First trimester fetal heart rate as a predictor of newborn sex

OBJECTIVE: To predict the sex of newborns using first trimester fetal heart rate (FHR). METHODS: This was a retrospective review of medical records and ultrasounds performed between 8 and 13 weeks of gestation. Continuous variables were compared using Student\u27s t-tests while categorical variables were compared using Chi-square test. RESULTS: We found no significant differences between 332 (50.7%) female and 323 (49.3%) male FHRs during the first trimester. The mean FHR for female fetuses was 167.0 +/- 9.1 bpm and for male fetuses 167.3 +/- 10.1 bpm (p = 0.62). There was no significant difference in crown rump length between female and male fetuses (4.01 +/- 1.7 versus 3.98 +/- 1.7 cm; p = 0.78) or in gestational age at birth (38.01 +/- 2.1 versus 38.08 +/- 2.1 weeks; p = 0.67). The males were significantly heavier than females (3305.3 +/- 568.3 versus 3127.5 +/- 579.8 g; p \u3c 0.0001) but there were no differences in the proportion of small for gestational age (SGA), average for gestational age (AGA) and large for gestational age (LGA) infants. CONCLUSIONS: We found no significant difference between the female and male FHR during the first trimester in contrast to the prevailing lay view of females having a faster FHR. The only statistically significant difference was that males weighed more than female newborns

Measurement report: An exploratory study of fluorescence and cloud condensation nuclei activity of urban aerosols in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Many atmospheric aerosols are cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), capable of activating as cloud droplets when the relative humidity exceeds 100 %. Some primary biological aerosol particles (PBAPs), such as plant spores, pollen, or bacteria, have been identified as such CCN. Urban environments are a source of these bioaerosols, some of which are naturally produced by the local flora or are transported from surrounding regions and others of which are a result of human activities. In the latter case, open sewage, uncovered garbage, mold or other products of such activities can be a source of PBAPs. There have been relatively few studies, especially in the tropics, where PBAPs and CCN have been simultaneously studied to establish a causal link between the two. The metropolis of San Juan, Puerto Rico, is one such urban area with a population of 2 448 000 people (as of 2020). To better understand the fluorescent characteristics and cloud-forming efficiency of aerosols in this region, measurements with a wideband integrated bioaerosol spectrometer (WIBS), a condensation nuclei (CN) counter and a CCN spectrometer were made at the University of Puerto Rico – Río Piedras Campus. Results show that the CCN / CN activation ratio and the fraction of fluorescing aerosol particles (FAPs) have repetitive daily trends when the FAP fraction is positively correlated with relative humidity and negatively correlated with wind speed, consistent with previous studies of fungi spores collected on substrates. The results from this pilot study highlight the capabilities of ultraviolet-induced fluorescence (UV-IF) measurements for characterizing the properties of FAPs as they relate to the daily evolution of PBAPs. The use of multiple excitation and emission wavelengths, along with shape detection, allows the differentiation of different PBAP types. These measurements, evaluated with respect to previous, substrate-based analysis of the local fungal and pollen spores, have established a preliminary database of measurements that future, longer-term studies will build upon.</p

Optical and physical properties of aerosols in the boundary layer and free troposphere over the Amazon Basin during the biomass burning season

As part of the Large Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere Experiment in Amazonia &ndash; Smoke, Aerosols, Clouds, Rainfall and Climate (LBA-SMOCC) campaign, detailed surface and airborne aerosol measurements were performed over the Amazon Basin during the dry to wet season from 16 September to 14 November 2002. Optical and physical properties of aerosols at the surface, and in the boundary layer (BL) and free troposphere (FT) during the dry season are discussed in this article. Carbon monoxide (CO) is used as a tracer for biomass burning emissions. At the surface, good correlation among the light scattering coefficient (&sigma;_<i>s</i> at 545 nm), PM2.5, and CO indicates that biomass burning is the main source of aerosols. Accumulation of haze during some of the large-scale biomass burning events led to high PM2.5 (225 &mu;g m^&minus;3), &sigma;_<i>s</i> (1435 Mm^&minus;1), aerosol optical depth at 500 nm (3.0), and CO (3000 ppb). A few rainy episodes reduced the PM2.5, number concentration (CN) and CO concentration by two orders of magnitude. The correlation analysis between &sigma;_<i>s</i> and aerosol optical thickness shows that most of the optically active aerosols are confined to a layer with a scale height of 1617 m during the burning season. This is confirmed by aircraft profiles. The average mass scattering and absorption efficiencies (545 nm) for small particles (diameter D_<i>p</i><1.5 &mu;m) at surface level are found to be 5.0 and 0.33 m² g^&minus;1, respectively, when relating the aerosol optical properties to PM2.5 aerosols. The observed mean single scattering albedo (&omega;_<i>o</i> at 545 nm) for submicron aerosols at the surface is 0.92&plusmn;0.02. The light scattering by particles (&Delta;&sigma;_<i>s</i>/&Delta; CN) increase 2&ndash;10 times from the surface to the FT, most probably due to the combined affects of coagulation and condensation

