Concordance Values Research Articles

Abstract 13156: The Location of Combined High-Risk Low Endothelial Shear Stress and High Plaque Structural Stress is Distant From the Minimal Lumen Area in the Majority of Coronary Plaques Responsible for Major Adverse Cardiac Events

Introduction: The presence of multiple high-risk prognostic features enhances risk-stratification of plaques prone to destabilization and major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Spatial superimposition of high-risk features (concordance) likely amplifies local risk. Local endothelial shear stress (ESS) and plaque structural stress (PSS) metrics predict MACE, but their spatial concordance and their location relative to the minimal lumen area (MLA) is unknown. If the highest-risk plaque area is distant from the MLA, then PCI of the MLA alone will leave high-risk plaque areas untreated. Purpose: To identify the site of high-risk features of low ESS and high PSS heterogeneity (HI) along the course of a plaque in patients who develop MACE, and the site of their spatial concordance relative to the MLA. Methods: We examined ESS, PSS, and PSS HI in 22 non-culprit lesions (NCL) leading to MACE, and 64 randomly selected control NCLs without MACE from the PROSPECT study. ESS was calculated by computational fluid dynamics and PSS by finite element analysis on co-registered lesions. We examined high-risk plaques with empirically-derived (ROC curve) ESS < 1.3 Pa and PSS HI > 0.29 in 16 lesions leading to future MACE, and 11 control lesions without MACE. Results: MACE outcomes were significantly more frequent in plaques with combined low ESS+high PSS HI vs plaques with low ESS alone (72.7% vs 27.3%, p<0.001) at 3 years follow-up. Of the 16 MACE plaques with both low ESS+high PSS HI, 14 exhibited high-risk values that were spatially concordant vs 2 that were discordant (87.5% v 12.5%, p=0.01). In the 14 plaques with concordant values, there were 26 focal plaque areas with high-risk concordance. The mean distance from the concordant high-risk areas to the MLA was 13.2 ± 11.6 mm (Figure). Conclusion: High-risk ESS and PSS measures frequently co-localize in plaques responsible for future MACE, and are substantially distant from the MLA. PCI of the MLA area alone may leave many high-risk areas untreated.

The rational application of liquid biopsy based on next-generation sequencing in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Plasma and tissue biopsy have both used for targeting actionable driver gene mutations in lung cancer, whose concordance is imperfect. A reliable method to predict the concordance is urgently needed to ease clinical application. A total of 1012 plasma samples, including 519 with paired-tissue biopsy samples, derived from lung adenocarcinoma patients were retrospectively enrolled. We assessed the associations of several clinicopathological characteristics and serum tumor markers with the concordance between plasma and tissue biopsies. When carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were higher than thresholds of 15.01 ng/ml and 51.15 ng/ml, the positive predictive value of concordance reached 90% and 95%, respectively. When CEA levels were lower than thresholds of 5.19 ng/ml and 3.26 ng/mL, the negative predictive value of concordance reached 45% and 50%. The performance of CYFRA21-1 in predicting concordance was similar but inferior to CEA (AUC: 0.727 vs. 0.741, p=0.633). The performance of CEA combined with CYFRA21-1 in predicting the concordance was similar to that of the combination of independent factors derived from the LASSO regression model (AUC: 0.796 vs. 0.818, p=0.067). CEA (r=0.47, p < 0.01) and CYFRA21-1 levels (r=0.45, p < 0.05) were significantly correlated with the maximum variant allele frequency, respectively. CEA combined with CYFRA21-1 could effectively predict the concordance between plasma and tissue biopsies, which could be used for evaluating the priority of plasma and tissue biopsies for gene testing to timely guide clinical applications in advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients.

