[Bioactive components of whole grain and their effect on health]. / Componentes bioactivos del grano integral y su efecto en la salud.

Introduction: Non-communicable diseases represent a global health burden with increasing prevalence. To prevent or improve this type of diseases, dietary strategies based on healthy foods have been suggested. Cereals are the most consumed foods in the world and preventive effects of whole grains on health have been described. The germ and bran of cereals are abundant in bioactive compounds, including phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals and fibers, and these compounds are effective in preventing and improving non-communicable diseases. This review analyzes the content and distribution of the primary components of whole grains (wheat, barley, oats, rice and black wheat) and their fractions, focusing on the mechanisms by which phenolic acids and dietary fiber contribute to reducing the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases and cancer. There is clear evidence of the broad cellular and physiological effects of bioactive compounds in whole grains, supporting the health value of a diet rich in whole grains.

Introducción: Las enfermedades no transmisibles representan una carga sanitaria mundial con una prevalencia cada vez mayor. Para prevenir o mejorar este tipo de enfermedades se han sugerido estrategias dietéticas basadas en alimentos saludables. Los cereales son los alimentos más consumidos en todo el mundo y se han descrito efectos preventivos de los cereales integrales sobre la salud. El germen y el salvado de los cereales son abundantes en compuestos bioactivos, incluidos fitoquímicos, vitaminas, minerales y fibras, y estos compuestos son eficaces para prevenir y mejorar las enfermedades no transmisibles. En esta revisión se analiza el contenido y distribución de los componentes primarios de los cereales integrales (trigo, cebada, avena, arroz y trigo negro) y sus fracciones, centrándose en los mecanismos por los que los ácidos fenólicos y la fibra dietética contribuyen a disminuir el riesgo de padecer enfermedades metabólicas, cardiovasculares y cáncer. Existen pruebas claras de los amplios efectos celulares y fisiológicos de los compuestos bioactivos de los granos enteros, que respaldan el valor saludable de una dieta rica en cereales integrales.

Analysis of Connectome Graphs Based on Boundary Scale.

The purpose of this work is to advance in the computational study of connectome graphs from a topological point of view. Specifically, starting from a sequence of hypergraphs associated to a brain graph (obtained using the Boundary Scale model, BS2), we analyze the resulting scale-space representation using classical topological features, such as Betti numbers and average node and edge degrees. In this way, the topological information that can be extracted from the original graph is substantially enriched, thus providing an insightful description of the graph from a clinical perspective. To assess the qualitative and quantitative topological information gain of the BS2 model, we carried out an empirical analysis of neuroimaging data using a dataset that contains the connectomes of 96 healthy subjects, 52 women and 44 men, generated from MRI scans in the Human Connectome Project. The results obtained shed light on the differences between these two classes of subjects in terms of neural connectivity.

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles: Identifying Critical Issues and Future Perspectives in Image Acquisition.

Underwater imaging has been present for many decades due to its relevance in vision and navigation systems. In recent years, advances in robotics have led to the availability of autonomous or unmanned underwater vehicles (AUVs, UUVs). Despite the rapid development of new studies and promising algorithms in this field, there is currently a lack of research toward standardized, general-approach proposals. This issue has been stated in the literature as a limiting factor to be addressed in the future. The key starting point of this work is to identify a synergistic effect between professional photography and scientific fields by analyzing image acquisition issues. Subsequently, we discuss underwater image enhancement and quality assessment, image mosaicking and algorithmic concerns as the last processing step. In this line, statistics about 120 AUV articles fro recent decades have been analyzed, with a special focus on state-of-the-art papers from recent years. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to identify critical issues in autonomous underwater vehicles encompassing the entire process, starting from optical issues in image sensing and ending with some issues related to algorithmic processing. In addition, a global underwater workflow is proposed, extracting future requirements, outcome effects and new perspectives in this context.

Consideration of Psychosocial Factors in Acute Low Back Pain by Physical Therapists.

