Systematic review and network meta-analysis of hydrosalpinx treatment before in vitro fertilization.

OBJECTIVES: To compare different methods to treat hydrosalpinx, based on both ablative and non-ablative approaches, in infertile patients before undergoing IVF-ET. METHODS: Systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) of comparisons between different treatments of hydrosalpinx in infertile patients undergoing IVF. DATA SOURCES: structured searches in common citation databases. Study inclusion criteria: peer-reviewed randomized trials (RCT) or cohort studies comparing effects of salpingectomy, laparoscopic proximal tubal occlusion (LTO), insertion of intratubal device (ITD), sclerotherapy, ultrasound-guided aspiration and no treatment, on live birth, ongoing pregnancy, clinical pregnancy as main outcomes, considering also miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and complications as secondary outcomes. Principal NMA included RCT, and aggregated NMA of RCT and observational studies was carried out. Pooled effects have been estimated by Odds Ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) for direct and indirect-mixed comparisons, derived from random-effects models. Imprecision and heterogeneity of NMA estimations was assessed by comparison of its 95% CI with predefined intervals for clinically relevant size of effect (OR <0.9 or >1.1). Surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) were used to predict treatment rankings for each outcome. RESULTS: Nine RCT were included in main analysis, plus 17 additional observational studies in additional analysis. NMA of RCT did not identify significant differences in the effect of compared treatments on live birth rate, and LTO was the option with the highest value of SUCRA (0.92, mean rank: 1.2). Salpingectomy and US-aspiration associated to a significant increase of ongoing pregnancy rate compared to no treatment, according to NMA results (NMA OR: 4.35; 95% CI: 1.7, 11.14 and 2.8; 95% CI: 1.03, 7.58 respectively). Salpingectomy had the highest SUCRA value (0.88, mean rank: 1.4). NMA estimated significant increase of clinical pregnancy rate for salpingectomy compared with no treatment (NMA OR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.3, 3.86) as well as for LTO versus no treatment (NMA OR: 2.55; 95% CI: 1.2, 5.41). Both comparisons were affected by a high grade of heterogeneity. For clinical pregnancy, LTO was the intervention with highest SUCRA (0.85; mean rank: 1.6). Regarding secondary outcomes, feasible NMA estimates did not support significant differences between treatments effects. According to aggregated NMA including randomized and observational studies, sclerotherapy showed significant beneficial effects on live birth rate compared to no treatment (NMA (OR: 4.6; 95% CI: 1.21, 17.46). Compared with untreated patients, the aggregated NMA estimates a higher ongoing pregnancy rate in patients treated with salpingectomy (NMA OR: 3.35; 95% CI: 2.12, 5.12), US-aspiration (NMA OR: 2.16; 95% CI: 1.28, 3.65) and LTO (NMA OR: 2.46; 95% CI: 1.11, 5.43). Salpingectomy and LTO produced a higher beneficial effect compared to ITD, based on both direct and indirect comparisons. Salpingectomy obtained the highest SUCRA value in rank of effects on ongoing pregnancy (0.94; mean rank: 1.2). NMA found significant effects on clinical pregnancy for comparisons between the different active management procedures compared with no treatments, with the exception of ITD insertion. LTO had more increasing effect on clinical pregnancy rate compared with US-aspiration (NMA OR: 2.04; 95% CI: 1.05, 3.97), while for the rest of the comparisons between procedures no significant differences were identified. NMA ranked LTO as the treatment with a highest SUCRA value (0.91; mean rank: 1.5). NMA prediction models identified LTO as best intervention to reduce miscarriage (SUCRA value: 0.84; mean rank: 1.8), as sclerotherapy as safer option in terms of ovarian response to IVF stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: The present NMA fails to support the effectiveness of any option to treat hydrosalpinx before IVF in order to improve live birth rates, although the beneficial effect of salpingectomy and US aspirations on ongoing pregnancy rates and of both salpingectomy and LTO on clinical pregnancy rates emerges from our analysis, which reinforces current recommendations. Based on the aggregated analyses, sclerotherapy could be a promising alternative to conventional laparoscopic techniques, combined with a favorable safety profile. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Impact of congenital uterine anomalies on obstetric and perinatal outcomes: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Congenital uterine anomalies (CUA) can be associated with impairments of early and late pregnancy events. Objective: To assess the impact of CUA on reproductive outcomes in pregnancies conceived spontaneously or after assisted reproduction. Materials and Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies comparing patients with CUA versus women with normal uterus. A structured literature search was performed in leading scientific databases to identify prospective and retrospective studies. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale, adapted to AHRQ standards, was used to assess the risk of bias. Pooled odds ratios (OR) were calculated. Publication bias and statistical heterogeneity were assessed, and meta-regression was used to analyse the heterogeneity. Main outcome measures: Miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, placental abruption, term, and premature rupture of membranes (PROM), malpresentation at delivery, preterm delivery prior to 37, 34 and 32 weeks, caesarean delivery, intrauterine growth restriction/small for gestational age, foetal mortality and perinatal mortality. Results: 32 studies were included. CUAs increased significantly the risk of first/second trimester miscarriage (OR:1.54;95%CI:1.14-2.07), placental abruption (OR:5.04;3.60-7.04), PROM (OR:1.71;1.34-2.18), foetal malpresentation at delivery (OR:21.04;10.95-40.44), preterm birth (adjusted OR:4.34;3.59-5.21), a caesarean delivery (adjusted OR:7.69;4.17-14.29), intrauterine growth restriction/small for gestational age (adjusted OR:50;6.11-424), foetal mortality (OR:2.07;1.56-2.73) and perinatal mortality (OR:3.28;2.01-5.36). Conclusions: CUA increases the risk of complications during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum. Complications most frequent in CUA patients were preterm delivery, foetal malpresentation, and caesarean delivery. What is new?: Bicornuate uterus was associated with the highest number of adverse outcomes, followed by didelphys, subseptate and septate uterus.

