bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Principais fatores de risco associados à lesão por pressão em região do calcâneo: uma revisão sistemática
Authors: Nascimento José William Araújo do , Freitas Geysa Kelly Lima de , Melo Vinícius Souza , Carvalho Clariany Thalita Ferreira de , Lima Ana Beatriz Alves , Santos Isabela da Silva , Luna Bárbara Evellen Muniz , Ferreira Cynthia Lopes , Bezerra Maria Eduarda Luiz , Silva Gemima Farias Pessoa da
Published: October 2022

Objetivo: Analisar os principais fatores de risco associados à lesão por pressão em região do calcâneo. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma revisão sistemática realizada por meio do método PRISMA, nas bases de dados eletrônicas PubMed, Scopus e Web of Science, por meio dos seguintes descritores: “Pressure Ulcers” “Bedsores”, “Decubitus Ulcers”, “Heel”, “Calcaneus”, “Risk Factors” e “Contributory Factors”. Foram incluídos textos completos, disponíveis em português, inglês ou espanhol, publicados entre janeiro de 2016 a maio de 2022. Além destes critérios, foram incluídos estudos com participantes com idade igual ou superior a 18 anos e que investigaram fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de lesão por pressão em região de calcâneo independentemente do nível de estágio (I-IV), incluindo as lesões não classificáveis. Resultados: 05 artigos compuseram a amostra final desse estudo, com maior produção do continente europeu (n: 03). Foram identificadas nove categorias de fatores de risco associados ao desenvolvimento de lesão por pressão em região do calcâneo, envolvendo desde a idade avançada dos pacientes a características clínicas como diabetes mellitus e doença vascular e a presença de umidade, incontinência, fricção e cisalhamento. Conclusão: Apesar da escassez de estudos acerca dos fatores de risco de lesão por pressão em região do calcâneo, verificou-se diversas condições que podem elevar a probabilidade de ocorrência dessas lesões. No entanto, mais pesquisas são necessárias para elucidar esses fatores de risco, além de estudos bem desenhados para aumentar o corpo de evidências.
Estudo de prevalência de depressão e ansiedade durante a pandemia do COVID-19: Revisão de literatura
Authors: Mocelin Lucas Matheus , Alves Filho José Roberto
Published: October 2022

A pandemia do COVID-19 que teve seu início no final do ano de 2019 na China, afetou diretamente a saúde mental, não somente daqueles que sofreram com a doença, mas também de todos que estavam envolvidos de alguma forma no cuidado desses pacientes. Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar a prevalência de depressão e ansiedade durante o período de pandemia em que vivemos, por meio da metodologia de revisão qualitativa e quantitativa de literatura, a fim de verificar se houve ou não um aumento no número de pessoas com sintomas de depressão e ansiedade. Percebeu-se, por meio da pesquisa, que a maior parte dos estudos identificaram que durante a pandemia um maior número de pessoas adquiriu tais doenças que não possuíam, evidenciando também que mulheres e pessoas mais jovens foram o grupo de pessoas que mais sofreram com a pandemia, isso se deve principalmente ao fato de ter tido o contato direto com o vírus Sars-CoV-2, e também a mudança no estilo de vida de cada um. Os trabalhos analisados indicaram também que, além dos pacientes, uma parte dos profissionais da saúde também contraíram sinais de depressão e ansiedade, uma vez que precisaram lidar com uma exaustiva jornada de trabalho, ou até mesmo presenciar situações nunca vistas antes.
Fatores associados a acidentes de trânsito envolvendo ciclistas: uma revisão integrativa da literatura
Authors: Parlow Jaqueline Meert , Polay João Pedro Gambetta , Castro Ana Cristina Barth de , Sakakibara Amy , Santos Yasmim Brick , Kluthcovsky Ana Claudia Garabeli Cavalli
Published: October 2022

Pesquisas têm relatado alguns fatores que podem estar associados aos acidentes de trânsito envolvendo ciclistas. Esse estudo teve como objetivo analisar os fatores associados aos acidentes de trânsito envolvendo ciclistas e veículos motorizados. Foi realizada uma revisão integrativa da literatura entre janeiro de 2010 e novembro de 2020, utilizando-se a estratégia de busca PECOS, nas bases MEDLINE, LILACS e SciELO, por meio de diferentes combinações de palavras-chave. Estudos que analisaram os fatores associados aos acidentes de trânsito envolvendo ciclistas e veículos motorizados foram incluídos. Os artigos foram analisados pela Iniciativa STROBE. Foram selecionados para análise 12 artigos, os quais apresentaram diversidade em relação aos tipos de estudo, tamanho amostral e instrumentos e fontes para coleta de dados. De modo geral, destacaram-se o sexo masculino, tipos de manobras, características da personalidade e do comportamento, o limite de velocidade e não usar capacete como fatores associados aos acidentes envolvendo ciclistas e veículos motorizados. Observaram-se vários fatores que poderiam ser controlados ou evitados em acidentes desse tipo. Destaca-se a importância de implementar medidas de prevenção, visando garantir maior segurança aos ciclistas.
Estudo do elevado consumo de antidepressivos em consequência da pandemia da Covid-19 no Brasil – Revisão Integrativa
Authors: Andrade Marlene de Souza , Rodrigues Antônia Eliene da Silva , Rodrigues Junior Omero Martins , Gama Regiana Almeida da , Oliveira Roseane da Silva , Alho Rosane da Costa
Published: October 2022

