The effects of subsampling and between-haul variation on the size-selectivity estimation of Chilean hake (Merluccius gayi gayi)

Using the data collected in a size selectivity experiment on Chilean hake (Merluccius gayi gayi) carried out in 2000, the selectivity parameters for four codend mesh sizes (100, 110, 130, and 140 mm of mesh size opening) were estimated and modelled by the SELECT model. These analyses included considerations of the sampling proportions of the catch in the codend and cover. Furthermore, the analyses took into account between-haul variation. The l(50) values were 30.8, 29.9, 30.0, and 41.2 cm of total length, respectively, values lower than the estimates obtained from previous studies. The contribution of explanatory variables to the selectivity model was also tested in order to determine the role of mesh size, catch size (in number), and towing speed. Increases in catch size and in towing speed were accompanied by decreases in the l(50) estimates. These results demonstrate how incorporation of subsampling effect and explanatory variables to model between-haul variation can improve selectivity estimates and management of a valuable resource

Estudio comparativo entre las tecnicas manuales, counterstrain y comprension isquemica en el tratamiento del punto doloroso de las fibras superiores del musculo trapecio en 16 alumnos de cuarto ano de la carrera de Kinesiologia de la Universidad de Talca

57 p.El estudio analizó las diferencias que se establecen entre las técnicas manuales, Counterstrain y Compresión Isquémica en el tratamiento del punto doloroso de las fibras superiores del músculo trapecio, según su eficiencia, sensación subjetiva y duración del estímulo relatada por 16 alumnos de cuarto año de la carrera de Kinesiología de la Universidad de Talca, que estuvieran cursando el primer semestre del 2009, en el momento de la intervención. El objetivo principal consiste en aportar estudios experimentales al campo de la terapia manual, con el fin de poder objetivar y respaldar el efecto generado por dichas técnicas en el paciente. Ambas técnicas se aplicaron en el mismo paciente, donde una de ellas se ejecutó en el músculo trapecio derecho, mientras que la otra en el músculo contralateral, para que el mismo sujeto en estudio fuera quien comparase la efectividad y la sensación causada por dichas técnicas; éstas fueron aplicadas por el mismo tratante, para disminuir el margen de error y/o diferencias que pudiesen darse en la realización de la maniobra. Se realizaron 3 evaluaciones, donde en la primera sesión se aplicó el tratamiento para aliviar el dolor del paciente, y en las dos siguientes, aplicadas a las 24 y 48 hrs. respectivamente se evaluó la permanencia o no del punto doloroso tratado. Al término de la aplicación del tratamiento se le realizó una evaluación respecto a la intensidad del dolor percibido, y otra evaluación respecto a la sensación percibida durante el desarrollo de la técnica. La técnica de compresión isquémica resulta tener un mayor efecto inmediato con respecto a la técnica de counterstrain; sin embargo dicho efecto no es mantenido en el tiempo en ninguna de las dos; no obstante la técnica de compresión isquémica resulta un poco molesta en comparación con la técnica de counterstrain que es más bien indiferente

Gender-Dependent Specificities in Cutaneous Melanoma Predisposition, Risk Factors, Somatic Mutations, Prognostic and Predictive Factors: A Systematic Review.

Over the last decades, the incidence of melanoma has been steadily growing, with 4.2% of the population worldwide affected by cutaneous melanoma (CM) in 2020 and with a higher incidence and mortality in men than in women. We investigated both the risk factors for CM development and the prognostic and predictive factors for survival, stratifying for both sex and gender. We conducted a systematic review of studies indexed in PUB-MED, EMBASE, and Scopus until 4 February 2021. We included reviews, meta-analyses, and pooled analyses investigating differences between women and men in CM risk factors and in prognostic and predictive factors for CM survival. Twenty-four studies were included, and relevant data extracted. Of these, 13 studies concerned potential risk factors, six concerned predictive factors, and five addressed prognostic factors of melanoma. The systematic review revealed no significant differences in genetic predisposition to CM between males and females, while there appear to be several gender disparities regarding CM risk factors, partly attributable to different lifestyles and behavioral habits between men and women. There is currently no clear evidence of whether the mutational landscapes of CM differ by sex/gender. Prognosis is justified by a complex combination of phenotypes and immune functions, while reported differences between genders in predicting the effectiveness of new treatments are inconsistent. Overall, the results emerging from the literature reveal the importance of considering the sex/gender variable in all studies and pave the way for including it towards precision medicine. Men and women differ genetically, biologically, and by social construct. Our systematic review shows that, although fundamental, the variable sex/gender is not among the ones collected and analyzed