Role of Serum Biomarkers in Early Detection of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis and Fibrosis in West Virginian Children

Background: Obesity, an epidemic among West Virginia children, as well as insulin resistance (IR), is wellestablished contributors to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Progression of NASH can lead to hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis, making early detection imperative. The standard for diagnosing NASH is histologically via liver biopsy, which is highly invasive and generally contraindicated in children. By studying serum biomarkers associated with NASH, we aim to identify high risk children who can benefit from a less invasive, alternative approach to the early detection of NASH. Methods: Seventy one children were prospectively recruited and divided into 3 groups: normal weight without IR (control), obese without IR, and obese with IR. Serum samples were drawn for each patient and biomarker levels were assessed via ELISA kits. Results:Obese without IR and obese with IR patients had significantly elevated levels of lipid metabolism and accumulation markers (FGF-21, NEFA, FATP5, ApoB), oxidative stress markers (dysfunctional HDL, 8-Isoprostane), inflammatory markers(dysfunctional HDL, CK-18) and apoptosis markers (CK-18) compared to control patients (p\u3c0.02). Conclusion: This study showed a correlation between obesity, IR, and biomarkers associated with NASH in pediatrics patients from West Virginia, with obese with IR patients showing the strongest correlation. These findings support the clinical application of these serum biomarkers as a less invasive method for early detection of NASH and hepatic fibrosis

Chemical composition of cloud water in the puerto rican tropical trade wind cumuli

As part of the Rain In Cumulus over the Ocean Experiment (RICO) and the Puerto Rico Aerosol and Cloud Study (PRACS), cloud water was collected at East Peak (EP) in Puerto Rico. The main objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of water-soluble species (Cl-, NO3 -, SO4 2-, NH4 +, Ca 2+, H+, Mg2+, K+, and Na +) in water samples taken from clouds influenced by tropical trade winds. The most abundant inorganic species were Na+ (average 465 μeq l-1) and Cl- (434 μeq l-1), followed by Mg2+ (105 μeq l-1), SO4 2- (61 μeq l-1), and NO3 - (25 μeq l -1). High concentrations of nss-SO4 2 (28 μeq l-1), NO3 - (86 μeq l-1), and H+ (14.5 μeq l-1) were measured with a shift in air masses origin from the North Atlantic to North American continent, which reflected a strong anthropogenic influence on cloud chemistry at EP. Long-range transport of particles and acid gases seems to be the factor responsible for fluctuations in concentrations and pH of cloud water at East Peak. When under trade wind influences the liquid phase concentrations of all inorganic substances were similar to those found in clouds in other clean maritime environments. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media B.V

A qualidade da informação financeira previsional como instrumento de avaliação do pressuposto da continuidade: o caso das empresas municipais