O Covid-19 exibe um quadro clínico mudando de infecções assintomáticas a quadros graves, provocando perturbações psicológicas e sociais em diversos níveis de intensidade e propagação. Assim, autoridades sanitárias e governamentais de todos os países alcançados pela pandemia, passaram a advertir e decretar medidas de quarentena, isolamento ou distanciamento social, que refletiu, intensamente, na saúde mental das pessoas em geral. De tal modo, o objetivo deste artigo é analisar o aumento no consumo de antidepressivos em consequência da pandemia da Covid-19 no Brasil, tendo em vista os efeitos adversos que estas substâncias podem causar no organismo. Para tal, realizou-se uma revisão integrativa em que a seleção dos estudos foi determinada diante dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão. Identificou-se 5 estudos nas bases de dados Medline, LILACS, Scielo, Periódicos CAPES e Pubmed, que seguiam os critérios de elegibilidade, sendo publicados a partir do ano de 2013. No decorrer do estudo foi possível identificar o aumento dos transtornos mentais e comportamentais, dentre eles: ansiedade, depressão, transtorno de estresse pós-traumático e alterações do sono na população brasileira, decorrentes da pandemia da Covid-19. Sugere-se estudos que investiguem novas propostas de tratamento terapêutico para combater as limitações mentais da população, decorrente da pandemia da Covid-19. Isso posto, faz-se necessária a integração de novas práticas educativas em saúde, como uma partilha interdisciplinar, focando na constituição de novas políticas públicas em saúde mental.
Piometra em cadelas – revisão de literatura
Authors: Rossi Lucas Ariel , Colombo Katiane Carvalho , Rossi Ana Luiza Vazquez , Lima Diane Alves de , Sapin Carolina da Fonseca
Published: October 2022

A piometra é uma afecção do sistema reprodutor feminino, mediada por hormônios e secundária a infecções bacterianas, que está presente em todas as espécies de animais domésticos. Pode ser classificada em piometra aberta ou fechada, sendo esta a forma mais grave. Este trabalho tem por objetivo realizar uma revisão bibliográfica acerca da piometra em cadelas quanto ao conceito, classificações, ocorrência, fisiopatologia, agentes etiológicos, sinais clínicos, diagnósticos diferenciais, diagnóstico e tratamento. O estudo é de caráter qualitativo. Neste foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica acerca da temática do complexo hiperplasia endometrial cística-piometra canina. Desta forma, foram abordados tópicos quanto a classificação, fisiopatologia, sinais clínicos, exames complementares, tratamento e prognóstico, sendo utilizados artigos no período de 2010 a 2021. A piometra é uma doença grave que quando não identificada e tratada corretamente pode levar o animal a óbito. Devido à alta ocorrência da patologia na rotina veterinária é muito importante um bom entendimento acerca da doença.
Otolith microchemistry reveals different environmental histories for two endangered fourfinger threadfin species
Authors: Xuan Z , Wang X , Hajisamae S , Tsim KWK , Yang J , Wang WX
Published: October 2022

Many fishes inhabit different environments throughout ontogeny in order to utilize more suitable habitats and meet their growth needs during different developmental stages. Otolith microchemistry analysis is a powerful tool to elucidate the environmental histories and past movement patterns of fishes, providing important insights into the connectivity between various environments utilized by different developmental stages. In this study, we used laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to analyze the chemical composition of otoliths throughout the entire lifetime of 2 endangered and closely related fourfinger threadfin species, Eleutheronema rhadinum and E. tetradactylum. This is the first study to reconstruct the life history of fourfinger threadfins, and the various element:Ca ratio profiles from otolith core-to-edge analysis suggest differences in environmental histories between the species, especially during their early life stages. We identified 2 contrasting environmental history patterns. Most of the analyzed E. rhadinum individuals were estuarine-dependent, with fish spending their first year in an estuarine environment and then moving to marine coastal systems. In contrast, the majority of E. tetradactylum individuals were coastal-dependent, remaining in the coastal systems throughout their early life history stages. Element:Ca profiles, self-organizing maps and random forest analysis also detected a unique environmental history pattern in early life history stages of the Thai E. rhadinum population that differed from the Chinese E. rhadinum population. There was no evidence of differences between E. tetradactylum populations from Thailand and China. Fourfinger threadfins have experienced drastic population declines over the past decade, and holistic management to increase environmental connectivity for these species is necessary to maintain sustainable fisheries.
Feasibility Analysis of the Implementation of Ecofriendly Biological Pretreatment on Cotton Knit Fabric
Authors: Rahman Mustafijur
Published: October 2022