Design and validation of questionnaires to measure educational needs about medications in students, parents, and teachers in an elementary school

Context: To achieve a health literacy program aimed at improving the use of medicines, it is necessary to have tools that identify educational needs through valid and reliable instruments. Aims: To validate instruments designed to evaluate the correct use of medicines in an elementary school in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico, applying the Delphi method. Methods: A descriptive, mixed study was carried out. Three questionnaires were designed based on a documentary analysis and the identification of influential variables expressed in dimensions and items, such as sociodemographic, pharmacotherapeutic, and clinical characteristics. The content validity was determined by applying the Delphi method, the mathematical model of Torgerson (MMT), and Aiken's v coefficient, while the internal reliability was determined by Cronbach's alpha value and the interobserver concordance by the Kappa index. Results: Three questionnaires were designed with 33, 48, and 44 items addressed to students, parents, and teachers respectively. The content was valid meeting the MMT criteria and Aiken's v values above 0.9. Reliability was moderate with Cronbach's alpha values of 0.6 and inter-observer agreement was moderate with Kappa index values of 0.4. Reliability and concordance values are accepted when considering the literature review and rigorous expert input. Conclusions: The designed questionnaires contain valid and reliable items that will allow obtaining the necessary information to build an education program of medication use in an elementary school considering the integration of students, parents, and teachers.

Lifestyle indices of body composition and obesity risk and prevalence among multi-ethnic adolescents in Malaysia.

The prevalence of childhood obesity in Malaysia has doubled in less than a decade. Moreover, being overweight and obese have been associated with immediate and later comorbidities, thus emphasizing the need to prevent obesity from an early age. This cross-sectional study involved 923 multi-ethnic Malaysian adolescents aged between 15 and 17 years old. Body composition was estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Body mass index (BMI) classification was based on the World Health Organization (WHO) growth reference and the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cut-off. Meanwhile, the Child Growth Foundation (CGF) body fat reference was used to classify adolescents' adiposity. Lifestyle indices including physical activity, sedentary behavior, supplement intake, smoking and alcohol status were assessed via questionnaires. A high prevalence of overweight/obesity among the adolescents was observed according to the CGF (26%), followed by that of the WHO (24%) and then the IOTF (23%) cut-off, with high concordance values between each pair. After adjustment, a significant association was found between physical activity (PAQ score) and lean mass (p = 0.027). No lifestyle determinant was found to be a significant predictor of fat percentage. A high sedentary level increased the likelihood of obesity (OR 3.0, p < 0.01), while antioxidant-rich supplements were found to protect against obesity (OR 0.4, p < 0.05). The lifestyle predictors identified in this study may be considered when designing interventions that integrate lifestyle modifications targeting adolescents.

An Externally Validated RPA-Based Pre-Treatment Decision-Making Tool Identifying Ideal Candidates for Spine SBRT

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> We sought to develop and validate a novel decision-making tool predictive of overall survival (OS) for patients receiving stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for spinal metastases. <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> Treatments were performed at two institutions and most commonly involved one or three fractions of spine SBRT. Recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) was conducted using decision-tree analysis. Potential correlations between variables were assessed with a correlation heatmap. OS was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Exclusion criteria included: treatments with proton therapy, benign primary histologies, missing variables of interest, and patients with the first course of spine SBRT outside of the participating institutions. <h3>Results</h3> The initial dataset consisted of 424 patients with 522 treated lesions. Of these, 361 patients were used for the RPA and initial model development because not all components of the SINS score were available for 63 patients. After consideration of 9 candidate variables, the final model consisted of the following variables and corresponding scores: SINS ≥ 6 (1); time from primary diagnosis < 21 months (1); ECOG performance status = 1 and ECOG > 1 (1 and 2, respectively); and > 1 organ systems involved (1). Each variable was an independent predictor of OS (p<0.001), and each 1-point increase in score was associated with a hazard ratio of 2.01 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.79-2.25, p<0.0001) (Table). The concordance value was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.71-0.78). The scores were then discretized into 3 groups: favorable (score: 0-1), intermediate (score: 2), and poor (score: 3-5) survival, with 2-year OS of 84% (95% CI: 79-90%), 46% (95% CI: 36-59%), and 21% (95% CI: 14-32%), respectively (p<0.0001 for each). In the external validation set (182 patients), the score was predictive of OS (p<0.0001). The favorable, intermediate, and poor survival groups each demonstrated statistical significance (p<0.002), with 2-year OS of 77%, 50%, and 36%. Increasing SINS score was predictive of decreased OS as a continuous variable, with a hazard ratio of 1.17 (95% CI: 1.12-1.23, p<0.0001). Of the 6 components of the SINS score, 4 demonstrated associations with OS: pain, type of bone lesion, vertebral body collapse, and posterior spinal element involvement. <h3>Conclusion</h3> We propose this novel score as a decision-making tool to help optimize patient selection for spine SBRT. The SINS score may be an independent predictor of OS.

