Individual Measurements Research Articles

Abstract 13362: Proteomic Architecture of Frailty Across the Spectrum of Cardiovascular Disease

Introduction: With an aging population, understanding how frailty affects treatment response is paramount to improve patient-centered outcomes. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that circulating proteomic correlates of frailty will identify novel pathways for therapeutic investigation and provide prognostic information. Methods: From a multicenter, prospective cohort of 809 participants (median age 83 years; 44% women) with symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis (AS) and systematic assessments of frailty, we measured >900 circulating proteins (Olink). We used principal component analysis (PCA) to define composite “axes” of 12 measures of frailty (Figure). Using ordinary and penalized regression (LASSO), we related proteins to both individual measures of frailty and the composite axes. Prioritized proteins were then examined for their relation with age and morbidity in external, published datasets. LASSO model coefficients were used to calculate protein “scores” of frailty, which were tested for their relation with all-cause mortality in the AS cohort and cause specific mortality in >1,800 participants from the Framingham Heart Study (FHS; mean age 55 years, 54% women). Results: PCA identified 3 axes of frailty (“patient reported outcomes”, “body composition” and “physical function”) that explained ≈49% of variance. Proteins related to axes of frailty were (1) related to inflammatory and metabolic phenotypes and (2) weakly related to age, in >35,000 community dwelling Icelanders (mean age 55±17 years). The protein score of physical function was associated with all-cause post-transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) mortality in the AS cohort (HR 0.68 [0.59-0.79]) and non-cardiovascular mortality in FHS (0.83 [0.75-0.91]). Conclusions: Circulating proteins capture frailty phenotypes that are weakly related to age, and provide prognostic information in both older adults undergoing TAVI and younger community dwelling adults.

The Quality of Telenursing-Israeli Nursing Staff's Perceptions.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has increased telemedicine and telenursing services worldwide, developed this innovative treatment's potential, and emphasized its importance. The constraints imposed by the pandemic breached regulatory, psychological, and organizational obstructions among both patients and caretakers. Community and hospital nursing services were forced to deal with a new reality, to provide remote care solutions for bedridden chronic patients, as the need for this grew exponentially. Despite the increase of telemedicine in recent years, so far no research in Israel has investigated the nursing staff's perceptions of the quality of the care provided through telenursing. To assess nurses' perceptions of the quality of the care provided through telenursing compared to face-to-face nursing. A quantitative cross-sectional study among 227 male and female nurses in Israel. The questionnaire included demographic questions, and the five measures of quality of care: concern and empathy for the patient, professional treatment, response to treatment, educated use of resources, and patients' sense of security. Significant differences were found between nurses' perceptions of telenursing and face-to-face nursing. The quality of face-to-face nursing was perceived as more positive than that of telenursing, in general, as were the individual measures of care quality such as providing professional treatment, response to treatment, and patients' sense of security. Although telemedicine has increased significantly in recent years, nursing staff still perceived the quality of care and follow-up of face-to-face nursing as more positive. It is important to continue to monitor nurses' perceptions and attitudes towards the strengths of these two treatment methods, not only in crisis situations, but among wider populations, and to investigate the factors that could influence these perceptions.

Quality of life in lumbar spinal stenosis: Does it correlate with magnetic resonance imaging and spinopelvic parameters?

PurposeDegenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common degenerative spinal disorder with debilitating symptoms that can impact quality of life (QoL). However, the anatomical basis for typical complaints has been poorly quantified. This study aims to correlate QoL assessments of patients with LSS with radiographic spinopelvic parameters and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements. MethodsWe screened 371 patients hospitalized for LSS and excluded those with a history of spine surgery. Ultimately, we analyzed the data of 34 patients retrospectively. Two independent members of our research group evaluated the alignment parameters on preoperative spinal radiographs, MRI, and classified the images according to the Pfirrmann grading. The spinopelvic alignment was then compared with the clinical QoL scores Core Outcome Measures Index (COMI) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) as collected by the Spine Tango registry. In addition, the interobserver reliability was analyzed. ResultsThe individual MRI measurements correlated significantly. This correlation could not be found when compared with the spinopelvic parameters on radiographs. Neither the COMI nor the ODI scores showed a significant correlation with the MRI or radiographic imaging. ConclusionsThe severity of LSS related disability according to QoL questionnaires could not be quantified by any MRI or spinopelvic parameter that was measured. There was also no correlation of the MRI and spinopelvic parameters among themselves. Consequently, treatment recommendations for symptomatic LSS should never be based on radiological data only.

