Development and evaluation of a novel 3D simulation software for modelling wood stacks.

Assessing the solid wood content is crucial when acquiring stacked roundwood. A frequently used method for this is to multiply determined conversion factors by the measured gross volume. However, the conversion factors are influenced by several log and stack parameters. Although these parameters have been identified and studied, their individual influence has not yet been analyzed using a broad statistical basis. This is due to the considerable financial resources that the data collection entails. To overcome this shortcoming, a 3D-simulation model was developed. It generates virtual wood stacks of randomized composition based on one individual data set of logs, which may be real or defined by the user. In this study, the development and evaluation of the simulation model are presented. The model was evaluated by conducting a sensitivity and a quantitative analysis of the simulation outcomes based on real measurements of 405 logs of Norway spruce and 20 stacks constituted with these. The results of the simulation outcomes revealed a small overestimation of the net volume of real stacks: by 1.2% for net volume over bark and by 3.2% for net volume under bark. Furthermore, according to the calculated mean bias error (MBE), the model underestimates the gross volume by 0.02%. In addition, the results of the sensitivity analysis confirmed the capability of the model to adequately consider variations in the input parameters and to provide reliable outcomes.

Comparison of different approaches to estimate bark volume of industrial wood at disc and log scale.

Within the wood supply chain, the measurement of roundwood plays a key role due to its high economic impact. While wood industry mainly processes the solid wood, the bark mostly remains as an industrial by-product. In Central Europe, it is common that the wood is sold over bark but that the price is calculated on a timber volume under bark. However, logs are often measured as stacks and, thus, the volume includes not only the solid wood content but also the bark portion. Mostly, the deduction factors used to estimate the solid wood content are based on bark thickness. The aim of this study was to compare the estimation of bark volume from scaling formulae with the real bark volume, obtained by xylometric technique. Moreover, the measurements were performed using logs under practice conditions and using discs under laboratory conditions. The mean bark volume was 6.9 dm3 and 26.4 cm3 for the Norway spruce logs and the Scots pine discs respectively. Whereas the results showed good performances regarding the root mean square error, the coefficient of determination (R2) and the mean absolute error for the volume estimation of the total volume of discs and logs (over bark), the performances were much lower for the bark volume estimations only.

No Habitat Selection during Spring Migration at a Meso-Scale Range across Mosaic Landscapes: A Case Study with the Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola).

Success of migration in birds in part depends on habitat selection. Overall, it is still poorly known whether there is habitat selection amongst landbird migrants moving across landscapes. Europe is chiefly covered by agro-forestry mosaic landscapes, so migratory species associated to either agricultural landscapes or woodland habitats should theoretically find suitable stopover sites along migration. During migration from wintering to breeding quarters, woodcocks (Scolopax rusticola) tagged with PTT satellite-tracking transmitters were used to test for the hypothesis that migrants associated to agro-forest habitats have no habitat selection during migration, at a meso-scale level. Using a GIS platform we extracted at a meso-scale range habitat cover at stopover localities. Results obtained from comparisons of soil covers between points randomly selected and true stopover localities sites revealed, as expected, the species may not select for particular habitats at a meso-scale range, because the habitat (or habitats) required by the species can be found virtually everywhere on their migration route. However, those birds stopping over in places richer in cropland or mosaic habitats including both cropland and forest and with proportionally less closed forest stayed for longer than in areas with lower surfaces of cropland and mosaic and more closed forest. This suggests that areas rich in cropland or mosaic habitat were optimal.

[Randomized clinical trial investigating three chemoprophylaxis regimens for latent tuberculosis infection in HIV-infected patients]. / Ensayo clínico aleatorizado para evaluar tres pautas cortas de tratamiento de la infección latente tuberculosa en pacientes infectados por el VIH.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the adherence to, and safety of three chemoprophylaxis regimens for latent tuberculosis (TB) infection in HIV-infected patients with a positive tuberculin skin test. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized, comparative, open clinical assay was carried out in 316 HIV-infected patients in 12 Spanish hospitals. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three regimens, 108 to isoniazid for six months (6H), 103 to rifampin and isoniazid for three months (3RH), and 105 to rifampin and pyrazinamide for two months (2RZ). After completion of treatment, patients were followed-up for two years. RESULTS: The period of observation following completion of treatment was 115, 108 and 101 person-years for 6H, 3RH and 2RZ, respectively. Twenty-seven percent of patients voluntarily abandoned chemoprophylaxis and 9.7% were withdrawn due to adverse side-effects or interactions. Seven patients were withdrawn due to hepatotoxicity (5 in 6H, 2 in 3RH and 0 in 2RZ). No appreciable differences were found among the three regimens. There were 11 cases of tuberculosis during follow-up. The TB rates (cases per 100 person-years) in the three treatment groups were 3.48 in 6H, 4.63 in 3RH and 1.98 in 2RZ. With respect to 2RZ, the relative risk for TB in the 6H and 3RH regimens was 1.76 and 2.34, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The safety of the 2RZ regimen for prophylaxis of latent TB infection in HIV patients was similar to that of the 6H and 3RH regimens. The incidence of hepatotoxicity was not higher in patients who received 2RZ.