Acceptance of contemporary technologies for cost management of construction projects

The construction industry has become more digital and the traditional methods of construction activities are gradually becoming outdated. In this era of digital construction, various information and communication technologies have been developed and deployed to the site for the management and control of construction activities including cost management. Irrespective of the benefits of adopting these technologies, most of them are still not readily accepted for use for construction management. This study articulated Seven (7) recent technologies driving the industry and evaluated their acceptance for cost management of construction projects. The technologies include mobile technology, Augmented/Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Building Information Modeling (BIM), Internet of Things (IoT), Autonomous Equipment (Drones and Robotics), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Predictive Analytics (PA). Data was gathered using a restructured questionnaire and technology acceptance model analysis was performed to identify which of the technologies have higher acceptance for cost management based on the criteria of availability, affordability, frequency of use, usefulness for cost management, and acceptance in the industry. Test statistics using Spearman’s correlations and Kendall’s correlations for each of the technologies and Spearman’s Correlations of Technology acceptance with other variables in the TAM Model were performed. The results showed that mobile technology has higher correlation values than other technologies, and therefore has a higher acceptance for cost management. Kendall’s coefficient of concordance values and Spearman’s correlation values for Mobile technology were all above 0.6 which indicates a high level of agreement among the raters and strong relationships between the compared TAM variables.

Semantic Segmentation of Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage, Intraventricular Hemorrhage, and Associated Edema on CT Images Using Deep Learning.

This study evaluated deep learning algorithms for semantic segmentation and quantification of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), perihematomal edema (PHE), and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) on noncontrast CT scans of patients with spontaneous ICH. Models were assessed on 1732 annotated baseline noncontrast CT scans obtained from the Tranexamic Acid for Hyperacute Primary Intracerebral Haemorrhage (ie, TICH-2) international multicenter trial (ISRCTN93732214), and different loss functions using a three-dimensional no-new-U-Net (nnU-Net) were examined to address class imbalance (30% of participants with IVH in dataset). On the test cohort (n = 174, 10% of dataset), the top-performing models achieved median Dice similarity coefficients of 0.92 (IQR, 0.89-0.94), 0.66 (0.58-0.71), and 1.00 (0.87-1.00), respectively, for ICH, PHE, and IVH segmentation. U-Net-based networks showed comparable, satisfactory performances on ICH and PHE segmentations (P > .05), but all nnU-Net variants achieved higher accuracy than the Brain Lesion Analysis and Segmentation Tool for CT (BLAST-CT) and DeepLabv3+ for all labels (P < .05). The Focal model showed improved performance in IVH segmentation compared with the Tversky, two-dimensional nnU-Net, U-Net, BLAST-CT, and DeepLabv3+ models (P < .05). Focal achieved concordance values of 0.98, 0.88, and 0.99 for ICH, PHE, and ICH volumes, respectively. The mean volumetric differences between the ground truth and prediction were 0.32 mL (95% CI: -8.35, 9.00), 1.14 mL (-9.53, 11.8), and 0.06 mL (-1.71, 1.84), respectively. In conclusion, U-Net-based networks provide accurate segmentation on CT images of spontaneous ICH, and Focal loss can address class imbalance. International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) no. ISRCTN93732214 Supplemental material is available for this article. © RSNA, 2022 Keywords: Head/Neck, Brain/Brain Stem, Hemorrhage, Segmentation, Quantification, Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), Deep Learning Algorithms, Machine Learning Algorithms.

Comparison of GFR measurement with [99mTc]-DTPA and clinical methods based on creatinine measurement, in patients over 80 years old

Introduction and aim: The most accurate way of measuring kidney function in GFR. Clinical formulas based on creatinine measurement may be inaccurate mainly in elderly patients (over 80 years of age). In this study we evaluated the accuracy of commonly used clinical formulas by comparing them with a direct measurement with [99mTc]-DTPA ([99mTc]-diethylene-triamine-peracetic acid) in a population of patients aged eighty and older. Material and methods: 47 patients (27 males and 20 females) with an average age of 81.9 ± 1.7 years, 80% already diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), were investigated. Two plasma samples were collected between 60-90 and 165-190 minutes after the injection of [99mTc]-DTPA and GFR were calculated. Results: When comparing the GFR values obtained from the various formulae by creatinine levels with the GFR value obtained by measuring [99mTc]-DTPA residue, the following concordance values emerged: (1) MDRD: 55.3%, (2) Cockroft-Gault 55.3% (3) CKD-EPI 57.5% (4) BIS-1 51.1%. Conclusion: Our data show a poor correlation between all clinical methods and [99mTc]-DTPA, which remains a gold standard for the direct measurement of GFR.

