Catalog of Galactic Beta Cephei Stars

We present an extensive and up-to-date catalog of Galactic Beta Cephei stars. This catalog is intended to give a comprehensive overview of observational characteristics of all known Beta Cephei stars. 93 stars could be confirmed to be Beta Cephei stars. For some stars we re-analyzed published data or conducted our own analyses. 61 stars were rejected from the final Beta Cephei list, and 77 stars are suspected to be Beta Cephei stars. A list of critically selected pulsation frequencies for confirmed Beta Cephei stars is also presented. We analyze the Beta Cephei stars as a group, such as the distributions of their spectral types, projected rotational velocities, radial velocities, pulsation periods, and Galactic coordinates. We confirm that the majority of these stars are multiperiodic pulsators. We show that, besides two exceptions, the Beta Cephei stars with high pulsation amplitudes are slow rotators. We construct a theoretical HR diagram that suggests that almost all 93 Beta Cephei stars are MS objects. We discuss the observational boundaries of Beta Cephei pulsation and their physical parameters. We corroborate that the excited pulsation modes are near to the radial fundamental mode in frequency and we show that the mass distribution of the stars peaks at 12 solar masses. We point out that the theoretical instability strip of the Beta Cephei stars is filled neither at the cool nor at the hot end and attempt to explain this observation

Why Are Outcomes Different for Registry Patients Enrolled Prospectively and Retrospectively? Insights from the Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF).

Background: Retrospective and prospective observational studies are designed to reflect real-world evidence on clinical practice, but can yield conflicting results. The GARFIELD-AF Registry includes both methods of enrolment and allows analysis of differences in patient characteristics and outcomes that may result. Methods and Results: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and ≥1 risk factor for stroke at diagnosis of AF were recruited either retrospectively (n = 5069) or prospectively (n = 5501) from 19 countries and then followed prospectively. The retrospectively enrolled cohort comprised patients with established AF (for a least 6, and up to 24 months before enrolment), who were identified retrospectively (and baseline and partial follow-up data were collected from the emedical records) and then followed prospectively between 0-18 months (such that the total time of follow-up was 24 months; data collection Dec-2009 and Oct-2010). In the prospectively enrolled cohort, patients with newly diagnosed AF (≤6 weeks after diagnosis) were recruited between Mar-2010 and Oct-2011 and were followed for 24 months after enrolment. Differences between the cohorts were observed in clinical characteristics, including type of AF, stroke prevention strategies, and event rates. More patients in the retrospectively identified cohort received vitamin K antagonists (62.1% vs. 53.2%) and fewer received non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (1.8% vs . 4.2%). All-cause mortality rates per 100 person-years during the prospective follow-up (starting the first study visit up to 1 year) were significantly lower in the retrospective than prospectively identified cohort (3.04 [95% CI 2.51 to 3.67] vs . 4.05 [95% CI 3.53 to 4.63]; p = 0.016). Conclusions: Interpretations of data from registries that aim to evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of patients with AF must take account of differences in registry design and the impact of recall bias and survivorship bias that is incurred with retrospective enrolment. Clinical Trial Registration: - URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier for GARFIELD-AF (NCT01090362)

Improved risk stratification of patients with atrial fibrillation: an integrated GARFIELD-AF tool for the prediction of mortality, stroke and bleed in patients with and without anticoagulation.

OBJECTIVES: To provide an accurate, web-based tool for stratifying patients with atrial fibrillation to facilitate decisions on the potential benefits/risks of anticoagulation, based on mortality, stroke and bleeding risks. DESIGN: The new tool was developed, using stepwise regression, for all and then applied to lower risk patients. C-statistics were compared with CHA2DS2-VASc using 30-fold cross-validation to control for overfitting. External validation was undertaken in an independent dataset, Outcome Registry for Better Informed Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation (ORBIT-AF). PARTICIPANTS: Data from 39 898 patients enrolled in the prospective GARFIELD-AF registry provided the basis for deriving and validating an integrated risk tool to predict stroke risk, mortality and bleeding risk. RESULTS: The discriminatory value of the GARFIELD-AF risk model was superior to CHA2DS2-VASc for patients with or without anticoagulation. C-statistics (95% CI) for all-cause mortality, ischaemic stroke/systemic embolism and haemorrhagic stroke/major bleeding (treated patients) were: 0.77 (0.76 to 0.78), 0.69 (0.67 to 0.71) and 0.66 (0.62 to 0.69), respectively, for the GARFIELD-AF risk models, and 0.66 (0.64-0.67), 0.64 (0.61-0.66) and 0.64 (0.61-0.68), respectively, for CHA2DS2-VASc (or HAS-BLED for bleeding). In very low to low risk patients (CHA2DS2-VASc 0 or 1 (men) and 1 or 2 (women)), the CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED (for bleeding) scores offered weak discriminatory value for mortality, stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding. C-statistics for the GARFIELD-AF risk tool were 0.69 (0.64 to 0.75), 0.65 (0.56 to 0.73) and 0.60 (0.47 to 0.73) for each end point, respectively, versus 0.50 (0.45 to 0.55), 0.59 (0.50 to 0.67) and 0.55 (0.53 to 0.56) for CHA2DS2-VASc (or HAS-BLED for bleeding). Upon validation in the ORBIT-AF population, C-statistics showed that the GARFIELD-AF risk tool was effective for predicting 1-year all-cause mortality using the full and simplified model for all-cause mortality: C-statistics 0.75 (0.73 to 0.77) and 0.75 (0.73 to 0.77), respectively, and for predicting for any stroke or systemic embolism over 1 year, C-statistics 0.68 (0.62 to 0.74). CONCLUSIONS: Performance of the GARFIELD-AF risk tool was superior to CHA2DS2-VASc in predicting stroke and mortality and superior to HAS-BLED for bleeding, overall and in lower risk patients. The GARFIELD-AF tool has the potential for incorporation in routine electronic systems, and for the first time, permits simultaneous evaluation of ischaemic stroke, mortality and bleeding risks. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier for GARFIELD-AF (NCT01090362) and for ORBIT-AF (NCT01165710)

