and decreased toward the lung hilum. The outer echodense layer corresponds to fibro-fatty adventitial tissue (mean maximal thickness, 2.15±0.36 mm). We found a close agreement among the IVUS and histological measurements for maximal luminal diameter (mean difference, -0.12±1.3 mm) and maximal muscular thickness (mean difference, 0.17±0.13 mm) using the Bland and Altman method. Conclusions: Our experimental study demonstrates for the first time that IVUS images of the pulmonary veins can provide information on the distal limits and thickness of the myocardial sleeves and can be a valuable tool to help accurate targeting during ablative procedures

Nursery location and potassium enrichment in Aleppo pine stock 1. Effect on nursery culture, growth, allometry and seedling quality

There is a need for a better understanding of the primary role of macronutrients in Aleppo pine stock quality and for producing larger nutrient-loaded stock, which may be challenging for inland nurseries. The influence of nursery location and fertilization on nursery culture, growth, allometry and seedling quality of Aleppo pine was studied in seedlings cultivated over the 2006 growing year. Fertilization treatments considered how a K enrichment performed over common programs currently being practiced and divided into three levels of K/N ratio: 0.63-0.89 (normal), 1.81-1.89 (high), and 2.25-2.53 (very high). Results showed that fertilization had a minor effect on seedling growth and allometry in comparison with location, which was the governing factor. However, fertilizing treatments significantly affected final seedling attributes, which has its origin on the early treatment differences that were kept up to the end of culture. Higher nutrient supply treatments produced the highest nutrient concentration in seedlings but they were associated with lower fertilization efficiencies. Fertilizer efficiency was approximately twofold in the coastal nursery for the three macronutrients, although concentration was higher in the inland nursery due to lower seedling growth. It is concluded that warmer regions are more suitable for producing large stock more efficiently. © Institute of Chartered Foresters, 2011. All rights reserved.This work was supported by the projects 'Improvement of reforestation in the province of Valencia through the definition of seedling quality standards' (20020995) and 'Establishment of protocols for seedling quality testing in nursery and field' (20080682), directed by the Polytechnic University of Valencia and the Valencian Regional Government (Generalitat Valenciana).Campo García, ADD.; Hermoso De Mena, J.; Ceacero, CJ.; Navarro Cerrillo, RM. (2011). Nursery location and potassium enrichment in Aleppo pine stock 1. Effect on nursery culture, growth, allometry and seedling quality. Forestry. 84(3):221-233. https://doi.org/10.1093/forestry/cpr008S22123384

Agreement between a simple dyspnea-guided treatment algorithm for stable COPD and the GOLD guidelines: A pilot study

Introduction: Guidelines recommendations for the treatment of COPD are poorly followed. This could be related to the complexity of classification and treatment algorithms. The purpose of this study was to validate a simpler dyspnea-based treatment algorithm for inhaled pharmacotherapy in stable COPD, comparing its concordance with the current Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guideline. Methods: We enrolled patients who had been diagnosed with COPD in three primary care facilities and two tertiary hospitals in Spain. We determined anthropometric data, forced expiratory volume in the 1st second (percent), exacerbations, and dyspnea based on the modified Medical Research Council scale. We evaluated the new algorithm based on dyspnea and exacerbations and calculated the concordance with the current GOLD recommendations. Results: We enrolled 100 patients in primary care and 150 attending specialized care in a respiratory clinic. There were differences in the sample distribution between cohorts with 41% vs 26% in grade A, 16% vs 12% in grade B, 16% vs 22% in grade C, and 27% vs 40% in grade D for primary and respiratory care, respectively (P=0.005). The coincidence of the algorithm with the GOLD recommendations in primary care was 93% and 91.8% in the respiratory care cohort. Conclusion: A simple dyspnea-based treatment algorithm for inhaled pharmacotherapy of COPD could be useful in the management of COPD patients and concurs very well with the recommended schema suggested by the GOLD initiative

Comorbidity and osteoporotic fracture: approach through predictive modeling techniques using the OSTEOMED registry

Purpose To examine the response to anti-osteoporotic treatment, considered as incident fragility fractures after a minimum follow-up of 1 year, according to sex, age, and number of comorbidities of the patients. Methods For this retrospective observational study, data from baseline and follow-up visits on the number of comorbidities, prescribed anti-osteoporotic treatment and vertebral, humerus or hip fractures in 993 patients from the OSTEOMED registry were analyzed using logistic regression and an artificial network model. Results Logistic regression showed that the probability of reducing fractures for each anti-osteoporotic treatment consid- ered was independent of sex, age, and the number of comorbidities, increasing significantly only in males taking vitamin D (OR = 7.918), patients without comorbidities taking vitamin D (OR = 4.197) and patients with ≥ 3 comorbidities taking calcium (OR = 9.412). Logistic regression correctly classified 96% of patients (Hosmer–Lemeshow = 0.492) compared with the artificial neural network model, which correctly classified 95% of patients (AUC = 0.6). Conclusion In general, sex, age and the number of comorbidities did not influence the likelihood that a given anti-osteoporotic treatment improved the risk of incident fragility fractures after 1 year, but this appeared to increase when patients had been treated with risedronate, strontium or teriparatide. The two models used classified patients similarly, but predicted differently in terms of the probability of improvement, with logistic regression being the better fit