Biometric Length Weight Relationships of the Pool Barb Puntius sophore (Hamilton 1822) (Cyprinidae) from Ujani Wetland of Maharashtra, India

The present study explains biometric Length weight relationships (LWRs) of Puntius sophore (Hamilton 1822) from the Ujani wetland of Maharashtra, India. A total 213 specimens collected from local fish market of Bhigwan during February 2022 to January 2023. Individual fish measurements of the total length (TL, cm), standard length (SL, cm) and fresh total body weight (Wt. g) were measured using a digital caliper and a weighing machine respectively. Puntius sophore, scientifically classified as an ornamental fish belonging to the Cyprinidae family, is renowned for its striking chromatic attributes, diminutive dimensions, and adaptability to constrained aquatic habitats. Despite its modest size and ossified structure, this species possesses nutritional significance. Puntius sophore boasts a wide geographic distribution encompassing India, Pakistan, China, and select regions within Southeast Asia. Due to limited manpower, we sourced specimens from the market. In the study area, the species was collected using traditional fishing methods, such as the "jhaki jal" (cast net) and "tar jal" (square lift net). The slope of the log-transformed linear regression (b) values are 2.8085, The b value exponent for study species is significantly lying within the recommended value of 2.5 – 3.5, while the coefficient of determination (R2) is 0.82 indicated the proper fitness of the fish in concern of growth and health of the study species. Fulton’s condition factor (K) value for present study is greater than 1, indicates fish in healthy environment. The result provides baseline information for the sustainable management and conservation of the studied species.

How Does Target Lesion Selection Affect RECIST? A Computer Simulation Study.

Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) is grounded on the assumption that target lesion selection is objective and representative of the change in total tumor burden (TTB) during therapy. A computer simulation model was designed to challenge this assumption, focusing on a particular aspect of subjectivity: target lesion selection. Disagreement among readers and the disagreement between individual reader measurements and TTB were analyzed as a function of the total number of lesions, affected organs, and lesion growth. Disagreement rises when the number of lesions increases, when lesions are concentrated on a few organs, and when lesion growth borders the thresholds of progressive disease and partial response. There is an intrinsic methodological error in the estimation of TTB via RECIST 1.1, which depends on the number of lesions and their distributions. For example, for a fixed number of lesions at 5 and 15, distributed over a maximum of 4 organs, the error rates are observed to be 7.8% and 17.3%, respectively. Our results demonstrate that RECIST can deliver an accurate estimate of TTB in localized disease, but fails in cases of distal metastases and multiple organ involvement. This is worsened by the "selection of the largest lesions," which introduces a bias that makes it hardly possible to perform an accurate estimate of the TTB. Including more (if not all) lesions in the quantitative analysis of tumor burden is desirable.

Association between blood pressure variability and outcomes after endovascular thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke: An individual patient data meta-analysis.