Clinical guidelines consistently recommend screening psychosocial (PS) factors in patients with low back pain (LBP), regardless of its mechanical nature, as recognized contributors to pain chronicity. However, the ability of physiotherapists (PTs) in identifying these factors remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the current identification of psychosocial risk factors by physical therapists (PTs) and which characteristics of PTs are associated with the identification of the main risk for chronicity (physical or psychosocial). A cross-sectional descriptive study surveying Spanish PTs in public and private health services was conducted, including questions on PT characteristics and three low back pain (LBP) patient vignettes with different biopsychosocial (BPS) clinical presentations. From 484 respondents, the majority of PTs agreed regarding the main risk for chronicity for each vignette (PS 95.7% for vignette A, PS and physical 83.5% for vignette B and PS 66% for vignette C). Female PTs were more likely to rate psychosocial compared with males (p < 0.05). PTs with higher levels of social and emotional intelligence (both, p < 0.05) were more likely to identify the main risk for chronicity. However, only gender and social information processing for vignette A (p = 0.024) and emotional clarity for vignette B (p = 0.006) were able to predict the identification of psychosocial and physical risk, respectively. The main risk for chronicity was correctly identified by a large majority of PTs through patient vignettes. Gender, social and emotional intelligence played a relevant role in the recognition of psychosocial risk and biopsychosocial factors.

Patient-reported outcome measurements (PROMs): Use during the physical therapy practice and associated factors.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the current level of routine use of psychosocial-related patient-reported outcome measurements (PROMs) in physical therapy practice and which physical therapist-level factors are associated with the use of these measurement instruments. METHODS: We conducted an online survey study among Spanish physical therapists involved in the treatment of LBP patients in Public Health Service, Mutual Insurance Companies, and private practice during 2020. Descriptive analyses were conducted for reporting the number and instruments utilized. Thus, sociodemographic and professional features differences between PTs using and not using PROM were analyzed. RESULTS: From 485 physiotherapists completing the questionnaire nationwide, 484 were included. A minority of therapists routinely used psychosocial-related PROMs (13.8%) in LBP patients and only 6.8% did so through standardized measurements instruments. The Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (28.8%) and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (15.1%) were used most frequently. Physiotherapists working in Andalucía and País Vasco regions, in private practice environments, educated in psychosocial factors evaluation and management, considering psychosocial factors during the clinical practice and expecting patients' collaborative attitudes demonstrated significantly greater use of PROMS (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the majority of physiotherapists in Spain do not use PROMs for evaluating LBP (86.2%). From those physiotherapists using PROMs, approximately the half use validated instruments such as the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia or the Pain Catastrophizing Scale while the other half limit their evaluation to anamnesis and non-validated questionnaires. Therefore, developing effective strategies to implement and facilitate the use of psychosocial-related PROMs would enhance the evaluation during the clinical practice.

Improving Tracking of Trajectories through Tracking Rate Regulation: Application to UAVs.

The tracking problem (that is, how to follow a previously memorized path) is one of the most important problems in mobile robots. Several methods can be formulated depending on the way the robot state is related to the path. "Trajectory tracking" is the most common method, with the controller aiming to move the robot toward a moving target point, like in a real-time servosystem. In the case of complex systems or systems under perturbations or unmodeled effects, such as UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), other tracking methods can offer additional benefits. In this paper, methods that consider the dynamics of the path's descriptor parameter (which can be called "error adaptive tracking") are contrasted with trajectory tracking. A formal description of tracking methods is first presented, showing that two types of error adaptive tracking can be used with the same controller in any system. Then, it is shown that the selection of an appropriate tracking rate improves error convergence and robustness for a UAV system, which is illustrated by simulation experiments. It is concluded that error adaptive tracking methods outperform trajectory tracking ones, producing a faster and more robust convergence tracking, while preserving, if required, the same tracking rate when convergence is achieved.

[Systematic review with analysis of bias and quality of interventions in the food environment of the workplace and their impact on the nutritional status of workers]. / Revisión sistemática con análisis de sesgo y calidad de intervenciones en el ambiente alimentario del lugar de trabajo y su impacto en el estado nutricional de los trabajadores.

Introduction: Introduction: workers' exposure to unhealthy eating is linked to the increase in overweight and obesity. Objective: this systematic review aims to analyze with bias and quality analysis the effect of interventions in the food environment of the workplace on the nutritional status of workers. Methods: the search was conducted in three electronic databases according to the Cochrane Collaboration and eight studies were included. Data were grouped according to type of environmental intervention, and methodological quality and validity with risk of bias was analyzed. Results: three studies had effects on reducing BMI and body weight, but one was judged to be reliable evidence of effectiveness, as they were at low risk of bias. Half of the included articles were assessed at high risk of bias (3/8) and unclear risk of bias (1/8), due to errors in selection and performance and missing data in the results. Conclusions: we conclude that there is not enough evidence to indicate that these types of interventions have an effect on body weight. To make effective interventions, the design of these studies has to avoid potential sources of bias, which were analyzed in detail in this study. The global food environment of workers and not just their workplace must be considered, deepening the interaction that exists between socioeconomic factors and food environments.