Variability and concordance among indices of brain activity in major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation: A temporal dynamics resting-state fMRI analysis

ObjectiveThe resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) have been used to explore functional abnormality of the brain in MDD patients with suicidal ideation (SI). However, few studies reported the variability and concordance of alterations of rs-fMRI indices in MDD with SI. In this study, we aimed to explore the variability and concordance of alterations of rs-fMRI indices in MDD with SI. MethodsA sliding window analysis was performed among 36 MDD patients with SI, 66 MDD patients without SI (NSI), and 50 healthy controls (HCs). Furthermore, the correlation between voxel-wise concordance and cognitive function was examined in the SI group. ResultsThe SI group had a lower dynamics degree centrality (dDC) value than the NSI group in left inferior occipital gyrus, and a lower voxel mirrored homotopic connectivity (dVMHC) value than the NSI group in the right and left inferior occipital gyrus. The mean values of volume wise concordance of HCs group shown higher than SI group and NSI group. SI group revealed decreased voxel-wise concordance in right cerebellum, left fusiform gyrus, left lingual gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus, left postcentral gyrus, and right supplementary motor area compared to NSI group. Moreover, the voxel-wise concordance of left middle occipital gyrus was negatively correlated with verbal learning and memory and working memory in the SI group. LimitationThis is a cross-sectional analysis, limiting causal inferences. ConclusionsThe abnormal voxel-wise concordance of left middle occipital gyrus could be useful in understanding the pathophysiology of MDD patients with SI.

Evaluating the Dual-Target Aptima HIV-1 Quant Dx Assay: Comparison between Viral Loads Measured with pol and LTR Targets in the Same Samples.

ABSTRACTFor effective management of HIV-1 patients, accurate measurement of HIV-1-RNA viral load (VL) is fundamental. The latest generation molecular assays for monitoring VL perform simultaneous detection of two regions of the viral genome, but without specifying the target used for VL quantitation. By using the “open” software (research use only [RUO]) of Aptima HIV-1 Quant Dx Assay (Aptima) which provides both results obtained with the pol and LTR targets, we were able to compare n = 500 plasma samples results from chronically HIV-1-infected patients under antiretroviral therapy (ART). Correlation and concordance were analyzed. By stratifying VL into two groups (<30 and ≥30 copies/mL HIV-1-RNA) according to pol-based results and matching them with their respective LTR values, concordance was substantial (κ = 0.635; 95%CI = 0.569 to 0.700) as expected. Considering the specimens (n = 224) with VL exactly quantified (i.e., ≥30 copies/mL) with both targets, an optimal correlation subsisted (r = 0.8882; P < 0.0001) and Bland-Altman plot showed no significant mean difference between them. However, by stratifying all these data in three ranges (30 to 200, 201 to 1,000, and >1,000 copies/mL) according to pol-based results, concordance analysis showed fair agreement (κ = 0.344; 95%CI = 0.257 to 0.432). Indeed, after excluding mutually concordant VL values in each range (n = 134), the remaining discordant samples (n = 90; 40.1%) showed significant (P < 0.05) difference between VL measured with the two targets. With the Aptima “open” software, samples with pol-based VL <1,000 copies (cp)/mL HIV-1-RNA, the corresponding LTR values were on average 0.5 log10 cp/mL higher. Further studies on these discrepancies and the nature of viral RNA elements detected only with the LTR despite efficient ART are in progress.IMPORTANCE The last generation dual-target platforms for quantification of HIV-1 RNA return a single value of viral load (VL) derived from a combined reading of two HIV-1 genome targets. By using a modified version of Aptima software, providing both the VL results obtained from pol and LTR amplification separately, we observed discordant VL results in some samples from HIV-1-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy. In particular, some samples with pol-based quantified <1,000 copies/mL VL showed the LTR-based value on average 0.5 log10 copies/mL higher, and other samples, always by treated patients, showed VL exclusively quantified with LTR target while the corresponding pol-based VL results were completely undetected. Standard software of double-target based diagnostic systems does not allow recognizing discrepant VL values in these particular, but not rare, clinical specimens. This issue could have implications for clinical management by leading physicians to consider changing antiretroviral regimen based on presumed failure of antiretroviral therapy.