Ensayo clínico aleatorizado para evaluar tres pautas cortas de tratamiento de la infección latente tuberculosa en pacientes infectados por el VIH / Randomized clinical trial investigating three chemoprophylaxis regimens for latent tuberculosis infection in HIV-infected patients

Objetivo. Evaluar la adherencia y seguridad de 3 pautas cortas de tratamiento de la infección latente tuberculosa (ILT) en pacientes infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH). Pacientes y métodos. Ensayo clínico, aleatorizado, multicéntrico, comparativo y abierto, realizado en 12 hospitales españoles. Los pacientes se distribuyeron de forma aleatoria a una de las siguientes 3 pautas de tratamiento, isoniazida durante 6 meses (6H) y rifampicina más isoniazida durante 3 meses (3RH) y rifampicina más pirazinamida durante 2 meses (2RZ). Tras finalizar el tratamiento los pacientes fueron seguidos durante un período de 2 años. Resultados. Se incluyeron en el estudio 316 pacientes, 105 en la pauta 2RZ, 103 en la pauta 3RH y 108 en la pauta 6H. El período de observación tras la finalización del tratamiento fue de 115, 108 y 101 personas/año, respectivamente, para 6H, 3RH y 2RZ. El 27% de los pacientes abandonaron voluntariamente el estudio antes de finalizar el tratamiento al que fueron asignados y el 9,7% abandonaron el mismo por reacciones adversas o interacciones. Se produjeron 7 retiradas del estudio por hepatotoxicidad, cinco en el grupo 6H y dos en 3RH. No se observaron retiradas por hepatotoxicidad en el brazo 2RZ. Se produjeron 11 casos de tuberculosis durante el seguimiento. Las tasas de tuberculosis (casos por 100 personas/año) en los distintos grupos de tratamiento fueron de 3,48 en 6H, 4,63 en 3RH y 1,98 en 2RZ, con un riesgo relativo para tuberculosis en las pautas 6H y 3RH de 1,76 y 2,34, respectivamente, respecto a 2RZ. Conclusiones. En nuestro estudio la seguridad de la pauta 2RZ en el tratamiento de la ILT de la pauta 2RZ fue similar a la observada con las pautas 6H y 3RH, no observándose una mayor incidencia de hepatotoxicidad en pacientes que recibieron 2RZ (AU)

Objective. To evaluate the adherence to, and safety of three chemoprophylaxis regimens for latent tuberculosis (TB) infection in HIV-infected patients with a positive tuberculin skin test. Patients and methods. A randomized, comparative, open clinical assay was carried out in 316 HIV-infected patients in 12 Spanish hospitals. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three regimens, 108 to isoniazid for six months (6H), 103 to rifampin and isoniazid for three months (3RH), and 105 to rifampin and pyrazinamide for two months (2RZ). After completion of treatment, patients were followed-up for two years. Results. The period of observation following completion of treatment was 115, 108 and 101 person-years for 6H, 3RH and 2RZ, respectively. Twenty-seven percent of patients voluntarily abandoned chemoprophylaxis and 9.7% were withdrawn due to adverse side-effects or interactions. Seven patients were withdrawn due to hepatotoxicity (5 in 6H, 2 in 3RH and 0 in 2RZ). No appreciable differences were found among the three regimens. There were 11 cases of tuberculosis during follow-up. The TB rates (cases per 100 person-years) in the three treatment groups were 3.48 in 6H, 4.63 in 3RH and 1.98 in 2RZ. With respect to 2RZ, the relative risk for TB in the 6H and 3RH regimens was 1.76 and 2.34, respectively. Conclusions. The safety of the 2RZ regimen for prophylaxis of latent TB infection in HIV patients was similar to that of the 6H and 3RH regimens. The incidence of hepatotoxicity was not higher in patients who received 2RZ (AU)

Nevo epidérmico acantolítico y disqueratósico / Acantholytic dyskeratotic epidermal nervus

La enfermedad de Darier es una enfermedad genética de herencia autosómico dominante que en raras ocasiones se manifiesta siguiendo un patrón segmentario. En los últimos años se han descrito dos fenotipos diferentes que responden a dos alteraciones genéticas distintas y bien caracterizadas. Describimos el caso de un varón marroquí de 17 años con sintomatología e histología compatibles con la enfermedad de Darier segmentaria tipo 1, también conocida como nevo epidérmico acantolítico y disqueratósico (AU)