Mesh excision secondary to spondylodiscitis after colposacropexy graft rejection: a step by step video.

INTRODUCTION: Spondylodiscitis secondary to colposacropexy is an extremely rare entity. Infection and mesh rejection are the main causes. Removal of the mesh is essential for patient's recovery and it can be a very challenging surgical procedure. CASE: A 72-year-old woman presented with severe low back pain in the context of a recent colposacropexy. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed and spondylodiscitis secondary to prolapse correction surgery with mesh was suspected. In order to ensure an adequate recovery, removal of the mesh was required. CONCLUSIONS: Spondylodiscitis secondary to colposacropexy should be suspected when the patient starts with moderate lumbar pain and is not correctly controlled with first-level analgesia. Infection or mesh rejection should be considered. Mesh rejection should be suspected when the patient does not improve after antibiotics. Complete removal of the mesh is needed in order to ensure the patient's recovery.

Luminescent and magnetic [TbEu] 2D metal-organic frameworks.

We present the synthesis, through a simple, microwave-assisted method, of lanthanoid-based 2D metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) of general formula [LnxLn'1-x(MeCOO)(PhCOO)2], including homonuclear compounds (x = 1), LnEu, Tb, and heterometallic compounds, [TbEu]. The crystalline material is formed by neutral nanosheets held together by van der Waals interactions, which can be easily exfoliated by sonication. Photoluminescent emission in the visible range was observed for all of the synthesized 2D MOF compounds via excitation of the ligand, showing benzoates are efficient antenna ligands. Efficient energy transfer from Tb → Eu was observed in the heterometallic [TbEu] compounds, which could potentially perform as luminescent thermometers. Inks containing nanosheets of 2D MOFs exfoliated in solution were prepared, and luminescent prints of Tb and Eu 2D MOFs on paper were made to show the possible application for anticounterfeiting. Frequency-dependent ac susceptibility results show the occurrence of slow magnetic relaxation in [TbEu] compounds through direct relaxation mechanisms, affected by bottleneck effect. A slowing down of the relaxation time is observed as the Eu/Tb ratio increases.

Coumarin-lanthanide based compounds with SMM behavior and high quantum yield luminescence.