Two-year outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation: results from GARFIELD-AF.

AIMS: The relationship between outcomes and time after diagnosis for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is poorly defined, especially beyond the first year. METHODS AND RESULTS: GARFIELD-AF is an ongoing, global observational study of adults with newly diagnosed NVAF. Two-year outcomes of 17 162 patients prospectively enrolled in GARFIELD-AF were analysed in light of baseline characteristics, risk profiles for stroke/systemic embolism (SE), and antithrombotic therapy. The mean (standard deviation) age was 69.8 (11.4) years, 43.8% were women, and the mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 3.3 (1.6); 60.8% of patients were prescribed anticoagulant therapy with/without antiplatelet (AP) therapy, 27.4% AP monotherapy, and 11.8% no antithrombotic therapy. At 2-year follow-up, all-cause mortality, stroke/SE, and major bleeding had occurred at a rate (95% confidence interval) of 3.83 (3.62; 4.05), 1.25 (1.13; 1.38), and 0.70 (0.62; 0.81) per 100 person-years, respectively. Rates for all three major events were highest during the first 4 months. Congestive heart failure, acute coronary syndromes, sudden/unwitnessed death, malignancy, respiratory failure, and infection/sepsis accounted for 65% of all known causes of death and strokes for <10%. Anticoagulant treatment was associated with a 35% lower risk of death. CONCLUSION: The most frequent of the three major outcome measures was death, whose most common causes are not known to be significantly influenced by anticoagulation. This suggests that a more comprehensive approach to the management of NVAF may be needed to improve outcome. This could include, in addition to anticoagulation, interventions targeting modifiable, cause-specific risk factors for death. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362

Risk profiles and one-year outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in India: Insights from the GARFIELD-AF Registry.

BACKGROUND: The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) is an ongoing prospective noninterventional registry, which is providing important information on the baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and 1-year outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This report describes data from Indian patients recruited in this registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 52,014 patients with newly diagnosed AF were enrolled globally; of these, 1388 patients were recruited from 26 sites within India (2012-2016). In India, the mean age was 65.8 years at diagnosis of NVAF. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor for AF, present in 68.5% of patients from India and in 76.3% of patients globally (P < 0.001). Diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) were prevalent in 36.2% and 28.1% of patients as compared with global prevalence of 22.2% and 21.6%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both). Antiplatelet therapy was the most common antithrombotic treatment in India. With increasing stroke risk, however, patients were more likely to receive oral anticoagulant therapy [mainly vitamin K antagonist (VKA)], but average international normalized ratio (INR) was lower among Indian patients [median INR value 1.6 (interquartile range {IQR}: 1.3-2.3) versus 2.3 (IQR 1.8-2.8) (P < 0.001)]. Compared with other countries, patients from India had markedly higher rates of all-cause mortality [7.68 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval 6.32-9.35) vs 4.34 (4.16-4.53), P < 0.0001], while rates of stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding were lower after 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Compared to previously published registries from India, the GARFIELD-AF registry describes clinical profiles and outcomes in Indian patients with AF of a different etiology. The registry data show that compared to the rest of the world, Indian AF patients are younger in age and have more diabetes and CAD. Patients with a higher stroke risk are more likely to receive anticoagulation therapy with VKA but are underdosed compared with the global average in the GARFIELD-AF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362