Efficacy and safety of dasatinib vs. Imatinib in Latin american subpopulation from the dasision trial in patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase (CP)

sem informação100120th Congress of European-Hematology-Associationsem informaçã

The Effects of Atmospheric Dispersion on High-Resolution Solar Spectroscopy

We investigate the effects of atmospheric dispersion on observations of the Sun at the ever-higher spatial resolutions afforded by increased apertures and improved techniques. The problems induced by atmospheric refraction are particularly significant for solar physics because the Sun is often best observed at low elevations, and the effect of the image displacement is not merely a loss of efficiency, but the mixing of information originating from different points on the solar surface. We calculate the magnitude of the atmospheric dispersion for the Sun during the year and examine the problems produced by this dispersion in both spectrographic and filter observations. We describe an observing technique for scanning spectrograph observations that minimizes the effects of the atmospheric dispersion while maintaining a regular scanning geometry. Such an approach could be useful for the new class of high-resolution solar spectrographs, such as SPINOR, POLIS, TRIPPEL, and ViSP

Evidence that Melanocortin Receptor Agonist Melanotan-II Synergistically Augments the Ability of Naltrexone to Blunt Binge-Like Ethanol Intake in Male C57BL/6J Mice

The non-selective opioid receptor antagonist, naltrexone (NAL), reduces alcohol (ethanol) consumption in animals and humans and is an approved medication for treating alcohol abuse disorders. Proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived melanocortin (MC) and opioid peptides are produced in the same neurons in the brain, and recent pre-clinical evidence shows that MC receptor (MCR) agonists reduce excessive ethanol drinking in animal models. Interestingly, there is a growing body of literature revealing interactions between the MC and opioid systems in the modulation of pain, drug tolerance, and food intake

Challenges in Diabetic Macular Edema Management: An Expert Consensus Report

Purpose: This paper aimed to present daily-practice recommendations for the management of diabetic macular edema (DME) patients based on available scientific evidence and the clinical experience of the consensus panel. Methods: A group of Spanish retina experts agreed to discuss different aspects related with the clinical management of DME patients. Results: Panel was mainly focused on therapeutic objectives in DME management; defini-tion terms; and role of biomarkers as prognostic and predictive factors to intravitreal treatment response. The panel recommends to start DME treatment as soon as possible in those eyes with a visual acuity less than 20/25 (always according to the retina unit capacity). Naive patient was defined, in a strict manner, as a patient who, up to that moment, had never received any treatment. A refractory DME patient may be defined as the one who did not achieve a complete resolution of the disease, regardless of the treatment administered. Different optical coherence tomography biomarkers, such as disorganization of the retinal inner layers, hyperreflective dots, and cysts, have been identified as prognostic factors. Conclusion: This document has sought to lay down a set of recommendations and to identify key issues that may be useful for the daily management of DME patients

Clinical Validation of a 3-Dimensional Ultrafast Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Protocol Including Single Breath-Hold 3-Dimensional Sequences

Objectives: This study sought to clinically validate a novel 3-dimensional (3D) ultrafast cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) protocol including cine (anatomy and function) and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), each in a single breath-hold. Background: CMR is the reference tool for cardiac imaging but is time-consuming. Methods: A protocol comprising isotropic 3D cine (Enhanced sensitivity encoding [SENSE] by Static Outer volume Subtraction [ESSOS]) and isotropic 3D LGE sequences was compared with a standard cine+LGE protocol in a prospective study of 107 patients (age 58 ± 11 years; 24% female). Left ventricular (LV) mass, volumes, and LV and right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction (LVEF, RVEF) were assessed by 3D ESSOS and 2D cine CMR. LGE (% LV) was assessed using 3D and 2D sequences. Results: Three-dimensional and LGE acquisitions lasted 24 and 22 s, respectively. Three-dimensional and LGE images were of good quality and allowed quantification in all cases. Mean LVEF by 3D and 2D CMR were 51 ± 12% and 52 ± 12%, respectively, with excellent intermethod agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]: 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.94 to 0.97) and insignificant bias. Mean RVEF 3D and 2D CMR were 60.4 ± 5.4% and 59.7 ± 5.2%, respectively, with acceptable intermethod agreement (ICC: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.63 to 0.81) and insignificant bias. Both 2D and 3D LGE showed excellent agreement, and intraobserver and interobserver agreement were excellent for 3D LGE. Conclusions: ESSOS single breath-hold 3D CMR allows accurate assessment of heart anatomy and function. Combining ESSOS with 3D LGE allows complete cardiac examination in less than 1 min of acquisition time. This protocol expands the indication for CMR, reduces costs, and increases patient comfort. (J Am Coll Cardiol Img 2021;14:1742–1754)Funding included Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Grants DTS17/00136 to Dr. Ibáñez and PI19/01704 to Dr. Fernandez-Jimenez; Spanish Society of Cardiology Translational Research Grant 2016 to Dr. Ibáñez; European Research Council ERC-CoG 819775-MATRIX to Dr. Ibáñez; Comunidad de Madrid S2017/BMD-3867-RENIM-CM to Drs. Desco and Ibáñez; and Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN) RETOS2019-107332RB-I00 to Dr. Ibáñez. Dr. Fernandez-Jimenez received funding from the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Marie Sklodowska-Curie Hrant Agreement No. 707642. The CNIC is supported by the ISCIII, the MICINN, and the Pro CNIC Foundation. Drs. Fernandez-Jimenez, Nothnagel, Fuster, Ibáñez, and Javier Sánchez-González are inventors of a joint patent (Philips/CNIC) for the new cine imaging method here described and validated/protected under the IP #2014P00960EP. Drs. Nothnagel, Kouwenhoven, Clemence, and Javier Sánchez-González are Philips employees. All other authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose