Important Warning Research Articles

On the emergence of digital volumetric space: Geophysical prospecting and the American oilfield in the early 20th century

Geographical scholarship of the ‘digital turn’ has refuted the suggestion that digital technologies produce a utopian ‘cyberspace’ capable of transcending its material attachments. The image of a frictionless ‘digital world,’ it is argued, merely masks the uneven social and material relationships conditioning that world’s possibility. While this is essential criticism, I offer in this paper some reasons for hesitation in collapsing digital space into material practices too quickly. Abstractions may always be attached to their social and material conditions of possibility, but this does not mean that these things are the same. I develop this insight further in the context of the ‘volumetric turn,’ which has analogously criticized geographers for remaining fixated on surficial formalism while neglecting consideration of the dynamic, material capacities of volumetric space. While again heeding this equally important warning, I question the limits of dynamism as a volumetric analytic insofar as, much like digital technology, this notion can easily be fetishized. In turn, I suggest that these dynamic capacities can be more productively theorized in relation, rather than opposed, to formalistic abstraction, as both are constituent elements of volumetric space. I explore these theoretical considerations through a historical geography of early 20th-century geophysical prospecting in American oilfields, where prospectors produced spatial knowledge that was simultaneously dynamic and formal, material and abstract. In turn, this case study serves to show how the relations between material practices and processes of abstraction can be a fruitful meeting point for theories of digital and volumetric space.

Correlation between geriatric nutritional risk index and intradialytic hypotension in elderly patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis: a case-control study

BackgroundThere is a correlation between nutritional status and treatment outcomes and long-term survival in MHD patients but there is limited research on the relationship between GNRI and IDH. This case-control study aimed to investigate the correlation between Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) and intradialytic hypotension (IDH) in elderly patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD).MethodsThis study was carried out on 129 cases of MHD patients with IDH and 258 non-IDH-controls in Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, China, between June 2020 and May 2022. Professional researchers collected patients’ general information on gender, primary disease, dialysis-related indicators, anthropometric measures, laboratory biochemicals, and GNRI. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between GNRI and IDH.ResultsA total of 385 elderly MHD patients were included. Compared with GNRI Q4 group, the odds ratios for the risk of IDH in GNRI Q3 group, GNRI Q2 group, and GNRI Q1 group of elderly MHD patients were 1.227, 2.196, and 8.350, respectively, showing a significant downward trend (P-trend < 0.05). The area under the curve of GNRI for predicting IDH was 0.839 (95% CI: 0.799–0.879). Between different genders, a decrease in GNRI was closely related to an increase in IDH risk (P for trend < 0.05).ConclusionsThis research shows a significant association between GNRI and the incidence of IDH among elderly MHD patients and has an important warning effect. Encouraging the incorporation of GNRI assessment into the clinical assessment protocols of older patients with MHD may help to improve the nutritional status of those suffering from it and reduce the risk of IDH.

The associations of psychosocial work exposures with suicidal ideation in the national French SUMER study

BackgroundThe literature remains scarce on the work-related risk factors for suicide and suicidal ideation. The objectives were to explore the associations of psychosocial work exposures with suicidal ideation in a nationally representative sample of the working population. MethodsThe study was based on the sample of 25,977 employees (14,682 men and 11,295 women) of the national French 2016–17 SUMER survey. The outcome was suicidal ideation assessed using the PHQ-9 instrument. Psychosocial work exposures included various factors from the job strain and effort-reward imbalance models, and other concepts. Statistical analyses were performed using weighted methods, including weighted logistic regression models. Other occupational exposures and covariates were considered. Gender differences were tested. ResultsThe prevalence of suicidal ideation was 3.5 % without any difference between genders. Psychosocial work exposures were found to be associated with suicidal ideation. The strongest association was observed between workplace bullying and suicidal ideation. Associations were also found between job strain model factors, job insecurity, low esteem, work-family conflict, ethical conflict, teleworking, and low meaning, and suicidal ideation. The associations were in general similar for men and women. LimitationsThe study had a cross-sectional design and no causal interpretation could be done. A reporting bias and a healthy worker effect may be suspected. ConclusionPsychosocial work exposures played a major role in suicidal ideation. More research may be needed to confirm our results, as suicidal ideation is an important warning signal for suicide prevention. More primary prevention towards the psychosocial work environment may be useful to reduce suicidal ideation at the workplace.

The integrated stress response-related expression of CHOP due to mitochondrial toxicity is a warning sign for DILI liability.

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is one of the most frequent reasons for failure of drugs in clinical trials or market withdrawal. Early assessment of DILI risk remains a major challenge during drug development. Here, we present a mechanism-based weight-of-evidence approach able to identify certain candidate compounds with DILI liabilities due to mitochondrial toxicity. A total of 1587 FDA-approved drugs and 378 kinase inhibitors were screened for cellular stress response activation associated with DILI using an imaging-based HepG2 BAC-GFP reporter platform including the integrated stress response (CHOP), DNA damage response (P21) and oxidative stress response (SRXN1). In total 389, 219 and 104 drugs were able to induce CHOP-GFP, P21-GFP and SRXN1-GFP expression at 50 μM respectively. Concentration response analysis identified 154 FDA-approved drugs as critical CHOP-GFP inducers. Based on predicted and observed (pre-)clinical DILI liabilities of these drugs, nine antimycotic drugs (e.g. butoconazole, miconazole, tioconazole) and 13 central nervous system (CNS) agents (e.g. duloxetine, fluoxetine) were selected for transcriptomic evaluation using whole-genome RNA-sequencing of primary human hepatocytes. Gene network analysis uncovered mitochondrial processes, NRF2 signalling and xenobiotic metabolism as most affected by the antimycotic drugs and CNS agents. Both the selected antimycotics and CNS agents caused impairment of mitochondrial oxygen consumption in both HepG2 and primary human hepatocytes. Together, the results suggest that early pre-clinical screening for CHOP expression could indicate liability of mitochondrial toxicity in the context of DILI, and, therefore, could serve as an important warning signal to consider during decision-making in drug development.

S100a8/A9 proteins: critical regulators of inflammation in cardiovascular diseases.

Neutrophil hyperexpression is recognized as a key prognostic factor for inflammation and is closely related to the emergence of a wide range of cardiovascular disorders. In recent years, S100 calcium binding protein A8/A9 (S100A8/A9) derived from neutrophils has attracted increasing attention as an important warning protein for cardiovascular disease. This article evaluates the utility of S100A8/A9 protein as a biomarker and therapeutic target for diagnosing cardiovascular diseases, considering its structural features, fundamental biological properties, and its multifaceted influence on cardiovascular conditions including atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, and heart failure.

Development and Validation of a Nomogram to Predict the Risk of Special Uterine Leiomyoma Pathological Types or Leiomyosarcoma in Postmenopausal Women: A Retrospective Study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors of postmenopausal special uterine leiomyoma pathological types or leiomyosarcoma and to develop a nomogram for clinical risk assessment, ultimately to reduce unnecessary surgical interventions and corresponding economic expenses. A total of 707 patients with complete information were enrolled from 1 August 2012 to 1 August 2022. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyse the association between variables and special uterine leiomyoma pathological types or leiomyosarcoma in postmenopausal patients. A nomogram for special uterine leiomyoma pathological types or leiomyosarcoma in postmenopausal patients was developed and validated by bootstrap resampling. The calibration curve was used to assess the accuracy of the model and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and decision curve analysis (DCA) were compared with the clinical experience model. The increasing trend after menopause, the diameter of the largest uterine fibroid, serum carcinoembryonic antigen 125 concentration, Serum neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, and Serum phosphorus ion concentration were independent risk factors for special uterine leiomyoma pathological types or leiomyosarcoma in postmenopausal patients. We developed a user-friendly nomogram which showed good diagnostic performance (AUC=0.724). The model was consistent and the calibration curve of our cohort was close to the ideal diagonal line. DCA indicated that the model has potential value for clinical application. Furthermore, our model was superior to the previous clinical experience model in terms of ROC and DCA. We have developed a prediction nomogram for special uterine leiomyoma pathological types or leiomyosarcoma in postmenopausal patients. This nomogram could serve as an important warning signal and evaluation method for special uterine leiomyoma pathological types or leiomyosarcoma in postmenopausal patients.

Analysis of risk factors and changes in myocardial biomarker levels in 122 cases of early neonatal anemia.

Anemia in the first week after birth, which could affect growth, development, and organ function, should be an important warning sign to clinicians. The aim of this study was to assess the related risk factors of early neonatal anemia and to analyze the effect of anemia on the expression levels of myocardial markers in newborns. Clinical data from 122 confirmed cases of anemic newborns and 108 nonanemic newborns were collected to analyze the independent risk factors for early anemia using logistic regression analyses. Blood samples were collected from both groups for the detection of myocardial markers, including the protein marker cardiac troponin T (cTnT), as well as enzyme markers creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that preterm birth (OR: 3.589 [1.119-11.506], p < 0.05), multiple pregnancy (OR: 4.117 [1.021-16.611], p < 0.05), and abnormal placenta (OR: 4.712 [1.077-20.625], p < 0.05) were independent risk factors for early neonatal anemia. The levels of myocardial markers, including cTnT (303.1 ± 244.7 vs. 44.2 ± 55.41 ng/L), CK-MB (6.803 ± 8.971 vs. 2.5326 ± 2.927 μkat/L), and LDH (32.42 ± 35.26 vs. 19.73 ± 17.13 μkat/L), were significantly higher in the anemic group than in the nonanemic group. Multiple pregnancy, preterm birth, and abnormal placenta were identified as risk factors for early neonatal anemia. The occurrence of early neonatal anemia was associated with increased levels of myocardial markers.

Arterial Oxygen Saturation: A Vital Sign?

The physical examination is a key part of a continuum that extends from the history of the present illness to the therapeutic outcome. An understanding of the pathophysiological mechanism behind a physical sign is essential for arriving at the correct diagnosis. Early detection of deteriorating physical/vital signs and their appropriate interpretation is thus the key to achieve correct and timely management. By definition, vital signs are "the signs of life that may be monitored or measured, namely pulse rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, and blood pressure." Vital signs are the simplest, cheapest and probably the most inexpensive information gathered bedside in outpatient or hospitalized patients. The pulse oximeter was introduced in the 1980s. It is an accurate and non-invasive method for the measurement of arterial hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SaO2). Pulse oximetry-based arterial oxygen saturation can be effectively used bedside in in-hospital and ambulatory patients with diagnosed or suspected lung disease. The present pandemic of COVID-19 should be considered as a wake-up call. Articles related to arterial oxygen saturation and its importance as a vital sign in patient care were searched online especially in PubMed. Available studies were studied in full length and data was extracted. Discussion: A. Clinical Utility of Oxygen Saturation Monitoring: There are many studies reporting the clinical applicability and usefulness of pulse oximetry in the early detection of hypoxemic events during intraoperative and postoperative periods. B. Role of clinical expertise accompanied by knowledge of physiology: A diagnostic sign is useful only if it is interpreted accurately and applied appropriately while evaluating a patient. The World Health Organisation also appreciates these facts and published "The WHO Pulse Oximetry Training Manual." Understanding the physiology behind and overcoming limitations of the diagnostic sign by clinical expertise is important. While using pulse oximetry, a clinician needs to keep in mind the sigmoidal nature of the oxygen-Hb dissociation curve. Considering these benefits of SaO2 measurement, there have been several references in the past to consider oxygen saturation as the fifth vital sign. In the present pandemic oxygen saturation i.e., SpO2 (arterial oxygen saturation) measured by pulse oxymeter, has been the single most important warning and prognostic sign be it for households, offices, street vendors, hospitals or governments. Measurement of trends of SaO2 added with respiratory rate will provide clinicians with a holistic overview of respiratory functions and multidimensional conditions associated with hypoxemia.

Solar Flare Short-term Forecast Model Based on Long and Short-term Memory Neural Network

Solar flares are a kind of violent solar eruptive activity phenomenon and an important warning device of space weather disturbance. In space weather forecasting, flare forecasting is an important forecast content. This paper proposes a flare prediction model based on long and short-term memory neural network, which uses the time sequence of magnetic field changes in the solar active region in the past 24 h to construct samples, and analyzes the time series evolution of magnetic field characteristics through the long and short-term memory neural network to predict whether ≥M-level flares will occur in the next 48 h. This paper uses a data set for all active region samples from May 2010 to May 2017, and selects 10 magnetic field characteristic parameters of SDO/HMI SHARP. In the modeling process, six feature parameters with high weight, gain rate, and coverage rate were selected as input parameters through XGBoost method. Through test comparison, the false report rate and accuracy rate of the model are similar to the traditional machine learning model, and the accuracy rate and critical success index are better than the traditional machine learning model, which are 0.7483 and 0.7402, respectively. The overall effect of the model is better than that of the traditional machine learning model.

Time-Series Analysis for the Number of Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak Episodes in Cattle Farms in Thailand Using Data from 2010-2020.

Thailand is one of the countries where foot and mouth disease outbreaks have resulted in considerable economic losses. Forecasting is an important warning technique that can allow authorities to establish an FMD surveillance and control program. This study aimed to model and forecast the monthly number of FMD outbreak episodes (n-FMD episodes) in Thailand using the time-series methods, including seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA), error trend seasonality (ETS), neural network autoregression (NNAR), and Trigonometric Exponential smoothing state–space model with Box–Cox transformation, ARMA errors, Trend and Seasonal components (TBATS), and hybrid methods. These methods were applied to monthly n-FMD episodes (n = 1209) from January 2010 to December 2020. Results showed that the n-FMD episodes had a stable trend from 2010 to 2020, but they appeared to increase from 2014 to 2020. The outbreak episodes followed a seasonal pattern, with a predominant peak occurring from September to November annually. The single-technique methods yielded the best-fitting time-series models, including , , , and . Moreover, SARIMA-NNAR and NNAR-TBATS were the hybrid models that performed the best on the validation datasets. The models that incorporate seasonality and a non-linear trend performed better than others. The forecasts highlighted the rising trend of n-FMD episodes in Thailand, which shares borders with several FMD endemic countries in which cross-border trading of cattle is found common. Thus, control strategies and effective measures to prevent FMD outbreaks should be strengthened not only in Thailand but also in neighboring countries.

Indebtedness and the pace of catching up in the CEE countries

The paper verifies the existence of the relationship between the economic growth – i.e., the main determinant of the catching up process – and the level of government, household and external debt (foreign liabilities). The comparative analysis of the correlation for CEE11 countries and EU14 countries confirms that the level of indebtedness is a strong determinant of economic growth, and thus of the catching up process. The authors confirmed the "unfair" relationship that high debts more severely constrain development in less credible developing countries, and that tolerance for public debt in developing countries has decreased in recent years. The results also show that in developing CEE countries – unlike in the case of developed countries – higher levels of foreign liabilities and their stronger growth turn out to be a hindrance to economic growth. Finally, it should be emphasized that the fact that the stronger increase in household liabilities was accompanied by higher average economic growth in the CEE countries in the analyzed period (as opposed to EU14 countries) should be treated as an important warning. Probably the relatively high (although noticeably lower than in the EU14 countries) and/or growing household debt in the CEE countries will also at some point begin to slow down their economic growth and the pace of the catching up process.

Put your feet up: The impact of personality traits, job pressure, and social support on the need for recovery after work

The need for recovery after work (NFR) is an important warning of work-related fatigue. NFR is linked to prolonged work-related efforts and depletion of resources, creating a need for temporary respite from work demands. The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationships between NFR and the five-factor model (FFM), comprising the personality traits of emotional stability (ES), extraversion (E), agreeableness (A), conscientiousness (C), and openness to experience (O). Perceived job pressure and perceived social support were included as mediators. The study was conducted using structural equation modelling (SEM) on cross-sectional data from a sample of 681 participants from several work sectors (N females = 376, N males = 305; M age = 46.9 years; SD = 11.1). The results showed that NFR was affected both directly and indirectly by FFM traits. High ES and high O contributed directly to reduced and increased NFR, respectively. High perceived social support contributed to reduced NFR, while high perceived job pressure contributed to increased NFR. High ES contributed indirectly to reduced NFR through perceived job pressure and social support, high O contributed indirectly to increased NFR through perceived social support, and high E contributed indirectly to increased NFR through perceived job pressure. A and C were not related to NFR. The findings demonstrate that personality traits, especially ES, are firmly related to NFR and highlight the importance of incorporating personality factors into studies of work environmental factors on NFR.

Urban Housing Inequity: Housing Deprivation and Social Response in the City of Naples

The growth of social inequality in recent decades has a strong urban dimension. In fact, cities are places where such inequalities grow quickly, and have a strong influence on the living conditions and perspectives of different social groups. In this sense, urban segregation becomes an important warning in assessing the existence of disparities that affect the most disadvantaged social groups. Therefore, the aim of this research was to outline the evidence of the phenomenon of residential segregation and housing insecurity on a European scale, and to analyze the case study of Naples, Italy, evaluating the presence of the phenomena of urban segregation and housing insecurity within through the creation of a synthetic index: the “Index of housing deprivation in the neighborhoods of the city of Naples”. After analyzing the extent of the phenomena, we took a step further, seeking to understand whether there have been responses from civil society through protest movements. Indeed, another objective of this paper was to understand why, in the city of Naples, there is no strong social response. In order to give an explanation, we will carry out a comparison with the action of the social movements of Barcelona.

Important Warning or Dangerous Misdirection: Rethinking Cautions Accompanying Investment Predictions

Important Warning or Dangerous Misdirection: Rethinking Cautions Accompanying Investment Predictions

The Four Petty Kingdoms of Upplǫnd: Equestrian Graves and the Political Integration of the Norwegian Highlands in Late Viking Age Norway

In continental and north-western Europe armed cavalry – aided by the introduction of the stirrup – was closely linked to the emergence of feudalism but was this also the case in Scandinavia? Were the resulting military specialists linked to the growing national kingdoms, or to local and regional power spheres ruled by petty kings? I will investigate this in the historical region of Upplǫnd – the last Norse area to be integrated into the Kingdom of Norway by Óláfr Haraldsson around AD 1020. Two thirds of Norway’s 51 known equestrian graves are located in this inland area and I will employ a novel way of investigating their relationship to local administrative units, such as þriðjungar (thirds), herǫð (hundreds), and not least fjórðungar (fourths), as well as travel routes and settlements. There is little that suggests that these graves were linked to an early national aristocracy, and its ruling Scandinavian dynasty – Ynglingene – as has been argued in previous research. Equestrian grave traditions survived longer in Upplǫnd than elsewhere in Scandinavia, which was not Christianised until the 11th century, and it is unlikely that the buried had served the uniting and converting King Óláfr. It is also difficult to establish links between historically known lendr menn (the most prominent retainers of the king) families, and such graves. However, a new revelation is that the farms where such graves were located, were situated along the boundaries between local fjórðungar, which were judicial districts, as well as subsidiaries of local military administration in the herǫð. This suggests that these locations had important warning and supervision roles in local military systems.

Review of drivers and threats to coastal groundwater quality in China

With rapid socio-economic development, China's coastal areas are among the fastest growing and most economically dynamic regions in the world. Under the influence of climate change and human activities, protecting the quality of coastal groundwater has emerged as one of the key environmental and resource management issues for these areas. This paper reviews (for the first time) groundwater quality data for the coastal basins of China, where over 600 million people live, focussing on key inorganic indicators/pollutants; groundwater salinity, nitrate, fluoride, and arsenic. These pollutants present major water quality issues and are also valuable as indicators of wider processes and influences impacting coastal groundwater quality – e.g. saltwater intrusion, agricultural pollution and release of geo-genic contaminants. We discuss the major drivers causing water quality problems in different regions and assess future trajectories and challenges for controlling changes in coastal groundwater quality in China. Multiple processes, including modern and palaeo seawater/brine migration, groundwater pumping for agricultural irrigation, pollution from agrochemical application, rapid development of aquaculture, urban growth, and water transfer projects, may all be responsible (to different degrees) for changes observed in coastal groundwater quality, and associated long-term health and ecological effects. We discuss implications for sustainable coastal aquifer management in China, arguing that groundwater monitoring and contamination control measures require urgent improvement. The evolution and treatment of coastal groundwater quality problems in China will serve as an important warning and example for other countries facing similar pressures, due to climate change, coastal development, and intensification of anthropogenic activity in coming decades.

The Function of Fear Chemosignals: Preparing for Danger.

It has been shown that the presence of conspecifics modulates human vigilance strategies as is the case with animal species. Mere presence has been found to reduce vigilance. However, animal research has also shown that chemosignals (e.g., sweat) produced during fear-inducing situations modulate individuals' threat detection strategies. In the case of humans, little is known about how exposure to conspecifics' fear chemosignals modulates vigilance and threat detection effectiveness. This study (N = 59) examined how human fear chemosignals affect vigilance strategies and threat avoidance in its receivers. We relied on a paradigm that simulates a "foraging under threat" situation in the lab, integrated with an eye-tracker to examine the attention allocation. Our results showed that the exposure to fear chemosignals (vs. rest chemosignals and a no-sweat condition) while not changing vigilance behavior leads to faster answers to threatening events. In conclusion, fear chemosignals seem to constitute an important warning signal for human beings, possibly leading their receiver to a readiness state that allows faster reactions to threat-related events.

An FMEA-based TOPSIS approach under single valued neutrosophic sets for maritime risk evaluation: the case of ship navigation safety

As in terrestrial facilities, safety is one of the most important issue in ships. Vessels navigating in many parts of the world face many different, tough and dangerous navigational risks. In this context, twenty-three fundamental risks which are frequently encountered in ship navigation were considered in this study and examined by an FMEA-based TOPSIS approach under single valued neutrosophic sets. Because of the lack of data in the literature, the opinions of the experts (Masters) who have many years of experience in the sector were taken. As a result of the study, extreme weather conditions, injury of crew, loss of input of sensory equipment (depth, gyro, speed etc.), struck by ropes, exposure to high speed machineries under high pressures, loss of maneuverability are very important among these risks. Considering these risks, corrective-preventive action plans and managerial implications for ship navigation have been presented. Consequently, the results of this study have an important warning and solution recommendation regarding ship navigation risks.

Increasing earned value analysis efficiency for IT projects

ABSTRACT The Earned Value Method is a tool of cost control for projects. It may become an important warning system and decision aid in project management, especially with respect to cost overruns. However, if the estimations required within the framework of the method are made without the necessary diligence, its efficiency may be low. In this paper, it is proposed to increase this efficiency thanks to the integration of three IT project management tools: the Daily scrum, the Sprint review and the COCOMO method. The EVA method is described. Further on, the idea of the Daily scrum, the Sprint review and the COCOMO method is sketched and it is shown how the integration of those tools may increase the efficiency of the EVA method.

W. W. Werntz and the curious case of ASR No. 78 (1957): insights and lessons for historians

ABSTRACT The Securities and Exchange Commission censured its former Chief Accountant, William W. Werntz, in a case involving his first audit after leaving the SEC. This study investigates the oddities and mysteries surrounding this case and the conclusions reveal lessons for accounting historians. One conclusion is that the establishment of accounting and auditing standards is conducted in a political environment. Further, individuals who work in this environment have complicated and, sometimes, adversarial past associations and some promote ideas out of positions of self-interest, personal animosities, or for the sake of appearances. Thus accounting historians are warned to be aware of the political and social facets that underlie events and actions when trying to discover the theory behind the rules and to also suspect that the position taken may not have been for ideological reasons. As with this episode, some mysteries may not be resolved because vital facts are not available and thus the most important warning is to gather facts while the witnesses are available to provide information.