Coumarin-based lanthanide complexes of general formula [Ln(coum)3(phen)(H2O)x]·yH2O (Ln-phen, x = 0,1, 0 ≤ y ≤ 1.5; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; coum = 3-acetyl-4-hydroxylato-coumarin; Ln = Eu, Tb, Dy, Tm) and [Ln(coum)3(batho)]·0.7EtOH (Ln-batho, batho = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline; Ln = Eu, Tb, Dy, Tm) were synthesized. The magnetic relaxation and photoluminescence behavior of these complexes was compared with that of the related compounds [Ln(coum)3(EtOH)(H2O)]·EtOH (Ln-coum), so as to investigate the effects of incorporating a second chromophore, either the phen or batho ligand, to the original coordination scaffold, provided with three coumarin (coum) ligands. Slow relaxation of the magnetization under H = 0 with moderate activation energies was observed for the Dy-phen (U/kB = 99.1 K) and Dy-batho (U/kB = 67.1 K) compounds, whereas Tb analogues presented field-induced single molecule magnet (SMM) behavior, with U/kB = 11.7 K (16.6 K@3 kOe) for Tb-phen (Tb-batho), respectively. Luminescent emission in the visible range was observed for all the Ln-coumarin based compounds upon ligand sensitization, with high quantum yields of 45 (40%) for Eu-phen (Eu-batho) compounds and 65-76-58% for Tb-coum, phen, batho analogues. Sensitization is mainly provided by the coumarin ligand having the energy difference ΔE between its triplet state T1 and the lanthanide emitting level closest to the optimum, while the second ligand can play either a synergistic or competing sensitizing role. The Tb-phen/batho compounds presented simultaneously SMM and luminescent behavior, with excellent values of the bifunctional figure of merit (ηSMM-QY ∼ 1000% K). The reported compounds represent a new class of bifunctional materials with potential interesting application in various fields.

Phenotypic and genetic analysis of reproductive traits in horse populations with different breeding purposes.

Reproductive traits have a major influence on the economic effectiveness of horse breeding. However, there is little information available. We evaluated the use of reproductive traits as selection criteria in official breeding programs to increase the reproductive efficiency of breeding studs, analysing 696 690 records from the pedigree data of eight Spanish horse populations, with different breeding purposes. The reproductive parameters studied in both sexes were age at first foaling (AFF), age at last foaling, average reproductive life and generational interval. In the females, the average interval between foaling (AIF) and interval between first and second foaling were also studied. There were clear differences between sexes and breeds, which may be due to management practices, breeding purposes and the status of the populations, rather than to differences in actual physiological conditions. Riding mares were the most precocious (AFF, 1937.64 to 2255.69 days) and had a more intensive reproductive use (AIF, 625.83 to 760.07 days), whereas sires used for meat production were the most precocious males (AFF, 1789.93 to 1999.75 days), although they had a shorter reproductive life (1564.34 to 1797.32 days). Heritabilities (0.02 to 0.42 in females and 0.04 to 0.28 in males) evidenced the genetic component of the reproductive traits, with Sport Horses having the higher average values. These results support the selection by AFF to improve reproductive aspects because of its medium-high heritability and its positive correlations with other important reproductive traits. The inclusion of the AIF is also recommended in sport populations, because this determines the length of the breaks between foaling and conditions the reproductive performance of the dams, as well as their selective intensity, genetic gain and genetic improvement. It is therefore an important economic parameter in breeding studs.

High relaxation barrier in neodymium furoate-based field-induced SMMs.

Two new neodymium molecular magnets of formula {[Nd(α-fur)3(H2O)2]·DMF}n (1) and {[Nd0.065La0.935(α-fur)3(H2O)2]}n (2), α-fur = C4H3OCOO, have been synthesized. In (1) the furoate ligands, in bidentate bridging mode, consolidate zig-zag chains running along the a-direction. Compound (2) is a magnetically diluted complex of a polymeric chain along the b-axis. Heat capacity, dc magnetization and ac susceptibility measurements have been performed from 1.8 K up to room temperature. Ab initio calculations yielded the gyromagnetic factors gx* = 0.52, gy* = 1.03, gz* = 4.41 for (1) and gx* = 1.35, gy* = 1.98, gz* = 3.88 for (2), and predicted energy gaps of Δ/kB = 125.5 K (1) and Δ/kB = 58.8 K (2). Heat capacity and magnetometry measurements agree with these predictions, and confirm the non-negligible transversal anisotropy of the Kramers doublet ground state. A weak intrachain antiferromagnetic interaction J'/kB = -3.15 × 10-3 K was found for (1). No slow relaxation is observed at H = 0, attributed to the sizable transverse anisotropy component, and/or dipolar or exchange interactions enhancing the quantum tunnelling probability. Under an external applied field as small as 80 Oe, two slow relaxation processes appear: above 3 K the first relaxation mechanism is associated to a combination of Orbach process, with a sizeable activation energy U/kB = 121 K at 1.2 kOe for (1), Raman and direct processes; the second, slowest relaxation mechanism is associated to a direct process, affected by phonon-bottleneck effect. For complex (2) a smaller U/kB = 61 K at 1.2 kOe is found, together with larger g*-transversal terms, and the low-frequency process is quenched. The reported complexes represent rare polymeric Nd single-ion magnets exhibiting high activation energies among the scarce Nd(iii) family.