Introducción: Introducción: la exposición de los trabajadores a una alimentación no saludable tiene relación con el aumento del sobrepeso y la obesidad. Objetivo: esta revisión sistemática tiene como objetivo analizar con análisis de sesgo y calidad el efecto de las intervenciones en el ambiente alimentario del lugar de trabajo en el estado nutricional de los trabajadores. Métodos: la búsqueda se realizó en tres bases de datos electrónicas de acuerdo a Colaboración Cochrane y fueron incluidos ocho estudios. Los datos se agruparon según tipo de intervención ambiental, se analizó la calidad metodológica y se evaluó la validez con el riesgo de sesgo. Resultados: de los ocho estudios, tres tuvieron efectos en la reducción del índice de masa corporal (IMC) y peso corporal, pero uno fue considerado como evidencia confiable de efectividad por tener bajo riesgo de sesgo. La mitad de los artículos incluidos fueron evaluados con alto riesgo de sesgo (3/8) y riesgo de sesgo poco claro (1/8) por errores en la selección y la realización y datos faltantes en los resultados. Conclusiones: se concluye que no hay suficiente evidencia para indicar que este tipo de intervenciones tienen efecto sobre el peso corporal. Para realizar intervenciones efectivas, el diseño de estos estudios tiene que evitar las fuentes potenciales de sesgo, que fueron analizadas en detalle en este estudio. Se debe considerar el entorno alimentario global de los trabajadores y no solo su lugar de trabajo, profundizando la interacción que existe entre factores socioeconómicos y ambientes alimentarios.

Reliability and discriminative validity of real-time ultrasound elastography in the assessment of tissue stiffness after calf muscle injury.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reliability and discriminative validity of real-time ultrasound elastography (RTE) measures of soft-tissue elasticity after calf muscle tear. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, intra/inter-examiner reliability and comparative validity study. SETTING: Department of Physical Therapy. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-one recreational athletes were included and examined 6 weeks after sustaining a grade I-II calf musculature tear. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Soft-tissue elasticity was measured by two experienced assessors using RTE assessments in both the longitudinal and transverse planes of the athletes' injured and uninjured calf muscles. Elasticity was estimated by using the strain ratio (SR), which was calculated by dividing the strain (displacement) value taken at the medial gastrocnemius-soleus myotendinous junction (reference) by the strain value taken at the centre of the injury (index) as visualized on B-mode sonogram. Intra- and inter-observer reliability was estimated calculating intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) and standard error of measurement (SEM). Differences in elasticity between injured and healthy legs were assessed using t-tests or Wilcoxon tests for repeated measures. RESULTS: All RTE assessments in both planes showed ICC values ranging from 0.77 to 0.95 and SEM values ranging from 0.72 to 0.99. Additionally, RTE enabled both assessors to determine differences in elastic properties between injured and control legs (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: RTE measures of calf muscles demonstrated good reliability and were able to differentiate injured from non-injured muscle tissue. RTE may provide a fast and objective measure in sports medicine to improve the detection of risk factors for muscle injury related to alterations of the mechanical behaviour of soft tissues during healing process.

[Delphi method to reach consensus on education methods to promote healthy eating behaviors in adolescents]. / Método Delphi para consensuar metodologías educativas para promover la alimentación saludable en adolescentes.