Data on the association between blood pressure variability (BPV) after endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and outcomes are limited. We sought to identify whether BPV within the first 24 hours post EVT was associated with key stroke outcomes. We combined individual patient-data from five studies among AIS-patients who underwent EVT, that provided individual BP measurements after the end of the procedure. BPV was estimated as either systolic-BP (SBP) standard deviation (SD) or coefficient of variation (CV) over 24 h post-EVT. We used a logistic mixed-effects model to estimate the association [expressed as adjusted odds ratios (aOR)] between tertiles of BPV and outcomes of 90-day mortality, 90-day death or disability [modified Rankin Scale-score (mRS) > 2], 90-day functional impairment (⩾1-point increase across all mRS-scores), and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), adjusting for age, sex, stroke severity, co-morbidities, pretreatment with intravenous thrombolysis, successful recanalization, and mean SBP and diastolic-BP levels within the first 24 hours post EVT. There were 2640 AIS-patients included in the analysis. The highest tertile of SBP-SD was associated with higher 90-day mortality (aOR:1.44;95% CI:1.08-1.92), 90-day death or disability (aOR:1.49;95% CI:1.18-1.89), and 90-day functional impairment (adjusted common OR:1.42;95% CI:1.18-1.72), but not with sICH (aOR:1.22;95% CI:0.76-1.98). Similarly, the highest tertile of SBP-CV was associated with higher 90-day mortality (aOR:1.33;95% CI:1.01-1.74), 90-day death or disability (aOR:1.50;95% CI:1.19-1.89), and 90-day functional impairment (adjusted common OR:1.38;95% CI:1.15-1.65), but not with sICH (aOR:1.33;95% CI:0.83-2.14). BPV after EVT appears to be associated with higher mortality and disability, independently of mean BP levels within the first 24 h post EVT. BPV in the first 24 h may be a novel target to improve outcomes after EVT for AIS.

Multiple-instance learning of somatic mutations for the classification of tumour type and the prediction of microsatellite status.

Large-scale genomic data are well suited to analysis by deep learning algorithms. However, for many genomic datasets, labels are at the level of the sample rather than for individual genomic measures. Machine learning models leveraging these datasets generate predictions by using statically encoded measures that are then aggregated at the sample level. Here we show that a single weakly supervised end-to-end multiple-instance-learning model with multi-headed attention can be trained to encode and aggregate the local sequence context or genomic position of somatic mutations, hence allowing for the modelling of the importance of individual measures for sample-level classification and thus providing enhanced explainability. The model solves synthetic tasks that conventional models fail at, and achieves best-in-class performance for the classification of tumour type and for predicting microsatellite status. By improving the performance of tasks that require aggregate information from genomic datasets, multiple-instance deep learning may generate biological insight.

Synergy between vegetation patterns and sedimentation has a temporal effect on water erosion in a slope‐gully system

AbstractMultiple soil and water conservation measures applied together perform better at reducing runoff and sedimentation than individual measures, which can be attributed to their synergistic effects on water erosion. However, whether these synergistic effects are always effective at reducing water erosion remains unclear. In this study, a series of physical models representing a slope‐gully system were tested to quantify the trend of synergistic effects of multi‐measure over time through simulated rainfall. The tested scenarios included four vegetation patterns on the slope—Pattern A: no grass, Pattern B: grass on the up‐slope, Pattern C: grass on the middle‐slope and Pattern D: grass on the down‐slope—and five levels of runoff path length decrease (RPLD) in the gully caused by sedimentation of a check dam (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 m). Synergistic effects on runoff and sediment yields were influenced by vegetation patterns and RPLDs. Under the same vegetation patterns, synergistic effects increased with increase of RPLD. Under the same RPLD, the mean value of synergistic effects on runoff was in the following order: Pattern D (0.10%) > Pattern C (0.09%) > Pattern B (0.06%), and synergistic effects on sediment yields had a similar order: Pattern D (0.60%) > Pattern C (0.42%) > Pattern B (0.22%). Under Pattern B, based on the Mann–Kendall trend test, the synergistic effects on the runoff yields decreased over time. Contrastingly, under Patterns C and D, the synergistic effects on the runoff yields increased over time. The results show that the synergistic effect has time effect, and its change trend is related to vegetation patterns. Additionally, the results suggest that the middle‐ and lower‐slopes should be prioritized when restoring vegetation as the synergistic effects on runoff tend to increase when these have good vegetation cover.