In this study an attempt was made to investigate bio pretreatment and chemical pretreatment process and observe the effects in terms of absorbency, bursting strength, wash and rubbing fastness, water, and energy consumption. Four samples (S1, S2, S3 and S4) were prepared by different pretreatment processes and then were dyed with two different reactive dyes. When compared to chemically prepared fabrics, biopretreated fabrics demonstrated improved abrasion resistance, bursting strength, and wash fastness. A significant improvement in sustainability aspects had observed in terms of lower demand for energy and water. This study focused to introduce an optimizable eco-friendly pretreatment process with enzyme application of the cotton knit fabrics.
ASSESSMENT OF NIGERIAN SEAPORT SERVICE DELIVERY AND CUSTOMERS’ SATISFACTION
Authors: I Njoku , LY Olowolagba , BS Olisa , IA Adeleke ,   Federal University of Technology Akure Ondo State Nigeria
Published: October 2022

The study assesses the Nigerian Seaport Service Delivery and customers’ Satisfaction with view to identify and assess the most impacting and least impacting port services as well as the overall level of satisfaction with port services in Apapa Port Complex. The study employed primary data involving administration of structured questionnaire. It adopted ROPMIS model and Weighted Mean Rank, Gap Model and spearman rank correlation to assess the customers’ satisfaction and port services quality. The result showed a significant relationship between customers’ satisfaction and port services quality. The study recommends that government should prioritize the construction of access roads in and out of the port and port management should focus on the most and least impacting port services to improve on service delivery quality to ensure increased customers’ satisfaction
EMPIRICAL MODELS FOR CORRELATION OF CLEARNESS INDEX WITH CLOUD INDEX AT ZARIA, KADUNA STATE
Authors:   1Science Laboratory Technology Department, NuhuBamalli Polytechnic Kaduna State, Nigeria, JD Williams , I Ishaya , S Victor , M Stephen , Sanda Yusuf S , CT Okpalaonwuka ,   University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
Published: October 2022

In this study, the monthly average daily values of global solar radiation and relative sunshine hours on a horizontal surface over a period of five years (2011-2015) using multi-linear polynomial form of the AngstromPrescott model have been developed to estimate global solar radiation for Zaria (northern part of Nigeria) which lies on latitude 11°04'N and longitude 7o 42' E. Five different mathematical correlations models (first order, second order, exponential, powered, and logarithmic) was considered and it was found that first order, second order polynomials, exponential and powered gives a good model for estimating total solar radiation in Zaria. The agreement between the measured values (that obtained from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency) and the computed values is remarkable and the models are recommended for Zaria
MODELING OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS FOR POWER GENERATION
Authors:   PDIT, Hosapete, VTU, Belagavi, Karnataka, Indi, Rayaral Naveen , Revankar Prashanth ,   KLE Technological University, Hubbali, Karnataka, India
Published: October 2022

Sustainable energy systems are termed as the systems which deliver energy and power, utilizing the Renewable and natural resources, which is cost effective and has an environmental concern. The Modeling of the systems and its components is itself a complex procedure. The basic Modeling through Physical law applied to each component of the system, its subsystem and the result of the overall system is more time consuming and requires thorough understanding of physical concept and the results obtained are more accurate. Alternatively, the Mathematical Modeling techniques or the procedures are simple to understand, easy to apply and more faithful in obtaining the useful results. This paper presents Various Mathematical Modeling of wind turbine and PV system and simulated for the faithfulness of the results. The deviations from the response of the models from the ideal model are represented as relative index. It shows that simple model can be accurate and it is useful in predicting the behavior of the system.
ENHANCING THE PRODUCTIVITY OF THE SOLAR WATER HEATER WITH VARIOUS ENERGY STORAGE MATERIAL
Authors: Rajan A. Senthil , Rajeshkhanna L , Vinoth V ,   Mohamed Sathak polytechnic
Published: October 2022

Climatic conditions will not be the same through the year. During the summer as the temperature increases the level of water from water resources’ such as ponds, well, river Decreases. People of various parts of the country suffer from scarcity of water. The main objective of this study is to design a suitable water heater operated in solar mode and electric mode with PCM. The maximum outlet temperature was 530C. The maximum efficiency was 44% in solar mode. Inclusion of PCM increases the efficiency.
MEASURING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT, ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING, AND INNOVATION: A STUDY OF JAMMU & KASHMIR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, INDIA
Authors: Singh Ramjit , Tantray Zahid
Published: October 2022

The present research focuses on the impact of Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning on Innovation in tourism organization. This study works on a model with Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning as inputs to promote Innovation. The study has used the descriptive research method, for which the data were collected through a questionnaire from 101 employees of Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) by adopting a census approach. Further regression analysis was applied to find the cause and effect relationship between Knowledge Management, Organizational Learning, and Innovation. Overall the study found that Knowledge Management has no significant effect on Innovation in the organization. While Organizational Learning significantly affects Innovation. It was also found that there is a significant difference in practicing Knowledge Management, Organizational Learning, and Innovation between levels of management. No significant difference was found regarding practicing Knowledge Management, Organizational Learning, and Innovation based on gender in the organization.
AN EMPIRICAL ASSESSMENT OF TOURIST’S RISK PERCEPTION AND ITS IMPACT ON DESTINATION LOYALTY: A STUDY OF KASHMIR VALLEY
Authors: Rather Ab Hamid , Najar Ashaq Hussain
Published: October 2022