Slow relaxation in a {Tb2Ba(α-fur)8}n polymer with Ln = Tb(iii) non-Kramers ions.

We report the synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of a new heteronuclear polymeric complex based on non-Kramers Tb ions and carboxylic α-fur = C4H3OCOO ligands: {[Tb2Ba(α-fur)8(H2O)4]·2H2O}n. The α-furoate ligands consolidate 1D zig-zag chains running along the c-axis, formed by Tb2 dimers separated by Ba ions. Ab initio calculations, in combination with the fit of experimental data, predict that the single-ion magnetic ground state is highly anisotropic () and consists of a quasi-doublet with a ΔTb/kB = 3.22 K gap, well separated from the next excited state, while the gap for the Tb2 dimer is Δ2Tb/kB = 2.58 K. Static magnetization and heat capacity measurements show that, magnetically, the system can be modeled as dimers of non-Kramers Tb ions, coupled by an antiferromagnetic intradimer interaction J'*/kB = -1.6 K. Dipolar interactions couple the Tb ions in the dimer with their first neighbour ions along the chain, with J''*/kB = -0.15 K, and with the surrounding ions out of the chain, with maximum J'''*/kB = -0.03 K. Ac susceptibility measurements in H = 0 performed down to 50 mK temperatures have enabled us to observe slow relaxation of magnetization, with an Orbach-like activation energy of U/kB = 1.1 K. It is assigned to the sluggish response of the 3D spin system due to a short-range ordering, possibly enhanced by the presence of disorder caused by defects in the polymeric chains. Under the application of a magnetic field, the system slowly relaxes by two distinct direct processes, strongly affected by a phonon bottleneck effect. We discuss the different relaxational phenomenology of the new complex in comparison with that of the isostructural {[Dy2Ba(α-fur)8(H2O)4]·2H2O}n, differing only in the Kramers nature of the ions, and the mononuclear {Ln(α-fur)3(H2O)3}n (Ln = Tb, Dy) complexes, previously reported.

Plasticity effect of rider-horse interaction on genetic evaluations for Show Jumping discipline in sport horses.

To obtain a sport horse that excels in the highest levels of competition, breeders must take into account certain genetic and environmental factors that could influence the sport horse's performance, such as the rider-horse interaction (RHI). The main aim of this study was to describe this interaction in a genetic model by modelling it in relation to the horse's age. A total of 31,129 sport results from Spanish Sport Horses were used from a total of 1,101 animals evaluated, and these were grouped in three age levels and had been ridden by 606 different riders. Only riders who had ridden more than one horse (and vice-versa) were considered for the analyses. Five linear models with different random effects were analysed according to the covariates, the homogeneity/heterogeneity of the RHI and the relevant residual random effects. The model of best fit was then selected for the genetic evaluation of the animal. In general, models including the RHI effect (M2, M4 and M5) fitted better than the other models, and the best fit was obtained for M4 (with heterogeneous residual variance). The genetic variance increased constantly with age, whereas heritability showed a response on three intervals. This study revealed the varied evolution of the RHI with age, showing the different "plastic abilities" of this relationship.

