Coronary artery calcium score prediction of all cause mortality and cardiovascular events in people with type 2 diabetes : systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective To investigate the association of coronary artery calcium score with all cause mortality and cardiovascular events in people with type 2 diabetes. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Data sources Studies were identified from Embase, PubMed, and abstracts from the 2011 and 2012 annual meetings of the American Diabetes Association, European Association for the Study of Diabetes, American College of Cardiology, and American Heart Association (2011). Eligibility criteria Prospective studies that evaluated baseline coronary artery calcium score in people with type 2 diabetes and subsequent all cause mortality or cardiovascular events (fatal and non-fatal). Data extraction Two independent reviewers extracted the data. The predictive value of the coronary artery calcium score was assessed by random effects model.Results Eight studies were included (n=6521; 802 events; mean follow-up 5.18 years). The relative risk for all cause mortality or cardiovascular events, or both comparing a total coronary artery calcium score of ≥10 with a score of <10 was 5.47 (95% confidence interval 2.59 to 11.53; I2=82.4%, P<0.001). The overall sensitivity of a total coronary artery calcium score of ≥10 for this composite outcome was 94% (95% confidence interval 89% to 96%), with a specificity of 34% (24% to 44%). The positive and negative likelihood ratios were 1.41 (95% confidence interval 1.20 to 1.66) and 0.18 (0.10 to 0.30), respectively. For people with a coronary artery calcium score of <10, the post-test probability of the composite outcome was about 1.8%, representing a 6.8-fold reduction from the pretest probability. Four studies evaluated cardiovascular events as the outcome (n=1805; 351 events). The relative risk for cardiovascular events comparing a total coronary artery calcium score of ≥10 with a score of <10 was 9.22 (2.73 to 31.07; I2=76.7%, P=0.005). The positive and negative likelihood ratios were 1.67 (1.30 to 2.17) and 0.11 (0.04 to 0.29), respectively. Conclusion In people with type 2 diabetes, a coronary artery calcium score of ≥10 predicts all cause mortality or cardiovascular events, or both, and cardiovascular events alone, with high sensitivity but low specificity. Clinically, the finding of a coronary artery calcium score of <10 may facilitate risk stratification by enabling the identification of people at low risk within this high risk population

Peculiar velocities of galaxies and clusters

We present a simple model for the shape of the distribution function of galaxy peculiar velocities. We show how both nonlinear and linear theory terms combine to produce a distribution which has an approximately Gaussian core with exponential wings. The model is easily extended to study how the statistic depends on the type of particle used to trace the velocity field (dark matter particles, dark matter haloes, galaxies), and on the density of the environment in which the test particles are. Comparisons with simulations suggest that our model is accurate. We also show that the evolution of the peculiar velocities depends on the local, rather than the global density. Since clusters populate denser regions on average, using cluster velocities with the linear theory scaling may lead to an overestimate of the global value of Omega. Conversely, using linear theory with the global value of Omega to scale cluster velocities from the initial to the present time results in an underestimate of their true velocities. In general, however, the directions of motions of haloes are rather well described by linear theory. Our results help to simplify models of redshift-space distortions considerably.Comment: 18 pages, 18 figures, submitted to MNRAS 2000 July 1