The aim of this study was to assess the risk perception of domestic tourists visiting volatile destinations such as the Kashmir valley (India) and reveal the impact of various types of perceived risk on destination loyalty formulation. A quantitative research/deductive approach has been adopted for two reasons: (1) to ensure the objectivity, generalisability, and reliability of research findings; and (2) to develop hypotheses based on an existing theory and then collect data to determine whether empirical evidence to support those hypotheses exists. The current study used a convenience sampling method for collecting data from 413 domestic tourists using a self-administered questionnaire. Furthermore, the two-step approach for structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to assess the psychometric properties of the measurement model and test the proposed structural model. The results revealed that all the five types of perceived risks (socio-psychological, political, performance, financial, and physical) negatively affect tourists' destination loyalty, with socio-psychological risk and political risk emerging as major determinants of loyalty intention of domestic tourists. Moreover, the descriptive analysis revealed that the mean perception of domestic tourists on various risk dimensions was low, and they disagreed that Kashmir is a risky place to visit.
Editorial
Authors: Review Brazilian Keynesian
Published: October 2022

Brazilian Keynesian Review

Associação Keynesiana Brasileira
Biochemical purification and characterization of a truncated acidic, thermostable chitinase from marine fungus for N-acetylglucosamine production
Authors: He Bin , Yang Liyan , Yang Dengfeng , Jiang Minguo , Ling Chengjin , Chen Hailan , Ji Feng , Pan Lixia
Published: October 2022

N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) is widely used in nutritional supplement and is generally produced from chitin using chitinases. While most GlcNAc is produced from colloidal chitin, it is essential that chitinases be acidic enzymes. Herein, we characterized an acidic, highly salinity tolerance and thermostable chitinase AfChiJ, identified from the marine fungus Aspergillus fumigatus df673. Using AlphaFold2 structural prediction, a truncated Δ30AfChiJ was heterologously expressed in E. coli and successfully purified. It was also found that it is active in colloidal chitin, with an optimal temperature of 45°C, an optimal pH of 4.0, and an optimal salt concentration of 3% NaCl. Below 45°C, it was sound over a wide pH range of 2.0–6.0 and maintained high activity (≥97.96%) in 1–7% NaCl. A notable increase in chitinase activity was observed of Δ30AfChiJ by the addition of Mg2+, Ba2+, urea, and chloroform. AfChiJ first decomposed colloidal chitin to generate mainly N-acetyl chitobioase, which was successively converted to its monomer GlcNAc. This indicated that AfChiJ is a bifunctional enzyme, composed of chitobiosidase and β-N-acetylglucosaminidase. Our result suggested that AfChiJ likely has the potential to convert chitin-containing biomass into high-value added GlcNAc.
Epigenetic modifier Kdm6a/Utx controls the specification of hypothalamic neuronal subtypes in a sex-dependent manner
Authors: Cabrera Zapata Lucas E. , Cambiasso María Julia , Arevalo Maria Angeles
Published: October 2022

Kdm6a is an X-chromosome-linked H3K27me2/3 demethylase that promotes chromatin accessibility and gene transcription and is critical for tissue/cell-specific differentiation. Previous results showed higher Kdm6a levels in XX than in XY hypothalamic neurons and a female-specific requirement for Kdm6a in mediating increased axogenesis before brain masculinization. Here, we explored the sex-specific role of Kdm6a in the specification of neuronal subtypes in the developing hypothalamus. Hypothalamic neuronal cultures were established from sex-segregated E14 mouse embryos and transfected with siRNAs to knockdown Kdm6a expression (Kdm6a-KD). We evaluated the effect of Kdm6a-KD on Ngn3 expression, a bHLH transcription factor regulating neuronal sub-specification in hypothalamus. Kdm6a-KD decreased Ngn3 expression in females but not in males, abolishing basal sex differences. Then, we analyzed Kdm6a-KD effect on Ascl1, Pomc, Npy, Sf1, Gad1, and Th expression by RT-qPCR. While Kdm6a-KD downregulated Ascl1 in both sexes equally, we found sex-specific effects for Pomc, Npy, and Th. Pomc and Th expressed higher in female than in male neurons, and Kdm6a-KD reduced their levels only in females, while Npy expressed higher in male than in female neurons, and Kdm6a-KD upregulated its expression only in females. Identical results were found by immunofluorescence for Pomc and Npy neuropeptides. Finally, using ChIP-qPCR, we found higher H3K27me3 levels at Ngn3, Pomc, and Npy promoters in male neurons, in line with Kdm6a higher expression and demethylase activity in females. At all three promoters, Kdm6a-KD induced an enrichment of H3K27me3 only in females. These results indicate that Kdm6a plays a sex-specific role in controlling the expression of transcription factors and neuropeptides critical for the differentiation of hypothalamic neuronal populations regulating food intake and energy homeostasis.
Maximum inferior vena cava diameter predicts post-induction hypotension in hypertensive patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery under general anesthesia: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Zhang Hanying , Gao Hongguang , Xiang Yuanjun , Li Junxiang
Published: October 2022

Background

Inferior vena cava (IVC) ultrasonography is a reliable variable that predicts post-induction hypotension (PIH) in patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia. However, in patients with hypertension, the predictive performance of ultrasound IVC measurements needs further exploration.