Evaluating Lean Facility Layout Designs Using a BWM-Based Fuzzy ELECTRE I Method

Selecting a suitable design for a lean facility layout has become a critical issue for a manufacturing company aiming to remove waste or non-value-added activities and implement the optimal facility arrangement. Many quantitative and qualitative criteria with different weights need to be considered in evaluating lean facility layout designs. To address the issue, a Best-Worst method (BWM) based on fuzzy ELECTRE I is introduced to determine the optimal lean facility layout design, in which the BWM is utilized for generating the criteria weights, and an extension of fuzzy ELECTRE I is introduced to identify the most suitable alternative. The signed distance method is employed to defuzzify the fuzzy numbers and obtain discordance matrix values. Based on the subtraction of discordance values from concordance values, a modified fuzzy ELECTRE I is introduced to evaluate alternative lean facility layout designs that can avoid missing information. A numerical example of the evaluation of lean facility layout designs for a manufacturing company is provided to show the potential of the suggested models. Comparative studies are investigated to illustrate the superiority of the suggested method.

Validation of a belief scale regarding adherence to iron supplementation treatment in mothers of children with anemia

Introduction: anemia in children can cause cognitive and motor deficits that can lead to difficulties in academic performance, physical endurance, affecting health and well-being Objective: to develop and validate a scale of beliefs about adherence to iron supplementation treatment in mothers of children with anemia (SBAIST) living in a high altitude region of Peru. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted in 192 mothers of children with anemia living in a high altitude region of Peru. The Health Belief Model (HBM) was used to develop and validate the SBAIST. Expert judgment analysis (Aiken's V) was used for content validity and exploratory factor analysis for construct validity. Reliability was determined by internal consistency. Results: for content validity, Aiken's V test showed concordant values for relevance (0.60 to 0.90), relevance (0.75 to 0.95), clarity (0.80 to 0.90) and total scale (0.75 to 0.92). Cronbach's alpha values per question ranged from α = 0.70 to 0.81, and for total scale was α = 0.75. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) reflected Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) values of 0.733, Bartlett's test of sphericity indicated a value of 968.680 (p < 0.001). The eigenvalues in the five dimensions reflected values from 1.05 to 4.03. The percentage of variance for factor 1 (barriers = 33.58 %), factor 2 (severity = 12.61 %), factor 3 (action cues = 10.78 %), factor 4 (barriers = 8.07 %), factor 5 (susceptibility = 7.63 %), and for the total scale was 74.12 %. Conclusion: HBM is a useful tool that allowed validation of the scale of beliefs about adherence to iron supplementation treatment in mothers of children with anemia living at high altitude in Peru.

Relevance of document types in the scores’ calculation of a specific field-normalized indicator: Are the scores strongly dependent on or nearly independent of the document type handling?

Although it is bibliometric standard to employ field normalization, the detailed procedure of field normalization is not standardized regarding the handling of the document types. All publications without filtering the document type can be used or only selected document types. Furthermore, the field-normalization procedure can be carried out with regard to the document type of publications or without. We studied if the field-normalized scores strongly depend on the choice of different document type handlings. In doing so, we used the publications from the Web of Science between 2000 and 2017 and compared different field-normalized scores. We compared the results on the individual publication level, the country level, and the institutional level. We found rather high correlations between the different scores but the concordance values provide a more differentiated conclusion: Rather different scores are produced on the individual publication level. As our results on the aggregated levels are not supported by our results on the level of individual publications, any comparison of normalized scores that result from different procedures should only be performed with caution.

MRI evaluation of meniscal anatomy: which parameters reach the best inter-observer concordance?