Time, workload model and the entrepreneurial construction of the neoliberal academic

This paper analyses the workload model of a UK business school. The workload model is conceived as a time budget, allocating time units to realise academic tasks. The paper highlights how this tool participates in the government of the academic population, in tandem with an individual performance measurement system. On the one hand, the multiple and competing academic tasks are independently regulated by a series of disciplinary objectives. On the other hand, they all need to be realised within a limited timeframe. Yet the workload model estimates a quantity of time resources deemed necessary to deliver on these objectives. The whole creates an apparatus of security - an ensemble of discourses and technologies that work together to control, manage and shape a population - wherein the workload model enacts competition through time to realise a variety of highly disciplined academic tasks. Thus, the academic must make choices, including the “investment” of his/her free time. Through this process the academic is subjectivised as an entrepreneur of the self.

Spectroscopy of van der Waals nanomaterials: Opportunities and challenges

The study of van der Waals (vdW) materials has seen increased interest in recent years due to the wide range of uses for these materials because of their unique mechanical, electronic, and optical properties. This area has recently expanded further into studying the behavior of vdW nanomaterials as decreasing dimensions open up opportunities to interact with these materials in new ways. However, measuring the band structures of nanomaterials, which is key to understanding how confinement affects material properties and interactions, comes with several challenges. In this review, we survey a range of techniques for synthesizing and characterizing vdW nanomaterials, in order to outline the key material and characterization challenges. This includes controlling the Fermi level in vdW nanoparticles, preparing these particles for either ensemble or individual particle measurement, as well as protecting the pristine surface from oxidation.

The Impact of Multisession Sleep-Hygiene Strategies on Sleep Parameters in Elite Swimmers.

Short sleep duration and poor sleep quality are common in swimmers. Sleep-hygiene strategies demonstrated beneficial effects on several sleep parameters. The present study assessed the impact of a multisession sleep-hygiene training course on sleep in elite swimmers. Twenty-eight elite swimmers (17 [2]y) participated. The sleep-hygiene strategy consisted of 3 interventions. Sleep was measured by actigraphy for 7days before the beginning of the intervention (baseline), after the first collective intervention (postintervention), after the second collective intervention (postintervention 2), and, finally, after the individual intervention (postintervention 3). The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was completed concurrently. Swimmers were classified into 2 groups: nonsomnolent (baseline ESS score ≤ 10, n = 13) and somnolent (baseline ESS score ≥ 11, n = 15). All swimmers had a total sleep time of <8hours per night. Sixty percent of swimmers were moderately morning type. Later bedtime, less time in bed, and total sleep time were observed in the somnolent group compared with the nonsomnolent group at baseline. An interaction between training course and group factors was observed for bedtime, with a significant advance in bedtime between baseline, postintervention 2, and postintervention 3 for the somnolent group. The present study confirms the importance of implementing sleep-hygiene strategies, particularly in athletes with an ESS score ≥11. A conjunction of individual and collective measures (eg,earlier bedtime, napping, and delaying morning training session) could favor the total sleep time achieved.

Biological variation of plasma 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3, Serum vitamin B12, folate and ferritin in Turkish healthy subject