Configuración de subjetividad en mujeres en situación de discapacidad: un abordaje desde discapacidad, cuerpo y género / Configuration of subjetivity of women in disability: an approach from disability, body and gender

La presente investigación tiene por objetivo conocer distintas maneras en que mujeres que se encuentran en situación de discapacidad configuran su subjetividad. En la literatura se abarca el tema del cuerpo desde la terapia ocupacional; sin embargo consideramos que es necesario indagar sobre la constitución de la/el sujeta/o de intervención, específicamente aquel identificado socialmente como mujer y discapacitada/o y así aportar nuevas reflexiones dentro de nuestra práctica profesional. El concepto de subjetividad se aborda en esta investigación desde los ejes de género, discapacidad y corporalidad. Tomando en cuenta los diversos significados a abordar, se decidió utilizar producciones narrativas, una metodología cualitativa, con un diseño narrativo de investigación Dicha metodología entiende el conocimiento como una co-construcción entre el equipo y las/los sujetas/os de estudio. La muestra se da a través de informantes claves y bola de nieve. Como resultado del proceso investigativo se articulan experiencias y saberes de las participantes y el equipo investigador lo cual culmina en una producción narrativa de autoría de cada participante y una narrativa colectiva generada por el equipo investigador. La principales conclusiones apuntan a cómo a partir de la vivencia de una situación de discapacidad fue necesario una reestructuración de los discursos y las prácticas de las mujeres participantes orientadas hacia el uso del espacio público.

This research aims to find ways in which women that are in disability shape their subjectivity. In literature, the theme of body is addressed from occupational therapy; however it is consider necessary to investigate the constitution of an intervention subject that is specifically identified socially as a woman and disabled and, thus, provide new insights into our practice. The concept of subjectivity in this research is approached from the axes of gender, disability and corporeality. Taking into account the various meanings to address, we decided to use narrative productions, a qualitative methodology, with a narrative research design. This methodology understands knowledge as a co-construction between the team and the subject of study. The sample is given by key informants and snowball. As a result of the research process, experiences and knowledge of the participants and the research team culminates in a narrative production authoring each participant and a collective narrative generated by the research team are articulated. The main conclusions point out how from the experience of disability restructuring the discourses and practices of women participants was necessary, oriented to the use of public space.

Correction: magnetic relaxation versus 3D long-range ordering in {Dy2Ba(α-fur)8}n furoate polymers.

Correction for 'Magnetic relaxation versus 3D long-range ordering in {Dy2Ba(α-fur)8}n furoate polymers' by E. Bartolomé et al., Dalton Trans., 2014, 43, 10999-11013.

Consentimiento informado en investigación: Un proceso y un documento / Informed consent in research: A process and a document

La investigación en seres humanos requiere en forma inexcusable la obtención del consentimiento informado de los sujetos participantes en ella. Este consentimiento implica un proceso de información para permitir al sujeto expresar válidamente la voluntad de participar en una investigación, habitualmente firmando un documento escrito (el Documento de Consentimiento Informado, DCI) en el que se encuentran plasmados el proceso de información y el acuerdo del sujeto por medio de una firma. En este trabajo describimos brevemente los principales pasos del ese proceso, y analizamos algunos de los errores más frecuentes del proceso de consentimiento observados por el Comité de Bioética de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. En la medida en que se mejore la redacción de los DCI y los procedimientos para obtenerlos, los sujetos de investigación estarán mejor protegidos y los tiempos de evaluación serán menores, en beneficio de todos los involucrados y de la sociedad.(AU)

The use of human subjects in medical research requires inexcusably their consent to participate after receiving information provided by the researcher that allows them to make a valid decision. The process involved results in both the investigator and the research subject signing a document (the Informed Consent Document, ICD) certifying the validity of the information and the subject’s agreement to participate. The present work briefly describes the steps followed to complete this process, and some of the most frequent errors encountered in ICDs included in projects that were evaluated by the Bioethical Committee of the School of Medicine of the National University of Tucumán. As the quality of both the information process and the drafting of the ICD improve, the safety of the research subjects will improve and the evaluation times will decrease, to the benefit of all involved and of the society at large.(AU)

Preparation and properties of a calcium(II)-based molecular chain decorated with manganese(II) butterfly-like complexes.