Mestrado em AuditoriaCom a crise e com os escândalos financeiros nos últimos anos, tem-se assistido à falência de várias empresas em todo o mundo, o que tem gerado grande insegurança nos mercados, afetando a tomada de decisões por parte dos diversos stakeholders, que têm por base as informações financeiras divulgadas pelas empresas. Consequentemente, o papel do auditor foi também bastante afetado com os escândalos que surgiram, o que gerou grande desconfiança por parte dos stakeholders, tendo as grandes organizações mundiais tomado medidas e criado mecanismos e controlos mais incisivos para colmatar esta desconfiança, por forma a aumentar a importância de um dos principais pressupostos da contabilidade: o princípio da continuidade. Neste contexto, “A qualidade da informação financeira previsional como instrumento de avaliação do pressuposto da continuidade: o caso das empresas municipais” vem mostrar a importância da divulgação da informação financeira previsional (IFP), como esta pode ser útil para a tomada de decisão e para o trabalho do auditor. O estudo centra-se em bibliografia emitida pelas grandes organizações internacionais e nacionais na área da auditoria e contabilidade, quer em sítios da Internet, como em publicações de artigos académicos e de outros autores especialistas na área, e num estudo baseado na informação financeira divulgada pelas empresas municipais, do qual deriva o fundamento empírico da dissertação. A metodologia baseia-se na análise documental, mais concretamente na comparação entre a informação financeira previsional e a informação financeira histórica recolhida dos vários sítios das empresas municipais. Embora não se consiga extrapolar uma conclusão que cubra todo o universo do estudo, concluiu-se, que na sua maioria, as previsões efetuadas não diferem muito da realidade, o que denota que esta é uma informação que pode ser bastante útil, permitindo assim antecipar cenários com maior precisão e dar um maior apoio à tomada de decisão dos diversos stakeholders.Due to crisis and financial scandals in recent years, several companies in the world have bankrupted. This situation has generated high uncertainty in the markets, affecting decision-making by the different stakeholders, which are based on the financial information disclosed by the companies. Consequently the auditor's role was also quite affected with those emerged scandals, which generated great distrust from stakeholders. Thus, major world organizations took action and created mechanisms and more incisive controls to overcome this distrust in order to increase importance of the key assumptions of accounting: Going Concern. In this context, "Prospective financial information quality as a basic tool for the evaluation of going concern: the case of municipal companies" is going to show the importance of disclosure of prospective financial information, as this can be useful for decision-making and for auditor. The study focuses on literature issued by major international and national organizations in the field of auditing and accounting, websites, academic articles and publications from other expert authors in this field, and in a study based on the financial information disclosed by municipal companies, which the empirical basis of the dissertation is from. The methodology is based on document analysis, specifically in real-provided comparison of financial information collected from different sites of the municipal companies. Although we can not extrapolate a conclusion that cover all universe of the study, it was concluded that the majority of the forecasts made do not differ much from reality, which indicates that this information can be very useful, allowing to anticipate scenarios with greater accuracy and increased support to the different decision-making stakeholders

Clouds and aerosols in Puerto Rico ─ a new evaluation

The influence of aerosols, both natural and anthropogenic, remains a major area of uncertainty when predicting the properties and behaviour of clouds and their influence on climate. In an attempt to better understand warm cloud formation in a tropical marine environment, a period of intensive measurements took place in December 2004 in Puerto Rico, using some of the latest developments in online instrumentation such as aerosol mass spectrometers, cloud condensation nuclei counters and a hygroscopicity tandem differential mobility analyser. Simultaneous online measurements of aerosol size distributions, composition, hygroscopicity and optical properties were made near the lighthouse of Cape San Juan in the north-eastern corner of the island and at the top of East Peak mountain (1040 m a.s.l.), the two sites separated by 17 km. Additional measurements of the cloud droplet residual and interstitial aerosol properties were made at the mountain site, accompanied by measurements of cloud droplet size distributions, liquid water content and the chemical composition of cloud and rain water samples. <br><br> Both aerosol composition and cloud properties were found to be sensitive to wind sector. Air from the east-northeast (ENE) was mostly free of anthropogenic influences, the submicron fraction being mainly composed of non-sea salt sulphate, while that from the east-southeast (ESE) was found to be moderately influenced by populated islands upwind, adding smaller (&lt;100 nm), externally mixed, carbonaceous particles to the aerosol that increased the number concentrations by over a factor of 3. This change in composition was also accompanied with a reduction in the measured hygroscopicity and fractional cloud activation potential of the aerosol. At the mountain site, the average cloud droplet concentrations increased from 193 to 519 cm^&minus;3, median volume diameter decreased from 20 to 14 μm and the liquid water content increased from 0.24 to 0.31 g m^&minus;3 when the winds shifted from the ENE to ESE. Larger numbers of interstitial particles were recorded, most notably at sizes greater than 100 nm, which were absent during clean conditions. The average size of the residual particles and concentrations of cloudwater nitrate, sulphate and insoluble material increased during polluted conditions. <br><br> Previous studies in Puerto Rico had reported the presence of a significant non-anthropogenic organic fraction in the aerosols measured and concluded that this was a factor controlling the in situ cloud properties. However, this was not observed in our case. In contrast to the 1.00&plusmn;0.14 μg m^&minus;3 of organic carbon measured in 1992 and 1995, the organic matter measured in the current study of 0.17&plusmn;0.35 μg m^&minus;3 is many times lower, most of which can be attributed to anthropogenic sources. During clean conditions, the submicron aerosol was observed to be almost entirely inorganic, an observation supported by the hygroscopicity measurements. This suggests that organic aerosols from marine sources may not be completely ubiquitous (either spatially or temporally) in this environment and requires further investigation to quantify their true extent and implications, with more extensive, longer-term sampling in conjunction with wind field analyses