Biological variation (BV) plays a crucial role in determining analytical performance specifications, assessing serial measurements of individuals, and establishing the use of population-based reference intervals. Our study aimed to calculate the BV and BV-based quality goals of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OH D3), ferritin, folate and vitamin B12 tests. We included a total of 22 apparently healthy volunteers (9 women and 13 men) aged 18-55 years in the study that we conducted in Turkey. Blood samples were collected from the participants once a week for five weeks. Serum ferritin, folate and vitamin B12 levels were measured using immunochemical method, while plasma 25-OH D3 levels were determined using the high-performance liquid chromatography method. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to estimate analytical variation(CVA), within-subject BV(CVI) and between-subject BV(CVG). The individuality index (II) and reference change value (RCV) were calculated based on these data. The CVI of 25-OH D3, ferritin, folate, and vitamin B12 were found to be 1.8% (0.6%-2.5%), 16.9% (14.4%-20.2%), 10.7% (9.2%-12.7%), and 8.6% (6.8%-10.5%), respectively. CVG were 44.2% (34.3%-69.9%), 132% (87.7%-238%), 19.4% (14.4%-28.8%), and 39.6% (29.8%-59.0%) for the same biomarkers, while CVA were 3.2% (2.81%-3.71%), 3.5% (3.1%-4.1%), 4.0% (3.5%-4.6%), and 7.5% (6.6%-8.6%), respectively. The II values for 25-OH D3, ferritin, folate, and vitamin B12 were calculated as 0.04, 0.13, 0.55, and 0.22, respectively. The RCV were 10.2%, 47.8%, 31.7%, and 31.6%, respectively. Because the tests analyzed in this study exhibit high individuality, RCV should be preferred rather than population-based reference ranges in clinical interpretation of results.

40 Educational Quality vs Years of Education is More Strongly Associated with Neuropsychological Test Performance

Objective:Education is known to impact neuropsychological test performance, and self-reported years of education is often used in stratifying normative data. However, this variable does not always reflect education quality, particularly among underrepresented populations, and may overestimate cognitive impairment in individuals with low education quality. This cross-sectional study evaluated relative contributions of years of education and reading level to several verbally mediated assessments to improve interpretation of neuropsychological performance.Participants and Methods:Data was obtained from the Vanderbilt Memory and Aging Project. Cognitively-unimpaired participants (n=175, 72±7 years, 59% male, 87% Non-Hispanic White, 16±2 years of education) completed a comprehensive neuropsychological protocol. Stepwise linear regressions were calculated using education and Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT)-3 Reading subtest scores as predictors and letter fluency (FAS, CFL), category fluency (Vegetable and Animal Naming), the Boston Naming Test (BNT), and California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT)-II as outcomes to assess increase in variance explained by educational quality. Models covaried for age and sex. The False Discovery Rate (FDR) based on the Benjamini-Hochberg procedure (Benjamini &amp; Hochberg, 1995) was used to correct for multiple comparisons.Results:The mean WRAT-3 score was 51±4 (range:37-57), indicating post-high school reading level. Education and WRAT-3 scores were moderately correlated (r=0.36, p&lt;0.01). Both WRAT-3 and years of education independently predicted letter fluency (WRAT-3 p&lt;0.001; education p&lt;0.02), category fluency (WRAT-3 p&lt;0.001; education p&lt;0.05), and CVLT-II performance (WRAT-3 p-values&lt;0.005; education p-values&lt;0.02) in single predictor models. On BNT, WRAT-3 (p&lt;0.001), but not education (p=0.06), predicted performance in single predictor models. In combined models with both WRAT-3 and education, WRAT-3 scores remained a significant predictor of FAS (WRAT-3 b=1.21, p&lt;0.001; education b=0.006, p=0.99) and CFL performance (WRAT-3 b=1.02, p&lt;0.001; education b=0.51, p=0.14). Both WRAT-3 (b=0.21, p=0.01) and years of education (b=0.35, p=0.03) predicted Animal Naming, while WRAT-3 (b=0.16,p=0.008), but not years of education (p=0.37), predicted Vegetable Naming. WRAT-3 was a significant predictor of BNT performance (b=0.21, p&lt;0.001) but not years of education (p=0.65). WRAT-3 predicted CVLT-II learning (b=0.32, p=0.04), immediate recall (b=0.16, p=0.005), and delayed recall performances (b=0.15, p=0.005), while education did not (p-values&gt;0.14). All significant results persisted after FDR correction. WRAT-3 scores explained an additional level of variance beyond the covariates and education alone for FAS (AR=18%), CFL (AR=13%), Animal Naming and Vegetable Naming (AR= 3%), BNT (AR=18%), and CVLT-II learning (AR=2%), immediate recall (AR=4%), and delayed recall (AR=3%).Conclusions:Reading level more strongly associated with performance on several verbally mediated neuropsychological measures than years of education. For all measures, the addition of reading level significantly increased the amount of variance explained by the model compared to covariates and education alone, which aligns with existing research. However, most of this past work looks at individuals with lower levels of educational quality. Because our cohort was highly educated and at the upper end of the reading spectrum, our results suggest that reading level is important to consider even for more highly educated individuals. Therefore, reading level is a critical variable to consider when interpreting verbally mediated neuropsychological measures for individuals across the educational spectrum.