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study. Adult patients with existing hypertension scheduled to undergo non-cardiac surgery under general anesthesia were eligible. An abdominal ultrasound examination was conducted immediately prior to anesthesia induction (0.03 mg kg–1 midazolam, 0.3 mg kg–1 etomidate, 0.4 μg kg–1 sufentanil, and 0.6 mg kg–1 rocuronium). IVC collapsibility index (IVC-CI) was calculated as (dIVCmax–dIVCmin)/dIVCmax, where dIVCmax and dIVCmin represent the maximum and minimum IVC diameters at the end of expiration and inspiration, respectively. PIH was defined as a reduction of mean arterial pressure (MAP) by >30% of the baseline or to <60 mmHg within 10 min after endotracheal intubation. The diagnostic performance of IVC-CI, dIVCmax, and dIVCmin in predicting PIH was also examined in a group of normotensive patients receiving non-cardiac surgery under the same anesthesia protocol.

Results

A total of 51 hypertensive patients (61 ± 13 years of age, 31 women) and 52 normotensive patients (42 ± 13 years of age, 35 women) were included in the final analysis. PIH occurred in 33 (64.7%) hypertensive patients and 19 (36.5%) normotensive patients. In normotensive patients, the area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) in predicting PIH was 0.896 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.804–0.987) for IVC-CI, 0.770 (95% CI: 0.633–0.908) for dIVCmax, and 0.868 (95% CI: 0.773–0.963) for dIVCmin. In hypertensive patients, the AUC in predicting PIH was 0.523 (95% CI: 0.354–0.691) for IVC-CI, 0.752 (95% CI: 0.621–0.883) for dIVCmax, and 0.715 (95% CI: 0.571–0.858) for dIVCmin. At the optimal cutoff (1.24 cm), dIVCmax had 54.5% (18/33) sensitivity and 94.4% (17/18) specificity.

Conclusion

In hypertensive patients, IVC-CI is unsuitable for predicting PIH, and dIVCmax is an alternative measure with promising performance.

Clinical trial registration

[http://www.chictr.org.cn/], identifier [ChiCTR2000034853].
Case report: Whole-exome sequencing identifies a novel DES mutation (p. E434K) in a Chinese family with cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac death
Authors: Liu Yu-Xing , Yu Rong , Sheng Yue , Fan Liang-Liang , Deng Yao
Published: October 2022

Background

Desmin is an intermediate filament protein that plays a critical role in the stabilization of the sarcomeres and cell contacts in the cardiac intercalated disk. Mutated DES gene can cause hereditary cardiomyopathy with heterogeneous phenotypes, while the underlying molecular mechanisms requires further investigation.

Methods

We described a Chinese family present with cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Whole-exome sequencing (WES) and bioinformatics strategies were employed to explore the genetic entity of this family.

Results

An unknown heterozygote missense variant (c.1300G > A; p. E434K) of DES gene was identified. The mutation cosegregates in this family. The mutation was predicted as pathogenic and was absent in our 200 healthy controls.

Conclusion

We identified a novel DES mutation (p. E434K) in a Chinese family with cardiomyopathy and SCD. Our study not only provided a new case for the study of the relationship between DES mutations and hereditary cardiomyopathy but also broadened the spectrum of DES mutations.
Development and validation of a clinical predictive model for 1-year prognosis in coronary heart disease patients combine with acute heart failure
Authors: Huang Xiyi , Yang Shaomin , Chen Xinjie , Zhao Qiang , Pan Jialing , Lai Shaofen , Ouyang Fusheng , Deng Lingda , Du Yongxing , Chen Jiacheng , Hu Qiugen , Guo Baoliang , Liu Jiemei
Published: October 2022

Background

The risk factors for acute heart failure (AHF) vary, reducing the accuracy and convenience of AHF prediction. The most common causes of AHF are coronary heart disease (CHD). A short-term clinical predictive model is needed to predict the outcome of AHF, which can help guide early therapeutic intervention. This study aimed to develop a clinical predictive model for 1-year prognosis in CHD patients combined with AHF.

Materials and methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on data of 692 patients CHD combined with AHF admitted between January 2020 and December 2020 at a single center. After systemic treatment, patients were discharged and followed up for 1-year for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). The clinical characteristics of all patients were collected. Patients were randomly divided into the training (n = 484) and validation cohort (n = 208). Step-wise regression using the Akaike information criterion was performed to select predictors associated with 1-year MACE prognosis. A clinical predictive model was constructed based on the selected predictors. The predictive performance and discriminative ability of the predictive model were determined using the area under the curve, calibration curve, and clinical usefulness.

Results

On step-wise regression analysis of the training cohort, predictors for MACE of CHD patients combined with AHF were diabetes, NYHA ≥ 3, HF history, Hcy, Lp-PLA2, and NT-proBNP, which were incorporated into the predictive model. The AUC of the predictive model was 0.847 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.811–0.882] in the training cohort and 0.839 (95% CI: 0.780–0.893) in the validation cohort. The calibration curve indicated good agreement between prediction by nomogram and actual observation. Decision curve analysis showed that the nomogram was clinically useful.