INTRODUCTION: Background: adolescence is a relevant period to educate in healthy eating behaviors. For this purpose it is necessary to obtain expert opinions and reach consensus and prioritize the best methodologies available to educate adolescents on healthy eating. Methods: the Delphi method was chosen to get consensus through repeated iterations of anonymous opinions in two rounds. Participants were experts in nutrition (24), education (14), and cooking (2), selected with the following inclusion criteria: outstanding professional career; interest shown in their knowledge area, and expertise in healthy eating education. The 40 experts in the first round were reduced to 37 in the second round. The questionnaire was mailed in the first round and the results were sent to establish priorities in the second round. The analysis was done with descriptive statistics (%). Consensus was reached if ≥ 75th percentile. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to analyze internal consistency, which was considered good for an alpha value higher than 0.7, and moderate for values between 0.6 and 0.7. Results: there was 90% consensus for food habits, culinary skills, and methodologies. In food habits experts prioritized improving access to healthy food and curricular changes at school. In culinary skills they agreed on healthy breakfast and healthy snack preparations; in methodologies the consensus was to educate in healthy eating at breakfast and lunch at school, and on participative activities such as cooking workshops. Conclusions: the Delphi method was useful to obtain consensus and priorities on the methodologies to educate adolescents in healthy eating.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Antecedentes: la adolescencia es un período importante para reforzar la educación sobre alimentación saludable. Para ello se requiere consensuar y establecer prioridades con expertos sobre las mejores metodologías para educar a los adolescentes en alimentación saludable. Métodos: se escogió el método Delphi para obtener consenso a través de opiniones anónimas repetidas en dos rondas. Se seleccionaron expertos en nutrición (24), educación (14) y cocina (2) con los siguientes criterios de inclusión: carrera profesional relevante; mostrar interés en su área de conocimiento y experiencia en educación en alimentación saludable. Los 40 expertos de la primera ronda disminuyeron a 37 en la segunda ronda. El cuestionario enviado por correo en la primera ronda y sus resultados fueron reenviados para establecer prioridades. El análisis se efectuó con estadísticas descriptivas (%). Se consideró consenso el valor ≥ percentil 75. La consistencia interna se analizó con el coeficiente alfa de Cronbach (se considera buena si alfa es mayor de 0,7 y moderada si se sitúa entre 0,6 y 0,7). Resultados: hubo más de un 90 % de consenso en las metodologías para hábitos alimentarios, habilidades culinarias y estrategias metodológicas. En los hábitos alimentarios se consideró como prioritario mejorar el acceso a la comida saludable y cambiar los currículos en la escuela. En las habilidades culinarias, la preparación de un desayuno saludable y colaciones saludables, y en las estrategias metodológicas, educar en hábitos alimentarios durante el desayuno y el almuerzo, y desarrollar actividades participativas tales como talleres de cocina. Conclusiones: el método Delphi fue útil para obtener el consenso y las prioridades en cuanto a las metodologías para educar a los adolescentes en alimentación saludable.

Widespread Pressure Pain Sensitivity over Nerve Trunk Areas in Women with Frequent Episodic Tension-Type Headache as a Sign of Central Sensitization.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies reported the presence of widespread pressure pain sensitivity in patients with tension-type headache. However, most of the studies assessed pressure pain sensitivity over muscle tissue. Our aim was to investigate the difference in pressure pain sensitivity over musculoskeletal and nerve symptomatic and distant areas between women with frequent episodic tension-type headache (FETTH) and healthy subjects. METHODS: Thirty-two women with FETTH and 32 matched healthy women participated. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) was bilaterally assessed over several nerve trunks (greater occipital, median, radial, ulnar, common peroneal, tibialis posterior) and musculoskeletal structures (temporalis muscle, C5/C6 joint, tibialis anterior) by an assessor blinded to the subject's condition. A four-week headache diary was used to collect the intensity, frequency, and duration of headache. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to determine anxiety and depressive levels. RESULTS: Analysis of covariance found lower widespread and bilateral PPTs over all nerve trunks and musculoskeletal structures in women with FETTH pain (P < 0.001). No significant effect of anxiety and depressive levels on PPTs was found (all P > 0.222). PPT over the temporalis muscle was significantly negatively correlated with headache intensity. CONCLUSIONS: This study found widespread pressure pain hypersensitivity over both nerve trunks and musculoskeletal structures in women with FETTH, suggesting that the presence of central altered nociceptive processing is not just restricted to musculoskeletal areas, for example, muscles, but also pain evoked from directly provoking the nerve trunks by pressure. It is also possible that nerve tissue treatment could lead to a decrease in central sensitization and headache features.

Evaluation of neurodynamic responses in women with frequent episodic tension type headache.