A hierarchy of voids: Much ado about nothing

We present a model for the distribution of void sizes and its evolution in the context of hierarchical scenarios of gravitational structure formation. We find that at any cosmic epoch the voids have a size distribution which is well-peaked about a characteristic void size which evolves self-similarly in time. This is in distinct contrast to the distribution of virialized halo masses which does not have a small-scale cut-off. In our model, the fate of voids is ruled by two processes. The first process affects those voids which are embedded in larger underdense regions: the evolution is effectively one in which a larger void is made up by the mergers of smaller voids, and is analogous to how massive clusters form from the mergers of less massive progenitors. The second process is unique to voids, and occurs to voids which happen to be embedded within a larger scale overdensity: these voids get squeezed out of existence as the overdensity collapses around them. It is this second process which produces the cut-off at small scales. In the excursion set formulation of cluster abundance and evolution, solution of the cloud-in-cloud problem, i.e., counting as clusters only those objects which are not embedded in larger clusters, requires study of random walks crossing one barrier. We show that a similar formulation of void evolution requires study of a two-barrier problem: one barrier is required to account for voids-in-voids, and the other for voids-in-clouds. Thus, in our model, the void size distribution is a function of two parameters, one of which reflects the dynamics of void formation, and the other the formation of collapsed objects.Comment: 23 pages, 9 figures, submitted to MNRA

Early detection of weed in sugarcane using convolutional neural network

Weed infestation is an essential factor in sugarcane productivity loss. The use of remote sensing data in conjunction with Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques, can lead the cultivation of sugarcane to a new level in terms of weed control. For this purpose, an algorithm based on Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) was developed to detect, quantify, and map weeds in sugarcane areas located in the state of Alagoas, Brazil. Images of the PlanetScope satellite were subdivided, separated, trained in different scenarios, classified and georeferenced, producing a map with weed information included. Scenario one of the CNN training and test presented overall accuracy (0,983), and it was used to produce the final mapping of forest areas, sugarcane, and weed infestation. The quantitative analysis of the area (ha) infested by weed indicated a high probability of a negative impact on sugarcane productivity. It is recommended that the adequacy of CNN’s algorithm for Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) images be carried out, aiming at the differentiation between weed species, as well as its application in the detection in areas with different culture crop

Seagrass meadows improve inflowing water quality in aquaculture ponds

Water quality is critical for fish health in aquaculture production. In flow-through systems, the inflowing water normally requires quality controls and treatments for being supplied from coastal water bodies that can be polluted by nutrients, suspended solids, and microorganisms. Here we assess how seagrass meadows benefit aquaculture systems through the provision of ecosystem services (water filtration, biological control, and regulation of dissolved gasses) in the water reservoir that supplies earthen ponds in an aquaculture system in southern Portugal. In the 1.45-ha reservoir, seagrasses retained daily an estimate of 0.8–1.8 kg d−1 of nitrogen, 0.04–0.07 kg d−1 of phosphorus in their biomass, and 0.7–1.1 kg dw d−1 of suspended total particulate matter, bringing benefits in terms of nutrient and particle removal from the water column. Diel and spatial variation in faecal coliforms levels (Escherichia coli) in the reservoir suggested that seagrasses, in combination with light exposure, may reduce the levels of this pathogen. Furthermore, the seagrass-dominated system oxygenated the water through photosynthesis at a faster rate than the respiratory oxygen consumption, maintaining the system above the aquaculture minimum oxygen. This study demonstrates that seagrasses can be used as a nature-based solution to overcome water quality challenges in flow-through aquaculture ponds.Foundation of Science and Technology of Portugal through projects PTDC/MAR-EST/3223/2014 and UIDB/04326/2020 and through fellowships SFRH/BPD/119344/2016 and SFRH/BD/118601/2016, and was further funded by MAR2020 through project DIVERSIAQUA (MAR202016-02-01-FMP-0066).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Videos for remote instruction of caregivers of children with atypical development during the COVID-19 pandemic