PurposeThe aim of the study is to evaluate which MRI parameters achieve the best degree of inter-individual concordance in the description of meniscal fibrocartilage, regarding its morphology, signal and position.Materials and methodsEighty-nine knee MRIs were included in the study, retrospectively re-evaluated by three radiologists who completed a binary report (normal/abnormal) describing the meniscus signal, position relative to the tibial plateau margin and morphology. The inter-individual concordance value was calculated using Cohen's test.ResultsWe obtained different inter-individual concordance values according to the parameters considered. The concordance was poor in the description of the meniscal position relative to the tibial plateau margin (average k = 0.6); the result was comparable in the description of the meniscal morphology (average k = 0.56). The best results were obtained with the meniscal signal analysis (average k = 0.8).ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, there are no studies in the literature assessing the concordance between multiple readers in the description of the parameters we studied. The results we obtained suggest that the most reliable parameter for describing meniscal fibrocartilage is its signal intensity, whereas morphology and position may lead to different interpretations that are not always unequivocal.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Infants: A Comparative Study Using Discriminant, Probit and Logistic Regression Analysis

In babies, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of lung inflammation (pneumonia) or bronchiolitis (inflammation of the lungs' airways). This virus comes with several symptoms such as congested or runny nose, dry cough, low-grade fever, sore throat, sneezing, headache, difficulty in breathing etc. The virus can cause death in babies if not properly managed and therefore calls for immediate investigations to reveal the significant causes. Several research works have been conducted but the idea of investigating more potential predictor variables and the application of both regression and classification models have been grossly understudied. Therefore, unpublished secondary data collected from three different hospitals in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria on fifteen predictor variables which are potential causes of RSV are modeled using two categorical regression approaches – logistic and probit regression models and one classification model – discriminant function analysis. The models were compared using misclassification errors, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) plot, concordance, sensitivity, specificity and pseudo R-square values. The linear discriminant function model outperformed both the logit and probit models. The results showed that paternal history of asthma, maternal history of asthma, mother’s occupation, mother’s smoking habit and mother’s education level were the most important variables to linearly classify seropositive and seronegative RSV patients.

Persistent zooplankton bioregions reflect long-term consistency of community composition and oceanographic drivers in the NE Pacific

Understanding oceanic ecological processes requires identifying biogeographic regions but incorporating the partitioning of planktonic communities, particularly zooplankton, has been limited and difficult. We conducted a data-driven biogeographic regionalization of zooplankton abundance using net data collected during April to October from 1995 to 2014 in the British Columbia, Canada, coastal ocean and adjacent offshore waters. After curating the data and removing rare taxa, a total of 3,721 samples and 160 species were analyzed. K-means cluster analysis of log-chord transformed zooplankton abundances was used to identify four distinct bioregions: Offshore, Deep Shelf, Nearshore, and Deep Fjord. We combined concordance and indicator value analyses to categorize the zooplankton into species association groups. Five main groups representing subarctic, subtropical, widespread shelf, neritic, and fjord specific zooplankton were indicative of specific bioregions but had distributions extending beyond their core bioregion. The spatial coherence of the bioregions and the relative contributions of the association groups to the composition of the bioregions were persistent throughout the 20-year period. The bioregions significantly differed in zooplankton abundance, biomass, and diversity and the community composition varied along the cross-shelf gradient. Variance partitioning demonstrated that the bioregionalization can be mostly explained by the differences in bottom depth, water properties, and phytoplankton concentrations. The cross-shelf differentiation of zooplankton communities was similar to other regionalization studies conducted globally, suggesting the potential for a unified framework of structuring processes and emergent community properties in the epipelagic coastal ocean.

Оценка возможностей транспортно-экспедиторской компании при проектировании цепи доставки груза

Purpose: To explore the ways to improve the quality of freight forwarding services, to reduce transport constituent in price as well as the possibilities to improve supply chains in modern conditions using quality management methods. To evaluate the possibilities and to select a priority freight forwarding company in accordance with cargo owner requests. To do this, first to analyze the needs of cargo owners for transportation and then to transfer the cargo owner’s requests into technical and technological requirements for being provided services with the help of “quality house” matrix. To analyze the possibilities of integration of expert assessment into quality function development methodology. Methods: Quality function development method, quality house design, pairwise matching method, order scale design. Calculating procedure for concordance value is presented. Results: The necessity to transfer cargo owner requests into technical and technological characteristics is shown in order to align the requirements on delivery chain and being provided services. The general provisions for quality house design are presented for the possibility of using the expert method at the stage of evaluation of competing freight forwarding companies. Practical importance: The possibility of improving services quality in freight forwarding companies in accordance with cargo owner requirement is shown.