[Randomized trial of three regimens to prevent tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients with anergy]. / Ensayo clínico aleatorizado de tres aputas de quimioprofilaxis para prevenir la tuberculosis en pacientes infectados por el VIH con anergia cutánea.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the efficacy of three regimens of prophylactic therapy for tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients with anergy. METHODS: Prospective, multi-center, randomized, comparative, and open clinical trial. Anergy was defined as absence of induration in response to three antigens (PPD, Candida albicans and parotiditis antigen) applied by the Mantoux method. Patients were randomized into one of the following prophylactic treatment groups: isoniazid for six months (6H), rifampin plus isoniazid for three months (3RH), rifampin plus pyrazinamide for two months (2RZ) or no treatment (NT). After completion of treatment, patients were followed up for two years. RESULT: A total of 319 patients were included in the study, 83 in the 6H regimen, 82 in 3RH, 77 in 2RZ and 77 in NT. The observation period following treatment was 88, 96, 81 and 126 person-years, respectively, for 6H, 3RH, 2RZ and NT. There were 11 cases of tuberculosis during the follow-up period. The tuberculosis rates (cases per 100 person-years) were 3.4, 3.1, 1.2 and 3.1 for 6H, 3RH, 2RZ and NT respectively, with relative risks in regimens 6H, 3RH and 2RZ with respect to NT of 1.07 (0.24-4.80), 0.98 (0.22-4.4) and 0.39 (0.04-3.48), all statistically non-significant. Twenty-nine patients died during the follow-up period, none due to tuberculosis, and no appreciable differences were found among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed no significant decrease in the risk of developing tuberculosis with any of the evaluated regimens and, therefore, do not support the use of antituberculosis chemoprophylaxis in anergic HIV-infected patients.

Ensayo clínico aleatorizado de tres pautas de quimioprofilaxis para prevenir la tuberculosis en pacientes infectados por el VIH con anergia cutánea / Randomized trial of three regimens to prevent tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients with anergy

INTRODUCCIÓN. Evaluar la eficacia de tres pautas de quimioprofilaxis antituberculosa en pacientes infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) con anergia cutánea. MÉTODOS. Ensayo clínico prospectivo, multicéntrico, aleatorizado, comparativo y abierto. La anergia cutánea se definió por la ausencia de reactividad a 3 antígenos aplicados por la técnica de Mantoux (PPD, candidina y parotiditis). Los pacientes se distribuyeron de forma aleatoria a uno de los siguientes grupos de tratamiento: isoniacida durante 6 meses (6H), rifampicina más isoniacida, 3 meses (3RH), rifampicina más piracinamida, 2 meses (2RZ) o sin tratamiento (NT). Tras finalizar la quimioprofilaxis los pacientes fueron seguidos 2 años. ESULTADOS. Se incluyeron en el estudio 319 pacientes, 83 en la pauta 6H, 82 en 3RH, 77 en 2RZ y 77 en NT. El período de observación tras el tratamiento fue de 88, 96, 81 y 126 personas años, respectivamente para 6H, 3RH, 2RZ y NT. Se produjeron 11 casos de tuberculosis durante el seguimiento. Las tasas de tuberculosis (casos por 100 personas/año) fueron respectivamente de 3,4, 3,1, 1,2 y 3,1 para 6H, 3RH, 2RZ y NT, con un riesgo relativo en las pautas 6H, 3RH y 2RZ respecto a NT de 1,07 (0,24-4,80), 0,98 (0,22-4,4) y 0,39 (0,04-3,48), estadísticamente no significativo. Durante el seguimiento fallecieron 29 pacientes, ninguno de ellos por tuberculosis, sin que se apreciaran diferencias entre grupos. CONCLUSIONES. Nuestro estudio no demuestra una reducción significativa del riesgo de tuberculosis en ninguna de las 3 pautas evaluadas y, por tanto, no apoya el empleo de quimioprofilaxis antituberculosa en pacientes con anergia cutánea (AU)

Calidad de los informes de alta hospitalaria de los servicios de medicina interna de los hospitales públicos de Andalucía / The quality of hospital discharge reports from internal medicine departments in Andalusia (Spain)

Fundamentos: Conocer la calidad de los informes de alta hospitalaria (IAH) emitidos por parte de los servicios de medicina interna de los hospitales públicos de Andalucía, y más concretamente el grado de cumplimentación de los apartados requeridos por la normativa que regula su elaboración. Material y métodos: Estudio transversal que incluye 366 IAH seleccionados de forma aleatoria simple entre todos los ingresos producidos en 1998 en los servicios de medicina interna correspondientes a 24 hospitales del Sistema Público de Salud de Andalucía. De los IAH seleccionados analizamos la presencia o no de los diferentes ítems requeridos. Resultados: Un 58 por ciento de los IAH analizados fue catalogado como de calidad adecuada. Distribuidos por tamaño de hospital, el porcentaje de IAH con dicha calidad adecuada fue en el nivel I (> 600 camas) del 34 por ciento, en el nivel II (599-300 camas) del 56 por ciento y en el nivel III (menos de 300 camas) del 71 por ciento ( 2 = 37; p < 0,0001).Conclusiones: El IAH de los servicios de medicina interna de los hospitales públicos andaluces ofrece un alto grado de calidad en lo relativo a los datos básicos clínicos de los pacientes, pero debe mejorar notablemente el contenido administrativo y de carácter demográfico (AU)