3D Face Reconstruction from Light Field Images: A Model-free Approach

Reconstructing 3D facial geometry from a single RGB image has recently instigated wide research interest. However, it is still an ill-posed problem and most methods rely on prior models hence undermining the accuracy of the recovered 3D faces. In this paper, we exploit the Epipolar Plane Images (EPI) obtained from light field cameras and learn CNN models that recover horizontal and vertical 3D facial curves from the respective horizontal and vertical EPIs. Our 3D face reconstruction network (FaceLFnet) comprises a densely connected architecture to learn accurate 3D facial curves from low resolution EPIs. To train the proposed FaceLFnets from scratch, we synthesize photo-realistic light field images from 3D facial scans. The curve by curve 3D face estimation approach allows the networks to learn from only 14K images of 80 identities, which still comprises over 11 Million EPIs/curves. The estimated facial curves are merged into a single pointcloud to which a surface is fitted to get the final 3D face. Our method is model-free, requires only a few training samples to learn FaceLFnet and can reconstruct 3D faces with high accuracy from single light field images under varying poses, expressions and lighting conditions. Comparison on the BU-3DFE and BU-4DFE datasets show that our method reduces reconstruction errors by over 20% compared to recent state of the art

Time Delay Cosmography: Analysis of Quadruply Lensed QSO SDSSJ1433 from Wendelstein Observatory

The goal of this work is to obtain a Hubble constant estimate through the study of the quadruply lensed, variable QSO SDSSJ1433+6007. To achieve this we combine multi-filter, archival $\textit{HST}$ data for lens modelling and a dedicated time delay monitoring campaign with the 2.1m Fraunhofer telescope at the $\textit{Wendelstein Observatory}$. The lens modelling is carried out with the public $\texttt{lenstronomy}$ Python package for each of the filters individually. Through this approach, we find that the data in one of the $\textit{HST}$ filters (F160W) contain a light contaminant, that would, if remained undetected, have severely biased the lensing potentials and thus our cosmological inference. After rejecting these data we obtain a combined posterior for the Fermat potential differences from the lens modelling in the remaining filters (F475X, F814W, F105W and F140W) with a precision of $\sim6\%$. The analysis of the $\textit{g'}$-band Wendelstein light curve data is carried out with a free-knot spline fitting method implemented in the public Python $\texttt{PyCS3}$ tools. The precision of the time delays between the QSO images has a range between 7.5 and 9.8$\%$ depending on the brightness of the images and their time delay. We then combine the posteriors for the Fermat potential differences and time delays. Assuming a flat $\Lambda$CDM cosmology, we infer a Hubble parameter of $H_0=76.6^{+7.7}_{-7.0}\frac{\mathrm{km}}{\mathrm{Mpc\;s}}$, reaching $9.6\%$ uncertainty for a single system.Comment: 27 pages, 29 figures, to be submitted to MNRA

Species composition and bycatches of a new crustacean trawl in Chile

The species composition and bycatches of a new trawl for crustaceans (Heterocarpus reedi, Cervimunida johni and Pleuroncodes monodon) was studied in central Chile between 2007 and 2009. The spatial and temporal variations of the catch composition were analyzed using univariate and multivariate comparison techniques. In 289 trawl hauls, 72 taxa were recorded, with target species accounting for most of the catch, while the bycatch consisted mainly of Merluccius gayi, Hippoglossina macrops, Coelorinchus aconcagua, Epigonus crassicaudus and Platymera gaudichaudii. 14 species of elasmobranchs were identified, and at least one of these species was present in 50% of the hauls made. The classification and ordination methods showed the existence of three groups, each one associated with a target species, with no significant spatial and temporal effects. The information obtained in this study represents the basis for setting targets in order to reduce the bycatch captured by this trawl. The focused strategy on the most recurring and sensitive species for these fisheries is also discussed. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Vitamin d and the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis on behalf of the italian melanoma intergroup

We aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the link between vitamin D and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). For this purpose, we conducted a systematic literature review (updated to 3 February 2021) and meta-analysis of the studies reporting on the association between vitamin D intake (from diet and supplements) and blood concentration, polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) genes, and the risk of NMSC. Random effects meta-analysis models were fitted to merge study-specific risk estimates into summary relative risk (SRR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Twenty-four studies altogether were included. There was a suggestive association between increasing serum/plasma vitamin D concentration and NMSC risk (SRR for highest vs. lowest concentration 1.67, 95%CI 0.61–4.56), although with large heterogeneity across studies (I2 = 91%). NMSC risk was associated with highest vitamin D intake in observational studies but not in clinical trials. Finally, there was no significant association between any polymorphism of the VDR and VDBP genes and NMSC risk. In conclusion, no strong relationship between vitamin D metabolism and NMSC risk appears to exist according to our systematic review and meta-analysis, although some findings are worthy of further investigation

USSP-IAEA Workshop on Advanced Sensors for Safeguards

The IAEA Medium Term Strategy (2006-2011) defines a number of specific goals in respect to the IAEA's ability to provide assurances to the international community regarding the peaceful use of nuclear energy through States adherences to their respective non-proliferation treaty commitments. The IAEA has long used and still needs the best possible sensors to detect and measure nuclear material. The Department of Safeguards, recognizing the importance of safeguards-oriented R&D, especially targeting improved detection capabilities for undeclared facilities, materials and activities, initiated a number of activities in early 2005. The initiatives included letters to Member State Support Programs (MSSPs), personal contacts with known technology holders, topical meetings, consultant reviews of safeguards technology, and special workshops to identify new and novel technologies and methodologies. In support of this objective, the United States Support Program to IAEA Safeguards hosted a workshop on ''Advanced Sensors for Safeguards'' in Santa Fe, New Mexico, from April 23-27, 2007. The Organizational Analysis Corporation, a U.S.-based management consulting firm, organized and facilitated the workshop. The workshop's goal was to help the IAEA identify and plan for new sensors for safeguards implementation. The workshop, which was attended by representatives of seven member states and international organizations, included presentations by technology holders and developers on new technologies thought to have relevance to international safeguards, but not yet in use by the IAEA. The presentations were followed by facilitated breakout sessions where the participants considered two scenarios typical of what IAEA inspectors might face in the field. One scenario focused on an enrichment plant; the other scenario focused on a research reactor. The participants brainstormed using the technologies presented by the participants and other technologies known to them to propose techniques and methods that could be used by the IAEA to strengthen safeguards. Creative thinking was encouraged during discussion of the proposals. On the final day of the workshop, the OAC facilitators summarized the participant's ideas in a combined briefing. This paper will report on the results of the April 2007 USSP-IAEA Workshop on Advanced Sensors for Safeguards and give an overview of the proposed technologies of greatest promise

PKCε regulates vessel formation by peri-vascular adipose tissue (PVAT) cells

Vessel formation is crucial in tumour growth and tissue regeneration. Protein kinase C (PKC) ε has a well-known role on hematopoietic and mesenchymal progenitor cell differentiation and proliferation (Gobbi et al. 2013). Although PKCε has a demonstrated role in vascular restenosis, data on PKCε and vascular progenitor differentiation are still lacking. The aim of this work was to study the role of PKCε in vessel formation by adult adipose tissue cell progenitors. We, first, isolated the vessel progenitors from the adipose tissue localized between aortic arch and pulmonary artery of adult mice by collagenase/elastase digestion followed by magnetic immunoselection of Sca1+ cells (Passmann et al. 2008). We, then, tested their capability to form vessels in collagen gels and to differentiate to endothelial and smooth muscle lineage after treatment with PKCε specific activator and inhibitor peptides. The functional experiments showed that the pharmacological activation of endogenous PKCε abrogated tubule formation with a concomitant decrease of smooth alpha-actin (SMA) and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM) together with the up-regulation of p-PAK1 expression. In vivo transient over-expression of PKCε significantly reduced SMA and PECAM expression levels in vessel wall cells. Together our data suggests that PKCε may affect vessel wall remodelling balancing the “phenotypic switching” (Salmon et al. 2013) between the proliferative and the differentiated state of smooth muscle and endothelial progenitor mesenchymal cells