A DNA Barcode-Based Aptasensor Enables Rapid Testing of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Viruses in Swine Saliva Using Electrochemical Readout.

Pen-side testing of farm animals for infectious diseases is critical for preventing transmission in herds and providing timely intervention. However, most existing pathogen tests have to be conducted in centralized labs with sample-to-result times of 2-4 days. Herein we introduce a test that uses a dual-electrode electrochemical chip (DEE-Chip) and a barcode-releasing electroactive aptamer for rapid on-farm detection of porcine epidemic diarrhea viruses (PEDv). The sensor exploits inter-electrode spacing reduction and active field mediated transport to accelerate barcode movement from electroactive aptamers to the detection electrode, thus expediting assay operation. The test yielded a clinically relevant limit-of-detection of 6 nM (0.37 μg mL-1 ) in saliva-spiked PEDv samples. Clinical evaluation of this biosensor with 12 porcine saliva samples demonstrated a diagnostic sensitivity of 83 % and specificity of 100 % with a concordance value of 92 % at an analysis time of one hour.

A DNA Barcode‐Based Aptasensor Enables Rapid Testing of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Viruses in Swine Saliva Using Electrochemical Readout

AbstractPen‐side testing of farm animals for infectious diseases is critical for preventing transmission in herds and providing timely intervention. However, most existing pathogen tests have to be conducted in centralized labs with sample‐to‐result times of 2–4 days. Herein we introduce a test that uses a dual‐electrode electrochemical chip (DEE‐Chip) and a barcode‐releasing electroactive aptamer for rapid on‐farm detection of porcine epidemic diarrhea viruses (PEDv). The sensor exploits inter‐electrode spacing reduction and active field mediated transport to accelerate barcode movement from electroactive aptamers to the detection electrode, thus expediting assay operation. The test yielded a clinically relevant limit‐of‐detection of 6 nM (0.37 μg mL−1) in saliva‐spiked PEDv samples. Clinical evaluation of this biosensor with 12 porcine saliva samples demonstrated a diagnostic sensitivity of 83 % and specificity of 100 % with a concordance value of 92 % at an analysis time of one hour.

Discordance of Apolipoprotein B, Non-HDL-Cholesterol, and LDL-Cholesterol Predicts Risk of Increased Arterial Stiffness and Elevated Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Middle-Aged and Elderly Chinese Adults.

BackgroundApolipoprotein B (apoB) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) have been shown to predict cardiovascular disease (CVD) even in the case of low levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). We aimed to investigate whether the discordance between LDL-C and apoB or non-HDL-C was associated with arterial stiffness and elevated carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in middle-aged and elderly adults.MethodsA total of 5,279 Chinese adults free of CVD at baseline were included and followed with a mean follow-up of 4.3 years. Arterial stiffness was measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and pulse pressure (PP). The associations of apoB, non-HDL-C, and LDL-C with arterial stiffness or elevated CIMT were examined with logistic regression models using either continuous scales by restricted cubic splines or categories of concordant and discordant values defined by medians.ResultsHigh apoB but not LDL-C was associated with elevated baPWV or PP. High apoB, non-HDL-C, and LDL-C were all associated with elevated CIMT (p < 0.05). Individuals with low levels of LDL-C and discordantly high apoB or non-HDL-C compared to those with concordantly low apoB or non-HDL-C demonstrated higher risks of elevated baPWV [ORs (95% CI) of 1.40 (1.03–1.91) and 1.56 (1.12–2.18), respectively] and elevated PP [ORs (95% CI) of 1.61 (1.19–2.18) and 1.55 (1.12–2.15), respectively]. While, discordant high LDL-C with low apoB was associated with an increased risk of elevated CIMT (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.13–2.69).ConclusionDiscordance analysis revealed that elevated apoB or non-HDL-C was a better predictor of risk of arterial stiffness, whereas LDL-C for elevated CIMT.