The room temperature reaction of [Mn2O2(bipy)4](ClO4)3 (bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine) with Ca(CHCl2COO)2 in methanol produced a yellow crystalline material. The X-ray determined structure comprises of a multiple calcium(II) carboxylate bridged chain-like structure which is decorated with [Mn(bipy)2(OH2)](2+) subunits. The redox behaviour for the complex in H2O and MeCN is reported. In the latter solvent the oxidation of the manganese ions appears to be facilitated by the presence of the calcium ions. Magnetic susceptibility and low temperature magnetization measurements show that the Mn moment is isotropic, with g = 1.99(1) and S = 5/2, confirming it is in the 2+ oxidation state. A very weak antiferromagnetic interaction is also detected. Frequency-dependent ac measurements evidence slow magnetic relaxation of the Mn(bipy)2 units. Two relaxation mechanisms are identified: a very slow direct process and a faster one caused by the Resonant Phonon Trapping mechanism. This is the first example of field-induced single ion magnet (SIM) behavior in a mononuclear Mn(II) complex.

Structural and magnetic properties of some lanthanide (Ln = Eu(iii), Gd(iii) and Nd(iii)) cyanoacetate polymers: field-induced slow magnetic relaxation in the Gd and Nd substitutions.

The lanthanide(iii) cyanoacetate complexes of the formula {[Ln2(CNCH2COO)6(H2O)4]·2H2O}n, where Ln = Eu (), Gd (), Nd (), have been prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. Complexes and are isostructural and differ from the binding scheme of the neodymium compound , structurally described earlier. In all cases, the cyano group of the cyanoacetate ligand is not coordinated to the lanthanide cation. The carboxylic groups exhibit different binding modes: 2-bidentate-chelating, 2-bidentate and 2-tridentate-chelating bridging for and , and 4-bidentate and 2-tridentate-chelating bridging for the complex . The Eu compound shows field induced paramagnetism, as expected for a non-magnetic ground state with mixing from higher states. Combining the dc magnetization and luminescence measurements the spin-orbit coupling constant λ = 343 ± 4 cm(-1) was found, averaged over the two different sites for Eu in the lattice. In the Gd complex , a crystal field splitting of D/kB = -0.11 ± 0.01 K has been found for the S = 7/2 multiplet of the Gd(iii) ion. No slow relaxation at H = 0 is observed because the low anisotropy barrier allows fast spin reversal through classical processes. The application of an external magnetic field induces two slow relaxation processes. It is argued that the first relaxation rate is caused by the resonant phonon trapping (RPT) mechanism, while the second, slower relaxation rate is due to the lifting of the Kramers degeneracy on the ground state. For compound heat capacity and dc susceptibility measurements indicate that at very low temperatures the ground state Kramers doublet has strong single ion anisotropy. The energy to the next excited doublet ΔZFS/kB = 104 K has been calculated by ab initio calculation methods. The g* tensor has also been calculated, showing that it has predominant anisotropy along the z-axis, and there is an important transversal component. At H = 0 quantum tunnelling is an effective mechanism in producing a fast relaxation to equilibrium at temperatures above 1.8 K. The dipolar or exchange interactions and a sizable transverse anisotropy component in the ground state enhance the quantum tunneling probability. Under an external applied field, two slow relaxation processes appear: above 3 K the first relaxation mechanism is of the Orbach type, with an activation energy U/kB = 27 K; the slower relaxation is caused by the direct relaxation process from the ground state to the Kramers split levels by the applied field.

Magnetic relaxation versus 3D long-range ordering in {Dy2Ba(α-fur)8}n furoate polymers.

A novel Dy-complex formulated as {[Dy2Ba(α-C4H3OCOO)8·(H2O)4]·2H2O}n, {Dy2Ba(α-fur)8}n, has been synthesized, structurally characterized, and magnetically and thermally investigated as a function of field and temperature, down to 85 mK. The α-furoate ligands consolidate 1D zig-zag chains formed by Dy2 dimers separated by Ba ions. Ab initio calculations were used to determine the easy anisotropy axis direction, the gyromagnetic tensor components and the energy levels of each Dy. The heat capacity and susceptibility measurements allowed us to conclude that intradimer and interdimer interactions are ferromagnetic and of the same order, J'/k(B) ≈ J''/k(B) = +0.55 K. In the absence of an applied magnetic field, the dynamic relaxation of the magnetization occurs through the fast (τ(T) ~ 10(-5) s) spin-reversal of each of the individual Dys through a quantum tunneling (QT) process. A long-range 3D ordered state is achieved at T(N) = 0.25 K, in which the ferromagnetically coupled zig-zag chains (J'/k(B) ≈ J''/k(B) = +0.528(1) K) running along the c-axis are antiferromagnetically coupled to the adjacent chains (J'''/k(B) = -0.021(1) K). Critical slowing down of the QT time constant is observed when the temperature approaches T(N). Under the application of a magnetic field, the QT relaxation is replaced by an Orbach process (with energy barrier U/k(B) = 68 K and τ0 ~ 10(-9) s at H = 2 kOe) and a very slow (τ(s) ∼ 0.2 s) relaxation process. We propose and demonstrate the proof of concept of a spintronic device, in which two different relaxation rates can be selected, and on/off switched by magnetic field biasing. The dynamical behavior of this compound is compared with another furoate to discuss the effect of competitive interactions.