BACKGROUND: Current theories associated with the cause of tension type headache are mostly focused on muscle tissues. No study has investigated the presence of role of nerve tissues in this population. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to examine the responses to different mechanical provocation tests of the nerve tissues in women with tension type headache when compared to healthy women. DESIGN: A case-control cross-sectional study. METHODS: Differences in range of motion and sensory responses (intensity and location) during the Passive Straight-Leg Raise Test (SLR), Long Sitting Slump test (LSS) and Seated Slump test (SLT) were assessed in 32 women with frequent episodic tension type headache (FETTH) and 32 age-matched healthy women. RESULTS: Women with FETTH demonstrated bilateral and significantly reduced range of motion in all tests (P < 0.001) and also higher sensory responses in the LSS and SLT (both P < 0.001), but not in the SLR (all P > 0.422), compared to the healthy women. The location of sensory responses was also significantly different for the SLT (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The current study observed generalized lower mechanical pain thresholds to different provocation tests of the nerve tissues in women with FETTH supporting the presence of heightened nerve sensitivity to mechanical stimuli in this population. Future trials should investigate the efficacy of neurodynamic techniques in the clinical evolution of TTH.

Efecto de un programa para profesores sobre cambio de hábitos alimentarios y habilidades culinarias en escuelas públicas de Chile / Impact of a teachers' program on food habits and culinary skills in Chilean public schools

Objetivo: evaluar un programa de alimentación saludable para docentes y su transferencia educativa a través de un plan de acción a alumnos de 3º a 5º básico para mejorar sus hábitos alimentarios y habilidades culinarias. Metodología: estudio cuasi-experimental prospectivo de cuatro meses de duración, con mediciones cualitativas a profesores (n = 43) y cuantitativas pre- y postintervención en alumnos (n = 302) de tres colegios municipales, comparados con un grupo control de otros tres colegios (n = 265) en la comuna de La Reina, Santiago de Chile. Los profesores recibieron una capacitación on-line y al final del curso elaboraron un plan de acción que aplicaron en los colegios intervenidos. Resultados: en hábitos y consumo alimentarios, la mitad de los niños refirió que cenaba en la noche y un alto porcentaje desayunaba y almorzaba dos veces. Los que almorzaban dos veces disminuyeron a la mitad al final de la intervención. En el grupo intervenido aumentó significativamente la fruta como colación y en ambos grupos, la ingesta de agua. En habilidades culinarias, el grupo intervenido mejoró la preparación de sándwich. En ambos grupos disminuyó significativamente la obesidad. En los profesores mejoraron el consumo de agua y el hábito de comer tres veces al día y disminuyó la ingesta de comida rápida. Conclusión: la capacitación en alimentación saludable para profesores mejora sus hábitos alimentarios, los cuales se transfieren a sus alumnos. Para ello se debe contar con el apoyo de la dirección de la escuela y con equipos docentes interesados en organizar actividades de promoción de alimentación saludable

Objective: to evaluate a healthy food program for teachers and their educational transfer through an action plan for 3rd to 5th primary students, to improve their food habits and culinary skills. Methodology: a four months quasi-experimental prospective study was carried out, with qualitative measurements to teachers (n = 43) and pre- and post-intervention quantitative measurements for students (n = 302) in three public schools compared with a control group in other three schools (n = 265) in La Reina county, Santiago, Chile. The teachers received on-line training and at the end of the program they designed an action plan to be implemented at the three intervened schools. Results: half of the students reported that they had dinner at night. A high percentage had breakfast and lunch twice a day. At the end of the study, the number of students who had lunch twice a day was reduced to a half. Also, the group significantly increased the water and fruits consumption, instead of snacks. In culinary skills, they learned how to prepare healthy sandwiches. As a result, the level of obesity in both groups decreased significantly. The teachers increased water consumption, limited the number of meals to three per day, and decreased the fast food eating. Conclusion: the healthy food training improved the food habits of teachers and students. The support of the headmaster and the staff of the school is required to organize activities to promote healthy food

[Impact of a teachers' program on food habits and culinary skills in Chilean public schools]. / Efecto de un programa para profesores sobre cambio de hábitos alimentarios y habilidades culinarias en escuelas públicas de Chile.