O momento que estamos vivendo, de pandemia da COVID-19, exige que sejam tomadas medidas de contenção da propagação do novo coronavírus (Sars-Cov-2) na população. Desde o início da pandemia, o distanciamento social tem sido a principal orientação da Organização Mundial da Saúde para combater a disseminação do coronavírus. Tais condições ressaltam a necessidade de ferramentas para o atendimento e suporte remoto de crianças com desenvolvimento atípico, como aquelas com Transtorno do Espectro Autista. Ferramentas como essas têm se mostrado efetivas e têm suma importância no contexto brasileiro, tendo em vista o reduzido número de profissionais capacitados e o alto custo nas intervenções. Portanto, o presente artigo visou apresentar uma ferramenta (canal no YouTube com a publicação periódica de vídeos instrucionais e didáticos sobre diferentes habilidades) para auxiliar profissionais (psicólogos, pedagogos, fonoaudiólogos, terapeutas ocupacionais etc.) na orientação ou treinamento de cuidadores para intervirem com crianças nas circunstâncias atuais, buscando assim reduzir prejuízos a médio e a longo prazo por uma possível inviabilidade de atendimento presencial para esse público.Palavras-chave:  atendimento remoto, canal, intervenção via cuidador, Transtorno do Espectro Autista, telessaúde.The current moment, in face of the COVID-19 pandemic, requires measures to contain the spread of the new coronavirus (Sars-Cov-2) among the population. Since the beginning of the pandemic, social distancing has been the main recommendation of World Health Organization to avoid the spread of coronavirus. These conditions highlight the need of tools for remote care and support for children with atypical development, such as those diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Tools with this purpose have been elsewhere proven to be effective and they are of great importance in the Brazilian context, given the small number of trained professionals and the high cost of interventions. Therefore, the present paper aimed to present a tool (YouTube channel with periodic publication of instructional and didactic videos on different skills) to assist professionals (psychologists, pedagogues, speech therapists, occupational therapists, etc.) in guiding and training caregivers to intervene with children in the current circumstances, thus seeking to reduce losses in the medium and long term due to a possible unfeasibility of face-to-face service for this audience.Keywords:  remote service, channel, intervention via caregiver, Autism Spectrum Disorder, telehealth

A certificação florestal traz benefícios para as empresas Brasileiras? / Does forest certification benefit Brazilian companies?

Este trabalho caracterizou o tipo de mercado, tamanho e segmento de atuação das empresas detentoras do selo Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) 100% no Brasil e avaliou a percepção dos gestores dessas empresas sobre os benefícios advindos da certificação florestal. Tal estudo se justifica pelo caráter voluntário do programa que propõe a garantia de que uma floresta é manejada de forma a contemplar os aspectos econômicos e socioambientais. Foram realizadas entrevistas com os gestores de povoamentos florestais com certificados de manejo florestal de todas as empresas disponíveis na plataforma do FSC, com FSC 100% certificada, durante três semanas, para avaliar a percepção dos mesmos sobre o programa. Os resultados foram tabulados, agrupados de acordo com o tipo de mercado, tamanho e segmento de atuação, para em seguida serem submetidos ao teste de Kruskal-Wallis. Das 110 empresas disponíveis na plataforma do FSC, 92 (84%) manifestaram resposta. Foram encontradas evidências de que o programa FSC traz benefícios para o setor privado, como acesso a mercados internacionais, melhoria no treinamento dos funcionários, impacto positivo na imagem da empresa, entre outros. Contudo, ainda não se recebe o pagamento de preços premium, a maioria das comunidades locais se mostra indiferente aos produtores com certificados, e grande parte dos consumidores brasileiros não reconhece o selo FSC. Conclui-se que existem benefícios para as empresas certificadas, mas que os alcances pretendidos na sua instituição não são totalmente atingidos. Novas pesquisas são necessárias para estudar os efeitos de alternativas que permitam ao programa atingir todo seu potencial positivo, sendo propostas como alternativas a maior educação ambiental e publicidade da marca FSC