Long‐Term Bias Stability of the GOES‐NOP Magnetometers

AbstractWe characterize the long‐term bias stability of the GOES‐NOP series magnetometers (GOES‐13, 14, and 15) using data from 2013 through 2018. Bias stability is inferred using three methods: comparing the inboard and outboard measurements on each spacecraft, comparing the individual measurements to the TS04 magnetic field model, and comparing measurements between different GOES‐NOP spacecraft. Comparisons between the inboard and outboard magnetometers demonstrate that GOES‐14 and GOES‐15 measurements are stable within approximately 1–2 nT. The GOES‐13 inboard magnetometer has known contamination issues that hinder a useful inboard/outboard comparison, but inter‐spacecraft comparisons with GOES‐14 and GOES‐15 indicate that the GOES‐13 outboard magnetometer is also stable to 1–2 nT. Direct comparisons of each measurement to the TS04 magnetic field model support the conclusion that there is little long‐term bias drift over the 6‐year period. Model uncertainty and the variability of the field at geostationary orbit create a noise floor that is similar to the variability of the magnetometer biases. While these relative comparisons do not provide absolute measurement uncertainty, they do constrain the stability of the observations, allowing for future absolute calibration of the DC bias through different methods.

3 Are we Up-Front About Switching or are we Side-Stepping the Issue: Localization of Cognitive Switching Measures with Cortical Thickness

Objective:Set-shifting/switching tasks, among other measures of executive functioning, are typically thought to represent frontal lobe functioning. However, the neuroanatomical correlates of these tests are not fully established. The aim of this study was to examine associations between individual measures of set-shifting/switching and cortical thickness. We hypothesized that performance on each switching measure would strongly correlate with aggregated cortical thickness within the frontal lobe.Participants and Methods:Measures of interest included set-shifting subtests of the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (DKEFS): Color-Word Inhibition Switching, Category Switching, and Trail Making Test Number-Letter Switching. Archival data from an outpatient memory disorders clinic were reviewed to identify individuals whose neuropsychological evaluations included the measures of interest and had quality-assessed, volumetric MRI data available (n=243; 53.1% male, 81.9% Caucasian, Mage=72.4, SDage=6.7). Cortical thickness values were generated by FreeSurfer and averages were calculated for both frontal and temporal lobes, separately. Using partial correlations, controlling for age, we explored associations between each switching trial separately with right and left, frontal and temporal cortical thickness. The strength of associations within each lobe were then compared using Fisher's r-to-z transformations.Results:Category Switching was significantly correlated with left and right hemisphere temporal thickness (r=0.38 and 0.31, respectively), but was not significantly correlated with left or right frontal lobe cortical thickness (r=.12 and .07, respectively). Fisher's r-to-z transformations revealed significantly stronger relationships between Category Switching and temporal thickness, rather than frontal thicknesses. Trails Switching was also significantly correlated with left and right temporal cortical thickness (r=-0.28, and =-0.23, respectively) and bore weaker associations with frontal cortical thickness (r=-.13 and r = -.14 for left and right hemispheres, respectively). In contrast, Color-Word Inhibition-Switching did not show a significant relationship with frontal or temporal cortical thickness.Conclusions:Contrary to our hypothesis, stronger associations were observed with temporal lobe cortical thickness for Category Switching. Category Switching involves a language production component which could explain the strong association with temporal cortical thickness compared to frontal cortical thickness. Additionally, the pattern of associations between Trails Switching and frontal and temporal thickness was non-specific. Perhaps most striking is the lack of association between each switching measure and frontal cortical thickness, which was unexpected, given that these measures are used to assess executive functioning, broadly localized to the frontal lobe. Future directions involve examining the associations of these measure with subcortical structures and replicating these findings in larger datasets.