Conclusion

The proposed clinical prediction model we have established is effective, which can accurately predict the occurrence of early MACE in CHD patients combined with AHF.
Mapping snow depth and volume at the alpine watershed scale from aerial imagery using Structure from Motion
Authors: Meyer Joachim , Deems Jeffrey S. , Bormann Kat J. , Shean David E. , Skiles S. McKenzie
Published: October 2022

Time series mapping of snow volume in the mountains at global scales and at resolutions needed for water resource management is an unsolved challenge to date. Snow depth mapping by differencing surface elevations from airborne lidar is a mature measurement approach filling the observation gap operationally in a few regions, primarily in mountain headwaters in the Western United States. The same concept for snow depth retrieval from stereo- or multi-view photogrammetry has been demonstrated, but these previous studies had limited ability to determine the uncertainties of photogrammetric snow depth at the basin scale. For example, assessments used non-coincident or discrete points for reference, masked out vegetation, or compared a subset of the fully snow-covered study domain. Here, using a unique data set with simultaneously collected airborne data, we compare snow depth mapped from multi-view Structure from Motion photogrammetry to that mapped by lidar at multiple resolutions over an entire mountain basin (300 km2). After excluding reconstruction errors (negative depths), SfM had lower snow-covered area (∼27%) and snow volume (∼16%) compared to lidar. The reconstruction errors were primarily in areas with vegetation, shallow snow (< 1 m), and steep slopes (> 60°C). Across the overlapping snow extent, snow depths compared well to lidar with similar mean values (< 0.03 m difference) and snow volume (± 5%) for output resolutions of 3 m and 50 m, and with a normalized median absolute deviation of 0.19 m. Our results indicate that photogrammetry from aerial images can be applied in the mountains but would perform best for deeper snowpacks above tree line.
Numerical and experimental study of co-combustion of refuse-derived fuels in a circulating fluidized bed during load change
Authors: Alobaid Falah , Kuhn Alexander , Nguyen Nhut M , Johnen Balte , Peters Jens , Epple Bernd
Published: October 2022

This study presents a comprehensive dynamic process simulation model of a 1 MWth circulating fluidized bed test facility applied for lignite and refuse-derived fuel co-combustion. The developed dynamic process simulation model describes the circulating fluidized bed riser and the supplying system with a high level of detail considering heat transfer, gas-solid interaction, combustion, and fluid dynamics. The model was first tuned at two steady-state operation points and was then validated by the measured data from a long-term test campaign of the 1 MWth circulating fluidized bed test facility at various loads (60%–80% to 100%). During the load changes, the simulated pressure and temperature profiles along the combustor as well as the flue gas concentrations agree very well with the measurement data. Finally, increasing the proportion of waste-derived fuel in the co-combustion process was investigated to evaluate the flexibility of its use in power generation to further reduce CO2 emissions.
Spatiotemporal diet shifting in a neotropical fish species: The role of riparian vegetation and seasonal inundation
Authors: Mateus Lucia , Rodrigues Costa Rosa Maria , Penha Jerry
Published: October 2022

Aquatic organisms that consume resources from riparian vegetation or floodplain forests act as trophic links between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. For instance, the pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus (Holmberg 1887), which is a migratory fish species, can play an important role in this interaction on Neotropical floodplains. We compared the stomach content of individuals from this species between two different parts of a large river floodplain during contrasting hydrological seasons to quantify the spatiotemporal contribution of allochthonous and autochthonous resources in their diet. Moreover, we performed a bipartite network approach to evaluate the sensitivity of these populations to a simulated loss of food resources through the potential deforestation of riparian vegetation. We found that in the upper catchment, individuals fed mainly on allochthonous items, but their identity depended on the season: fruits were the most abundant resource during the wet season, whereas leaves were more consumed during the dry season. In the lower catchment, the contribution of allochthonous resources was slightly lower in the dry season than in the wet season, when the pacu was able to explore the floodplain. Finally, the results from our consumer-resource network model indicated that this system is vulnerable to riparian deforestation since P. mesopotamicus is highly dependent on input from the riparian vegetation items to its feed.
Individual to collective adaptation through incremental change in Colorado groundwater governance
Authors: Loos Jonathon R. , Andersson Krister , Bulger Shauna , Cody Kelsey C. , Cox Michael , Gebben Alexander , Smith Steven M.
Published: October 2022

Designing adaptive institutions for achieving sustainable groundwater use is a central challenge to local and state governments. This challenge is exacerbated by the growing impacts and uncertainty of climate change on water resources. Calls to reform water governance systems are often made in the context of these challenges, and reform efforts increasingly emphasize the need for solutions that are locally designed and administered. Such reforms often require fundamental institutional change that is difficult to achieve amid the myriad forces that stabilize and reproduce existing institutional structures and functions. In practice, governance change is instead overwhelmingly incremental and tends to be punctuated by periods of adjustment in response to social or environmental shocks and disturbances. We present a comparative study of four major Colorado river basins and examine how each has evolved distinct arrangements of groundwater governance in response to regulatory and drought disturbances over the past century. We interrogate concepts of path-dependence and apply a historical lens to understand why locally designed institutions for self-regulation emerge in some Colorado groundwater basins but not in others. We uncover a pattern of collective action by groundwater users that first seeks to oppose state regulation, followed by acceptance and efforts to comply, and eventual attempts to get ahead of state regulation by enacting local institutions for self-regulation. We report these findings and discuss the insights they offer for understanding how adaptive natural resources institutions are shaped through time by the constraints and opportunities of path-dependence and local contexts.
Applying artificial intelligence techniques for predicting the environment, social, and governance (ESG) pillar score based on balance sheet and income statement data: A case of non-financial companies of USA, UK, and Germany
Authors: Raza Hassan , Khan Muhammad Anees , Mazliham M. S. , Alam Muhammad Mansoor , Aman Nida , Abbas Kumail
Published: October 2022

