Development of a simulator for training of fetoscopic myelomeningocele surgery

Objective

To develop a realistic simulation model for laparotomy-assisted fetoscopic spina bifida aperta (SBa) surgery, to be used for training purposes and preoperative planning.

Methods

The predefined general requirement was a realistic model of an exteriorized uterus, allowing all neurosurgical steps of the intervention. The uterus was modelled using ultrasound and MRI images of a 25 weeks’ gravid uterus, consisting of flexible polyurethane foam coated with pigmented silicone. The fetal model, contained an opening on the dorsal side for a customizable spinal insert with all the aspects of a SBa, including a cele, placode, and myofascial and skin layer. The model was assessed in a series of validation experiments.

Results

Production costs are low, uterus and fetus are reusable. Placental localization and the level and size of the spinal defect are adjustable, enabling case-specific adaptations. All aspects of the simulator were scored close to realistic or higher for both appearance and functional capacities.

Conclusions

This innovative model provides an excellent training opportunity for centers that are starting a fetoscopic SBa repair program. It is the first simulation model with adjustable spinal defect and placental localisation. Further objective validation is required, but the potential for using this model in preoperative planning is promising.     

黄河兰州段城市河道表层沉积物重金属空间分布特征及来源解析

为研究黄河流域城市河道表层沉积物重金属污染特征和来源,以黄河兰州段为研究区,采集46个表层沉积物样品并测定了重金属Cr、Ni、Cu、Zn、As、Cd、Hg和Pb的含量.分别采用单因子污染指数(P_i)、地累积指数(I_geo)和沉积物污染指数(SPI)对这8种重金属污染特征和生态风险进行了评估,并利用相关性分析方法(CA)、正定矩阵因子分解法(PMF)和主成分分析/绝对主成分分数法(PCA/APCS)相结合的手段解析了表层沉积物中重金属的来源.结果表明,表层沉积物重金属平均含量除As之外,其余7种重金属的平均含量均高于兰州市和甘肃省土壤元素背景值;空间上,各重金属元素含量高值集中于河道拐弯处;单因子污染指数和地累积指数结果均表明,表层沉积物以Cr污染为主,Cd和Ni污染次之;沉积物污染指数结果表明,重金属生态风险等级为自然-低风险级别.研究区表层沉积物中Cr、Ni、Zn、As、Cd和Pb等重金属的主要来源为工农业混合源、自然源以及工业和交通活动复合源,贡献率分别为77.6%、11.4%和11%.     

ISO26262对电动汽车电磁兼容性的影响

随着化石燃料的逐渐枯竭和尾气排放法规的逐渐严格,电动汽车逐渐得到了市场的认可,但是与此同时,电动汽车的安全和可靠性问题也越来越严峻。汽车功能安全标准ISO 26262对电动汽车的功能安全相关的要求进行了规定。对ISO 26262中对EMC的要求进行了梳理总结,并研究了其与现存EMC标准的关系。最后,提出了电动汽车改进EMC性能的方法和途径,从而更好地符合ISO 26262标准。     

粮食产量预测理论、方法与应用Ⅱ.粮食生产潜力短期预测理论、模型及其应用

粮食生产潜力短期预测结果可以检验粮食中长期生产潜力预测的准确性和为国家提供制定粮食生产战略的科学依据。粮食生产潜力短期预测理论即“趋势-波动理论”,它建立在粮食或作物“现状生产潜力”概念和“天-人-地概念模型”基础上,预测模型为最佳移动步长条件下的多年单产移动平均趋势模型,实际预测时采用系统预测方法。11个研究案例预测的平均误差为0.77％,最大误差为2.99％,预测精度高。本研究初步结论是：粮食生产潜力短期预测理论和模型是科学和实用的。     

粮食产量预测理论、方法与应用Ⅳ.粮食估产理论、模型及其应用

粮食估产的“通道-概率”理论：把属于最近通道的历年来的产量划分为5个气候年型通道,即丰产年、偏丰年、平产年、偏欠年、欠产年;计算产量出现在5个气候年型中的频率作为概率使用,估产年的初始估产值等于预测年各通道内平均产量与概率之积的和;估产值等于初始估产值与气候年型修正参数之积,专家根据当年气候条件和作物长势实时确定修正参数。预报单元为全国、省和县。应用结果表明：国家尺度上不需要修正,省和县级尺度需要气候年型参数修正;预测误差在3％以内;所述估产理论严谨、方法简单,参数少,参数来自原始数据本身和专家经验,易于推广使用。     

