Carbon sequestration and methane emissions along a microtopographic gradient in a tropical Andean peatland.

Tropical alpine peatlands are among the least studied wetlands types on earth. Their important ecosystem services at local and regional scope are currently threatened by climate and land use changes. Recent studies in these ecosystems suggest their importance to the provision of climate regulation services, prompting a better understanding of the underlying functions and their variability at ecosystem scales.

Algorithm for simulation of craniotomies assisted by peripheral for 3D virtual navigation.

Neurosurgical procedures require high precision and an accurate localization of the structures. For that reason and due to the advances in 3D visualization, the software for planning and training neurosurgeries has become an important tool for neurosurgeons and students, but the manipulation of the 3D structures is not always easy for the staff that usually works with 2D images. This paper describes a system developed in open source software that allows performing a virtual craniotomy (a common procedure in neurosurgery that enables the access to intracranial lesions) in 3D slicer; the system includes a peripheral input in order to permit the manipulation of the 3D structures according to camera movements and to guide the movement of the craniotomy tool.

Clinical and molecular characterisation of two siblings with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, from the Colombian Pacific coast (South America).

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP, MIM 135 100) is an uncommon genetic disease with a dominant autosomal germline transmission pattern; however, most cases are products of spontaneous individual mutations. It is a disabling condition that affects connective tissue, and it is distinguished by progressive heterotopic ossifications and congenital malformations of the great toes. The case of 2 brothers with progressive osseous deformation, along with ankylosis of the jaw, scoliosis and mental retardation, is presented.

Causes of death in elderly nursing home residents.

Objectives: According to previous studies, 20% to 24% of deaths in the United States occur in nursing homes. This number is increasing. Overall vital statistics document that the leading causes of death in the United States remain cardiovascular/cerebrovascular and cancer, with Alzheimer's disease seventh as of 2004.