Due to globalization, environment, social, and governance (ESG) issues have gained importance over the last few decades. ESG is a worldwide issue, which clarifies that organizations throughout the world are lacking in contribution to the environment, society, and corporate governance characteristics for sustainable development. The problem of ESG spread over all stakeholders needs to be addressed. In this regard, rating agencies also have a close eye on ESG issues and have developed the methodology of score that aims to provide disclosure on ESG metrics which, in return, help investors and asset managers better differentiate between responsible and irresponsible companies. The ESG score has become an important tool among asset managers but is highly questioned in terms of reliability. The study objective was to develop machine learning algorithms to assess how balance sheet and income statement data impact the Thomson Reuters ESG score for non-financial public companies of USA, UK, and Germany from 2008 to 2020. In addition, the study also has an objective to assess which machine learning (ML) algorithm better predicts the ESG score using structural data, that is, return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE), earning per share (EPS), earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), dividend yield, and net sales. The results concluded that balance sheet and income statement data are critical in explaining the ESG score, and the ANN algorithm outperforms with minimum RMSE and MAE values. All in all, the results of the study, based on the concept of artificial intelligence, bring suggestion for improvement to regulatory bodies, researchers, academia, practitioners, publicly listed companies around the globe, and last but not the least to the US, UK, and Germany markets. Moreover, it also provides suggestions for up-to-date compliance of ESG-relevant activities for boosting the firm performance.
Genetically predicted tea intake increases the risk of osteoarthritis: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Li Gang , Zhang Zhe , Liu Yang
Published: October 2022

Background: This study aimed to clarify the relationship between tea consumption and osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the Open Genome-wide Association Studies database were obtained. Summary statistics on OA were retrieved from the second dataset that enrolled 50,508 participants (10,083 OA cases) of European ancestry. The causal association between tea intake and OA was tested using two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Results: Tea consumption has adverse effects on OA. (inverse-variance weighted method: OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.08–1.30; weighted median method: OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.07–1.40). The MR–Egger regression intercept (MR intercept = −0.002; p = 0.73) showed no evidence of directional pleiotropy. Moreover, no evidence of underlying heterogeneity in MR analysis was found according to Cochran’s Q test and funnel and forest analyses.

Conclusion: A genetically predicted high daily tea intake can increase the risk of OA.
The future regulation of artificial intelligence systems in healthcare services and medical research in the European Union
Authors: Meszaros Janos , Minari Jusaku , Huys Isabelle
Published: October 2022

Despite its promising future, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and automated decision-making in healthcare services and medical research faces several legal and ethical hurdles. The European Union (EU) is tackling these issues with the existing legal framework and drafting new regulations, such as the proposed AI Act. The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) partly regulates AI systems, with rules on processing personal data and protecting data subjects against solely automated decision-making. In healthcare services, (automated) decisions are made more frequently and rapidly. However, medical research focuses on innovation and efficacy, with less direct decisions on individuals. Therefore, the GDPR’s restrictions on solely automated decision-making apply mainly to healthcare services, and the rights of patients and research participants may significantly differ. The proposed AI Act introduced a risk-based approach to AI systems based on the principles of ethical AI. We analysed the complex connection between the GDPR and AI Act, highlighting the main issues and finding ways to harmonise the principles of data protection and ethical AI. The proposed AI Act may complement the GDPR in healthcare services and medical research. Although several years may pass before the AI Act comes into force, many of its goals will be realised before that.
Safety and immunogenicity of intradermal administration of fractional dose CoronaVac®, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and BNT162b2 as primary series vaccination
Authors: Chatsiricharoenkul Somruedee , Niyomnaitham Suvimol , Posen Harry Joshua , Toh Zheng Quan , Licciardi Paul V. , Wongprompitak Patimaporn , Duangchinda Thaneeya , Pakchotanon Pattarakul , Chantima Warangkana , Chokephaibulkit Kulkanya
Published: October 2022