Directivas médicas anticipadas: Bioética y legislación argentina / Medical Directives Anticipated: Bioethics and Argentine Legislation

La Directiva Médica Anticipada (DMA) permite que la persona tome decisiones cuando puede tomarlas, para aplicarlas cuando no esté en condiciones de decidir por sí mismo. Se la puede considerar como un el consentimiento informado dado por anticipado para ser aplicado a un conjunto de condiciones predeterminadas. La DMA suele definir la preferencia de la persona respecto del tratamiento que quiere –o no quiere- recibir, y normalmente ello implica el rechazo o la limitación de tratamientos que ella considera que atentan contra su dignidad. Al mismo tiempo, también permiten al paciente tomar decisiones anticipadas sobre la posible designación de otra persona para que lo represente en momentos en que él no puede expresarse en el sentido de que se respeten sus valores y convicciones, evitando tanto la posible aceleración de la muerte como la prolongación innecesaria de la agonía. La ley argentina permite que un paciente suscriba una DMA en condiciones razonables, similares a las de otros países, siendo la crítica más importante que se le puede hacer en la actualidad que su revocación es innecesariamente complicada, lo que conspira contra la facilidad de su acceso y modificación.(AU)

The Advance Medical Directive (AMD) allows a person to make decisions when he or she is able to do so, to be carried out when he or she is in no condition to make them. It can be considered as an informdçed consent given in advance in order for it to be carried out when a given set of conditions is arrived at. AnAMD usually defines the person’s preference regarding a treatment he or she wishes to accept or reject. It also normally means the rejection or limitation of a treatment considered to violate his or her dignity as a person. The AMD also allows the patient to designate another prson as his or her representative when he or she can no longer demand that his or her values and/or convictions are respected, thus avoiding both an undue acceleration or an unnecessary prolongation in the death process. Argentine law allows a patient to underwrite an AMD in conditions similar to those of other countries, although criticism can be made to the unnecessarily complicated process required to modify or revoke the document, which makes access and change more difficult that it should be.(AU)

Using eye temperature and heart rate for stress assessment in young horses competing in jumping competitions and its possible influence on sport performance.

The aims of this study were, first, to evaluate eye temperature (ET) with infrared thermography and heart rate (HR) to measure stress in horses during show jumping competitions and their relationship with competition results, and second, to evaluate the influence of different extrinsic and intrinsic factors of the horse on the stress measurements analysed. One hundred and seventy-three Spanish Sport Horses were analysed for ET and HR, and these measurements were taken 3 h before the competition, just after and 3 h after it. Two interval measurements were also assessed for each parameter. Positive significant correlations were found between ET and HR, measured before (r=0.23), just after competition (r=0.28) and for the later interval (r=0.26), whereas negative correlations with competition results were found only for ET when measured just after competing (r=-0.25). Two intrinsic factors (genetic line and age) and no extrinsic factors showed significant differences for ET, whereas one intrinsic factor (age) and two extrinsic factors (journey duration and number of training hours) showed significant differences for HR. The marginal means showed significantly higher ET values for the Anglo-Arab genetic line and for 5-year-old animals. HR values were significantly higher for 4-year-old animals, for horses which had travelled 4 to 6 h and for horses that had 3 to 6 h of daily training. This study suggests that, although ET and HR seemed to share a similar physiological basis, the factors that most influenced each parameter were different. Finally, ET seems to be a suitable tool for assessing stress during show jumping competitions in horses.