INTRODUCTION: Objective: to evaluate a healthy food program for teachers and their educational transfer through an action plan for 3rd to 5th primary students, to improve their food habits and culinary skills. Methodology: a four months quasi-experimental prospective study was carried out, with qualitative measurements to teachers (n = 43) and pre- and post-intervention quantitative measurements for students (n = 302) in three public schools compared with a control group in other three schools (n = 265) in La Reina county, Santiago, Chile. The teachers received on-line training and at the end of the program they designed an action plan to be implemented at the three intervened schools. Results: half of the students reported that they had dinner at night. A high percentage had breakfast and lunch twice a day. At the end of the study, the number of students who had lunch twice a day was reduced to a half. Also, the group significantly increased the water and fruits consumption, instead of snacks. In culinary skills, they learned how to prepare healthy sandwiches. As a result, the level of obesity in both groups decreased significantly. The teachers increased water consumption, limited the number of meals to three per day, and decreased the fast food eating. Conclusion: the healthy food training improved the food habits of teachers and students. The support of the headmaster and the staff of the school is required to organize activities to promote healthy food.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Objetivo: evaluar un programa de alimentación saludable para docentes y su transferencia educativa a través de un plan de acción a alumnos de 3º a 5º básico para mejorar sus hábitos alimentarios y habilidades culinarias. Metodología: estudio cuasi-experimental prospectivo de cuatro meses de duración, con mediciones cualitativas a profesores (n = 43) y cuantitativas pre- y postintervención en alumnos (n = 302) de tres colegios municipales, comparados con un grupo control de otros tres colegios (n = 265) en la comuna de La Reina, Santiago de Chile. Los profesores recibieron una capacitación on-line y al final del curso elaboraron un plan de acción que aplicaron en los colegios intervenidos. Resultados: en hábitos y consumo alimentarios, la mitad de los niños refirió que cenaba en la noche y un alto porcentaje desayunaba y almorzaba dos veces. Los que almorzaban dos veces disminuyeron a la mitad al final de la intervención. En el grupo intervenido aumentó significativamente la fruta como colación y en ambos grupos, la ingesta de agua. En habilidades culinarias, el grupo intervenido mejoró la preparación de sándwich. En ambos grupos disminuyó significativamente la obesidad. En los profesores mejoraron el consumo de agua y el hábito de comer tres veces al día y disminuyó la ingesta de comida rápida. Conclusión: la capacitación en alimentación saludable para profesores mejora sus hábitos alimentarios, los cuales se transfieren a sus alumnos. Para ello se debe contar con el apoyo de la dirección de la escuela y con equipos docentes interesados en organizar actividades de promoción de alimentación saludable.

Diagnosis and management of lumbar Aspergillus spp. discospondylitis using intraoperative cytology and external stabilization in a dog with disseminated infection.

Background: Discospondylitis is an infection of the intervertebral disc and adjacent vertebral endplates. The infectious agent is most commonly a bacterial organism and fungal causes are uncommon. Case Description: A 1.5-year-old female entire pug was referred with a 6-week history of right head tilt and progressive non-ambulatory paraparesis. On neurological examination, right facial paralysis and mid and caudal lumbar pain were also detected. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography of the head and spine were performed 3 weeks apart. Findings were consistent with osteolysis of the petrous temporal bone and L2-L3 and L5-L6 vertebral subluxation caused by discospondylitis and osteomyelitis. Disseminated aspergillosis was diagnosed following biopsy and stabilization using an external skeletal spinal fixator. Voriconazol was administered as a medical treatment after surgery. The dog died 3 months later without failure of the construct. Conclusion: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report using an external fixator for fungal lumbar discospondylitis. The use of an external skeletal spinal fixator should be considered when choosing the surgical technique.

Study of the hard-disk system at high densities: the fluid-hexatic phase transition.

Integral equations of uniform fluids have been considered unable to predict any characteristic feature of the fluid-solid phase transition, including the shoulder that arises in the second peak of the fluid-phase radial distribution function, RDF, of hard-core systems obtained by computer simulations, at fluid densities very close to the structural two-step phase transition. This reasoning is based on the results of traditional integral approximations, like Percus-Yevick, PY, which does not show such a shoulder in hard-core systems, neither in two nor three dimensions. In this work, we present results of three Ansätze, based on the PY theory, that were proposed to remedy the lack of PY analytical solutions in two dimensions. This comparative study shows that one of those Ansätze does develop a shoulder in the second peak of the RDF at densities very close to the phase transition, qualitatively describing this feature. Since the shoulder grows into a peak at still higher densities, this integral equation approach predicts the appearance of an orientational order characteristic of the hexatic phase in a continuous fluid-hexatic phase transition.