There is a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines, with less than 20% of eligible populations in low-income countries having received one dose. Intradermal delivery of fractional dose vaccines is one way to improve global vaccine access, but no studies have reported data on intradermal delivery of COVID-19 primary series vaccination. We conducted a pilot study to examine the safety and immunogenicity of three intradermal primary series regimens – heterologous regimen of CoronaVac and ChAdOx1 (CoronaVac-ChAdOx1), homologous regimen of ChAdOx1 (ChAdOx1-ChAdOx1), and homologous regimen of BNT162b2 (BNT162b2-BNT162b2). Each dose was 1/5th or 1/6th of the standard dose. Two additional exploratory arms of intradermal vaccination for the second dose following an intramuscular first dose of ChAdOx1 and BNT162b2 were included. Intradermal vaccination was found to be immunogenic and safe. The antibody responses generated by the intradermal primary series were highest in the BNT162b2 arms. The anti-receptor binding domain (anti-RBD) IgG concentration following fractional dose intradermal vaccination was similar to that of standard dose intramuscular vaccination of the same regimen for all study arms except for BNT162b2. The BNT162b2 intradermal series generated a lower antibody concentration than the reference intramuscular series, despite generating the highest antibody concentration of all three intradermal primary series regimens. Neutralizing antibody responses against the SARS-CoV-2 ancestral strain were consistent with what was observed for anti-RBD IgG, with lower titers for SARS-CoV-2 variants. Neutralizing titers were lowest against the omicron variant, being undetectable in about a quarter of study participants. T-cell responses against spike- and nucleocapsid-membrane-open reading frame proteins were also detected following intradermal vaccination. Adverse effects following intradermal vaccination were generally comparable with post-intramuscular vaccination effects. Taken together, our data suggest that intradermal vaccination using 1/5th or 1/6th of standard COVID-19 intramuscular vaccination dosing were immunogenic with tendency of lower systemic adverse reactions than intramuscular vaccination. Our findings have implications in settings where COVID-19 vaccines are in shortage.
Rare variants and HLA haplotypes associated in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders
Authors: Tabansky Inna , Tanaka Akemi J. , Wang Jiayao , Zhang Guanglan , Dujmovic Irena , Mader Simone , Jeganathan Venkatesh , DeAngelis Tracey , Funaro Michael , Harel Asaff , Messina Mark , Shabbir Maya , Nursey Vishaan , DeGouvia William , Laurent Micheline , Blitz Karen , Jindra Peter , Gudesblatt Mark ,   Regeneron Genetics Center, King Alejandra , Drulovic Jelena , Yunis Edmond , Brusic Vladimir , Shen Yufeng , Keskin Derin B. , Najjar Souhel , Stern Joel N. H.
Published: October 2022

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are rare, debilitating autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system. Many NMOSD patients have antibodies to Aquaporin-4 (AQP4). Prior studies show associations of NMOSD with individual Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) alleles and with mutations in the complement pathway and potassium channels. HLA allele associations with NMOSD are inconsistent between populations, suggesting complex relationships between the identified alleles and risk of disease. We used a retrospective case-control approach to identify contributing genetic variants in patients who met the diagnostic criteria for NMOSD and their unaffected family members. Potentially deleterious variants identified in NMOSD patients were compared to members of their families who do not have the disease and to existing databases of human genetic variation. HLA sequences from patients from Belgrade, Serbia, were compared to the frequency of HLA haplotypes in the general population in Belgrade. We analyzed exome sequencing on 40 NMOSD patients and identified rare inherited variants in the complement pathway and potassium channel genes. Haplotype analysis further detected two haplotypes, HLA-A*01, B*08, DRB1*03 and HLA-A*01, B*08, C*07, DRB1*03, DQB1*02, which were more prevalent in NMOSD patients than in unaffected individuals.In silicomodeling indicates that HLA molecules within these haplotypes are predicted to bind AQP4 at several sites, potentially contributing to the development of autoimmunity. Our results point to possible autoimmune and neurodegenerative mechanisms that cause NMOSD, and can be used to investigate potential NMOSD drug targets.
Combination of bicarbonate and low temperature stress induces the biosynthesis of both arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids in alkaliphilic microalgae Dunaliella salina HTBS
Authors: Guo Zhile , Hou Yuyong , Liu Zhiyong , Ma Yanbo , Han Tong , Hao Nahui , Yao Yuanjiang , Lan Chunxuan , Ge Tongling , Safavi Maliheh , Wang Weijie , Zhao Lei , Chen Fangjian
Published: October 2022

High bicarbonate levels and low temperature may have an impact on microalgae cultivation. However, changes in cellular composition in response to the combination of the above stresses are still poorly understood. In this study, the combined effects of bicarbonate and low temperature on biochemical changes in alkaliphilic microalgae Dunaliella salina HTBS were investigated. Comparing to the control condition of 25°C without bicarbonate, the cell density was increased from 0.69 to 1.18 in the treatment condition of 0.15 M bicarbonate and low temperature (16 °C) while the lipid\protein\carbohydrate contents were increased from 34.71% to 43.94%, 22.44% to 26.03%, 22.62% to 29.18%, respectively. Meanwhile, the PUFAs, arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) contents reached to 3.52% and 4.73% with the combination of low temperature and bicarbonate, respectively, whereas they were not detected when the cells were treated with single condition. Moreover, both the chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were also detected with increased profiles in the combined treatments. As a result, the maximum photochemical efficiency but not reduced non-photochemical quenching was strengthened, which enhanced the photosynthetic performance. Additionally, our results indicated that D. salina HTBS could acclimate to the combined stress by up-regulating the activity of SOD\CAT and reducing MDA content. These findings demonstrated that the addition of a certain bicarbonate under low temperature could effectively enhance the biomass production and accumulation of AA and DHA, which would benefit the development of the microalgae industry in value-added products.