粮食产量预测理论、方法与应用Ⅴ.粮食潜力实现率及其评价方法

为说明粮食潜力与估产的关系,定义了“粮食潜力实现率”的概念,它是与粮食潜力预测值相比,当年实际达到或能够达到的百分比,它将潜力值和当年估产值或实际产量结合在一起,可用来评价潜力实际达到的程度,并可反映气候年型。应用结果表明：2010年各省单产和总产潜力平均实现率围绕100％波动,说明科技进步对增产仍然起到支撑作用,而1999-2008年各省单产和总产潜力平均实现率低于100％,说明科技进步对增产作用在减小。因此,粮食潜力实现率可以用来评价粮食增产趋势和科技进步的贡献,其方法实用、误差小。     

Plant Diversity in Live Fences and Pastures,Two Examples from the Mexican Humid Tropics

This study analyzes the potential uses of live fences and pastures as reservoirs of plant diversity for two regions with different management histories, Los Tuxtlas (LT) and Uxpanapa (UX), Veracruz, México. We studied two habitats, live fences and pastures, analyzed their species richness, diversity, structure and plant composition and classified species according to plant regeneration modes (light-demanding and shade tolerant), seed dispersal syndrome and their local uses. We recorded 62 species of trees at LT and 48 at UX. Live fences were more diverse than pastures in both regions. The LT site showed to analyze the relationship a higher diversity of plants in regeneration stages than the one at UX. However, UX had higher diversity of adult plants in the pastures than LT. Composition and structure of live fences were different between regions, as well as within live fences and pastures, 53 % of species were light-demanding and 40 % were shade tolerant; 70 % of the species were dispersed by birds. Differences between sites are associated with the modifications in live fences structure, which changed according to managerial practices and the use of local species; this may influence plant regeneration modes as well as the visits of avian dispersal agents. In LT, all species found in live fences were useful to humans, whereas in UX, less than half were used by the local population. Our results underline the importance of live fences and isolated trees in pasture habitats as potential sites to host native and useful species from tropical rain forests in livestock landscapes.     

Vegetation productivity under climate change depends on landscape complexity in tropical drylands

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change - All Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects are designed to contribute to the sustainable development of the host country. Livelihood is...     

Recent history of the European Nassarius nitidus (Gastropoda): phylogeographic evidence of glacial refugia and colonization pathways

Because marine species respond differentially to factors governing survival and gene flow, closely related taxa may display dissimilar phylogeographic histories. New data for the patchily distributed gastropod Nassarius nitidus throughout its Atlantic–Mediterranean range (collected during 2008 and 2009) were used to investigate its phylogeography and recent demography. Results based on mitochondrial COI sequences of 422?N. nitidus individuals from 15 localities revealed contrasting phylogeographic and demographic patterns among N. nitidus populations from each basin. Data suggest the existence of two glacial refugia, one in the Atlantic, around the Iberian Peninsula, and the other in the Paleo-Mediterranean Sea (Adriatic). Bayesian skyline reconstructions suggest that the Adriatic population of N. nitidus remained largely unaffected by the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), whereas the Iberian Atlantic region experienced dramatic exponential growth after its conclusion. Contemporary North Sea populations of N. nitidus are the endpoint of a leading-edge recolonization process from a southern position. Additionally, a reanalysis of pre-existing material for the continuously distributed close congener N. reticulatus was used to compare both species in the late histories. In contrast to N. nitidus, N. reticulatus prospered during the LGM and experienced an earlier Atlantic expansion during the previous interglacial period. Despite similar life history and dispersal potential, the results here presented suggest that subtle differences in microhabitat requirements between the two species have had important consequences for their particular distribution in response to glacial events.     

Supramolecular complex formation,a possible antigenotoxic mechanism of glucomannan against aflatoxin B1

Abstract

Glucomannan is a highly branched polysaccharide with glycosidic linkages, constituted of mannoses and glucoses. In recent years, its usefulness due to its immunological, antioxidant and antimutagenic activity has been recognized. The aim of the study was to determine the antigenotoxic ability of glucomannan extracted from Candida utilis orally administered (100–700?mg/kg) to mice, which subsequently received 1?mg/kg aflatoxin B₁. Hepatocytes obtained from these animals 4–16?h post administration were examined by means of the comet assay. The antigenotoxic effect was found to be higher than that observed in previous studies with α-mannan and β-D-glucan isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae., In order to explore the possibility of formation of a supramolecular complex between glucomannan and aflatoxin B₁, both compounds were co-crystallized, their melting points determined, and the complex analyzed through ultraviolet spectroscopy. The spectroscopy data suggest that the protective effect of glucomannan is related to the formation of a supramolecular complex between the two compounds.