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The increasing relevance of remote sensing and artificial intelligence (AI) for archaeological research and cultural heritage management is undeniable. However, there is a critical gap in this field. Many studies conclude with identifying hundreds or even thousands of potential sites, but very few follow through with crucial fieldwork validation to confirm their existence. This research addresses this gap by proposing and implementing a fieldwork validation pipeline. In northern Portugal's Alto Minho region, we employed this pipeline to verify 237 potential burial mounds identified by an AI-powered algorithm. Fieldwork provided valuable information on the optimal conditions for burial mounds and the specific factors that led the algorithm to err. Based on these insights, we implemented two key improvements to the algorithm. First, we incorporated a slope map derived from LiDAR-generated terrain models to eliminate potential burial mound inferences in areas with high slopes. Second, we trained a Vision Transformer model using digital orthophotos of both confirmed burial mounds and previously identified False Positives. This further refines the algorithm's ability to distinguish genuine sites. The improved algorithm was then tested in two areas: the original Alto Minho validation region and the Barbanza region in Spain, where the location of burial mounds was well established through prior field work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to evaluate the level of genetic diversity in a collection of broad bean accessions for the needs of the combinative breeding, a field experiment was carried out during the period 2016-2018, at the Institute of forage crops (Pleven). The studied 17 accessions had different origin: Portugal, Spain, Bulgaria. It was used a randomized block method. Plants were grown under conditions of organic farming, without using fertilizers and pesticides. The results showed considerable differences between the accessions regarding the main quantitative traits. The impact of environmental conditions was well expressed and exceeded the impact of the factor of genotype. The level of genetic variance was lower for the traits of seed weight (6.84%), pods number (9.49%) and 1st pod height (9.77%). The coefficient of genetic variance was higher than the coefficient of phenotypic variance for pod length. In terms of the traits of pod length (84.32%, 1.33), 100 seeds mass (69.08%, 7.87) and 1st pod height (52.76%, 1.26) was found high heritability, coupled with medium to high genetic advance, which is a prerequisite for increasing the productive potential of the broad bean in these traits. Positive correlations were established between seed productivity and all quantitative traits, especially 100 seeds mass (r = 0.574), pod length (r = 0.568) and plant height (r = 0.411). From the breeding point of view, accessions BGE 041470 and Fb 2486, which were distinguished by high values of pods number, seeds number and 100 seeds mass, were of interest. Also, attention deserves to be paid to FbH 14, which formed a large number of pods and seeds per plant, as well as FbH 16, which was characterized by a good balance between the traits of seeds number, seed weight, and 100 seeds mass. These accessions are definitely of interest for hybridization programs and can be recommended as parent components in selection for increased productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the course of left-sided infective endocarditis (LsIE) in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) analyzing its influence on mortality and the impact of surgery.Methods: Prospective cohort study, conducted from 1984 to 2013 in 26 Spanish hospitals.Results: A total of 3.136 patients with LsIE were enrolled and 308 had LC: 151 Child-Pugh A, 103 B, 34 C and 20 were excluded because of unknown stage. Mortality was significantly higher in the patients with LsIE and LC (42.5% vs. 28.4%; p < 0.01) and this condition was in general an independent worse factor for outcome (HR 1.51, 95% CI: 1.23-1.85; p < 0.001). However, patients in stage A had similar mortality to patients without cirrhosis (31.8% vs. 28.4% p = NS) and in this stage heart surgery had a protective effect (28% in operated patients vs. 60% in non-operated when it was indicated). Mortality was significantly higher in stages B (52.4%) and C (52.9%) and the prognosis was better for patients in stage B who underwent surgery immediately (mortality 50%) compared to those where surgery was delayed (58%) or not performed (74%). Only one patient in stage C underwent surgery.Conclusions: Patients with liver cirrhosis and infective endocarditis have a poorer prognosis only in stages B and C. Early surgery must be performed in stages A and although in selected patients in stage B when indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Objective: To evaluate the current trends in the clinical characteristics and the prognosis of Streptococcus agalactiae infective endocarditis (IE), uncommon disease associated with high mortality. Methods: Descriptive analysis of 27 cases of a large cohort (961 episodes) of infective endocarditis collected in seven hospitals of Andalusia (Spain) between 1984 and 2008. Results: Native valves were affected in most cases (85. 2%), multiple valves were frequently involved (22.2%). The median age of the patients was 65 (51–76) years (59.3% men), with a comorbidity, according to the Charlson index, of 2.6±2.3. The most frequent underlying diseases were diabetes mellitus (25.9%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (14.8%), neoplasms (14.8%), urological disorders (11%) and chronic liver disease (11%). Clinical presentation was characterized by rapid worsening (median of 9 (5.7–15) days from onset of symptoms until diagnosis), a high rate of embolisms (37%) and cardiac complications (abscesses, fistulas or valve rupture) – 37% of cases. Surgery was performed in 12 patients (44.4%) and a high mortality (40.7%) was observed. Conclusion: S. agalactiae IE is a serious disease with aggressive course and high mortality rate and affects patients with debilitating diseases. We must be alert of the development of complications and consider early valve surgery when it is necessary. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• This study presents the content validation a comprehensive tool for risk assessment. • It is one of the first tools to incorporate environmental and protective factors. • The involvement of its future users in its construction supports its validity. Child maltreatment is a complex reality that has become a worldwide social and public health problem; therefore, its early detection is crucial. At present there are no scientifically rigorous instruments that cover all areas of child maltreatment. The aim of this study is to report on the development and content validation of the ACRAM (Adolescents and Children Risk of Abuse and Maltreatment) tool. This process consisted of various stages and followed a mixed methodology. Sample was composed by 144 and 80 professionals from Spain on each stage. The results are very promising and support the content validity of this tool, as we virtually all of our indicators have a good CVI and have been approved and reviewed by several groups of experts. The creation of a valid, reliable and global instrument will have significant benefits for the quality of life of children, adolescents, their families, and for professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]