8,237 research outputs found
The long-term prognostic significance of 6-minute walk test distance in patients with chronic heart failure
Background. The 6-minute walk test (6-MWT) is used to assess patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). The prognostic significance of the 6-MWT distance during long-term followup ( > 5 years) is unclear. Methods. 1,667 patients (median [inter-quartile range, IQR]) (age 72 [65-77] ; 75% males) with heart failure due to left ventricular systolic impairment undertook a 6-MWT as part of their baseline assessment and were followed up for 5 years. Results. At 5 years' followup, those patients who died (n = 959) were older at baseline and had a higher log NT pro-BNP than those who survived to 5 years (n = 708). 6-MWT distance was lower in those who died [163 (153) m versus 269 (160) m; P 360 m. 6-MWT distance was a predictor of all-cause mortality (HR 0.97; 95% CI 0.96-0.97; Chi-square = 184.1; P < 0.0001). Independent predictors of all-cause mortality were decreasing 6-MWT distance, increasing age, increasing NYHA classification, increasing log NT pro-BNP, decreasing diastolic blood pressure, decreasing sodium, and increasing urea. Conclusion. The 6-MWT is an important independent predictor of all-cause mortality following long-term followup in patients with CHF. © 2014 Lee Ingle et al
Evaluating Consumer Sensory and Composition Attributes of Arkansas-Grown Fresh-Market Blackberries
Blackberries are grown worldwide for commercial fresh markets. Three Arkansas-grown fresh-market blackberry genotypes (âNatchezâ, âOuachitaâ, and A-2418) were evaluated for consumer sensory and compositional attributes at the University of Arkansas Food Science Department, Fayetteville. The compositional attributes of the blackberries were within an acceptable range for commercial markets (soluble solids=8.20-11.90%, pH=2.79-3.18, titratable acidity=1.09-1.32%). In terms of soluble solids to titratable acidity ratio, âOuachitaâ (10.92) had the highest ratio, followed by âNatchezâ (8.93) and A-2418 (6.25). A consumer sensory panel (n=80) evaluated fresh-market blackberry attributes using a 9-point hedonic scale for overall impression, overall flavor, sweetness, and sourness and a 5-point Just-about-Right (JAR) scale for sweetness and sourness. The participants also ranked the blackberries in order of overall liking from most to least liked. For overall impression, overall flavor, and sweetness, âNatchezâ scored higher than âOuachitaâ and A-2418, but the panelists did not detect differences in sourness. In terms of JAR for sweetness, 64% of consumers scored âNatchezâ JAR, followed by âOuachitaâ (39%) and A-2418 (34%). Whereas, 42% percent found A-2418 âToo Sourâ, followed by âOuachita (33%) and âNatchezâ (25%). In terms of ranking the blackberries, âNatchezâ was the most liked blackberry followed by âOuachitaâ and A-2418. When looking only at blackberries ranked first, 53% of consumers ranked âNatchezâ as their most liked berry, compared to A-2418 (26%) and âOuachitaâ (21%). The results from this research suggested that fresh-market blackberries with medium-level sweetness to sourness ratios were preferred though more consumers than expected preferred the blackberries with the more extreme ratios
Pion-Nucleus Scattering at Medium Energies with Densities from Chiral Effective Field Theories
Recently developed chiral effective field theory models provide excellent
descriptions of the bulk characteristics of finite nuclei, but have not been
tested with other observables. In this work, densities from both relativistic
point-coupling models and mean-field meson models are used in the analysis of
meson-nucleus scattering at medium energies. Elastic scattering observables for
790
MeV/ on Pb are calculated in a relativistic impulse
approximation, using the Kemmer-Duffin-Petiau formalism to calculate the
nucleus optical potential.Comment: 9 page
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