Hospital Pharmacy in the multidisciplinary team of COVID inpatient units

Since the implementation of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs, hospital pharmacy specialists have collaborated with infectious disease specialists on a regular basis in most hospitals in Spain. Cooperation between these professionals ensures the integrated management of patients with infectious diseases and the appropriate use of antimicrobials in hospitals.The COVID-19 pandemic forced hospital pharmacists to abruptly suspend all their structured activities and concentrate on the health crisis. Real-time information sharing between different medicine specialties is an effective strategy to generate and maintain treatment protocols adapted to each center, with continuous evidence-based modifications as new publications appear.Hospital pharmacies had to reorganize their activities to respond to the pandemic. On the one side were patients with COVID-19, and on the other were routine hospital pharmacy tasks, with the added difficulty of adapting to individual protection measures. New communication and collaboration strategies were adopted. Protocols were established for the management of COVID-19 patients, with continuous changes; special medications had to be prepared and distributed; circuits were designed for the home- or institution-based care of patients; internal circuits were created to minimize the movements of hospital staff and professionals caring for COVID-19 patients.The most effective antiviral drug and anti inflammatory therapy remains elusive. In this scenario, hospital pharmacists emerge as a key player, as they have a deep understanding of the mechanisms of action of drugs and potential interactions. In a setting where experimental drugs preferably tested in clinical trials are being used, the role of hospital pharmacists in interdisciplinary teams has become essential for the optimization of clinical outcomes.

Anisotropy, Anatomical Region, and Additional Variables Influence Young's Modulus of Bone: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The importance of finite element analysis (FEA) is growing in orthopedic research, especially in implant design. However, Young's modulus (E) values, one of the most fundamental parameters, can range across a wide scale. Therefore, our study aimed to identify factors influencing E values in human bone specimens. We report our systematic review and meta-analysis based on the recommendation of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guideline. We conducted the analysis on November 21, 2021. We included studies investigating healthy human bone specimens and reported on E values regarding demographic data, specimen characteristics, and measurement specifics. In addition, we included study types reporting individual specimen measurements. From the acquired data, we created a cohort in which we performed an exploratory data analysis that included the explanatory variables selected by random forest and regression trees methods, and the comparison of groups using independent samples Welch's t test. A total of 756 entries were included from 48 articles. Eleven different bones of the human body were included in these articles. The range of E values is between 0.008 and 33.7 GPa. The E values were most heavily influenced by the cortical or cancellous type of bone tested. Measuring method (compression, tension, bending, and nanoindentation), the anatomical region within a bone, the position of the bone within the skeleton, and the bone specimen size had a decreasing impact on the E values. Bone anisotropy, specimen condition, patient age, and sex were selected as important variables considering the value of E. On the basis of our results, E values of a bone change with bone characteristics, measurement techniques, and demographic variables. Therefore, the evaluation of FEA should be performed after the standardization of in vitro measurement protocol. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Bottom-Up Projection of Regional Carbon Emissions from Passenger Road Vehicles Based on Discrete-Time Markov Chain

Accounting for a significant portion of global carbon emissions, the road transportation sector is unequivocally one of the largest emitter among various sectors and a wide variety of mitigation measures has been developed and adopted. The estimation of carbon emissions is a prerequisite for assessing the effectiveness of individual measures. This study outlines the estimation of carbon emissions from road transport based on a discrete-time Markov chain employed to describe the population of road vehicles by fuel type over time. The procedure outlined in the IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories is adopted to estimate the carbon emissions based on the country-specific parameters, which is then applied to the projection of regional carbon emissions from road transport in the Metropolitan Busan City, Republic of Korea. More specifically, country-specific parameters are derived from publicly available data related to carbon emissions from road transport. It is asserted that publicly available data can be effectively collated and incorporated to develop the discrete-time Markov chain to estimate the population of road vehicles, based on which carbon emissions from road transport can then be estimated.