Comparison of efficiency of Polish and German grain mills

Obserwacja liderów w danej branży pozwala na tworzenie na ich przykładzie koncepcji rozwoju dla własnego przedsiębiorstwa, umożliwia również poprawienie własnych procesów (w tym procesów produkcyjnych). Analiza efektywności gospodarowania przedsiębiorstw młynarskich z wykorzystaniem metody DEA oraz wskaźnika produktywności TFPC może być przydatna do ich bieżącej oceny, jak i podejmowania właściwych decyzji dotyczących ich przyszłości. Nieefektywność niektórych przedsiębiorstw może mieć swoje źródło w organizacji zasobów rzeczowych i ludzkich, które mogą być źle wykorzystywane. Dzięki oszacowaniu poszczególnych miar efektywności i produktywności możliwe było wyodrębnienie źródeł nieefektywności, co pozwoliło na wskazanie kierunków poprawy i dalszą szczegółową analizę.On the example of leaders' observation in a given branch, it is possible to allow to create a conception of development for own company, also enable to improve own processes (within production processes) elaborated in the paper. Efficiency analysis of grain milling companies by using DEA method and TFPC index productivity can be helpful by their current estimation and by taking proper decisions, which concern their future. Inefficiency of some companies can have its source in organization of material and human resources, which can be improperly used. Due to estimation of particular efficiency and productivity measures it was possible to separate sources of inefficiency, what allowed to point at directions of improvement and further detailed analysis

Organizational aspects in the milling companies in Poland and in Germany

W artykule przedstawiono organizacyjne aspekty funkcjonowania przedsiębiorstw przetwórstwa zbóż. Badania przeprowadzono wśród polskich i niemieckich przedsiębiorstw w 2007 roku. Analizie poddano następujące aspekty: skala i technologia produkcji, struktura organizacyjna i poziom zatrudnienia, rynki zaopatrzenia i zbytu, zarządzanie jakością.In the article the organizational aspects of the operation of grain mills were presented. The study was conducted among Polish and German companies in 2007. We analyzed the following aspects: scale and production technology, organizational structure and level of employment, structure of suppliers and buyers and quality management

The efficiency of enterprises of the selected food processing sector – the functional forms used in the SFA method

Celem badań było porównanie wyników oceny efektywności prowadzonej przy wykorzystaniu wybranych postaci funkcyjnych. Dokonano oceny efektywności przedsiębiorstw z branży przetwórstwa mięsa. Bazowano na stochastycznej metodzie granicznej SFA (ang. Stochastic Frontier Analysis). W metodzie tej wykorzystano dwie postaci funkcyjne najczęściej stosowane w literaturze krajowej i zagranicznej, tj. funkcję Cobba-Douglasa i translogarytmiczną. Na podstawie uzyskanych wyników oceniono stosowane postaci funkcyjne.The aim of the study was to compare the results of efficiency assessment carried out by using selected functional forms. The efficiency of companies of the meat processing sector was assessed. The stochastic frontier method, the SFA (Stochastic Frontier Analysis) was used. Two functional forms which are commonly used in national and foreign literature, such as the Cobb-Douglas function and the Translog function, were applied in this method. On the basis of obtained results the functional forms were assessed

Metoda EPIC jako narzędzie oceny infrastruktury transportowej w Polsce i we Francji

The EPIC structure allows to know strengths and weaknesses of each part of the world and of several countries in each part. It helps decision-makers, in accordance with their problem, to choose the best option of development and investments. It is a tool to have more information about economy, politics, infrastructure and competence. The goal of the paper is to compare the infrastructure in Poland and France by using of the EPIC approach. Poland is one of very good investment destinations for companies targeting both western and eastern as well as northern and southern parts of Europe. Unfortunately the transportation infrastructure in Poland is still poor if you compare with countries in the Western Europe, even if internationals routes have been developed and modernized. France is a very good investment destination for companies. The French government invests in repairs of the railway, maintenance of all the transports, development of ecological transport and the building of some new roads and new logistics area.Struktura metody EPIC pozwala na określenie mocnych i słabych strony każdej części świata, ale również poszczególnych krajów. Wspomaga to decydentów w wyborze najlepszej opcji rozwoju i realizacji inwestycji. Jest to narzędzie, które pozwala na uzyskanie informacji na temat gospodarki, polityki, infrastruktury i kompetencji. Celem niniejszego artykułu jest porównanie infrastruktury w Polsce i we Francji za pomocą metody EPIC. Polska jest jednym z bardzo dobrych miejsc realizacji inwestycji przez przedsiębiorstwa zainteresowane zarówno zachodnią i wschodnią, jak i północną oraz południową częścią Europy. Infrastruktura transportowa w Polsce jest niestety nadal słabej jakości w porównaniu z istniejącymi w krajami Europy Zachodniej, nawet jeśli weźmie się pod uwagę to, że polskie drogi międzynarodowe zostały rozbudowane i zmodernizowane. Francja jest bardzo dobrym krajem do realizacji inwestycji. Francuski rząd inwestuje w remonty sieci kolejowych, utrzymanie wszystkich typów transportu, rozwój transportu ekologicznego oraz budowę nowych dróg i obszarów o przeznaczeniu logistycznym