Radio Emission from Ultra-Cool Dwarfs

The 2001 discovery of radio emission from ultra-cool dwarfs (UCDs), the very low-mass stars and brown dwarfs with spectral types of ~M7 and later, revealed that these objects can generate and dissipate powerful magnetic fields. Radio observations provide unparalleled insight into UCD magnetism: detections extend to brown dwarfs with temperatures <1000 K, where no other observational probes are effective. The data reveal that UCDs can generate strong (kG) fields, sometimes with a stable dipolar structure; that they can produce and retain nonthermal plasmas with electron acceleration extending to MeV energies; and that they can drive auroral current systems resulting in significant atmospheric energy deposition and powerful, coherent radio bursts. Still to be understood are the underlying dynamo processes, the precise means by which particles are accelerated around these objects, the observed diversity of magnetic phenomenologies, and how all of these factors change as the mass of the central object approaches that of Jupiter. The answers to these questions are doubly important because UCDs are both potential exoplanet hosts, as in the TRAPPIST-1 system, and analogues of extrasolar giant planets themselves.Comment: 19 pages; submitted chapter to the Handbook of Exoplanets, eds. Hans J. Deeg and Juan Antonio Belmonte (Springer-Verlag

Global assessment of dengue Virus-Specific CD4+ T cell responses in Dengue-Endemic areas

Background: Dengue is a major public health problem worldwide. Assessment of adaptive immunity is important to understanding immunopathology and to define correlates of protection against dengue virus (DENV). To enable global assessment of CD4+ T cell responses, we mapped HLA-DRB1-restricted DENV-specific CD4+ T cell epitopes in individuals previously exposed to DENV in the general population of the dengue-endemic region of Managua, Nicaragua. Methods: HLA class II epitopes in the population of Managua were identified by an in vitro IFNγ ELISPOT assay. CD4+ T cells purified by magnetic bead negative selection were stimulated with HLA-matched epitope pools in the presence of autologous antigen-presenting cells, followed by pool deconvolution to identify specific epitopes. The epitopes identified in this study were combined with those previously identified in the DENV endemic region of Sri Lanka, to generate a “megapool” (MP) consisting of 180 peptides specifically designed to achieve balanced HLA and DENV serotype coverage. The DENV CD4MP180 was validated by intracellular cytokine staining assays. Results: We detected responses directed against a total of 431 epitopes, representing all 4 DENV serotypes, restricted by 15 different HLA-DRB1 alleles. The responses were associated with a similar pattern of protein immunodominance, overall higher magnitude of responses, as compared to what was observed previously in the Sri Lanka region. Based on these epitope mapping studies, we designed a DENV CD4 MP180 with higher and more consistent coverage, which allowed the detection of CD4+ T cell DENV responses ex vivo in various cohorts of DENV exposed donors worldwide, including donors from Nicaragua, Brazil, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and U.S. domestic flavivirus-naïve subjects immunized with Tetravalent Dengue Live-Attenuated Vaccine (TV005). This broad reactivity reflects that the 21 HLA-DRB1 alleles analyzed in this and previous studies account for more than 80% of alleles present with a phenotypic frequency ≥5% worldwide, corresponding to 92% phenotypic coverage of the general population (i.e., 92% of individuals express at least one of these alleles). Conclusion: The DENV CD4 MP180 can be utilized to measure ex vivo responses to DENV irrespective of geographical location

Voids in a Λ\LambdaCDM Universe

We study the formation and evolution of voids in the dark matter distribution using various simulations of the popular $\Lambda$ Cold Dark Matter cosmogony. We identify voids by requiring them to be regions of space with a mean overdensity of -0.8 or less. Each of the simulations contains thousands of voids. The distribution of void sizes in the different simulations shows good agreement. Voids very clearly correspond to minima in the smoothed initial density field. We find a universal void mass profile of the form $\rho(<r)/\rho(r_{\rm eff}) \propto \exp[(r/r_{\rm eff})^\alpha]$ where $r_{\rm eff}$ is the effective radius of a void and $\alpha\sim 2$. The mass function of haloes in voids is steeper than that of haloes that populate denser regions. The abundances of void haloes seem to evolve somewhat more strongly between redshifts $\sim 1$ and 0 than the global abundances of haloes. (abridged)Comment: 12 pages, 16 figures, submitted to MNRAS; 13 pages, 17 figures, revised version, accepted for publicatio