In situ 10Be modeling and terrain analysis constrain subglacial quarrying and abrasion rates at Sermeq Kujalleq (Jakobshavn Isbræ), Greenland

Abstract. Glacial erosion creates diagnostic landscapes and vast amounts of sediment. However, knowledge about the rate at which glaciers erode and sculpt bedrock and the proportion of quarried (plucked) versus abraded material is limited. To address this, we quantify subglacial erosion rates and constrain the ratio of quarrying to abrasion during a recent, ∼ 200-year long overriding of a bedrock surface fronting, Sermeq Kujalleq (Jakobshavn Isbræ), Greenland, by combining 10Be analyses, a digital terrain model, and field observations. Cosmogenic 10Be measurements along a 1.2 m tall quarried bedrock step reveal a triangular wedge of quarried rock. Using individual 10Be measurements from abraded surfaces across the study area, we derive an average abrasion rate of 0.13 ± 0.08 mm yr−1. By applying this analysis across a ∼ 1.33 km2 study area, we estimate that the Greenland Ice Sheet quarried 378 ± 45 m3 and abraded 322 ± 204 m3 of material at this site. These values result in an average total erosion rate of 0.26 ± 0.16 mm yr−1, with abrasion and quarrying contributing in roughly equal proportions within uncertainty. Additional cosmogenic 10Be analysis and surface texture mapping indicate that many lee steps are relicts from the prior glaciation and were not re-quarried during the recent overriding event. These new observations of glacier erosion in a recently exposed landscape provide one of the first direct measurements of quarrying rates and indicate that quarrying accounts for roughly half of the total glacial erosion in representative continental shield lithologies.

Sea lice management measures for farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in Scotland: Costs and effectiveness

Cultured and wild Atlantic salmon around the world are affected by sea lice. Salmon culturing countries have policies in place to minimize sea lice abundance on cultured salmon in open net pens in the marine environment. To adhere to these policies, salmon producers deploy a range of management measures against sea lice throughout the production cycle. The cost effectiveness of these sea lice management measures is not well quantified. This study provides estimates for cost effectiveness in Scotland of (1) individual sea lice management measures and (2) integrated management strategies that span an entire production cycle. Estimates were based on the cost-effectiveness ratio, in which costs consist of those associated with equipment, implementation, environment and side effects (mortality). Effectiveness was based on interviews and expert opinions. For single measures, skirts and the use of in-feed medicines had the best cost-effectiveness. Cleaner fish, fresh or brackish water baths, the physical removal measures (thermolicer and hydrolicer) and medicinal baths were among the next most cost-effective measures, followed by hydrogen peroxide baths. Tarpaulins were more cost-effective than well boats due to lower costs under the assumption of equal effectiveness. Direct comparison of cost effectiveness among measures may not always be constructive as they are deployed at different times in the production cycle and their functionality is different. A holistic approach to sea lice management, a common practice in industry as shown by the integrated management strategies, may reduce risk of developing resistance. For the single measures, carbon costs were insignificant compared to other costs. If measures would have a lasting effect on production through to harvest, such as ongoing increased mortality as a result of a management measure, carbon costs may become significant. Better quantification of effectiveness is important because the scarcity of data led to uncertainty that had a large impact on cost-effectiveness estimates. Generally, this study demonstrated a lack of reliable publicly available data and lack of standardization of data, which constrains research. Highlighted gaps in knowledge can serve as a guide to improve further understanding.